In the news

  • ‘Radical Islamic groups are the new kingmakers of Indonesian politics’ argues author Eka Kurniawan in an op-ed for the New York Times after the Jakarta gubernatorial elections.
  • A congress of female Islamic clerics meeting in Cirebon have issued a fatwa urging the Indonesian government to raise the minimum legal age for women to marry from 16 to 18.
  • Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand joined forces this week to fight an EU resolution against palm oil, a major export for the three nations.
  • 40,000 protests took to the streets of Jakarta on May Day. Vice took photos.
  • Leaders of Ansor, Nahdlatul Ulama’s youth wing, are hoping to reform archaic interpretations of Islam around the world.
  • The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) found that Freeport caused environmental degradation by dumping its waste to forests, rivers, estuaries and the ocean in the 2013-2015 fiscal year. Damages are estimated at Rp185 trillion.
  • We are excited to have a new Chapter in Indonesia, AIYA Indonesia Timur. Vice Consul Ibu Violet Rish from the Australian Consulate in Makassar launched AIYA Indonesia Timur and promoted education links with Australia at Universitas Bosowa on Wednesday.
  • The oldest living person, Mbah Ghoto, passed away this week at the age of 146. The key to his long life? ‘I have people that love me looking after me,’ he told the BBC last year.

AIYA presents Kartini

AIYA is bringing 2017’s biggest Indonesian film to cinemas across Australia in May. Directed by Hanung Bramantyo and starring Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?‘s Dian Sastrowardoyo, ‘Kartini’ tells the story of Indonesia’s most famous heroine. Watch the trailer and register for a screening near you.

At the blog

Events

  • Melbourne, 6 May: Gain insights and network with business influencers at PPIA Monash’s Australia Indonesia Business Forum.
  • Melbourne, 6 May: Join a celebration of Indonesian culture and heritage as KJRI and Kitaku.com present the Indonesian Heritage Exhibition.
  • Canberra, 9 May: Meet the Canberra Indonesian community at AIYA ACT’s Networking Night at the Indonesian Embassy.
  • Ubud, 12-14 May: Catch Indonesian-born My Kitchen Rules winners Tasia & Gracia Seger at the third Ubud Food Festival, along with over 80 members of Indonesia’s culinary industry.
  • Sydney, 13 May: See the Suara Indonesia Dance Group  in action at a fundraiser in Newtown.
  • Sydney, 27 May: PPIA NSW presents the Indonesian Ideas Conference, or ICON, featuring guest speakers (Kick) Andy F Noya, Daniel Mananta, Alamatnya Shantika and North Hudson Ismail.

Opportunities