Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

Jokowi may be without a challenger in the next presidential election. Whilst Prabowo Subianto, the 2014 runner-up, has accepted his party’s endorsement, it is unclear whether he can assemble a viable coalition as the August deadline looms. However, the potential lack of a challenger raises serious questions about the health of Indonesia’s democracy.

In the news

  • Twenty years ago, the Soeharto era ended with reformation. Tim Lindsey shares his concern on the uncertainty that dominates domestic Indonesian politics in this post-reformasi period and its likely impact on Indonesian foreign relationships.
  • Recent research has revealed Indonesia’s enormous capacity to store electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind through pumped hydro energy storage (PHES). Most excitingly, the research suggests Indonesia has more than enough PHES sites to support a 100% renewable energy grid.
  • The Lowy Institute has recently published its 2018 Asian Power Index. It reports that Indonesia’s economy is projected to overtake Japan’s and Russia’s by 2030. Head to their interactive website to analyse power distributions in the region.  
  • Amidst the political and economic turmoil that lead to Soeharto’s demise in 1998, it was the property and businesses of ethnic Chinese Indonesian who were most frequently targeted by rioters. Jemma Purdey assesses the likelihood such violence will reappear in Indonesia, especially leading up to the 2019 presidential election.
  • Indonesia’s higher education is falling behind in global rankings and remains highly concentrated within Java. These issues need to be tackled hand-in-hand if Indonesia wishes to properly reform its higher education system.
  • Australian Ambassador to Indonesia from 1997-2000 John McCarthy reflects on 20 years of reform following Soeharto’s resignation.
  • Jakarta Airport’s new T3 terminal is almost due for completion. It is the centrepiece of the government’s plan to transform the capital into a transport hub to rival Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
  • The founder of ACICIS, David Hill is retiring in July. In an interview, he shares his concern about reluctance of Australian universities’ to permit students to study in Indonesia for part of their degrees and well as the dwindling number of Australian students studying the Indonesian language.

On the blog

  • This week, Amelinda Devina Tjoadri reviews the film ‘Pengabdi Setan’ (Satan’s Slaves), a remake of the 1982 original and the latest film by director Joko Anwar to have stunned Indonesian audiences. Check it out!

Events

AIYA is proud to announce that our chapters are hosting screenings of the incredible Indonesian documentary, Banda: The Dark Forgotten Trail, across Australia.

  • Canberra – 17 May, 6:30pm, National Film and Sound Archive
  • Yogyakarta – 15 May, 6:30pm, Sleman Creative Space
  • Sunshine Coast – 18 May, 7:30pm, USC Art Gallery, University of the Sunshine Coast
  • Brisbane – 19 May, 7:30pm, Queensland College of Art, South Bank Campus, S01, Griffith University
  • Sydney – 24 May, 7pm, Randwick Ritz
  • Darwin – 26 May, 7pm, Charles Darwin University
  • Perth – 5 June, 7pm, Baylis Theatre, University of Western Australia
  • Hobart – 8 June, 7pm, University of Tasmania

Grab your tickets using the above links to secure your spot! For any questions about any of the screenings, please contact your local chapter.

AsiaLink Business is hosting ‘#ASEANinAus: The next steps in seizing the digital opportunity’: A series of pop-forums in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane exploring how sunrise industries are transforming SE Asia’s economic, consumer and social landscapes and how Australian organisations and innovators can connect into the region’s rapidly evolving and dynamic digital architecture. If you’re interested, get your tickets using the links below!

  • Melbourne – Tuesday 15 May, 42/101 Collins St

  • Sydney – Wednesday 16 May, 34/161 Castlereagh St

  • Brisbane – Thursday 17 May, 31/480 Queen St

Other events:

  • Perth, TONIGHT – AIYA WA hosts a live stream of the opening night performances of the First International Gathering of Indigenous Peoples in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (Indigenous Celebration Bali). The event will be held at Murdoch Guild Tavern, Murdoch University at 6pm. Head to the event page to get your tickets!
  • Melbourne, 15 May – ACICIS and AIYA Victoria are pleased to present a networking event and catch-up for Melbourne-based alumni of the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies. Reuni, yuk!
  • Yogyakarta, 16 May – AIYA Yogyakarta are hosting their final language exchange for the semester. Come along to the AOA Resto and Creative Space, Depok at 3:30pm to join in!
  • Melbourne, 16 May – Join AIYA Victoria for another language exchange, held at RMIT Swanston Academic Building 80, 6pm.
  • Sydney, 18 May – Join the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre’s annual Politics in Action Forum, bringing political updates from Southeast Asia to researchers and practitioners from across the disciplines and beyond.
  • Sydney, 19 May- The Indonesian Students’ Association (PPIA) at University of New South Wales are excited to host another ICON, or Indonesian Ideas Conference, later this May. For more information about this year’s theme, it’s exciting lineup of conference speakers and to purchase tickets, head to the event page!
  • Sydney, 23 May – Haymarket HQ hosts ‘Fun in Jakarta! Meet folks already winning in SEAsia’s biggest market’ to showcase the latest activities happening in Jakarta’s start-up ecosystem. Click here for more information and tickets!
  • Canberra, 23 May – Come to AIYA ACT’s annual Networking Night! Held in the Indonesian Embassy, mingle between students and professionals, create networks, and be inspired by the benefits of studying Indonesian!
  • Sydney, 26 May – Come see EPILOGUE, an original musical production created and performed by members the University of Technology Sydney’s Indonesian Student Association (PPIA) on 26 May at the UTS Great Hall, Ultimo. Click here for tickets!
  • Sydney, 26 May – Attend the launch of Call Me A Winner, the first book by Indonesian writer Novia Myta. It will be held at the Love Life Store, 78 Queen Street, Concord West at 10am. Register now as spots are limited!

Opportunities

  • Join the Asialink’s team in Sydney! Every year Asialink Business’ Sydney office offers a fantastic internship opportunity to the AIYA network. Click here for more information on the position. Application date has now been EXTENDED to May 12, 11:59pm.
  • Join AIYA Jakarta! Join the AGM for AIYA Jakarta and become part of the committee! AGM will commence at 5:30pm, 17 May and will be held at Gado-Gado Boplo, Menteng. Please send expressions of interest and CV to [email protected] prior to the AGM.
  • Join AIYA NSW! AIYA NSW is on the hunt for new executive committee members. Positions available include: Treasurer, Professional Programs Offer, Social Media Manager, Marketing Manager, Education Team Member(s), Socio-cultural Team Member(s) and Professional Programs Team Member(s). See full position description here. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. Applications are due Friday 25 May 2018, 11:59pm.
  • Join AIYA QLD! The Chapter is looking for new team members to join the committee. Check out the open job descriptions and find out how you can apply here. Yuk!
  • Applications for the AIC’s ReelOzInd! Short Film Festival are now open! This year’s theme is ‘Youth’. Ayo, bikin film, yuk! Submission close on 31 July 2018.
  • Learning a language? Get Indonesian & English language help with UniBRIDGE Project.

Like what we do and want to join or support your local chapter to contribute to our exciting activities? Sign up as an AIYA member today!