Will Britain leave the EU on 23 June? Will any country leave ASEAN?
British voters will decide whether or not they want their country to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum on 23 June this year,…
A “Big Bang” opening up of Indonesia’s economy?
By Ardi Wirdana The Indonesian government has opened up several sectors of its economy that were previously closed off to foreign investment, in what Indonesian…
Government losing patience with Indonesia’s “anarchic” workers unions
By: Ardi Wirdana Indonesian workers have staged two separate mass protests so far in February. This is only four months after their last mass demonstration in…
A window of opportunity for reforms in Vietnam
As the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam prepared for its five-year national congress, suspense built over who would take over the party’s helm. When the…
Indonesia’s much-hyped foreign ownership of Property Rule has had ‘zero impact’
By: Ardi Wirdana The buzz surrounding Indonesia’s new regulation on foreign ownership of property has been “much ado about nothing”, a panel of property experts agree, as…
China sends missiles to South China Sea, as ASEAN leaders wrap up meeting with Obama
China has deployed missiles to a disputed island in the South China Sea, just as ASEAN leaders were wrapping up a landmark summit with US…
Property market in Malaysia may peak in 2020
By: Vanitha Nadaraj The year 2020 may see the overall property market in Malaysia peaking. Until then, investors and property owners will have to put…
With Asia Aerospace City, the sky’s the limit For Malaysia
By: Vanitha Nadaraj The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the largest air travel in the world within the next decade. The annual air…
The challenge of attracting investment in Jokowi’s first SEZ
By: Ardi Wirdana As the first special economic zone (SEZ) launched by President Joko Widodo, Sei Mangkei is a project the government is determined to get…
President Aung San Suu Kyi?
Most are familiar with the reason that Aung San Suu Kyi cannot be president of Myanmar. The current constitution of the country bars anyone with…