Daily commentary on Asian business, management, market research, marketing tips, business prospects, economic and culture news. Market prospects. Economic prospects. Short reviews, links, advice, satire and topical coverage for international and Asian managers doing business in Asia.

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)

Sanook in Thailand: If you were a political party where would you locate your offices in the provinces? - the local community hall maybe? The local shopping mall? Two Thai political parties don't agree - they have just set up new offices in the Chang Mai area in - wait for it - karaoke bars... | Harvard boffin and author of the book "The Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of World Order", Samuel Huntington, this week offered some interesting observations during a seminar in Indonesia. He predicted that "corruption and decay" may set in after Lee steps down as Singapore Senior minister - "Lee Kuan Yew has made Singapore absolutely unique in this part of the world, by making it as one of the least corrupt political systems in the world. The question is, how long can you maintain an uncorrupt political system?". He also praised Abdurrahman Wahid for moving Indonesia towards democracy though "he has not taken charge of the economy or economic reforms". Finally he predicted that "Indonesia would reclaim its position as the dominant power in Southeast Asia". | Thailand's finance minister Tarrin called in the regulators Friday as the Thai SET index dropped below the 300 level, before recovering in late trade. | The toothless tiger sings a new song: Despite the rhetoric from ASEAN foreign and trade ministers, PM's and presidents on the importance of the ASEAN grouping, it is clear that this organization whose main objective now seems to be to prevent members commenting on each other's policies, has lost relevance in the past 3 years just when it was most needed. (In fact, the principle of "Non-interference" was the over-riding reason that Burma/Myanmar's military junta wanted so much to join the trade group.) ASEAN became a toothless tiger on the key issue of the past 3 years - East Timor - mainly because of the non-interference policy and left the UN with 100% influence in the global community's response. Despite a policy of zero tariffs among member nations, ASEAN failed to force Malaysia to drop taxes instituted to protect the Malaysian national car industry. ASEAN is now more a tool of national governments than the regional trade grouping it really should be - advancing the interests of ASEAN as a whole. - The host of the next ASEAN meeting in July - Thailand - is at least giving the toothless tiger a melodious voice, with the release of "ASEAN Samaki", a theme song penned by an employee of the Thai foreign ministry. "ASEAN is united and strong" goes the ditty - and Foreign Ministry spokesman Don Prapassorn says "the common folks will like it". - No comment on whether the "uncommon" folks will like it... | Seems the new yuppie joint in Bangkok is the Q bar in Soi 11 Sukhumvit. Well heeled Thai's and spoilt falangs crowd out this new hip-hop-acid-jazz-minimalist-factory-architecture hang-out every night. So far pollie's sons from Taurus in Soi 26 with bruised knuckles have not made the stroll down the road. Enjoy it while it lasts | A site boasting annotated links on Women in Business, is being well received. See also our reviews of the women in management in Asia here and here | Confused by all those investment terms? This site lists short definitions of a comprehensive list. |

Bangkok: Tuesday 23rd May 2000

Well known author and APMF luminary rang Manila to express concern regarding the bomb attack on the very building in Makati in which he was due to speak at a business seminar later this week. Response came back quickly - Not to worry - we dont think it was the Southern Islam separatists - just a gang bombing... ..Business as usual in Makati obviously... | From the land of long faces: Pakistani military rulers have reacted swiftly to rising concerns re the upsurge in violence and sexually related crimes against women. Their advice? Pakistani women should take care to wear their head scarves in public, wear a "stern face" while shopping, and refrain from "laughing loudly" while outside. | The Thai stock market hit a 15 month low yesterday, and following the dramatic fall and rise on the NASDAQ overnight, Asian stock markets are all down today as well. | Long live the King: Revered King Bhumipol of Thailand today becomes the longest reigning monarch in Thailand, outlasting King Rama I. Thailand boasts one of the most successful monarchies of modern times, where a willingness to support the Thai people as a whole rather than the current élite alone sets it apart from other monarchies. | The US Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Country Indicators for Foreign Policy (CIFP) site is a highly useful reference for researchers. | From the IMF, Financial Market Spillovers in Transition Economies - a PDF format report. | Concerns are increasing over Thailand's new proposed media act, the provisions within which reduce the media's ability to report objectively in business and economics within Thailand, as well as on government policies of other countries. | Ever wondered why all those hawker stalls extend illegally over pavements and half way onto streets in many places in Bangkok, making the stroll home a walk on the wild side avoiding skidding cars, tuk-tuks, and slipping over spilled noodles and Pad Thai over the pavements? Going price is 1,000 to 3,000 Baht for the local constabulary to overlook such minor transgressions for a month. | Several monks in Thailand aggrieved over alleged misuse of the "Thai-help-Thai" fund established post crisis to raise funds to assist with economic recovery and proverty alleviation. Finance minister Tarrin is the target, who has been accused of mis-using the funds blessed by Buddha.

Jakarta: Thursday 11th May 2000

Indonesia's rupea fell to a 6 month low earlier today, as concerns on political stability and pace of economic reform and growth show no signs of declining | Today is the centennial of the birth of Pridi Banomyong, the Thai leader who ended absolute democracy and brought constitutional rule to Thailand in 1932. Great background including history, significance and even piccies at this site. | India's population will hit 1 Billion today. The world's 2 most highly populated and exciting markets are right here in Asia | The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has just updated their very useful and credible information on Hong Kong economic and trade information. | Details of last night's continuing fall of the DOW and NASDAQ demonstrate that the latest decline if not all due to over-valuation of Dot Coms. Major non-dot-com companies like Intel fell dramatically, as well as major non-tech companies. What we are really seeing is not so much the end of the bull NASDAQ market of the past 6 months, but more significantly the end of the 18 year bull stock market as a whole | Many Asian currencies are down this morning following the stock market falls yesterday, as well as major Asian bourses, mainly due to foreign investors selling activity, especially on the Nikkei. Don't expect however to see foreign funds out-flowing to the extent they did 2 years ago, but the strength of the North American markets which both shielded and facilitated the Asian recovery is now less substantive. If this continues, common sense suggests that Asian recovery, so far substantial and speedy, will suffer some set backs in the future. | James, please report to the headmaster's room: Qantas chief honcho James Strong summoned to the OZ gov to explain recent safety related incidents. Adjust the slightly wonky bow tie first James. | The Asia Pacific Legal Institute currently provides several excellent resources on intellectual property issues in China. | Australia expects GDP to grow at 3.75% 2000-2001. Exports are improving though household consumption is down | Japanese consumer confidence reached a 16-month high in April on improved corporate earning prospects and speculations that Bank of Japan may increase interest rates soon, according to the latest Prudential Japanese Consumer Confidence Survey. | Chinese language Web site Neteast.com is reporting that China will be formally entered into the World Trade Organization in September, 30-minutes earlier than Taiwan. | IBRA, the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Authority, under the authority of the Ministry of Finance, is facing its moment of truth this month, as the world sees whether it's bite is as good as its mouth. IBRA is offering 22.5% of BCA shares in an IPO on May 31st in order to generate cash and restore investor's confidence. With companies like LG Chemicals Korea stalling plans to further invest in Indonesia for reasons (as in LG Chemicals case) ranging from the economy and concerns for employee's safety, successful IBRA initiatives are not only desired but essential. The official Indonesian Bank Restructuring Authority site is here, in both Bahasa Indonesia and English. | Concerns from the UK that high hygiene standards in restaurants and food preparation are causing natural resistance to bugs, germies, and other bacterial nasties to decline may well explain why so many Britisher's fall like flies after trying the local tucker down here. | Full text referred marketing articles - a great resource for marketing managers, strategists, and researchers are available from the Massey University's Marketing Bulletin. Credible market information available for free is rare on the Internet. Bookmark it! | Finally don't forget to visit the Rat's latest new item on the Thai youth market.

Jakarta: Friday 5th May 2000

A chat in the sun: Hong Lim Park is Singapore's new "Speaker's Corner", symbolizing that maybe a new openess on free speech following the embracing of the global village which has given Singapore a major competitive advantage to other more reactionary Asian nation states. But is it a symbol only? As reported last year, major international publishers were caught off balance when Singapore started approving publications that they assumed for many years would be automatically declined. Yet to speak at the Speakers Corner you will have to yell over the traffic noise (no megaphones allowed), register at the adjoining cop shop beforehand, and are restricted to several topics. Your message may get to 20 or so strolling souls at most. | The Philippine stock market dropped to an 18 month low yesterday, reflecting a precarious economy affected by perceived sloth in government policy, continuing major concerns of cronyism and corruption, and a Presidency decreasing in popularity daily. More evidence that celluloid heroics are the stuff of entertainment and fantasy and not translatable to the real world. | The US National Bureau of Economic Research site provides PDF articles and abstracts on exchange rate crises in emerging economies | What are business incubators? ...Now we know, courtesy of Benjamin C Powell from Wharton, who provides a superb on-line bibliography, and selection of links on business incubators. | If you are in Jakarta looking for nightlife tonight you may be advised to avoid the Hotel Ambroha, who are advertising their "Ladies night" tonight boldly in the Jakarta Post as "when Ladies are Queens".. Enter at your own risk... | Love Bug Bites!: Not much info for those understandably moved to click on the "I love you" email attachment containing a virus which emails all others on the infected computer's MS Outlook email address book, and proceeds to overwrite all .js, .vbs, and many multimedia files on the system. Only the shut the gate after the horsey has bolted advice not to click on it. For those who did Emergency Tip... shut down the computer immediately. The hard disk going crazy and slowing down your work is the program deleting files. Pull the plug, open up in DOS, go to the windows/system directory, and delete any .vbs files updated at the time you executed the email attachment (should all be around 11 Kbs). Then start the computer and Windows again. This will stop the program from continuing to overwrite all the files which is your most urgent task. Those files overwritten are probably gone forever, (search for 11kb files generated since you started the program). For more professional and cleaning up advice consult your preferred anti-virus sites. The program seems to have been initiated in Manila by some guy who doesn't like school - based on the sigs in the file. | Is this Australia... or Asia? Arthur Marshall, MP in the Western Australian government during a tirade in the house yesterday claimed that he would only trust someone with an expensive car to manage his investments.. "..only people with flashy cars foreign cars are fit to run the country.." was his reported statement from DPA, possibly embellished with some litrary license. Hari Ini quoted last year the statement by a Thai businessman, that the first thing he does when meeting a new contact is to check the make of their watch and suit, as he wouldn't do business with anybody with less than the Rolex amd Armani. It's a fairly common way for the Asian rich to assess quality when their performance appraisal skills are non-existant or they are too lazy to do so. As for Artie... he must have had a hard night before fighting it out with too many Emus and Swans. (Eds...)