Arabic Language in Contemporary Indonesian

October 22nd, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

One of the most often heard cliches is that Bahasa Indonesia is a simple language. I find this cliche is mainly used by those who have never mastered the language. Nevertheless, it should be admitted that Arabic is much more complex and difficult to master.

(more…)

Four Political Parties to Coalesce

October 13th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Four political parties — the Indonesian Democracy Party-Struggle (PDIP), Golkar Party, United Development Party (PPP) and the People`s Mandate Party (PAN) — are to form a “National League” in anticipation of the presidential election in 2009.

(more…)

Indonesians in Focus: Ong Hok Liong

October 13th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

In the history of Malang written by Dukut Imam Widodo and titled
Malang Tempo Doeloe (Malang in the Past), Ong Hok Liong, the founder of the cigarette company Bentoel, is pictured as a hardworking figure, a tough man and a spiritualist who liked gambling but who was also generous. During the war against the Dutch he helped many independence fighters, giving them money, materials, food and cigarettes.

(more…)

The History of Kue-Kue

October 13th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

In Indonesia kue-kue, sweet or savory snacks, are a familiar sight, found everywhere from food markets to star-studded events and grand weddings. However, during colonial times, kue-kue were not considered appropriate food for well-heeled individuals and it appeared only in traditional circles.

(more…)

Indonesians in Focus: Alkhairaat

October 11th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

In eastern Indonesia, Alkhairaat is a household name. The Islamic educational foundation operates schools from Palu in Central Sulawesi to Papua. It also plays a significant role in fostering peace in the conflict-torn regions.

(more…)

Indonesians in Focus: Mardiyem

October 5th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

In a two-by-five-meter room in a house in Suryomentaraman, Ngampilan, Yogyakarta, an elderly woman lies helplessly on the carpet. The physical strength Mardiyem, 78, displayed when fighting for the rights of the more than 1,000 Indonesian women who were forced to become jugun ianfu (comfort women) for the Japanese Imperialist Army, left her long ago.

(more…)

Suharto - Still The Number One Corruptor

September 26th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

The United Nations and the World Bank named Suharto as the world’s top corruptor. This announcement was based on data from Transparency International, a world body which tracks down illicit funds. The two world bodies have also established the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, under which they are going to assist the Indonesian government in tracking down Suharto’s wealth, regardless of its location.

Desa Kepaon: Denpasar, Bali

September 25th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Women in headscarves standing in front of their homes, children in Muslim garb walking out of a mosque clutching the Qur’an and the sound of Adzan from the mosque calling out for prayers, makes Kepaon village in Denpasar, Bali, distinct from others.

(more…)

The Panji Legends

September 25th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

The Mahabharata and Ramayana Indian epics are reasonably familiar to literati in the West where they’ve been infrequently performed. The Panji legends, once well-known throughout Southeast Asia, are now foreign outside Java — and to much of the present generation of Indonesians who prefer TV to live theater.

(more…)

Megawati the Most Powerful Woman

September 24th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Former President Megawati Soekarnoputri tops the list of Indonesia’s 99 Most Powerful Women, according to the October edition of GlobeAsia business magazine.

(more…)