In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, ASEAN countries are implementing a variety of measures to boost their economies and “flatten the curve” of new infections. From stimulus packages to movement restrictions and travel bans, there are a lot of developments to keep track of....
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...
Regional economies are expected to take hard knocks from the ongoing COVID-19 Outbreak, and many governments have revised their initial growth forecasts for 2020. Some governments, particularly those in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, have gone further to come up with stimulus packages to give their...
Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Future Forward Party, Thailand’s third biggest political party by both votes and seats was forced to dissolve. Here is a brief recap of the party’s milestones since the Thai election in April 2019 and what this move means. (This...
The onset of COVID-19 took the region by surprise, and countries have scrambled to formulate policies such as travel restrictions to combat the outbreak. Yet, regional economies are already feeling the strain. Tourism numbers have dropped significantly, and growth forecasts with them. The extent of...
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 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...
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...