Events

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Robin Bush, Asia Research Institute, NUS

ABSTRACT

Since the fall of Suharto in 1998, Indonesia has undergone a series of democratic reforms and social and cultural shifts. This chapter will be part of a book on the ways that Indonesians have re-written their history, particularly in the first decade since the fall of Suharto, the period leading up to his death in 2008. Here I will look at three major controversies involving Islam, first the problem of when conversation to Islam took place in Indonesia; secondly the role of Islam in the anti-colonial struggle; and thirdly, how proponents of Islam see their religion as under threat. All three controversies have major implications for the ways that the nation is being recast.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Adrian Vickers holds a personal chair at the University of Sydney, and researches and publishes on the cultural history of Southeast Asia. He received his PhD and BA Hons. in Indonesian and Malayan Studies from University of Sydney. His research utilises expertise in the Indonesian language as well as drawing on sources in Balinese, Kawi (Old and Middle Javanese) and Dutch. He has held a series of Australian Research Council grants, the most recent looking at Indonesian art, the Cold War, and labour and industry in Southeast Asia. As part of a linkage grant on the history of Balinese painting, he is preparing a virtual museum, continuing previous pioneering work in eResearch and teaching. His books include the highly popular Bali: A Paradise Created(new edition 2012), A History of Modern Indonesia (new edition 2013) and Balinese Art: Paintings and Drawings of Bali, 1800-2010 (2012). Prof Vickers has supervised more than twenty PhD theses to completion, and has taught subjects on Southeast Asian history and culture from first year to Honours and Masters levels. Prof Vickers is frequently asked to comment on Indonesia and Australian-Indonesian relations for national and international media.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free. We would greatly appreciate if you RSVP Mr Jonathan Lee via email: jonathan.lee@nus.edu.sg