Drunken Republic Cartoons

April 2009

Indonesia
Kompas – April 1, 2009

1st man: From here we can learn about other dams...

2nd man: Aren’t you going wait till it bursts first?

March 2009

Indonesia
Kompas – March 28, 2009

Kid: It’s not that he’s suffering from withdrawal symptoms cos of being ensnared in a narcotics network... but more because...

Indonesia
Kompas – March 25, 2009

1st man: Let’s hope there isn’t any more “ghost voters”!

2nd man: For the sake of democracy!

In the lead up to the April 9 legislative elections, the electoral commission conceded that there were an estimated 5 million or more “ghost” voters still on the electoral role.

Indonesia
Kompas – March 18, 2009

1st man: Lots of jobs, cheap commodities, cheap schooling, cheap hospital treatment...

2nd man: Yes!

1st man: But it’s only a promise...

Indonesia
Kompas – March 14, 2009

Man: Why don’t you make a meal out of him?

Sign on truck reads Illegal logging

Deforestation as a result of rampant illegal logging and conversion of rain forests for palm oil plantations is resulting in an increased frequency of human-animal conflicts – often fatal for both species.

Indonesia
Kompas – March 11, 2009

1st Man (holding letter of dismissal): How come making ends meet is getting harder and harder?

2nd Man: That’s the difference between the people and the people’s representatives

Indonesia
Kompas – March 7, 2009

Before...

Legislative candidate (Caleg): For the sake of the people!

Kid: The cost of political campaigns is getting even bigger...

After...

Caleg: For the sake of capital!

Kid: For the sake of... all the more money...

Indonesia
Kompas – March 4, 2009

Figure in handcuffs: House of Representatives member

Armband on second figure reads Corruption Eradication Commission

1st Man (with patch reading Crisis): How come he isn’t scared?

2nd Man: He’s invulnerable already!

February 2009

Indonesia
Kompas – February 28, 2009

Kid: After we vote in the mud we won’t have to live in it anymore right Dad?

Sign sinking in mud: Lapindo

Placard: Basic Commodities Party

Sign on right: Presidential election

Indonesia
Kompas – February 25, 2009

First Man: It’s the rainy season, so how come it’s so hot?

Second Man: Local warming...

Writing on umbrella: Crisis

Clockwise from top: Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Prabowo Subianto, Wiranto, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Jusuf Kalla, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Indonesia
Kompas – February 21, 2009
pemilih (voter): root word: pilih (choose); prefix: pe meaning: yang memilih (those who choose/vote)
Indonesia
Kompas – February 14, 2009

Kid: Fuel prices have gone down, so how come prices keep going up, Sir...

Legislative Candidate (Caleg): Because fuel is scarce!

Kid: But Sir! Why’s it scarce?

Caleg: Because prices keep going up!!

Placard: Basic Commodities Party

Indonesia
Kompas – February 2, 2009

1st Man: Wow. The House of Representatives... sophisticated, impressive, luxurious, inspiring...

2nd Man: What? Their performance? Their closeness to the people?

1st Man: Their plans for a new building...

January 2009

Indonesia
Kompas – January 28, 2009

1st Man: A [winning] candidate is based upon a majority vote.

2nd Man: Ah yes, but votes can be bought.

1st Man: Then why do people prefer for women candidates. 

1st Man: There hasn’t been any corrupt women legislators yet, clean...

Indonesia
Kompas – January 24, 2009

Happy Chinese New Year

Sign: Visit Jakarta the Water Front City

For many communities in North Jakarta this year, Chinese New Year celebrations were marred by widespread flooding.

Indonesia
Kompas – January 21, 2009

Writing above House of Representatives: Absent! They’ve got permission... Also absent... They’ve got permission too... Also got permission. Unclear!

Man: Wander when they’ll be promoted to the next grade?

Indonesia
Kompas – January 17, 2009

Man: ...I’m not worried about disasters or if the price of kerosene will going down, Madame... But what about my fortunes, in the elections?

Indonesia
Kompas – January 14, 2009

Man: It sank over there, why are you looking here?

Man with torch: Divine wisdom...

Indonesia
Kompas – January 3, 2009

Kid: Hey Dad, is the problem with the fuel or the car’s performance?

December 2008

Indonesia
Kompas – December 31, 2008

Man: Better if we look at it as being half-full...

Woman: ...In anticipation of [using] fire wood

Widespread shortages of bottled LPG and kerosene – which is used by the poor as cooking fuel – is forcing many households to go back to cooking with firewood.