WIUI The People Edition 1
Welcome to WIUI The People Edition 1!
A Note from the Editor-in-Chief
Hi Wuiboos,
Welcome to the first edition of WIUI The People! First, we want to thank you all for your enthusiasm in subscribing to our newsletter. We were very excited to launch this project and are glad to see that you guys are just as excited as we are!
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Enjoy the first edition!
Best regards,
Hirzi (on behalf of the newsletter team Sharon, Michael, and Vincent).
Indonesia Launches Diplomatic Protest at Britain Over a Pride Flag
The British Embassy in Jakarta is under fire after flying the LGBTQIA+ Pride Flag to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Tuesday the 17th of May 2022.
The British Embassy via its Instagram account (@ukinindonesia) posted an image of the pride flag being displayed in the Embassy courtyard.
In the post, the British Embassy called for the fair treatment of LGBTQIA+ individuals, who they stated should be able to express themselves without fear of violence or discrimination.
The post was met with mass backlash from Indonesian netizens who felt negatively towards the gesture. Many called it an insult towards national values.
Scrutiny towards the LGBTQIA+ community in Indonesia has intensified recently due to popular podcaster Deddy Corbuzier, who posted an episode where he interviewed a gay couple. However, the podcast was later taken down due to mass controversy.
Recently, the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Human Rights, Mahfud M.D., said that the draft Revisions to the Criminal Code (RKUHP) contains provisions that will criminalize LGBTQIA+ acts.
Recent backlash over the issue of LGBTQIA+ rights has served to increase support for the controversial Revision of the Criminal Code and has further added fuel to the current negative discourses on the LGBTQIA+ community.
In a statement, the Indonesian Foreign Minister expressed regret and concern over the British Embassy’s remarks.
The government has urged all foreign representatives in the country to respect Indonesia’s cultural values and beliefs.
Owen Jenkins, the British Ambassador for Indonesia, has been summoned by the Indonesian Government to provide clarification on the incident.
WIUI just recently did a post relating to LGBTQIA+ rights in Indonesia. Check this out on our Instagram!
What Is Up, Indonesia?
Politics
Military official appointed as interim regent: The Jokowi administration faces criticism after appointing a State Intelligence Agency (BIN) figure to a local government position in Maluku, many fearing that this will subvert the principle of military-governance separation.
Economics + Business
Indonesia policy uncertainty hampers resumption of palm oil exports: Exporters in Indonesia await regulatory clarity for the resumption of palm oil exports after an export ban was lifted following falling cooking oil prices.
Indonesia raises reserve requirement for banks: Bank Indonesia plans to raise the reserve requirement ratio for banking institutions in the country to 9% in September. The bump will force lenders to park more money with the central bank as inflation climbs to a three year high.
Social + Culture
Indonesian government to end social distancing measures: The government is ramping up plans to end PPKM (Implementation of Restrictions on Social Activities) in Indonesia as the COVID-19 wave declines, with many activities returning to pre-pandemic normalities.
New regulations say Indonesians must have at least two names: Indonesians are now legally required to have at least two non-abbreviated names comprising no more than 60 characters in all official documents.
Entertainment
Indonesian winners from SEA Games 2022: The 31st South East Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam have officially wrapped up! Indonesian athletes have managed to bring home a total of 69 gold, 91 silver, and 81 bronze medals, which makes Indonesia ranked 3rd overall!
‘KKN di Desa Penari’ becomes Indonesia’s biggest ever homegrown blockbuster: The thrilling and viral tale of the Indonesian “haunted dancer village” is officially a hit! As the movie rapidly captures the attention of the public, locally produced films in Indonesia are gaining more and more exposure.
What We're Reading
Abdul Somad Denied Entry into Singapore: Islamophobic? Far from It
“The point is that Abdul Somad was not singled out by the Singapore authorities by virtue of his religion…Singapore has consistently prohibited any behavior, regardless of the perpetrator’s faith, that may potentially jeopardize the country’s religious and communal harmony.” - Norsharil Saat (Institute for Southeast Asian Studies), Fulcrum
Indonesia’s New Capital: Can Jokowi Find the Money?
“There is no question about Jokowi’s strategy as he enters the second half of his second and final term: he wants to get enough of the new capital built so he can give his last National Day address there in August 2024, and so that his successor needs to keep constructing Nusantara rather than halt the project.” - Richard Borsuk (University of Wisconsin), RSIS
WIUI Recommends
Bojack Horseman by Raphael Bob-Waksberg (Netflix)
A humorous show about a washed up TV star stuck in a cycle of substance abuse and depression. Its mixture of clever humor and accurate portrayal of topics such as mental health, self-loathing, celebrity culture, and sexuality makes it an interesting watch. If you're looking for a reason to cry, give this a watch! It will both give you therapy AND make you want to go to therapy at the same time.
Tired of useless motivational self-help books? Here's an alternative! This book is a perfect guide to paving your way to long-term fulfilment through small actions that matter the most. Remember to not be fooled by everything that is instant; invest your time and energy into a future that is rich in material, heart, and soul.
Pen Pal
We here at WIUI LOVE connecting to our community. The Pen Pal section is a way for you guys to communicate with us, and for us to communicate with you!
Tell us your hot take, give us recommendations, ask us questions about sociopolitics, or request advice about your love life here. We also welcome feedback!
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Disclaimer: We are not professionals. We are prone to bias and error so please verify and double-check everything! We highly encourage you to do your own research.