New posts this week: A decades old anti-communist law still legitimising violence; death penalty putting deep strain on Aus-Indo relationship; children in detention still suffering; understanding Jokowi's surprise character shift

Hi and welcome to the Indonesia Institute's blog,

Please enjoy this week's posts:

"Violent anti-communism is alive and well in democratic Indonesia," by Vanessa Hearman, March 2015. Victims of the 1965 anti-communist violence were attacked by protesters while police largely looked on. 

"Lulung tuding ada komunis baru dibalik polemic RAPD," by Kompas, March 2015.
Look out, communist conspiracies about.

"Bali Nine executions will taint Australia-Indonesia relations, say experts," by David Wroe, March 2015. The tension created by this brutal act of 'soveriengty' runs deeper than political disagreement and even Indo-Aus analysts and experts are struggling to find balance.

"Cool heads needed now as Bali Nine duo's execution deadline nears," by Ross B Taylor, March 2015. Indonesia Institute President, Ross Taylor, looks for that elusive balance... and finds hope in a future where the death penalty is finally abolished.

"Police investigate Save the Children whistlelowers over Nauru abuse report," by Ben Doherty, March 2015. Whistleblowers who alerted the Human Rights Commission about child sexual and physical abuse on Nauru are under investigation by the AFP.

"Jokowi: modern man of the people or divine clown?" by Hamish McDonald, March 2015.
Could the duality of the president actually be more akin to the traditional Javanese mythology illustrated in a wayang puppet show?

Extra reading:

Oh. Yes it does seem rather like a wayang puppet show. Megawati celebrates International Women's Day by linking drugs to HIV and telling Jokowi not to grant clemency for drug traffickers.

Lumpia is the latest cultural article to find itself claimed by both Malaysia and Indonesia.

There's too much great material at Inside Indonesia to pick one article. Go to the main page and choose yourself!

The longer you live in Indonesia, the less you understand it. Complex and chaotic, beautiful and terrible, those who bother to get to know the place can experience a passionate love hate relationship that never fails to surprise.

Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini believes she can use secular state institutions to repress pre-marital sex. This article has been taken off Jakarta Globe for some reason. View it here.