Singapore denies entry to ‘extremist’ Indonesian preacher
By Ivan Lim, Former AJA President, Contributor to AsiaN SINGAPORE: On May 16, an Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara travelled from neighbouring Batam island by boat and arrived at Tanah Merah Ferry Point in Singapore. The cleric, who had been known to the authorities for his extremist religious views, was “interviewed” by immigration officials and then […]
Hacking the way of peace through the G20
By Eddy Suprapto Chief Editor of Masagar News JAKARTA: The Russo-Ukrainian war has entered 74 days but there is no sign of settlement and peace. The passion of the leaders of the two countries is more prominent than the interests of the general public. Although war is never a permanent solution to any problem. Even wars […]
Once upon a time in Aceh – Notes on the release of hostages
By Eddy Suprapto, Chairman Alliance of independent journalists 2003-2005 Editor in Chief RCTI 2014-2016 JAKARTA: Post-reform, there are a number of things in the political field that deserve an important note. Some of them were about the removal of Abdurrahman Wahid by the House of Representatives. (DPR) who was later replaced by his deputy, Megawati […]
Missing plane in Indonesia: Debris, cables found in waters off Laki Island, Pulau Seribu
JAKARTA: Cables and debris suspected of belonging to a missing Sriwijaya Air plane have been found in the waters off Laki Island, Pulau Seribu District on Saturday afternoon, Indonesian news agency Antara reported. Several police officers, assisted by local residents, rushed to the waters’ area and searched for the missing aircraft, which lost contact while […]
Indonesia media tycoon Oetama passes away at 88
By Peter Song Head of Foreign Cooperation Department – AJA Contributor to AsiaN SEOUL: Jakob Oetama, the owner of Indonesia’s largest media group “Kompas Gramedia” and the founder of the daily newspaper “Kompas Daily,” passed away on September 9. He was 18 days short of turning 89 on September 27. In his early career, he […]
Three planes to carry Indonesians home from Wuhan
Batam, Riau Islands: The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) is preparing three planes to carry Indonesians who have just arrived at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam Island from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where they will be flown to Raden Sadjad Airport in Natuna Islands where they will be quarantined. “In line with directives […]
Indonesian prominent writer Laksmi Pamuntjak launches third book
Jakarta: Laksmi Pamuntjak, the first Indonesian contemporary novelist whose original work in English has been published by Penguin Random House, on Thursday launched her third novel “Fall Baby” in Jakarta. ‘Fall Baby’, presenting a multi-theme of women, visual art, history and identity, tells the story of two women – Srikandi (Siri) and Dara, one a […]
Politics out of the box à la Jokowi
Eddy Suprapto AsiaN Contributor Jakarta: “I know you hate me, taunt me monkeys and so on. But one thing that cannot be denied. We both have an extraordinary love for this country.” (Abraham Lincoln to William Seward, the political enemy he appointed Secretary of State). The same step was chosen by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) […]
Indonesia: Huge surprise as Jokowi includes archrival in new cabinet
Jakarta: The appointment by Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) of his archrival in two consecutive presidential elections, Prabowo Subianto, as Indonesia’s defense minister in his second-term administration cabinet has surprised supporters of the respective presidential candidates in the last elections. Subianto and Jokowi went head-to-head in the 2014 and 2019 heated elections that showcased a national divide, […]
Indonesian president pledges to boost human resources development, infrastructure, debureaucratization
By Eddy Suprapto AsiaN Contributor Jakarta: The Plenary Session of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly today witnessed the swearing-in of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Ma’ruf Amin for the 2019-2024 term. The inauguration of President Jokowi was attended by Asean heads of state namely Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah from Brunei Darussalam, Singapore Prime Minister […]