The inadequate 10-year sentence handed down to self-confessed Bali bomber Idris, after the charges relating to Bali were dropped, is a slap in the face to victims and their families and

Indonesia's outgoing parliament is preparing for an historic send-off.

Paul Barber, London – Indonesia is fast learning the lesson that while elections are an important part of the transition from dictatorship to democracy, the more difficult parts include

A public debate is raging over the Indonesian Military (TNI) bill.

Kusnanto Anggoro, Jakarta – There are quite a few positive sides to the territorial structure of the Indonesian Military (TNI), as ID Nugroho and Netty Dharma Somba wrote in this newspa

John Saltford, London – In his July 30th article in this newspaper, Foreign Affairs official Andri Hadi argues against any discussion of the 1969 Indonesian-organized act of self determ

[This transcript was kindly supplied by Tony O'Connor as ABC TV no longer provides transcripts.]

Reporter: Anthony Balmain (AB)

The recent declassification of documents by the US National Security Archive pertaining to the 1969 referendum on Papua has put this vast and resource-rich westernmost province of Indon

It is certainly gratifying to hear, straight from the horse's mouth as it were, that fighting corruption is so close to the hearts of our presidential election candidates.

Earlier today Mark Davis spoke to Indonesia's Ambassador to Australia, Imron Cotan, from Canberra.

Given the attention that is currently being paid in both government and media circles to the Swedish court's decision to release two leaders of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) from custody

Farish A. Noor – Aceh has played a crucial role in the development of Indonesian national identity and the Indonesian nation-state.

As required by law, the 10 candidates opened their purses and publicly reported their wealth last week to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Aboeprijadi Santoso, Amsterdam – They opted for ballots and promised changes; yet, the rise of former generals in the presidential election raises questions as to ex-militaries' potenti

Sidney Jones – On Sunday morning, my colleague from the International Crisis Group and I left Jakarta – expelled, apparently, for being a threat to Indonesia's security and damaging its

The expulsion from Indonesia of the American terrorism expert Sidney Jones can only undermine the democratic credentials of the Megawati Government.

Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh is to be questioned by National Police HQ nd the Anti-Corruption Commission. Why has he not been suspended?

While the national authorities are yet to properly deal with child and woman trafficking in several areas in the archipelago, we are jolted by reports of the selling of girl students of

This is Indonesia's year of voting frequently. That in itself is extraordinary. Since 1955 Indonesians have enjoyed only three genuinely competitive, democratic elections.

The government has shut down one foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) in Jakarta and is closely monitoring 19 others, including local ones, citing that reports they have made cou

Max Lane, Murdoch WA, Australia – On May 26 The Jakarta Post published two interesting opinion pieces: Indonesian democracy or 'demo-crazy'?

Those people that have been busy opposing the idea of presidential candidates with military backgrounds have their own reasons.

Brian Toohey – The appointment of a new police chief in western Papua might seem of little interest to the British Foreign Office.

The Constitutional Court, established on the basis of the decision of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), is currently engaged in reviewing the legal contradictions that are affec

A leading Indonesia analyst says Jakarta has grossly mishandled the troubled province of Papua, and now seems to be stepping back to watch it disintegrate.

Tom Benedetti – A storm is quietly but rapidly gaining force in an overlooked corner of the world.

The Supreme Court's ruling yesterday to acquit Akbar Tandjung of all charges of corruption, thereby overturning two earlier lower court verdicts sentencing the House of Representatives

News about the possibility that the central government might impose a civil emergency in Papua province has caused strong reactions in several quarters.

Defying common sense, the South Jakarta District Court chose to denominate the damages in US currency rather than rupiah in its verdict on Tuesday.

The Wamena District Court sentenced on Thursday two more civilians to 20 years in prison each for their roles in breaking into a military arsenal in Wamena last year and stealing rifles

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – Indonesia may lose Papua and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam due to the possibility of a foreign conspiracy aimed at destroying the Unitary Republic of Indon

Looking at the security and political situation that prevails as the year 2003 nears its end, we can say that the pattern of conflict that has been affecting the security situation in t

Doubts that the upcoming general election next year can bring significant changes for the better to this country's political landscape are growing as the General Elections Committee (KP

In the Indonesian province of Papua, the appointment of a new police chief has been greeted with protests.

Otto Syamsuddin Ishak, Sociologist, Jakarta – The government has prioritized the extension of martial law over an evaluation of achievements made in the last six months.

Jakarta – At least 12 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and separatist rebels in Indonesia's troubled Papua province, local media reported on Wednesday.

[The article below was published in a slightly abridged form in the Post's opinion pages.]

How to describe this urbane gentleman who so smoothly changed his image as Soeharto's loyal man to that of defender of democracy and development?

The steep decline in the number of bankruptcy lawsuits filed with the Commercial Court in Jakarta by no means indicates a strong recovery in the business sector but is simply further ev

Max Lane – Australia Professor William Liddle's article of October 6 in this newspaper appears to analyze the Megawati Soekarnoputri government's policies in a kind of reality vacuum.

Aboeprijadi Santoso, Radio Netherlands, Brussels – The public hearing on Aceh and Papua held by the European Parliament in Brussels on October 1 was a rare but important occasion.

Two extraordinary reports appeared in this newspaper, on its National page last week.

["The United Nations and the Indonesian Takeover of West Papua, 1962-1969: The anatomy of betrayal" by John Saltford. Review by Julian Evans.]

Jakarta – Foreign Affairs Minister Hassan Wirajuda has stated that the government is continuing to monitor the possibility of support from a number of countries in the Asia Pacific regi

Tiarma Siboro and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – An expert warned on Monday of more troubles as a result of the government's failure to involve local participation in its plan to di

The Jakarta Transportation Office's plan to have all private vehicles undergo periodic road worthiness tests starting next year has evoked strong reactions from the public, and has beco

The information disclosed by new media watchdog Aceh News Watch on Wednesday that most national newspapers and television stations had failed to practice the very basic media principles

Kirsten E. Schulze – The military operation against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has entered the fourth month of what increasingly looks like an indeterminate period.

At least three people have been killed and 45 injured in clashes between supporters and opponents of the setting up of Central Irian Jaya province in Timika since Saturday, when the pro

Max Lane – Indonesia is in a process of transition out of the period of dictatorship during the presidency of Gen. (ret) Soeharto.