Mathias Hariyadi

According to the Bahtul Masa’il, transsexuals and transvestites (waria) are men and cannot cut women’s hair unless they are related to them by blood or marital ties. The Muslim Clerical Council (MUI) prefers not to comment the matter. About 25 per cent of waria work in beauty salons. They call the ruling discriminatory that relegates them to “the margins of society”.

Bogor mayor closes the church of an important local Christian group, banning all its activities. The faithful protest and take their faith to the streets. Rights groups issue official protest.

The special unit operations led to the seizure of ammunition, Kalashnikov AK-47 and M 16 rifles, pistols and grenades. Two terrorists killed in the raid were involved in the attack on the Australian embassy in 2004. At present there are still 25 extremists on the run.

Arrested 12 people suspected of links with groups that train in guerrilla warfare in Aceh and the Philippines. The founder of the group is the imam of Central Java. Baasyir denies any wrongdoing: "It's Washington’s fault."

Indonesian President Yudhoyono accepted Sri Mulyani’s resignation. She is off to Washington for a prestigious post with the World Bank. Opposition remains critical of her role in the Century Bank rescue package. For most Indonesians, she is an honest person.

Three cars destroyed and some buildings set on fire. The origin of the attack a rumor that Christians wanted to build a chapel within the center. Hundreds of local police fail to stop the raid, but police chief promises justice.

Everyone at the Saint John’s Catholic School passed the exam. Their success is the exception to the rule in Indonesia’s school system, which has reached a new low in terms of exam failures. For the Education minister, the lower-than-expected success rate is due to tighter controls to prevent cheating; for the teachers’ federation, the results are the consequence of a failing education system.

A new mudflow erupts in the Lapindo Brantas Inc fields. The latest flow threatens a major road and railway line. The authorities sound the alarm because the mud is highly “flammable” and thick.

An Indian leader criticizes and insults Indonesians. Protests erupt with thousands attacking buildings and structures of the firm on the island of Batam. Thousands flee the island, to avoid involvement.

Syaifudin Zuhri, 39, was accused of providing Malaysian terrorist with a safe haven. The defendant’s attorney insists his client did not know that his guest was a dangerous terrorist. In his closing arguments, the prosecutor demands ten years. Trial excludes an involvement by the accused in last July’s hotel attacks.

The judges rejected the appeal of NGOs and human rights activists, including former President Gus Dur. The court rules that the norm is "necessary" to prevent "misleading" cult practices, although some points should be "clarified". A law enacted to hit the Ahmadis and other religious minorities in the country.

Thousands of residents battled with government officials, backed by the police. President Yudhoyono appeals for calm. A thousand police patrol the sensitive areas of the capital. At the center of the clashes disputed land near the harbor.