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 […]
Prof. Widjojo Passes Away
One of Indonesia’s heroes has passed away. Professor Dr. Widjojo Nitisastro, leader of the “Berkely Mafia” (a group of young Indonesian economists educated at UC Berkely in the 1960’s under […]