In his 2020 memoir “Pearls on the Prairie, A Survivor’s Story”, the late author Tedjabayu recounts his 14 years as a political prisoner and shares part of Indonesia’s history that government-sanctioned schoolbooks do not tell.

Author Archives: Warief Djajanto Basorie
Warief Djajanto Basorie reported for the domestic KNI News Service in Jakarta from 1971 to 1991 and concurrently was Indonesia correspondent for the Manila-based DEPTHnews Asia (DNA, 1974-1991). In 1991, Warief joined the Dr. Soetomo Press Institute (LPDS, Lembaga Pers Dr. Soetomo), a journalism school in Jakarta, as an instructor and convenor in thematic journalism workshops. He was project manager for three cycles of workshops on covering climate change from 2012 to 2017. More than 600 journalists in provinces in Sumatra, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), Sulawesi and Papua that are prone to carbon-emitting forest and peat fires have participated.
Indonesia’s Years of Violence
Indonesian writer Martin Aleida lived and wrote through a dark chapter of Indonesia’s history. His new memoir “Romanticism in the Years of Violence” sheds new light on the oppression and stigma faced by journalists in Indonesia in the 1960s.
Putu Oka and Goenawan
Putu Oka Sukanta and Goenawan Muhammad reflect on Indonesia’s Years of Violence and their friendship with Martin Aleida. Supplementary material for “Indonesia’s Years of Violence”.
Ahok (or BTP?)’s Post-Prison Agenda
Accused of defaming Islam, former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama paid the price with a two-year jail sentence. Now free, is Ahok returning to politics reborn or avoiding controversy with a “safe” new career?
A War of Words in Indonesia
Indonesia heads to the polls in mid-April, and campaigning is already in full swing. As the incumbent Jokowi faces off once more against former army general Prabowo Subianto, a war of words has been unleashed.
Blue Carbon: An Underreported Climate Story
Mangrove forests can store more carbon dioxide per hectare than upland forests, making them a heavy hitter in the fight against climate change. But they’re under-researched and under-managed in Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Can’t-Do Climate Plan
Indonesia has set itself a target of reducing carbon emissions by 29% by 2030—a plan that, as things stand, is not achievable. Can the country correct its course on climate action, or will it be left to the next generation to pick up the pieces?
Lost Homeland: Indonesia’s Exile Story
The experiences of Indonesia’s political exiles is little known, both within and without the country. Now, a veteran journalist has put together a collection of stories based on interviews with some of these exiles and their families.