The prison diary of Muchtar Pakpahan

As chairperson of the independent labour union SBSI, MUCHTAR PAKPAHAN was held responsible for the large labour demonstrations in Medan in April 1994. He was sentenced to four years jail. The following extracts from his diary were written at that time. In September 1995 the Supreme Court upheld his appeal and he was released. But in October 1996 Supreme Court Chief Judge Soerjono stunned legal opinion by cancelling the release order. Pakpahan now has to serve the full sentence. Worse, he faces subversion charges in relation to the 27 July 1996 Jakarta events.

Nineteenth century nationalism

Ahmat B. Adam, The vernacular press and the emergence of modern Indonesian consciousness (1855-1913), Cornell University, 1995. xiii, 206 pp.

Courting corruption

Indonesians in search of justice can go no higher than the Supreme Court. But whistle blowers have exposed deep-seated corruption within. Worse, the main whistle blower is now threatened with the sack.

Finger in the pie

Audrey R. & George McT. Kahin, Subversion as foreign policy: The secret Eisenhower and Dulles debacle in Indonesia, New York: The New Press/ Petaling Jaya: Forum, 1995.

To struggle for freedom: Indonesia yesterday, East Timor today

PETER CAREY finds many parallels between the conduct of the present-day Indonesian regime in East Timor and that of the Netherlands' colonial administration in the Indies before World War II. Not least, both governments took for granted their right to rule.

Privatising social justice

As riots erupt across the country, Suharto is forcing rich companies to contribute to a private anti-poverty foundation. But, for DAVID BOURCHIER and IAN CHALMERS, the move smacks of personal greed.

Timor's betrayal

James Dunn, East Timor: a people betrayed, Sydney: ABC Books, new edition 1996, 365 pp, RRP: AU$34.95.

Middletown comes to Malang

JASON PRICE talks with the new middle class and discovers they love progress but keep the poor at arms length.

Recovering women's history

Saskia Eleonora Wieringa, The politicization of gender relations in Indonesia: The Indonesian women's movement and Gerwani until the New Order state, Amsterdam: Universiteitsbibliotheek (PhD thesis), 1995.

Big projects, little people

After 20 years, LEA JELLINEK returns to Jakarta's kampungs only to find many demolished for condominiums. The mood of their constantly evicted residents oscillates between resignation and resistance.

A democratic Asia?

>Garry Rodan (ed.), Political oppositions in industrialising Asia Routledge Price, 1996, 338 pp. RRP: AU$36.95.

Bali's other face

Geoffrey Robinson, The dark side of Paradise: political violence in Bali, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1995, xxii, 341 pp.

Pramudya film

Bernie Ijdis (director), The Great Post Road, Pieter van Huystree Film & TV (producer), Netherlands, 1996, 16mm, 150 mins.

Oh for democracy

R. William Liddle, Leadership and culture in Indonesian politics, Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1996, 314pp.

Ecotourism: can it save the orangutans?

RACHEL DREWRY investigates ecotourism as a conservation tool.

Spread the word

MELODY KEMP discovers some quiet achievers in environmental education -- who accept no foreign aid.

Togians: ecotourism is not the answer

While others hope environmentally sensitive tourism will help the Togian Islands, KATE NAPTHALI wants to beef up traditional industries instead.

Poem from prison

From Sajak-sajak cinta dari balik terali (Love poems from behind bars) by Bambang Isti Nugroho, published by Penerbit Widya Mandala, Yogyakarta, 1994.

The walking ghosts of West Java

PETER HANCOCK finds that women in a rural Nike factory are considerably worse off than those who work in other factories.

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