Links 5 Januari 2026

Indonesia’s expanding CEPA agenda reflects a country looking outward, from Europe to North America. But recent experience shows that strong trade agreements alone are not enough. Without public understanding and trust, even the most carefully negotiated deals risk losing support and impact over time. [The Interpreter]

In the News

• Indonesia’s INKA Exports 3 Locomotive Platforms to Australia – Indonesia’s state-owned rail manufacturer INKA has delivered three locomotive platform units to Australia for United Group Limited, marking a positive end to the year for the company. INKA said further train deliveries to Australia are planned for early 2026. [Tempo.co]
• Why the Venezuela raid matters to Australia – In Australia, it is easy to wonder whether the reported US night raid targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is simply a distant event with little relevance to us. Geographic distance, our focus on the immediate region, domestic concerns, and a general comfort about national security all make that question tempting to ask. [The Interpreter]
• Indonesia proposes expanding SEA Games to include countries like Australia & New Zealand – Indonesia’s Olympic Committee has floated a proposal to expand the SEA Games by inviting countries beyond Southeast Asia to take part. If approved, the expanded format, tentatively called the “SEA Games Plus,” could debut in the Philippines in 2028, separate from the regular biennial Games. [Mothership Singapore]
• ‘It’s time for healing’: remains of Aboriginal ancestors traded as curiosities are on their way home to country – Returning the stolen bodies of Indigenous Australians is ‘the most important act of reconciliation’, but museums can’t keep pace with the rate of surrender [The Guardian]
• Turis Asing ke Bali Wajib Punya Tabungan Minimal – Pemerintah Provinsi Bali menyiapkan rancangan peraturan daerah yang mengatur tabungan minimal bagi turis asing yang datang ke Pulau Dewata. Gubernur Bali I Wayan Koster mengatakan perda itu akan dinamai Perda Penyelenggaraan Pariwisata Berkualitas. [Tempo.co]
• Union calls for end to tax breaks that make Australian housing ‘a vehicle for hoarding wealth’ – A trade union has called for sweeping changes to housing tax breaks that it warns have “commodified” property and worsened inequality. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) wants the capital gains discount phased out for investment properties and negative gearing effectively abolished. [The Guardian]
• Indonesia plans history book on 1945-1949 independence struggle – IIndonesia’s Culture Minister, Fadli Zon, has announced plans to produce a history book that documents the country’s fight to defend its independence between 1945 and 1949. He said the book aims to present a full and balanced account so future generations can better understand the nation’s struggle. [Antara News]
• Australia’s red and yellow beach flags can dangerously confuse tourists. Is it time to change them? – The red and yellow beach flags, iconic to many Australians, are meant to be a simple and easy-to-understand message. But for many international visitors, the message is less clear. They may not make sense to people born overseas. Research shows that international students often misinterpret what beach flags indicate, rely on visual cues like other swimmers or assume calm water is safe. [The Guardian]
• Report places Indonesia among world’s safest nations: Polri Chief – Indonesia has been recognized among the world’s safer countries in Gallup’s 2025 Global Safety Report, ranking 19th in the Law and Order Index and 25th globally for the share of citizens who feel safe walking alone at night. [Antara News]
• Indonesia’s Cocoa Productivity Declines, UGM Expert Highlights Gaps in Replanting, Seed Quality, and Pest Control – Indonesia’s cocoa sector has come under growing pressure in recent years. While plantation areas remain large, government data shows productivity has been slipping as many cocoa trees age and replanting efforts lag behind. [Universitas Gajah Mada]
• IPB University Researcher: Sumatra Experiences the Highest Loss of Biodiversity in Indonesia – Sumatra has recorded the highest rate of biodiversity loss in Indonesia in recent years, according to an IPB University expert. Analysis using global data from 2017 to 2020 shows the island is under growing pressure, with biodiversity loss projected to reach 15 percent by 2050 if current trends continue, or reduced to around 11 percent under more sustainable approaches. [IPB University]

In the Blog

• People and Culture team have officially launched AIYA Volunteers of the Month Program! This initiative will allow AIYA volunteers to anonymously nominate a fellow volunteer who truly embodies our mission to Connect, Inform, Inspire. AIYA Volunteers, kindly check your email for the link.
• AIYA Urges UTAS to Reconsider Closure of Indonesian Language Program – The Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) has formally urged the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to reconsider its proposal to discontinue the Indonesian Language Program, which has been flagged for closure due to low enrolment and internal restructuring.
• AIYA Annual 2024 is here! Reflecting on 2024, AIYA had a great year of growth in bridging Australian and Indonesian youth. Thank you to all our supporters, making sure AIYA continues to Connect, Inform, Inspire. We hope you enjoy reading our report from 2024!

Events

• JOIN AIYA LANGUAGE EXCHANGE (IN-PERSON or ONLINE!) LX is back in multiple locations across Australia. Connect, chill, and converse with like-minded youth, meet new friends and engage in cross-cultural exchange. Make sure to follow your local chapter on Instagram for updates on the next LX event near you!
• Come and try playing Javanese Gamelan with AIYA ACT and ANUISA every Monday, @5.30pm in Room 630, Level 6 of the Llewellyn Hall at ANU.
• AIYA NSW Language Exchange (LX) is now every Thursday at Darling Square @6.30pm! Don’t miss the fun and joy with us!!
• Picnic, people, and good vibes!! Join AIYA Victoria’s PICNIC on Sunday 11 January 2026 at Flagstaff Gardens @3PM. This event is open to the public, members and non-members are welcome! Don’t forget to register yourself here!
• Ready to reconnect, celebrate and shine with fellow Australian alumni in Makassar? Australian alumni, as well as those who will be in Makassar on 24 January, are invited to join the Australian Alumni Gala Dinner Makassar at 17.00 WITA, held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Australian Consulate-General. Register before 20 January at oz.link/galamakassar

Tune In

• In the midst of a series of disasters that hit Sumatra, efforts to restore the functioning of the ecosystem of Tesso Nilo National Park (TN) in Riau are becoming urgent. Unfortunately, this restoration effort faced severe challenges, especially the harsh rejection of anarchist actions from the peoples who already inhabited and cultivated the area. [SBS Indonesia]
• SBS News In Easy English 29 December 2025 – Tune here to know more about Sydney cecurity boost, royal commission demand, and more [SBS News AU]
• “Representasi Budaya Bali dalam Film Samsara” delves into symbolic elements like dance and rituals, bridging heritage with cinema audiences. Tune here to learn more. [SBS Bahasa Indonesia]
• LNL Summer: Abolishing terra nullius – the legacy of Chief Justice Gerard Brennan. Listen here to know more. [ABC Net AU]
• The Indonesian government has formed a new unit focused on empowering its diaspora. What can be expected from this new directorate? Tune in here for more explanation! [SBS Indonesia]

Opportunities

We’re so excited to share our newest partnership: AIYA x Cinta Bahasa! 
All AIYA members can now enjoy 15% off Cinta Bahasa’s online or in-person Indonesian language classes! To register, simply log in to your AIYA membership dashboard > Resource Center > Cinta Bahasa.

• Monash University is looking for a Project Manager! If you feel like someone who have climate change policy background, extensive experience in project management and education training, you might the perfect fit for this role! find out more information about this role here!!
• Are you a staff member at the Ministry of Finance looking to strengthen Indonesia’s economic and environmental policy capacity through postgraduate studies in Indonesia and Australia? This scholarship is designed especially for you. Applications are now open for the Split-Site Masters Program in Economics and Environmental Resource Management!
• Come be apart of AIYA WA for 2026. We are looking for Secretary, Treasurer, and Events Officer positions. Take a look here. Positions close on 1 Feb 2026.
• NAILA is now open for a Director role. Apply here by 9 Jan 2026, more detail take a look here.
• Several internship opportunities are now available at ACICIS offices in Bandung and Yogyakarta!. Check out the available roles and their deadlines here.
• Volunteer positions for WIIS-A (Women in International Security – Australia) are available. Come and check the position of Communication officer and Events officer. Apply ASAP.
• The Global Scholars Club is a new community helping underrepresented young people access international opportunities by sharing real stories, free resources, and practical insights from past scholars. We publish reflections and guides on our Substack – you can check it out here. 
  The founder, Billy Blackett, is particularly passionate about Indonesia, having participated in the Australian Indonesian Youth Exchange Program. He shares regular updates on opportunities and reflections via LinkedIn, and is always happy to field questions or provide application support as a Rhodes Scholar and alumnus of NCP and AIYEP. Connect with Billy for more insight!
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is looking for several positions to fill with various closing dates. Click here for more information!
• The Australian Volunteers Program matches skilled Australians with partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia, and Africa to support them to achieve their own development goals. If you’re interested in volunteering check-out a range of opportunities here!!
• Indo Beyond Borders (IBB) is an Indonesian tutoring service, where language learning goes beyond the textbook. Join IBB and embark on an immersive learning experience that’s as dynamic and vibrant as Indonesia itself. Here to check more information
• The Jakarta Bintangs is an Australian Football Club with membership open to anyone, beginners are most welcome. The club organizes games throughout the year, mostly in Jakarta, with occasional games across Indonesia and overseas. Tours are planned to Bali, Batam, Vietnam and Thailand this year. Training is mostly held at Lapangan Bola Aldiron in Jakarta on Saturday/ Sunday afternoons. On occasion, training sessions are also held Thursday nights in the GBK complex. To keep up to date with the training schedule follow them on Instagram @jakartabintangs. For more information click here.
• The Australian Government is receiving applications for the Working Holiday Maker program that allows young adults to have a 12 month holiday, during which they can undertake short-term work and study. More info here
• The Australian National University Indonesia Project is offering a number of grants and fellowships. Find out more about the opportunities such as Collaborative Research Grants, and Visiting Fellow Grants.
• The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world. Find a list of available vacancies here.