The visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, capped with a standing ovation in parliament here Wednesday, highlighted a mutual willingness to push harder for better relations between Australia and Indonesia.

Different societies allow their news media different roles. In most countries the media is subordinated to power, whether of the government or the ruling class. Surprisingly or not, the American model is not widely emulated globally.

The AntiCorruption Education Program at (some) universities in Indonesia is very much needed. Over the past decade this nation has been at the top of the list of most corrupt countries in the world.

Several friends on Facebook questioned the relevance of the “We Believe in Boediono and Sri Mulyani’s Integrity” movement. One of them argued this was not about personal integrity.

Reports into how Dulmatin — Southeast Asia’s most wanted terror suspect — was living among new neighbors in a crowded area of Pamulang district, Banten, south of Jakarta, should alert us to the fact that terrorists may very well be living near us, in our neighborhoods.

Your comments on the recent killing of the three terrorist suspects and the arrest of several others in crowded areas south of Jakarta, and how dangerous the threat of terrorism is in Indonesia

I reckon those who speak on behalf of West Papuans never ever feel like the West Papuans themselves. Sometimes it is easier to judge a book by its cover.

I have just finished watching the full and unedited television coverage of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's presentation to the Australian parliament.