AIYA Links, 9 May: bans, bailouts and 7-Eleven
As we announced last week, CAUSINDY is on its way to Jakarta! Applications to be a part of the conference in September are now open—so sign up or spread the word. We hope to see you there.
In the news
- Indonesia’s 2014 GDP growth estimate has been cut to 5.1% by Bank Indonesia, which again left interest rates unchanged this week.
- Meanwhile, Finance Minister Chatib Basri (@ChatibBasri) told CNBC that Indonesia is out of the ‘fragile five‘.
- The mineral export ban is blamed by many for hurting the economy—the FT’s @BenjaminBland reports on how it’s affecting local miners in West Kalimantan.
- At Inside Indonesia, a fascinating look at the legal loopholes that allowed 7-Eleven’s success, and what it means for foreign investors in Indonesian retail.
- A new World Bank report on Asian labour markets highlights Indonesia’s challenges in providing good jobs and social protection for its rapidly-expanding population.
- The New York Times talks to Alexander Aan, the Padang atheist imprisoned for questioning religion on Facebook.
- Whiteboard Journal (@wjournal) talks to the up-and-coming young architect Danny Wicaksono.
On the blog
- AIYA’s Tim Flicker takes a fascinating look at the often-overlooked heritage of Judaism in Indonesia.
- We have a round-up of AIYA’s inaugural basa-basi speakers event from Marlene Millot.
- In Jakarta, AIYA’s Alexadra Hearne interviewed the founders of AyoVote!, an initiative exploiting social media to get out the youth vote in 2014 (Bhs Ind).
Events and opportunities
- New on the AIYA Job Board: positions available for a Manager of the Australia-Indonesia Centre in Jakarta, and an English Teacher at the Australian International High School in Makassar.