Transformative Political Islamic Feminism in Indonesia: Political Edict of Women Scholars of the Indonesian Congress of Women Islamic Scholars Network

On 20 November 2023, the Indonesian Congress of Women Islamic Scholars (Kongres Ulama Perempuan Indonesia – KUPI) network collaborated with the Centre Studies of Gender and Children (Pusat Studi Gender dan Anak – PSGA) Universitas Islam Negeri Hidayatullah Jakarta conducted a discussion forum and declare the Political Edicts of Women Scholar – Maklumat Politik Jaringan Ulama Indonesia.  This event was held hybrid scheme with the theme “Clean and Dignified Election for a Just Civilization” and attended by more than 250 participants. This initiative revealed the strategic women’s role in responding to the political year in Indonesia.

The Role of Campus in Advocating Peaceful Election in Flawed Democracy

When campuses become the last bulwark of democracy, will the government stand idly by?

Jokowi’s drama alleged intervention in the 2024 elections in Indonesia draws out the tensions of the nepotism democracy conflict. First, the alleged intervention in the amendment of Article 169 letter q of Law No. 7/2017 on the minimum age limit of vice-presidential candidates, which states that “he/she is at least 40 (forty) years old or has/is currently holding an office elected through general elections including regional head elections”. With this change, the president’s son, Gibran Rakabumi, as mayor of Solo, can become the vice-presidential candidate of presidential candidate no. 2 Prabowo Subianto. In addition, this decision was facilitated by the position of the chairman of Indonesia’s constitutional court and Jokowi’s brother-in-law. Allegations of political oligarchy have surfaced and become an essential discussion in Indonesian politics.

Food Crisis; What is Women and Youth Can Do?

A footage video depicts a food crisis in Palestine. Palestinians, young and adults, desperately scrambled for food. They wait for a long time to attain a piece of bread and find it hard to escape from famine at the moment. So, this situation elucidates how war drives catastrophic human issues, especially food issues in this era.

Widows and Multiple Injustices

“Many discussions about the women’s emancipation, but leave out the burden of widows.”

April 21 marks Kartini Day, which celebrates the emancipation of Indonesian women. This day has been instrumental in promoting gender equality and has increased communities, research, and institutions focused on women’s rights. However, the issue of the emancipation of widows is still overlooked.

Unveiling the Digital Vulnerabilities: Ransomware Attack Exposes Indonesia’s Cybersecurity Weaknesses

A ransomware attack on Indonesia’s National Data Centre (PDN = Pusat Data Nasional) reveals significant vulnerabilities in Indonesia’s digital security. The attacks influenced more than 200 government institutions including the immigration systems and education sectors. It encountered bottlenecks in the checkpoints and disrupted student enrolment. 

Unfortunately, the bulk of data has not been backed up yet. However, the government estimates that full restoration will be completed by the end of 2024. This long maintenance calls the need to improve infrastructures and resources. 

Cancel Culture as a Feminist Political Criticism Tool in Indonesia

The recent wave of cancel culture in Indonesia, particularly in the form of hashtags to cancel celebrities deemed politically sympathetic, is more than a web trend. It is an indication of rising political consciousness, one that challenges mainstream discourses and questions whose voice counts and for whom. Taking Eve Ng’s (2022) definition, cancel culture is both an act of targeted cancellation and a broad public discourse of outrage. But it is also a digital mode of resistance whose meanings, if interpreted through feminist lenses, reveal the gendered dynamics of voice, influence, and state loyalty in the public sphere in Indonesia.