Indonesia Council Digest - July 2025
What an exciting July we've had!
Congrats and terima kasih to the University of Melbourne for a fantastic Indonesia Council Open Conference 2025. We’re hugely grateful to the convenors, volunteers and helpers for making this year’s conference happen, and for the great range of special events, lectures, book launches and workshops in the conference margins. With over 350 researchers, students and community members in attendance, and over 180 papers presented, this was a valuable opportunity to drive powerful conversations across a range of topics and reflections on Indonesia’s past, present and future.
Thanks also to the Indonesia Forum for their support of our members’ event, including delicious food and the presentation of certificates to our two postgraduate bursary winners, Restu Mufanti and Ayu Siantoro. Restu has kindly shared her reflections on the conference with us this month, as has another new postgraduate member, Annisa Dina Amalia. Thank you both! We’ve got a bunch of photos (courtesy Jarrah Sastrawan) to give a sense of the liveliness and collegiality of ICOC 2025.
Our AGM also took place at the conference, and you can now find the confirmed 2024 Minutes on our website. In addition to the scintillating administrative work of moving and seconding of reports, there was also some really interesting discussion from the floor about pipelines for Australian students to engage with Indonesia, about the pros and cons of free conferences, and about the continuing decline of Indonesian studies in Australia. It’s given our Exec plenty to think about, and we look forward to continuing these discussions over the year ahead. Thanks to VP Jeremy Kingsley for running the AGM in my physical absence.
Finally, a shout-out to Billy Adison, who was officially appointed as our Digital Engagement Editor at the AGM – thank you for your service!
Natali
What’s happening
Electrical fire at Krack Print Studio, Yogyakarta
Early on the morning of Friday 4 July, an electrical fire broke out at Krack Print Studio in Yogyakarta. The studio and office space were gutted, all printmaking equipment destroyed and Krack’s 12-year archive of print work was lost. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time. 16albermarle Project Space, (which is partnering with Krack on the touring exhibition Pasar Malam | Night Market, soon to open in Semarang and beginning a seven-venue Australian tour in Darwin in early 2026) has invited Krack’s Australian friends and supporters of Southeast Asian art to contribute to a fund to assist in the building of a new Krack studio. The intention is to rebuild in a new location with effective storage for works on paper, well-ventilated work areas, professionally installed electricals and a water filtration system for the wet area.
If you wish to donate, you can do so via these Australian bank details: Account name: Krack, BSB: 085933, ACC: 583024206.
The viral Pacu Jalur boat race
In lighter news, this month has seen the ultimate expression of aura farming (go on, click the link – I didn’t know what it was either) coming out of Indonesia, with 11 year old Rayyan Arkan Dikha’s debut performance at the national Pacu Jalur boat race going viral. Wearing sunglasses, a deadpan expression and a traditional outfit known as a Teluk Belanga, he stands on the prow of the speeding race boat “blowing kisses to his left and right before rhythmically moving his arms… In one dance sequence, he reaches one hand forward at chest level while sweeping the other underneath, then rolls both fists like a wheel as he transitions from left to right.
In another sequence, he stretches one arm forward and the other backward, striking a balanced pose.” Well, that’s how the BBC described it anyway – it’s a lot more fun to watch the original video. You can see come of the global responses here, here, here and here, including this contribution from BRIN.
Other cool stuff
Going to school in the 90s, writes Joel Blackwell, he heard Paul Keating say, "no country is more important to Australia than Indonesia". I too was one of this lucky generation, who grew up with messaging from our political leaders (backed by funding!) that learning about Indonesia, including learning the language, was important. What great news then to hear that Joel (a former diplomat, lawyer and public servant) has been awarded funding by the Australia-Indonesia Institute to help develop a roadmap for strengthening Indonesia literacy in Australia. Joel will be gathering insights from experts, students and practitioners across education, business and government to identify strategies to revive Indonesia studies, boost engagement with Indonesia, and support implementation of Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. If you are interested in contributing to this work, please fill in the questionnaire to help Joel get this important work underway – with just nine questions, surely this is something you can do right now!
And speaking of the importance of language, check out this great report by 7NEWS Australia on the decline of Southeast Asian language teaching in Australian universities, featuring Laura Dales from the University of Western Australia and Patric Hanna, President of the Australia Indonesia Association. Great to see the work of ACICIS, and the Pledge for Asian Languages in Australian Schools, getting a mention here.
Reflections on ICOC 2025
“Attending the ICOC event was such a meaningful experience. It brought together people from different fields to share ideas and build connections. I was especially excited to find out that one of the keynote speakers was the professor from the University of Melbourne I had nominated as my thesis examiner, it felt like a dream come true to see him in person, even though I was too shy to say “hi”! and yes, I did not say ‘hi’ (he he), but I was happy to listen to his talks in person. The postgraduate session especially resonated with me, as it encouraged introverted attendees to step out of their comfort zones, initiate conversations, and build connections. Every session was filled with brilliant insights and fresh perspectives, making it a joy to attend.
The event was full of brilliant minds sharing their research and insights. I enjoyed every session. There was always something new to learn. And of course, the event would not be complete without the delicious Indonesian snacks like Nasi Kuning, tahu isi, arem-arem, onde-onde, and more. ICOC was truly an enriching and heartwarming experience that I am grateful not to have missed. The most unforgettable moment for me was receiving a bursary award for my abstract. I am really glad I did not miss the ICOC conference, it was truly worth it.”
“This year’s Indonesian Council Open Conference (ICOC) was my first time attending both an Indonesian Council event and an academic conference as a PhD student. It turned out to be a highly rewarding experience, offering valuable insights and connections.
The conference began with Postgraduate Day, where senior academics from Australian universities shared practical advice on research communication and publishing—skills that are essential for a doctoral student in an early stage like myself.
Throughout the conference, I attended several thought-provoking panel sessions. One highlight was Restu Mufanti’s—one of the recipients of this year’s Indonesia council bursary prizes—presentation on academic reform in Indonesia, which offered fresh perspectives on Indonesia’s educational system. Another memorable session for me was the panel on Indonesian female academics experiences in navigating challenges in a neoliberal era—a topic that resonated deeply with my own professional experience of working in an Indonesian university.
It is a shame that I missed some key moments during the conference, such as the keynote speech and the Arief Budiman Lecture. However, I received very positive impressions from colleagues who attended these sessions, which speaks to the overall quality and impact of the program.
The conference also featured a lively social networking event and awards night, where I met peers and scholars who share a passion for Indonesian studies. On a lighter note, I also thoroughly enjoyed the deeply-missed Indonesian light snacks, such as onde-onde, dadar gulung, arem-arem, and tahu isi—a nostalgic treat that made the event feel even more special.
Overall, ICOC 2025 was an enriching experience that not only deepened my academic knowledge but also helped me build meaningful connections that will support my journey during and beyond my PhD. ”
Insights from KONEKSI:
Indonesia-Australia Research Partnerships at RDI Exchange 25
At RDI Exchange 25, held on 10 July at UTS, Tamara Megaw, Postgraduate Representative for Indonesia Council and researcher at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF), joined a panel of experts to explore how equitable and inclusive partnerships can contribute to climate-focused research. The session featured insights from KONEKSI’s Dr Pingkan Umboh, Dr Marilyn Metta and Stewart Norup, and was chaired by Associate Professor Keren Winterford.
The discussion centred on KONEKSI, a DFAT-funded initiative designed to foster collaborative, knowledge-based partnerships between Indonesia and Australia that advances mutual interest. In its pilot round, the program funded 38 research projects focused on climate change and the environment, involving 111 organisations from both countries.
Drawing from focused case studies conducted by UTS-ISF, the panel shared practical lessons on integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion into research design, methods and team dynamics. They highlighted the importance of intentional collaboration, inclusive leadership and diverse team composition, and navigating power dynamics with transparency. Attendees left with actionable insights to strengthen their own partnerships and rethink how knowledge exchange can be a vehicle for social and environmental transformation.
Publications and Podcasts
Free meals and military might
ICOC co-convenor Ken Setiawan has been busy this month. Her recent article for the Jakarta Post, Free meals and military might, argues that the most contentious aspect of the free nutritious meals program is the prominent role given to the military in its implementation.
Indonesia's billion dollar fuel fraud exposes deep corruption crisis
Meanwhile, Lis Kramer and Raisa Annisa have published this terrific article for East Asia Forum in which they look at the crisis around Pertamina (Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company, embroiled in a major corruption scandal that cost the state over US$12.06 billion between 2013–18) and what it says about accountability and the integrity of anti-corruption measures in Indonesia today.
Does Bahasa Indonesia have a place in today's Australian schools?
Our Digital Engagement Editor, Billy Adison Aditijanto, is keeping up the great work with The Perantau Podcast, which focuses on sharing stories from Australia's Indonesian diaspora.
A new episode has dropped featuring Billy in conversation with Silvy Wantania, president of the Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers' Association (VILTA) and an Indonesian language teacher at Melbourne High School, as she reflects on the challenges and strategies of sustaining Indonesian language education among diaspora and non-Indonesian students in Australian schools.
Judicial dysfunction in Indonesia
Also on the podcast front, don’t miss this New Books in Southeast Asian Studies podcast with Professor Simon Butt in conversation with Michele Ford about this book on Judicial Dysfunction in Indonesia.
Seaways and Gatekeepers
Those with a maritime or historical focus may be interested in this NBN podcast with Heather Sutherland on her book, Seaways and Gatekeepers (full disclosure, Natali is the host of this one).