Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Rough sailing
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 29/06/2020
» Life aboard a Chinese fishing vessel was a nightmare of abuse for Mashuri, who says he's never going to sea again. The 22-year old Indonesian is now safely back on dry land, working as a technician at a motorcycle garage in Lumajang, East Java.
Influencer fever
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 02/03/2020
» The Indonesian government is spending US$5.2 million on trips for foreign social media influencers to create online buzz about the country's tourist destinations. But the buzz at home has been negative, with critics saying the plan will do little to help a tourism industry threatened by the coronavirus outbreak.
Taiwanese health held hostage
Asia focus, Yu-hsiang Wang, Published on 24/02/2020
» On the second day of my internship in Thailand, I attended a panel discussion on how the Thai government and its regional peers are dealing with the coronavirus. As one of the panelists -- the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Thailand -- reiterated the UN agency's suggestions about helping people avoid infection and reassured the audience that the world has been collaborating closely on effective treatments, I felt a disturbing mixture of emotions.
Trade Transparency
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 16/09/2019
» Another day, another technology to consider. In recent years, the buzz has been all about blockchain, which was created initially to support bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that operate independently from central banks.
Shifting the centre
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 02/09/2019
» After months of hype about a proposal to move Indonesia's capital, President Joko Widodo has confirmed the choice of a site in East Kalimantan, 1,900 kilometres northeast of overcrowded and rapidly sinking Jakarta.
Place a bet on gambling reform
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 26/08/2019
» Last week we saw some interesting developments in the gambling industries of two Southeast Asian nations that have become increasingly allied with China. While I am personally opposed to gambling and casinos, I respect the right of a country to allow them if it feels they will help the economy. But it's an industry that must be managed well in order to avoid negative effects.
Indonesian brides lured into unhappy wedlock with Chinese men
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 22/07/2019
» Chinese men who are looking abroad for wives are turning increasingly to poor regions of Indonesia, where young women have become prey for scheming matchmakers promising a good life abroad. But the reality is often very different.
Denial spells irrelevance for Asean
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 24/06/2019
» One big reason why members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) get along so splendidly is that they avoid talking about uncomfortable subjects, such as stunted democratic development or human rights abuses.
Capital ideas
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 27/05/2019
» President Joko Widodo has revived the on-again, off-again idea to move the Indonesian capital from Jakarta, although this time he appears to mean what he said.
All aboard
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 18/02/2019
» Unlike other major capitals, Jakarta doesn't have the kind of appeal that makes it the go-to destination for foreign visitors who come to Indonesia. Unless they have business to do in the city, many don't get much farther than the international airport before they continue on to somewhere else in the country.