Mathias Hariyadi

Poernono Hadi has come under fire of the Anti-Corruption Commission (KBK) for a story in 2004 , when he was head of the Department of Taxation and Treasury. Charged with erasing million dollar tax fine for major bank owned by a Tabaco giant. A prominent personality in the political and economic landscape of the country.

This is a time of meditation, devotions and deep introspection into the faith. In the Archdiocese of Jakarta, families offer small sums of money to fund community-wide projects. The head of the Archdiocese's communications commission releases some videos. During Chrism Mass, hundreds of priests renew their pledge to their bishops.

Over 450 women to part in the Poso Women Conference in March. Mostly simple uneducated people, but willing to rebuild a peaceful coexistence in an area long plagued by conflict. They aim to promote greater political, social , civic and economic participation of women on a local and national level.

Indonesians go to the polls to renew the People's Representative Council in this year's first key poll for the Asian nation. In July, voters will also be called to choose a new president. In a pastoral letter, the Bishops' Conference calls on Catholics to cast an "informed and intelligent" ballot. The bishops remind the faithful of the values of unity and pluralism embodied by Pancasila and the constitution.

The Indonesian President signs decree that allows the use of the terms Tionghoa for ethnic Chinese and Tiongkok for China. For some it is just a move to win electoral support; for others, it is the culmination of a "long battle".

Islamic leaders fear "places of entertainment" will be transformed into centers for prostitution. The ban also includes "karaoke bars and discos". Phenomenon of paid sex affecting more and more young people. Web and the internet cafés also to be controlled, places of potential "threat" to morality.

The 40-year old Satinah Binti Djumadi is on death row for murder and theft. The execution is scheduled for April 3. At President Yudhoyono’s request, the Saudi king has already pardoned her. But under Islamic law the forgiveness of the family is needed and they want 2 million US dollars.

Fundamentalists target Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Cibubur, Bekasi regency. The local court points to danger of “sectarian violence", gives in to intimidation and stops the project. The priest presents all of the necessary permits and confirms: "The construction will continue, so far 70% of the structure built".

Every day a father searches for news of his son; three young children - high school and elementary school – ask about their parents, both on the Malaysia Airlines flight. Search operations by sea, by air and by land still fail to find any trace. The families of the victims in China threaten a hunger strike if Beijing does not inform them accurately.

Schools closed, citizens barricaded in their homes, thousands of people with respiratory problems. Farmers and unscrupulous businesses behind hundreds of deliberately set fires. President Yudhoyono blames local governments. Appeals for prayer for the end of the emergency.

Reports about a possible run had been circulating for months. Now that it is official, the campaign's dynamic is bound to change. Former General Prabowo Subianto, from the Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) Party, is the current front-runner. Joko Widodo is a popular figure, appreciated by the public for his fight against corruption and waste.

In 2014 the country will vote in two crucial elections: the general elections in April and presidential elections in July. The electorate is discouraged, tired of the "same faces" and calls for a renewal of the ruling class. The Catholic leadership promotes education and calls for active participation in the democratic process.