The August 2019 edition of the Indonesian Update raises a major report on strengthening the role of strategic actors ahead of the recruitment of the State Civil Service in 2019. This theme is very relevant because this year around 200,000 vacancies will be opened. Therefore, ahead of the opening of this recruitment, strengthening the synergy between actors is needed to support the readiness and success of the 2019 ASN recruitment.

In the economic field, this edition of the Indonesian Update discusses the challenges faced by the economic ministers in the Joko Widodo-KH Ma’ruf Amin cabinet in the next five years. In addition, we also discuss the benefits of trade cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union, which was titled “the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Agreement” (I-EU CEPA).

In the field of law, we discuss the Amnesty given to Baiq Nuril Maknun. The amnesty given by President Joko Widodo to Baiq has solved injustice in one case of law enforcement, which still emphasizes legal certainty over justice. In addition, we also discuss cases of violence experienced by investigators of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), including Novel Baswedan, whose case has entered a new phase after the case was brought to various international forum discussions.

In the political field, the Indonesian Update discusses competition between political parties to get the position of Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). In addition, we discuss the new faces that dominate the Regional Representative Council (DPD). This theme is relevant to be discussed because the election of new faces is expected to return DPD back to its spirit. Then, we also discuss the polemics that are transpiring in the election of the Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta.

In the social field, the Indonesian Update raises the right to decent work for persons with disabilities. This theme is relevant to discuss because there is still discrimination against people with disabilities. One of them was the decision to take out drg. Romi Syofpa Ismael from the list of 2018 Civil Servant Candidate selection results (CPNS) in Solok Selatan Regency, West Sumatra. In addition, this edition of the Indonesia Update also addresses the challenges of gender issues in the Jokowi-Ma’ruf Cabinet, including the issue of gender responsive policies and budgets.

The monthly publication of the Indonesian Update with actual themes is expected to help policymakers in government and business institutions – as well as academics, think tanks, and elements of civil society, both domestic and foreign, to obtain actual information and contextual analysis of economic conditions, politics, social, and law in Indonesia, as well as an understanding of public policy in Indonesia.

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