Organizer: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
Type/Location: Hybrid / Singapore
Description:
In much of current political discussion, there has been increased talk of Indonesia operating under a political cartel, fuelled by the formation of President Prabowo Subianto’s ‘Advance Indonesia Plus’ Coalition (KIM Plus) and mentions of it as a permanent coalition. Moves by elements in KIM Plus to do away with direct elections for governors, bupatis and mayors would mean an increased role for negotiations within existing coalitions, that is, cartelisation. This trend towards centralisation of power, however, is provoking a contrary reaction. First, from within the broad elite, there are political initiatives that challenge the prevailing cartel, including the formation of the Labour Party (Partai Buruh) and more recently, the People’s Movement Party, supporting Anies Baswedan. Additionally, while still a minority, the opposition-minded elements in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) have increased their activity.
The most interesting and a potentially serious challenge to the cartel’s hegemony comes from the growing alienation of Gen-Z middle- and lower middle-class layers, whose anger broke in late August 2025. 705 people, mostly from this demographic, were arrested and it appears most are going on trial. While this wave of arrests has not provoked wider social unrest, it has had only a minimal chilling effect. Dissent, reflected in a range of social media platforms, remains sharp. Perhaps a major question is: Will this discontent take on or intersect with real, organised political challenges to the cartel?
About the Speakers:
Dr. Maxwell Lane is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He is currently commissioned to write his memoirs for Melbourne University Press.
Professor Leo Suryadinata is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and Professor (Adjunct) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.
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