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☆ Thailand to become first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The result of the vote means that Thailand will become only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023. Mark Phillips/CNNPrevious attempts to legalize marriage equality over the past decade had stalled. Nonetheless Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, had also promised to bring the marriage equality bill to parliament. Japan is the only Group of Seven (G7) country that has not recognized either same-sex civil unions or same-sex marriage, despite recent high court decisions that ruled not allowing same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. South Korea does not legally recognize same-sex marriage but in February 2023, a South Korean court ruled in favor of a same-sex couple seeking equal health benefits.

Persons: ”, Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, Thailand –, ” Panyaphon, Watit, ” Pokpong, Pokpong, Mark Phillips, Pita Limjaroenrat, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, “, Peerapon Boonyakiat, Xi Jinping Organizations: CNN, Love Foundation, Pokpong, “, Party, Thailand’s, Pheu Thai Party, Bangkok Pride Locations: Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal, Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Myanmar, Brunei, Indonesia, Aceh, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Beijing, South Korea, Korea

Singapore CNN —China’s support to Russia will extend the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday, as he called on countries across the Asia-Pacific to join an upcoming peace summit he accused Russia of trying to thwart. It comes ahead of the international peace conference on Ukraine slated to be held June 15-16 in Switzerland. “With China’s support to Russia the war will last longer. When asked later about China’s statement it would not attend the peace summit, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia of using Chinese diplomats to disrupt it. “Time is running out” including for Ukrainian children taken by Russia, Zelensky told a packed hall during an address on the closing day of the three-day security meeting.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, China –, ” Zelensky, “, Putin, of National Defense Dong, ” Dong, Lloyd Austin, Dong, Russia ”, Vladimir Putin, ”, Austin, Prabowo Subianto, José Ramos, Pat Ryder, Joe Biden Organizations: Singapore CNN —, of National Defense, CNN, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Criminal, Ministry of Foreign, US Defense, Horta, Ukraine, Pentagon, Twitter Locations: Singapore, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, China, Switzerland, Beijing, Kharkiv, The Hague, United States, Timor

☆ Elon Musk launches Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Denpasar, Indonesia Reuters —Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX’s satellite internet service for the nation’s health sector on Sunday, aiming to improve access in remote parts of the sprawling archipelago. Musk, wearing a green batik shirt, said the availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would help millions in far-flung parts of the country to access the internet. Asked about whether he planned to also invest in Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry, Musk said he was focused on Starlink first. Prior to Sunday’s launch, Starlink obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had been given the go-ahead to provide networks, having received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, Budi Setiadi told Reuters. SpaceX’s Starlink, which owns around 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting earth, is dominant in the satellite internet sphere.

Persons: Indonesia Reuters — Elon Musk, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Musk, ” Starlink, “, ”, Joko Widodo, Budi Arie Setiadi, Starlink, Budi Setiadi, SpaceX’s Organizations: Indonesia Reuters, Indonesian Health, SpaceX, Tesla, Indonesian, . Communications, Reuters Locations: Denpasar, Indonesia, Bali, Aru, Maluku, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Philippine, Ukraine

☆ Cold Lava and Floods Kill 37 in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Yan Zhuang | More About Yan Zhuang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Heavy rain in Indonesia over the weekend triggered flash flooding and sent torrents of cold lava coursing down a volcano and into towns, killing at least 37 people, officials said. Hours of rain on Saturday night carried volcanic rock and ash down Mount Marapi, an active volcano on the island of Sumatra. Those mudslides are known as lahars in Indonesian, which translates to cold lava. Four areas on the western part of Sumatra were badly impacted, according to Indonesia’s disaster management agency. By Sunday night, 37 residents had been killed and another 17 were missing, the agency said.

Persons: Marapi Locations: Indonesia, Sumatra

☆ Deadly cold lava flow from active volcano and widespread flooding hits Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —At least 37 people have been killed, and more than a dozen injured on the Indonesian island of Sumatra after heavy rains triggered flash flooding and a cold lava flow from an active volcano, search and rescue officials said on Sunday. Cold lava, also known as lahar, is a mixture of volcanic debris such as ash, sand and pebbles that flows down a volcano’s slopes during wet weather. Images shared by Indonesia’s disaster response agency showed thick mud and ash partially covering roads and mountainside villages near the foot of Mount Marapi, an active volcano in western Sumatra. Adi Prima/Anadolu/Getty ImagesThe 2,891-meter-high (9,500 feet) Mount Marapi is among the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire with 127 active volcanos – more than anywhere else in the world. It has erupted 11 times during the early 21st century, with it deadliest single event having killed 60 people in 1979.

Persons: Marapi, Abdul Muhari, Rezan Soleh, Adi Prima Organizations: CNN, Getty, Anadolu Locations: Indonesian, Sumatra, AFP, Lima Kaum, West, Datar District, Indonesia

☆ Malaysia’s ‘orangutan diplomacy’ plan slammed as ‘obscene’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Halved oil palm kernels are seen on the trade floor of a commodities conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. “Orangutan diplomacy will not solve Malaysia’s deforestation crisis,” Heng Kiah Chun, a regional campaign strategist for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, told CNN. By 2012, their numbers had dropped by almost two-thirds, to 104,700 and the decline has continued,” the WWF report said. Therefore it is crucial that all remaining orangutan habitats are conserved,” WWF Malaysia told CNN in a statement. “Orangutan conservation is best achieved by ensuring the protection and conservation of their natural habitats – and that no further forest conversion into palm oil plantations is allowed.”

Persons: ”, Johari Abdul Ghani, ” Ghani, Tengku Bahar, ” Stuart Pimm, Pimm, Ghani, ” Heng Kiah Chun Organizations: CNN, Getty, Duke University, Malaysia’s Ministry of, Commodities, Chengdu Research Base, Visual China, Malaysian, World Wildlife Fund, WWF, Rimba, Greenpeace Southeast, CNN Conservation, WWF Malaysia Locations: China, Australia, Malaysia, Asia, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Malaysian, EU, India, Tengku, AFP, South Carolina, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, WWF Malaysia, Borneo, Brunei, “

☆ Mount Ruang: Indonesia volcano eruptions force thousands to evacuate as airlines cancel flights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Mount Ruang, a 725-meter (2,400-foot) volcano on Ruang Island, North Sulawesi, has been erupting in spectacular fashion on and off since mid-April, posing a growing threat to those living nearby and to air traffic in the region. Nearby schools have also been shut to protect children from volcanic ash, BNPB said. Video Ad Feedback Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano continues to shoot volcanic ash 02:29 - Source: CNNMount Ruang is a stratovolcano, which are typically conical and relatively steep-sided due to the formation of viscous, sticky lava that does not flow easily. Volcanic ash from Ruang has reached eastern Malaysian airspace, Malaysia’s meteorological department said. Mount Ruang previously erupted in April, disrupting more than 200 flights on April 18 and 19 and affecting tens of thousands of passengers, officials said.

Persons: Mount Ruang, Ruang, Sam, BNPB, ”, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah Organizations: CNN, Reuters, National Disaster Management Authority, International, Met Malaysia, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah Regional, Air Asia, “, Malaysia Airlines Locations: Mount, North Sulawesi, Manado, Ruang, Malaysian, Malaysia, Indonesia, Asia

☆ Indonesia volcano: How Ruang eruption could impact weather and climate
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

And the day-to-day weather conditions near Mount Ruang – things like temperature, clouds and rain – probably won’t be influenced by the volcano for long, Huey told CNN. Mount Ruang, a 2,400-foot (725-meter) stratovolcano on Ruang Island in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, has erupted at least seven times since Tuesday night, the country’s volcanology agency said. Mount Ruang spewed lava and and ash on April 17, seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. Once in the stratosphere, sulfur dioxide and water vapor combine to form sulfuric acid aerosols that create a layer of hazy droplets, according to UCAR. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo – another stratovolcano – erupted in the Philippines and produced the largest sulfur dioxide cloud ever measured.

Persons: Greg Huey, Huey, Ruang, ” Huey, Mount Pinatubo, wouldn’t, CNN’s Kathleen Magramo Organizations: CNN, Georgia Tech’s School of, Atmospheric Sciences, NASA, Volcanology, Getty, United States Geological Survey Locations: Ruang, Indonesia, Mount, Indonesia’s North Sulawesi, Sitaro, North Sulawesi, Philippines

☆ Indonesia volcano: Tsunami alert issued after Mount Ruang erupts on remote island
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Indonesian authorities on Wednesday ordered hundreds of villagers to evacuate following multiple eruptions of a remote island volcano, raising fears it could collapse into the sea and trigger a tsunami. Mount Ruang, a 725-meter (2,400-foot) conical stratovolcano on Ruang Island, North Sulawesi, has erupted at least five times since Tuesday night, spewing fiery lava and ash plumes thousands of feet into the sky, the country’s volcanology agency said. Mount Ruang spewed hot lava and ash columns into the night sky on April 17, 2024, as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi. Ruang Island is home to about 800 residents, who have temporarily relocated to neighboring Tagulandang Island, according to authorities. Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago of 270 million people, has over 120 active volcanoes – more than anywhere else in the world.

Persons: Ruang, Hendra Gunawan Organizations: CNN, Indonesian, Agency, Mount, North Sulawesi . Center, Volcanology, Getty Locations: North Sulawesi, Sitaro, Ruang, Tagulandang, Indonesia

The American plane maker has been under intense pressure since early January, when a panel blew off a brand-new Alaska Airlines 737 Max midflight. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesTHE CRASHESThe bulk of criticism and investigations swirling around Boeing today center on the company's Max jets. Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a Justice Department investigation, admitting that employees misled regulators about the safety of the 737 Max. Last year, Boeing reported a problem with fittings on Max jets where the fuselage meets the vertical section of the tail. Also under investigation is what prompted the emergency landing in Wichita, Kansas, of a Denver-bound United Airlines flight in December.

Persons: Max midflight, That's, Max, shakeups, David Calhoun, Calhoun, —, “ Organizations: Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Airbus, Indonesia’s, Ethiopian Airlines, Department, MORE, FBI, FAA, Spirit, United Airlines Boeing, Max, Passengers, National Transportation Safety, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, NTSB Locations: Arlington , Virginia, Addis Ababa, Oregon, Wichita , Kansas, Newark , New Jersey, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, —

CNN —Indonesia’s transport ministry will launch an investigation after two Batik Air pilots fell asleep during a recent flight, according to state news agency Antara, citing the ministry’s civil aviation director-general M Kristi Endah Murni. The flight, BTK6723, lasted two hours and 35 minutes, and successfully landed in Jakarta, according to Antara and the preliminary report. Around 90 minutes into the flight, the second-in-command then “inadvertently fell asleep,” according to the report. Around 28 minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot-in-command woke up and realized the plane was not in the correct flight path. The preliminary report detailed that the pilot-in-command told the ACC that the flight had experienced a “radio communication problem” that had been resolved.

Persons: Antara, Kristi Endah Murni, “, ” Murni Organizations: CNN, National Transportation Safety, ACC, Air Locations: Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Jakarta, ”, Indonesia

☆ Indonesia Investigates How Two Pilots Dozed Off During a Flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Muktita Suhartono | Yan Zhuang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Indonesia’s aviation authority said it would review how the country’s airlines operate night flights after both pilots on a Batik Air flight carrying 153 passengers fell asleep, causing the plane to briefly veer off course. The plane took off from Kendari at about 8 a.m., and after reaching cruising altitude, the captain took a nap while the co-pilot manned the flight, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee. After about an hour, the co-pilot accidentally fell asleep, and several frantic calls from the air traffic control center and other aircraft went unanswered. About 28 minutes later, the pilot woke up, realized the plane had veered off course and woke up the co-pilot. They course-corrected, and the plane landed safely in Jakarta.

Persons: — Organizations: National Transportation Safety Locations: Kendari, Jakarta

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Persons: ’, Haley Organizations: Voters, Trump Locations: South Carolina

☆ Prabowo Subianto: Once banned from the US, this fiery ex-army general is poised to lead Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

“The most important objective of democracy is giving people the leaders and representatives they want,” Prabowo told reporters from his pool. Antara Foto/Galih Pradipta/ReutersMany are excited about a Prabowo presidency, like this hardcore supporter who has clearly taken his support to the extreme. Bagus Saragih/AFP/Getty ImagesMore recently, Prabowo has presented himself as a loyal Jokowi ally, serving as his defense minister for the past five years. Experts say Prabowo, known for his fiery speeches, military background and combative past will make for a very different kind of president. Indonesia has long been one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships and experts say that will not change with Prabowo in charge.

Persons: Prabowo Subianto, ” Prabowo, Prabowo, Indonesia’s, Partai Probawo, Gibran, “ Prabowo, ”, Zachary Abuza, Abuza, “, Antara, Pradipta, Saragih, Widodo, Barack Obama, Tom Pepinsky, Rodrigo Duterte, Javier Milei, Trump, ” “, Dita Alangkara, Jokowi, Jacqui Baker, Laura Schwartz, Schwartz, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Chong Ja Ian, Suharto, –, Dan Slater, Prabowo “, ” Slater, Chaideer Mahyuddin, Chong, Juni Kriswanto, Usman Hamid, Papuans, Veronica Koman, ” Koman Organizations: CNN, National War College, Getty, Southeast Asia, Cornell University, “, Center, Research, Senior Southeast, National University of Singapore, Center for Emerging Democracies, University of Michigan, Muda Airforce, Amnesty International Locations: Jakarta, United States, South Jakarta, Washington ,, AFP, Indonesia, Singapore, Ukraine, Russia, China, Australia, Asian, Perth, Asia, Beijing, Washington, “ Washington, Sultan, Muda, Aceh, West Papua, South China, Tentara Nasional Indonesia, Southeast Asia, “, Papua, Amnesty International Indonesia, restive, Indonesian, East Timor

Autocracies – governments in which one person possesses unlimited power – are on the rise. Meanwhile, the percentage of electoral democracies – political systems that hold meaningful, free and fair elections with multiple political parties – has gone down. Starting in the 1960s and again in the 1980s, the global share of autocracies decreased dramatically as democracy started to gain more of a foothold around the world, according to V-Dem’s analysis. And despite the relative rise in autocracies in recent years, there were still 58 elected democracies globally compared to 30 closed autocracies in 2022. In 2022 there were also 58 electoral autocracies, which “hold multiparty elections but their quality or conditions around them are not sufficient to be classified as an electoral democracy,” according to V-Dem experts.

Persons: ”, Thomas Carothers, –, “, Barbara Wejnert, Carothers, Viktor Orbán, Recep Tayyip Edrogan, Narendra Modi, Subianto, it’ll, “ It’s, ” Carothers, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Trump’s Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, University of Buffalo, Global Democracy, European Union, Brookings Institution, The Washington, New York Times, Reuters Locations: Indonesia, autocracies, China, Russia, Hungary, Turkey, India, Indonesian, U.S

☆ Indonesia’s Vote: Three Takeaways for Climate Change
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Somini Sengupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Coal, nickel, palm oil, rainforests. The new government’s approach on the management of its natural resources could have a significant effect on the world’s ability to keep global warming to relatively safe levels. Environmentalists are also watching what the vote might mean for their ability to operate freely in a country with a history of repression. Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel and something that the world must quickly stop burning in order to avoid the worst consequences of global warming. But Indonesia also has huge reserves of nickel, which is critical to battery-making and the transition to cleaner energy.

Persons: Prabowo Locations: Indonesia

☆ Indonesia election: Early polls point to victory for ex-army strongman leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Heather Chen | Angus Watson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A former army general is on course to win Indonesia’s election, securing the majority of votes needed for an outright victory, early unofficial results showed. Popular former governor Anies Beswadan was running second with fewer than 22% of the votes, with rival Ganjar Pranowo in third, according to the unofficial early count. CNN cannot independently verify the early polls, though counts by reputable thinktanks have proved accurate during previous elections. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and home to the world’s largest Muslim population. More than 200 million people across 38 provinces were expected to cast their votes on Wednesday, in what was billed as the world’s biggest single-day election.

Persons: CNN —, Prabowo Subianto, Anies Beswadan, Ganjar Pranowo, Joko Widodo, Jokowi’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka Organizations: CNN Locations: Indonesia, United States

☆ Indonesia election: Over 200 million will head to the polls across vast nation in world’s biggest election day
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —More than 200 million eligible voters will head to the polls in Indonesia on Wednesday, in what is billed as the world’s biggest single-day election. Mascots depicting presidential candidate and Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (L) and vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka (R) in an election event on February 5, 2024. He has strong links with Islamic political groups, and his vice-presidential pick, Muhaimin Iskandar, is the leader of Indonesia’s largest Muslim political party, the National Awakening Party. A presidential candidate needs a simple majority of at least 50% of total votes and 20% of votes in more than half of the country’s 38 provinces to win. The use and abuse of AIWith more than 210 million Internet users, Indonesia boasts one of the world’s largest digital populations.

Persons: Suharto’s, Prabowo Subianto, he’s, Suharto, ” Kenneth Roth, Ganjar, Mahfud, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Adek Berry, Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Anies, –, Basuki Tjahaja, Joko Widodo, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran, Jokowi’s, ”, Adrian Vickers, Vickers, “, Yusof, Maria Monica Wihardja, ” Wihardja, Sayyidatiihayaa, Satya Bumi, ” Sayyidatiihayaa, Ulet Ifansasti Organizations: CNN, Human Rights Watch, Princeton University, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Indonesia's Defence, Getty, Former Jakarta, Islamic, National Awakening Party, University of Sydney, Prabowo, Lembaga, Transparency International, Indonesia Locations: Indonesia, United States, Central Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, AFP, Chinese, Indonesian, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Nusantara, Borneo

☆ A Popular Leader’s Surprising Turn Shadows Indonesia’s Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | Muktita Suhartono | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

More than 100 million people are voting on Wednesday in one of the biggest elections in the world. The contest for the top prize — the presidency of Indonesia — is a three-way race. But looming large is someone not on the ballot. That person is Joko Widodo, the incumbent president, who is not allowed to seek a third five-year term and will step down in October. A decade after Mr. Joko presented himself as a down-to-earth reformer and won office, he remains incredibly popular.

Persons: Joko Locations: Indonesia

☆ What to Know About Indonesia’s Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

And within hours, if history is any guide, the world will know the outcome of the biggest race of the day: the one for Indonesia’s presidency. Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, will hold its general election on Wednesday. Election Day is a national holiday, and on average, about 75 percent of eligible voters have turned out. In addition to the president, voters are choosing members of Parliament and local representatives. As one of the world’s biggest exporters of coal, nickel and palm oil, Indonesia has a large role to play in the climate change crisis.

Persons: Joko Widodo Locations: Indonesia, United States, China, Asia, Washington

It is a three-way race for the presidency among current Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and two former provincial governors, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. While he is the oldest candidate, his running mate is the youngest: 36-year-old Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's son. His running mate is Mohammad Mahfud, who resigned as security minister to focus on campaigning. He is also a former defense minister, justice minister and chief justice of the Constitutional Court. His choice of Muhaimin Iskandar as his running mate in Wednesday's election is viewed as an attempt to rebuild that support.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Anies, Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Suharto, Widodo's, Raka, —, GANJAR, Pranowo, ” Pranowo, Mohammad Mahfud, ANIES, Baswedan, Widodo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Muhaimin Iskandar, Iskandar’s, ” Organizations: SUBIANTO, Gerindra Party, Constitutional, Indonesian Democratic Party of, Central Java, FIFA, Islamic, Fulbright, Awakening Party, Ulama, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jordan, Surakarta, Central, Israel, Jakarta, Chinese, Wednesday's, Nusantara, Borneo

☆ AI ‘resurrects’ long dead dictator in murky new era of deepfake electioneering
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“As a member of Golkar, I am very proud of Suharto because he successfully developed Indonesia,” Aksa wrote on X. The Golkar-produced Suharto video was just one of dozens featured in official party campaigns, they said. AI photos made by supporters, have also been used by Ganjar’s party in his campaign. Indonesia’s Communications Ministry issued advisories following several viral AI videos, warning tech companies and voters to be cautious of deepfakes. TAPP (Tim Advokasi Peduli Pemilu), a Jakarta-based nonprofit, said that videos like the Suharto deepfake showed AI’s potential for voter manipulation.

Persons: Suharto, ”, Erwin Aksa, Golkar –, Prabowo Subianto, –, ” Aksa, Golda Benjamin, Ganjar, Darryl Ramadhan, Muhammad Zulfan Dalimunthe, ” Budisatrio, Prabowo’s, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Anies, ” Anies, TAPP, Tim Advokasi Peduli, Suharto deepfake, Gugum Ridho, Rahmat Pribadi, Suharto Suharto’s, Soe Tjen, Anton Pratama, “, ” Anton Organizations: CNN, Facebook, YouTube, Golkar, Asia Pacific, ”, Gerindra Party, Central Java Gov, Ganjar’s Democratic Party of, Jakarta Gov, Indonesia’s Communications Ministry, Getty, SOAS University of London Locations: Indonesia, Indonesian, Asia, Jakarta, Lubuk Pakam, North Sumatra, AFP, Gugum Ridho Putra, East Timor, Aceh, West Papua, Maluku, Yogyakarta

☆ In Indonesia, an Election Threatens Democracy Itself - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Gordon Laforge | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Indonesia’s transformation into a stable democracy over the past quarter century was as improbable as it was remarkable. Ethnic and religious violence across the sprawling archipelago raised the specter of Balkanization or a military crackdown. Then, against the odds, the nation’s entrenched elites acceded to public demands for reform and the military withdrew from political life, ushering in an era of open, competitive elections. Corruption and dysfunction persisted, but the world’s fourth most populous country emerged as a rare bright spot for liberalism. Indonesians will vote for a new president on Wednesday to succeed the outgoing Joko Widodo.

Persons: Suharto, Joko

Meanwhile, there are concerns among many observers that Indonesia’s democracy has been backsliding in recent years. Southeast Asia’s largest economyThe U.S. government sees Indonesia’s democracy as critical to regional stability, and at least for the last two decades, U.S.-Indonesia relations have been built on shared values of democracy. Financial irregularities tied to election funding have also dogged parties across the political spectrum, leading the Association for Election and Democracy to cite a worrisome trend of citizens coming to see money politics as acceptable within a competitive democracy. The other challenge during the election campaign is the lack of accountability and transparency for campaign funding. A slide toward autocracyThe decline in the quality of Indonesia’s democracy has been years in the making.

Persons: Ceria Sari, Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies, –, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, Joko Widodo’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo Organizations: Commission, Association for Election, Dem Democracy Locations: U.S, Indonesia, Central Java, Jakarta, Baswedan

He served as mayor of Solo city, where he was born to a working-class family in illegally built shacks along a river, then became governor of the capital, Jakarta, before clinching his first presidential term. Widodo was the first Indonesian president to emerge outside the political and military elite. But critics say he thrived on political compromises, became beholden to political party supporters and accommodated ex-generals who served under the late authoritarian leader Suharto. Under Widodo, Indonesia saw a period of remarkable growth averaging 5% annually, except in 2020, when the economy contracted due to the coronavirus pandemic. His economic roadmap, called “Golden Indonesia 2045,” projects Indonesia becoming one of the world’s top five economies with GDP of up to $9 trillion, exactly a century after it won independence from Dutch colonizers.

Persons: Widodo —, Barack Obama —, Widodo, Suharto, Prabowo Subianto, ” Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo’s, —, Metallica, Subianto, we’ve, ”, Dwi Mustikarini, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Xi Jingping, Jim Gomez Organizations: White, Bloomberg Television, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Borneo, Southeast Asia, Solo, Jakarta, Surakarta, Central Java, Widodo's, New York, Widodo, Kyiv, Moscow, China

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