Educating the public about the pornography bill and legal challenges against UU Porno at the Constitutional Court. Socialization On 30th October 2008 the controversial pornography bill (UU Pornografi, text in Indonesian and English translation) was passed by the parliament. On 9th December 2008 pres...

Purba on Barry Soetoro aka Barack Obama’s Indonesian connection. Former Menteng student now US President Obama Barack has been democratically elected President of the US. Quite an about face for the best democracy money can buy, in view of the Bush presidential se-lection. But of course, corru...

A Vision for the Future As we approach the national elections, it’s time for Indonesia to decide where it wants to go in the next five years, or even better it needs someone to say where he or she wants Indonesia to be in 20 to 30 years time, i.e. a real visible, committed, and visionary leader. P...

Sadanand Dhume’s My Friend the Fanatic - Travels with an Indonesian Islamist. My Friend the Fanatic - Travels with an Indonesian Islamist tells the story of Indian journalist Sadanand Dhume’s journey across Indonesia and his meetings with political, cultural, and religious figures in 200...