Law

Spend a day in an Indonesian courtroom during the recent wave of political trials and you will probably leave at the end of the day hot, sweaty and confused. Make a habit of it and cynicism becomes the order of the day.

Allegations of influence peddling by Indonesia's Lippo financial group may be unproven, but opened a bigger trail that led elsewhere. JAY LOSHER reports from America.

Many private banks set up by Indonesia's super-wealthy in the 1980s are reeling under the weight of mismanagement. But connections sometimes allow them to evade the laws of financial gravity, as SUARA INDEPENDEN shows in these two reports.

'I write the truth and if I have to die for it, well so be it' wrote Udin shortly before he died. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL investigates.

The fires were no natural disaster, says JOKO WALUYO. The smoking gun is in the hands of plantation companies.

The riot that engulfed Jakarta on 27 July 1996 started after army-backed gangsters invaded Megawati's PDI headquarters. JESSE RANDALL traces the strange relationship between government and criminality.

TOM PLUMMER speaks with Moelyono, an artist engaged with farmers threatened by a large dam.

It's lonely in the Forestry Minister's office, says GERRY VAN KLINKEN.

HERTJE SURIPATTY tells how developers used soldiers and thugs to try to force her out.

Indonesian fishermen whose traditional fishing grounds are in Australian waters may have a Mabo-style claim, says CAMPBELL WATSON.

Indonesia has been brought to its knees by a small club of crony capitalists, says GOENAWAN MOHAMAD. The IMF deal offers hope because it will weaken their grip on the economy of 200 million other Indonesians.

CAROL WARREN reports on developments at Padanggalak, where outside money and graft encounter strong opposition.

ANGELA ROMANO explores the 'envelope culture' among journalists

Victims of human rights abuses in Aceh have not yet seen the legal processes they’ve been promised.

The struggle to implement Islamic Law in South Sulawesi

Civil cases are combatting corporate impunity

Homegrown security forces wield great power in Lombok

A new security force in Bali is cloaked in tradition

Australian lawyers and judges lend a hand