New posts this week: anti people smuggling campaigns, more signs of rampant deforestation, in-country study success, and appalling police virginity tests

Selamat datang, welcome to the Indonesia Institute's blog,

President of the Indonesia Institute, Mr Ross Taylor, extends a warm welcome to

Mr Paul Grigson, who will be Australia's new ambassador to Indonesia as from early next year. 

"Mr Grigson will be one of the most senior diplomatic appointments made by our federal government, and this is perhaps a sign of our PM and foreign minister's determination to maintain strong links with Indonesia, despite the occasional 'bumps'."

"Our institute welcomes this appointment of such a highly respected and senior diplomat.

"Mr Grigson will also have a tough act to follow given the outstanding record of the current ambassador Mr Greg Moriarty. Mr Moriarty will leave his post knowing that despite so many challenging issues faced during his term, he has always been very successful in managing the bi-lateral relationship with a combination of professional skill and warmth.

"He has served both Australia and the Indonesia relationship incredibly well."

On behalf of the Indonesia Institute we thank Mr Moriarty for his service and welcome Mr Grigson to the post.

Please enjoy our new posts:

"The cost of getting out of trouble overseas," by Ross Taylor, December 2014.

"What's God got to do with it?," by Antje Missbach and Anne McNevin, November 2014.

"Living dangerously with deforestation," by Lauren Gumbs, December 2014.

"ACICIS reports record number of students studying in-country programs," by ACICIS, December 2014.

"Indonesia’s police ‘virginity tests’ fit pattern of flagrant rights abuse," by Jacquie Baker, December 2014.

Extra reading:

Burden on Indonesia rises as asylum seekers with no where else to go are presenting at Indonesian detention centres.

Jokowi opens maritime focus with tough rhetoric on illegal fishing vessels, going so far as to say illegal fishing vessels in Indonesian waters will be sunk.

And then follows through.

Duncan Graham talks about the use of the word 'Indon' as he reviews the book Mirah of Banda.

The FPI (Front Pembela Islam) are up to no good again, rejecting Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama as governor of Jakarta and swearing in their own governor instead - Fahrurozzi.

Read more of the kebodohan here.