I am keen to raise the profile of Southeast Asia and Indonesia in theUK and help the Indo-Pacific Tilt move from policy planning to reality. While ASEAN is often seen by outsiders as a forum for tackling geopolitical challenges,Southeast Asian governments are much more focused on domestic problems and howASEAN can help them resolve these. They decided on the blandest name possible literally to ensure their survival. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, Weekly update on whats driving U.S. national security policy. Crisis of government adds to the burden of history and the challenge of nation-building. I like to think she would feel happy about that and see my decision as being driven, much like hers, by pragmatism in response to shifting attitudes instead of feeling bound by sentimental obligation to a sequence of letters chosen a century ago., Followers congratulated Boulous on his name change, while his name buddy Benjamin Bland tweeted: Congrats on the new name Ben. Despite good relations between ASEAN member-states, domestic politics remain unstable incertain key countries and there are pockets of turbulence elsewhere. Southeast Asia is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. But their personalities, predilections and peccadillos are largely established well before they get to power. And while a demographic youth bulge can create a demographic dividend, Indonesia is wasting its opportunity by not creating enough jobs. The key to success will be understanding the real challenges of doing business in Indonesia, rather than wishing them away, so thatcompanies, with the support of government, are better placed to overcome them. The two also discussed climate cooperation with China, the road to COP28, and much else. Jonathan Pershing, formerly the Biden administrations No. As a child I would downplay all of that, trying to fit in and not wanting to seem in any way different. The UK will get more out of Dialogue Partner status if ituses it to help the region tackle such issues, including pandemic recovery, boostingeconomic growth and mitigating climate change. As the path to the Indonesian presidency had opened in 2013 and 2014, Jokowi showed little interest in foreign policy beyond a knack for charming the international correspondents and investors that he believed could boost his image and promote economic growth. Am a bit concerned that my abuse meter will rise now though.. Explore the benefits of your FP subscription. We do not look too dissimilar, we both cover global news, we are of a similar age, and both studied at Cambridge University at the same time. 2 global climate envoy, joined FP editor in chiefRavi Agrawal to discuss Washingtons climate policy, and how it is being seen around the world. Written evidenceby Ben Bland,Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, was submittedto the United Kingdom Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in September 2021 and has recently been published. | View Comments (). But it was, like so many political speeches, heavy on buzzwords, thin on policy and designed to be all things to all people. My mothers side of the family is Sudanese-Egyptian and I grew up speaking fluent Arabic alongside English, even though I was born in the UK. For example, a few years ago, PWC predicted that Indonesia could be the worlds fourth biggest economy by the year 2050. Watch the full interview for insights on how industry thinks about deglobalization, the U.S.-China rivalry, the war in Ukraine, and much more. We are a local music group in the San Luis Valley who is very verse in music styles. 6. Philippines in 2016 won a landmark legal ruling against Chinas "nine-dash line". Officials from other south-east Asian nations have subsequently noted that, under Jokowis leadership, Indonesia has taken a less active role in regional forums. Track 1.5dialogues, involving government officials and academic/think-tank experts, and Track 2dialogues, involving only the latter, are an important tool of informal diplomacy in the region. Yet, it is hardly part of a broader strategy to embrace free trade. The presenter looked dapper as ever in a navy-blue suit with a purple tie and crisp white shirt. Bland highlights many of Jokowis actions which have undermined Indonesias already flawed democracy notably, diluting the nations anti-corruption agency, creating his own family political dynasty, and his appeasement of conservative Islam and intolerance and of violence towards religious minorities and the LGBT community. FPs Ravi Agrawal sat down with industry leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss how businesses can build resilience amid a turbulent geopolitical era. WebBen Bland paints an insightful and intriguing portrait of Indonesia's leader in his new book, Man of Contradictions: Joko Widodo and the struggle to remake Indonesia. Rather thanjust staffing up capital cities, there is also a need to have more personnel who can travelaround these sprawling and diverse countries, where local governments often have moresway than national governments. As well as understanding the opportunities, the British government needs to be clear-eyedabout the risks in Southeast Asia, where there are few truly like-minded nations. / Twitter JavaScript is Southeast Asian nations are important partners who want, and deserve, a greater say inglobal governance and can support the UKs aims to reinvigorate battered multilateralinstitutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization(WHO). 21. But he said: "I'm a bit concerned that my abuse-meter will rise now." Australia even withdrew its ambassador after Jokowi signed off on two of its citizens being put in front of the firing squad. For Future Tuesdays Ben Bland presented his Future Screens NI Rewriting the Narrative funded project Neoco: Tools & Patterns for Progressive Operations. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. AGE View Full Report AGE Phone Address AGE View Full Report As China escalated its struggle with its south-east Asian neighbours for control of the regions rich fishing grounds and reserves of oil and gas, there were some initial signs that Jokowi would take a more resolute stance. I am the Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, a leading internationalthink-tank based in Sydney. Thin-skinned and vain, SBY had sought acclaim in the theatre of diplomacy. MORE : Buffy star Nicholas Brendon defends kind Joss Whedon but backs allegations: Its not a kind story, MORE : Rachel Riley leaves Countdown studio with Pasha Kovalev and baby Maven after Anne Robinson announcement, Katie Price reveals Harvey has a girlfriend and slams trolls after mum-shaming over sharing a bed with son, Chanelle Hayes, 35, diagnosed with arthritis in both hips after celebrating eight stone weight loss, British director Piers Haggard dies aged 83, Towies Danielle Armstrong absolutely over the moon to expect second baby with husband Tommy Edney, Brendan Fraser didnt speak to Dwayne The Rock Johnson on set of The Mummy Returns for pretty good reason, Buffy star Nicholas Brendon defends kind Joss Whedon but backs allegations: Its not a kind story, Rachel Riley leaves Countdown studio with Pasha Kovalev and baby Maven after Anne Robinson announcement, Do not sell or share my personal information. Who is Ben Bland? One of the well known broadcast British journalist, Ben Bland is currently serving for the BBC World News service as a news presenter and correspondent.In addition, he has worked for several stations including BBC Breakfast (shown domestically in the UK),Outside Source, World News Today and few domestic UK reports for BBC News. Ben initially teased the news on Instagram as he wrote: "Something VERY exciting is happening for the first time tomorrow hence the massive grin!". The rotatingannual chair takes on much of the work of organising and setting the agenda for ministerialmeetings. 44. Securing Dialogue Partner statuswith the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) provides a great platform on whichto build these linkages. It is partly a function of Indonesias size, its strategic location in the midst of key global shipping lanes and its history of, at times, demonstrating leadership potential. The rising middle classes across the region willgenerate strong demand for the products and services that Britains diverse corporate sectorprovides. I am the author of two acclaimed books on Asian politics, the most recent being Man ofContradictions: Joko Widodo and the Struggle to Remake Indonesia (Penguin Random House,2020), the first English-language political biography of Indonesias president. Sharing a snap of him sitting at a desk at BBC News, Ben was grinning at the camera while rifling through his notes, a glass of water prepared at his side. While Indonesia coasted, the contours of power in Asia were shifting dramatically around it. Beijing was inflaming tensions by building artificial islands and military installations in waters claimed by several of Indonesias south-east Asian neighbours. 374 likes. Whats the bid for this rarest of Bugattis? For these reasons, andmore, the UK should make strengthened relations with Indonesia a priority. Jokowi has been nationalising some of the countrys biggest energy projects, and prioritising the development of state-owned enterprises, many of which are badly managed and riddled with corruption. Bens fans rushed to the comments section to share in his delight at being back on-screen, with one writing: "Its your duty being in showbiz to use your creative licence!". Most of the "five pillars" of the fulcrum were about domestic policy and the economy: promoting the fishing industry, building maritime infrastructure and defending Indonesias sovereignty at a time of intensifying territorial disputes. But behind this picture of Jokowi is also a troubling image of Indonesia, the worlds fourth most populous country, with the worlds largest Muslim population. Delivered Wednesday. And yet, under Jokowis watch, there has been a troubling deterioration in Indonesias democratic governance. Jokowi has been smart in using his personal appeal to burnish Indonesias image in the international economic arena. The latest episode in a podcast to discuss the implications of coronavirus for Australia, the region, and the world. The Neoco Toolkit & Playbook is a collection of pathways to brighter business, built during lockdown by Ben Bland and partners. Since then, Ben has been eagerly posting selfies to his socials posing outside various BBC studios - a sharp contrast from a throwback snap he posted on his first day on the job. Hello. He was obviously more worried about Indonesias own separatist movements, notably in Papua. Sometimes he gels with his counterparts and ignores his formal talking points, and at other times he reads out speeches in robotic fashion. Historically theUK has framed its Southeast Asian engagement around its former colonies: Malaysia,Singapore and Brunei. The ASEAN Outlook on the IndoPacific, which was adopted in 2019, was little more than a restatement of ASEANs main principles: peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for international law and, most importantly, non-interference in other nations internal affairs. He is interested in attracting investment from whomever has the most cash and the fewest conditions. 2 global climate envoy, joined FP editor in chiefRavi Agrawal to discuss Washingtons climate policy, and how it is being seen around the world. Casino developer Landing surges after missing chairman reappears, Hong Kong Occupy protest leaders go on trial, Exiled Chinese author warns over curbs on HK freedom, Hong Kong activists warn that Beijing crackdown will backfire, Hong Kong houseboat owners face huge financial losses, Walter Kwok, property developer, 1950-2018, Cathay Pacific hit by data leak affecting up to 9.4m passengers, UBS rescinds China travel warning to staff, Financial Times journalists visa renewal denied by Hong Kong, One Hong Kong railway station, two Chinese systems, Indonesia tsunami relief efforts hit by infrastructure problems, China seeks global role for elite counter-terrorism forces, Hong Kong joins China's high-speed rail network, Ban on separatist party intensifies free speech fears in Hong Kong. It was an incredible turnaround for a simple boy from a simple family, in a country where politics has long been dominated by dynasties, tycoons and the military. The FCDO should consider supporting universities, think-tanks and other groups that canhelp generate interest in, understanding of and contact with Southeast Asia. Please, and moving back to London after 14 years, The end of Fortress Australia?, a first birthday for Man of Contradictions, why writing is thinking, and the other love of my life, The UK's Indo-Pacific Tilt, mutual (mis)understanding between Australia and Indonesia, and what Franz Kafka tells us about Hong Kong's legal system, COVID-19 runs rampant in Indonesia, ASEAN's Rorschach test in Myanmar, the long struggle in Hong Kong and the women who changed war reporting, From a royal slipper thrown at Sir Francis Walsingham to Saddam Hussein's non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction, via Napoleon's love of OSINT and, The two faces of Indonesian democracy, Beijing's inevitable squeeze in Hong Kong, and the Washington method in Southeast Asia. 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