I first reviewed Inside Indonesia seven years ago and it is the only periodical to which I have subscribed throughout that time. It is an attractive and informative quarterly magazine which will be appreciated by anyone who wants to stay in touch with what is happening in Indonesia, especially those who don't want to be swamped by more regular or voluminous news sources.

The articles in Inside Indonesia are in a style similar to extended stories in a quality newspaper. A majority fall in the broad area of politics and human rights, but they also cover economic and environmental issues and culture. And while the "issues of the day" naturally get attention, the stories are general and substantial enough not to be ephemeral.

In addition to thirty two pages of articles, Inside Indonesia sports an attractive colour cover, to which all the advertising is relegated, and a four page central insert in Indonesian, with vocabulary tips and aimed at students of the language. I just wish I had the time to read this latter; unfortunately my Indonesian is steadily vanishing.

The April-June 2000 issue included:

• four articles (eight pages) on Aceh: an outline of government policy and the position of Acheh within Indonesia, a look at events within Aceh in 1999 and some of the different Acehnese factions, the personal account of an Acehnese widow, and a look at the nature of military operations in Aceh.
• three biographical pieces: a two page biography of president Gus Dur; an obituary for Indonesia scholar George McT Kahin; and three pages on Indonesia's "most outrageous anti-Suharto artist", Semsar Siahaan, and why he has chosen exile.
• four articles (ten pages) on economics and the environment: a look at the Timor Gap treaty and its future; an account of exploitation of women workers in Nike factories in West Java; and two articles on greenhouse emissions, one contrasting the situation of developing and developed countries, the other arguing that "carbon trading" under the Kyoto protocol will benefit Indonesia's forests.
• other items: a three page story on the murders of black magic practitioners in Banyuwangi in 1998; a page of book reviews; a page of net resources; a page of letters and editorial; and a page of brief news items.

July 2000

External links:

- details at Indonesia Resources and Information Programme

Related reviews:

- books about Indonesia + Indonesian history
- other journals