Friday, 24 March 2006 @ 3:18pm. Here’s a brief update of current events:
Pornography bill — The debate and protests for and against the bill continue. Recent articles stated that the bill would be changed to focus on the distribution of pornographic materials (e.g., magazines, internet, and films), not “pornoaksi” (pornographic acts). There is criticism, however, that the revisions don’t go far enough or remain too vague. My recent favorite quote was from State Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik who suggested that legislators not rush any deliberations on the bill. He basically said that the world could not regulate culture, make it uniform, and “Our differences make the world an interesting place” (The Jakarta Post, 20 March 2006).
Papua protests — Four police officers and one Air Force soldier were killed on March 16th by protesters. The large protest took place near the Cendrawasih State University. Protesters demanded that PT Freeport-McMoRan close its gold and copper mine, which is said to be the world’s third largest copper reserve and has one of the world’s largest gold deposits. Local Papuan community leaders are currently upset because a government minister refused to meet with them. There have been other protests or attacks against American companies (e.g., ExxonMobil Corp., Newmont Mining Corp.) in other areas as well.
Tension between Muslim groups — Yet another example that shows that Islam in not a homogenous entity… In Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, the police have not yet made any arrests regarding an attack last Friday on a house belonging to a member of Ahmadiyah. Ahmadiyah is an Islamic group that some “mainstream” Muslims consider to be heretical. The police are having a difficult time dealing with the string of attacks on Ahmadiyah members and their property in Lombok because the status of the group is supposedly unclear. The Jakarta Post notes, “The Indonesia Ulema Council has issued an edict condemning Ahmadiyah as a heretical sect, but the central government has yet to take an official stance on the issue” (21 March 2006).
And more close to home…
LSI (Indonesian Survey Institute) made the front page of the national papers today. 
Check out one article at The Jakarta Post.
The Freedom Institute also recently won a major award.
