Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Politics and peril for Asian women
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/05/2022
» The political landscape in Asia has been very dynamic lately, but it is a disappointment to me personally that events have not been kind to women.
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
All eyes on America
Asia focus, Published on 02/11/2020
» All eyes will be on the United States presidential election tomorrow, the result of which could indicate whether the weakened ties between the world's largest economy and Asia will improve in the next four years or more.
Dream state
Asia focus, Ben Bland, Published on 28/09/2020
» When Indonesian President Joko Widodo decided last year to pursue outlandish plans to build a new capital city in far-flung Kalimantan, advisers shook their heads in despair. But they were not surprised.
Joko gets building again
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 03/06/2019
» With his victory in the April polls confirmed by the elections commission on May 21, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is preparing to press ahead with an ambitious infrastructure drive in his second term, starting with 415 trillion rupiah (US$28.8 billion) allocated in the 2019 state budget.
No time to celebrate
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 22/04/2019
» The results of Indonesia's presidential election won't be official for another month, but incumbent President Joko Widodo is already receiving congratulatory phone calls from regional and world leaders. Barring a major surprise, he will officially be sworn in for a second term on Oct 20.
Challenges for Indonesia
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 07/01/2019
» Indonesia ended 2018 and started the new year amid glowing reports from the government on the economy. And though the country faces what could be a tight presidential election, officials are upbeat that it will not stop the momentum of Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Welcome mat pulled back
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 03/12/2018
» The Indonesian government is making further tweaks to its newly revised list of businesses open to foreign investment, following protests from some business groups.
Wanted: a perfect pair
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 16/07/2018
» Indonesians are holding their breath as political bigwigs huddle behind the scenes with counterparts from other parties, traditionally allied or not, in a delicate game of matchmaking. Their goal: to create the ideal pairings of presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2019 elections.
Huawei innovates to move up mobile value chain
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 11/06/2018
» Huawei Technologies of China is riding a wave of innovations in its campaign to achieve premium status in mature smartphone markets in Asia, competing head-to-head with Samsung and Apple.