The people next door: understanding Indonesia

Attempting to introduce Indonesia to an Australian audience unfamiliar with the country is a difficult task. Duncan Graham, however, takes on this challenge and has produced an informative book, introducing readers and prospective travellers to Indonesia to some of the colourful people, interesting issues, complex politics and diverse culture which make up the country.

The difficulty with writing about Indonesia is that every island is very different so generalisations are impossible. Graham, a journalist who has been travelling to Indonesia for over 20 years understands this complexity well. As he says, ‘a truth in Surabaya may be a lie in Medan. The statements of an East Javanese can be rightly ridiculed in Nusa Tenggara.’

With this in mind, Graham has succeeded in covering a wide range of issues, in an open and honest description of his many experiences of Indonesia. His constant comparisons between Australia and Indonesia are a timely reminder that we in Australia have our own cultural oddities, complex multiculturalism and dark moments of history and should not be quick to judge our neighbours.

Graham’s message is an important one. There are enough similarities between Indonesia and Australia for us to build the foundations of a strong friendship. However we must go into the relationship acknowledging, respecting and understanding our differences. If only our two governments would hear this message and turn it into policy!

Reviewed by Mayra Walsh (mayrakwalsh@yahoo.com.au)

Nedlands, University of Western Australia Press,
2004, ISBN 1920694099, A$38.95

Indonesian reformasi as reflected in law

This book provides an analysis of change and continuity as manifest in key legislation on the political system and human rights. Constitutional amendments and new laws on a variety of issues, including political parties, elections, the press, labour unions, human rights and human rights courts, are assessed against Suharto-era legislation as well as against international standards as laid down in international human rights instruments.

Münster, LitVerlag,
ISBN 3825876799, 39.90 EUR

A comprehensive Indonesian-English dictionary

Good Indonesian-English dictionaries are hard to find. Although beginners now have access to George Quinn’s excellent learner’s dictionary, most senior students of Indonesian, teachers and academics continue to rely on the companion dictionaries by Echols and Shadily, which were compiled over thirty years ago. The dictionaries by Echols and Shadily have remained remarkably relevant considering the speed with which the Indonesian language has evolved. However, they fail what I call the ‘kinerja test’ (a word meaning ‘performance’, which is too new to be included in Echols and Shadily).

The new Comprehensive Indonesian-English Dictionary passes the kinerja test with flying colours. Its coverage of new terms, borrowed words, acronyms and colloquialisms is excellent, as is its brief, but useful, summary of non-standard nasalisation patterns and pronunciation notes. Its layout is one of the best I’ve seen. The pages are compact, allowing for relatively comprehensive coverage, but each derivative is highlighted and located on a new line within the main entry.

I have only three real complaints. The first is that sometimes the cross-referencing is puzzling (for example the entry for ‘ketombe’ (the most common word for ‘dandruff’) is cross-referenced to ‘ketumbe’ rather than the other way around). The second, and more concerning, is the dictionary’s excessive emphasis on Javanese-derived words (although there is some attempt to document words from other Indonesian languages). Finally, there is not yet a companion English–Indonesian dictionary — a fault that will hopefully be rectified sooner rather than later.

Overall, this dictionary is a valuable addition to the bookshelves of senior students, teachers and academics and is well-worth the hefty price-tag.

Reviewed by Michele Ford (michele.ford@flinders.edu.au)

Athens, Ohio University Press, 2004,
ISBN 0821415840, US $65.00

On-line

Why salafism and terrorism mostly don’t mix

This ground-breaking report looks at the influence of Saudi-influenced salafi Islam in Indonesia, including the split between purists and more tolerant and inclusive groups willing to acknowledge some good even in deviant teachings. Arguing against a popular misconception, the report suggests that the purist salafi are more likely to reject terrorism.

http://www.crisisweb.org/home/index.cfm?id=2967&l=1

New military operations, old patterns of human rights abuses in Aceh

This report surveys the recent round of military operations in Aceh, finding that the human rights abuses that have taken place are so pervasive that there is virtually no part of life in the province which remains untouched.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA210332004