The research and technology ministry and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) are in a state of limbo. The PDI-P reportedly wants Megawati Soekarnoputri at the helm of BRIN steering committee.

Only five months left to prepare for the transition towards a new operator for the Rokan Block. A number of problems are still unresolved, while others already await Pertamina. 

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a new case against former Pelindo II CEO Richard Joost Lino. His old case in the Corruption Eradication Commission remains unresolved.

Garuda Indonesia CEO Irfan Setiaputra inherited a plethora of problems when he joined the national flag carrier last year. Now, if he is not exploring maneuvers to turn the financially-distressed company around amid dwindling number of passengers or taking care of the thorny plane rental contract, Irfan shepherds Garuda as a pivotal airline in distributing Covid-19 vaccines. Armed with extensive experience in leading various companies, Irfan Setiaputra pulls out all the stops to restore Garuda Indonesia’s image as a bona fide airline.

Yopie Hidayat (Contributor)

Mathius Awoitauw changes the governance system by involving customary community structure. Development engages the local people.

Views of Tempo readers on culture in law enforcement and humanism in architecture.

The Rancage Literary Award has for the 33rd time endowed the best works of literature in local languages. Instigated by literary giant Ajip Rosidi, the award provides impetus to provincial writers to preserve local languages on the brink of extinction.

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

Honorary doctorates (doctor honoris causa) should only be given to people who have made a real contribution to the advancement of knowledge. Universities are embarrassing themselves.

With the technology of the Hubble telescope, we see that we inhabit merely one tiny planet in a galaxy, while there are two trillion galaxies sprinkled in space. Humans are not the center.

An aerial photograph shows the extent of damage inflicted by a mud and gas eruption at Al-Ihsan Islamic Boarding School in Pekanbaru City, Riau, Saturday, February 6. Mud and gas have been gushing out since January 4 after locals dug a well to look for water. The incident has damaged the school buildings and the surrounding area, forcing students and local residents to relocate. ANTARA/FB Anggoro

SOUTHEAST Asia has faced numerous human rights violations and abuses, ranging from the worst crimes against the Rohingya and other religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar to extra-judicial killings in the Philippines under President Duterte’s administration. Many enforced disappearances have also occurred across the region, along with violence against human rights and democracy defenders, attacks on freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression, and some other incidents. 

It does not mean the region has no institution that addresses human rights issues. Since 2009, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have had the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights or AICHR. But critics said this body has been ineffective and ‌incapable of protecting human rights in the region. 

To commemorate the International Human Rights Day on December 10, TEMPO TALKS presents Yuyun Wahyuningrum, the representative of Indonesia to AICHR who will explain about human rights problems in the region and how her organization addresses the issue on TEMPO TALKS