Thousand of workers attended May day at the Lapangan Silang area of Monumen Nasional on May 1, 2026. (Sekretariat Negara RI) On May 1, Indonesian […]
Category: Politics
Japan’s PM Takaichi visits Vietnam, deepens strategic partnership
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae commenced her three-day visit to Hanoi on May 1 at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng.
AECC convenes special meeting as Hormuz disruptions rattle supply chains
“ASEAN is stronger when it acts together, especially in times of uncertainty,” said Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Chair of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) as well as Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and Industry, at a press briefing following the AECC ministers’ special meeting on April 30.
UN Secretary-General hopeful: “This is the Asian century”
Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, a leading contender to succeed António Guterres as United Nations Secretary-General (UN SG) in 2027, framed Southeast Asia as a natural anchor of the multilateral system during a fireside chat at Sciences Po Paris on April 28, where she laid out a managerial pitch for the UN’s top job.
Phnom Penh court rejects Kem Sokha’s appeal, upholds treason verdict
A Phnom Penh court rejected Kem Sokha’s appeal on April 30, upholding his conviction for treason. Sokha, a 72-year-old former president of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was found guilty under Article 443 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code for ‘conspiracy with foreign power’.
May Day 2026: University Workers and Indonesia’s Academic Freedom Crisis
Freedom of thought was central to Europe’s social and political transformation. Intellectuals such as Voltaire and Spinoza established the principle that societal progress depends not on enforced conformity, but on the protection of reason, criticism and open disagreement.
Philippines’ Sara Duterte faces tax probe, impeachment pressure heightens
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ordered a formal probe on April 28, through Letters of Authority (LOAs), to conduct a taxation audit on the Philippine Vice President, Sara Duterte, and her husband, Manases Carpio, over allegations of unexplained wealth.
Bangkok and Phnom Penh renew border peace commitments
Cambodia and Thailand reaffirmed their decision to the truce agreement and adherence to the Joint Statement of the Third Special General Border Committee (GBC) on April 27.
Cambodia intensifies preparations for 20th Francophonie Summit
On April 26, Cambodia is advancing preparations to host the 20th Francophonie Summit which will take place in Phnom Penh on November 15-16 2026, with officials indicating that organisational work is progressing smoothly.
Three Indonesian scholars reported to authorities for criticisms against the government
In the last two weeks, three Indonesian academics—Saiful Mujani, Feri Amsari and Ubedilah Badrun—have been reported to authorities by various civil society organisations for alleged hate speech and defamation against the government, which constitutes a criminal offence under the new Criminal Code.