Setya Novanto arrived in a wheelchair at the Corruption Eradication Commission in Jakarta early this week. (Rosa Panggabean/Antara Foto, via Reuters)

Indonesian anti-corruption officers have arrested the head of the country’s Parliament after failing to appear for questioning over a huge graft scandal, disappeared and then resurfaced at a hospital, claiming to have been severely injured in a car accident.

In the news

  • What do local official arrests tell us about Indonesian political system? An op-ed at the Jakarta Post shows the authoritarian and corrupt regime of the New Order has reincarnated in a more localized way.
  • Islamists have gained strength in Indonesia thanks to political support from Prabowo Subianto’s allies. Read Dr. Terry Russell’s analysis on Zon, Zen, and the art of mass mobilisation in Indonesia.
  • The Sumatran rainforests of Indonesia are home to the Orang Rimba – the people of the jungle. Their faith and nomadic way of life are not recognised by the state and, many are forced to renounce their faith to survive.
  • Demonstrations on International Labour Day have recently featured somewhat surprising calls for the dissolution of the Industrial Relations Court. Dr Herlambang P Wiratraman looks at why the court – originally intended to provide greater protection for workers’ rights – has failed to live up to its promise.
  • Jokowi’s administration has promised to build 1,000km of toll roads, 24 seaports, 35,000 megawatts worth of power plants and more during his five-year term. However, the state enterprises are racking up debt to keep projects going with $355bn infrastructure drive.
  • The Australia-Indonesia Centre’s Indonesia Director Kevin Evans wrote on minority recognition following Australia’s marriage equality poll and Indonesia’s religious freedom Constitutional Court ruling.
  • Newly-appointed Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Kristiarto Legowo speaks about the future of Indonesia-Australia relations: President Jokowi’s bilateral focus on capacity building, trade, and the all-important people-to-people relationships.

On the blog

  • Check out our latest post with Rosie Clynes, whose film Hilang won ReelOzInd’s Best Fiction for 2017. With her background as a theatremaker, the short film was based on her experience of moving to Indonesia and a sense of longing.

Events

  • Brisbane, 24 November – Come join us for an evening to celebrate another excellent year with AIYA QLD in the annual gathering night!
  • Cairns, 24 November – Check out select short films at Australia – Indonesia Short Film Festival screenings across Indonesia and Australia.
  • Darwin, 25 November – Join AIYA NT! Please see how you can get involved under Opportunities below.
  • Yogyakarta, 25 November – You’re all invited to AIYA Yogya Language Exchange for 2017! It will be a combination of Language Exchange and our Community Outreach Programme with Rumah Impian.
  • Canberra, 25 November – Come and join Festival Indonesia at Indonesian Embassy! The Festival will offer iconic culinary delights, cultural performances, arts and crafts, fashion show, exhibitions, and many more.
  • Adelaide, 25 November – Celebrate the start of Summer vacation by joining AIYA SA and PPIA SA’s End of Semester Pesta! Enjoy a fun day of great food, games and music jams.
  • Yogyakarta, 30 November – Curious to hear what AIYA Yogyakarta has been up to in the past year? AIYA Yogyakarta is holding AGM where you can hear updates from the team and also elections for executives.
  • Perth, 30 November – Join AIYA WA for a special public screening of As Worlds Divide, a movie that takes us on an intimate journey inside the lives of people in Mentawai and the culture.
  • Sydney, 10 December – Come to AIYA NSW’s annual Malam Trivia Night for a fun night of food, prizes, and test your knowledge on all things Australian and Indonesian!

Opportunities

Like what we do? Learn more about what AIYA membership can offer and sign up as a member today.