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The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Indonesia's stunning microlibraries draw young readers
There is an ambitious effort under way in Indonesia to build a network of microlibraries across the country. Pictured: Microlibrary Babakan Sari, also known as Hanging Gardens, in Bandung. Photograph: Muhammad Fadli/The Guardian SHAU architecture firm's Microlibrary Project promotes literacy while offering respite from the heat through a combination of shading and cross-ventilation. Photograph: Dudi Sugandi/SHAU The project was launched in 2012 by SHAU co-founders Daliana Suryawinata and Florian Heinzelmann, who have built eight libraries to have called the libraries 'laboratories for material experimentation', using recycled materials, FSC-certified wood and lightweight concrete in their builds. Photograph: Dudi Sugandi/SHAU The microlibrary Babakan Sari, which was completed in 2019 in Bandung, features a rooftop garden. Photograph: Dudi Sugandi/SHAU The structures are built using a range of materials and passive cooling principles. The facade of the Bima microlibrary in Bandung was built in 2015 with 2,000 discarded ice cream buckets. Photograph: Muhammad Fadli/The Guardian 'The ice cream buckets are very interesting material for translucency in a wall material,' Suryawinata said. The team cut out the bottoms of the buckets, offering natural lighting and Bima microlibrary, in Bandung. Photograph: Sanrok Studio/SHAU 'No matter what material that we use, we want to protecting the people from overheating,' said buckets spell out a hidden message in binary code: books are the windows to the world .Pictured: Bima microlibrary, in Bandung. Photograph: Sanrok Studio/SHAU The libraries partner with local youth organizations to plan activities in recreation Bima microlibrary, in Bandung. Photograph: Muhammad Fadli/The Guardian Nearby schools send classes to the Bima microlibrary during the week. Photograph: Muhammad Fadli/The Guardian The Warak Kayu microlibrary was built in 2020 in Semarang, in Central Java. The designers have said the 'micro' concept was intentional, making the spaces more approachable for local residents. Photograph: KIE/SHAU Placing the Warak Kayu microlibrary on stilts left room for a swing and open recreation area. Photograph: KIE/SHAU In 2024, Heinzelmann and Suryawinata created a foundation to support the microlibrary project's growth. The goal? Expand to 100 branches by 2045. Photograph: SHAU
CNA
17-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Mismatch between skills and market demands keeping millions of young Indonesians out of work
SUKABUMI, Indonesia: Indonesian youth Icha Nur Septiani sent out more than 2,000 resumes before she finally landed a job as a customer service expert at a major ride-hailing company. But for about eight months, all the 23-year-old got was rejection after rejection. It was not what she expected when she graduated with an electrical engineering diploma from Bandung State Polytechnic in 2023. 'I basically just applied to every job listing, as long as I met the qualifications,' she told CNA's Money Mind programme. Spending three to four hours daily to browse job vacancies on her laptop became the norm for her. She set a target of making 20 to 30 applications a day through various job platforms. 'If I sent out around 15 to 20 applications in a day, I would receive around 10 to 12 rejections, either through WhatsApp, email or directly on the job platform,' she said. INTENSE COMPETITION FOR JOBS But Icha's struggles are not uncommon among jobseekers in Indonesia. There is intense competition for jobs, and young people are the worst affected, said observers. An estimated 9.9 million Gen Zs are unemployed in Indonesia. The unemployment rate among those aged 15 to 24 is over 17 per cent - much higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.9 per cent. Experts told Money Mind that it is not surprising to see thousands of applicants for a single role. Economist Telisa Aulia Falianty, a senior lecturer at the University of Indonesia's faculty of economics and business, said the current job market is very competitive. 'In my generation, for example, educated people were still rare,' she added. 'If we wanted to work in sectors (requiring higher education), it was relatively easy. If we had access to education, it was relatively easy to get. But now, everything is more competitive.' For Icha, she even applied for positions outside her field to boost her chances of getting a job. Still, no offers came. 'Was it me? Was there really something wrong that I didn't know about?' wondered Icha, who lives in Sukabumi in Indonesia's West Java province. 'I also felt embarrassed in front of my family … I hated having to ask for money, especially for interviews out of town, only to fail again and again. That really made me feel pressured and like a total failure. 'I kept asking myself, 'What's actually wrong with me?'' GOVERNMENT POINTS TO DISCONNECT The Indonesian government has said that there is a disconnect between the jobs Gen Z applicants want and the skills the economy needs. 'We have economic growth, but the younger generation cannot really optimise or use the benefit of our economic growth translated into employment creation for them,' said the University of Indonesia's Telisa of the differing expectations. 'There is some mismatch between the economic growth sectors — the ones that create employment — and the demand or preference of Gen Z when it comes to work.' She added that countries with a large population and a higher population density usually face problems with youth unemployment. The government is addressing these issues by focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and improving vocational education. But such efforts will take time to bear fruit, said observers. 'We know that Indonesia is still lacking digital talent,' said Telisa. 'So actually, the average skill of Gen Z and millennials is good in terms of technology, but only as users. But for work, they should have more complicated skills and more advanced skills to develop.' BECOMING MORE EMPLOYABLE Experts urged young Indonesians to enhance their skills to stand out in a crowded job market. For Icha, she took up more certifications to make her employable in areas like data analytics. Career coach Teddy Diego, who worked with Icha to improve her resume after she failed to secure a job, advised jobseekers to also focus on relevance when applying for a job, instead of listing all the achievements they have. When asked how he guides jobseekers in their job search, he said: 'I focus on what companies in Indonesia are actually looking for, whether it's administrative requirements, specific skills, or how to successfully go through the recruitment process. 'Information on these aspects isn't always clearly or effectively communicated by companies. That's why I try to fill that gap by providing guidance and insights to jobseekers.' On Icha, he noted that she possesses strong job competencies. 'Her experience, her willingness to learn, her involvement in various organisations, and all the certifications she's taken really show that,' he added. 'The issue was more about how she presented all of that in her resume, and also how she presented herself during interviews.' While her current customer service role is not linked to her diploma, Icha earns up to 5 million rupiah (US$300) monthly. This is above the national average of 3.27 million rupiah a month. 'Even though technically it might not align with my major, it fits with the soft skills,' she said. '(This includes) the problem-solving skills I use every day to handle drivers' complaints, how I adapt, and also communicating with other teams.' Icha still hopes to earn her bachelor's degree one day, a step toward achieving her dream of becoming an engineer. 'If I look at my friends, maybe most want a job in an air-conditioned room, something not too physically demanding,' she said. 'But for me, I want to work wearing a wearpack (protective clothing); I want to work with a helmet on. I want to work in the field.'
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Shocking footage shows Brit beaten up by crowd holding weapons in Bali after he allegedly punched cabbie in the face
THIS IS the shocking moment that a British tourist was beaten up by an armed crowd in Bali. The tense fight kicked off after Brandon Joseph, 30, allegedly punched a local cabbie in the face whilst on the island. 6 6 In the video, Brandon Joseph can be seen running into a crowd of men in a bid to break up a fight between an unnamed man and the crowd. The crowd scatters and the unnamed man in beige sprints to safety while the crowd turns against Joseph. As the crowd began to regroup, Brandon reapproached them in an ominous warning to stay back. Throughout the scuffle, the locals can be heard to say: 'Go, go, go!' Eventually, the shirtless Brandon retreats to a white van while the crowd begins to hurl stones at him. A voice can be heard saying: 'Don't damage the car. 'Please don't damage my car, sir, this is my car. 'If there's a problem, it's with the guest.' Meanwhile, a local cabbie named Herlindo Emmanuel Nino, 31, can be seen clutching his face while blood streams out his nose. Reportedly, Brandon assaulted Herlindo in a car park in the Bandung district of Bali which kickstarted the fight. Allegedly, the cab driver had offered Brandon a ride home but had been met with two unprovoked blows to the face. Police later arrived to control the furious crowd. A spokesman for the Denpasar Police, AKP I Ketut Sukadi, said: "There was an assault against an online taxi driver committed by a foreign national from the UK in the Savaya parking area. "The attack happened at 8:30 am. At that time, the tall and muscular British citizen had gotten out of the car and looked confused so the taxi driver offered him a ride. 6 "However, without saying a word, the tourist suddenly punched him in the face. As a result, he suffered several injuries." According to the South Kuta Police Chief, AKP Agus Dharmayana, Brandon was taken to the Bali Jimbaran Hospital to calm down. From there, he will be taken to the police station for interrogation. Meanwhile, the authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fight. Brits have long been known for behaving badly in Bali, as many fly to the Indonesian province in search of sun, sand and partying. The island announced a raft of new laws aimed at curbing the 'naughty' behaviour of the Brits abroad which came into effect in March. The new legislation banned tourists from visiting temples for non-religious purposes, from swearing and from running any businesses on the island. A new tourist tax was enforced which requires visitors to pay £8 whenever they leave the island. One British boxer was arrested on May 3 after allegedly smashing his rented motorcycle into a local driver's vehicle. Liam Orne, 22, was visiting the island from Weston-super-Mare and allegedly began chasing the unnamed driver after the local began shouting at him. Eventually, the Brit was arrested at his hotel and local police have confirmed plans to charge him with assault - which carries a 5-year sentence in Bali. 6 6
CNA
16-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Indonesian manufacturers eye new foreign markets as US tariffs squeeze exports
BANDUNG, Indonesia: Indonesian manufacturers are urgently seeking new export markets, after the United States last month announced a 32 per cent tariff on its goods. The country is currently negotiating US President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs, which have been paused until July. Having been reliant on the American market, many Indonesian manufacturers are now eyeing Europe and Southeast Asia, while others are looking for ways to tap their nation's vast domestic market. In April, Indonesia's manufacturing sector shrank sharply with activity falling to its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic - dragged down by weaker global demand, fallout from new US import tariffs, and softening domestic consumption. FALLING DEMAND PT Sipatex Putri Lestari, one of the country's leading integrated textile manufacturers, is among many businesses in the industry that have been hit hard by falling demand due to the influx of cheap imports. The firm, based in Bandung in Indonesia's West Java province, recently laid off 300 staff and is set to cut another 100. 'Now we have to look for, think about or innovate something that is not found in imported goods,' said its director of operations David Leonardi. 'Something more special is needed. The point is innovation. What is it that these goods do not bring into Indonesia? That's what we need to find.' Despite the challenges, Sipatex said it is staying focused on the domestic market and adapting to changing consumer needs. It also has plans to replace more than 500 ageing machines by 2030 to boost efficiency. SEEKING NEW MARKETS Indonesian textile manufacturers rely heavily on the US market, with exports valued at US$4.6 billion last year. But the Indonesian Textile Association warned that demand could drop by as much as 30 per cent after the US announced steep tariffs to address trade imbalances. The industry is now urgently seeking out new markets. 'Southeast Asia and its surrounding regions are areas with very high market potential,' said Danang Girindrawardana, the association's executive director. 'We haven't tapped into them optimally because Indonesia has become accustomed to or become spoilt by existing markets. We have become complacent and not engaged with neighbouring countries, which could be involved in the import-export process of textile and garment products.' Indonesia is drafting a White Paper to help regional manufacturers work together amid the global economic uncertainties. The country leads the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Federation of Textile Industries, which represents the interests of Southeast Asia's textile and apparel manufacturers. Trump's tariffs have also revived calls for Southeast Asia to strengthen internal trade to mitigate geopolitical shocks. While almost all intra-bloc tariffs have been lifted, non-tariff barriers are on the rise and pose fresh challenges for regional integration, said observers. 'Some non-tariff measures can also be barriers, particularly when it comes to procedures (and) obtaining the licensing,' said International Economic Association secretary-general Lili Yan Ing. 'That's something that ASEAN can work together on how to simplify procedures, licensing and how to obtain certain certificates to improve intra-ASEAN trade.' In April, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto led a delegation to Washington to push for more favourable trade terms. Jakarta is also accelerating multilateral cooperation such as the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to facilitate new market access and increase trade. Launched in 2016, negotiations for the free trade agreement are expected to conclude this year. While the government works to open up new markets, manufacturers are urging stronger protection for labour-intensive industries which have long faced an influx of low-cost imports from China. While tensions in the US-China trade war may have eased slightly, businesses told CNA that the situation remains unpredictable. There are growing concerns that Chinese producers could redirect excess supply into Indonesia, flooding the local market and putting even more pressure on domestic manufacturers. "We are now living in a time where nothing is certain. But I'm confident that demand will rise once more, and this also presents an opportunity for industries that can provide the products needed," said Leonardi.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Agoda Renews Partnership with Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism with a Brief to Boost Travel Growth
Agoda hosted the first Agoda Academy workshop in Bandung SINGAPORE, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Agoda, a digital travel platform, has renewed its partnership with Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism as the company continues to promote travel in one of Asia's most alluring destinations. The renewed MOU signifies an expanded partnership aimed at boosting both the number of international and domestic visitors as well as using Agoda's world class technology to enhance decision making under Indonesia's "Tourism 4.0" vision, an initiative aimed at encouraging greater use of digital technologies and innovative approaches within the tourism industry. The refreshed collaboration outlines a range of joint initiatives over the next three years including targeted marketing campaigns, the promotion of more sustainable tourism practices and developing digital skills for Indonesia's young tourism professionals. Under this partnership, Agoda hosted the first Agoda Academy workshop to provide workshops to the students at Bandung Tourism Polytechnic. The half-day workshop offered students a glimpse into Agoda's work culture and operational case studies, providing a practical perspective for those interested in acquiring digital tourism skills Gede Gunawan and other Agoda team members presented insights from their experiences, highlighting digital trends and career pathways within the sector. "I am pleased to deepen our collaboration with the Tourism Ministry beyond marketing initiatives. As a committed partner in Indonesia's tourism industry, Agoda is dedicated to sharing world-class expertise and insights to nurture the next generation of tourism professionals in Indonesia," said Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director at Agoda. "By renewing our collaboration, we're also excited to support the Ministry's vision on Tourism 4.0 with Agoda's expertise in digital solutions. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to seeing Indonesia thrive as a destination while enabling local communities to benefit from the many opportunities tourism generates around local economies." Home to iconic destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta, and Komodo National Park, Indonesia offers an unparalleled mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique experiences. Visitors can explore pristine beaches, trek in lush rainforests, or dive into vibrant underwater ecosystems. Beyond nature, Indonesia's vibrant art, festivals, and culinary offerings—from traditional markets to fine cuisine—promise enriching, immersive experiences for global travelers seeking unforgettable journeys. Chief Secretary Bayu Aji of Ministry of Tourism expressed enthusiasm for the extended collaboration, stating, "We are delighted to expand our partnership with Agoda, as it not only strengthens Indonesia's standing as a vibrant and more sustainable tourism destination, but will also help equip our workforce in the tourism sector for the future through initiatives such as the Agoda Academy Workshop." In the previous MOU between Agoda and Ministry of Tourism, Agoda launched several campaigns co-branded with the Ministry's "Wonderful Indonesia" initiative and promote more sustainable tourism practices. The initiative included collaborations with influencers like Anya Geraldine, amplifications of tourist destinations, and support for the Ministry of Tourism's goals for tourism growth. With access to Agoda's vast network of accommodations, flights, and activities, alongside its expertise in travel technology, the Ministry of Tourism is poised to leverage solutions that help ensure tourism in Indonesia can flourish amidst a rapidly digitizing world. Together, the Ministry and Agoda aim to foster robust, responsible growth across all regions of the market. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Agoda Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
