Zuly Qodir
zuly_qodir@yahoo.com

Zuly Qodir is currrently doing his Master of Islamic Studies at the University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. He is presidium member of the Muhammadiyah Intelectual Youth Network (JIMM) and researcher at the university’s Peace and Safety Studies Centre. He has written the books Islam Liberal di Indonesia (2003) and Syariah Demokratik (2004).

Ze'sopol Carlito Caminha
jesopol@yahoo.com

Carlito Caminha is a Timor Leste photojournalist who regularly contributes his photos & writings to Paras Indonesia. He once studied at the Jakarta Institute of Social and Political Science (IISIP-Jakarta) but later turned all his focus to the independence struggle for Timor. In 1998, Carlito and his friends established the Talitakum magazine, reporting the the dynamics of Timor Leste. The magazine survived beyond the August Referendum 1999 and continued publishing until 2003. Carlito is now running the Timor Leste Photographers' Association (TILFA) and trying to reincarnate Talitakum. Once a photo target (he always stood out with his long reddish hair) at Timor rallies, Carlito prefers to be behind camera to capture the beauty of his new nation.

Woro Wahyuningtyas
woro.tyas@gmail.com

Woro Wahyuningtyas, or Tyas as she is called, is a graduate of the Jendral Soedirman University, majoring in agriculture. She now works for the community development group CD Bethesda in Jogjakarta. Tyas was born in Klaten, one of the worst hit villages in the recent Jogja quake.

Wilson
ortubunga@yahoo.com

Wilson has a history major from the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Literature. In the early 1990s Wilson and his friends formed the People’s Democratic Party (PRD) and was active in various pro democracy and East Timor campaigns. His activism landed him as political prisoner during the Soeharto era. He shared prison with Xanana Gusmao and other political priosoners. He chronicled those time in his recently launched book Dunia Di Balik Jeruji; Catatan Perlawanan (2005). In October 1998, he received The Michele Turner Award for his essays on Timor. As a film adict he contributed his writings for the book Sejarah Bioskop Indonesia (1990), co-wrote the photo book Jalan Panjang Menuju Demokrasi (2001) and contributed for the book Gerakan Massa Menghadang Imperialisme (2005). Wilson is now research and development coordinator for Perkumpulan Praxis.

Tri Agus Siswowiharjo
politshirt@yahoo.com

Tri Agus Siswowiharjo, or TASS as he is often called, is a former Pijar Indonesia activist and journalist. He now works for Solidamor and Campaign Manager for the Coalition of Civil Society for Burma (Koalisi Masyarakat Sipil untuk Burma - KMSuB). TASS follows closely the development of Papua, Aceh and Timor Leste. He has written the books Biografi Xanana Gusmao, Mati Ketawa Cara Timor Leste, Geer Aceh Merdeka (GAM), Humor Pemilu 2004 and Senyum Dikulum Tsunami.

Theresia Kushardini
thkushardini@yahoo.com

Theresia Kushardini was born in the town of Salatiga and now studies at the University of Sanata Dharma, majoring in theology. During the Jogja quake, Dini, as she is called, worked day in, day out, to help quake victims, setting up posts and assisted in the distribution of clothes, medicine and other aid. On normal days, Dini accompanies the boys and girls of a village in Jogjakarta, and provides religious accompaniments to Christian inmates at the Wirogunan Prison. Previously, Dini worked with the late YB. Mangunwijaya, accompanying kids of Kedungombo. In 2000-2001 she joined the JRS to accompany East Timorese refugees in West Timor.

Suhadi Cholil
suhadia@yahoo.com

Suhadi works for the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies (CRCS) Gadjah Mada University. He is also an associate researcher at National University of Singapore (NUS) in a study on 'Modern History of Religious Polarization among Javanese Society'. He is teaching at the Faculty of Theology, Sanata Dharma University of Yogyakarta. Despite the busy schedule, he affiliates as an activist at the Institute for Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia (Interfidei). Suhadi's recent book, Kawin Lintas Agama: Perspektif Kritik Nalar Islam (Inter-Religious Marriage in Islamic Critical Perspective) was published by LKiS, 2006. His personal blog is http://suhadi-blog.blogspot.com.

Samsuri
samsuri2005@cbn.net.id

Samsuri is a media observer who works for the Press Council. Previously he was the assistant advocacy officer for the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) Jakarta.

Rob Baiton
baiton_rob@yahoo.com

Rob Baiton is a seasoned Indonesian observer. The Aussie speaks fluent Indonesian and debates passionately on issues concerning the nation. Rob now edits for Hukum Online and contributes regularly for Paras Indonesia.

Renato Redentor Constantino
redcosmo@gmail.com

Renato Redentor Constantino is a writer and painter based in Quezon City. He is the author of the recently released book The Poverty of Memory: Essays on History and Empire (CFNS:  2006). Constantino maintains a blog site at www.redconstantino.blogspot.com.

Rahung Nasution
rahung@gmail.com

Rahung Nasution, or Coki as many call him, has always taken the extraordinary paths. In 1999, when Timorese refugees were returning to Timor, Coki, who was a Jogja-based artist, decided he would hitch a ride with a ship to Dili. He was not carrying much, not even a pair of shoes. He started working for the environment organization Haburas, then moved to the Talitakum magazine and now ends up with the Sahe Institute for Liberation (SIL). Coki has now become an accomplished filmmaker in his adopted country. His latest film was called Rock ‘n Roll With Jakarta, a documentary portraying the ongoing struggle for justice by families of victims of the New Order regime in Indonesia and Timor Leste, focusing also on the establishment of the controversial new Truth and Friendship Commission.

Rahmat Muslim Handoko
rahmatkoko@yahoo.com

Rahmat is an art student at the Jakarta State University. He has been drawing since he was five years old. Recently, along with his colleagues, he just finished a mural in the North Jakarta toll road. Besides drawing for Paras Indonesia, Rahmat has produced illustrations, comics and storyboards for the Pragraf Production House. He also teaches at a small art school.

Nurani Soyomukti
muktidanmedia@yahoo.com

Nurani Soyomukti is a Jakarta-based writer and actvisit. He is an organizer for the National Indonesian Workers’ Front (FNPBI) and a member of Lingkar Muda Indonesia (LMI). He was a researcher for the International Center for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP). Nurani was born in Trenggalek and graduated from the State University of Jember, majoring in Political Science. His motto is “keep praying and fighting against contradictions”.

Nor Hiqmah
nor

Nor Hiqmah graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy from the University of Gadjah Mada and now works in the research and development unit at YAPPIKA. She edits for the monthly journal Aliansi and writes for various media and has published the books HM Misbach: Sosok dan Kontroversi Pemikirannya (2000) and Indonesia Menapak Demokrasi (2002).

Muhamad Dahlan
alandahlan@yahoo.com

Muhamad Dahlan is a researcher with the Soegeng Sarjadi Syndicate and member of the Parliament`s team of experts. He is also a postgraduate student with the University ofg Indonesia`s Development and Public Policy Magistrate Program.

Mohammad Eri Irawan
kawan_eric@yahoo.com

Mohammad Eri Irawan is a researcher for the Institute of Cultural Society Studies (I-Cos) in Jember, East Java. He is a postgraduate student in economics at the Jember State University and managing editor for the economic faculty's Ecpose magazine. Eri is also the discussion coordinator for the Panta Rhei Philosophy Studies Group.

Mohammad Afifuddin
mohammad_afifuddin@yahoo.co.id

Mohammad Afifuddin is a sociology student, university press coordinator, and researcher with Center for Politics and Cultural Studies (PaSKaL). He is also an active member of the Indonesian Muslim Students' Movement (PMII).

Mochtar Buchori
mbuchori@indo.net.id

Mochtar Buchori was co-chair of the PDI-P and former member of the Indonesian Parliament (for 1999-2004), where he was Chairman of the PDI-P delegation on the standing commission for religion, education, youth and sports, and manpower. Mr. Buchori (Ed.D Harvard 1975) is renowned for his research on the socio-cultural basis of problems in the national development of Indonesia. He is a columnist for The Jakarta Post and for The New Straits Times in Malaysia. He is a former rector of Muhammadiyah’s Teaching Training College in Jakarta, where he still teaches, and former head of the Indonesian Institute for the Sciences (LIPI). Mr. Buchori is one of the founders and chair of Paras Indonesia.

Maya Susiani
maya_siandhira@yahoo.com

Maya is a freelance writer on women and children issues. She is currently involved in Kelompok Independen Perempuan dan Anak untuk Aksi Sosial (KiPAS) which focuses empowerment for women and children.

Lukman Hakim
ps_otoda@yahoo.com

Lukman Hakim is a postgraduate student. He has written and co-written a number of books such as Revolusi Sistemik, and Konstitusi Majapahit. He also co-wrote the book Syariah Sosial. Lukman and his colleagues now plan to for the 'Academos Society' forum.

Lian Gogali
liangogali@yahoo.com

Lian was born in the village of Taliwan in Morowali but grew up in Poso, Central Sulawesi. She is currently finishing her Magistrate Program on Religion and Culture at the University of Sanata Dharma in Yogyakarta. Her thesis is on Violence and Politics in Poso. Lian works as a researcher for the DIAN/Interfidei Institute, also in Yogyakarta.

Laksamana Sukardi
laksamana_s@yahoo.com

Laksamana Sukardi is not only our columnist but also founder of Paras Indonesia. He started out as a civil engineer, then turned banker and switched to politics at the height of his banking career. He first came to the political scene in 1993 with PDIP and became State Own Enterprises Minister for governments of Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati. Laksamana also founded the Paras Foundation which focuses on education for marginalized society.

Kuncoro Adi Broto
sastra_pkc@plasa.com

Kuncoro ‘Kuncung’ Adi Broto studied arts in the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) and the Bandung Technology Institute (ITB). He finished at neither though, cited “too busy with the movement”. He is currently active in the People’s Cultural Network (Jakker) and manages the “Sanggar Satu Bumi” in Jakarta.

Ken Ratih Indri Hapsari
kipas_hapsari@yahoo.com

Ken Ratih Indri Hapsari is an activist on women issues and coordinates the Independent Committee for Women and Children for Social Action (KIPAS). Ratih, as she is often called, graduated from the State University of Jember, majoring in sociology. She was chairperson for the Jember chapter of the National Students' League for Democracy (LMND).

J. Soedjati Djiwandono
soedjati@cbn.net.id

Soedjati Djiwandono, PhD is one of the country’s leading analysts. He was Member of Parliament in 1969-1971, and of the People’s Congress in 1973-1982. Soedjati was among the founders of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) and headed the institution until 1996. He is Senior Fellow at the Research Institute for Democracy and Peace (RIDEP) in Jakarta, senior lecturer at the University of Atmajaya in Yogyakarta and guest lecturer the University of Indonesia. He writes regularly for The Jakarta Post.

Irsyad Ridho
icadredo@yahoo.com

Irsyad Ridho was born in a little town called Pelaihari in South Kalimantan. After finishing school there, he crossed the sea to the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta. He was later derailed to the then IKIP Jakarta (Jakarta State University - UNJ), majoring in Indonesian literature. After graduating, he went on to teach in UNJ while also pursuing his postgraduate at the University of Indonesia, focusing on Cultural Studies. Besides teaching and studying, Irsyad, along with his UNJ colleagues, formed the Cultural Studies Group (KKSK) that promotes the integration of cultural perspectives in teaching methods. KKSK is also member of the Education Coalition that campaigns for teachers' rights and better education system.

Imdadun Rahmat
lkpesdam@cbn.net.id

Muhammad Imdadun Rahmat is Publication Coordinator LAKPESDAM NU and chief editor of the Tashwirul Afkar journal. He holds membership in the organizing committees of the Cross Religious Society Dialog (MADIA) and the Indonesian Conference on Religions and Peace (ICRP). He often writes opinions and analyses for the likes of Republika, Koran Tempo, Suara Pembaruan and his very own Jurnal Tashwirul Afkar. Imdad’s seach of knowledge has brought taken him across places from Rembang, Jakarta and Saudi Arabia. Imdadun is also a project officer at the Paras Foundation and recently wrote the book Arus Baru Islam Radikal: Transmisi Revivalisme Islam Timur Tengah ke Indonesia (2006).

I. Hendrasmo
hendrasmo2000@yahoo.com

Hendras graduated from the Gadjah Mada University in Jogja. He was a journalist for a while and studied Broadcast Journalism in RNTC, the Netherlands (2002). He received his MA in Political Communication from the University of Sheffield, the UK (2005). Hendras now teaches Introduction to Politics and Political Communication at the University of Pelita Harapan, Jakarta.

Herdi Sahrasad
sahrasad@yahoo.com

Herdi Sahrasad is Associate Director for Pusat Studi Islam dan Kenegaraan (PSIK) at the Paramadina University, Jakarta. He was born in Purworejo, Central Java but graduated from the Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java. He was a visiting fellow at Indiana University (1989) and Monash University (1992). He was a visiting journalist at SEAP, Cornell University in 1994. Since his university days, Herdi has been writing essays, poetries and reviews for various national journals and media, as well as foreign publications.

Hans Gebze
hans_gebze@yahoo.com

Hans Gebze is National Executive Chair of Front PEPERA Papua Barat and was the Secretary General of the Papuan Students Alliance (now he is advisor to the group). He co-wrote the book Papua Menggugat (11 November 2001, Hari Wafatnya Ondofolo Dortheys Hiyo Eluay). He studied at the University of Gadjah Mada and now writes for various media. His blog is namek-animha.blogspot.com.

Guest Writer
info@parasindonesia.com

Would you like to write for Paras Indonesia? Send your ideas and tell us about yourself. Help us describe the real Indonesia.

Greg Barton
gregbarton@gmail.com

Dr Greg Barton is Associate Professor in Politics at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and is author of the books Abdurrahman Wahid: Muslim Democrat, Indonesian President and Indonesia's Struggle: Jemaah Islamiyah and the soul of Islam. He is currently writing a book examining progressive Islamic thought in Indonesia and Turkey

Faiz Manshur
nyongfaiz@yahoo.com

Faiz Manshur is a Jakarta-based writer who was born in Temanggung, Central Java. Years ago, after he finished studying in the Islamic boarding school (pesantren) Ma'had Ilmy Al-Syar'i (MIS) Sarang Rembang, Faiz went on to the advanced Islamic studies institution (PTIS) Ma'had Aly Al-Munawwir Krapyak in Jogjakarta. He was later enrolled for further study of Islam in the Indonesian Islamic University (UII). Faiz and a few other Temanggung-born journalists have just started a new local Temanggung community bulletin. 

Fabby Tumiwa
fabby@nusa.or.id

Fabby Tumiwa is an electric engineer who focuses on the power sector. He advises INFID for its international advocacy, national and international development trends and strategies, and coordinates the Working Group on Power Sector Restructuring. Fabby has also consulted, among others, for the Pelangi Institute on energy policy, and headed the Salatiga-based NGO Yayasan Gemi Nastiti (GENI) from 2000 to 2003. Fabby has written various articles and reports, such as Pro-Poor Infrastructure Policy and Power Sector Restructuring in Indonesia: Viable Solution or Potential Fiasco?

Denny Ardiansyah
deni_line@yahoo.com

Denny Ardiansyah is an East Java-based freelance writer. He contributed for the book Nubuat Labirin Luka; Sebuah Antalogi Puisi Untuk Munir. Denny is also a senior researcher at the Society of Sociological Analitic for Democracy (SoSADem).

Coen Husain Pontoh
coen

Coen Husain Pontoh comes from a simple farming family in the village of Baroko in North Sulawesi. He started off being involved in the Muslim Students Association (HMI) but it was the Manado chapter of the Indonesian Students Solidarity for Democracy (SMID) which actually taught him about organizational and democratic principles. During the Soeharto era, Coen was heavily involved in the labor movement and was jailed for his activity along with another labor leader Dita Indah Sari. He has written the books Akhir Globalisasi Dari Perdebatan Teori Menuju Gerakan Massa (2003) and Utang Yang Memiskinkan (2002).

Choirul Mahfud
mahfudjatim@yahoo.com

Choirul Mahfud is the Executive Director of Lembaga Kajian Agama dan Sosial (LKAS). He participated in the Indonesia – Malaysia Cross-Religious Conference (2006) in Jakarta, and lectures in the Faculty of Islam at the Muhammadiyah University, Surabaya. Choirul wrote the bestseller books Pendidikan Multikultural (Multicultural Studies) (2006) and Islam Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin (2007).

Chalid Muhammad
chalid@walhi.or.id

Chalid was born in Parigi, Central Sulawesi. He graduated from Faculty of Law from the University of Tadulako, Palu in 1991. It was also during his university years when he started to join a Palu environment group. He taught briefly in a law school in Banjarmasin, Kalimantan, in 1992, then moved to join Indonesia’s friends of the earth WALHI where he focused on mine issues. In the late 90s, Chalid established and chaired the mine advocacy group JATAM. In 2005, Chalid returns to WALHI as director.

Bonar Saragih
bonarsaragih@yahoo.com

Bonar Saragih is executive director of INSISTPress in Yogyakarta, which publishes books by prominent Indonesian scholars and also translates major works in social sciences by foreign authors into Indonesian. Bonar is a graduate in social and political sciences from Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University. He has worked for a range of non-government organizations, often focusing on
development empowerment and small business projects.

Berly Martawardaya
bmartawardaya@gmail.com

Berly graduated from Faculty of Economics – University of Indonesia (FEUI), majoring in economics and development studies, and holds a Masters degree in Economics from the Free University Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is currently a PhD student in Economics at the University of Siena, Italy. As bachelor student, he was active in student movements in Indonesia as vice president of SM-FEUI, deputy chairman of HMI branch Depok and Presidium of Indonesia Economics and Development Student Association (IMEPI). As a post-grad student in the Netherlands, he was Chairman of the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) Amsterdam and co-Chairman of the Indonesian Student Association in Netherlands. On leave from teaching at FEUI, now he is also administrator of kaFE depok that runs analysis and opinions from FEUI alumni currently taking post-grad studies in economics related majors at European universities.

Bambang Iswantoro
kugembira@gmail.com

Bambang Iswantoro was born and raised in the village of Bantul, 20 km from Yogyakarta. He did his graduate study at the University of Gadjah Mada and has a Master of Science in Administration and Policy of Public Health from the University of Indonesia. He has been a consultant for various companies and organizations, focusing mainly on monitoring and evaluation, community development, education and health care. Bambang is currently the program coordinator for the Paras Foundation which aims to empower the poor and marginalized community.

Arif Wijaksono
arif_wijaksono@yahoo.com

Arif Wijaksono is a student at the Jember State University, majoring in International Relations.  He is also a researcher for Lingkar Studi Kebijakan Publik untuk Demokrasi in Jember and active in Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia (PMII).

Andy Hadiyanto
egolizma@plasa.com

Andy is a lecturer on Islam at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ). He also studies tafsir and currently doing his doctoral at the National Islamic University (UIN) Syahid, Jakarta.

Ach. Faidy Suja’ie
afys_pascal@yahoo.co.id

Faidy is a researcher with the Institute for Media and Social Studies (IMSS) in Jakarta while he heads the Center for Political and Cultural Studies (PaSKal) in Jember. Faidy also studies at the State University of Jember and chairs his university's chapter of PMII.