By John Riady For most people, the great events of the day are sideshows to their own lives. The urgency of family, friends, God and work trump what the American poet William Stafford called the “grotesque, fake importance” of “great…
Southeast Asia now has more billionaires than ever, as the region continues to grow at a fast pace. Like wealthy individuals everywhere, Southeast Asian billionaires are politically connected, trying to influence their home economies, and are pushing their influence beyond…
Who is he? Hatta Rajasa has served as Indonesia’s economic coordinating minister since 2009 and as state secretary since 2007. Rajasa previously served as transportation minister from 2004 to 2009, and research and technology minister from 2001 to 2004. He…
The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office agreed with the Japanese government this week on terms for Japan to accede to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. There will be 90-day comment period for the U.S. Congress, and then each of the other…
By Monica Whaley Enough with the ‘clever’ jibes about silly shirts or acronym fatigue. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a robust, reliable and flexible “multi-tool” in the United States’ foreign and economic policy toolkit that has served U.S. interests effectively…
Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Germany and Hungary from March 4-8, focusing heavily on increasing trade, investment, and tourism with each country. The Germany trip comes seven months after Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Indonesia to establish the comprehensive Jakarta…
By Phoebe De Padua Southeast Asia, where violent conflicts and natural disasters often drive people from their homes, is home to around two million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Measures that protect IDPs remain lacking in most of the region. However,…
Who is he? Agus Martowardojo has served as Indonesia’s minister of finance since May 2010, succeeding current World Bank managing director Sri Mulyani Indrawati. The reform-minded Martowardojo is known for his strong technical background and fiscal conservatism. He has called…
By Jeremiah O. Magpile Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is entering the final two years of his 10-year presidency and is clearly making efforts to define his legacy. Throughout his tenure, Indonesia stabilized both its democracy and economy following the…
By Jeremiah O. Magpile Indonesia’s uncoordinated management of its natural resource sector and a climate of legal uncertainty is damaging government-investor relations in the mining sector, which contributes roughly 12 percent to Indonesia’s GDP. Natural resource investment is also a…
