Author: Maruto Sugiyanto

Berlin (22/10 – 75) UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Varennes arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit on October 9 till October 20. The UN Special Rapporteur told journalists that the residents of Gorno-Badakhshan informed him about violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. He stated, “People are complaining about religious restrictions as well as limitations on the use…

Annual headline inflation at 2.28 percent (y/y) in September 2023 is well below the pace of 3.27 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. Again, in last year September, the country had seen some heavy inflation as the government raised prices of subsidized fuels. Nonetheless, we could actually argue that the m/m inflation rate of 0.19 percent in September 2023 is (actually) a bit high as the month of September normally brings modest deflation to the biggest economy of Southeast Asia. And, we see two factors behind relatively high September 2023 inflation: (1) per 1 September 2023, non-subsidized fuel prices were…

The Department of Foreign Affairs would need at least two years to prepare for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Tuesday. Manalo disclosed this as he appealed to the Senate finance committee for additional budget next year and in 2025. The Philippines will take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026. “Maybe next year or so we may need additional [funds] because we have preparations for the [hosting],” he said. Asked how many years the host country needs to fully prepare for the ASEAN Summit, Manalo said, “The sooner you prepare the…

BIMI International Medical Inc. Announces Subsidiary Phenix Bio Inc’s Appointment of ASEAN Exclusive Distributor NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIMI International Medical Inc. (NASDAQ: BIMI, “BIMI”), a healthcare products and services provider today announced its subsidiary, Phenix Bio Inc., appointed Hao Mu Pte. Ltd., a Singapore company, as its exclusive distributor responsible for the distribution of Phenix’s 17 herbal supplements throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 10 member countries. Pursuant to the terms of a sales agreement entered on September 20, 2023, Hao Mu Pte. Ltd., as Phenix’s exclusive distributor for the 10 ASEAN…

RECENTLY in Jakarta, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that Southeast Asia should resist foreign powers with hegemonic ambition. For that, the Philippines should work with its neighbors to bolster intra-regional trade, which has been stagnant since 2008, and deepen economic cooperation. “History will ultimately judge whether the supremacy of the rule of law prevails, ushering in an era where all nations truly stand as equals, independent and unswayed by any single power,” Mr. Marcos said at the recent Asean Summit Retreat. Asean is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a bloc of 10 countries that includes the Philippines. He added,…

Brussels (07/09 – 14.29) Anies Baswedan has become the first Indonesian presidential candidate to make his vice-presidential nominee official by his selection the past weekend of Muhaimin Iskandar from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic mass movement. ALEXANDER R. ARIFIANTO argues that this nomination highlights the importance of NU’s support in next year’s presidential election. He believes both Ganjar Pranowo and Prabowo Subianto are likely to also consider nominating an NU-affiliated politician as running mate. Anies Baswedan has formally announced Muhaimin Iskandar, chairperson of the National Awakening Party (PKB) and a high-profile Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) politician, as his vice-presidential nominee. This…

Returning to Bangkok, Thailand, the largest event in the region’s F&B calendar will take place on 20-22 September. The leading trade show in the ASEAN food and beverage industry, with more than 21,000 expected visitors and over 600 exhibitors will convene to do business, discover innovations, spark new ideas, gain valuable insights on key topics, and experience the energy of invention and profitable connection. This truly global event brings together tastemakers from the Asian and global industries to make it a uniquely inclusive occasion. Fi Asia is the must-attend event: Delegates can enjoy a wide range of seminars, innovation tours,…

Over the decades, Asean has enjoyed relatively high growth. Overall GDP contracted by 3.2 percent in 2020 but the economy quickly rebounded by 3.4 percent in the year after. By 2022, Asean’s collective GDP stood at $3.6 trillion, surpassing its pre-pandemic level and allowing it to retain its position as the world’s fifth-largest economy. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the region reached a historic high at almost $225 billion, and Asean’s trade value exceeded the size of its economy at $3.8 trillion in the same year. In the post-pandemic world, it becomes clear that the polycrisis is here to…

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia: The ASEAN economies are diverse, with different levels of development. However, they are all growing rapidly, and they are becoming increasingly integrated with each other and with the global economy. The GDP of ASEAN was estimated to be $3.2 trillion in 2021, and it is projected to reach $4.9 trillion by 2025. The growth of the ASEAN economies is being driven by a number of factors, including: The ASEAN economies are also becoming increasingly integrated with each other. The ASEAN Economic Community…

Since Vietnam joined the “common house” of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, the country has always affirmed its core and leading role in the grouping and made contributions to the growth of the association. Hanoi (VNA) – Since Vietnam joined the “common house” of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, the country has always affirmed its core and leading role in the grouping and made contributions to the growth of the association. With a positive, active and responsible spirit, Vietnam has joined hands with other members of the association in…