In a house in a dank alley in Paris on March 24, 1897, a 67-year-old man is writing. We do not know who he is. As the Narrator begins his story in Umberto Eco's novel The Prague Cemetery, no one has yet 'been named'.

The visit of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar of Cairo, Egypt, Sheikh Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad Ath-Thayyeb, to Indonesia was to reaffirm the message of peace, as taught in Islam. During the week-long visit in mid-February, Ath-Thayyeb met with various figures, including President Joko Widodo and members of the Indonesia Council of Ulama (MUI) and visited the Gontor Darussalam Modern Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo, East Java.

In Jakarta recently to speak at the annual Panglaykim Lecture Series organized by the Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), Dr. Richard Horton said health must be seen from a holistic perspective: one issue interconnected to another. If we fail to see health problems from that perspective, any preventive or curative measures would fail to achieve the maximum effect.

Teaming up with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), a coalition of NGOs recently released an index ranking mining-sector reform efforts in 12 trouble-spot provinces.

I must have rushed through the port of Banyuwangi a hundred times over the past 45 years. The first time was in 1971 when I waded through surf to board a rusty LCU from World War II to cross the Bali Strait to Gilimanuk, at the time just a one-ferry port. The old amphibious landing craft lurched to a stop on the sandy beach beside the single pier. In the shadows, a bemo (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) driver waved and I climbed in for the lonely, all-night drive to Denpasar.

Soldiers in Jakarta raided the Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserves Command) housing compound in Tanah Kusir two weeks ago, moving in on men of their own. "We received intelligence that a drug ring was operating there," said Kostrad Information chief Lt. Col. Heru on Thursday last week. The afternoon raid involved Kostrad Intel Assault Battalion and the Army Military Police. The At-Taqwa Mosque, located about 300 meters away from the five targeted houses, served as the mission command center.

Often, President Joko Widodo's cabinet appears more like a comedy act than a government, particularly when its ministers squabble in public. The recent increase in public differences of opinion over a number of issues gives the impression that the bonds between ministers are weak, and this in turn could lead to the reluctant conclusion that they are a manifestation of weak leadership.

ON February 21, the government announced a new policy on the use of plastic bags in retail stores: Customers shopping in supermarkets will now be charged Rp200 for every plastic bag they use to carry goods home.

Kalstar Criticized

New Energy, New Hope

Imam Nahrawi, the youth and sports minister, said the move would be dependent on nine conditions. "(These conditions) have to be met to the best of (the PSSI's) ability," he said.

TRANSPORTATION
Four Non-Commercial Airports To be Inaugurated

Low tax uptake from the fisheries sector has prompted Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to launch another bold initiative. The action includes a review of vessel weights and an increase in fishery-production tax rates for bigger ships. The move is meant to make fishing firms' contribution to state coffers proportional to their incomes.

Hari Tri Wasono's ploy to enter Kiai Idris Marzuki's house worked. Wearing a collarless long-sleeved shirt, slacks and a black fez cap, Hari posed as a boarding school student in order to meet with Idris Marzuki, leader of the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java.

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.