Melissa Crouch (edited volume, Cambridge University Press) In this volume, experts on Indonesian law and courts reflect on the growth and changes in the role and function of courts in Indonesia. Indonesia’s judiciary is a critical part of its democratic system. Since the transition from authoritarian rule in 1998, a range of new specialized courtsContinue reading “The Politics of Court Reform: Judicial Change and Legal Culture in Indonesia”
Author Archives: Melissa Crouch
Judicial Independence in Asia
On 14 January, the Nagoya University Centre for Asian Legal Exchange (CALE) and the Graduate School of Law are hosting a webinar on judicial independence in ASEAN. In order to safeguard independent judiciary in any jurisdiction, policymakers have to create adequate frameworks for appointing and promoting judges, as well as securing their independent status. ASEAN memberContinue reading “Judicial Independence in Asia”
Constitutionalism in Crisis? The Path ahead for Southeast Asia
On 16 December, the Asia in Review online panel discussion series on law and politics in Southeast Asia presents “Constitutionalism in Crisis? The Path ahead for Southeast Asia”. This event is jointly hosted by the Asian Governance Foundation (AGF), German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) at the Faculty of Law, ThammasatContinue reading “Constitutionalism in Crisis? The Path ahead for Southeast Asia”
Government, University Responsible for decline in Indo-Pacific literacy
*This article first appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on 15 December 2020. La Trobe, Swinburne, Murdoch and Western Sydney University. These are some of the Australian universities considering axing various Indo-Pacific language programs from Indonesian to Hindi. It’s feared other universities may follow suit. Abolishing language programs is a dumb move. Australian universities are a keyContinue reading “Government, University Responsible for decline in Indo-Pacific literacy”
Australia-Indonesia relations need to talk the talk
*This article was first published in The Interpreter, 14 December 2020 This year has been one of great tumult at Australian universities. Not least is the nonsensical proposals to axe Indonesian language programs by several universities such as La Trobe, Western Sydney University and Murdoch. Australian universities are closing the door of opportunity to the wideContinue reading “Australia-Indonesia relations need to talk the talk”
Anti-Democratic Constitutional Landmarks
*This post was first published on the International Association of Constitutional Law blog The idea of constitutional landmarks contains a set of basic presumptions. It presumes that courts are important and that they receive cases. It presumes that constitutional landmarks are based upon a liberal democratic conception of law. It presumes that courts offer reasons forContinue reading “Anti-Democratic Constitutional Landmarks”
The Future of Asian Studies
The Asian Studies Association invites you to a webinar to discuss the future of Asian Studies in Australian universities. Over the last two decades, policy settings and long-term trends in the university sector have placed pressure on Asian studies, undermining the study and teaching of some Asian languages and fields of study, while encouraging others. HopesContinue reading “The Future of Asian Studies”
Podcast on Myanmar’s Constitution in Context
The Indonesian Journal of International and Comparative Law has a new podcast series, hosted by the Institute for Migrant Rights in Cianjur, Indonesia. A podcast on the nature of democracy in Myanmar’s military-state can be found here, alongside other podcasts by scholars addressing a range of issues concerning international and comparative law.
New Books Network podcast on Myanmar’s Constitution
The tail end of the twentieth century was a good time for constitutional lawyers. Leapfrogging around the globe, they offered advice on how to amend, write or rewrite one state constitution after the next following the collapse of the Soviet Union and with it, the communist bloc. Largely overlooked in the flurry of constitution draftingContinue reading “New Books Network podcast on Myanmar’s Constitution”
Why Myanmar’s Elections Will be Neither Free, Fair nor Safe
*This article was first published in The Interpreter by the Lowy Institute We all desperately wanted Myanmar to be a democratic success story, myself included. In 2015, I witnessed the historical national election when the Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party won enough seats to form government. Five years later, on 8 November, people in Myanmar willContinue reading “Why Myanmar’s Elections Will be Neither Free, Fair nor Safe”
Melissa Crouch 