AIYA Links: 24 January

Happy Australia Day 2014 from AIYA. Chuck another sate on the barbie for us and celebrate an Australia more closely linked to its neighbours!

In the news

• It’s here! The eagerly-awaited sequel to Indonesian action hit The Raid premiered at the Sundance Film Festival—receiving a standing ovation and positive reviews.
• The Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) says Indonesia’s controversial mineral export ban has caused a surge in investment in domestic refineries.
• The Wall Street Journal reports on the First Lady’s Instagram adventures. This week Ibu Ani apologised for occasionally getting stroppy with photo commenters.
• Over at the Lowy Interpreter, Stephen Grenville has some thoughts about the media in Australia-Indonesia relations.
• The ANU’s @RossTapsell has some sharp analysis of the rise of Indonesia’s most popular politician, Joko Widodo.
• Whiteboard Journal interviewed Lisa Virgiano, Indonesian food evangelist, on the importance of understanding Indonesian cuisine.
• As election season approaches, the Jakarta Post reports on Indonesia’s problems in keeping the electoral roll organised.
• The Asia Foundation’s Sandra Hamid writes about community efforts to monitor money politics in the upcoming polls.

Jobs and events

• New at the AIYA Job Board: FX Sales Broker (Indonesian-speaking) at FXCM in Sydney, and Senior Project Officer (International) at the Australian School of Business.
• Two great scholarships are available now for those interested in studying in Indonesia.
• Don’t forget that applications to represent your country at the Pidato Antarabangsa Bahasa Melayu speech competition in KL are still open.