There's no such thing as a free lunch...Or is there?

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It's official. The next president of Indonesia is former army general Prabowo Subianto. Quite how the next five years will pan out is anyone's guess but hopefully the foreign pundits who always bring up his dodgy human rights record will be proven wrong. Nonetheless, on policy making, Prabowo's popularist move to literally offer the poor 'a free lunch' every day of the week does not augur well for the future. Such a policy - if it ever came to fruition - would cost a phenomenal amount of money and likely lead to huge inefficiencies (food waste) and poor incentives (make people lazy). Another concern is Prabowo's strong nationalist bent. Thus, in the possible event that he finds himself with his back against the proverbial wall in the face of stern economic challenges, there is a big chance that he will simply scapegoat foreigners. But he will have to be careful. Construction of the new capital city, Nusantara, for example, is highly dependent on foreign in
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Will the visit of Placebo in Jakarta create controversy?

Carve your name into my arm. Instead of stressed, I lie here charmed. Cuz there's nothing else to do, Every me and every you…

 It’s not often that a decent band does a gig in Jakarta so I’m well pleased – but also very surprised - to see that the brilliant alternative rock band Placebo are scheduled to give a concert at Istora Senayan on 16 February 2010. I say surprised because Placebo are no strangers to controversy and their visit to Indonesia may raise more than just a few eyebrows. 

Questioning gender norms 
Strange as it may seem, it is actually correct to say – statistically wise at least - that the average person is androgynous (females and males are roughly in a 50 50 mix) but even so, I don’t think too many people would describe Placebo’s lead singer Brian Molko as an average dude.

Brian MolkoBrian Molko questions gender norms 
 
The band’s questioning of gender norms is a theme which runs through many of the bands top songs including one of their most popular songs, the excellent "Nancy Boy". 

Potent sexual imagery 
Placebo like to make use of potent imagery to explore the theme of non-normative sexual identities. Let’s just hope the authorities – particularly the moral ministry of truth and information – don’t get too hot under the collar about this and try to remember some of the things Gus Dur (RIP) said about pluralism and tolerance.

Drugs 
Drugs are, of course, an essential part of rock and roll and, at times in the past, Placebo members have been known to take them like the average person drinks coffee and tea. Hopefully, Placebo will be fully aware that the authorities in this part of the world are a tad less tolerant on such things (just ask Robert Paul McJannett who was caught, not with his pants down, but with drugs in his socks). 

The music 
Placebo are sort of a cross between Nirvana (only more listenable) and the Cure (but without the Gothic wimpiness). There’s also influences from Sonic Youth, the Pixies, and Depeche Mode. 

Essential Listening 
Every me every you 
Nancy Boy 
Special K 
Pure Morning 
Where is my mind? 
English summer rain 
Bigmouth strikes again (superb version of the Smiths’ classic hit)

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