https://www.scmp.com/rss/500397/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com While women’s rights may have become a major topic of discussion around the world in recent years, there are female-centric communities that for centuries have distinguished themselves by carving out their own feminist traditions in places such as China, India and Indonesia. But many of these matriarchal and matrilineal societies are now struggling to survive, amid threats posed by the modern world such as mass tourism, technology and the infiltration of ideas from mainstream patriarchal... https://www.scmp.com/society/kingdoms-women-how-modernity-threatens-asias-female-centric-societies/article/3074186?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/society/kingdoms-women-how-modernity-threatens-asias-female-centric-societies/article/3074186?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2020 10:57:59 +0000 While women’s rights may have become a major topic of discussion around the world in recent years, there are female-centric communities that for centuries have distinguished themselves by carving out their own feminist traditions in places such as China, India and Indonesia. But many of these matriarchal and matrilineal societies are now struggling to survive, amid threats posed by the modern world such as mass tourism, technology and the infiltration of ideas from mainstream patriarchal... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3074029/kingdoms-women-how-modernity-threatens-asias-female?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3074029/kingdoms-women-how-modernity-threatens-asias-female?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2020 04:00:14 +0000 Think “luxury holiday” and you would be forgiven if the image of a sunny island swarming with venomous reptiles does not immediately come to mind. But if things go to plan for Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo, that might soon change as officials breathe life into his vision of branding 10 areas in the country as premium destinations. Among them is Labuan Bajo, a tiny east Indonesian fishing town on Flores Island that is a gateway to the popular Komodo National Park, a conservation home to some... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3049592/komodo-dragon-town-indonesia-jokowi-wants-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3049592/komodo-dragon-town-indonesia-jokowi-wants-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Feb 2020 01:00:16 +0000 Indonesia has been lauded for its plan to ban live animal imports from China amid fears of the spread of coronavirus, but industry players have warned that restricting other imports could have a detrimental effect on the economy. China is Indonesia’s biggest trading partner and top export destination – with US$28 billion in exports last year alone. China also accounted for 30 per cent of Indonesia’s imports last year, which were valued at US$44.9 billion. Food and drink manufacturers are... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3049582/indonesia-fears-economic-hit-after-banning-live-animal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3049582/indonesia-fears-economic-hit-after-banning-live-animal?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Feb 2020 05:00:14 +0000 Indonesia’s flagship carrier has been dogged by fresh accusations of mismanagement in recent weeks, from an executive “pimping” out female flight attendants, to cabin crew being forced to work unpaid overtime and employees being grounded without reason. These follow the unceremonious sacking of Garuda Indonesia’s CEO Ari Askhara last week after he was accused of smuggling a Harley-Davidson motorbike into the country, evading taxes of up to 532 million to 1.5 billion rupiah... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3041961/garuda-indonesia-battles-cabin-crew-abuse-allegations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3041961/garuda-indonesia-battles-cabin-crew-abuse-allegations?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2019 06:19:04 +0000 Indonesian state energy firm Pertamina’s most senior leader, former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, earlier this week called on officials at Indonesia’s state-owned enterprises to be role models in fighting graft. Purnama, also known as Ahok, was named president commissioner of Pertamina in late October, a move analysts say was made to reduce Indonesia’s crude oil imports and boost reforms in the company. But an ongoing graft case involving the firm’s ex-CEO Karen Agustiawan, the first... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3041661/ahok-takes-reins-indonesias-state-energy-giant-pertamina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3041661/ahok-takes-reins-indonesias-state-energy-giant-pertamina?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2019 01:00:10 +0000 Former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, best known as Ahok, has been named the new president commissioner of Indonesian state energy giant PT Pertamina, sparking speculation of a return to politics following his jailing in 2017 for blasphemy. The Christian and ethnic Chinese politician, who was released in January after serving a controversial two-year term behind bars for insulting Islam, was officially awarded the position on Friday following days of rumour among Indonesia’s political... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3038982/indonesias-ahok-bags-top-job-state-energy-giant-pertamina-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3038982/indonesias-ahok-bags-top-job-state-energy-giant-pertamina-return?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Nov 2019 01:00:16 +0000 Indonesia’s PT Bakrieland Development, controlled by the family of billionaire politician Aburizal Bakrie, is looking to team up with state-owned China Construction First Group (CCFG) to build a US$350 million residential and commercial complex in Jakarta this year. Bakrieland’s president, director and CEO Ambono Janurianto did not reveal the specific size or location of the project, but said the company had set aside 10 hectares of land – equivalent to around 10 football fields – for the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3021610/indonesian-developer-bakrieland-partner-state-owned-chinese-firm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3021610/indonesian-developer-bakrieland-partner-state-owned-chinese-firm?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Aug 2019 07:40:26 +0000 Indonesia’s state-owned construction firm is banking on two Hong Kong-based investors to help fund fee-charging motorways on the island on Java, amid a push by President Joko Widodo to woo foreign investment for his ambitious infrastructure plans. PT Waskita Toll Road, a unit of PT Waskita Karya that has been tasked with boosting connectivity across the archipelago, said the investors had expressed interest in buying its 40 per cent stake in two toll road segments in Java. Herwidiakto, chief... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3019566/indonesia-courts-hong-kong-investors-build-tollways-java?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3019566/indonesia-courts-hong-kong-investors-build-tollways-java?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jul 2019 23:00:15 +0000 When Indonesia begins sinking 51 captured fishing vessels – mostly from Vietnam – this Saturday, it will not be punishment for the recent clash at sea between the countries, but a continuation of its policy to deter illegal fishing, according to fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti. On Monday, Indonesia accused a Vietnamese coastguard patrol boat of ramming into one of its navy vessels at the southern edge of the South China Sea, which it considers its exclusive economic zone. The Indonesian navy... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3008485/sinking-captured-fishing-boats-deterrent-not-retaliation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3008485/sinking-captured-fishing-boats-deterrent-not-retaliation?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 May 2019 23:30:09 +0000 Indonesia’s widening trade deficit with China has come under scrutiny as the country prepares for elections on Wednesday, with incumbent president Joko Widodo chided for being “too good” to China by a senior economist he once hand-picked for a cabinet post. Rizal Ramli, who was coordinating maritime affairs minister from August 2015 till July 2016, said the policies of Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, since he took office in late 2014 had favoured China over other partners. Indonesia election... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3006377/jokowi-too-good-china-indonesia-needs-new-friends-prabowos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3006377/jokowi-too-good-china-indonesia-needs-new-friends-prabowos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Apr 2019 07:28:44 +0000 A China company’s bid to set up a textile manufacturing plant in Indonesia’s Central Java province is raising hopes the Southeast Asian country can benefit from Chinese firms seeking to shift their production centres amid the ongoing US-China trade war. Jiangsu Lianfa Textile, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, will launch its factory next year with an investment of between 5 and 6 trillion rupiah (US$350 million and US$422 million), said Ade Sudrajat, chairman of the Indonesian Textile... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3004703/us-china-trade-war-could-offer-silver-linings-indonesias?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3004703/us-china-trade-war-could-offer-silver-linings-indonesias?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Apr 2019 09:55:30 +0000 Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday launched three special economic zones (SEZs) across 2,200 hectares of land at the eastern part of the archipelago in a fresh bid to attract investment and spur economic growth in less developed areas. The government aims to attract 110 trillion rupiah (US$7.73 billion) investment in the SEZs – in East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and North Maluku – and create 120,000 jobs by 2025, according to a statement from the coordinating ministry for economic... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3004198/indonesia-eyes-us77-billion-investment-three-new-special?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3004198/indonesia-eyes-us77-billion-investment-three-new-special?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:00:10 +0000 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... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3003605/why-indonesian-government-has-ordered-garuda-cut-airfares-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3003605/why-indonesian-government-has-ordered-garuda-cut-airfares-time?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Mar 2019 04:20:39 +0000