2024
Dera Menra Sijabat, Freelancer [NYT, The Economist, LA Times, Washington Post], Jakarta. Dera rose from difficult family circumstances to complete his education and start work as a reporter, where he found his calling. He has written or contributed to stories on business, politics and society that have appeared in international publications. Those who know him describe him as driven, enterprising and able to establish rapport quickly with villagers and top politicians alike.
Hendra Friana, Senior Reporter, Fortune Indonesia Magazine, Jakarta. Hendra has covered a wide range of issues, from business to human rights, floods and evictions, making his mark with in-depth narrative writing and data-driven storytelling. Those who have worked with him describe a self-starter and quick learner, with a track record for tackling complex issues that go unnoticed but matter to citizens and society.
2023
Anton Septian, Executive Editor, Tempo.co, Jakarta. Over his 15 years as a journalist at the influential Tempo Group, Anton has mostly covered politics and legal issues and was involved in a number of investigative projects. As Executive Editor of Tempo.co he remains focused on delivering quality not clickbait, still convinced that journalism can drive change and journalists can speak the truth and give a voice to the voiceless.
Adhitya Ramadhan, Deputy Head, Humanities Desk, Kompas, Jakarta. Adhitya leads a team of 15 covering health, education, science, culture and the environment. He has written powerfully to highlight the dangers of smoking and the need for tobacco control. His efforts have made an impact on policy and earned him recognition. In the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), he has mentored younger journalists, raising awareness of the link between smoking and health issues.
2022
Nurni Sulaiman, Regional Correspondent, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra. Nurni has covered the range of issues from environment to refugee rights, health and politics. As regional chair of the Women Journalists Forum of Indonesia, she is involved in improving working conditions and opportunities for women journalists. A taekwondo trainer with a black belt, she also enjoys badminton, golf, reading, writing and photography.
2021
Dyresti Nocetha, Assignment Editor, CNN Indonesia, Jakarta. Dyresti Nocetha has reported or led coverage on the environment, politics, young entrepreneurs, social and cultural issues, including the endangered tigers of Sumatra and the safety of women on long-distance train journeys. She is an active volunteer, enjoys learning languages and is described as “capable and compassionate, with a quiet leadership style and ability to manage conflict well”.
Hayati Nupus, Correspondent, Xinhua, Jakarta. Hayati worked in Jogjakarta before moving to Jakarta, and she is interested in climate change, especially the impact of rising sea levels. Active in Indonesia’s Independent Journalism Alliance (AJI), she has advocated for better pay and improved welfare conditions for journalists. Her interests are reading, travelling, writing and research.
2019
Helena Fransisca, Journalist, Kompas Daily. A journalist for 14 years, Helena started out as a sports reporter before specialising in urban issues, especially public transportation. She is keen to learn more about ways to improve the lives of urban dwellers, especially with the right policies and provisions in public transport. During AJF she wants to draw lessons for Jakarta from Singapore’s approach to managing its rail and road public transport systems to serve commuters. Her interests are travelling, walking, eating, reading and listening to music.
Mohammad Jafar Bua, Field Producer and Photojournalist, CNN Indonesia. Jafar has been a journalist for 22 years and lives in Palu, Central Sulawesi, which suffered a devastating earthquake and tsunami in September 2018 which left more than 2,000 people dead. Covering that and other disasters has taught him that at the worst of times, people need uplifting news. He has also covered religious conflict and terrorism. His AJF project is to find out about Singapore’s disaster preparation and management system to learn how these events can be anticipated and prepared for. His interests are mountaineering, cooking and writing.
2018
Indriani is an award-winning Jakarta-based reporter with Antara News Agency, and writes on education and village development. While in Singapore she wants to understand the education system and how Singapore’s 15-year-olds top the international PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings in mathematics, reading and science. Indri enjoys reading.
Muhammad Ikhwan is an editor with CNN Indonesia TV and a part-time lecturer in broadcast journalism at Budi Luhur University. Ikhwan will use his time in Singapore to examine the role journalists play in conflict reporting. He is concerned with the increase in tribal and religious intolerance in Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia and hopes to come up with a set of guidelines for journalists covering conflict. Ikhwan likes reading, football, travelling and writing.
2017
Damar Harsanto is an editor with The Jakarta Post in Jakarta, playing a key role in the paper’s convergence efforts. He is also an enthusiastic digital trainer and mentor for students and others. During the AJF he wants to work on finding ways to link up Indonesia’s large number of community news portals so that they can exchange local news and information.
2016
Abdul Malik. Editor, Economics and Business, Tempo, Jakarta. Malik has worked as a reporter and editor for 13 years. He wants to investigate the impact of a draft Indonesian law and its attempts to claw back Indonesian assets from overseas, including in Singapore. Apart from speaking to finance industry experts and observers, he hopes to interview wealthy Indonesians living in Singapore.
Mona Kriesdinar. Social Media Expert, Tribun Jogja Daily, Jogjakarta. Mona is very much a social media and tech guy, representing a new generation of journalists straddling news platforms comfortably. He wants to examine the latest ways mainstream media are using social media to retain and grow readership.
2015
Eko Maryadi. An experienced freelancer for local and international news organisations, Eko has just completed his two year term as president of AJI, the country’s largest professional organisation. He is also on the executive committee of the International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalist organisation. He wants to study press freedom in ASEAN.
Lina Nursanty. Lina does daily news reporting for Bandung’s largest newspaper and its radio station, Pikiran Rakyat. Previously based in Jakarta covering national politics, she is now back in Bandung where she has been involved in her paper’s digital transition, which is also the topic for her research project.
2014
Anggi Oktarinda. Journalist with Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta, covering the Presidential Palace.
Dewi Yuhana. Editor for business, education and the youth section of Malang Post in Malang, East Java, part of the Jawa Pos group.
2013
Amalia Husnul A’Rofiati. Editor of Tribun Kaltim, Balikpapan. Project: Anti-smoking: Could Balikpapan adopt Singapore way?
Andi Muhyiddin Arifuddin. Executive editor for assignment editor at Berita Satu TV, Jakarta, producing in-depth coverage of textile waste disposal into the Citarum River. Project: Xenophobia: racial or economic jealousy?
2012
Erna Sari Ulina Girsang. Assistant editor, Bisnis Indonesia (Indonesian), Jakarta handling international economy page. Project: Economic competitiveness and the media’s role.
2011
Arabaiyah Satriani. Journalist, formerly with Republika, Jakarta. Completing her Masters at Griffith University, Brisbane, in December. Topic: Islamic banking in Singapore and representation of Islam in Singapore.
Agnes Winarti. Journalist, Jakarta Post, Jakarta. Currently on the sports desk and has also covered national and business issues. Topic: Sports development in Singapore.
2010
Feby Indrani. Journalist with Business Week Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia) in Jakarta. Wants to study Singapore’s creative industries.
2009
Ary Hermawan. Feature writer at Jakarta Post (English). Plans to research terrorism, religious bigotry and the internet.