The Purbaya Effect: the Public Darling that makes us forget
On his first day in office, the new Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, immediately made headlines. His statement that the people’s “17+8 Demands” were carried out by only a small group of people amid protests across Indonesia went viral instantly. Purbaya’s speaking style is markedly different from his predecessor, Sri Mulyani, who was formal and cautious. Purbaya’s blunt and flamboyant manner quickly earned him the nickname “cowboy” among netizens. However, it’s not ju
20 hours ago2 min read
On Critical Thinking as Indonesian Diaspora
Much of Indonesian news is recently filled with controversies regarding Indonesian history, and critical thinking has become more important than ever before - especially for the Indonesian diaspora. When the new, government-edited history books become the only ones available, critical thinking may be our only way to truly understand our past.
6 days ago2 min read
New Hero Soeharto: I was wrong to be born as a Chinese Indonesian
It is done. What until now could only be felt and not explicitly said, now there is no doubt anymore: Chinese Indonesians do not have a place in Indonesia. By declaring the very president that led the actual genocide in 1965 and passed laws that could be considered as cultural genocide in form of a “forced assimilation” – which was recognized as a form of war crime in the Geneva Convention – as a national hero, the Indonesian government is proudly and openly stating to Chi
Nov 102 min read
Exhibition Recap: Islands and Mainland
No city stands entirely on its own. Just as Hildesheim’s industries depend on the nearby Harz Mountains for essential resources, Padang—the capital of West Sumatra and the sister city of Hildesheim—shares a deep and enduring connection with the Mentawai Islands across the sea. The sister city partnership between Hildesheim and Padang was established to promote cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and long-term cooperation between the two communities. This relationship re
Nov 22 min read
