In some ways, 2015 was a pretty grim year for Jakarta and Indonesia as a whole. We had the worst haze crisis on record, public confidence in the government seems to be lower than ever, and petty crime is being reported on more and more in the capital.
Perhaps that is why our most popular stories of 2015 were mostly of the wacky and uplifting variety.
Funny and fascinating viral stories have become more popular as people yearn to escape life’s more depressing aspects. This is clearly reflected in the reading choices of Coconuts Jakarta’s audience, as our top stories include Indonesia’s answer to twerking, a real estate ad in which the seller also offered herself up for marriage, and of course, fluffy vampire squirrels.
So without further ado, here are the top 10 most-read stories
10. Viral: Stunning, heartbreaking photo of man going fishing in toxic yellow 2,900 PSI haze in Central Kalimantan
The severity of the 2015 Indonesian haze crisis is best represented by this one photo of a man forced to make a living despite the clearly hazardous air quality.
You’d be surprised at how much you can eat for so cheap!
8. Indonesia is about to start producing a male birth control pill that will change the world
We’re still awaiting its production, but this pill can definitely be a game changer.
7. Video: Abused baby orangutan Budi now on the road to recovery and making new friends
Budi was kept in a tiny chicken cage and fed nothing but condensed milk for nearly a year. The story of how this little orangutan got his life back is truly heartening.
6. Man kills his wife’s rapist, cuts off his penis, fries and then eats it
Evidently, some people will do anything in the name of love.
When unimaginable tragedy struck his life over 10 years ago, there’s no way Martunis could have known that his unflagging faith in football would not only save his life but also lead him to playing for the club of his childhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo.
4. At least 116 feared dead in Indonesia military plane crash
The death toll eventually rose to 142. The military were criticized for carrying civilians on an Air Force plane.
If only pandas would have sex in real life…
2. Serious real estate ad in Indonesia: “Buy this house, marry the owner”
After a couple of close calls in which she almost married douchebags, the owner eventually found her handsome prince / homebuyer.
1. Scientists prove vampire squirrels of Borneo have the fluffiest tails in the world
Vampire squirrels are a thing. You can find them in Borneo. And they sound absolutely terrifying.
