September 9, 2014 edition
AFTER more than a year of dating, Ratna and Bimo (not their real names) decided to tie the knot. They were of different religions, but they did not see that as an obstacle. Their families had agreed to the union. "In the beginning they were opposed to it, but later they gave their blessing," Ratna told Tempo. It was also decided that neither Ratna nor Bimo would would convert to the other's faith for the marriage.
An obstacle did arise-from Indonesian law, which prohibits interfaith marriage. Unwilling to sacrifice their principles, Ratna and Bimo came up with a strategy to have their marriage acknowledged and accepted by the state. "So that our rights and obligations as husband and wife would be legally acknowledged," Ratna said.
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January 1, 1970 edition
Like most judges, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Muhammad Hatta Ali, tends to be very careful when speaking about his court. "News articles tend to entrap you," he said, smiling.
After the arrest of former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar for bribery, the public has become skeptical towards the institutions of law enforcement. The spotlight was even harsher when the Supreme Court held a training program at Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi recently, and flew the judges by chartered flights.
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August 26, 2014 edition
For nearly a month, debate on the pros and cons of the law on reproductive health has persisted. The regulation, No. 61/2014, has been questioned by a variety of circles, from religious organizations to state authorities.
The cause of dissent are certain articles that allow women to get abortion in special circumstances. Abortion has always been forbidden in Indonesia, and Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said that was still so. The latest regulation, she said, simply provided an exception in cases of medical emergency and rape. According to Nafsiah, the spirit of the regulation was intended to protect the woman's right to reproductive health. "This is part of human rights," she said last week.
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August 19, 2014 edition
A burly man with a crew cut sat alone at the Dunkin' Donuts counter in the Pasar Senen Train Station, Central Jakarta. It was a week before Lebaran, the holiday at the end of the Ramadan fasting month. The man kept glancing at the watch on his wrist. Soon a well-dressed man approached and passed him an envelope.
After checking its contents, the burly man shook hands with the man and left. "That was just a customer who asked for help finding a ticket for mudik (annual Lebaran homecoming)," Taufik, the man who delivered the envelope, told Tempo a few moments later. He openly admitted he was a ticket scalper.
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August 5, 2014 edition
Four employees who had been engrossed in discussion near the receptionist desk at Adei Plantation & Industry's Pekanbaru office hastily parted ways. They did not take kindly to questions about their boss, who was facing legal action. "Our leader isn't in," security guard Apriyon told Tempo on Wednesday two weeks ago.
But a little news about the executive was whispered by another employee. "Our boss has been detained," the middle-aged man said. But he too refused to elaborate on his boss' position.
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January 1, 1970 edition
The room for negotiation to settle the dispute between Newmont Nusa Tenggara and the Indonesian government seemed to be narrowing. The government had made the final stance of refusing to give in even one inch until Newmont revoked its arbitration claims.
The government took the stand in a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono at the State Palace on Thursday last week. "The suit indicates that Newmont shows no appreciation despite working on Indonesian soil," said Coordinating Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung, quoting the president following the meeting.
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January 1, 1970 edition