Forest Fires

Despite repeated pledges by the government that it will put an end to the massive forest fires sweeping across Riau, Kalimantan and Sumatra, which have been widely blamed on big and usually politically connected wood pulp and palm oil companies clearing land ahead of the planting season, the choking haze blanketing a large swathe of South-East Asia is on track to become the worst on record.

Kompas - September 30, 2015

Rich Prisoners

Disgraced tax official Gayus Tambunan, serving a 30-year sentence for bribery, money-laundering and passport forgery, made waves yet again this week when a photo circulated online purporting to show him dining at a restaurant with two unidentified women in Jakarta. It is a public secret that for a price, rich prisoners can obtain a wide range of special privileges such as air-conditioned cells, TVs and cell phones, conjugal visits and even weekend furloughs.

Kompas - September 23, 2015

Donald Trump Fiasco

Kid: Dad can I have more travel allowance money?

Man: Why don't you just ask Mr Donald Trump...

According to budget watchdog Fitra, a 'working visit' to the US by House of Representatives speaker and deputy-speaker Setya Novanto and Fadli Zon who later appeared at press conference with Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump during which Novanto told the crowd that Trump was 'highly' liked in Indonesia, cost the Indonesian taxpayer more than US$325,000.

Kompas - September 19, 2015

Forest Fires

Environmental activists say that in order to avoid legal liability for the massive forest fires sweeping across Riau, Sumatra and Kalimantan, big palm oil and wood pulp companies pay local people to start fires that conveniently spread onto their concession areas providing a cheap way to clear land ahead of the planting season.

Kompas - September 16, 2015

Jatigede Dam

Government official: For the sake of a prosperous future!

Man: And me right now Mr? (Paper reads help, sympathetic care)

Hundreds of people in Sumedang regency, West Java, have protested plans to proceed with the construction of the Jatigede dam which will displace more than 70,000 people (who will receive a fraction of the actual value of their land in compensation), submerge five districts and 30 villages as well as inundating some 1,200 hectares of state forest.

Kompas - September 5, 2015

Tired Old Promises

While regional elections slated for December 9 will be a watershed for Indonesia – with elections being held simultaneously in 269 regions throughout the country – little else has changed with candidates trotting out the same tired old promises which people know from experience won't be kept once they're elected.

Kompas - September 2, 2015