iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

🎟️ Free event! Register at newnaratif.com/event/mfn-idn. #MediaFreedomNetwork #Indonesia #RUUTNI #RUUPolri #RUUPers

What is happening to Indonesia’s democracy?

How might these legal reforms affect press freedom and the role of civil society?

Can we fight back to ensure fundamental rights and freedoms in Indonesia?

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

🗓️ Thursday, 15 May 2025 | ⏰ 6:30 – 8:00pm WIB Join us and @AmnestyID to unpack Indonesia’s recent legal reforms, rising authoritarianism, and what they mean for press freedom, protest, and civil liberties.

Indonesia is at a critical juncture. The recent ratification of the revised Indonesian National Armed Forces Law (RUU TNI) has ignited widespread protests across the nation. Critics argue that the law revives the military's "dual function", allowing active soldiers to occupy civilian roles, thereby undermining democratic civilian oversight.

These drafts are perceived as mechanisms to expand police authority and suppress press freedom, particularly targeting investigative journalism.

The public's response has been fervent. Since February 2025, demonstrations have erupted nationwide, with protesters expressing deep concern over the erosion of democratic principles. Journalists have not been spared; reports indicate instances of intimidation and violence against media personnel covering these events.

These legislative changes have prompted critical questions about the future of democratic principles, media freedom, and civil liberties in Indonesia.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

What happens when soldiers, police, and politicians rewrite the law? Whose freedoms are protected—and whose are pushed aside?

Amnesty International Indonesia is a branch of the global human rights movement Amnesty International. Established in 2017, it works to promote and protect human rights in Indonesia through campaigns, advocacy, research, and education.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

How did Singapore’s economic model create Singapore’s current cost of living crisis? PJ Thum explains! Watch Season 2 Episode 4: Singapore’s Cost of Living Crisis on our Discusses channel here:

youtube.com

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

For more Principles of Democracy, visit www.newnaratif.com.

Generally, we accept that governments are responsible for improving public security, protecting vulnerable groups, stopping hate speech, and discouraging the spread of misinformation.

However, a balance between such measures and respecting the right of the people to express their dissent needs to be achieved to ensure a true, functioning democracy.

Explainer #9:
Freedom of Expression

Written by PJ Thum
Collages by Karin Josephine

Read more from our Principles of Democracy explainer series on our website, newnaratif.com

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Read the explainer on the Freedom of Expression, part of our Principles of Democracy explainer series. Written by PJ Thum, with collages by Karin Josephine.

In Southeast Asia, even when governments clamp down on freedom of expression, they are careful to uphold this right.

The principle itself is not contested. Instead of denying the right to freedom of expression, they argue that the measures they take are “necessary exceptions”.

These clampdowns are, of course, largely a feature of authoritarianism, and to no one’s surprise, heavily targeted against genuine criticism of the government.

But we must also acknowledge that, in practice, the limits to freedom of expression are heavily contested, and one of the most difficult to find a balance.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Freedom of expression is a key freedom which enables the pursuit of human rights, while interrogating some common misconceptions, understanding the limits to freedom of expression, and how the medium in which we express ourselves matters.

All persons and groups should have equitable opportunities to express their respective stances, offer opinions, and advocate for change, without undue restriction.

This includes the right to criticise the injustices, illicit activities, and incompetence of the government without fear of reprisal.

Rightfully, the freedom of expression has its consequences, and must be exercised in the context of other principles of democracy to construct and maintain a tolerant and progressive society.

These nuances need to be well-understood, especially as society rapidly evolves, fast-changing technologies emerge, and debates grow more complicated to manage or determine.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

If people cannot speak freely without fear of government oppression, they cannot participate in their country’s governance.

Freedom of expression is one of the most important principles in upholding a proper democracy.

But how do we ensure that this freedom is rightfully respected by all parties within society?

A government cannot be representative if people cannot or do not speak up, organise, or act freely, as their voices would not be heard.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Ever wondered how Singapore’s economic model keeps raising GDP while also making the cost of living worse for Singaporeans? New Naratif and the NeoKeleLims explain. Watch here:

youtube.com

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

P.S. The Show with PJ Thum Season 1 and new episodes from Season 2 are now available on the New Naratif Discusses YouTube channel.

youtube.com

The Show with PJ Thum

Share your videos with friends, family and the world

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Four bowls stand before Lisa the Clairvoyant Malayan Sun Dog. But only one will become Singapore's Next Top Government. In 2020, Lisa successfully predicted the result of the Singapore General Elections. Who will she predict to win in 2025? Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbDm4mdZtYA

110

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

New Naratif, in collaboration with @bebeseaorg, presents “Struggle, Resistance, Solidarity: A Gaza-Filipino Cookbook” by Geela Garcia, with the full version published by Everything’s Fine Philippines. Read here: newnaratif.com/struggle-resilience-… #NNxBEBESEA

New Naratif and BEBESEA present…

Struggle, Resilience, Solidarity: A Gaza-Filipino Cookbook

Produced by Geela Garcia
Featuring recipes by Josephine Abuhannieh

Read the story on newnaratif.com and get a copy of the zine via Everything’s Fine Philippines

001

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

...The challenge is to document it honestly and to find humanity in those nuances and pauses.” Meet Geela Garcia, a photographer, journalist, and lens-based artist that highlights social relations between people and production, especially on issues of food sovereignty.

How was the fellowship process? Has it shaped your storytelling?

As a freelancer, the fellowship process was helpful in having someone share ideas with who can see things from my perspective, yet also offer spaces for areas I haven't seen. The workshop that we had on using our emotions as guides in storytelling is also something I'll remember and bring to my next projects.

What are some nuances of statelessness and migration that you would like to highlight more in your piece?

Escaping their situation in Gaza doesn't exactly mean it was the end of their challenge – their everyday life in PH is also a day-to-day fight for survival.

There were a lot of times I felt frustrated working on this project due to several shoot cancellations, but this is the reality of doing a story on refugees, of people who just lost their homes, of people dealing with massive changes.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

“Storytelling is already challenging as it is, but it becomes more challenging when you realize that stories continue as you document and write them Our stories are not just to be photographed or to be read; these are lives we are living with consequently, [...] ...

Meet Geela Garcia, author of “Struggle, Resilience, Solidarity: A Gaza-Filipino Cookbook”

Geela is a freelance photographer, journalist, and lens-based artist.

What is the story behind your piece, and what compelled you to tell that story?

Through this work, we hope to share very human stories of home, displacement, and migration, while also discussing how starvation is being used as a weapon of war in Palestine.

To prepare food is to care, nourish a person, and sustain relationships. It is a way to help us understand complex questions about the world through the lens of food production, ingredients, and the people behind what we eat.

110

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Through trials and tribulations, Singapore’s greatest love story perseveres. ❤️ The Show with PJ Thum is back for another season – just in time to warm up for Singapore’s upcoming General Elections.

110

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Surprise! A new episode of The Show with PJ Thum is out now! 😉 Watch Season 2 Episode 3: The Goh Keng Swee Dilemma on our Discusses channel here:

youtube.com

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Browse this year’s selection of stories from New Naratif and BEBESEA on our website. Read this piece here: here: newnaratif.com/struggle-resilience-… #NNxBEBESEA

This is a story of solidarity, forged through the breaking of bread between two nations collectively striving for liberation.

Filipinos recognise their struggle in Palestine’s liberation, as the U.S.-backed Israel intertwines with their own fight for sovereignty against U.S. imperialism.

Through this shared struggle, a collective resistance is formed.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

New Naratif, in collaboration with BEBESEA, presents “Struggle, Resilience, Solidarity: A Gaza-Filipino Cookbook”, a zine by Geela Garcia. Read the story on New Naratif’s website, with the full version published by Everything’s Fine Philippines.

Environmental destruction and starvation have become tools of genocide.

Lying in the heart of the Fertile Crescent, Palestinian land has been subjected to ecological genocide throughout Israeli’s occupation; predating the First Nakba of 1948.

This perpetuates the constant restrictions on the entry of food, water, fuel, and medicine.

While civilisations were born through land, water and crops, compassion is the key to its survival.

In the Philippines, Palestinian refugees have turned to cooking as their means of survival, with Filipinos coming to their aid.

110

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Through a collection of recipes by Josephine Abuhannieh, a Palestinian refugee family tells their story of survival in the Philippines and how they have maintained a connection to their homeland through food.

Struggle, Resilience, Solidarity: A Gaza-Filipino Cookbook

Concept and Photographs by Geela Garcia
Recipes by Josephine Abuhannieh

New Naratif x BEBESEA

To rest under the shade of an olive tree and to share the warmth of a meal should be a right, not a privilege.

Yet under Israeli occupation, Palestinians are denied the right to rest, gather, and even eat.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

You can also get a special advance order price of S$30 for the book, inclusive of a launch event ticket from now until 25 April 2025! Learn more and pre-order now at pagesetters.sg/product/citizensagenda.

PJ Thum
He is a historian at the University of Kyoto and founder of New Naratif, a movement to democratise democracy in Southeast Asia.

Ku Swee Yong
He is a property market analyst and a licensed real estate broker with International Property Advisor Pte Ltd.

Get a special advance order price of S$30 for the book, inclusive of a launch event ticket from now until 25 April 2025!

Visit pagesetters.sg/product/citizensagenda or scan the QR code below to enjoy this special promo!

[QR code]

Alternatively, you can also get launch event-only tickets via bit.ly/VoOSt.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Happening on 25 April 2025 (Fri), 7pm - 10pm SGT, at the Redrum, @TheProjectorSG at Golden Mile Tower, we are formally inviting you to participate in conversations with experts and advocates on key issues before the General Election. Register now via bit.ly/VoOSt.

Programme

Panel 1: Cost of Living
Understanding the implications of the rising cost of living
with Suraendher Kumarr, Yeoh Lam Keong

Panel 2: Housing
A conversation on the housing crisis in the country
with PJ Thum, Ku Swee Yong

Panel 3: Healthcare
Open discussions on well-being and the healthcare system
with Suraendher Kumarr, Yeoh Lam Keong, PJ Thum, Ku Swee Yong

Suraendher Kumarr
He is a community worker at workers' rights group, Workers Make Possible (WMP). A subject expert on hot button election issues such as the rising cost of living, he contributed in drafting the People's Manifesto, which consolidates demands for policy changes from the ground.

Yeoh Lam Keong
He is the ex-chief economist for GIC, ex-adjunct professor for the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and an economic and financial consultant.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Step right up, fellow Singaporeans! Join us for Voices of Ordinary Singaporeans, the launch event of New Naratif’s upcoming book, “We Singaporeans are very Concerned: The Citizens’ Agenda 2025” with @pjthum and Friends!

Voices of Ordinary Singaporeans

We Singaporeans are very Concerned: The Citizens’ Agenda 2025 Book Launch
with PJ Thum and Friends

Friday, 25 April, 7:00pm - 10:00pm SGT
Redrum, The Projector at Golden Mile Tower

Get event tickets here: bit.ly/VoOSt

Join PJ Thum alongside our panel of advocates and experts as we unpack some of Singapore’s most pressing issues, during the launch of the much-awaited We Singaporeans are very Concerned: The Citizens’ Agenda 2025 Book!

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Note: in view of recent developments, we aim to have this book mailed to your letterbox by 30 April, in time for you to read before you head to the General Election!

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

When you pre-order, you can also book your seat for the launch programme on Friday, 25 April and collect your book there. Join us at Redrum, The Projector at Golden Mile Tower.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

From 7pm-10pm, the Redrum will become a stage for ordinary people, experts and advocates to share experiences and views relating to the 3 most pressing issues on Singaporeans’ minds: Cost of Living, Housing and Healthcare.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Visit pagesetters.sg/product/citizensagenda or the link in our bio to secure your copy of ‘We Singaporeans are very Concerned: The Citizens’ Agenda 2025’, and get a special advance order price of S$30 from now until 25 April, 2025!

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

We asked, you answered… And we compiled them into a book! This book is the culmination of all of The Singapore Citizens’ Agenda explainers. You will find analyses of the data gathered, as well as the articles that we produced to explain and analyse the top issues.

Visit https://pagesetters.sg/product/citizensagenda or scan the QR code to get a special advance order price of S$30 from now until 25 April, 2025!

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

In 2024, we ran The Citizens’ Agenda survey in Singapore based on this question: "In your opinion, what issues do you consider important to Singapore and think that the candidates in the upcoming General Election should talk about as they compete for your vote?"

We Singaporeans are very Concerned: The Citizens’ Agenda 2025

Singaporeans have spoken. Now is the time to listen to one another.

The collective concerns of Singaporeans matter – and we have compiled them into one book. Introducing:

WE SINGAPOREANS ARE VERY CONCERNED
THE CITIZENS’ AGENDA 2025

Based on the explainer series and award-winning program by New Naratif.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

New Naratif, in collaboration with BEBESEA presents “Rumah Ketigaku (My Third Home)”, a film by Francis Catedral. Watch here: newnaratif.com/my-third-home-a-shor… #NNxBEBESEA

New Naratif and BEBESEA presents…

“Rumah Ketigaku (My Third Home)”

Produced by Francis Catedral

Live now on New Naratif’s website.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Meet Francis Catedral, a documentary filmmaker with works committed to understanding and challenging the injustices associated with migration. In this Q&A, Francis tells the story behind his short film and his vision for a better Southeast Asia.

Why are issues of migration and statelessness important to you?

Growing up a Filipino immigrant in the US, my family left the Philippines out of economic necessity and my mom could have easily been a domestic worker in Hong Kong. In fact, her cousins are domestic workers in HK.

Working together with migrant organisations has allowed me to reconnect with my heritage in a way that also connects me more deeply with the political work of combating injustices associated with migration.

If you could change one thing about Southeast Asia, what would it be?

We need to see the end of export labor policies that lead to forced migration. The fact that many of the migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong are separated from their kids when they don’t want to be.

It’s not forced because of war or religious persecution, but because of economic situations in the Philippines and Indonesia. This means they come to HK because there are not enough opportunities for a better life back home.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

“As an immigrant kid of parents who left their homeland to give me a better life, I find myself interconnected with the struggles of distressed migrants who also fight for themselves and their families to have a better life."

Meet Francis Catedral, producer of “Rumah Ketigaku (My Third Home)”

Francis is a documentary filmmaker with works around migrant domestic worker-led organizations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

What is the story behind your piece and what compelled you to tell that story?

What drew me to documenting Bethune House, a migrants' shelter in Hong Kong, is the sense of purpose and courageousness I saw in the migrants despite the overwhelming odds they faced. As they relate to one another and others who have been through similar struggles, they begin to see that they are not alone. People are transformed when they experience care and empowerment.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Stay tuned for more Principles of Democracy explainers! Sign up for our Weekly Naratif newsletter to be updated: bit.ly/NNweekly

Authoritarian governments tend to dismiss checks and balances in the name of efficiency.

But as Southeast Asian history tends to show us, governments without effective checks and balances are not just less efficient, but are also usually disastrous.

Explainer #5:
Checks and Balances

Written by PJ Thum
Collages by Karin Josephine

Read more from our Principles of Democracy explainer series on our website, newnaratif.com

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Read the explainer on Checks and Balances, part of our Principles of Democracy explainer series. Written by PJ Thum, with collages by Karin Josephine.

Indonesia

Before: In his presidential campaign, Joko Widodo positioned himself as a pro-reform and anti-corruption candidate. He promised to continue fighting corruption once elected.

After: As president, Joko Widodo directly intervened in anti-corruption work, weakened the independence of the judiciary, cracked down on civil society, and undermined regional autonomy.

Regardless of their governments’ eventual actions, the fact that these leaders articulated the need for checks and balances suggests the importance of this principle to the voting public.

In fact, citizens are not powerless in this matter — they have won major concessions in providing checks on their governments, even if they started from within an authoritarian context.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

In this explainer, we describe what these are, how they are created and fought for, as well as what happens when they are absent.

In Southeast Asia, politicians argue for checks and balances when campaigning for power.

But once in government, they often succumb to the temptation of unchallenged power.

Myanmar

Before: Daw Suu emphasised the importance of curbing executive power through constitutional reforms that would empower the judiciary and legislature in her campaign speeches.

After: Daw Suu’s government cracked down on independent media, defended the military’s atrocities rather than investigating them, and curbed civil liberties.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Checks and balances prevent the concentration of power in any one person or group, and protect citizens from being abused, oppressed, or otherwise taken advantage of.

Power can be dangerous if it’s concentrated, with no other forces to balance it out.

How do we ensure the power that our governments hold does not go unchecked?

Checks and balances are an arrangement in a democratic system where power is distributed among separate and distinct responsibilities.

Such mechanisms can include:
- Different branches of government
- Independent state institutions (anti-corruption watchdogs, minority rights councils, elections commissions)
- Non-state actors (the media, non-governmental organisations [NGOs], and other civil society actors)

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Stay tuned for more from this year’s selection of stories from New Naratif and BEBESEA. #NNxBEBESEA

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Facing the heartbreak of separation from her family and the challenges of a labor dispute, an Indonesian domestic worker finds solace and solidarity in a migrant shelter. A house is not a home by design, yet Bethune House ultimately became her third home.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

New Naratif, in collaboration with BEBESEA, presents “Drawings of Struggle and Hope”, a visual essay by Alim Mursid, with photographs from his personal archive and Koalisi Buruh Migran Berdaulat. Read here: newnaratif.com/drawings-of-struggle… #NNxBEBESEA

New Naratif and BEBESEA presents…

“Drawings of Struggle and Hope”

Produced by Alim Mursid

Live now on New Naratif’s website.

000

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

...The facts of these stories are still unfolding today." Meet Alim Mursid, a Nunukan native and advocate for stateless migrants between Indonesia and Malaysia’s border. Alim retells his fellowship experience and how we should keep striving for undocumented people's rights.

Migration from ID to Sabah has been going on for a long time, and mostly through ‘irregular migration’. Many settle and start families there, but with increasingly strict and complex immigration policies, millions of children experience separation from their families and neighborhoods.

Seeing this reality, I feel compelled to take responsibility, show concern, and take an active role in the issue of migration and the rights of undocumented people.

How was the fellowship process? Has it shaped your storytelling?

I was able to deepen my perspectives on migration in SE Asia, especially on children in Sabah.

This Fellowship process also became a means of reflection for me while writing the stories of those who are marginalized and have no space to be heard. I got experience from the team at BEBESEA on how to shape my project, as well as when I went back to the field to meet with children, capturing newer stories from their experience.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

“These are the stories of the victims of mass deportations that continue to this day, especially capturing the conditions of children. [They] recount several interrelated episodes surrounding the arrest of children and their parents as undocumented migrant workers in Sabah..."

Meet Alim Mursid, author of “Drawings of Struggle and Hope”

Born and raised on the island of Nunukan, North Kalimantan, Indonesia, Alim has always been aware of Nunukan's role as a transit point for migrant workers and deported children from various parts of Indonesia to Sabah.

What is the story behind your piece and what compelled you to tell that story?

Since 2021, we have been accompanying the deportation and repatriation of migrant workers and their families from Sabah to Nunukan.

After seeing their first-hand conditions after deportation, we began to write several reports about the situations inside the immigration detention depots, including the inhumane treatment they experienced during their detention.

100

New Naratif @newnaratif.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Read the explainer on Transparency and Accountability, part of our Principles of Democracy explainer series. Written by PJ Thum, with collages by Karin Josephine. Read here: newnaratif.com/principles-of-democr…