Brutal. Vile. Skilled at killing. Ambitious. Suspicious. The film Game of Thrones is full of such characters. It is hard to think of another film that depicts the tight link between politics and war more explicitly; people are always prepared to kill each other. The wager is total: win or die.

In the past few months, the nation has been besieged by cases linked to religion. They range from blasphemy, which tend to emerge intermittently, to banning the public worship of certain faiths and the celebration of religious holy days, which led to the rejection of Tengku Zulkarnain, deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), when he attempted to arrive at Sintang, West Kalimantan, two weeks ago.

Mahdi Musa has lived in Qatar for 18 years. He was in Indonesia recently for a month to take care of his business and to attend the Trade Expo Indonesia 2016. But before returning to his adopted country, he shared his experiences on a panel at the Indonesian Diaspora Business Forum held by the Indonesian Diaspora Business Council and the Indonesian Diaspora Global Network.

It is fascinating to see how different languages handle profanity and abuse-where their sensitive spots are, so to speak. Some languages focus on religion and blasphemy. Some target ethnicity and appearance. Others curse with animal names, or parts of the body. Many languages, English included, have developed a rich vocabulary of abuse around sexual intercourse, genitalia, and excretion.

Conversation in the WhatsApp group for Lombok tempe (soybean cakes) producers is animated, though the topic is far from what one might expect from youths between the ages of 17 and 29. The trending topics? Tricks and tips on processing soybean into milk and tempe, to the most recent innovations in soybean farming.

As we enter 2017, the government has been busy seeking ways to stabilize the rupiah. With the Federal Reserve raising US dollar interest rates late last year, other world currencies, including the rupiah, have weakened. Our currency, which in the third quarter of last year averaged about Rp13,100 per US dollar, closed the year at Rp13,400. Unfortunately, the rupiah will continue to face pressure, given the Fed's plan to further raise interest rates this year.

1. Desecrating the Pancasila State Philosophy

THERE is no reason for the government to hastily set up new state holding companies. However desperate it may be, the government should do meticulous and careful business calculations and at all times adhere to the pertinent laws.

I travel by motorbike almost every day, passing Jalan Kalimalang on the way from Bekasi to East Jakarta. At present, the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu (Becakayu) toll road is under construction along Kalimalang. This toll road will certainly reduce traffic congestion coming from and going to Bekasi.

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.