The PMA Company and the Negative List in Indonesia
This article is the result of numerous questions from expats regarding the setup of a company and the function of...
Outreach
Travel Sparks: The New Age of Volunteer Travel
With its charitable spirit of ‘Travel with a Cause’, Travel Sparks has started a new wave in the Indonesian travel...
Scams in the City: Don’t Lose Your Goat
Sometimes it’s just not worth reporting a crime in Indonesia. A few weeks ago, I was robbed on a Jakarta...
You Can Check Out Anytime, but You Can Never Leave
There comes a time when we all need a break from the carbon monoxide and burning plastic smoke that drifts...
The Death of Tax Evasion?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death … and taxes” So said Benjamin Franklin a few...
Fiona Unity: Fundraising to the Top
From climbing to the top of Mount Rinjani in Lombok, trekking in one of the world’s top 10 toughest treks...
No Google Award, Just a Rape Ad
Police in Lampung province have been left with egg on their faces after announcing they were to receive an award...
The TV Set
Transgenderism has been hitting the global headlines of late, and Indonesia is a nation with its own cross-dressing traditions. Whilst...
Immigration Targets Expats Again
“Carry original documents with you.” At 3am on the Sunday morning of June 5, the South Jakarta Immigration Office held...
Life Back Then
Author of Olivia & Sophie, Rosie Milne, explores what expat life was like 200 years ago. My novel Olivia &...
Scams in the City: Car Trouble
Buying a car online or ‘winning’ one as a prize can be risky business in Indonesia, but even more risky...
Crossings
Daniel Pope remembers some of his international comings and goings. In 1986, while the cold war was still going on,...
Hypochondriacs & Hypocrites
What to do if you face trial or jail in Indonesia but you’re too big a coward to take responsibility...
Bagging Mountain Trash
Indonesia’s mountains are known for their spectacular summits and surreal beauty, attracting hikers from near and far. Sadly, the sight...
Hocus Pocus
Selling useless trinkets under the pretence they contain magical powers remains brisk business in Indonesia. More daring scammers perform simple...
Peduli Anak: Lombok’ Sanctuary for Underprivileged Children
Set amid rice fields on the pristine island of Lombok is a children’s development centre called Peduli Anak, which was...
Bali and the World – We Have a Problem!
I first came to this Island of the Gods on my honeymoon in 1988. The marriage did not last long,...
Violations on Stay Permits or Visas!
It just happens, violating the rules of your stay permit (KITAS) or your visa. Sometimes totally absent-mindedly. What happens if...
Are We the Maritime Axis Yet, Mr. President?
Amidst widespread problems of human rights, poverty, and rampant corruption facing Indonesians as witnessed on daily news reports, hope emerged...
Garda Satwa Indonesia: Defenders of Animal Welfare
Animal wellbeing is often overlooked in Indonesia. Most people are still unaware of their job to protect animals and care...
Rotten Reviews & Bogus Bookings
A holiday should be all about unwinding by replacing any stress with serenity and relaxation. Unfortunately, scammers in the hospitality...