People living with HIV/AIDS are still heavily stigmatised in Indonesia. For five children in Samosir Regency in North Sumatra, their HIV+ status has saddled them with heavy burdens beyond their years.
Author Archives: Teguh Harahap
Teguh Harahap is a freelance writer and translator based in Medan, Indonesia. Previously he worked as the editor of Koran Kindo, a weekly newspaper for Indonesian migrant workers based in Hong Kong.
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What If The New Order “Curse” Still Applied?
In 1965 Indonesia experienced anti-communist purges which left thousands, or perhaps millions, of people dead. In North Sumatra, a former political prisoner reflects on what it was like to be labelled a communist and experience the “curse” of Suharto firsthand.
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Struggling with Stigma: Indonesia’s LGBTQ “Exorcisms”
Under intense pressure to conform, members of Indonesia’s LGBTQ community are turning to religious exorcisms in the hope of finding a “cure”.
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Indonesia’s “Small Fry” Drug Dealers
For those in Indonesia with few employment options and limited capital, selling drugs can be a lucrative and easy way to earn extra money—thanks to surprising support from the local community.
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A Celebrity Wedding Revives Identity Issues
Following the high-profile wedding of the Indonesian president’s daughter, a Mandailing association in North Sumatra is lobbying for greater recognition.