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☆ Indonesia candidates call on president to remain neutral ahead of 2024 poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Indonesian President Joko Widodo is congratulated by the Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto, who was his election rival, after his presidential inauguration for the second term, at the House of Representatives building in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 20, 2019. Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo urged the leader to maintain neutrality ahead of the Feb. 14, 2024 election, which is also being contested by Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto who is running with the president's son. His spokesperson did not immediately respond to a comment about the call for Jokowi to be neutral. On Monday, Jokowi also instructed regional leaders to remain neutral in the election. The president is free to back any candidate, and with consistently high approval ratings, is a kingmaker in the election, analysts say.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Achmad Ibrahim, Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Prabowo, Jokowi, mobilising, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Gerindra, Rights, Defence, Democracy, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA

☆ Indonesia's GoTo reports significant drop in Q3 underlying losses
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JAKARTA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Indonesia's biggest tech firm PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO.JK) reported 942 billion rupiah ($59.30 million) in underlying losses for the third quarter, a significant drop from last year's 3.7 trillion rupiah, the company said on Monday. The results came after the company reached a positive contribution margin since beginning of this year amid cost-cutting measures. "This was underpinned by a reduction in operating expenses as we eliminated redundancies and leveraged our technology to reduce costs," GoTo Group CFO Jacky Lo said in the statement. GoTo, which offers ride-hailing, e-commerce, and financial services, said its net losses for the period were at 2.4 trillion rupiah, a drop from last year's 6.7 trillion rupiah. ($1 = 15,885.0000 rupiah)Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, GoTo, Jacky Lo, Japan's, Stefanno Sulaiman, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Japan's SoftBank, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA

☆ Malaysia sultans to meet at 0200 GMT to pick next monarch - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has a unique system in which the heads of its nine royal families take turns to be monarch for a five-year term. The Southeast Asian country is a parliamentary democracy, with the monarch serving as head of state. Unlike other traditional Malaysian rulers, Sultan Ibrahim has been outspoken about politics and has said he has a good relationship with current prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. King Al-Sultan played an unusually active role in Malaysian politics, picking the country's last three prime ministers. King Al-Sultan used those powers during a period of political instability triggered by the defeat of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which had governed Malaysia uninterrupted since independence until 2018.

Persons: Bernama, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Abdullah, Jan, Sultan Ibrahim, Anwar Ibrahim, King Al, Sultan, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: United Malays National Organisation, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Johor, Al

☆ TikTok says Malaysia's claims it blocks pro-Palestinian content are 'unfounded'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Social media platform TikTok said on Friday allegations from the Malaysian government that it was blocking pro-Palestinian content were "unfounded". "Our community guidelines apply equally to all content on TikTok, and we're committed to consistently enforcing our policies to protect our community," a TikTok spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. Malaysia on Thursday warned of possible action against social media firms TikTok and Meta, saying their platforms had been accused of restricting content supporting Palestinians. Meta on Thursday said there was "no truth" to the claims, adding it was not deliberately suppressing voices on its Facebook platform.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, we're, Meta, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Malaysian, Reuters, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

☆ Thousands cheer Indonesia's Prabowo ahead of registration for 2024 presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Prabowo and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, told a Jakarta stadium packed with thousands of cheering supporters they would deliver programmes aimed at the youth. Former special forces commander Prabowo has been leading in opinion surveys against the two other contenders Ganjar Pranowo and Anies Baswedan. Gibran, 36, said their ticket would roll out loans for digital start-ups and continue development of the mineral processing industry and green economy. Our duty is to continue and perfect programmes related to youth, millennial generation, gen-Z," he said. Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Prabowo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Baswedan, Gibran, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Indonesia's Defence, Thomson Locations: Surakarta's, JAKARTA, Jakarta, Indonesia

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said. Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, China, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines Tells China to Stop Provocative Actions in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen LemaMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. It has also summoned the Chinese ambassador and has filed a diplomatic protest, its foreign ministry said. NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Karen Lema MANILA, Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard Locations: Philippines, China, South, Philippine, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

SINGAPORE, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its 2023 and 2024 growth forecasts for China, saying its recovery was "losing steam" and citing weakness in its property sector. The report projected that a prolonged housing market correction in China would in the near-term "trigger greater financial stress among property developers and larger asset quality deterioration". The IMF's 2023 outlook for Asia and the Pacific was brighter, with IMF calling it "the most dynamic region this year". Growth in Asia and the Pacific, however, is expected to slow to 4.2% next year. Central banks in the region, however, should guard against easing monetary policy prematurely, the IMF added.

Persons: Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Monetary Fund, IMF, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, China, Asia, Disinflation, Japan, Central

☆ Indonesia ruling party's presidential candidate to announce running mate
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The presidential candidate of Indonesia's ruling party will announce his choice of running mate on Wednesday, amid last-minute manoeuvring by the country's political heavyweights to shore up alliances ahead of the 2024 election. The world's third-largest democracy is set to vote in February to replace President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, who has served the maximum two terms allowed. Other possible running mates for Ganjar include Bandung city Mayor Ridwan Kamil, Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno, and former military chief Andika Perkasa, according to party sources. Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan is also running for president but trailing in surveys. Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo, Mahfud, Osman Sapta Odang, Prabowo Subianto, Prabowo, Jokowi's, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ridwan Kamil, Sandiaga Uno, Andika Perkasa, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Anies Baswedan, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Miral Organizations: Indonesian Democratic Party, Struggle, Central Java, Jokowi, Ganjar, Tourism, Sandiaga, PDI, Former Jakarta, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Central, Bandung, Mahfud

☆ Indonesian President's Son Among 'Strongest VP Candidates' for Prabowo - Party Official
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The eldest son of Indonesian President Joko Widodo is among the "strongest" potential running mates for Prabowo Subianto, a retired general who is a leading contender in next year's presidential election, a party official said on Tuesday. "Gibran is certainly one of the strongest candidates for Prabowo's VP... especially, after the Constitutional Court approved the petition that made him eligible to run," said Andre Rosiade, an official at Prabowo's Gerindra party. Besides Gibran, the shortlist of running mates for Prabowo includes East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, he added. The same seven parties have agreed to back Gibran for Prabowo's vice president, according to a report in news portal Katadata citing an alliance party official. Candidates and their running mates are expected to register with the election commission between Oct 19-25.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Critics, Jokowi, Prabowo, Gibran, Andre Rosiade, Khofifah Indar, Erick Thohir, Andre said, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Prabowo, East Java, Reuters Locations: JAKARTA, Surakarta, State, Prabowo's

The endorsement of Jokowi, who commands approval ratings of 80%, will have direct bearing on who wins February's election. Days later Golkar and PAN announced support for Prabowo, giving him the largest party support base. Jokowi has also lent support to Ganjar, deploying teams and volunteer groups to work on his campaign, four sources said. Jokowi has also engaged in talks about vice presidential picks for both Ganjar and Prabowo, three sources said. "Ganjar and Prabowo are 'Jokowi's men' but who knows after Jokowi steps down," he said.

Persons: Indonesia's, Joko, Subianto, Sana Jaffrey, Jokowi, Ganjar, Prabowo, Megawati Sukarnoputri, kingmaker, nepotistic autocrat, Suharto, It's, ANU's Jaffrey, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's, Kaesang Pangarep, Bobby Nasution, Yoes, Kate Lamb, Ananda Teresia, Kanupriya Kapoor, William Mallard Organizations: Australia's National University, Democratic Party of Struggle, Prabowo, Golkar, National Mandate Party, PAN, PDI, Constitutional, Indonesian Solidarity Party, Atma Jaya University, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Jokowi, Surakarta, Medan, Indonesia's

☆ Jokowi, Indonesia's Kingmaker, Works to Keep Influence After Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Persons: Kate Lamb, Ananda Teresia, Indonesia's, Joko, Subianto, Sana Jaffrey, Jokowi, Ganjar, Prabowo, Megawati Sukarnoputri, kingmaker, nepotistic autocrat, Suharto, It's, ANU's Jaffrey, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Jokowi's, Kaesang Pangarep, Bobby Nasution, Yoes, Kanupriya Kapoor, William Mallard Organizations: Australia's National University, Democratic Party of Struggle, Prabowo, Golkar, National Mandate Party, PAN, PDI, Constitutional, Indonesian Solidarity Party, Atma Jaya University Locations: Ananda, Ananda Teresia JAKARTA, Jakarta, Jokowi, Surakarta, Medan, Indonesia's

A view of the Monetary Authority of Singapore's headquarters in Singapore June 28, 2017. In a move that surprised economists, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it would shift to a quarterly schedule of policy statements in 2024 from semi-annual. The MAS maintained the prevailing rate of appreciation of its currency policy band known as the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate, or S$NEER. As part of the increased frequency of its policy statements, monetary policy will be reviewed in January, April, July and October instead of just April and October. Prior to April, the MAS tightened monetary policy five times in a row, including in two off-cycle moves last year.

Persons: Darren Whiteside, Chua Hak Bin, Chua, Selena Ling, Ling, Xinghui Kok, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Sam Holmes Organizations: Monetary Authority, REUTERS, Rights, Monetary Authority of Singapore, MAS, Singapore, Gross, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE

Passengers queue at airline counters in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 2, 2023. "While the information is currently under validation, immediate enhanced security measures are being implemented across all airports," CAAP said. The Oct. 4 memo included a screenshot of what it said was the threat, which did not contain the word "bomb" but said "an airplane will explode" at Manila's international airport today and "please beware". Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said patrols had been increased and K9 units deployed at all terminals of Manila's international airport, and law enforcement agencies were coordinating closely. Reporting by Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Eloisa Lopez, CAAP, Jaime Bautista, Bautista, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, REUTERS, Security, Civil Aviation Authority of, Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Thomson Locations: Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Manila, MANILA, Davao, Bicol, Palawan, Cebu

☆ Indonesia defends haze-fighting effort after Malaysia urges action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Ananda Teresia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

No haze has been detected heading for Malaysia, however, Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya said, a day after it urged Indonesia and fellow Southeast Asian nations to take action against worsening air quality. "We are already working to prevent and extinguish fires, but not based on Malaysia's request," the minister told Reuters. Indonesia is using helicopters to quench the fires with water bombing while inducing rain with cloud seeding methods, Siti Nurbaya said. In 2015 and 2019, such fires burned millions of hectares of land in Indonesia and sent haze billowing across several Southeast Asian countries, generating record-breaking emissions, scientists have said. Southeast Asian agriculture and forestry officials agreed on Friday to take action to minimise, and eventually stamp out, crop burning.

Persons: Antara, Haze, Siti Nurbaya, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Lax, Rozanna Latiff, Danial, Kanupriya Kapoor, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: ASEAN, Reuters, Malaysian, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thomson Locations: Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, ASEAN Indonesia, JAKARTA, cloudseeding, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Singapore, Malaysian, Danial Azhar, Kuala Lumpur

☆ 'Haze cannot be the norm': Malaysia urges Indonesia to take action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Danial Azhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Malaysia called on neighbour Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsens across the country due to fires in Indonesia, its environment minister told Reuters on Thursday. Air quality has hit unhealthy levels in several parts of Malaysia in recent days, with Kuala Lumpur blaming fires in Indonesia -- though Jakarta has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia. Fires that sent haze billowing across the region in 2015 and 2019 burned millions of hectares of land and produced record-breaking emissions, according to scientists. He called for joint action by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) either through legislation or agreement to prevent the yearly haze. He said Malaysia was still "seriously" considering a law similar to Singapore that holds companies liable for air pollution.

Persons: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, polluters, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singapore

☆ 'Haze Cannot Be the Norm': Malaysia Urges Indonesia to Take Action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Danial AzharKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia called on neighbour Indonesia and a grouping of Southeast Asian nations to take action as air quality worsens across the country due to fires in Indonesia, its environment minister told Reuters on Thursday. Air quality has hit unhealthy levels in several parts of Malaysia in recent days, with Kuala Lumpur blaming fires in Indonesia -- though Jakarta has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia. Fires that sent haze billowing across the region in 2015 and 2019 burned millions of hectares of land and produced record-breaking emissions, according to scientists. He called for joint action by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) either through legislation or agreement to prevent the yearly haze. He said Malaysia was still "seriously" considering a law similar to Singapore that holds companies liable for air pollution.

Persons: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, polluters, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singapore

☆ Suspected Thai mall shooter modified handgun designed to fire blanks - police
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] A general view shows the outside of the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall after Thai police arrested a teenage gunman who is suspected of killing foreigners and wounding other people in a shooting spree, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A teenager suspected of killing two foreign nationals and wounding five others in a Thai shopping mall shooting had modified a handgun that was designed to fire only blanks, a senior police official said on Wednesday. Chaos erupted at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok close to peak hours on Tuesday, with hundreds fleeing as gunshots rang out. Major General Samran Nuanma said he modified a gun designed to fire blank rounds, to enable it to use live ammunition. Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Samran Nuanma, Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Siam Paragon, Police, National, Thomson Locations: Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Thai, China, Myanmar

Fleeing shoppers were ushered by security guards from the mall into torrential rain and towards a road with heavy traffic. We saw all the people run, run, run, we didn't understand what was happening," said 26-year-old Shir Yahav from Israel, who was at a designer store at the time of the shooting. [1/6]People flee following shots fired at the luxury Siam Paragon shopping mall, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2023. The mall said it had evacuated shoppers and staff immediately, stressing safety was of the utmost importance. "Siam Paragon would like to express our deep apologies for the unexpected event," it said in a statement, adding the mall would reopen on Wednesday.

Persons: Torsak Sukvimol, Torsak, Yahav, Devjyot, handcuffing, Panu, Pasit, Napat, Artorn, Athit, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Gareth Jones Organizations: Siam, Police, Thai, Siam Paragon, National, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, BANGKOK, Bangkok, China, Israel, Thailand, Siam, Nakhon Ratchasima, Instagram, Sun

[1/4] Bening Widayati, 40, sells clothes live on a social media platform inside her stall at the International Trade Center (ITC) mall in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 27, 2023. The government said the move, which takes effect immediately, is aimed at protecting offline merchants and marketplaces, adding that predatory pricing on social media platforms is threatening small and medium-sized enterprises. The move comes just three months after TikTok pledged to invest billion of dollars in Southeast Asia, mainly in Indonesia, over the next few years in a major push to build its e-commerce platform TikTok Shop. He warned of letting social media become an e-commerce platform, shop, and bank all at the same time. Indonesia Deputy Trade Minister Jerry Sambuaga earlier this month named TikTok's live streaming features as an example of people selling goods on social media.

Persons: Widayati, Willy Kurniawan, TikTok, China's ByteDance, Zulkifli Hasan, Zulkifli, Jerry Sambuaga, Fahmi, Edri, Dewi Kurniawati, Stefanno Sulaiman, Fransiska Nangoy, Stanley Widianto, Johan Purnomo, Kanupriya Kapoor, Alexandra Hudson, Miyoung Kim, Mark Porter Organizations: International Trade Center, REUTERS, Indonesia Trade, Wednesday, Reuters, Indonesia Deputy Trade, Research, BMI, HK, Lazada, Momentum Works, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, JAKARTA, Shop, TikTok, Europe, United States

☆ Indonesia may issue regulation on use of social media as e-commerce platform this week - president
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks during a news conference after the closing of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Indonesia may on Tuesday issue a regulation on the use of social media to sell goods in the country, President Joko Widodo said, a move intended to quell threats to offline markets in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. Ministers have repeatedly said that e-commerce sellers using predatory pricing on social media platforms are threatening offline markets in Indonesia, with some officials specifically citing the video platform TikTok as an example. "We just...decided on the use of social media for e-commerce. Tomorrow it will perhaps come out," the president, who is commonly known as Jokowi, said in a streamed video address on Monday.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Willy Kurniawan, Jokowi, Ananda Teresia, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: 43rd ASEAN Summit, REUTERS, Rights, Ministers, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Asia's

☆ Philippines Removes Chinese Barrier at Disputed Shoal in 'Special Operation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Enrico Dela CruzMANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines said on Monday it executed a "special operation" to remove a floating barrier installed by China at a prime fishing patch in the South China Sea, a move that could stoke tension after a years-long detente in Asia's most disputed waters. Hours after the national security adviser had vowed to take action, the Philippine coastguard said it had removed the floating cordon, at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his special task force on the South China Sea. Japan's government urged calm and said the South China Sea was central to regional stability. "Our country strongly opposes any conduct that heightens tension in the South China Sea," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference. China on Monday said the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, was "China's inherent territory", over which it had indisputable sovereignty.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Hirokazu Matsuno, Huangyan, Wang Wenbin, Enrico dela Cruz, Liz Lee, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Alex Richardson Organizations: stoke, coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Philippine, China, South China, Chinese coastguard Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Asia's, Scarborough, Philippine, Manila, Washington, Beijing, British, South, Hague, Tokyo

☆ Philippines to remove barrier placed by China in South China Sea - national security advisor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese Coast Guard boats close to the floating barrier are pictured on September 20, 2023, near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on September 24, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Philippines condemns China floating barrier near disputed shoalPhilippines says barrier violates Filipinos' fishing rightsMANILA, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The Philippines will take "all appropriate actions to cause the removal of barriers" in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the country's national security advisor said on Monday. "We condemn the installation of floating barriers by Chinese coast guard," national security adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement. China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Tarriela said that according to Filipino fishermen, the Chinese coast guard usually installs such barriers when they monitor a large number of fishermen in the area, then remove it later.

Persons: Eduardo Año, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Scarborough, South China, Philippines, China, MANILA, People's Republic of China, Manila, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Beijing, Philippine, Bajo, Masinloc

☆ Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party names new leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat, Pita, Chaitawat, Pannika, penalises, Phasuk, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Human Rights Watch, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand

☆ Thailand's Opposition Move Forward Party Names New Leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition Move Forward named a new leader on Saturday after Pita Limjaroenrat, who led the party to a stunning election victory in May, was thwarted in his efforts to become premier. The progressive party will lead the opposition after conservative lawmakers and an unelected senate blocked its attempts to form a government. Pita stepped down as party leader earlier this month amid a host of legal and legislative challenges that many see as part of a pattern by the pro-military and royalist establishment to diminish a new generation of leaders. Pita would continue on as advisor to the party and manage activities outside parliament, Chaitawat said. "This could easily wipe out members of the opposition, who give commentary calling for reforms," he added.

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