James Ross, New York – It's not every day that a world leader whose country frequently makes the news for sectarian violence wins a religious freedom award.

Lauren Gumbs, Perth, Australia – Indonesia's booming middle-class is a hot topic these days; they spend more, earn more and will supersize the economy in the next decade.

Lauren Gumbs – Indonesia is indicating increased concern for its territorial integrity and international image in the wake of public pressure over deteriorating situations for minoritie

It was not as heroic as the country's Independence Day of Aug. 17, 1945, nor as dramatic and horrific as the Sept.

Over the weekend 34 young workers finally regained their freedom, after being forced to work for two years at a factory in Tangerang, Banten.

Fitri Bintang Timur, Jakarta – The Pew Research Center's research World's Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society published last month caused controversy in Indonesia, particularly the

Arif Nurdiansah & Hindijani Novita – Indonesia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), ratified in Law No.

Padre James Bhagwan – At next month's Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in New Caledonia, leaders from Melanesia will be asked to respond to the cry for liberation by their brothers an

Ted McDonnell – East Timor is now a peaceful and happy place. The scars of the brutal 24 year Indonesian reign still exist, but the East Timorese are forgiving people.

The fruits of reforms, initiated almost 15 years ago, have been visible in the checks and balances that work in our political system, fairer business competition and perhaps protection

Ati Nurbaiti, Jakarta – "The children never cease asking for their parents and siblings. Families continue to dig up mass graves in the search for their relatives for years."

Johannes Nugroho – "Religion must guard us against committing sins, but more often, sins are committed in the name of religion," wrote early 20th century Indonesian women's rights pione

West Java Governor Achmad Heryawan is excited about hosting the Miss World global pageant.

Lauren Gumbs, Perth – Indonesia's flourishing civil society activists and advocacy organizations stand in contrast to a darker culture of mob violence, militarism and extremist groups.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives halted deliberation of the controversial bill on mass organizations, delaying it to the next sitting, only after mounting public resistance to

As Friday prayers begin today, we might ask if all Indonesians truly enjoy the equal right to worship.

Oei Eng Goan – When law enforcement agencies fail to guarantee public safety and security and the judicial process does not work accordingly, it is certain that people will take the law

Sabam Siagian, Jakarta – Everywhere, including in democratic countries, gaps are always noticeable between strong and clear statements delivered by their leaders and concrete actions im

Sabam Siagian, Jakarta – On Good Friday, March 29, Army chief of staff Gen.

Enter the most controversial number, 10 years after the law on political parties lamely stated that parties "may" field 30 percent of women among their legislative candidates.

Acts of violence are creating an image for the nation that is quite different from that presented in hospitality advertisements to woo foreign tourists.

Yohanes Sulaiman – The proposed criminal law that is currently being discussed in the parliament is, to put it bluntly, a disaster in the making.

Wiretapping corruption suspects is one of several powers that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) possesses when carrying out its duties.

Prabowo is "somebody who is perhaps the greatest violator of human rights in contemporary times among the Indonesian military."

Phelim Kine – Denial and blame the messenger.

Ary Hermawan, Jakarta – In the next few weeks, Indonesia's liberal-minded middle class will possibly get what they have always wanted: the end of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).

Phelim Kine – The worst fears of the Shia Muslim community in Sampang in Indonesia's East Java came to pass on Aug. 20, 2012.

The nation's commitment to honest and transparent law enforcement has again been put to the test by recent allegations of human rights abuses committed by members of the National Police

Tom Clarke – If you thought the debate over East Timor's oil and gas resources had been put to bed, think again.

Last week's ambush in two remote Papua areas that killed eight Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers and four civilians is a strong reminder to the nation that peace remains elusive in the

Mimin Dwi Hartono, Jakarta – Violence returned to Papua as 12 people were shot dead on Feb. 21, eight of them soldiers.

Salim Osman – A few days before Chinese New Year was observed in Indonesia on Feb.

Al Araf and Anton Aliabbas, Jakarta – Late last month, National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm.

Aboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam – The Year of the Snake has begun with what seems to be bad omens for two leading Indonesian political parties.

On February 6, 2013, Timor-Leste's Parliament gave general approval to the proposed 2013 State Budget. Forty MPs from the Coalition voted in favor, and 25 from Fretilin abstained.

Mimin Dwi Hartono, Jakarta – Draft national security bills have been deliberated by the House of Representatives for a long time.

Amid all the controversy on illegal wives and polygamy is the silent hope among some women – the hope for a spouse, one way or the other.

Edio Guterres and Ivo Mateus Goncalves, Dili – The euphoria of the Christmas and New Year period has settled in Timor Leste as the country enters a new era.

Herman Wainggai – It is likely that most US citizens who consider themselves informed about global events are aware of the genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia and East Timor, yet it's likely th

Jason South – It was a beautiful moment, amid despicable terror.

Brooke Nolan – At the launch of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate project in 2010, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced that the agribusinesses involved would "feed

Lindsay Murdoch – Wailing in grief, Lucia Pina stood over the body of her murdered 17-year-old nephew and threw her hands in the air.

Although flooding in the capital city is a regular occurrence every rainy season, many were caught by surprise on Thursday.

Rape is never a joke": This phrase has spread like wildfire across social media sites since the news broke on a candidate justice joking about rape at the honorable House of Representat

Just ahead of the landmark 100th day in office, Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has proven how difficult it is to manage the metropolitan city, particularly its traffic, which for

Nick Sheridan – It's the hungry season in East Timor, that time of year when food from last year's crops has run out and the next harvest is yet to be reaped.

Jess Melvin, Melbourne – Since Monday (Jan.

Endy Bayuni, Jakarta – People who argue that approving a smaller number of political parties to field candidates in the next election is good for democracy ought to have their heads exa

Julia Suryakusuma, Jakarta – What makes a guy horny? In Aceh, it's women straddling motorbikes!

Fitri Bintang Timur, Singapore – In his speech to welcome the New Year, Lhokseumawe Mayor Suaidi Yahya announced his plan to enact a regional ordinance (qanun) that will prohibit women