The Politics of Indonesia’s Response to Covid-19

Within Southeast Asia, Covid-19 has hit hardest in Indonesia. Modelling by University of Indonesia researchers suggests up to hundreds of thousands of Indonesians could die of the illness, given the Joko Widodo administration’s slow response and a lack of healthcare capacity. Yet the president was initially more concerned by the economic and political damage which could result from measures to enforce social distancing and restrict movement — particularly early steps to prevent the annual migration for Hari Raya. If strong preventative measures lead to an economic crisis, it could destabilize Indonesian politics and even threaten the president’s hold on power. This Webinar, with Aaron Connelly of the IISS, will explore the political consequences of Covid-19 in Malaysia’s largest neighbour.