President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo went to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines for his first round of bilateral state visits. The President discussed a number of crucial issues—migrant worker issues, business investments, maritime cooperation, and trading in border areas. But rather amusingly, those issues were not the subject of scrutiny of Jokowi’s loyal haters. They’d rather to criticize Jokowi’s sartorial know-how. [Continue reading]
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The New Creative Economy Body
NewsroomOne of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s campaign promise was to fully support the growth of Indonesia’s creative economy industry. But when the President changed the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to just the Ministry of Tourism, industry practitioners began wondering if the President really meant his words. The President responded by promising to create a Creative Economy Body (BEK) and he stayed true to his words, the BEK was finally launched on Monday (Jan. 26). [Continue reading]
Revisiting the Release of Australian Drug-Runner Schapelle Corby
NewsroomAt least two convicted Australian drug traffickers—Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan—are now facing the death row. They’re not as lucky as the other Australian convicted of drug trafficking, Schapelle Corby, who in 2005 was found guilty of smuggling 4.2 kg of marijuana into Bali. Many have begun to wonder, how did Schapelle Corby win her pardon? Was it pure luck? Did President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the man who gave her the pardon, simply did so out of the generosity of his heart? [Continue reading]
Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers
NewsroomPresident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demonstrated his commitment to combating the rising number of drug trafficking in Indonesia. In December 2014, the President rejected 64 clemencies submitted by convicted drug dealers. It’s a strong statement from the leader of the nation, albeit one that has provoked the displeasure of many. [Continue reading]
Antasari’s Hope
NewsroomThe former chairman of Corruption Eradication (KPK), Antasari Azhar has never stopped claiming that he was framed for the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjara. Antasari somehow believes that he would be able to prove he was framed in this government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. But what Antasari believes to be a different regime may have shown signs that it isn’t so different after all. [Continue reading]
Jokowi’s Fashion Statement
NewsroomPresident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been known as a down to earth government official ever since he was still serving as the Mayor of Surakarta in Central Java. And today, as President of the Republic, Jokowi still maintains his mostly casual dress code with plain white shirt and black trousers. In official events, the President would opt for batik shirts. He is rarely seen with suits. The President’s fashion style have so far influenced his ministers in the working cabinet. But are they the only ones affected? [Continue reading]
On the Paniai Shooting Incident
NewsroomFive residents of Enarotali, Paniai District of the Papua Province, were shot dead by officials from the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Army (TNI) in December 2014. The incident took a place at the Karel Gobay field of Paniai District. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo took his time to respond to the incident. The President finally told a crowd in Papua on Dec. 27, during a Christmas Celebration, that the Paniai shooting was unacceptable and deplorable. [Continue reading]
Foreign Minister: We Will Continue to Enforce the Law
NewsroomOn January 5, Bangkok Post published an editorial titled “Indonesia is Wrong”, criticizing Indonesian government’s destruction of illegal foreign fishing vessels in Indonesian waters. The paper calls the act outrageous and unfriendly to its valued neighbor. Furthermore, the paper blames Indonesian law enforcement for the breach, calling it incapable of enforcing its own laws and protecting its own territory. [continue reading]
A National Cyber Body in Development
NewsroomThe website of the Directorate of General of Taxes (www.pajak.go.id), the Indonesian National Police (www.polri.go.id), the official website of the Ministry of Law and Human Affairs (www.kemenhumham.go.id), and even the official website of then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (www.presidensby.info) have all been targets of hackers. This brings to fore the concern on government preparedness for electronic governance. [Continue reading]
On the Fight Against Illegal Fishing
NewsroomThe Indonesian government has been sinking vessels engaging in illegal fishing activities in Indonesian waters. Vietnam has in particular complained about the Indonesian government’s approach in fighting illegal fishing, with the Malaysian press joining the chorus. [Continue reading]
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