After nine months of operation, the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) has yet to realize investment projects boasted by the government. It is seen as little more than an asset manager.

Coal, despite its huge contribution to global warming, is once again becoming a prima donna. 

The Sorong Regency government faces three lawsuits from oil palm companies whose licenses were revoked. Land concessions left in a state of neglect have been given to customary communities.

Pandora Papers reveal ownership of assets and shell companies in tax haven countries. Several Indonesian politicians and businesspeople are recorded in it. This report is a result of the collaboration of Tempo in a network of 150 media under the coordination of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

Government reactions are varied on the court verdict handed down in a lawsuit on air pollution. An appeal delays action which should be taken immediately.

Letters from Readers

Cartoon: Yuyun Nurrachman

Airlangga University’ Merah Putih vaccine research team led by Prof. Fedik Abdul Rantam has been making rapid headway in the development of the country’s own Covid vaccine together with Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia. The vaccine is set to enter the first phase of the human clinical trial in the fourth week of October.

It takes courage to expose what really happened in 1965, including about Gerwani and its leader Umi Sardjono. To this day, people still hate each other based on a concocted history.

Tat Twam Asi. Schrödinger viewed the universe as one. Randomness and plurality are illusions.

A FULLY armed soldier guards the spectator tribune during the Muay Thai preliminary round match for Papua 20th National Games (PON) at the STT Gidi Stadium in Sentani, Papua, Tuesday, September 28. The Papua PON is held with tight security imposed to avoid disturbances from armed criminal groups. Antara/Zabur Karuru

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