Editorial 

Politics and Creative Economy in Tourism Sector 

Warm greetings from Journal of ASEAN Studies. We are proudly presenting to all readers 

Volume 7, no 2, 2019 with distinguished theme on “political and creative economy in tourism 

sector”. In this volume, several issues related to politics and creative economy especially on 

tourism sectors are discussed by various authors from different backgrounds from Indonesia 

and Philippines. This volume is comprised of five articles; two articles related to politics and 

other three articles on creative economy in tourism sector. 

First article is written by Amalia Sustikarini. Her paper discusses the peacebuilding process in 

Aceh Indonesia. She examines the role of special autonomy fund in accelerating economic 

development in Aceh in the past ten years by utilizing the concept of the peace dividend and 

the model of fiscal-sharing. The author argues that while this fund has been successfully 

increasing Aceh economic growth compared to the conflict era, it has not been optimally 

utilized to reduce poverty and inequality. According to the author, it is due to the nature of 

peace in Aceh as an elite-based peace, the peace dividend has contributed to the patronage 

politics particularly among the former combatants. 

Next article is written by Roseno Aji Affandi and others. They assess how sustainable 

development goals, SDG awareness and implementation in the village level could be enhanced. 

In this regards, the authors’ argue that there is a need to look at two essential factors namely; 

the notion of social capital, and value chain management in order to fulfill SDGs at the local 

level. The authors’ argue that social capital can be mobilized by the local leaders to socialize the 

importance of SDGs at the village level. At the same time, value chain management enables 

local leaders to manage sustainable economic activities at the village level. It is evident in the 

authors’ illustration in the case of three tourism village development areas in Yogyakarta 

namely; Pentingsari in Sleman, Mangunan in Bantul, and Bleberan in Gunung Kidul. 

The following chapter is Ayu Dwidyah Rini’s case studies on the paradigm of local 

communities related to digital-based tourism development. This digital-based tourism 

development is illustrated through the case of community-based tourism in the Sumbermanjing 

Wetan area of Malang Regency. She asserts that community participation in tourism is classified 

into three forms of local participation; First, digital-based tourism can be solutions for tourism 

development in the Sumbermanjing Wetan region. Second, the community also understand the 

digitalization of tourism as an effort to alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of local 

communities. Finally, digital-based tourism can be the strategy for improving the quality of life 

of the Sumbermanjing Wetan community. 



In relations to creative economy, I Nyoman Gede Maha Putra and Ida Bagus Gede Parama 

Putra discuss about promoting Creative Economy of Sanur Through Public Participation. Both 

authors highlight Reinventing Place-identity and Embracing New Economic Opportunities. To 

them, collaboration among different actors in managing the transformation of such place could 

maintain the place-identity of a place, which ensures its attractiveness to visitors, sustains its 

economic values amidst rapid changes. The collaboration confirms no one is left behind. The 

authors argue that Sanur is evident in showing the sustained place-identity could economically 

benefit all actors. 

In addition, the last article on the Philippines politics is written by Christopher Ryan Baquero 

Maboloc. In his article, Christopher examines the radical approach to politics of President 

Rodrigo Duterte. To him, the predatory nature of the state implies that politics in the country is 

still defined by vested interests. Duterte’s brand of politics is antagonistic. The president is a 

polarizing figure. Despite the declaration that he will punish corrupt officials, traditional 

politicians and elite clans continue to rule the land with impunity. The author argues that the 

country’s political ills are actually systemic. Elitism is rooted in colonial history that is 

perpetuated by an inept bureaucracy. In addition, he asserts that the strong resolve and 

charisma of a leader is inadequate to remedy the troubles in fledgling democracies such as the 

Philippines. 

Finally, as the editor-in-chief, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all authors who 

submitted their manuscripts to the Journal of ASEAN Studies (JAS). I would also like to extend 

my highest appreciation to all reviewers who have contributed to the quality of the manuscripts 

published in JAS. All parties that supported the Journal from the Indonesian Association for 

International Relations (AIHII) and the Center for Business and Diplomatic Studies (CBDS) of 

the Department of International Relations, Bina Nusantara University are also very much 

appreciated. 

 

Jakarta, 28 December 2019 

 

Prof. Dr. Tirta N. Mursitama, Ph.D. 

Editor-in-Chief