Published in ISEAS Perspectives, 18 August, 2015. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • After the initial fracas over Cabinet appointments and the tensions between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), President Widodo launched a programme of speaking at the commissioning ceremonies of major infrastructure projects. Achieving economic growth driven by infrastructure projects has become his key […]
A NEW SHORT STORY: ABDUL AND LINA by Max Lane
Abdul and Lina. A Short Story by Max Lane He didn’t know what people would have thought if they could see him now. His mouth was wide open, his jaws aching from the stretching gape. It was if he was screaming. In fact he was, but there was no sound – except the horrific screech […]
ARTICLE: THE ACT OF KILLING – A puncture in the hegemony by Max Lane
The Act of Killing did not win Hollywood’s favor. The activist-oriented systematic promotion of the documentary, however, has helped it to have a significant impact on public discussion of the mass killings of 1965, both in Indonesia and internationally. A single film could never overthrow the hegemony of half a century of indoctrination, but it […]
POEM: Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng).
We were talking about food last night and a memory came back to me – for the umpteenth time. Narrow and dark and most of all hot. If I ended up at a back table, 3 or 4 metres inside, the sweat would pour from forehead and my hair would be wet enough to comb […]
Essay: Indonesian activist in solidarity with Papuan demonstration in Jakarta.
The following essay by Surya Anta was written in response to a series of questions, I emailed him yesterday, August 4, 2011. “I am here to give solidarity, not as a provocateur”* Surya Anta, Jakarta, Indonesia, member Peoples Liberation Party On August 2, 2011 I and Kholis Annasir from the student group Pusat Perjuangan Mahasiswa untuk […]
Release all those detained and Stop on-going crackdown on Malaysian Socialists
Release all those detained and Stop on-going crackdown on Malaysian Socialists Stop repressing democratic rights of Malaysian People! Bebaskan mereka yang ditahan dan Hentikan Kekerasan terhadap kaum Sosialis Malaysia Hentikan Represi terhadap Hak-hak demokratik rakyat Malaysia!
Sajak Starbucks Setiabudi Kuningan
SAJAK STARBUCKS SETIABUDI KUNINGAN Aroma kopi starbucks memanggil-manggil Tapi dengan loyo, seperti kental kopinya juga Dasi, rok rapi, bersih sejuk suasana tanpa ganjil. Tiada sandal jepit, wajah capek peminum, itu gampang diduga Berlindung dari alam bising pindah ke alam plastik asing.
Poem: Swept Clean Yard
Under the green canopy, dark, brown, damp, void of grass Yard to the little house, walls of woven bamboo, walls which will never last Swept to a cleanliness where not a single fallen leaf survives, Tidiness creates space in the midst of scarcity, so from tiredness the villager revives. Grey blackish here and there shiny […]
Sajak mbah kakung dari kauman
Mbah Kakung dari kauman Tulangnya terasa keras dibawah kulitnya yg kasar lunak Dibopong menuju mesjid lewat gang sempit asfal berdebu “Mau ketemu semua temannya nanti di sorga, kan, ‘nak”? Memar hitam di jidutnya umumkan imannya yang menggebu. Langkah-langkahnya lamban tidak pasti tapi tak mengalah Hidung tua peka sangat dilindungi parfum tebal “Ikut ke sorga nanti […]
Sajak rindu saat tidak serius
MEMORI LIDAH YANG KANGEN Nasi Kerawang Uap harum mengawang Nasi Rajawali Kepingin makan berkali-kali Kuning menyungai lekat ke piring Telor mata sapi diatas nasi goreng Sambal terasi pendamping emping Tambah kopi tubruk harus minum bareng-bareng. Bandung Sambal segar dari oeloek dimakan berlahapan Bandung Dipendam dengan lalapan. Gulai tak pedas tapi mengikat lezat Kambing santan cabe […]
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