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Since the overthrow of Soeharto, Indonesia has earned itself an international reputation for press freedom. But new rules and increasing conservative social policies concern some. Indonesia boasts a diverse selection of independent media outlets which express different viewpoints.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo Meets With Chinese President Xi Jinping
The two leaders agreed to maximize bilateral strengths, deepen cooperation in various fields, and advance China-Indonesia’s comprehensive strategic partnerships. They pledged to forge exemplary models of major developing nations seeking mutual benefits and joint development, strengthen ties through Belt and Road Initiative/Global Maritime Fulcrum activities, and jointly construct the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway as a flagship project.
Leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, agreeing to strengthen communications and coordination through the G20, BRICS, and other multilateral mechanisms. China pledged its continued support to Indonesia as it led the ASEAN regional organization toward maintaining strategic autonomy while building strength through unity.
Indonesia, known for its sprawling chain of thousands of islands and large population, boasts Southeast Asia’s biggest economy but suffers from weak banking sector regulation, corruption, inadequate infrastructure development, and unequal resource distribution.
Presidents agreed to boost cooperation in several areas such as investment, marine fisheries, food security, energy, and communication and coordination under G20, BRICs, and other multilateral mechanisms, prioritizing joint safeguarding of regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Both presidents pledged to improve communication and coordination under these mechanisms to safeguard Southeast Asia’s peace, stability, growth, and prosperity. Retno Marsudi stated Widodo’s visit aims to strengthen economic ties and demonstrate Indonesia as an emerging great power – something Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said was important as Widodo also pledged during his meeting with his counterpart. Retno Marsudi further stated that Widodo’s visit was meant to do just this purposefully: promote economic and trade ties and demonstrate Indonesia’s excellent power status.
Chinese Premier Takes Test Ride on Southeast Asia’s First High-Speed Railway
Indonesia offers visitors a world of adventure and beauty. Home to volcanoes and beaches alike, Indonesia boasts an incredible array of natural and cultural attractions for visitors. Plus, with over 17,000 islands to discover, this archipelago allows visitors to reconnect with nature and relax in its serenity.
Indonesia has overcome tremendous adversities to become a magnificent nation with an intricate culture. Its people remain tied to tradition and spirituality; most adhere to Muslim beliefs, while many also practice Hinduism, Buddhism, or Confucianism. Family is also highly prized in Indonesia – often living together across multiple generations; Indonesians are very generous individuals who will go out of their way to assist visitors, mainly if they know you’re a tourist.
Indonesia has long favored nonalignment to handle significant power competition, emphasizing multilateral institutions as the solution to geopolitical tensions. Indonesia hosted its G20 Summit last year as evidence that it can play an influential role in international affairs without Western middle powers’ military and economic might. However, with China-US rivalry increasing rapidly, can Indonesia continue to serve this function? To find out, Rheea Saggar interviewed Ahmad Rizky Mardhatillah Umar from the Indonesian think tank Institut Penerbangan, part of a series that explores changing roles played by middle powers within the global economy and politics.
Dutch Museums Hand Back Hundreds of Cultural Artifacts
The Netherlands has become the first European nation to initiate a program of returning artifacts looted during colonial rule. They agreed to return 478 items from Indonesia and Sri Lanka, including cannons that belonged to Kandy City. This initiative follows recommendations made in 2022 by an advisory committee created to handle requests from countries where Dutch museums hold cultural treasures taken during colonial rule and held at Dutch museums for display purposes.
German leaders recently returned hundreds of human skulls to Namibia. At the same time, France and Belgium have moved forward with plans to return statues and thrones seized by European powers as part of a broader trend toward reflecting their colonial pasts by replacing them. French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 declaration that returning African objects should be treated as a national priority marked a significant turning point in Europe’s approach towards these issues.
Dutch museum artifacts will soon return home following King Willem-Alexander’s apology for those forced into slavery during the 17th century. However, experts note that repatriating these items alone won’t suffice in rectifying its legacy of exploitation and violence; visual artist Citra Sasmita of Bali, who has long campaigned for repatriation, emphasizes this point, stating it is equally essential that these returned objects be adequately maintained after being returned home.
Earthquake Shakes Indonesia’s Easternmost Province
The 5.4-magnitude earthquake occurred 135 kilometers (83 miles) southwest of Abepura, Indonesia’s easternmost provincial capital, at 13 kilometers (8 miles). Local authorities immediately reported no damage or casualties, and it did not pose any tsunami risk; according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency, it did not pose tsunami potential either, but people should avoid slopes with soil or rocks that might produce landslides.
An international consortium has signed a contract to construct an undersea fiber-optic cable network between Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia’s central Java province, capable of transmitting 160 gigabits per second of data transfer between cities.
Indonesia has launched one of the most significant projects ever undertaken to boost broadband services to connect approximately 270 million individuals who still don’t have access to high-speed Internet. Part of a plan to broaden internet coverage to enhance the quality of life for its population.
Indonesia’s over-reliance on coal-fired power plants has caused high pollution levels, leaving at-risk communities vulnerable to flooding, droughts, and rising sea levels caused by climate change. Indonesia must promptly cut greenhouse gas emissions to protect these vulnerable citizens – closing all coal-fired power stations by 2060 – while offering adequate compensation to communities for being forced out by industrial plantation projects.
Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha
Islamic families around the globe are gearing up for Eid al-Adha this week, an annual holiday commemorating Abraham’s sacrifice of his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. Also known as Idul Adha or Idul Zuha, Eid al-Adha takes place after each pilgrimage to Mecca has concluded and lasts four days – offering joy, giving, and sharing. Muslims should slaughter an animal such as sheep, goat, or cow and distribute its meat among family, friends, neighbors and the poor.
Muslims celebrate Eid by feasting on meat-rich dishes vis,iting relatives, and making plans with one another. Women typically dress beautifully for this celebration and decorate their hands with mehndi (a form of hand painting), and many exchange gifts between themselves and friends and relatives.
Eid al-Adha marks the festival that follows Ramadan and varies in date depending on moon sightings, typically begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month in the the Islamic calendar.
Indonesia’s President Issues Shocking Warning
Jokowi ran on an ambitious vision for Indonesia as an inclusive democracy and model in Southeast Asia; yet, early into his presidency, he showed worrying signs for supporters of liberal reforms.
His reinstatement of the death penalty was an outrage; moreover, he appears set to undermine Malaysia’s highly esteemed anti-corruption body, Komisi Pemberantaan Korupsi (KPK).
KPK experts recently noted in their report that military and police officials in West Papua were engaging in various violations, many of which involved lethal force, such as bullets fired through doors or walls.
Experts also called upon Indonesia’s government to stop its repression of Papua’s indigenous communities and end any harassment and threats from military and police forces against indigenous Papuans. Although these initiatives have made progress toward healing from Indonesia’s genocide of 1965, much more needs to be done so that Indonesia can move beyond this painful past.
Suppose Jokowi wants Indonesia to be an example for other Southeast Asian nations. In that case, he must take concrete steps toward ending denial about the scale and scope of genocide and ending impunity for its perpetrators. One option would be establishing a special commission to investigate massacre incidents. This action would allow him to demonstrate leadership while strengthening his image as someone serious about Indonesia’s transition toward democracy.
Read also: Q&A with the Editor of Black Tail Magazine
