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Several Metro Mini buses on their way out of terminal Blok M in South Jakarta. Rémi Desmoulière

The secret to the long life of Jakarta’s minibuses

Jakarta’s minibuses can survive because of their socio-political functions and relation to the interests of thousands of business owners and workers in the capital.
A protester walks near burning police cars during a clash with police at a protest against allegedly blasphemous remarks by Jakarta’s then governor, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, outside the presidential palace in Jakarta in November 2016. Mast Irham/EPA

Behind the rise of blasphemy cases
 in Indonesia

The reasons for the rise in the number of blasphemy cases in Indonesia since the reform era are more than just religious ones.
A man protesting against the government’s new power to ban organisations deemed anti-Pancasila, Indonesia’s state ideology. Reuters/Beawiharta

Indonesia takes an ultra-nationalist turn against Islamic populism

A recently passed regulation in lieu of law allows the government to ban organisations deemed against Indonesia’s state ideology Pancasila. It marks a troubling turn towards ultra-nationalism.
The crime of blasphemy is about protecting God and Christian doctrine from scurrilous commentary, and Christians from offence. Shutterstock

Blasphemy is still a crime in Australia – and it shouldn’t be

Laws against blasphemy privilege the feelings of Christians over other religious people, and have no place in a modern, inclusive society.
Outgoing Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, was sentenced this month to two years in prison for blasphemy. EPA/Bay Ismoyo

Anti-Chinese and anti-Christian sentiment is not new in Indonesia

Ethnic Chinese and Christians in Indonesia have endured systematic and long-standing discrimination throughout the country’s history.
The 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election may be one of the most important local elections in Indonesia so far. EPA/Adi Weda

Jakarta governor’s race a litmus test for Indonesia

Would religious and ethnic narratives be effective at swaying voters?

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