Mutiara Indriani

Apr 17, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Muhammad Rafi Bakri |Amresh Gunasingham |Mutiara Indriani |Andree Surianta

The landslide victory of Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto in Indonesia’s 14 February 2024 presidential election has been been confirmed, with Subianto officially declared president-elect by the General Election Commission on 20 March. Prabowo has proposed eight major programs as part of his election manifesto, but a free lunch program for students in Indonesia is his flagship proposal.

Apr 12, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Alicia Garcia-Herrero |Debby Chan |Shahar Hameiri |Mutiara Indriani

The origins of BRICS — a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and, as of 2024, new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates — can be traced back to a 2001 publication by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill titled ‘Building Better Global Economic BRICs’. O’Neill argued that Brazil, Russia, India and China were poised to play an increasingly significant role in the global economy.

Apr 11, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Chhay Lin Lim |Shahar Hameiri |Mutiara Indriani |Andree Surianta

The legendary soccer player Lionel Messi has fallen from grace in China after not playing in a friendly match between US team Inter Miami and Hong Kong on 4 February 2024. Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino claimed that Messi’s absence was due to a hamstring injury. But Messi neither explained his no-show nor interacted with fans in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government and politicians immediately weighed in and demanded answers from the event organiser, Tatler Asia.

Apr 9, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Cindy X. Zheng |Albert Jehoshua Rapha |Mutiara Indriani |Andree Surianta

With the Philippines aiming to propose an artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory framework during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, Southeast Asia is showcasing a proactive approach to establishing policies and regulations on AI development and deployment. This step is critical, as a 2020 survey by the consulting firm Kearney found that 70 per cent of Southeast Asians deemed AI key to their future and urged for its rapid growth in the region.

Apr 8, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Richard Katz |Mutiara Indriani |Andree Surianta |Yuhan Zhang

US President Joe Biden’s March 2024 statement opposing Nippon Steel’s purchase of US Steel — saying ‘it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned’ — may help his uphill drive for re-election. Indeed, a week later, the United Steelworkers (USW) union endorsed his re-election. But Biden’s remarks by no means preclude the merger.