Asia Liberty Forum 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia

The Asia Liberty Forum (ALF) 2018 conference ended successfully last week. Venue is the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, the hotel is facing the Jakarta Central circle, Thamrin. Plenty of participants from many countries. Hats off to Atlas and the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS).

Opening remarks on Day 1 was given by Atlas President and CEO, Brad Lips (below) then Saidah Sakwan, Chairperson of CIPS.

Then the Cornerstone Talks with six speakers. From left: Amartuvshin Dorj (Mises-Mongolia), Hizkia Respatiadi (CIPS), Eunhee Park (Teach North Korean Refugees/TNKR, S. Korea), Nila Tanzil (Taman Bacaan Pelangi, Indonesia), Terry Kibbe (Free the People, USA) as moderator, Barun Mitra (Liberty Institute, India) and Razeen Sally (LKY School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore; he’s Sri Lankan). ALL good speakers.

Then the first Keynote address by Suraj Vaidya, Chairman of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Samriddhi Foundation, Nepal. He talked why free trade is good and will significantly reduce poverty in many developing countries.

Suraj and FNF Regional Director for South Asia, Ronald Meinardus (3rd from right) flanked by participants an speakers from India, Nepal, Afghanistan, US. Ronald introduced Suraj, then interviewed him on stage.

Some of the nearly 300 participants.

Among the pretty faces in the crowd, a local participant.

A photo with Adinda Tenriangke Muchtar (Suara Kebebasan, Indonesia) and Pett Jarupaiboon (EFN-Asia, FNF, Bangkok, Thailand).

More pics to follow…
(All photos I got from the Atlas fb page)

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The Center for Indonesian Policy Studies

* Originally posted on September 25, 2015.

EFN) Asia has a new, dynamic institutional member, the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS, http://cips-indonesia.org).

Congratulations, Rainer Heufers and team.

I wrote about the CIPS last June, CSOs and State 22, CIPS’ Community Schools Project in Indonesia. It’s a noble project by the Institute and further confirms that more civil society role, more voluntary involvement and engagement of people without coercion, is a more effective way to build a more dynamic, more peaceful society.

Below is part of the questionnaire and CIPS’ answer.

More collaborative work with you and CIPS team, Rainer. Am glad that the CIPS is officially a network member now. Congrats again.

Chatib Basri as Finance Minister of Indonesia

* Originally posted on May 21, 2013.

Indonesian newly appointed Finance Minister Chatib Basri, currently head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), poses for a photograph at his office in Jakarta on May 20, 2013. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on May 20 named Chatib Basri as the new finance minister, putting the country’s investment chief in charge of Southeast Asia’s top economy at a time of major challenges. AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

A friend whom I met during the Economic Freedom Network (EFN) Asia conference in Hong Kong in 2004, Chatib “Dede” Basri, has been appointed yesterday as the Finance Minister by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

He is a soft spoken yet highly articulate and intelligent guy. He got his PhD Econ from the Australia National University (ANU). He was the Director of the Institute for Economic and Social Research Faculty, University of Indonesia.

In his presentation nine years ago in HK, I remember that two of his slides showed a quote from Adam Smith and Milton Friedman.

Here is one report today from the Jakarta Globe.

Editorial: Free-Market Thinker to Lead Finance

By Jakarta Globe on 9:23 am May 21, 2013.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/editorial-free-market-thinker-to-lead-finance/

The appointment of M. Chatib Basri as the fourth finance minister under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a welcome move. The new minister has the requisite experience, but more importantly he understands the needs of the business community.

As he settles unto his new post after a successful stint at the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Chatib will have to tackle several key issues immediately. These include keeping the budget deficit from exploding, dealing with the fuel subsidy issue and boosting tax collection.

These are not easy challenges, but Chatib has the experience, skills set and economic knowledge to make the right decisions.

The most pressing challenge will be to deal with ever-rising fuel subsidies. It is clear that the state cannot afford to fund fuel subsidies without causing serious damage to the state budget and macroeconomic stability. But managing the political implications of raising fuel prices will require skill and a significant amount of socialization.

On this score, his apolitical stance will stand him in good stead. Political parties cannot accuse him of politicking or favoring any side. But he will have to work hard to get legislation on his side.

Chatib is also probably the best person to improve the investment climate given his time at BKPM, where he cut red tape significantly. He will have to continue these efforts at the Finance Ministry. If he is able to streamline bureaucracy, he will have made a major contribution to improving both the investment as well as the business climate in the country.

A soft-spoken man, Chatib is nonetheless a forceful economic thinker. He is a free-market advocate who supports free enterprise, which is critical in ensuring that Indonesia remains an open economy. His appointment is good for the country and the economy.