Reformasi Dispatch

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Episodes

205

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Independent and lucid analysis of Indonesian politics, policymaking, justice, and economics featuring Kevin O’Rourke and Erin Cook. The podcasts incorporate exclusive interviews with experts and draws on content from the Reformasi Weekly reports, produced for subscribers since 2003.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 1545 min

Episode 200

After a precipitous drop in both the rupiah and the Indonesian Stock Index, Kevin and Erin round up the assorted moves implemented by the government to bolster confidence and restore stability (spoiler: there were none). Next, do a sudden spate of arrests denote rifts between rival elements of the security forces? And what do the contents of suspects' garages tell us? Finally, the Palace reaction to criticism of Prabowo's penchant for Paris, and a ditty about the energy minister pairs a delightful tune with venomous lyrics.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

May 31, 2026Episode 1441 min

Season 6 Episode 14

As the rupiah continues to slide, the government is exacerbating business sentiment by imposing an export marketing board for palm oil, coal and ferroalloys. Kevin and Erin discuss the background, implications, and outlook in the latest edition of the Reformasi Dispatch podcast on Indonesian politics and policymaking. Also in this episode: a fourth presidential visit to Paris; the Army's Pesta Babi counter-narrative (spoiler: it was Soros); and the EU Parliament calls for accountability for the Andrie Yunus acid attack.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

May 16, 2026Episode 1351 min

Season 6 Episode 13

Manila awaits the fate of the Dutertes. Prabowo makes an impression in Cebu for Asean's Summit, militarily and sartorially. Amien Rais's claims of an "offside" relationship between Prabowo and Teddy sparks a backlash. The Police Reform Commission wraps up just as unrest affects Jayapura. And the Rupiah slides to a new low, posing a quandary for the president and focusing attention on policymaking.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

May 3, 2026Episode 1240 min

Season 6 Episode 12

Indonesian politics this week featured mini-reshuffle of three cabinet & cabinet-level posts -- Kevin and Erin discuss the motives, consequences and who gained an advantage (spoiler: the Army). Also: a rail disaster, the start of the trial of Andrie Yunus's attackers and uproar over Lt Col Teddy eating cake. Also: a long-awaited trade reform package finally receives some discussion.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

April 17, 2026Episode 1136 min

Season 6 Episode 11 (with Wahyu Dyatmika)

Amid pressure on the freedom of expression in Indonesia, Reformasi Dispatch examines the dynamics with Wahyu Dyatmika, a director of the Tempo Media Group. Wahyu joins the pod to discuss attitudes in civil society and the media in the wake of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, including whether self-censorship is becoming more prevalent in the media. Wahyu, Erin and Kevin also discuss institutional rivalries that the acid attack exposed, as well as potential fallout ahead from the global energy crisis and LPG supply constraints.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

April 8, 2026Episode 1043 min

Season 6 Episode 10

An interruption in shipments of LPG, the ubiquitous cooking fuel in Indonesia, will likely cause shortages soon, with consequences for the image of the administration. And to safeguard petrol and diesel, Indonesia is moving towards rationing and even greater use of biodiesel. Meanwhile, Tempo has produced revelations about how the acid attack on Andrie Yunus unfolded -- with signs of an institutional approach and broad targets. And Kevin and Erin discuss a consortium poll on attitudes toward democracy, military politics and President Prabowo's foreign policy approach to Gaza and the Board of Peace.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

March 29, 2026Episode 938 min

Season 6 Episode 9

In this week's episode of the Reformasi Dispatch podcast on Indonesia - with an energy crunch looming, will the government hike fuel prices or ration subsidized petrol?Will LPG supplies hold out? And will discomforts prove particularly awkward politically, given Prabowo's membership on the Board of Peace?Also: How energy shortages are manifesting in regional neighbours. In policy developments, a draft decree in lieu of law (Perppu) would focus on economic crimes. And the military ousted the three-star head of intelligence (Bais) as a 'form of accountability' for the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. Kevin and Erin discuss possible explanations for the military's course of action.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

March 21, 2026Episode 838 min

Season 6 Episode 8

A military critic from the human rights group Kontras suffered a harrowing attack with acid that burned him badly. What does this portend for expression? In turn, police examined over 80 CCTV cameras and identified the suspected perpetrators - officers from military intelligence. Does this reflect rivalries between elements of the state apparatus? Also: How ASEAN states are reacting and adapting to the war on Iran, including geopolitics as well as energy disruptions. Prabowo called for 100 Gigawatts of solar power.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

March 11, 2026Episode 747 min

Season 6 Episode 7

President Prabowo reacts to the US-Israel invasion of Iran -- offer to mediate, assembles luminaries including former presidents, and then sets 'ready alert' (siaga satu) status for the military. An array of groups and figures speak out against Prabowo's alignment with the US in the Board of Peace and concessions in the Recriprocal Trade Agreement. Likelihood of a prolonged conflict in Iran point to economic impacts for Indonesia. A court acquits Delpedro Marhaen, an activist apprehended last August for demonstrations. And the government is restricting social media accounts for minors under age 16.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

February 28, 2026Episode 638 min

Season 6 Episode 6

This week in Indonesia - Erin & Kevin examine Indonesia's reciprocal trade agreement (ART) with the US; a slander case brewing against the popular satirist Pandji Pragiwaksono; and, further afield, Thailand's election and the growing popularity in the Philippines of VP Sarah Duterte.It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!