Anastasia Koo

Tell us about yourself!

I am an Australian of Indonesian heritage, and I call Perth home! I am currently in Indonesia completing my NCP Plan Scholarship as part of my degree in History, Asian Studies, and Anthropology at Murdoch University. After years of working around in different industries (wedding planning, real estate, dog walking, travel, public sector), I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of completing a PhD on Indonesian history and ethnic identity. My area of interest is the nexus between sports, nationalism, ethnic identity, and the “imagined communities”.

In my down time, I enjoy gaming, writing, tending to my fish and chickens, and free diving along Australia’s (and Indonesia’s) beautiful coast! 

Where does your interest in Indonesia stem from? 

My parents had different interpretations of their Indonesian identity. Growing up, my father, who was from Riau, would always say “we are Chinese first and foremost, then Indonesian” – referring to the history of ethnic discrimination. He taught us Mandarin, gave us Mandarin names, celebrated every Chinese holiday, and made sure we called our relatives by their appropriate titles. At one point I could even recite all the Qing Dynasty emperors! My mother, also a Chinese Indonesian from Malang, was very much Javanese. She barely spoke Mandarin, and her Chinese identity was not nearly as salient. How two individuals, who grew up in the same country, with the same heritage approached their national and ethnic identity so differently was fascinating! So, I asked questions, did some research, and never looked back! 

What is the nature of your engagement with Indonesia – are you an academic, a professional, an alumni?

I would say I am an advocate and an aspiring academic! Most recently, I finished work within the Asian Engagement team in Invest and Trade WA, facilitating the match between Persebaya FC and the WA State Team to commemorate the 35-year anniversary of WA and East Java sister-statehood. I have been involved in AIYA and National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA) for many years and recently elected as National president. I am also the CEO of CAUSINDY – Conference of Australia and Indonesia Youth. I have guest lectured on the Australia Indonesia relationship, and I have worked with Murdoch University to reinvigorate local interest in humanities, languages, and Asian Studies. 

How do you think organisations like Indonesia Council can improve Australia-Indonesia relations? 

Organisations like IC are important because of advocacy work and knowledge sharing that like-minded people do when we part of the same team. I think it’s about awareness of the general public, but also about making sure policy makers are appropriately informed about historical and ongoing ties we have to Indonesia. 

What are some of the challenges and opportunities in the Indonesia-Australia relationship? 

From my experience, the bilateral relationship suffers from a perception or PR issue more than anything substantive. We have so much overlap between the two countries, education, energy transition, culture and kinship ties, travel, sports, and research, yet all this goes out the window once something negative is portrayed in the media. There is a great level of distrust and incorrect perspectives about the other country that are outdated, and sometimes flat out wrong. It is because of this distrust and perception issue that the relationship, despite its strengths and foundation in many sectors, things can easily go wrong. Changes in public perception through social media and highlighting our existing collaboration will go a long way. 

Do you speak Indonesian and where did you start learning it? 

Interestingly, although I was born in Indonesia, and am of Indonesian heritage, English is my first language. Though I could speak basic everyday Indonesian, I did not really harness and improve my language skills until I was at university, where I joined the local Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia di Australia (PPIA – Indonesian Student Association in Australia) at Murdoch University (MUISA) so I could meet other Indonesian students. It was very difficult trying to converse and talk to people about my studies and my life; and it still is such a difficult task for me to try get my point across here on exchange! My goal is to be able to have an academic discussion in Indonesian, like I can in English. 

What’s your favourite Indonesian food and why? 

My favourite Indonesian dish is sop buntut and soto ayam with perkedel. There’s just something about Indonesian soups, so full of flavour, heart, and sustenance, that hugs your soul! Especially on a cold winter day! One time, I got into a massive argument with my husband (who is not of Indonesian heritage) over something silly I can’t even remember, and I came home to the house smelling so fragrant and warm. Turns out, he had made sop buntut from scratch, spending hours getting the flavours just right! I’ll never forget how I felt tasting that soup buntut of his – so full of love! 

What’s your favourite Indonesian music/song/writer? 

I’m a millennial, so I have a soft spot for emo/rock. I absolutely love Peterpan (now known as Noah) (Ed: I strongly endorse this choice!!) 

What’s your favourite Indonesian idiom? 

I think this actually one of Chinese origin but my favourite is, “saya makan garam lebih banyak dari kamu makan nasi”. This is something my grandma used to say to me all the time, and I never understood it, until one day I asked. It means I’ve lived so much longer than you, that I’ve eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. So, trust what I have to say because I’ve lived longer than you have, and may have some wisdom to share!

[Last month’s PAY IT FORWARD question]: What is one Indonesian movie that you urge every Indonesia Council Newsletter subscriber to watch?

Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap – it’s a dramedy beautifully set against the backdrop of Danau Toba, about a Bataknese family who is faced with issues of modernity, while they cling onto culture and tradition. However, although heritage and culture is extremely important to everyday life, this unwillingness to let go of tradition is often at the cost of family and fuels intergenerational trauma. Just a beautiful film. 

And don’t forget to suggest a pay it forward question for next month 😊 : 

Indonesian slang is ever evolving – what is your favourite or one that you still don’t quite understand (despite someone explaining it you multiple times)?