Reformasi Dispatch
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.
Episodes
160 episodes
Season 5 Episode 10
A 7.7 Richter scale earthquake devastates Myanmar, Thanksin Shinawatra joins the board of Danantara, Indonesia braces for a new set of reciprocal tariffs from Trump, and protests against TNI law continues in several cities. For a fr...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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44:34
Season 5 Episode 9 (with Fabby Tumiwa)
Kevin and Erin spoke to Fabby Tumiwa of IESR on renewable energy. Also: the new military law, IHSG plunges, and Tempo received threats.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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1:12:16
Season 5 Episode 8 (with Jonathan Head)
Jonathan Head of the BBC joins the pod to discuss Myanmar's scam centerFor a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here:
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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1:07:47
Season 5 Episode 7 (with Wahyu Dyatmika)
Erin and Kevin catch up with Wahyu Dyatmika to talk about Prabowo's approach to media, especially after Prabowo's meeting with editor in chiefs in Hambalang on Saturday. Also: Corruption case in Pertamina involving son of Riza Chalid, and Thail...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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54:01
Season 5 Episode 6
Student led protests erupt in several cities in Indonesia. Prabowo announced a new round of budget cuts for Danantara. A punk rock duo Sukatani was forced to make an apology video after their song on Police graft went viral. It ironically becam...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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37:24
Season 5 Episode 5 (with Jon Lindborg)
Jon Lindborg, a veteran in development, discusses the impact of the USAID freeze on Indonesia. Also: budget cutbacks and an arrest in the Finance Ministry.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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1:01:15
Season 5 Episode 4
Indikator Politik's polling corroborates earlier Kompas polling on President's popularity but the majority is against his discourse on changing electoral system. Also: A snaking queue for 3 kg LPG canister after a new policy, Elon Musk's policy...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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39:18
Season 5 Episode 3 (with Seth Soderborg)
Kevin and Erin talk to Seth about new Litbang Kompas polling regarding Prabowo's sky-high approval rating. Also, sea fences north of Jakarta caused blame game in the government. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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57:03
Season 5 Episode 2 (With Usman Hamid)
Usman Hamid of Amnesty International Indonesia joins Kevin and Erin to discuss about systemic problems in the police force, human rights violations in Papua, Prabowo's Ministers' denial of past gross human rights vioaltions and deteriorating st...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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52:39
Season 5 Episode 1 (with David Mathieson)
Myanmar's Deterioration and interview with David Mathieson. Also: launch of lunches (sans Prabowo). Hasto named suspect and VAT hike cancelled.
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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1:24:01
Season 4 Episode 42 (with Lauri Myllyvirta)
In this episode: 12% VAT confirmed for 2025, Jokowi's absence from Golkar's event and ouster from PDI-P. And a talk with Lauri Myllyvirta of CREA on Prabowo's ambitious energy transition plan.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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1:21:04
Season 4 Episode 41 (With Khoirunnisa Agustyati)
In this episode: a welcome volte-face on prisoner exchanges; another rise in fiscal-policy stakes; and a plan for expanding the Army. Also: Khoirunnisa Agustyati of Perludem discussed the regional-head elections and upcoming political-law...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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1:07:04
Season 4 Episode 40 (With Bert Gochet)
In this episode: Verbal brawls in Manila escalate between Marcos and VP Duterte, preliminary results of Pilkada in Indonesia. Plus, an interview with the economic analyst Bert Gochet on the interactions between geopolitical uncertainties and&nb...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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1:08:31
Season 4 Episode 39 (with Seth Soderborg)
In this episode: A special episode on the upcoming Pilkada (regional elections) with Seth Soderborg of SNS Analytics.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's ...
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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56:51
Season 4 Episode 38 (with Ristian Atriandi)
In this episode: Interview with Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto of Universitas Indonesia on Indonesia and China's joint agreement regarding South China Sea. Also: New SMRC polling on Jakarta race, Prabowo's visit to US.For a free tria...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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49:52
Season 4 Episode 37
Season 4 Episode 37: Prabowo's moves, US election impact, Labor Law, electoral reformsFor a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut ...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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34:19
Season 4 Episode 36 (With Anindya Restuviani)
In this episode: Interview with Anindya Restuviani of Jakarta Feminist. Also: inauguration address, cabinet contours, arrest by AGO, BRICSmembership, new agencies. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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1:06:08
Season 4 Episode 35 (with Herald Van Der Linde)
Interview with 'Majapahit' author Herald van der Linde - pluralism, commerce and justice in pre-modern Indonesia. Plus, a look at the likely new cabinet roster with some positive late-stage alterations.For a free trial of Reformas...
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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1:14:30
Season 4 Episode 34
In this episode: Asean Summit, Jakarta governor debate, investigation in South Kalimantan, fiscal deficit outlook, cabinet-roster prognostications.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformas...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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44:55
Season 4 Episode 33 (With Rio Tuasikal)
This week: Erin Cook talks to Rio Tuasikal on his paper regarding media coverage of AI in Indonesia. Also, Regional-head races, ethanol production, cabinet formation and new legislative leadershipsRead Rio Tuasikal's research on me...
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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1:08:52
Season 4 Episode 32 (With James Guild)
This week: Sri Mulyani speculation, Kiwi pilot released, cabinet rumors and sand exports. Also: Prof James Guild discusses the Widodo-era legacy of infrastructure development.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to
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Season 4
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Episode 32
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55:27
Season 4 Episode 31
This week: the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) takeover, Widodo's offspring under fire, and updates on the politics of regional-head elections.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to refor...
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Season 4
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Episode 31
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38:44
The Indonesian Toggle for Democracy (with Wahyu Dhyatmika)
Following the profound setback to democratization from Golkar's takeover, constitutional justices undertook a spirited effort to restore competition to regional-head elections -- only for parliament to countermand the court a day later with a R...
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Season 4
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Episode 30
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1:00:59
Golkar In Subordination
President Widodo and Prabowo Subianto need no longer contend with restiveness from Indonesia's second-largest party: Golkar Chair Airlangga Hartarto sensationally resigned and his replacement will be the Widodo-Prabowo loyalist Bahlil Lahadahli...
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Season 4
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Episode 29
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1:13:00
Empty Boxes, Now More than Ever
This week, Southeast Asia's politics witnessed the dissolution of Thailand's most popular party (again), and strides in Indonesia's regional‑head elections to thwart the administration's rivals -- in which case, ballots in November may literall...
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Season 4
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Episode 28
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44:09