"Indonesian Icons" is a new column providing in-depth focus on figures,  elements and events that have defined the country, from noteworthy individuals to culinary delights and from historic locales to indelible moments. In Part II of our story on the undisputed "Queen of Dangdut", we learn how she overcame adversity to build a business empire.

"Indonesian Icons" is a new regular column where we focus on iconic aspects of Indonesian culture - everything from renowned individuals and lauded culinary escapades to historic places, unforgettable moments and endless more. We start with Inul Daratista, the iconic dangdut songstress who began her career in controversy before blossoming into one of Indonesia's most recognizable names. This is part 1 of a two-part story, which continues tomorrow.

From getting persecuted to solving the gender gap, we learn how five Wikipedia editors struggle to manage, arguably, the most prominent encyclopedia of our generation.

In an age of unlimited communication methods, silence rings louder than ever before.

As the pandemic ravishes music studios, The Jakarta Post visits one of the country’s most influential - one considered the birthplace of heavy metal music in East Java.

The rise of cryptoart and NFT markets has led to several accusations of digital art theft, raising the whether the impact on the art community is positive or negative.

A documentary filmmaking workshop run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Surabaya's Hinterhov production house are giving Afghan refugees a medium for sharing their journeys and lives on screen.

During the pandemic, some musicians and organizers have put on secret shows with audiences numbering in the hundreds. ‘The Jakarta Post’ finds out why.

An exhibition tries to make sense a trend of random violence in Yogyakarta perpetrated by teenagers.

The watchmaker celebrates the seasons with a new collection.

How did the Japanese coastal city Oarai become a home for many Indonesian Christians?

Well-heeled Saudis frolic in an artificial oasis built on salmon-coloured dunes, splashing the cash after a year-long pandemic lock-in that dovetails with efforts to discourage citizens from splurging overseas.

Exclusively playing vinyl records through high-quality audio equipment in a basement of a house, SUBO aims to provide a comfortable space for people who simply want to relax and listen to music.

Musical communities around Indonesia bond through their love of wines, but each has different goals in mind.

Independent publishers and designers have embraced a printer called the Risograph, which offers unique color palettes and ecofriendliness.

A Chinese hotel built around a central polar bear enclosure for the non-stop viewing pleasure of its guests opened Friday to immediate condemnation from conservationists.

Offering virtual sex services has been a life raft for some unskilled Indonesians who lost their jobs over the past year.

Key players in the music industry are proposing a comeback to the live stage soon, but some think it's too soon.

A 16-year-old established her own organization to help people understand the talents of children with Down syndrome

The spike in get-rich-quick schemes on the internet shows the hopes of people trying to cope with the economic loss during the pandemic and how the authorities are lagging behind.

A baby raccoon to stroke while you sip your skinny latte? Or a snake to coil around you after your cappuccino?

We visited the Indonesian Modern Humor Institute (IHIK) to answer the question: Is it possible to be funny when we don’t think we are?

"Business in front, party in the back": a hairstyle considered so obnoxious that for years it verged on being an arrestable offence, the mullet has made the unlikeliest comeback of the century.

What does fame mean when you’re a dog? The people behind ‘dogfluencers’ accounts say it's all about making a difference to the life of other dogs and their 'parents'.

There hasn’t been much talk about the many independent breweries springing up around the country, selling their small-produced liquors through independent channels without any clear regulation.

He came into the White House tasked with bringing sanity and even a bit of fun, but less than two months later, the Bidens' dog Major has bitten off more than he can chew.

In communist Vietnam, where 70 percent of the population is under 35, the classes are particularly popular with young women.

While hand sanitizers and face masks are two methods science recommends to protect against COVID-19, adding a Javanese talisman for a spiritual boost can't hurt.

Some foreign residents of Bali are speaking out against other foreigners who oppose wearing masks or getting vaccinated, despite the province’s COVID-19 regulations, in a bid to protect the health of Indonesians as well as their own health.

Lukas Tumiso is the last person left in Panti Waluya Sejati Abadi, a nursing home for former political prisoners. In part one of our interview, he told us of his wild days following his release from the forced labor camp in Buru. In part two, he discusses an encounter that changed his life and the legacy he wants to leave behind.