Nurhadi and the Rule of Law
Just as the Masela Block decision (main topic of last month’s commentary that described a sudden reversal of a decision to build an LNG facility on rather than offshore) spoke […]
The Meaning of Masela
The forward progress of the Jokowi government may have hit a speed bump with its decision to go against the proposal of both the field operators Shell and Inpex, the […]
Duane Gingerich’s Pivot: In Memoriam (1942-2016)
As President Obama prepares to receive most of Southeast Asia’s heads of state at the US-ASEAN Summit February 15-16 in Rancho Mirage I am thinking of a recently fallen friend […]
President Jokowi in DC
President Jokowi’s visit to the US October 26 and 27, although shortened by the forest fire issue, included a longer than expected bilateral with President Obama, progress on security relations, […]
Backing Away From the Dollar
We are starting to see the glimmer of a new strategy for how Indonesia wants to do business and it may have less to with the US dollar. Foreign exchange […]
Which Tune is Playing ?
Commentary By Wayne Forrest If I could have a musical score as the backdrop to this commentary, I would want it to be something upbeat, perhaps the 1933 song “We’re […]
To Ban or Not To Ban
2013 ends a year in which the Indonesian economy made a strong start and sputtered mid year when rumors of an end to the US Fed’s monetary easing, and uncertainty […]
APEC and America’s Image
I normally go about my business keeping my American roots a little under wraps. AICC is after all a bi-national association. Right before this year’s APEC meetings in Bali (October), […]
Issue to Watch: Rupiah Hits 11,000: Time to Stimulate
Steep declines in the rupiah (it briefly passed 11,000 on Friday) stock index and overall confidence-echoing earlier drops-finally sent enough shivers within the government for the President and his economic […]
Heathcare Education For Sale
I recently read a disturbing report that indicates that training for nurses and doctors in Indonesia is for sale. Admitted medical students are reportedly paying up to $2500 above tuition […]