Indonesia In-depth

Coming from two generations of high ranking military leaders, Dimas grew up wanting nothing else than to become a soldier too. But it was only when Dimas moved to Hawaii in the late 1990s that he unexpectedly found a way to channel his patriotic side. In this episode, we follow a story of the first Indonesian to become a pro wrestler in the U.S. Donning an army character from Indonesia, Dimas recounts the serendipitous events that led him to become a wrestler, coming to terms with his family who were adamantly against his childhood dream, and an unexpected turn in his career after 9/11 happened.| Stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

Election is a contest with a winner, but what if the only way to "win" is to make sure "nobody" wins? Since Indonesia began the process to hold election concurrently in 2015, there have been more and more cases of empty ballot/empty box, only a single candidate race. For some, the empty box is the expression of choice. In this episode, we follow the story of a man who felt cheated in an election process and his intricate tactics and calculated strategies which eventually resulted in a first for Indonesia's democracy. This is not a story of who's right or wrong, this is a story about just how far people would go when they feel cheated in an election. This is the story of the Tiger Cubs. | Stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

Though Indomie is one of Indonesian's most iconic brands, its true origin is largely misunderstood. As Indonesians began to accept wheat-based products as part of their daily diet, instant noodles manufacturers flourished--beginning with Supermi. But it was Soeharto's masterplan with establishing Bogasari, a flour milling facility, that paved the way for Liem Sioe Liong (a.k.a Soedono Salim) to come onto the instant noodle scene. With the help of Soeharto and his institutions, Salim wrestled control over the Indomie brand from the inventor and eventually dominate the entire instant noodle market in Indonesia until today. This is the true but unfortunate story of the original founder of Indomie and how he steadily, but unwillingly, disappeared from history. | Stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

How did instant noodles become a staple food for Indonesians? How did Indomie become Indonesia’s most iconic brand? Through the lens of two generations, we trace back the series of accidental events; from historic famine, a move for political and national stability, nepotism, geopolitics, the letters of desperation, to the legal battle over Indonesia’s most iconic brand and a forgotten founder that history should acknowledge. | Stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

Our podcast feeds has been a bit quiet recently, but that's because we have been hard at work pitching, interviewing, editing and building stories. Indonesia In-depth has evolved into a seasonal podcast, fully committed to long-form narrative series. We hope you will enjoy it! ||Stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

We’ve got some big news! We’ve been off the grid for a while but that’s for a good reason. Indonesia In-depth is evolving into a seasonal podcast and fully committed to long-form narrative series. Our debut will be released soon! In the meantime, stay connected with us through our Instagram and Twitter: @Indepthcreates or write to us at info@indepthcreative.com| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Visit : www.indepthcreative.com or Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

2020 is coming to an end, and to be honest, we can’t wait! Through musical instruments, sounds, and melodies, Tanita and Rizki paint a picture of what the team went through in this unprecedented year. In this episode of Indonesia In-Studio (and last episode of Indonesia In-depth in 2020!), we take you back to all the works, surprises, the highs and the lows of production that took place in our studio. Featuring some of our most candid conversations and thoughts, this episode is a ride behind the scenes of some of our biggest successes and biggest setbacks this year. 2021 here we come! | This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indepthcreative.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

One of the major changes to Indonesia following the fall of Soeharto and Reformasi was decentralization and a shift to a direct ballot election system. The aim? To ensure that local legislatures were not simply a rubber stamp of Jakarta. In recent years though, we have seen a strong push to return to a similar system used under the New Order and ultimately return more power to the central government. Leading this movement are the key political parties: PDIP, Golkar and Gerindra and with the bigger goal of amending election laws in and even the Constitution. They aim to have the changes completed by 2024. What are the driving forces behind this movement?We sit with Seth Soderborg, a PhD candidate at the Department of Government at Harvard University, to discuss why parties are pushing to return to the old system, what are the driving forces behind it and how might it impact Indonesian politics going forward.| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indepthcreative.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indepthcreative.com | Twitter: @Indepthcreates | Instagram: @Indepthcreates

Between May - July 1945, members of the Investigative Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence (BPUPKI) deliberated on what territories should be included in a future Republic of Indonesia, if Japan granted independence. Should the new state stretch from Southern Thailand to Papua New Guinea? Should it extend only to the borders of the former Dutch colony? Or, should it mirror the territory of the former Majapahit Kingdom from the 14th and 15th Century?In this audio documentary, we revisit the intellectual history of “Tanah Air” with historian Dr. Yosef Djakababa. | This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | Instagram: @IndonesiaIndepth 

President Widodo promised to return Indonesia to a maritime power when he first took office in 2014. It was one of Widodo’s major platform policies and there was a lot talk about it in his presidential campaign that year and during the early part of his first term.Intrigued by history, we often wondered, if Widodo hoped to bring back this maritime power, what did this power look like before? Where the kingdoms that controlled this region maritime powers themselves?As part of our Independence Month series at Indonesia In-depth, we explore Indonesia's historical and cultural ties to maritime and how it impacts the government and military today with Dr. Evan Laksmana, a political scientist and senior researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta.| This episode is produced by In-depth Creative | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | Instagram: @IndonesiaIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Google Music and podcast platforms!

There are more and more Nigerians fleeing to Indonesia. Why is this the case? Though the local media may have portrayed them more as online scammers and drug dealers, the reality is most of them are just trying to find a better life outside Nigeria doing ordinary jobs. The situation in Nigeria has pushed many youths to emigrate, or attempted to emigrate, abroad. We follow the story of one Nigerian man who hoped to find a better life in Indonesia. Now held in a detention center in West Jakarta, he shares his memories of Lagos, the reality of being a foreign worker in Indonesia and the hope of good things to come--however uncertain it may seem.  | This episode is produced by Shawn Corrigan and Tanita, written by Tanita, research by Veronica, edited by Rizki and visually designed by Daniel | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | Instagram: @IndonesiaIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Google Music and podcast platforms!

To flee to a foreign country you barely know and not knowing the language can be scary. But for many Nigerians youths, like Lucas (not his real name), going anywhere but home is necessary. The situation in Nigeria has pushed many youths to emigrate, or attempted to emigrate. We venture along with Lucas in this journey to Indonesia. What followed his arrival in Jakarta in 2017 was nothing close to what he expected. Fast forward to today, Lucas is one of the detainees at the West Jakarta Detention Center. With no chance to earn money and no resources to facilitate his return home, Lucas tirelessly reflects upon what he should do next. This Audio Documentary Coming July 29, 2020!

Prior to the pandemic there was push by major parties, such as PDI-P, Golkar and Gerindra, to bring more power back to the central government. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw some local leaders taking the initiative with battling the virus while the central government moved slowly. How might these events impact the country’s trend towards a more top-down approach by the central government?West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, is responsible for over 50 million people in the country’s largest province and appears to have made the most progress with getting the virus under control. How will that impact his political ambitions, such as perhaps a run for presidency in 2024?The president published a rare video of a cabinet meeting in mid-June where he expressed anger and disappointment towards ministers for not having a sense of crisis when it comes to battling the pandemic. What’s the reasoning behind the video release? Who is it aimed at and who is the target audience? Is there a cabinet reshuffle coming?Widodo has had a less than stellar record when it comes to handling the pandemic, how is he currently viewed by the voters and how is he polling?We discuss these questions and much more with one of my favourite guests, Dr. Djayadi Hanan, the executive director of Lembaga Survey Indonesia and the director of political science research at the Paramadina University here in Jakarta. | This episode is written and produced by Shawn Corrigan, sound engineering by Rizki and visual design by Daniel | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and podcast platforms!

The Central Government has prevented provincial leaders, such as Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, from implementing a lockdown, despite the fact that Jakarta is the country’s epicentre for the Covid-19 virus. The president says that a lockdown would cripple the country’s economy and lead to social unrest. Does the government have the capacity to successfully implement a lockdown as some have hoped for? Indonesia's Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan), wasalready facing a US$2.3 billion deficit prior to the pandemic. How willIndonesia pay for healthcare going forward with patients flooding into hospitalsas a result of the coronavirus and will they be covered?The 2020 State Budget had many experts optimistic about the country’s economic performance with a stable rupiah, growth at 5.3%, oil at US$70 a barrel, just to name a few. Those stats obviously no longer apply. What kind of economic growth might we see going forward?President Widodo had just begun launching his phase II mega projects over the next five years. Topping the list is a plan to move the nation’s capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan at a cost of US$32.7 billion. There’s also a high-speed rail project, power plants and health programs among many others. How will the pandemic impact Widodo’s mega projects?We cover these topics and more with Faisal Basri, senior economist from the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF), specializing in political economics.| This episode is written and produced by Shawn Corrigan and Tanita, research done by veronica, sound engineering by Rizki and visual design by Daniel | All music licensed | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and podcast platforms!

The Indonesian public has been fixated on the official number for Covid-19 cases and deaths during the pandemic. Indonesia’s numbers appear to be far lower than other countries given its 270 million people, but we wondered, how accurate is this number? Especially, when data has yet to be fully compiled at the regional and district levels and when there are at least five confusing categories when it comes to classifying Covid-19 cases in the country. When we traced the origins of these numbers, we found ourselves researching the different types of Covid-19 test kits used by the central and regional governments along with the mounting issues and difficulties involved. In addition to testing, we hear what experts say about how the mass migration, or Mudik, in May would impact the spread of the virus and the weeks of flip-flopping government policy to prevent it.We discussed this and more with scientists on the frontline of this pandemic, Dr. Herawati Sudoyo from the Eijkman Institute and Dr. Aryati from Airlangga University. | This episode is written and produced by Shawn Corrigan and Tanita, research done by veronica, sound engineering by Rizki and visual design by Daniel | All music licensed and composed by Max H: Up in the Andes | The Peruvian Protests | Hang Drum | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and podcast platforms!

When we ask ourselves how people would even begin to conceive and believe in conspiracy theories and hoaxes during a critical time such as this pandemic, we find that it is so much more than just an issue of how we access and process information, as many would believe. Evidently, world leaders around the world are also engaging in wild narratives surrounding COVID-19. In this episode, we attempt to go to the root of it, by asking how our reasoning works to find truth. We venture into a discussion like never before with Indonesian philosopher, Dr. Haryatmoko, and epistemologist, Dr. Diana Popescu from King’s College London. Book references mentioned by our guests: Karl Popper: Objective Knowledge | Simone Weill: Oppression and Liberty | Albert Camus: La Pest/ SamparAll music in this episode are licensed: The Horizon - Eill | Lands of Soho - Oton | Charon - Yehezkiel Raz | Mir'am - Panth Lab | Sequoia - Biba Dupont  | Sun Dance - Chelsea McCough This episode is produced by Tanita and Shawn Corrigan, edited by Rizki, research by veronica, and visual design by Daniel. | Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com  | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and other podcast players! 

During his first term in office, President Widodo promised to return Indonesia to its maritime roots and establish the country as a maritime power. Some may wonder though, how did the world’s largest archipelagic state loose its maritime roots to begin with? Widodo is now into his second term and he appears to have abandoned his maritime vision. What does this mean for Indonesia and what does it mean for the region?This comes at a time where we continue to see encroachment by Chinese vessels into Indonesian waters and even challenging Indonesian authorities. Are these just random fishing vessels wandering into Indonesian territory or is this a strategic move by Beijing as part of a wider, long-term goal?I discuss these important maritime issues, territorial disputes with China, how Widodo’s plan to move the nation’s capital might impact the armed forces and, much more with: Dr. Evan Laksmana, political scientist and senior researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) here in Jakarta.Be sure to follow Evan Laksmana’s Twitter feed to learn more of his insights and analysis:  @evanlaksmanaExecutive producer for this episode Shawn Corrigan, producer is Tanita, research done by veronica, sound engineering by Rizki and visual design by our newest team member, Daniel.This episode was recorded shortly before the Covid-19 crisis arrived in Indonesia.| Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com  | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and other podcast players! All music licensed. 

When the international community condemned the arbitrary detention, mass surveillance, political indoctrination and restrictions on religious activity of the Muslim minority Uyghur ethnic group in 2019, most of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members instead endorsed China’s treatment of Uyghurs in an official statement. The OIC stated that Beijing has undertaken deradicalization and counter-terrorism measures in the province of Xinjiang. Indonesia also failed to speak out on the issue and has taken a non-interference stance as they say that the Chinese government has a Uyghur separatist issue. What is the Indonesian government’s motivation behind such as stance and what does it mean to its foreign policy?Beijing has not taken this support for granted. It has conducted elaborate charm offensives and invited Indonesian social influencers, religious leaders and journalists on special managed tours to Xinjiang to show “normal life” in the province. Some participants said they failed to see any persecution of citizens while others say their movement was heavily restricted and under heavy surveillance by state minders. What really happened on the Xinjiang trip? In this audio documentary, we explore the Indonesian government’s stance on the Uyghur issue with Sidney Jones, a terrorism and security expert and founder of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) and speak to Muyhiddin Junaidi, the head of Muhammadiyah’s international relations and leader of the trip, to learn first-hand how the Indonesian delegation ended up in Xinjiang and what they experienced. Link to IPAC report titled: Explaining Indonesia's Silence on the Uyghur Issue:https://bit.ly/2wLMFoZ  or go to http://www.understandingconflict.org/en.html| Read the text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Send us your feedback! Email: info@indonesiaindepth.com  | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and other podcast players! All music licensed.

The drama over who will fill Jakarta's empty deputy governor seat is less about local politics and more about Gerindra's desire to rebuild its old relationship with PDIP at the national level.   Nothing is permanent when it comes to relationships among political parties in Indonesia. As parties lack strong ideologies, most relationships are established when it’s deemed beneficial rather than based on issues to stances. It’s now beneficial for Gerindra to move from its old partnership with long time ally PKS and instead build a strong relationship with and PDIP, both at the local and national level, with the aim of building a strong coalition heading into the 2024 election.| Read text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Link to Shawn's previous article mentioned in this episode:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jakartas-2022-election-cancelled-shawn-corrigan/?trackingId=Fy%2FT4FszQ2WwRL8VBm%2FDWQ%3D%3D | Say hi to us! Email : info@indonesiaindepth.com  | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and other podcast players! All music licensed.

Anies Baswedan eyed the Jakarta governor's seat as a stepping stone to the presidential palace, but he will likely be politically "neutralized" before the next presidential election.Although Anies may have high name recognition, ambitions for the presidency will likely be difficult to fulfil as he will be prevented from running for reelection in 2022. His controversial divisive campaign, which led to victory in 2017, will also come back to haunt him. |Read text version of this episode: www.indonesiaindepth.com or through Shawn’s LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-corrigan/ | Say hi to us! Email : info@indonesiaindepth.com  | Twitter: @IndoIndepth | We are also available on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Music and other podcast players! All music licensed.