Looking for a scapegoat

Kid: Buruk rupah, cermin dibelah – an Indonesian proverb meaning "Blaming the wrong reason. Looking for a scapegoat".

Embattled House Speaker Marzuki Alie (left) has lashed out at critics saying opposition to a lavish new parliamentary building complex he had approved was only meant to sully his reputation. The controversial project, which will cost taxpayers a whooping US$200 million, has been met by a tidal wave of public criticism, much of it directed at gaffe-prone Alie.

Kompas - February 26, 2011

What's evenly spread?

1st Man: When will there be a more even spread, yeah?

2nd Man: Eh, its already even...

1st Man: Ah! What's evenly spread?

2nd Man: Corruption!

Anti-graft activists warn that corruption is spreading to almost all sectors of government and is directly contributing to growing economic disparity, uneven development and social unrest.

Kompas - February 23, 2011

A warning

Kid: This should serve as a warning to us... if you get too settled in you'll forget how to stand up!

Observers say that the downfall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should serve as a warning to President Yudhoyono, who is seen by many as becoming increasingly aloof and insensitive to the real problems facing ordinary Indonesians.

Kompas - February 21, 2011

Firm action

Kid: Firm action isn't just in a decree is it Dad!

Headlines read: Joint Ministerial Decree 199/2008

Seemingly oblivious to the recent upsurge in violence against religious minorities, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has defended a 2008 decree on the Ahmadiyah religious sect – the very decree being used by hard-line Islamist groups to justify their attacks – claiming it is "aimed at maintaining religious harmony and protecting the Ahmadiyah".

Kompas - February 19, 2011

Action will be taken...

1st Man: Action will be taken against perpetrators of violence, they will be disbanded if necessary

2nd Man: Oh yeah, really?

1st Man: Well in speeches...

Rights groups say that instead of making empty speeches about religious tolerance and disbanding violent organisations, President Yudhoyono simply needs to enforce existing laws and order the arrest of the ringleaders of hard-line Islamic groups committing violence against religious minorities.

Kompas - February 16, 2011

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika

Indonesia's much touted image of pluralism and religious tolerance – enshrined in the country's coat-of-arms by the words Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) – has been left in tatters following Sunday's fatal attack on an Ahmadiyah congregation in Cikeusik, Banten, the latest in a series vicious assaults on members of the Ahmadiyah religious sect by Islamist mobs.

Kompas - February 9, 2011

Sniff things out first, then bite

Man: They say to be involved in politics you have to be like a rat, sniff things out first, then bite!

Kid: That's right dad! It's also what's called a political rat! – a play on the word politikus: politik (politics) + tikus (rat) = politician.

Headline reads: KPK vs DPR – referring to the ongoing feud between the Corruption Eradication Commission and the House over the indictment of 19 lawmakers on bribery charges.

Kompas - February 5, 2011

The extreme weather will pass

1st Man: Be patient, I'm sure the extreme weather will soon pass...

2nd Man: What about extreme corruption and the judicial mafia, when will they pass?

Fishing communities are falling deeper into poverty as extreme weather conditions nationwide prevent them from earning a living. Graft activists meanwhile say rampant corruption at all levels of government is undermining climate change mitigation efforts.

Kompas - February 2, 2011