AIYA Links: 20 March

Above: the late Malcolm Fraser visits a feedlot with former president Soeharto during a visit to Indonesia in 1976.

In the news

• Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, who died today, is being remembered as a champion of multiculturalism and engagement with Asia.
• During his prime ministership the relationship with Indonesia was marked by controversy surrounding the East Timor conflict.
• The World Bank released its latest Indonesian Economic Quarterly report, looking at President Jokowi’s economic agenda.
• Balinese Hindu communities will tomorrow celebrate Nyepi, the annual ‘day of silence’, and The Jakarta Post reports on how the occasion is marked by typically Indonesian cooperation in Bali.
• New Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson has had his credentials accepted by the President. Follow him on Twitter @DubesAustralia.

On the AIYA Blog

• Dr Thushara Dibley of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre chats with AIYA about growing up in Indonesia and returning to study often-marginalised sections of society.

Events & opportunities

• Melbourne, TOMORROW 10:00—16:00: get down to the Consulate General of Indonesia for the annual Alun-Alun fete to welcome new students to Melbourne. Great food and cultural performances await!
• Sydney, 2 April: AIYA NSW will host its first CAS CIS CUS conversation with Jim Della-Giacoma (@jimdella). Check out the Facebook event for details.
• Businesswoman and founder of the Ubud Writers and Reader’s Festival, Janet DeNeefe, is looking for a Bali-based personal assistant. Check out this and other opportunities at the AIYA Job Board.