Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Keeping politics in the family
News, Karishma Vaswani, Published on 28/08/2024
» Politics is increasingly returning to being a family business in Southeast Asia, despite its large and vibrant democracies. It's a worrying trend. Power is at risk of being concentrated in the hands of an exclusive club of entrenched clans. That will disproportionately disadvantage the region's dynamic youth who are getting more frustrated with nepotism.
Cue another erratic new leader
News, Karishma Vaswani, Published on 16/02/2024
» In a closely watched contest, the unofficial quick count results are now out and strongly suggest a landslide victory for the man who is poised to be Indonesia's next president: former fiery special forces commander Prabowo Subianto, who was also, for a time, the son-in-law of the archipelago's ex-dictator Suharto.
Competitiveness affects Indonesia ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/06/2023
» Just two years ago, Thailand and Indonesia commemorated the 70th anniversary of relations, with both sides holding events to celebrate. Over the year, they mapped out various plans that would boost bilateral ties with the aim of establishing and hastening a "strategic partnership". These included strengthening political and economic relations, investment, as well as people-to-people exchanges. In particular, both countries would establish "High-Level Committees" in their law enforcement agencies, including the police and military, to counter common challenges such as narcotics, human trafficking and call centre scams. Then a month later came the Myanmar quagmire.
Asean must reengage with Myanmar
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/05/2023
» Indonesian President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, was frank in saying that no progress had been made over the Myanmar crisis at the latest Asean summit in Labuan Bajo during a press conference after the event. Apparently, he was disappointed that the chair's efforts did not make the desirable outcome under his watch.
Indonesia's Asean chair faces challenges
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/01/2023
» Over the course of 25 years of democratic transformation that followed the Suharto era, whenever Indonesia served as the Asean chair, new ideas and plans seemed to mushroom.
Elections and old ties grip SE Asia
News, Editorial, Published on 23/10/2022
» The Southeast Asian region is entering election mode -- starting with the upcoming snap election in Malaysia next month, followed by the national election next year in Thailand, which is tentatively set for May, and Cambodia's poll in July.
Year in review: The winners and losers of 2019
News, Curtis S Chin & Jose B Collazo, Published on 04/01/2020
» As 2020 begins, we take one last look at the year that was. Whether in Bangkok, Singapore or New York, consumers and investors took note as US President Trump continued his disruptive approach to diplomacy and pushed back on China trade practices in 2019.
Jokowi maintains maritime goals
News, Aristyo Rizka Darmawan, Published on 11/12/2019
» There was another celebration at the Indonesian Embassy in London earlier this week. The reason? Indonesia had been successfully re-elected as a council member of the International Maritime Organisation, C category for 2020-2021.
Finding a balance in fisheries war
News, Aristyo Rizka Darmawan, Published on 05/12/2019
» Over the past five years, local media in Indonesia has been flooded with images of Susi Pudjiastuti, the former fisheries minister, overseeing the sinking of illegal fishing boats.
Jokowi II: Indonesia becoming a 'family state'?
News, Hafiz Noer, Published on 23/11/2019
» Last month, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo was inaugurated as Indonesia's seventh president for his second and final term. After a wide 55.5% to 45.5% victory at the polls, the president also secured backing for his policies in both legislative chambers, ensuring a solid platform for government over the next five years.