Stories about Indonesia
A decade of digital repression and resistance in Southeast Asia
Global Voices Southeast Asia editor Mong Palatino highlights the major trends, challenges, and prospects of upholding freedom of expression in the region
Indonesian court acquits two activists over charges of defaming government minister
"The government must also end reprisals against human rights defenders and allow human rights defenders and civil society organisations to operate freely and safely."
Cyberbullying hinders women’s participation in Indonesia’s 2024 elections
"Online attacks ramp up during elections which now also involve cyber troops running campaigns in the digital world and targeting women."
How Indonesia’s ‘illiberal cyberlaw’ undermines free speech and human rights
"We regret that the Indonesian Parliament has passed the amendment to the ITE Law, which contains problematic articles that undermine freedom of expression and freedom of the press."
Widespread labour standards violations among Japanese businesses with so-called technical interns
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan found record-high labour standard breaches in worksites where “technical interns” work in 2022. Can future legislative reform effectively address this issue?
Malaysia and Indonesia throw support behind Palestinian cause
Thousands of people in Indonesia and Malaysia rallied over the weekend to show their support for Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
The Chinese 2023 map has nothing new. But why are China’s neighbours mad about it?
The strongest reactions came from countries in Southeast Asia as the Chinese map claims virtually the entirety of the South China Sea.
A new platform monitoring press freedom in Southeast Asia
Seven Southeast Asian media organizations have launched pfmsea.org, a joint platform to monitor press freedom across the region.
Challenges of independent filmmaking in Indonesia
Since 2019, Annisa Adjam, a director, producer, and writer from Indonesia, has independently produced short films ranging from experimental and virtual reality (VR) to documentaries, fiction, and animation.
Six films on Asia-Pacific communities addressing the climate crisis
These films feature stories of communities fighting against the adverse impact of climate change and inspiring hope in addressing the climate crisis through their efforts and solidarity.
Unpacking the controversy around Russian tourists in Indonesia
Tensions between Indonesian citizens and Russian visitors have boiled over after numerous cases of bad behavior from Russian nationals have strained relations and forced officials to take action.
Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people
The threat of persecution, violence, and judgement is why many queer people turn to anonymous online spaces to build community and relationships, seek support, and share their experiences.
Indonesia's new penal code revisions don't just threaten sexual freedoms
Indonesia's recent penal code revisions threaten journalists, free speech, bodily autonomy and more — severely undermining democracy in the region.
Activists strive for data protection in Indonesia
"... there is a long way to go to achieve stronger data protection in Indonesia."
A decade on, Sumatra’s ‘tusk force’ keeps the peace in famed national park
“We cannot avoid conflict, so it is vital that we improve farmers’ understanding of the elephants and how to properly handle elephants when they enter the rice fields and villages."
Thousands mourn the death of West Papua independence activist Filep Karma
"He was first of all a frontline leader, present at every single protest, reassuring and inspiring all West Papuans who marched or prayed with him."
Coca-Cola, the world’s largest plastic polluter, is sponsoring COP27. Here’s why that’s a problem
In a massive feat of irony, Coca-cola, the world’s largest plastic polluter, is sponsoring COP27, the world’s largest annual environmental conference, which will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt this month.
Indonesia is still moving its capital to Nusantara despite rising public opposition
In a nearly unprecedented move, the Indonesian government is creating the city entirely from scratch and has cleared thousands of hectares of forests, fields, and grasslands for the new capital.
Indonesia rallies to support women in Iran amid concerns over rising domestic conservatism
As protestors gathered to support Iran, some activists warn that rising conservatism in parts of Indonesia means that women in Indonesia could lose their own right to choose
What is the relation between Cambodia’s human trafficking scam and China’s Belt and Road Initiatives?
As China started cracking down on online gambling, the sector has gone underground, expanded its market to non-Chinese speaking regions, conned people, and forced them to work for their illicit operations.
Peer under the sea of the Indonesian archipelago through this photo essay
Many of the creatures featured in this piece, as well as our coastal economies, are under threat as the climate crisis warms ocean waters and threatens coastal ecosystems