Michael Bachelard

Michael Bachelard is Fairfax Media's Indonesia correspondent. A former political reporter and workplace relations writer, he was awarded a Jefferson Fellowship in journalism in 2005. He is the author of Behind The Exclusive Brethren.

Indonesia steps up killing of death row prisoners

Michael Bachelard For almost five years Indonesia did not execute a prisoner on death row. But since a Malawian drug smuggler broke that drought on March 15, the floodgates have opened.

Two more asylum seekers die trying to reach Australia

Michael Bachelard Two more would-be asylum seekers have died on the ocean trying to get to Australia while their 46 shipmates survived a boat journey that contained equal parts tragedy and luck.

New hope for Schapelle Corby

Michael Bachelard, Indonesia Correspondent, and Amilia Rosa Indonesia’s president has significantly boosted Schapelle Corby’s chance of parole by apparently clearing away the biggest remaining hurdle — her immigration status.

Bali police arrest suspect over Australian's rape

Michael Bachelard Bali police have arrested a man they believe was responsible for raping a young Australian woman at knife-point during a robbery at her rented Kerobokan villa in late April.

West Papuan leader held by police

Michael Bachelard West Papuan independence movement leader Victor Yeimo was detained and allegedly beaten by police on Monday as another prominent Indonesian national politician warned Western countries against...

Bali asylum-seekers' stand-off ends

Michael Bachelard Police removed the remainder of the asylum seekers waiting on a boat at Benoa port in Bali to sail for Australia, but the mystery of why they were there in the first place remains.

Thousands of babies sold on Indonesian black market

Michael Bachelard Newborn babies are being traded on a lucrative black market in Indonesia that could involve hundreds of children a year, some going illegally to parents offshore.

Seven dead in Indonesian terror raids

Michael Bachelard The death toll from the latest anti-terror raids in Indonesia has risen to seven after specialist police unit Densus 88 raided four locations on Wednesday.

Indonesia terror squad shoots dead four suspects

Michael Bachelard Indonesia’s aggressive anti-terror police unit, Densus 88, shot dead four suspected terrorists on Wednesday in two separate incidents.

Indonesian anti-terror police shoot four suspects dead

Michael Bachelard Indonesia's aggressive anti-terror police unit, Densus 88, shot dead four suspected terrorists on Wednesday in two separate incidents.

Accused denies knowledge of people smuggler charges against him

Michael Bachelard Sayed Abbas says that if he was rich he'd have been able to buy his way to freedom.

Australian guilty of people smuggling

Michael Bachelard Sydney house painter found guilty in Indonesian court of people smuggling and sentenced to six years in jail.

Paradise on the brink of catastrophe

Michael Bachelard Burgeoning tourism is testing a fragile environment.

Relentless tourism spawns trouble in paradise

Michael Bachelard As long as water flows into his rice fields, Nengah Daryana will keep farming his family's land.

Bashir threatens jihad on Myanmar Buddhists

Michael Bachelard Jakarta: Islamic terrorists in Indonesia have a new target after militant godfather Abu Bakar Bashir threatened holy war against Myanmar's Buddhists.

Bali terror leader calls for jihad against Myanmar

Michael Bachelard Islamic terrorists in Indonesia have a new target after militant godfather Abu Bakar Bashir threatened holy war against the Buddhists of Myanmar.

Aussie raped at knifepoint in Bali

Michael Bachelard A thief in Bali has allegedly raped a young Australian woman at knifepoint in the bedroom of a villa she was renting with her family.

Indonesian police probe Australian woman's death

Michael Bachelard A Victorian woman who died in Bali two weeks ago was the apparent victim of a hit-and-run accident on the island's chaotic roads, prompting a belated police investigation into her death.

Mystery over Australian woman's death in Bali

Michael Bachelard A middle-aged Victorian woman died earlier this month in mysterious circumstances in Bali but it was two weeks before her body could be identified.