The Thinker: Let's Talk About Sex

By Lies Marcoes

Aisyiyah, the women’s wing of Muhammadiyah, recently released results of a study it did on adolescent sexuality in Yogyakarta’s Bantul district. Pointing to the widespread practice of girls marrying in their teens and even below the legal age of 16, the study makes for a worrying read. 12:19pm Feb 8, 2012 The Thinker: Ungentle Humor By Oei Eng Goan Moments before naming lawmaker Angelina Sondakh as a suspect in a high-profile graft case, Abraham Samad, chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission, joked with journalists at his press conference last Friday. 10:58am Feb 7, 2012 Jamil Maidan Flores: Anwar’s Rebound By Jamil Maidan Flores In October 1998, then-Foreign Minister Ali Alatas of Indonesia made a quick, unpublicized trip to Kuala Lumpur. His mission: to convey to Malaysia’s leaders the deep personal concern of then-Indonesian President Habibie at the beating that former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had suffered in police custody. According to Alatas, Habibie was extremely worried because he knew of the frailty of Anwar’s health. 11:37am Feb 6, 2012 Desi Anwar: It’s All in the Neurons By Desi Anwar I often wonder what makes some people espouse strong beliefs more than others or what it is that makes an individual, group or society attach itself to a particular belief system. More important, why, when faced with a different opinion or a different belief system, do some people react so strongly, often emotionally, sometimes physically or even violently? 12:01pm Feb 4, 2012

Editorial: When 240 Million Mouths Need Feeding

Indonesia has ample land on which to grow food, but as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Tuesday, that alone will not ensure the nation’s food security. 11:52am Feb 8, 2012 Editorial: To Sustain Growth, We Must Invest in People The country’s strongest gross domestic growth since 1996 is definitely something to celebrate. Indonesia’s economy grew by 6.5 percent in 2011, higher than the 6.1 percent growth it posted a year earlier. 10:51am Feb 7, 2012 Editorial: No Room for Drug Use Among Pilots The arrest of a third Lion Air pilot for drug use should shock both the aviation industry and the authorities into taking strong action, given the grave implications for the safety of air passengers. 12:01pm Feb 6, 2012 Editorial: Banten Bridge Shows Disregard for Public It took worldwide media attention for officials in Lebak, Banten, to act despite the imminent danger a badly damaged bridge posed to residents. Only after widespread condemnation did officials move to shut down the badly disintegrating wood-and-wire suspension bridge. 12:29pm Feb 4, 2012

Rise of the Brotherhood Won’t Alter Egypt’s Economy Much

By Mohamed El Dashshan

Egypt’s new parliament is taking a seat amid ongoing protests on the streets and deteriorating relations with the United States over the impending trial of NGO workers as they threaten to review $1.3 billion in Egyptian military aid. Thus, it’s essential to read into the economic policy the Muslim Brotherhood will devise to redress an economy battered by a year of severe mismanagement by the ruling military junta and its successive transitional governments. 11:47am Feb 8, 2012 For China, Non-Interference Has a Shelf Life By James M. Dorsey China’s decision to veto a condemnation of Syria’s regime at the United Nations Security Council is just the latest signal that illustrates the need for a fundamental change in Chinese foreign policy. 11:23am Feb 8, 2012 Can Indonesia’s New Land Law Help Its Wobbly March Toward Joining the BRICs? By Mika Purra Indonesia’s attempts to attract foreign investment took a major leap forward in December when the House of Representatives passed long-awaited land reform legislation. Disputes over land ownership have long been one of the major impediments for improving Indonesia’s grossly inadequate infrastructure — a reality that threatens the country’s future growth. 10:42am Feb 7, 2012 Time for Closer Ties With East Timor By Agus Wandi On a recent trip to East Timor, while talking to fishermen on Areia Branca Beach, hanging out with taxi drivers, getting lost cycling in Dili with its new street names, catching up with friends working for the United Nations there, having dinner with a Nobel laureate and coffee with a presidential candidate, it was clear that there is one common feeling among East Timorese: despite the misery of the past, despite the persistent problems of unemployment and poverty, the country is looking forward to a better future. 10:47am Feb 7, 2012