The government in October last year launched the National Defenders program, or Bela Negara, as a prelude toward realization of President Joko Widodo’s nine-point
Politics and Economics: Barriers to Change
President Joko Widodo earlier this year went on record as saying that even after 10 economic reform packages – including liberalization of the negative
Drugs in Indonesia – Overblown Emergency?
Less than two months after his inauguration, Joko Widodo gave one of the most influential speeches of his presidency at Gadjah Mada University in
Gafatar: Diversity, but Only Within Limits
One of Indonesia’s main foundation stones of nationhood is Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika). It’s a principle that is seen as essential in
Counter-Terrorism Set for Revamp
The government is seeking to remodel its strategy for fighting violent jihadism after the terrorist attack on January 14 in Jakarta which left four
Inequality: Gaining Momentum?
Few terms in the development jargon are as old as wealth inequality, the steep slope that makes improvements in life difficult for some and
Crime in 2015: Under-Reported or Safer Society?
Despite the increased focus on terrorism following the January 14 terrorist attack in the Sarinah area of Central Jakarta, other crimes such as social
Tourism: Spreading the Wealth
Few industries represent the inexhaustible wealth offered by tourism, a product perceived as a hard-fought right in wealthy societies and whose inception can be
Widodo After 18 Months: Not Just Good Story-Telling
Pencitraan, the art of looking good President Joko Widodo is emerging as the master of ‘pencitraan’ – the creation of positive public perception when
Indonesia and SDGs: A Tortuous Road Ahead
A new chapter in the global development agenda was opened on September 25 last year with the ratification at the UN General Assembly of