COVID-19 Outbreak More Stimulus Packages Announced (25, 28 Feb) The government of Indonesian President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” released the details of a US$742.6 million COVID-19 stimulus package on 25 February. To boost tourism, the budget included measures such as providing airlines and travel agencies with financial...
COVID-19 Outbreak Governments Calibrating Stimulus Packages to Boost Economies (12 Feb – Ongoing) Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat outlined measures to address the economic impact of COVID-19 in the 2020 Budget. Singapore is expected to be significantly affected by the outbreak,...
The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak More Governments Restrict Travellers from China As the Novel Coronavirus outbreak develops, more governments are instituting temporary travel restrictions to and from mainland China. Australia and Italy joined the United States in denying entry to non-citizens who had travelled to China. Within ASEAN...
Indonesia Indonesia Engages Softbank, UAE and Others to Build New Capital City (10 Jan – Ongoing) Indonesia’s National Development Planning Minister Soeharso Monoarfa announced that at least five foreign investors have expressed interest in developing Indonesia’s new capital city in East Kalimantan. The relocation project, announced in...
Indonesia KPK Developments: Supervisory Council Inaugurated While Jokowi Introduces the First of Three Regulations (20 Dec, 29 Dec) Indonesian President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” inaugurated five members of the newly established Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) supervisory council on 20 December. The council members, including a former Constitutional Court...
Indonesia PT Garuda Shaken Up Following Harley Davidson Scandal (5 – 13 Dec) Indonesia’s flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia came under public scrutiny following revelations of a smuggling case on one of its new Airbus jets. Parts for a Harley Davidson motorcycle and two high-end Brompton folding...
December 2019 | Controversy about Myanmar is increasing with the focus on the recent ICJ case accusing the government of genocide in the Rakhine state. This is not only a political issue and unless addressed, it can trigger more sanctions. At present however, sanctions have been...
Indonesia Jokowi Pushes Back Against Constitution Amendment Proposals (2 Dec – Ongoing) President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” expressed his opposition towards proposals to amend the 1945 constitution on Monday, 2 December. The proposals were based on a Suharto-era framework called the Broad Guidelines of State Policy (GBHN), and...
Indonesia Indonesia’s 2019 Budget Deficit Expected to Exceed Earlier Estimates (18 Nov) Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told reporters that the 2019 budget deficit is now expected to reach up to 2.2% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from an initial target of 1.84%. This revision...
Indonesia No Plans to Issue Regulation to Revoke KPK Bill: Jokowi (1 Nov) Indonesian President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” told reporters on Friday, 1 Nov that he did not intend to revoke the revised bill for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The law, which was passed in September...