Archives:
April 2000
The Hari Ini column is available daily on the Asian Business Strategy & Street Intelligence Ezine home page. Sure.. go there now for more of the same. At least it's fresher...
This page contains one month of the archives.
The Hari Ini column documents off-the cuff comments, very odd spots, unsubstantiated rumours, misinterpretations, cruel innuendo, limp jokes, dodgy links, tips lacking in credibility, and other material very roughly related to Asian business, marketing, management, culture, politics, economics and why the earth is round.
Some of the items emerge into sections later on; some are contributed by email or word of mouth by friends of the forum, columnists, editorial advisors, and the Chao Phraya River Rat.
..Most of it just ends up here...
Basically it means we can at least comment on happenings that we wouldn't otherwise have the time to.
"Hari Ini" means "Today" in both Malaysian and Indonesian.
..Which means that everything on this page is already outta date...
As the masthead suggests, this column also includes all the news that doesn't fit..
It also means we can add some lightheartedness and CNN type shallowness to our otherwise more serious content. As CNN proves, such content sells...
Mostly the column just reflects the mood of the editors on the day, and gives a potted summary of key issues in the region. If you want it to reflect your mood as well, email us contributions at chiyo@apmforum.com.
Chiyo Hyiuiki (Webmaster, and on behalf of the editors)
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Kuala Lumpur: Monday 17th April 2000 |
Visitors to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown last night had to look twice at the neon sign above the Swiss Inn down Jalan Sultan a-piece. Maintenance has been a bit slack and not just a few letters are missing due to neon-tube failure. The sign now proudly proclaims the HOTEL S__SIN_. You would think it was the White House. Rumours that occupancy has surged the last few nights are totally un-founded. | Amidst the undoutedly serious side of Saturday's run-in between the Malaysian ruling élite and Keadilan supporters, there were some moments that are worthy of the Keystone Cops. Having ordered Keadilan leaders to report to the police in the preceding days, Keadilan Vice President Tian Chua would have none of it, and said that the cops should do their bloody job and find him themselves - or words to that effect. Yesterday, a good 24 hours after the main event, Chua led the coppers on a merry chase around downtown Petaling Jaya for two hours, through shopping centres and fast food outlets, car parks, and hawker carts, before being finally nabbed at the AMCORP shopping mall. You can run but you can't hide!... At present the major proportion of Keadilan's leadership are being held or arrested. Government pollies throughout the world, are following the events with not just a little bit of envy and jealousy. If only they could arrest opposition pollies to shut them up just like they do in Malaysia. Life would be so much easier. | They said it could only happen in Asia and Latin America. It's going to be week of drama this week, as we follow the fortunes of the DOW and the NASDAQ following the biggest one-day points fall in history on Friday. Could this be the start of the Western financial crisis? Comparisons to the Asia of 3 years ago abound. - Corruption in high places, too much easy money, and money being spent on pie in the skies rather than real business. Middle America is hocked to the hilt. Its a bubble that has to burst "any time soon" as CNN taking heads are fond of saying, but are not saying yet... It may not be this time, but a financial crisis some time soon is as inevitable as GARUDA arriving late. A Western world crisis of course will curtail the Asian revival. Just remember you read it here first... | The new Knowledge Management WWW-VL is being run by the people at BRINT, one of the first and finest documenters of business and knowledge information on the Internet (mainly focused on technology). The WWW-VL is also a pioneer in such matters, with a mass of highly qualified volunteers reviewing research, academic, and content sites and resources and maintaining useful indicies. | A site full on Indonesian news resources here. | The Indonesian central bank, Bank Indonesia, has predicted economic growth between 4 and 5% in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period last year | You may notice the increasing links on the forum to Google, a search engine re recommend highly for returning the most relevant results, especially while more established engines are becoming less useful for serious researchers. Try out our search on the left, and see for yourself why leading independent research company NPD New Media Services found it to be the No. 1 search engine in a Search & Portal Site Tracking Study. | No Moody Blues for Thai Banks: Moody's doesn't seem to be getting the blues over Thailand's present ruckus over the position of Governer of the Bank of Thailand. It still sees Thailand as stable and an upward credit review is as likely as before the cafuffle. |
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Bangkok: Tuesday 11th April 2000 |
Did you know? China was Asia's biggest advertising market last year at 6.1 Billion US. | Finding a contact, business, or individual in Indonesia from overseas can often be difficult. The Indonesia Yellow Pages may well reduce the frustration. | Korean Technology News (in Korean) is now available at http://korea.cnet.com/ | The Bangkok Skytrain continues to return passenger numbers 40% to 60% lower than expected in recent months. A magnificant and very modern facility, problems include the amount of stairs required to get to it, and the relatively expensive fares compared to the taxi. Short trips are still more economically and quickly achieved by taxi, even though the Skytrain is a boon for longer trips, especially at peak times and if bothe stations are close to your detination and departure points. Complaints linger from the traditionally modest Thai office gals that the local constabulary posted in booths beneath the stairs are turning into the Thai equivalent of Merv the Perv, with many passing the time peering skywards as bonnie lasses scale the steps. There is a bright side however... At least they are staying awake... | Malaysia's Mahathir has warned opposition leaders not to continue with plans for a march on the weekend to commemorate Anwar's dismissal (Mahathir refers to this as "some event or other"), citing that it may cause riots. Malaysia's ruling élite and sycophantic press usually have a field day blaming opposition supporters for mayhem and violence during outdoor rallies, which incidentally were banned last week. Some are bracing for possible arrests of leaders later this week in order to derail the organization. Allegations that statements and admissions from witnesses in the Anwar case were gained through payoffs, police threats and brutality are sufacing daily at Anwar's court appearance. It might be the right time again for rounding up assorted seditious miscreants. You have been warned. | Much of Asia will find it "tough to grow very rapidly unless there's more progress in banking and other economic reforms", according to the Chase Manhattan Bank's head of Asian economic research. The aforesaid Bijan Aghevali, was formerly the IMF's deputy director for the Asia-Pacific. Hmmmm. | Car sales increased 56% in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand in the first two months this year. Car sales have traditionally been a sound indicator of economic prospects, reflecting consumer confidence.| Hari Ini Reader F. Paul suggests other readers should take a look at Competia On-Line Magagazine. He writes - "Competia Online Magazine is a very informative and practical publication for competitive intelligence and strategic planning professionals. At the present time, I have a 7 day free subscription to the publication and I am impressed by the content..." | Songkran in Thailand from Wednesday for a few days. Don't expect much work from your Thai associates for a while. The water festival pays homage to the flowing pure stuff, mainly by throwing heaps of it at other people. Years ago, buckets would suffice, however each year offers increasingly sophisticated aiming devices, this year's winner being a plastic water pistol seemingly designed by a Star Wars aficionado. Police have warned that the force of the pistol may cause harm. Rumours that unofficial tests have been carried out underneath the Skytrain steps at Phrom Phen station at Sukhumvit are unfounded. | As for us... we are leaving Thailand tomorrow for perhaps one of the most attractive cities in Asia - Kuala Lumpur - before we get too wet. In Malaysia for two weeks. See you there... and thanks to our Thai mates - especially Kreingsak, Piset, Allen from Atimes, Tony and Alan, the always great staff from Bourbon Street for their attention - and the Oriental - for just being the Oriental. |
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Bangkok: Thursday 6th April 2000 |
Yoshiro Mori, a king-maker in the Liberal Democratic Party, is now king/emperor himself having been elected the new Prime Minister of Japan. In a society where the individual is less important than the group, a change in personalities at the top is not as significant in say the US or many European countries. Yet it is still significant as Japan is the powerhouse of Asia, and second biggest economy in the world if you don't count the merged Europe. ...And Mori takes over as Japan is still stuggling to get back on it's feet. Mori is a conservative compared to Ubichi - his election is not unexpected given his claim as the most knowledgeable and well-known party man in the dominant party of the ruling bloc. In the instability of an unexpected crisis, such as this, and when time is limited to assess all options, human nature favours stability and conservatism over change. Changes in Japan's policy, especially in reducing gov/business incest, will be keenly watched - especially from here. | The US NASDAQ comprising hi-tech stocks rode a rollercoaster last night, at one time dropping 13% in 4 hours, before recovering to a loss of around 2%. The NASDAQ is still continuing its steady downward slide in the only trend worth noting apart from short term investors - the long term trend. Asian markets are also displaying some fall-out today, especially with the new dot Com's. | Environmental Resources Management, China, is a commercial organization with their Web site nonethelss providing interesting information on Mergers and Acquisitions Services, Environmental, Health and Safety Management, Pollution Control and Site Remediation, Hazardous Waste Management, Clean Energy, Environmental Economics, Social Strategies,
Regulatory Services and International Development. | Curious comments from Malaysia's Mahathir to visiting Pakistan leader Musharraf, urging a return to democracy. As the most vocal proponent of countries keeping out of each other's businesses, and delivering predicatable sarcastic commentary on those who would comment on Malaysia, does this presage a change of heart? | Still on the good doctor, Mahathir has tabled a 13 page letter to the judge in the Anwar trial outlining why he should not be required to testify in the trial, on the grouds that Anwar was sacked because of "his homosexuality" and nothing else. | Allegations from Anwar's defence team this week that a Malaysian embassy driver in the US was offered money to state that Anwar made indecent approaches or requests for "girls or boys". |
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Bangkok: Friday 31st March 2000 |
Many Asian stock markets down today on a 4% drop of the NASDAQ overnight and a warning from Marc Mobius on over-valuation of tech stocks in emerging markets. All modesty aside of course, we warned about this 2 weeks ago. | Dow Jones has launched a series of indicies for investors wishing to invest according to Islamic investment guidlines. According to the site - "The Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes track Shari`ah Law compliant stocks from around the world, providing Islamic investors with comprehensive tools based on a truly global investing perspective..." | Still on Islamic finance, an Islamic view of finance - and a global investment monetary system that is based on usury and fraud. Well written and argued piece. | Jailhouse Rocks: President Chen's election in Taiwan means that if you havent spent a bit of time in the big house at one time or the other, your chances of the big jobs, on a statistical probability basis - decrease fast. Leaders who have spent time include Malaysia's Mahathir and Anwar, Taiwan's Chen, Korea's Kim Dae Jong, and Thailand's (ex) DPM Sanan. Make sure its on your CV when you apply. | For Asian expats abroad who miss their national songs here is an index of Asian national anthems. Click on one and you hear those familiar strains. As an example here is Malaysia and Thailand. It's enuff to make you teary-eyed. | A little bit dated, but no fault of the publishers - (in fact we are at fault for not finding it earlier) - but here is an excellent series on the Art and Practice of Japanese Management. | ...And still on useful or entertaining links.. here are some useful Malay phrases translated and as sound files as she is spoken in Brunei. Seems the same as the Malaysia lingo - Bahasa Melayu - you can also get by with these phrases in Indonesia among those who speak the Indonesian national language, though there are some significant differences, notably in days of the week, and greetings according to time. | Chang Noi returns!: No less than 10 days after the banning of elephants from Bangkok streets and mahouts banished back to their provinces, a baby elephant was spotted last night at a well-frequented but less-than-respectable tourist hangout in Soi 4 Sukhumvit. Baby elephants are easier to hide than the big ones when the coppers come a-sniffin'. Throw a grey tarp over it, a long red snake thingo around its neck and front, and you can explain to the local cops that its actually Chevalit on a night out. Seriously... a baby elephant can disappear as fast as a butterfly falang through the Nana Disco secret back door when unexpected patrons float in the front door.
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