INDONESIAN TALK

IndonesianTalk.com — Minangkabau Figures Who Changed Indonesia: Leadership Lessons Across Generations JAKARTA — Indonesia’s history is inseparable from the contributions of prominent Minangkabau figures, whose influence has stretched from the independence movement and national politics to education, journalism, religion, literature and diplomacy. That legacy will take center stage at a forum titled “Minangkabau Figures Who Changed Indonesia: Leadership Inspiration Across Generations through the Traditions of Merantau, Dakwah, Independence, Adaptability and Global Networks”, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. at the M.H. Thamrin Multipurpose Hall at Jakarta City Hall on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is scheduled to open the event. “The forum will bring together a number of prominent national figures as keynote speakers and panelists,” said Asri Hadi, head of publications and public relations at Rangkayo Minang Indonesia. Among the scheduled keynote speakers are Coordinating Political and Security Affairs Minister Djamari Chaniago,…

Rumah Karya Sjuman and Kreativität Dance Indonesia bring seven choreographic works, live music and a semi-immersive experience to Bintaro, exploring an intriguing question: What if movement does not simply follow music? JAKARTA — Where does movement begin? Perhaps the answer does not always start with what we hear. Rumah Karya Sjuman and Kreativität Dance Indonesia (KDI) are set to present Nada di Balik Tubuh (Notes Behind the Body) on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at Gedung Putih in Bintaro. Under the artistic direction of musician and composer Aksan Sjuman, the production brings together seven choreographic works on a single stage. Each approaches its subject from a different perspective, yet all revolve around the same fundamental question: Where does movement begin? The question resonates with KDI’s artistic journey spanning more than three decades. Founded in 1995 by renowned Indonesian dance maestro Farida Oetoyo, KDI has developed through encounters with diverse dance traditions and…

IndonesianTalk.com — Freddy Widjaja appeals to President, seeks reopening of alleged false birth certificate case Freddy Widjaja, a son of late Indonesian tycoon Eka Tjipta Widjaja, has appealed directly to the President for legal protection and certainty over a criminal complaint involving an alleged false statement in an authentic deed, a case in which Franky Oesman Widjaja was reported to the Jakarta Police. In a letter dated Oct. 13, 2025, Freddy raised concerns over the handling of his police report, whose preliminary investigation had previously been terminated after investigators concluded that no criminal offense had been established. Freddy asked the President to give particular attention to the case and expressed hope that the President would request the National Police chief to review and reopen the matter. He called for the case to be handled objectively, professionally and transparently, without interference or pressure from any party. The allegations remain Freddy’s claims as…

IndonesianTalk.com — THE SUFI BANK ACCOUNT By Asri Hadi Treasurer, Indonesian Digital Media Association (AMDI) There are people who wake up every morning, open their eyes — and then open their bank accounts. Sometimes, the order is reversed. The bank account comes first. Only after checking the balance do their eyes truly open. They look at the numbers. They check what has come in and what has gone out. If the balance has increased, their spirits rise with it. If it has fallen, even the morning coffee somehow tastes less sweet. Such is the peculiar power of money. In reality, money is largely a number. Yet we often give that number extraordinary authority over our emotions. The Sufis might smile at the way we behave. Not because they despise money. Nor because a Sufi must necessarily be poor, dress in worn-out clothes, live austerely and withdraw from worldly life. Sufism is…

IndonesianTalk.com — Prabowo Calls for North Bali Airport to Accommodate Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto has called for the New Bali Airport in Kubutambahan, Buleleng Regency, to be developed as a major international gateway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380, according to project representatives involved in discussions with the government. The proposal is in line with Bali Provincial Regulation No. 2 of 2023, which designates two separate aviation facilities in Buleleng Regency. Under the regulation, Letkol Wisnu Airfield is intended to serve small aircraft, while the New Bali Airport is planned as a commercial airport designed to handle large international aircraft. The distinction between the two facilities was also discussed during a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development on July 30, 2026. Participants discussed a proposal to further develop Letkol Wisnu Airfield as a dedicated…