KEZIA LAKSMONO WRITES — I was reminded of “Pantun,” an oral literary form of expression traditionally used amongst Indonesians, during this pandemic. In its most basic form, it consists of even-numbered lines which are recited according to a fixed rhythm. For example: “Kalau ada sumur di ladang, bolehlah kita menumpang…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: POETRY FOR THE PANDEMIC AND BEYOND
KEZIA LAKSMONO WRITES — My home country is known for many cultural myths and rich folklore. I’ve always been skeptical of such stories. But folklore about New Year’s Day weather? For me, that’s always been an exception. Historically, rain comes pouring down on the city of Jakarta – the place…
Full Article INDONESIA: CORONAVIRUS CRISIS TURNS INTO COMPOUNDED CATASTROPHE
GABY RUSLI WRITES — The sweet, milky, smooth, light brown tea. The dark brown, chewy, little bubble-like goodness at the bottom of the plastic cup. The excitement you feel when you’ve stuck your straw into the cup, ready to enjoy this drink that will satisfy your thirst and craving for…
Full Article INDONESIA: BOBA TEA DRINKS MAKE MY HEART BUBBLE WITH JOY
SIANY GUNAWAN WRITES –Even though I don’t share some of her beliefs, as an Asian American I respect Kamala Harris’s assertive nature, and I am proud of her achievement in smashing through the largest glass ceiling for people of color. Harris, a senator from California, is of Indian and Jamaican…
Full Article INDONESIA: AS VICE-PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS MAY HELP RAISE THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN MY HOME COUNTRY
SIANY GUNAWAN WRITES – For Indonesia, the world’s two major trading partners -China and the US- and the multiplier effects of their trade war- have intensified pressure on Indonesia’s aim to accomplish its targeted growth goal in Jakarta. Yes, the US-China trade war could end up benefiting the Indonesian economy…
Full Article INDONESIA: CAN OPPORTUNITIES BE GAINED FROM THE US-CHINA TRADE WAR?
GABY RUSLI WRITES — Protests have erupted in cities across Indonesia ever since a new labor law was passed on October 5th, 2020. This new piece of legislation, known as the “omnibus law,” significantly affects Indonesian worker rights. The omnibus law was passed in an attempt to create more jobs…
Full Article INDONESIA: LABORING AGAINST THE NEW LABOR LAW
SIANY GUNAWAN WRITES – In Indonesia, the debate on women’s rights has accelerated in response to political and social challenges. More and more women are being sexually abused and, according to women’s legal counselors, the alleged violence had continued for years. The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded…
Full Article INDONESIA: WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS…AREN’T THEY?
GABY RUSLI WRITES — Beautiful beaches, divine seafood, welcoming people, a wide array of flavors-those are the words I would use to describe Indonesia, my birthplace. I take pride in having lived there most of my life, but at the same time, I grieve the lack of progress in certain…
Full Article INDONESIA: WHY I LEFT THE COUNTRY WHERE I WAS BORN
FIONNA ANGELICA WIJAYA WRITES – The ongoing epidemic that is currently spreading across the globe becomes more threatening every single day. The government policy that requires us to be inside the house or apartment has become more challenging for me personally. This is my first time being quarantined during a…
Full Article CORONAVIRUS CHRONICLES: ‘THE SITUATION IN INDONESIA HAS NOT IMPROVED’
FIONNA WIJAYA WRITES – The worst floods since 2013 swept through Jakarta this January. Jakarta, the political and economic capital of Indonesia, houses the most significant industrial sectors in the country, compelling most of the population to migrate there for economic opportunities. These early 2020 floods claimed over sixty lives…
Full Article SINKING FEELING IN JAKARTA: WILL THE CAPITOL DISAPPEAR BY 2050?
NATASHA VASS WRITES – What happens to your trash once you throw it in the bin? It’s no longer in front of you, so why think about it? For Indonesians, this set of circumstances could not be further from the truth. 85% of the trash produced by Indonesians is…
Full Article INDONESIA: CAN A COUNTRY WASTE ITSELF AWAY? WITH THE HYPOCRITICAL WEST (TRASHER-IN-CHIEF) PILING ON?
NATASHA VASS WRITES – Time and time again, we witness the same occurrence: the world’s most pristine environments go up in flames. Indonesian forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan have spread toxic haze to countries across Southeast Asia. Malaysia’s air pollution index (API) reached a gruesome 101-200, forcing the…
Full Article INDONESIA: PALMING OFF TRUE GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY
YINING WONG WRITES – The election cycle in Indonesia, sexism, differences in cultural upbringing — graphic designer Sanchia Hamidjaja has covered them all. Recently, I got to speak to her about her experiences as a creative professional in her home country, Indonesia, and her interest in shedding light on the…
Full Article INDONESIA: SANCHIA HAMIDJAJA ON ART AND POLITICS
TUNGGA BASUKI WRITES– The 2019 Indonesian Presidential elections came to a close on April 17 with a split in opinion within the nation as to who should be the next president, but with incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) winning by a 6% margin. The two candidates running to become president,…
Full Article INDONESIA: BREAKING DOWN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2019
PATRICK POLESHUK WRITES– It’s hard to believe: Yet in times of government-oriented mass murders, targeting of political opponents, and the overall suppression of free speech, lies a miraculously happy country, according to so-called scientific opinion polls. So, amid much human-rights criticism from western allies and the global community alike, why…
Full Article Philippines: Anti-Drug Dragon Duterte as Happiness-Maker
OLIVIA AMEZCUA WRITES– Fisheries, or rather the poor management of fisheries, has generated a multitude of problems, ranging from environmental to economic to health. For Indonesia, a coastal country heavily reliant on the fishing industry, this issue must be addressed with urgency. Among the adverse effects of poorly managed fisheries:…
Full Article Indonesia: Fisheries Regulation and Sustainability Urgently Needed