1965: What is frightening in remembering?

The thick haze blanketing parts of Indonesia compelled Health Minister Nila Djuwita Moeloek to fly back and forth between Jakarta, Sumatra and Kalimantan these past two weeks. She did this to ensure that health services in the provinces affected by the haze were being provided effectively. "I went to Palangkaraya three times these past two weeks," said Nila, last week.

The 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair ended in mid-October. As the guest of honor at the world's largest book fair, Indonesia chose the slogan '17,000 Islands of Imagination' to lead its presentation.

BAMBANG Brodjonegoro slipped out of the budget meeting held at the budget division office at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, around midnight two weeks ago. The meeting between the government and the House of Representatives became stuck in stalemate as the Gerindra Party refused to endorse the government's budget proposal. Accompanied by his special staffer Arif Budimanta, the finance minister then headed toward Hotel Dharmawangsa in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, where Gerindra's Chairman Prabowo Subianto and Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani were already waiting.

Raging forest fires forced six orangutans to seek refuge in a conservation area managed by a palm oil company in West Kalimantan.

History books have, for years, featured one photograph of the legendary Bung Tomo. In it, he wears a hat over untidy hair and gives an emotional speech while raising his arm and standing behind a microphone. Students imagine he was rallying the people to battle.

THE draft of the presidential decree on the Indonesian Armed Forces' (TNI) Organizational Structure has caused quite a commotion. A number of activists are concerned that the regulation would only give rise to a concept that is reminiscent of the Old Order era. In the old days, almost everyone was familiar with the Dwifungsi ABRI (the dual function of the Indonesian Armed Forces). In the presidential regulation draft there are three articles some consider to be 'horrifying' because they regulate the stretching of the military's authority. According to articles 4, 5 and 6, the TNI's duties would not only comprise defending and upholding the sovereignty of Indonesia's territoriestheir duties would also extend to matters of security as well, a task that has traditionally been the role of the police.

Explanation from Atma Jaya University

Strengthening Their Roots

Shady Partners from the Land of Ginseng

NURSYAHBANI Katjasungkana kept tight-mouthed about the timing of her departure for The Hague in the Netherlands. The lawyer and human rights activist only told her closest family and friends the name of her airline and flight departure time. She even seriously considered one suggestion by her associates to carry her own food for the flight.

Last week, a string of good news seemed to please our financial markets. There was October's monthly 0.08 percent deflation. This dampened last month's 6.83 percent yearly inflation down to 6.25 percent. Then there was the comforting data on economic growth. While this year's third quarter growth is indeed far from the soaring heights President Joko Widodo dreamed of, at least the 4.73 percent growth, showed a rather restrained slowdown.

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.