Suharto’s children made the Berkarya Party into a family political vehicle. They are deemed to have not run it seriously.

In order to attract buyers, online shopping applications are offering free shipping for items shipped from abroad.

A key witness in the case of alleged sexual harassment in Shiddiqiyyah Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, is being prosecuted. The school owner’s son has not been arrested despite being named as suspect.

Several hospitals in the Gaza, including one owned by Indonesia, have been badly damaged by Israeli air raids. Two senior doctors died.

Weekly news round-up

Yopie Hidayat (Contributor)

After three years at the helm of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Laksana Tri Handoko is entrusted with a new job: to lead the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The Japan-educated scientist is given a mandate by President Joko Widodo to integrate five major national research institutes. He is tasked to catch up lags in science and technology, to create technological independence and to focus on exploring the digital economy as well as green and blue economy. He would also continue his efforts which he initiated in LIPI to bring back a diaspora of Indonesian researchers to strengthen BRIN. Handoko said BRIN also needed political support to realize research as one of the main pillars of the national economy.

Semarang State University refutes the information in Tempo's article, while Bank UOB Indonesia writes a response to its customer's complain.

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

The cryptocurrency market continues to attract millions of new investors. Clearer regulations are needed.

Historians note how Napoleon managed to change France, Europe and other parts of the world. After the French Revolution ended the feudal order, he, a revolutionary army officer, emerged as ‘Consul’ from the political ruins.

Residents watch hot air balloons being released at a field in Kembaran village, Kalikajar, Wonosobo, Central Java, Wednesday, May 19. The hot air balloon festival is a tradition carried out by the local community on the seventh day of Idul Fitri—at the end of the fasting month. To prevent air traffic disruption, the balloons are tied to the ground so they would stop flying at a certain height. ANTARA/Anis Efizudin

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