Since Indonesia first established diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1950, relations have been complicated – and more than those with any other country, continue to impinge on domestic affairs to different degrees.Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese community asserts significant influence over the national economy and because domestic dynamics tend to serve as the primary drivers of the country’s foreign policy, public opinion – and that of the elite – is divided over the rise of…
Malaysia moves to seize millions from 1MDB fugitive financier Jho Low’s father’s bank accounts
The Malaysian government took legal action on Thursday to freeze about 48 million ringgit (US$11.8 million) in bank accounts belonging to the father of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, The Edge newspaper reported.The money in the seven of Low Hock Peng’s accounts is believed to have originated from state investment company 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the paper said, citing sources it did not identify.The civil forfeiture action by the government was made under the country’s anti-money…
FCA: most consumer credit protections should be retained in law
Most of the current consumer protections contained in the UK’s Consumer Credit Act (CCA) should be retained in statute, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said.
Lloyd’s market takes action on sexual harassment
People working in the Lloyd’s insurance market face potential lifetime expulsion if they are found responsible for sexual harassment, the market has confirmed.
After Christchurch massacre, Jacinda Ardern insists Facebook has ‘more work to do’ despite its attempts to curb white nationalism and hate speech
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday welcomed Facebook’s move to curb support for white nationalism on its platforms but said more needed to be done in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.The social media giant has unveiled tougher guidelines on hate speech for Facebook and Instagram, ruling that white nationalism and white separatism are both linked to organised hate groups and will be banned.When making the announcement, the California-based company did not…
Garuda Indonesia comes under state pressure to cut airfares, as Joko Widodo seeks re-election
Garuda Indonesia is facing continued pressure from its majority shareholder, the Indonesian government, to lower ticket prices and stimulate tourism as the economy flags, a move analysts described as political meddling that will hurt investor confidence.After the transport minister’s appeal last month to Garuda and other domestic airlines, Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s most trusted minister Luhut Panjaitan this week chided the country’s flagship carrier and ordered it to lower ticket…
Brexit and dispute resolution
ANALYSIS: Brexit will have an impact on how cross-border disputes with a European dimension are conducted, affecting applicable law; jurisdiction, and enforcement of judgments. But the scale of these issues should not be overstated. They will not arise in every case and there are strategies for tackling them.
Why Indonesia is right to seek a low-carbon future for the sake of its economy, and people
Change is the defining characteristic of our time. Some change is tangible and measurable, like technological advances, shifting employment and labour patterns, and the impacts of climate change. Other change, like shifting social and power structures, less so. Geopolitics is also changing. Some developed countries that once took responsibilities and shaped the agenda have been turned inwards by retroactive forces. While others, particularly emerging economies, are writing new development…
Thailand election: can seven-party ‘democratic front’ block path to power for junta proxies and Prayuth Chan-ocha?
Seven Thai parties forming a “democratic front” opposed to military rule have secured a combined majority of the 500 seats contested in the weekend’s election and say they are ready to form a coalition despite proxies of junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha insisting they are entitled to govern.The pro-democrat camp’s announcement on Wednesday added a further twist to the confusion following Sunday’s voting.Explained: Thailand’s politics and monarchySeven parties led by Pheu Thai, the party projected…
Court of Appeal clarifies claims to VAT repayments
The representative member of a VAT group remains entitled to recover overpaid VAT, even if the company whose activities gave rise to the supplies – the ‘real world supplier’ – has left the VAT group by the time the repayment is claimed, the Court of Appeal has determined.