HumasUPNVJ - The seminar and book review held in collaboration with UPN VETERAN JAKARTA and ISEAS-YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE is an important momentum in efforts to build cooperation and develop joint research programs between the two institutions on various socio-political issues in the Southeast Asian region. This event began with a seminar and book review on "Alternative Voices in Muslim Southeast Asia (Discourse and Struggles)". This book examines the challenges faced by progressive voices in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore by looking at the discourses that have been developed, as well as exploring how multiculturalism and secularism have become a way for a pluralistic society in these three countries. In addition, this book analyzes the efforts made by these progressive voices amid state domination and quasi-state religious officials who seek to limit them. The authors of this book include academics, activists and observers, some of whom are victims of repression and discrimination.

In the second event, the seminar was filled with a review of the book "Transitional Justice From State to Civil Society (Democratization In Indonesia)", written by a lecturer at UPN Veterans Jakarta, Mrs. Sri Lestari Wahyuningroem. PhDs. This book examines post-New Order transitional justice initiatives in Indonesia, by analyzing the factors in the democratic transition that facilitate or hinder their implementation. In addition, this book provides an analysis of the 'bottom-up' approach to transitional justice in Indonesia through various case studies of civil society initiatives for local truth-seeking, justice and reconciliation efforts.

The seminar and review of this book became an important inspiration for strengthening perceptions of the development of political democracy substantially in Southeast Asia. Procedural democracy in the process of democratization of Southeast Asia is considered not enough to realize the prosperity of society, so strengthening democratic ideas regarding the control of power through political policies that build multiculturalism and fulfillment of human rights in Southeast Asia is considered important to be put forward in contemporary discourse.