About 50 years ago, at a diplomatic reception in London, one man stood out: he was short by European standards, and thin, and he wore a black fezlike hat over his white hair. From his mouth came an unending cloud of aromatic smoke that permeated the reception hall. This man was Agus Salim, the … [Read more...]
Writings
Beyond The Act of Killing: Indonesia and the Price of National Unity
A new documentary is inventive, but will not help Indonesia get to the truth of the 1965 killings. The Act of Killing, a new documentary on Indonesia’s anti-Communist mass killings, is making the rounds globally and earning praise for its innovative cinematography. Innovative it may be, but the … [Read more...]
Blood Like Water
My friend Budi told me that Pak Eko saw the creature toward midnight. The pensioner was watching a dangdut singing competition on TV when a faint thump came from his front porch. The second time he heard the sound, Pak Eko went to wake his sleeping son. The young man, feeling entitled to a full rest … [Read more...]
Books That Changed Me: Intan Paramaditha
Intan Paramaditha is the author of Apple and Knife, a collection of dark stories about disobedient women. Her first novel, The Wandering, won a PEN Translates Award and is published by Harvill Secker. Frankenstein Mary Shelley I found Frankenstein at the British Council library in … [Read more...]
BRAM
FUCK. The sun is fucking blinding. Why did I forget to close the fucking cover? The rats in Kampung Bali are fucking THICC! Why am I speaking in retroslang? ZZZZZ. I can’t go back to sleep now. Have to get out of this dumpster. Was good though this one, the vegies were fresh, didn’t smell too bad. … [Read more...]