May 2021 TWO SURGES Commentary by Wayne Forrest Two seemingly disconnected “surges” characterize Indonesia’s current priorities. Surge #1 is the flow of Indonesians from urban population centers to their hometowns that began May 6 and will end May 13, the last day of Lebaran, the Muslim fasting month. Travel restrictions have been imposed for the
Tolerance/Intolerance Commentary by Wayne Forrest The uptick of attacks against Asian Americans is a sickening reminder of the intolerance that raises its head all too often in the US. Indonesian Americans have been attacked, as well as Americans with Chinese, Filipino, and other heritages. AICC stands decidedly against these outrageous acts. AICC was established
Closing the Gaps Commentary by Wayne Forrest "The thinking within the government is to use this Covid crisis as an opportunity to do much deeper and more accelerated reforming in Indonesia". (Sri Mulyani, Minister of Finance, February 26, 2021) The last 30 days have witnessed a flurry of reform activity in Indonesia. President Jokowi
Bridges Not Barriers February 2021 by Wayne Forrest I often hear the idea that during the past 4 years the US government, apart from its Navy, has not been as engaged with Indonesia or Southeast Asia as many would like. The message: China’s influence grows in the vacuum of a lack of US engagement.
Outlook 2021 January 2021 By Wayne Forrest A large, red-tailed hawk landed on a tree outside my study just as I sat down to write this month's commentary. Some say that if you have a hawk sighting you are ready to take on a larger, more expansive vision of your world. I take it as
E Plurbum Tunggal Ika December 2020 by Wayne Forrest The past month's events reminded me of how often the US and Indonesia can be more alike than they are different. Yes, both countries share a similar motto: E Plurbus Unum, "Out of One Many", for the US; Bhinekka Tunggal Ika, "Unity in Diversity", for
Swing State November 2020 Commentary by Wayne Forrest The US election has been focused on swing states, key places where our two political parties contest for electoral votes every four years. Even more than it may have in the past, the US government now sees Indonesia as a swing state, important in our own
Omnibus Struggles October 2020 Commentary by Wayne Forrest Its hard to focus on economic topics during a pandemic that continues to grow and spread. But, it should not go unnoticed that the World Bank now predicts that the Indonesian economy will contract more than they had predicted only a few months ago and it
Labor Day 2020 September 2020 Commentary by Wayne Forrest With unemployment at record levels in both the US and Indonesia amidst an ongoing pandemic I've been reflecting on Indonesia's struggle to find meaningful employment for her growing population of 270 million. Of course, our two nations do not share Labor Day: Indonesia observes International
Remember America August 2020 Commentary by Wayne Forrest On the 17th of this month Indonesia celebrates the 75th anniversary of Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta's audacious declaration of independence from Dutch colonialism. With only a collection of militias and officers (some trained by the recently departed Japanese), an air force that consisted of one plane