This article provides an update of the suicide attack on 7 December 2022 in Bandung, Indonesia and a profile of the perpetrator.
Indonesia
This article reviews how the Indonesian electoral system and political funding scheme create a condition where only individuals with significant economic capital could participate in politics. The oligarchs, whose interests collide with Indonesia’s agenda of environmental protection, are a force to reckon with in the run up to Pemilihan Umum 2024 (the 2024 General Election – Pemilu).
Should Indonesia accept China’s invitation to join BRICS? Recent data shows that such membership might not be necessary to assist Indonesia in facing economic shocks.
The decline of interfaith dialogue in Indonesia comes at a time when there is a growing reluctance to accept people of different identities. This is concerning as recent conservatism swing has particularly made people more religious but not necessarily spiritual, making it harder for people to embrace the spirit of pluralism that has been ingrained in the Indonesian society for so long. Thus, there is an urgent need to revitalise this process in the country.
Sharia politics as a political force peaked in 2016 and 2017 but has struggled to maintain its momentum in recent years. Despite setbacks, it is in no way out of the picture. Will it make a comeback in 2024?
While Islamist parties are still a long way from dominating the upcoming Indonesian elections, conservative Muslim voters will become increasingly indispensable to presidential hopefuls, adding pressures on religious liberty in Indonesia.
The Indonesian government’s strategy to address data breach incidents are defined by much reluctance and buck passing. The passing of its Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) should not be seen as the final answer to this persistent conundrum. Rather, it should be considered as the first step towards a more effective response.
stratsea.com mourns the loss of Indonesia’s Chairman of the Press Council and intellectual juggernaut Prof. Dr. Haji Azyumardi Azra, MA, MPhil, CBE, who passed away on 18 September in Malaysia. May his soul live in everlasting peace with the Almighty.
As Indonesia was amidst passing its Personal Data Protection Act, the country was suddenly plunged into an unprecedented digital crisis as a hacker–going by the nom de guerre “Björka”–stole, sold and divulged the personal data of Indonesians including the elites. This incident not only exposes the vulnerability of Indonesia’s cybersecurity system, but also the government’s lacklustre response to the problem.
The drafting of the Personal Data Protection Act (Undang-Undang Pelindungan Data Pribadi) is almost complete. After delays since its initiation in early 2020, the Indonesian House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat/DPR) and the government are in the final stages of discussions. The final result, however, might not satisfy those who initially sought this Act. This is due to the final draft having to accommodate the interests of the government and the DPR. Such accommodations may compromise the effectiveness of the Act.