A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Etymologically, “Java” is derived from Sanskrit “Javadvipa”, the land of seeds. It is either barley or rice; were commonly found in the island since the ancient kingdoms. In the era of ancient monarchy; Tarumanegara, Mataram and Majapahit, the reign was founded on farming, the majority of people livelihood is farmer. The emerge of a kingdom started by farmers gathered and organised and administered their activity including the distribution of harvest. Java island is blessed with fertility because it is located on the active ring of fire. At least there are 44 volcanoes which 16 of them are still active until today. Most of the slopes on the volcanoes are occupied for farmland. Farmers in this area have a better life than farmers on the lowland because of the range of plantable plants is wider and have better commodity price. This is also supported by better agricultural techniques. Java is important island in Indonesia, it dominances in political, economical and cultural sectors. It is populated by 60% of Indonesia population or more than 140 millions people and made it the world's most populous island even though the island's size is similar as England. Surprisingly, it produces the 50% or more of national agricultural products such as rice, soy bean, corn, chilli, onions etc., the island feeds the country. Every year, at least 100.000 hectare farmland converted to residences or industrial area. Beside the farmland shrinkage, the rapid losing number of farmers also threatening the Indonesia food security and sovereignty. More than 60% of farmers in Indonesia aged 45 years old or older and only 11.5% aged under 35 years old as surveyed by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistic. The statistic number shows the vulnerability of agricultural sustainability in 20-30 years ahead. Young generation prefer working in an office such as in banking, industry and hospitality. Quoted from World Economic Forum, in Indonesia agriculture contribute 45% of jobs availability. In fact, the agriculture needs more improvement and innovation in which is expected come from young generation. With all those opportunities, Indonesia has to working on farmer regeneration. An hour from the ancient city of Yogyakarta, located on the Menoreh hill, a primary school revolutionized its education system. They teach the students organic farming and grow vegetables and bring it on the table for lunch time. Back in 1998, the school was almost closed down due to lack of students. The parents and some locals wanted to keep the school operating so they decided to finance it collectively. Knowing that it would not last long, an idea came up to cultivating the soil behind the school and then sold the products to local market and used the money for the school operational. Later, some donors interested in the program and gave financial support to expand the school program. It is one success story in which agriculture, regardless the scale, can be relied on for living. -edited-

Bali is well known for its beaches and culture. In Bali beaches, various activity collide. For tourists, it's a place for picnic and let the skin burn by sun kissed. Or having dinner at restaurants on seaside along the beach. For surfers, Bali is well known for its wave. Many surfers stay in Bali for months to enjoy riding the waves. For local people, it's a free place for sport, like football, volleyball, beach tennis, running, Yoga, etc. For couple in love, Bali beaches become a favorite place for pre wedding photo shoot even tying the knot. And for majority Balinese Hindu, beach is a place for prayer; a place for cleansing and purification ritual, a place where gods and goddesses reside. Various aspect of traditional and contemporary life can be found in Bali beaches.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In Indonesia, most populous muslim country, transvestites get discriminated in many levels. Transvestites can not find jobs and their existence in the society regarded as outsiders. Only few can survive with entrepreneurship, else ended up into prostitution. The laws in Indonesia does not protect the transvestites people but it does not criminalised them too. Indonesia is predominately Muslim and Christian country, which are mostly conservative, influence the national laws making. The Laws only accommodate male and female genders. In case of sexual orientation and gender identity, most discrimination is aimed at transgender women. As reported by UNDP in collaboration with US-AID in 2014, no laws in Indonesia mentioning transvestite since they are recognised as male. In a small town, one hour ride from Surabaya second largest city in Indonesia, transvestites find their home, a place to express their feeling and get income at the same time. That place is Ludruk Karya Budaya, a traditional art form of folklore theatre community which telling javanese daily life stories with love and friendship theme. The art form emerged from working class and for working class. Uniquely, this group members are males and transvestites; no woman. In total fifteen transvestites join this folklore group. They all come from the neighbouring cities. At the early birth of this group in 1969, all the members are male. In a folklore drama that required woman characters, are played by male in woman appearance. Goes along with time, this role is played by transgender who emerged along with the pop culture in early 1980’s. Many of the transvestites play folklore theatre since they were still in junior high school. Yanti, who also run beauty salon business said that she played ludruk in junior high school and dressed as a girl after school. Even during school, she wore lipstick and grew hair. Ririn Agustine, one of the transvestite who joined the group in 2005 said that she will play in ludruk until the last breath. From the earning she got from ludruk, Ririn could bought paddy field, a house and jewellery from her job in traditional folklore theatre. She also sent her two sisters to school until they got married. The future seems promising for them. But this group is struggling so hard. TV invasion and online streaming has decreased the interest of the people for watching the folklore. Year by year the number of the hire declines. Ludruk Karya Budaya has to improvise to survive for the sake of many things.

In Indonesia, most populous muslim country, transgenders get discriminated in many levels. Transgenders can not find jobs and their existence in the society regarded as outsiders. Only few can survive with entrepreneurship, else ended up into prostitution. The laws in Indonesia does not protect the transgender people but it does not criminalised them too. Indonesia is predominately Moslem and Christian country, which are mostly conservative, influence the national laws making. The Laws only accommodate male and female genders. In case of sexual orientation and gender identity, most discrimination is aimed at transgender women. As reported by UNDP in collaboration with US-AID in 2014, no laws in Indonesia mentioning transgender since they are recognised as male. In recent months, the LGBT community faces a backlash against them. It is unclear why the issue risen up to the surface. Responses by the government officials and religion leaders firing up the tinder. A Quran School in the ancient city Yogyakarta has been closed down after received a threat from a radicals Islamic group Islam Jihad Front. In the following days, a rally by LGBT supporters was blockaded by Police. At the same day, the opposite group held a rally and propose a punishment for LGBT people by burning, stoned to death or thrown from height, just like what ISIS did. In the islands of spirit Bali, Fiona, a transexual, converted into Islam as she felt comfortable, safe and calm since wearing hijab. The local moslem community witnessed her convert and accept her but with a condition the cleric recognised her as a man. Indonesia’s technology, research and higher education minister Muhammad Nasir said that LGBT groups are not allowed to have activity in universities, responding to a group in Universitas Indonesia for providing counselling for LGBT people. Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu labelled the LGBT propaganda more dangerous than nuclear bomb. He accused the issue was brought up as a brainwash and the enemy of the state remain obscure. Even a mayor in Indonesia said that instant noodles and formula milk caused babies born gay. The anti-LGBT also reacted to messenger apps because the homosexuality emoticon. The anti-LGBt group accused the messenger apps are promoting homosexuality. Indonesia’s VP Jusuf Kalla urged UNDP not to continuing its campaign relating to LGBT issue after a report mentioned UNDP allocated US$8 million for LGBT campaign in some South East Asia countries including Indonesia. The campaign is aimed to advocate the right of the marginalised people and their right should be protected. Transgender in Indonesia has its traditional cultural root. In East Java, transgenders have a role in traditional folklore theatre. Since 1960s, the folklore group used actors to play role as women since women are forbidden to perform against men who was not her partner. By the infiltration of pop culture in 1980s, the role of women was played by transgenders until today.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In Central Java, people are mining crude oil in a traditional way. A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A documentary filmmaker and photographer based in Jakarta, Indonesia.