Indonesia’s plastic bag tax not enough, say experts

Indonesia’s plastic bag tax, meant to curtail the roughly 187 million tonnes of plastic waste entering the country’s water every year, is not enough to fix Indonesia’s environmental crisis, according to experts
By Euan Black • Sep 16, 2016

How to make a living playing one of the world’s most unusual instruments

Musician and artist Alena Murang grew up immersed in the traditional music of Borneo’s Kelabit, Kenyah and Penan people. One of the first women to openly perform with and teach the sape, the 27-year-old has taken her people’s unique sounds around the world and last month released her debut EP, Flight.
By Holly Robertson • Sep 16, 2016

Russia and Asia

Putin’s own ‘pivot to Asia’

Russian president Vladimir Putin embarked on a pivot towards Asia of his own well before the US under Barack Obama
By David Hutt • Sep 16, 2016

Myanmar loses sanctions but keeps US influence

Washington will lift trade sanctions against Myanmar that have been in place for nearly 30 years. Some sanctions will remain, however, and the US is likely to retain a keen interest in Myanmar politics
By Logan Connor • Sep 15, 2016

Inside the minds of Southeast Asia’s luxury marketing gurus

Glossy magazine advertisements were once the luxury industry’s marketing weapon of choice. But now the challenge is to capture hearts and minds using immersive brand experiences
By Logan Connor • Sep 15, 2016

Burning forests is forbidden, rules Indonesian Islamic council

Indonesia’s top Islamic clerical body has issued a religious decree denouncing the burning of forests, a significant factor in the haze problem that plagues neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia every year
By Logan Connor • Sep 14, 2016

Culture

Thailand’s forgotten sorcerers

Dwelling in the forest and dabbling in magic, the hermit sages known as ruesee have long inhabited the fringes of Thai Buddhism. Now, they are turning to modern marketing in a race for survival
By Southeast Asia Globe Editorial • Sep 14, 2016

Aung San Suu Kyi to visit White House

Myanmar’s de facto leader will meet US President Barack Obama at the White House tomorrow, where economic cooperation, sanctions and human rights will likely be prioritised
By Sam Bradpiece • Sep 13, 2016