Ever the opportunist, at its national congress on June 16-20 the Islamic based Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) – known for its anti-US stance – announced it was seeking stronger links with the US to counter its exclusive image and broaden its political base.

Kid: The Republic of Clowns League welcomes the world cup!

Man: Don’t forget them (TV reads ‘South Africa 2010’)

For most Indonesians, the allegations of bribery and corruption surrounding South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup are all to familiar.

Tongue reads Aspiration fund

Man: It’s looking more and more crooked yeah...? (Bag reads aspiration fund)

While environmental groups have welcomed a promised moratorium on deforestation as part of a deal with Norway to protect Indonesia’s rain forests, they say the details remain vague and question whether it will have much impact unless it is extended to existing concessions.

1st Man: Tomorrow we commemorate the birth of Pancasila, remember?

2nd Man: When will it be put into practice?...

Despite the recent rift in the pro-government coalition and the continuing outcry over the Lapindo mudflow disaster, regional elections in Sidoarjo, East Java, have seen the Democrat and Golkar parties joining forces to back candidates from Lapindo Brantas Inc, the company widely blamed for the massive social and ecological disaster that has inu

Sri when will you come home. You left without telling me. They say you went to the market to buy prawn paste, but you still haven’t come home... come back now Sri... come back now. (adapted from Sri Ran Away by Sony Josz)

Man: Rattan also needs image building, right?

Rattan producers say that the government needs to promote the rattan industry and lift a ban on the export of unprocessed fiber, which has resulted in a dramatic decline in the numbers of raw rattan producers and threatens a formerly a reliable source of income for many local communities.

Observers say that without the vote pulling appeal if its patron President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono – who is not be eligible to run for the presidency again – the Democrat Party vehicle will find itself in the political doldrums come the 2014 general elections.

1st Man: Now we’re free from terrorism

2nd Man: Free? Are you kidding?

Suits: Political parties, funny companies, tax mafia

Government official: Up for auction, up for auction...

Man: Ooo... So it’s worth as much as that...

Liberation

Man: In just a moment we will witness the comic play Gecko vs the Crocodile Part II... staring: Godzilla the case broker!!

Sign reads: Republic of clowns

High school graduate: I passed honestly...

Man: So later if you become a government official you’ll still be like that right?

Sleeve reads: Vested interests. Cap reads: Public Order Agency.

Man: In this case right, the common people are being played off against each other.

Kid: What says the world?

After the darkness let the light appear... but it’s getting dark again Sister...

Document: Child rape, domestic violence, migrant worker sexual abuse...

Kid: This scandal, that scandal, there’s no end to it... so what’s the broad national development program Sir?

Politician (chair reads “Republic of Clowns”): Build as maaaaany prisons as possible.