Latest news with #NationalResearchandInnovationAgency
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Defying all odds with nuclear power
Balancing act: Researchers conducting their daily monitoring of the nuclear reactor facility at the National Research and Innovation Agency in Bandung. — AFP THE country is hoping going nuclear can help it meet soaring energy demand while taming emissions, but faces serious challenges to its goal of a first small modular reactor by 2032. Its first experiment with nuclear energy dates to February 1965, when then-president Sukarno inaugurated a test reactor. Sixty years later, South-East Asia's largest economy has three research reactors but no nuclear power plants for electricity. Abundant reserves of polluting coal have so far met the enormous archipelago's energy needs. But 'nuclear will be necessary to constrain the rise of and eventually reduce emissions,' said Philip Andrews-Speed, a senior research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. President Prabowo Subianto has promised to ensure energy security while meeting a pledge to eliminate coal-powered electricity generation within 15 years. Coal accounts for around two-thirds of electricity generation in Indonesia, which targets net-zero by 2050. The government wants 40-54GW of the 400GW it projects will be generated nationwide by 2060 to come from nuclear. It hopes to kickstart capacity with a reactor on the country's part of Borneo 'by 2030 or 2032', according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. It will be a small modular reactor, which has a lower capacity than traditional reactors but is easier to assemble and transport. The total number of plants planned has not been detailed, but the government has begun scouting locations – a challenge for a country located on the seismically active 'Ring of Fire'. 'Currently, 29 potential locations have been identified for the construction of nuclear power plants,' Dadan Kusdiana, acting secretary-general of the National Energy Council (DEN), said. All are outside the country's biggest island of Java, in line with government goals to develop the archipelago's centre and east. The sites would also put facilities near energy-hungry mining sites. While Japan's quake and tsunami-triggered Fukushima disaster has stalled nuclear progress in some parts of Asia, proponents say nuclear can be done safely in Indonesia. 'North Java, East Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan are considered as low-risk zones,' said Andang Widi Harto, a nuclear engineering researcher at Yogyakarta University. Countries from Vietnam to Belgium are also growing or retaining nuclear capacity as they struggle to meet net-zero goals to combat climate change. While Indonesia isn't alone in the nuclear pivot, it has little domestic expertise to draw on. It will look abroad for help, said Dadan, citing 'serious interest' from providers including Russia's Rosatom, China's CNNC and Candu Canada. The Indonesian subsidiary of US company ThorCon is already seeking a licence for an experimental 'molten-salt reactor'. It wants to use shipyards to build reactors that will be towed to coastal or offshore locations and 'ballasted' to the seabed. Dadan said DEN has also visited France's EDF SA to explore possible cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron is due in Indonesia this week on a South-East Asia tour. EDF said there are currently 'no discussions underway on nuclear with Indonesia,' though its CEO Bernard Fontana will be part of Macron's delegation. A second French firm, Orano, also said it had not discussed collaboration with Indonesia. The government has not said how much it expects the nuclear ramp-up to cost, but Dadan insists the money will be there. 'Various potential international investors ... have shown interest', including Russia, the United States, Denmark, South Korea and China, he said. — AFP
AsiaOne
19-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
In Indonesia, fears grow that dark past may be rewritten with government's new history books, Asia News
JAKARTA — The Indonesian government's plan to release new history books has sparked concerns that some of the country's darkest chapters could be recast to show President Prabowo Subianto and late authoritarian ruler Suharto in a favourable light. The 10-volume series would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims "to reinvent the Indonesian identity," Culture Minister Fadli Zon told Reuters in an interview. Several historians said the commissioning of the books presents an opportunity for historical revisionism at a time when Indonesia's younger generations — largely responsible for Prabowo's resounding election victory last year — have little or no memory of Suharto's 1966-1998 New Order era. Prabowo openly praises Suharto, who was once his father-in-law, and is increasingly turning to the military to carry out his government's vision. Prabowo has also been accused of rights abuses while in the military, including involvement in the kidnapping of student activists during riots in 1998 — allegations he has repeatedly denied and which Fadli said had been debunked. Asvi Warman Adam, a leading historian who used to work at the National Research and Innovation Agency, said he was calling on academics to lobby lawmakers to scrutinise what he said would be "propaganda". "I suspect there is an intention to legitimise the ruling regime... such as by excluding gross human rights violations in 1998 linked to Prabowo," he said, adding that he expected the government would soon confer the posthumous title of National Hero on Suharto. Asked about concerns by some analysts and historians that the books could be used as propaganda, be politicised and omit human rights abuses that have been linked to Prabowo and Suharto, Fadli said: "History will be written correctly". The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new books. Prabowo has previously said that former activists were his supporters. Fadli, who has authored a book that defended Prabowo's actions as a special forces commander during Suharto's 32-year rule, added that neither he nor Prabowo would be involved in the editorial process. The books, which Fadli said were commissioned last year, will chronicle the history of humankind in Indonesia from homo erectus to Dutch colonisation to Prabowo's election. They will be authored and edited by about 100 historians and Fadli says he wants them ready by Aug 17, Indonesia's Independence Day. Mass killings in focus Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said he believes the government will use the same playbook as Suharto, who released a six-volume book series in 1975 titled The National History of Indonesia that he said glorified the military and was fraught with inaccuracies. "Prabowo's history within this republic is not good, to be frank... Do they dare to write that?" said Made. Jajat Burhanuddin, a historian involved in the project, said so far there has been no state intervention. The 1998 kidnappings and torture of student activists would be included, he said, although he declined to say whether Prabowo would be mentioned in those accounts. Another key focus for historians will be how the books portray the mass killings of communists and sympathisers in 1965 and 1966, led by military and Islamic leaders. Some historians estimate more than half a million people were killed. No investigation has been conducted into the killings, which were in response to the murder of generals by the communist party in an abortive coup. Suharto rose to power in the aftermath and remained president until 1998, when he stepped down during a popular uprising and economic crisis after allegations of corruption and nepotism. The 1965 events continue to be debated in Indonesia. Fadli said the new books would not take a deeper look into the massacres. Fadli, who was among the student activists who demonstrated against Suharto, now speaks highly of the former ruler, highlighting economic achievements in his early presidency, including slashing poverty and tackling inflation. "My opinion has always been for a long time that Suharto should be considered a national hero," he said. [[nid:717469]]
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
In Indonesia, fears grow that dark past may be rewritten with government's new history books
The 10-volume series would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims 'to reinvent the Indonesian identity,' Culture Minister Fadli Zon said. PHOTO: REUTERS In Indonesia, fears grow that dark past may be rewritten with government's new history books JAKARTA - The Indonesian government's plan to release new history books has sparked concerns that some of the country's darkest chapters could be recast to show President Prabowo Subianto and late authoritarian ruler Suharto in a favourable light. The 10-volume series would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims 'to reinvent the Indonesian identity,' Culture Minister Fadli Zon told Reuters in an interview. Several historians said the commissioning of the books presents an opportunity for historical revisionism at a time when Indonesia's younger generations - largely responsible for Mr Prabowo's resounding election victory in 2024 - have little or no memory of Suharto's 1966-1998 New Order era. Mr Prabowo openly praises Suharto, who was once his father-in-law, and is increasingly turning to the military to carry out his government's vision. Mr Prabowo has also been accused of rights abuses while in the military, including involvement in the kidnapping of student activists during riots in 1998 - allegations he has repeatedly denied and which Mr Fadli said had been debunked. Mr Asvi Warman Adam, a leading historian who used to work at the National Research and Innovation Agency, said he was calling on academics to lobby lawmakers to scrutinise what he said would be 'propaganda'. 'I suspect there is an intention to legitimise the ruling regim ... such as by excluding gross human rights violations in 1998 linked to Prabowo,' he said, adding that he expected the government would soon confer the posthumous title of 'National Hero' on Suharto. Asked about concerns by some analysts and historians that the books could be used as propaganda, be politicised and omit human rights abuses that have been linked to Mr Prabowo and Suharto, Mr Fadli said: 'History will be written correctly'. The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new books. Mr Prabowo has previously said that former activists were his supporters. Mr Fadli, who has authored a book that defended Mr Prabowo's actions as a special forces commander during Suharto's 32-year rule, added that neither he nor Mr Prabowo would be involved in the editorial process. The books, which Mr Fadli said were commissioned in 2024, will chronicle the history of humankind in Indonesia from homo erectus to Dutch colonisation to Prabowo's election. They will be authored and edited by about 100 historians, and Mr Fadli says he wants them ready by August 17, Indonesia's Independence Day. Mass killings in focus Mr Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow at the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said he believes the government will use the same playbook as Suharto, who released a six-volume book series in 1975 titled 'The National History of Indonesia' that he said glorified the military and was fraught with inaccuracies. 'Prabowo's history within this republic is not good, to be frank... Do they dare to write that?' said Mr Made. Mr Jajat Burhanuddin, a historian involved in the project, said so far there has been no state intervention. The 1998 kidnappings and torture of student activists would be included, he said, although he declined to say whether Mr Prabowo would be mentioned in those accounts. Another key focus for historians will be how the books portray the mass killings of communists and sympathisers in 1965 and 1966, led by military and Islamic leaders. Some historians estimate more than half a million people were killed. No investigation has been conducted into the killings, which were in response to the murder of generals by the communist party in an abortive coup. Suharto rose to power in the aftermath and remained president until 1998, when he stepped down during a popular uprising and economic crisis after allegations of corruption and nepotism. The 1965 events continue to be debated in Indonesia. Mr Fadli said the new books would not take a deeper look into the massacres. Mr Fadli, who was among the student activists who demonstrated against Suharto, now speaks highly of the former ruler, highlighting economic achievements in his early presidency, including slashing poverty and tackling inflation. 'My opinion has always been for a long time that Suharto should be considered a national hero,' he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
In Indonesia, fears grow that dark past may be rewritten with government's new history books
FILE PHOTO: Indonesia's Culture Minister, Fadli Zon speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office, in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Zahra Matarani/File photo JAKARTA (Reuters) -The Indonesian government's plan to release new history books has sparked concerns that some of the country's darkest chapters could be recast to show President Prabowo Subianto and late authoritarian ruler Suharto in a favourable light. The 10-volume series would have an Indonesia-centric narrative and aims "to reinvent the Indonesian identity," Culture Minister Fadli Zon told Reuters in an interview. Several historians said the commissioning of the books presents an opportunity for historical revisionism at a time when Indonesia's younger generations - largely responsible for Prabowo's resounding election victory last year - have little or no memory of Suharto's 1966-1998 New Order era. Prabowo openly praises Suharto, who was once his father-in-law, and is increasingly turning to the military to carry out his government's vision. Prabowo has also been accused of rights abuses while in the military, including involvement in the kidnapping of student activists during riots in 1998 - allegations he has repeatedly denied and which Fadli said had been debunked. Asvi Warman Adam, a leading historian who used to work at the National Research and Innovation Agency, said he was calling on academics to lobby lawmakers to scrutinise what he said would be "propaganda". "I suspect there is an intention to legitimise the ruling regime ... such as by excluding gross human rights violations in 1998 linked to Prabowo," he said, adding that he expected the government would soon confer the posthumous title of "National Hero" on Suharto. Asked about concerns by some analysts and historians that the books could be used as propaganda, be politicised and omit human rights abuses that have been linked to Prabowo and Suharto, Fadli said: "History will be written correctly". The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new books. Prabowo has previously said that former activists were his supporters. Fadli, who has authored a book that defended Prabowo's actions as a special forces commander during Suharto's 32-year rule, added that neither he nor Prabowo would be involved in theeditorial process. The books, which Fadli said were commissioned last year, will chronicle the history of humankind in Indonesia from homo erectus to Dutch colonisation to Prabowo's election. They will be authored and edited by about 100 historians and Fadli says he wants them ready by August 17, Indonesia's Independence Day. MASS KILLINGS IN FOCUS Made Supriatma, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said he believes the government will use the same playbook as Suharto, who released a six-volume book series in 1975 titled "The National History of Indonesia" that he said glorified the military and was fraught with inaccuracies. "Prabowo's history within this republic is not good, to be frank ... Do they dare to write that?" said Made. Jajat Burhanuddin, a historian involved in the project, said so far there has been no state intervention. The 1998 kidnappings and torture of student activists would be included, he said, although he declined to say whether Prabowo would be mentioned in those accounts. Another key focus for historians will be how the books portray the mass killings of communists and sympathisers in 1965 and 1966, led by military and Islamic leaders. Some historians estimate more than half a million people were killed. No investigation has been conducted into the killings, which were in response to the murder of generals by the communist party in an abortive coup. Suharto rose to power in the aftermath and remained president until 1998, when he stepped down during a popular uprising and economic crisis after allegations of corruption and nepotism. The 1965 events continue to be debated in Indonesia. Fadli said the new books would not take a deeper look into the massacres. Fadli, who was among the student activists who demonstrated against Suharto, now speaks highly of the former ruler, highlighting economic achievements in his early presidency, including slashing poverty and tackling inflation. "My opinion has always been for a long time that Suharto should be considered a national hero," he said. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Gayatri Suroyo; Additional reporting by Zahra Matarani; Editing by Martin Petty and Edwina Gibbs)
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia's crocodiles are back and fishermen have scars to prove it
Jamal remembers the day like it was yesterday. Four years ago, while fishing off the coast of Palu in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, his routine trip turned into a life-or-death battle. It all happened so fast, he said. Out on his boat alone in the early evening, Jamal was ambushed by a saltwater crocodile that climbed aboard and dragged him into the water. 'There were 10 bite marks on my body,' he recalled. 'I wrestled with the crocodile.' Acting on instinct, he grabbed a knife from his boat. 'Within five minutes, I stabbed its eye, and it let go. If we panic, we're done for.' Jamal survived. He swam back to his boat, steered it to shore, and ran to the nearest clinic. A week later, he was back at sea. 'I'm not afraid because the ocean is our livelihood,' he said. Jamal is one of a dozen fishermen in Indonesia who survived an attack from a 2.5m crocodile. A saltwater crocodile ready for its next meal scrounging on a rocky beach in Palu Bay in Central Sulawest, Indonesia. — Photos: MUHAMMAD TAUFAN/dpa Fatal attacks Jamal is one of the lucky ones. Many are less fortunate. In January 2024, Arjo, a fisherman from Bangka Island off Sumatra's eastern coast, was setting his nets in the shallow waters of the Nyire River when a crocodile struck. 'It grabbed me from behind and pulled me under,' Arjo, 34, said. 'I had no time to think - only to fight.' With his left hand, he clung desperately to a wooden pole while the crocodile's jaws crushed his right. In a desperate act of survival, he bit the reptile's face, hoping to startle it. After a gruelling 10 minutes, the predator finally released him. Bleeding heavily, Arjo swam to shore and walked nearly three kilometres before receiving help. He lost his hand but survived - an increasingly rare outcome in Indonesia's growing tally of crocodile attacks. Others weren't as lucky Recently, a 51-year-old man was pulled underwater by a crocodile while swimming off Palu on Sulawesi – an island between Borneo and New Guinea known for its coral reefs. Rescue workers who rushed to the scene found him caught in the large crocodile's jaw. The animal was shot dead – but it was too late for its victim. According to statistics from the independent CrocAttack database, there were 179 crocodile attacks on humans in Indonesia last year alone – far more than in any other country. For 92 victims, the encounter ended fatally. Often the bodies are never found. By comparison: in Australia, whose tropical regions are often portrayed as extremely dangerous, only seven attacks with three fatalities were recorded. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world and can reach a length of seven metres. Fighting for resources Local fishermen say crocodile sightings have become increasingly common in many Indonesian regions where they were once rare. Amir Hamidy, a reptile expert at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), says habitat loss and a growing human population on the world's largest island state are primarily responsible for the dangerous trend. 'As the crocodile population and the human population increase and compete for the same resources, interactions become inevitable,' says Hamidy. Indonesia is home to several crocodile species, but most conflicts arise with the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). It is the largest and most aggressive crocodile species and is found throughout South-East Asia and Australia. These animals can exceed six metres in length and are extremely territorial. They are also extremely adaptable and thrive in a variety of habitats, from rivers and mangrove forests to coastal waters. 'This adaptability, combined with their wide range, increases their chances of encountering humans,' Hamidy emphasises. Thriving in man-made waters Attacks are more frequent than average in the regions of East Kalimantan on Borneo and Bangka-Belitung off Sumatra. This is due not only to the increase in agriculture but also to mining activities. The often illegal tin mining in Bangka-Belitung has created many artificial bodies of water which are an ideal habitat for crocodiles in search of new hunting grounds. Around 90% of the tin exported by Indonesia comes from this province. Numerous prehistoric reptiles have now taken up residence in abandoned pits, says animal rights activist Endy Yusuf. The construction of canals for palm oil plantations and other changes to waterways have also created new habitats. As a result, the presence of crocodiles in populated areas has increased dramatically, often with fatal consequences. In Bangka alone, two people were killed and four others injured by crocodiles earlier this year. Yusuf believes the real numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. One local fisherman, Arjo, narrowly escaped death after an attack in the Nyire River because, according to his own account, he managed to bite the crocodile in the face with his last ounce of strength. After a desperate 10-minute fight, the animal finally let go of him, he says. But Arjo lost his right hand in the fight with the croc. Population spike Once heavily hunted for their meat and leather, crocodiles in Indonesia were pushed to the brink of extinction. Crocodile meat is considered a delicacy, and crocodile leather is used to make luxury handbags, belts and boots. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), numerous crocodile species were hunted so heavily in the past that they almost became extinct. Since banning large-scale crocodile hunting in the late 1990s, Indonesia has seen a rebound in populations across much of the country – but some regions remain exceptions. On the densely populated main island of Java, saltwater crocodiles are practically extinct due to the extensive destruction of their habitat and years of hunting. Lack of warning systems On many other islands, however, the armoured animals remain a huge problem. In contrast to other countries – such as Australia, where exclusion zones and warning systems help to minimise conflicts between crocodiles and humans – there are no such protective measures in Indonesia. At the same time, rivers and the sea are the livelihood of many Indonesians and an integral part of everyday life. Crocodile expert Hamidy says: 'We have to find ways to coexist while minimising the risks for humans and crocodiles.' Yet how to accomplish this remains unclear. – By AHMAD PATHONI and CAROLA FRENTZEN/dpa
