Archive for the ‘Indonesia’ Category

Discussion of Indonesian issues, in particular issues of religious activism and persecution.

Top Blogs & Widgets

Posted by patung on January 28, 2008

The Top 100 Indonesian blogs at Indonesia Matters (About) list now has the ability for blog owners to display a ranking widget to show the rank of their site in the overall scoring system.

See the widgets for some of the top ranked sites, Cosa Aranda, Priyadi, Blogombal, and Wimar Witoelar.

More on the different types of ranking systems for Indonesian blogs.

Posted in Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesia, Media, Other, Websites | Tagged: blog, blogs, indonesia matters, indonesiamatters, indonesian, ngeblog, rank, ranking, top 100, widgets | Leave a Comment »

A great deal of media interest in “aliran sesat” currently, that is stories about Muslim and Islamic sects and cults, most notably the group Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah, who have caused a debate over the “true” nature of Muslim beliefs or otherwise, and the question of religious freedom.

It is an old issue, and there are many other tales of religious deviants being pursued and harassed by Muslim militants, the police, and the courts, not to mention the media. These include the Lia Eden story, and many others:

Heresy in dark rooms.
Selective enforcement of blasphemy laws.
Is Bahai a religion or a sect of Islam?

Posted in Indonesia, Islam, Jakarta, Java, Media, News, Religion | Tagged: agama, Al Qiyadah, Al Qiyadah Al Islamiyah, bahai, heresy, heretics, religious freedom | Leave a Comment »

Malaysia Boleh

Posted by patung on October 24, 2007

Malaysia boleh indeed. The various ways in which Malaysian and Indonesian relations are strained.

Hundreds of Indonesian guest workers are deported from Malaysia. An Indonesian karate coach is beaten senseless by police in Kuala Lumpur.

Yet another Malaysian insult to Indonesia, with the “theft” of the Rasa Sayange folk song.

Meanwhile, the Islamization of Malaysia goes on.

Posted in Culture, Indonesia, Songs & Music | Tagged: boleh, malaysia, malaysian, rasa sayange, songs | Leave a Comment »

Islamic Barbie Dolls

Posted by patung on October 23, 2007

“Muslim” barbie dolls are becoming popular as presents for young girls in Indonesia, is it just business or a deeper cultural shift?

Posted in Culture, Indonesia, Java | Tagged: barbie, doll, dolls, girls, Islam, islamic, muslim, toys, trends | Leave a Comment »

Indonesian Communist Party

Posted by patung on October 5, 2007

Post about how the Indonesian Communist Party is viewed today in Indonesia, 40 years after it was liquidated, and a further look at the 1965 coup, examining the relationship between Sukarno & Aidit.

Posted in History, Indonesia, News, Politics, Religion | Tagged: aidit, communism, communist, g30s, pki, sukarno | Leave a Comment »

Palm Oil

Posted by patung on October 5, 2007

George Soros expresses interest in the palm oil industry in Indonesia.

Posted in Aceh, Economy, Indonesia, Islam, News, Religion | Tagged: agriculture, george soros, investment, palm oil | Leave a Comment »

More Scandals

Posted by patung on September 26, 2007

Some stories of the seedier side of life in Indonesia. A number of sex videos in 3gp handphone format featuring college and high school age young persons are in circulation. A leading newspaper asks the question – do Indonesian girls like blue movies? And local governments are turning back the tide on legal red light districts and is porno coming to Indonesian television screens?

A schoolgirl is threatened by her schoolmates for posing nude.

Posted in Indonesia, Java, Media, News | Tagged: 3gp, porn, scandal, sex | Leave a Comment »

Handicrafts

Posted by patung on January 16, 2007

Information on Indonesian handicrafts products.

Artistic wood carvings of the naked human body with pictures and examples, handcrafted wooden animal carvings. Papuan art forms such as Asmat tribe sculptures and statues, and Bali silver rings.

Also basketry products such as rattan baskets and palm leaf weaving baskets all from the finest exporters of Indonesian handicrafts. Also made of rattan are hand woven rattan rugs and Balinese dancing headwear.

Other handicraft products featured include handmade leather slippers and wooden sandals, wall reliefs, wood walking sticks, Bali stone sculptures, handmade leather belts, and Indonesian batik clothes.

Lighting from Bali including table lamps and bamboo lamp shades.

Lastly a couple of features on furniture in Bali and news of Indonesian furniture exports declining.

Posted in Economy, Furniture, Indonesia | Tagged: asian, ethnic, exports, Furniture, handicrafts, Indonesia, indonesian, wood, wooden | Leave a Comment »

Yahya Zaini & Maria Ireva

Posted by patung on December 3, 2006

The Golkar sex video scandal, Yahya Zaini, and Maria Eva.

Posted in Indonesia, Media, News, Photos & Pictures, Surabaya | 99 Comments »

Hot Babes

Posted by patung on November 2, 2006

A couple of stories on some hot Indonesian babes, Sarah Azhari and Ratu Felisha, Shanty, Tamara Bleszynski, and Dian Sastro, Rebecca Reijman gets into trouble in Aceh Jessica Mogi. A few of these ladies are listed in the Top 10 “Hottest” Women list.

Posted in Indonesia, Law, Media, News, Photos & Pictures | Tagged: celebrities, cewek, famous, girls | Leave a Comment »

Expatriates

Posted by patung on October 9, 2006

Interesting discussion on expatriates in Indonesia, additionally some information on changes in Indonesian nationality laws, and expat medical insurance.

Posted in Indonesia, Law, Other | Leave a Comment »

Do Business

Posted by patung on September 10, 2006

A report into the pros and cons of doing business in Indonesia.

Posted in Economy, Indonesia | Leave a Comment »

Business News

Posted by patung on September 2, 2006

New section on the Indonesia Matters site, business and economy news.

Posted in Economy, Indonesia | Tagged: busines, Economy, Indonesia, indonesian | Comments Off on Business News

Agni Pratistha

Posted by patung on August 28, 2006

Agni Pratistha has won the 2006 Puteri Indonesia contest.

Posted in Indonesia, News, Photos & Pictures | Leave a Comment »

Learning Bahasa Indonesia

Posted by patung on August 2, 2006

A software course to learn Indonesian language as well as the first on a series of lessons, looking at personal pronouns.

Posted in Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesia | Leave a Comment »

Nadine Chandra

Posted by patung on July 19, 2006

Miss Indonesia Nadine Chandrawinata, or just Chandra, has caused a minor controversy. Continued at http://www.indonesiamatters.com/597/nadine-chandra/.

Posted in Indonesia, Media, News, Photos & Pictures | Leave a Comment »

Joanna Alexandra & Fla Priscilla

Posted by patung on July 11, 2006

Actresses Joanna Alexandra & Fla Priscilla have been reported to the police over their sort of sexy poses in Playboy.

Posted in Indonesia, Magazines, Media, News | Comments Off on Joanna Alexandra & Fla Priscilla

Suharto or Soeharto

Posted by patung on July 6, 2006

Resources to learn more about General Suharto. News on Suharto’s legal battle with Time magazine, and accounts of the scale of his corruption, and finally, how many important friends he still has.

Posted in History, Indonesia, Politics | Tagged: corruption, new order, soeharto, suharto | Comments Off on Suharto or Soeharto