Wednesday, November 26, 2014

New posts this week: Australia's new asylum seeker policy, Wikipedia propaganda, fuel subsidy reality sinking in slowly

Selamat datang and welcome to the Indonesia Institute's blog. Please enjoy our new articles this week:

"Stop the refugees! Australian led call will impact ASEAN region," by Lauren Gumbs, November 2014.
Another policy aimed at strengthening border control is creating more misery for refugees in Indonesia.

"Why Indonesia shrugged off Indonesia's move to bar refugees," By Yohannes Sulaiman, November 2014.
Not so fast Yohannes, the ambassador was called in last Friday for a 'chat'.

"Parting the fuel divide," by Lauren Gumbs, November 2014.
Temporary pain for long term gain. But try telling that to the masses. Jokowi's popularity dips after instigating price increase of RP2,000.

"Time to demilitarise the Bahasa version of Wikipedia," By Warren Doull, November 2014.
 The biographies of former generals are decidedly rosy, but Warren smells a rat.

And in other news:

The Indonesia Institute's Senior Vice President, Mr Simon Leunig, recently met with DFAT Deputy Secretary, Mr Paul Grigson to talk about the Indo-Australia relationship and co-operation with the Indonesia Institute (II).

The following points were made by Mr Grigson:
  • He is interested and positive about the work of II .
  • Agreed to speak at a joint II – AIBC function in Perth at a future time..
  • Aware of visa issues such as difficulties to acquire study and holiday working visas..
  • Has an interest in facilitating research links where relationships can be enhanced.

The Indonesia Institute also congratulates Mathew Satchwell on his new post as President of the Australia Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) - WA Chapter and farewells Natrisha Barnett who previously held the role. II has a close relationship with AIYA and plans to host joint events in the future. In the meantime, check out AIYA's screening of Jalanan by Daniel Ziv at AIYA's HQ in Perth. Get your tickets here.

And finally, Colin Singer, our Social and Political Director, attended the launch of the new SUR Journal. Read his comments here.

Extra reading:

The ABC's Dateline agenda set in the Indonesia news after airing a piece called 'Sex Mountain' (Gunung Kemukus). This ritual that sees strangers sleeping with each other for financial good luck was followed up in Tempo a couple of days later and has since created more Indonesian coverage. Officials were predictably evasive on the matter.

A Jakarta Post reader writes a letter explaining why he thinks the new asylum seeker policy is a good idea.

AIYA's founders comment in the Jakarta Post on the new policy whereby Australians no longer need a visa to enter Indonesia.

The Indonesian media have been crucial to democratisation, but during the 2014 elections the fourth estate showed a callous disregard for objectivity.

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