Author: Jafar Marzooq

At the COP26 global climate talks in Glasgow, Indonesia’s state-owned electricity utility company PLN declared its roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. The state-owned utility has committed to a peak emissions target of 335 mtCO2e by 2030, and a renewable energy mix of 24.8% by 2030. This target is estimated to become more ambitious following Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) signed in November 2022. Indonesia’s JETP embodies a commitment of US$20 billion for the country to accelerate its energy transition, which includes early decommissioning of coal plants and developing renewables systems. The joint target is more ambitious than Indonesia’s previous targets,…

In early 1979, fearing the growing security cooperation between Hanoi and Moscow, China invaded Vietnam. A year earlier, the then-Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping met Singapore’s prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, asking for Singapore’s support against Vietnam. But, to his utter surprise, the canny Singaporean leader caught the equally perceptive Deng off guard. Lee Kuan Yew admitted that Singapore was worried about Beijing’s ambitions to dominate the region more than Vietnam. In other words, China was Singapore’s most significant source of long-term concern. The point is that even before China’s economic transformation, Southeast Asian states were worried about living with a giant next…

Myanmar junta troops in eastern Kayah State have suffered more than 90 deaths in four days of fighting with resistance forces this week, according to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF). The group said a large number of weapons, including assault rifles, grenade launchers and ammunition, were seized. Around 330 junta soldiers from three battalions arrived in Daw Ta Ma Gyi village, Demoso Township, on March 8. Clashes erupted from March 20 to 23, in which more than one regime captain was killed and an estimated 50 troops injured, the KNDF stated. Five resistance fighters were killed, the group said.…

HANOI, March 25 (Xinhua): Vietnam will improve policies and solutions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) amid new challenges posed by unpredictable global economic development, the shift in the global value chain and new green development requirements, local media have reported. Specifically, Vietnam will accelerate the national digital transformation and promote the development of private enterprises, especially in the fields of manufacturing, high technology and information technology, local newspaper Vietnam News reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai. Pointing out that there were limitations in corporate governance, the application of science and technology, and the linkage between SMEs,…

Hideki Matsuyama withdrew from the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play before his tee time Friday, giving Max Homa the day off and a spot in the knockout stage. Matsuyama cited a neck injury for conceding the match against Homa. He was warming up on the range for about 20 minutes trying to get loose. The withdrawal also knocks out Justin Suh, who would have needed to win his match against Kevin Kisner and have Matsuyama beat Homa to reach a playoff to decide the group winner. Matsuyama has only reached the weekend of Match Play one time in eight appearances. Source…

Maritime issues between the Philippines and China remain a “serious concern”, a Philippine official said on Friday, as the countries pledged to use diplomacy to resolve differences peacefully during high-level talks. The Philippines hosted this week the first in-person meeting between diplomats from the countries since before the pandemic, amid a flare-up in tensions over what Manila described as China’s “aggressive activities” in the South China Sea. “Both our countries’ leaders agreed that maritime issues should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue and never through coercion and intimidation,” Philippine foreign ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro said at the opening of bilateral…

JAKARTA, March 24 (Bernama): Asean sports officials have discussed with the region’s football key stakeholders on the submission process for the joint bid in 2026 to host the 2034 World Cup. Members of the technical working group also discussed the general requirements, timeline, and the role each member countries will take for the month-long tournament. The meeting for preparing Asean’s joint bid was held virtually on Wednesday and chaired by Dr Niwat Limsuknirun, chairperson of the Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Sports. According to the Asean Secretariat, the bid for possible hosting of the tournament was first mooted by the…

THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) remains the “most important mover” in resolving regional conflicts, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, as tensions in the South China Sea rise again. Marcos underscored the importance of Asean in resolving regional concerns, such as the South China Sea issue and the civil unrest in Myanmar, during the presentation of credentials of Brunei’s Ambassador Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan in Malacañang. “Asean remains the most important mover for all of what we attempt diplomatically in terms of the conflicts that we are seeing,” the President told the ambassador. Six parties —…

Key Apple supplier Foxconn wants to move the production of smartphone components from China to Vietnam. The company announced a major investment in Vietnamese factories, as well as a desire to diversify its supply chain, reports Quartz. Foxconn announced the establishment of a large new plant in Vietnam and a $300 million investment to expand existing facilities located in the country. The decision was made after Apple announced that it would move part of its production from China. The new plant will be located on 111 acres of land near Saigon. Foxconn signed a 35-year lease for $62.5 million. The…

In a bid to ensure a steady flow of palm oil exports from Asia to the EU, Indonesia and Malaysia are sending a joint delegation to Europe to gather more information and present their point of view. view on the future policy of the European Union concerning this raw material. A new ban on commodities linked to deforestation could block future palm oil imports from these two countries. All stakeholders, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the European Union, have indicated that the future of free trade for palm oil is virtually certain. Indonesia has suspended half of palm oil export permits to…