It's been a busy fortnight in Indonesian politics. The inhabitants of the capital Jakarta just voted in a new governor, Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi, of the PDI-P party with the significant support of the upstart party Gerindra, defeating the influential incumbent Democrat Fauzi Bowo a.k.a. Foke,...

Some time ago, a local online newsletter published an erroneous story regarding a substantial land transaction in my hometown involving a famous international entrepreneur. By chance I was privy to the actual details, as the seller is an old friend. Bali being a small island, I also happened to know...

On Wednesday the 22nd of February, Tibetans would have normally celebrated Losar or Tibetan New Year. This year, unlike the years before, Tibetans in exile called for a solemn day of reflection and prayer to acknowledge those who have sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause.

The

In the first 8 months of 2011 alone, the Bumi Sehat foundation, set up by CNN Hero Robin Lim in Indonesia, has provided compassionate pre and post natal care for 20,500 mothers, as well as delivered 400 babies. Many of these she has either cared for herself or...

Bali's booming reputation as a must-go international destination comes at a heavy price. This year critical articles about the island's infrastructure woes have run in both the Wall Street Journal and TIME . The head of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian business association APINDO, Panundiana...

A person landing in India last August might have been forgiven for comparing Kisan Baburao Hazare to Mahatma Gandhi. Anna, the nickname of this simple, cotton-clad man from Maharasthra, was on everyone's lips. His protest hunger fast was featured in media as 'Gandhian'. People proudly, defiantly, declared "Ham...

The democratic election and recent swearing in of Lobsang Sangay by the Tibetan people in exile as their prime minister and political leader are important events not just for the Tibetan people, but for spirit of democracy worldwide.

For more than 40 years, the...