There in that former internment camp, I stepped into the yard of the old prison that the colonial government built for political prisoners in the 1920s: it was narrow, barbed wire on the walls, and with underground cells where the most difficult prisoners used to be locked up. Under the hot sun and in the stifling heat of Boven Digul, which in no way resembled a 'pretty village', how did those prisoners manage to survive?

JOURNALISTS covering Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, are aware that whatever he says can become headlines. No other public official has a way of saying things that make it eminently quotable.

Jennifer Lindsay*

Held for the first time since friends of Saparinah Sadli founded the award to seek women leaders in the spirit of its namesake a decade ago, the event was held on July 16-17 at the Cemara 6 Gallery and Museum in Central Jakarta, graciously made available by its owner Toeti Heraty. It attracted more than 50 visitors, many of whom were friends of the organizers who had managed to navigate the horrendous traffic jams that prevented many others from coming to the show in those two days.

Monsanto has been involved in Indonesia for more than 25 years, beginning in 1987 with the Roundup brand of agricultural herbicide. Our business has since expanded to include DEKALB hybrid corn varieties: DK77, DK979, DK85, DK95, DK888 and DK999, offering farmers with superior yield performance and served to more than 650,000 farmers across Indonesia," the company boasts on its website.

North Korean foreign minister Ri Su-yong made his debut on Asia's biggest diplomatic stage at Myanmar capital of Naypyitaw on August 10. Ri, 79, who was appointed in April, attended the 21st ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), followed by visits to four neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries: Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and Indonesia. Ri, a career diplomat with more than 40 years experience , was known as a 'minder' of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when he studied at the international school in Switzerland in the 1990s. After Kim rose to become the North Korean leader in December 2011, Ri served as ambassador to Switzerland. Later he was appointed as foreign minister after the power reshuffle, which saw the persecution of the National Defence Commission vice-chairman Jang Sung-taek, the number two man in the Kim Jong-il regime.

Dewi Anggraeni*

The meeting at the Golkar Party's office at the House of Representatives (DPR), held after lunch on Wednesday last week, was opened by Aziz Syamsuddin, deputy chairman of the Golkar Law Commission. In attendance were politicians from the six parties who supported Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Hatta Rajasa, in the recent race for president. The meeting was to discuss the draft standing order of the DPR. Invitations were sent out from the cellphone of Setya Novanto, the chairman of Golkar's faction in the DPR, two days in advance.

THE effort to replace Nur Pamudji, the CEO of state-owned electricity company PLN, at the end of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration is not a wise move. The dismissal proposed by State-Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan seems to be rather hasty.

DURING President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, gasoline prices have risen four times and dropped once. Changes in the policy have always drawn widespread criticism because the issue touches the heart of Indonesia's economy. Last time around, to compensate for raising the price of oil-based fuel (OBF), the government distributed a monthly Rp150,000 to every poor household.

High Cost of University Education

FOR THE Constitutional Court, the situation was unprecedented: here the justices were, pleading with a judicial review applicant to cancel his request.

Through its subsidiary, Medco Tunisia Petroleum Limited, Medco Energi Internasional (MedcoEnergi) acquired Storm Ventures International, a Barbados company operating in Tunisia. MedcoEnergi spent US$127.7 million (Rp1.49 trillion) of its internal funds to obtain all of Storm's shares. "This transaction will add to our overseas assets portfolio and support the company's future growth," MedcoEnergi CEO Lukman Mahfoedz said after signing the acquisition agreement in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia.

FOR almost a year, Hamdan Zoelva has only managed to sleep five hours a day. As the chief justice of the Constitutional Court he has had to bear the consequences of his predecessor Akil Mochtar's actions. Last year Akil was arrested, tried and sentenced to jail by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). "Many people don't trust the Court anymore," said 52-year-old Hamdan.

This year, Indonesia and India mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. However, the ties between the two nations have existed much longer, predating the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of India. These connections span social, cultural, religious, economic, and trade aspects. But do those close ties of the past have any bearing on the present relationship? Why is there no direct flight between the capitals of the two countries?

Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Sandeep Chakravorty, shares his views on this matter at TEMPO TALKS.