History - Indonesia at Melbourne

Talking Indonesia: Indonesian student armies

In this episode of Talking Indonesia, Tito Ambyo chats with Jonathan Tehusijarana about the history of Tentara Pelajar – student militia units – that were active during the Indonesian War of Independence and how this history still colours the Indonesian understanding of the term pemuda, meaning youth.

Talking Indonesia: activism, memory and sexual violence

History, Society, Talking Indonesia

In her new book 'Systemic Silencing: Activism, Memory and Sexual Violence in Indonesia', Kate McGregor takes a close look at the treatment of women in Indonesia and seeks to understand it in the context of Indonesia’s own colonial and post-colonial history. What were the social contexts in Indonesia prior to and following the Japanese Occupation in relation to women, sexual exploitation and prostitution? What did it take for the voices of these survivors to be heard? How is this period in Indonesia’s history remembered today? And what are its legacies for activism on sexual violence?

Wrecked? Belitung, Indonesia and the politics of maritime heritage

History, Natural Resources, Policy in Focus

In mid-1998, as President Suharto’s regime crumbled, local fishers discovered a 9th century shipwreck in waters near Belitung Island. The Belitung shipwreck was one of the most significant – and controversial – maritime discoveries of recent times.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/justcallmemo/14939478732/

Talking Indonesia: decoloniality and independence

History, Society, Talking Indonesia

We see that 78 years after Soekarno proclaimed independence in 1945 – Indonesians are still asking the question “sudahkah kita merdeka?” – are we truly independent yet. In this week’s episode of Talking Indonesia, Tito Ambyo chats with Tamara Soukotta about her research into conflicts in Ambon how to celebrate Independence Day critically and decolonially.

Farewell Richard Chauvel (1946–2022)

Education, History

Edward Aspinall reflects on the life and career of the much-respected scholar of eastern Indonesia, Richard Chauvel, who died on 1 April.

Talking Indonesia: transnational human rights activism

History, Human Rights, Talking Indonesia

In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Dirk Tomsa chats to Dr Vannessa Hearman about the letter-writing friendships that political prisoners under Soeharto developed with supporters and human rights activists overseas.

The Australian left is known for backing Papuan independence – but it wasn’t always this way

Analysis, Foreign Policy, History, Human Rights, Politics

Dominique Tasevski examines the history of the Australian Communist Party’s problematic and inconsistent position on Indonesian control over West Papua.

Learning (or failing to learn) from the lessons of the 1918 Spanish Flu

Analysis, History, Politics, Public health

Ravando Lie looks at what lessons the colonial government's experience with the 1918 Spanish Flu could provide for Indonesia as it struggles to get on top of Covid-19.

Talking Indonesia: China, Indonesia and the Cold War

Foreign Policy, History, Society, Talking Indonesia

What was Chinas role, if any, in the events of 1965? How did transnational ethnic ties and the daily practices of the ethnic Chinese influence state-to-state diplomacy at the time? Dr Charlotte Setijadi discusses these issues and more with Dr Taomo Zhou in Talking Indonesia.

Posted in: History