Politics

Battle for the pews

GERRY VAN KLINKEN explores the dramatic conflict within the Batak Protestant Church (HKBP). Environmental protest, military-backed thugs, and guerilla tactics to attend Sunday worship - these are the ingredients of a bizarre story.

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.

Indonesia brokers Philippines peace bid

On 2 September 1996, the Philippines government signed an agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front that promised to end decades of violence and give Moro Muslims substantial autonomy. Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Wiryono Sastrohandojo, helped broker the deal.

'All a pretence' - Interview with parliamentarian Aberson

Parliament, Aberson Marle Sihaloho explains to SHARON TICKLE over lunch, can never do a good job under Suharto.

Outbreak of rioting: Tinder-box or conspiracy?

Is Indonesia a 'tinder-box'? A potential Bosnia in Southeast Asia? Or is it essentially peaceful, but someone is stirring the pot, perhaps to make a point before the 1997 elections? GERRY VAN KLINKEN visits the sites of three riots.

Timor misadventure

The world has long known about the East Timorese death toll. Now retired Lt-Col SUBIYANTO speaks out about Indonesian casualties.

The fear and the fury

FRANZ MAGNIS-SUSENO believes that riots happen because people feel threatened by change.

Citizens organise themselves

Goenawan Mohamad explains to GERRY VAN KLINKEN why the independent electoral monitoring committee KIPP inspired so many volunteers to take action.

Pauline Hanson -- you are what you eat

ROB GOODFELLOW and PETER SMITH take a whimsical look at an Australian backlash against Asia, and against the wider world.

Dayak anger ignored

MICHAEL DOVE traces Dayak unhappiness to inequities in state development.

What price victory? The 1997 elections

ED ASPINALL finds that Golkar's massive electoral victory sits strangely with its loss of credibility on the streets.

Fading signal

STANLEY fears slashing Radio Australia's Indonesian service will harm Australian diplomacy.

Portrait of a female preacher

NELLY VAN DOORN discovers a woman preacher revered for her faith and drive, who questions the image of a male-centred Islam.

Lippogate? Not really

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.

Islam in opposition? It's not that simple.

Despite an impression that Islam has lately become a potent force of opposition, GREG BARTON thinks many Muslims have a stake in the status quo.

Writing on the wall

Remember the election last May? MAS SUJOKO was there and listened in to the people's vote, recorded on walls all over Yogyakarta.

How Muslims will say 'No'

What are the prospects of Islamic opposition? How democratic will it be? GEORGE ADITJONDRO finds much to be hopeful about.

Breaking out!

DJOHAN EFFENDI explores the paradox of young progressives in Indonesia's most traditional Islamic organisation.

What the elite do when their banks are in trouble

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.

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A selection of stories from the Indonesian classics and modern writers, periodically published free for Inside Indonesia readers, courtesy of Lontar.