As full member of BRICS, Indonesia should be wary of ‘trade turbulence’ and Trump’s tariff threats: Analysts

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Indonesia had recently expressed interest in joining the BRICS, and it received a recommendation from the union in 2023. &nbsp,

It officially applied for participation in 2024, following the formation of President Prabowo Subianto’s new leadership.

” The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its appreciation to Russia, as the 2024 BRICS Chair, for its aid and leadership in facilitating Indonesia’s entrance into BRICS, as well as to Brazil, the 2025 BRICS Chair, for announcing Indonesia’s participation”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a speech on Tuesday.

” This participation results from Indonesia’s effective relationship with BRICS over the past few years, including its presence at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in 2023 under South Africa’s management and the 2024 Summit in Kazan under Russia’s chairmanship”, the statement continued.

The government said that Indonesia is committed to constantly contributing to the BRICS plan, including promoting economic endurance, technical assistance, green growth, and addressing global issues such as climate change, food safety, and public health. &nbsp,

” BRICS is an important app for Indonesia to strengthen South-South assistance, ensuring the tones and dreams of Global South states are heard and represented in international decision-making methods”, the department said.

” We are fully dedicated to working together with all BRICS members, as well as with other parties, to realise the creation of a just, peaceful, and prosperous world”.

Teuku said that this was Prabowo’s” swift achievement” and proof that foreign policy is one of the important priorities in this administration.

” This is Prabowo’s swift achievement. Because he has thoroughly researched this matter since winning the presidency. Prabowo travelled a lot, was involved in international forums”, Teuku said.

BRICS, established in 2009, includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as its early members —countries with rapidly growing economies.

Over time, BRICS has attracted interest from other nations, leading to membership expansion. In 2024, new members included Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

BRICS, which are made up of non-Western nations, are frequently viewed as challenging the political and economic dominance of wealthy and powerful nations in North America and Western Europe.

Not including Indonesia, BRICS member countries have a population of around 3.5 billion or 45 per cent of the global population. Combined, the economies of the BRICS countries account for about 28 per cent of the global economy.

TRUMP’S THREAT TO BRICS

But observers say Indonesia should be wary of US President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to BRICS.

Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 100 % on BRICS member nations if they proceeded with plans to create a new currency that would compete with the US dollar in early December of last year.

Trump reaffirmed on his social media platform Truth Social that” we require a commitment from these nations that they will not create a new BRICS currency nor back any other currency to replace the powerful US dollar. They should also expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US economy,” according to Trump.

During the Johannesburg meeting in 2023, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made the suggestion to create a BRICS currency. However, the proposal has not yet gained full support from all BRICS members.

Hikmahanto Juwana, a professor of international law at the University of Indonesia, claimed that Prabowo should be concerned about Trump’s threat.

This is something we need to be cautious about because Trump will be inaugurated later on January 20, and I worry that Trump will view Indonesia as hostile to the US, Hikmahanto told CNA.

” If so, then various privileges, facilities provided by the US so far to Indonesia will be withdrawn”.

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Philippines seeks diplomatic means in South China Sea disputes but will defend sovereign rights: Foreign Secretary

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Since early 2023, Philippine authorities have been making public about Chinese actions in the contested water passage, including abuse of ships and fishermen. They have continued to use their so-called “assertive clarity” approach.

” Transparency is intended to convey the truth,” says one. We are simply practising our lawful right, and we did not start clashes”, Manalo said of the method.

” All we were trying to accomplish, in some cases, is resupply our forces or guide our sailors, yet we were subjected to harassment, intimidation, also incidents and water guns. Therefore, the best way to communicate our place is to “publicize it,”” showing the information as they are.”

DEFENCE UPGRADES

A mutual agreement requires Washington and Manila to assist support one another in a major issue because the Philippines is a long-standing US ally.

In an effort to protect its maritime interests, the Philippines announced last month that it would buy the US Typhon weapon system, which raised concerns from China that the move could lead to a local “arms race.”

At least two years are anticipated to pass before the order is perfect.

Manalo claimed that the purchase is only intended to “improve our defence capabilities and modernize our defense forces.”

” We are committed to harmony in the region. But, any kind of advancement … is really to increase our own defense capacities, and not for any type of any other type of action”.

INCOMING TRUMP PRESIDENCY

With decades of mutual support and shared goals, Manalo said he anticipates that the Philippines-US connection will be strong when Donald Trump assumes office as president on January 20.

Ferdinand Marcos, president of the Philippines, and Trump discussed the need to improve their empire after the US election in November.

” Marcos and Trump’s trade gives me confidence that things will turn out as they are,” said Trump. We seem to have a lot of popular views of the situation in this area, Manalo said.

” We now have many areas of cooperation… not just defence and military, but ( also ) economic ( and ) private sector cooperation”.

He pointed to Trump’s second term in office between 2017 and 2021, when both governments enjoyed strong relationships. Trump also hailed a “great marriage” with Philippines ‘ then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

He claimed that “our alliance has grown stronger, our relationship has grown stronger, and a lot of this defense cooperation is included in our mutual defense treaty as well as other arrangements like our Visiting Forces Agreement.”

These are based on agreements that we have had with the US for the past 75 years, and they will remain.

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PAP volunteer releases footage of confrontation with PSP members

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In another picture he shared, a woman is seen wearing white and surrounded by PSP t-shirts. A sexual PSP user finds that they are being captured and walks toward the lens.

The feminine PSP member’s face is therefore extremely close up before the camera is obscured by PSP flyers. The video’s creator turns in a different direction, and the adult PSP user follows him, continuing to try to hide behind the lens.

That picture is captioned “hit by leaflets”.

CNA has reached out to PSP for remark.

Mr. Azman, who was mentioned in Ms. Low’s Facebook post on Wednesday, identified himself as” Male Volunteer 1,” who was also mentioned.

Male Volunteer 1 was slapped on the face thrice, once in a lift and once more in a hall, according to Ms Low.

” And all this and, my Man Charity 1 was also being insulted with the use of derogatory words”, she wrote.

Mr. Azman claimed that he was sharing the video because individuals had been asking him if what PSP said was accurate and that he had been troubled by the photos and videos of himself electronically.

He claimed he was concerned when he saw a female volunteer being surrounded and that he was supporting her brother participants on January 4. By that time, he claimed, both edges were recording each other’s actions.

” What I didn’t hope is that they will get agitated and natural. I’ve been targeted electronically by my home and I. My home and I have been hurt”, he said. ” Now that a police report is made, I hope ( the ) truth will come out”.

On Wednesday, PSP president Tan Cheng Bock requested that the PAP and Chua Chu Kang GRC MPs comment on the affair.

Similar to Ms Low, Chua Chu Kang GRC MP, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, after shared her Instagram post later that evening.

Although he says nothing about this,” I’m sure Dr. Tan would agree that PSP individuals should not be involved in behavior that involves restraining, assaulting, and insulting another,” he wrote.

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Q&A with Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli on Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

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Q: Is there a chance that there will be an overreliance on Singapore organizations investing in this Hz given Johor’s close contact and its interdependence with Singapore? What is the strategy to kind of entice regional businesses, particularly those with international Businesses?

In all the debate surrounding JS-SEZ, I’ve always made the point that it would be like a huge reduction if JS-SEZ only looked at Singapore and Malaysia. But also, when it comes to investments, our see is that JS-SEZ is going to be quite attractive to international investors. &nbsp,

I only have a few choices if I were a global investment looking to grow and established myself in ASEAN. I can go to Vietnam, I can go to Indonesia, I can go to Malaysia, or suggest Singapore. But then again, if I were to go to Singapore, Singapore has its in place, but it also has its limits, and vice versa for Johor. And so, the interaction that we can give is designed to attract international opportunities, and that by itself, I think, will be able to handle this problem of over-reliance on Singapore businesses. &nbsp,

If we can accomplish the vital mass, which is driven by international investments into JS-SEZ, then both Malaysian and Singapore businesses may benefit from the spill, which is undoubtedly beneficial. &nbsp,

Q: The perspective for this Says is to rival some of the effective areas in countries like China, United States, Germany, but we know that those are extremely different from what we have below, where it requires two different places, different areas. What would it take to finally be comparable to some of these prosperous regions?

I continue to believe that ASEAN will expand, and that if we become more included, common sense will succeed in this region. We are much stronger as an economy of 700 million plus people. &nbsp,

This optimistic JS-SEZ, exclusive economic zone between two nations, which is unique in this world, is a manifestation of the first few steps toward more connectivity between two ASEAN economy, and I hope it will help us have a better opportunity of utilizing the ASEAN probable of this huge market. &nbsp,

So so, while it is very unique, and therefore it has a set of difficulties, it furthermore addresses that need to press for more inclusion between economies in ASEAN. Let’s begin with Johor and Singapore, and I hope that if it succeeds, it will encourage further inclusion in ASEAN beyond Malaysia and Singapore because we really need to share our sources and see how we can collaborate to benefit our respective talents in the future.

Q: Now that this agreement has been signed, what are the following steps to take right away to take this Says to life?

There’ll be a series of job streams that have to happen in reverse. At the planning level between Malaysia and Singapore, there will be a high level committee that starts working on the blueprint, because it’s a chicken and egg ( situation ). We didn’t do a template until we copper out the guidelines. So now that, with the arrangement, all rules and pledges and shared perspective are sealed, then we can proceed to the next stage, which is to create the template. And with the blueprint, it will make it much simpler for Malaysian and Singapore agencies to promote jointly, while also providing all the administrative infrastructure, which, in my opinion, is already in place to facilitate the first wave of investments.

Malaysia already has the Iskandar Malaysia Facilitation Centre, which facilitates administrative processes by bringing all government agencies under one roof to make sure investments are processed much more quickly. And in terms of the governing infrastructure, it’s already been built into the agreement. Then we just need to get going with this. So I believe that we will learn more about the vision for each node in the year 2025.

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MINDEF confirms screening in place to prevent certain individuals from acquiring ‘soldiering’ skills

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SINGAPORE: Screening processes are in place to make sure people who pose security threats are not put in roles where they can develop” soldiering” skills, the Ministry of Defence ( MINDEF ) said on Thursday ( Jan 9 ).

The statement was made in response to the arrest of three radicalized people in Singapore under the Internal Security Act.

Nurisham Yusoff, 44, put forth a claim that his desire to join the military branch of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, could be helped by his knowledge of how to handle weapons while serving in the Singapore Armed Forces ( SAF ).

National troops may use their SAF-trained skills to carry out terrorist acts or terrorist acts, according to a MINDEF spokesperson in response to CNA inquiries.

MINDEF ‘s&nbsp, Military Security Department&nbsp, frequently windows for individuals who might cause such threats, said the director.

” If identified, quite individuals will not be placed in positions to get soldiering abilities or gain access to weapons that pose a risk,” the statement reads.

The&nbsp, Military Security Department even works in close cooperation with other federal safety authorities, MINDEF said.

SAF leaders often engage their troops, it added, to” improve cohesion and encourage mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds.”

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Singapore police warn criminals against ‘taking chances’ amid growing in-flight theft concerns

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WHAT IS SINGAPORE’S Place? &nbsp,

Aviation law professionals claimed that Singapore has ratified and integrated Iso regulations aimed at combating in-flight fraud into its own policy.

The 1963 Tokyo Convention, or Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed to Board Aircraft, contains detailed information on these issues.

The National University of Singapore’s rules school teacher Alan Tan said but that the problem with the Tokyo Convention, also after a 2014 release, is that it was “never meant to deal with small-time crooks like criminals”. &nbsp,

” Its principal goal is to deal with culprits who compromise the safety of the aircraft or the good order and discipline on table,” said Prof. Tan. &nbsp,

” As such, it applies to more serious crimes like unruly behavior, violence against fellow customers or team and of course, immoral acts such as hijacking”.

However, he said Singapore’s laws on theft would use to Singapore-registered aircraft such as those operated by Singapore carriers SIA, Scoot and Jetstar Asia- wherever they may become flying. &nbsp,

If the airline’s place is Singapore, an on-board culprit may be handed over to nearby authorities upon takeoff.

But if the fraud occurs&nbsp, on a flight headed outside of Singapore, it will depend on whether the receiving state is prepared to capture and sue the criminal, said Prof Tan.

The main concern is whether the destination nation is sufficiently concerned about the problem; numerous nations don’t, especially when it comes to minor crimes.

Additionally, there is the possibility of a foreign-registered aircraft entering Singapore, and whether or not regional authorities will track down and prosecute a criminal for a crime that was most likely to take place outside of Singapore’s aircraft. &nbsp,

Prof Tan said the Tokyo Convention Act states that Singapore’s Public Prosecutor had consent to take up trials, and so it is “up to the Attorney-General’s Chambers ‘ judgment”.

At least one new case saw a credit card criminal on board Malaysian-registered AirAsia being charged, he noted. ” But, we do have law”.

SPF informed CNA that authorities will conduct an investigation when the situations and circumstances permit it. &nbsp,

” The analysis usually includes receiving a report, conducting discussions and statement recording, gathering of data, and referring the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for legal motion”, said a spokeswoman. &nbsp,

However, Associate Professor Jae Woon Lee from the law faculty at the Chinese University of Hong Kong pointed out the difficulty of obtaining proof for in-flight theft.

” Only when the crew directly witnesses the suspect taking something out of someone else’s possession, or when the theft victim witnesses the scene, airlines report to the police”, he said. &nbsp,

He added that the overhead compartment’s shared luggage space was a “big challenge” and “unique factor” in this situation.

When suspected of stealing, a thief can quickly say that” I am checking my belongings” and say that.

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Has President Tharman ever fought with his wife? Atypical ‘journalists’ do the asking

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TALKING SPORT, THE PRESIDENCY AND Illness

Likewise, if there was one passion that drove his younger self, it was activity. President Tharman said he would never cease loving sports when asked about one aspect of himself that he would never alter.

” I may include music, but athletics came first”, said the leader, who as a lad was engaged in sports, athletics, football and baseball, among other sports. ” I grew up playing sporting every single day, even on Sundays”.

He recalls a time when he was supposed to play sports that day but suffered an shoulder injury at the age of 15. Despite the injury, he insisted on going to sports practice.

” But because I don’t use my hands, I decided to play as keeper, where you don’t need to be using your hands so far, and you use your arms as well”, he recounted. ” So, I love sports”.

Now, he does not do any severe sport but does workout, he said. Does he play golf, but, as different heads of state do, asked Michael Ooi, 19, who has autism.

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Police probing alleged assault by Admiralty Secondary School student that left classmate with head wound

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A student from the Admiralty Secondary School allegedly assaulted his colleague, leaving the target with a head wound, prompting police to launch an investigation into the incident. &nbsp,

The Singapore Police Force ( SPF ) announced on Wednesday ( Jan 8 ) that it had received a call for assistance at 31 Woodlands Crescent at around 2pm on Tuesday in response to CNA’s inquiries.

This is the target of Admiralty Secondary School.

” A 12-year-old child was assessed for wounds by the Singapore Civil Defence Force”, said the policeman.

” Another 12-year-old boy is assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt” .&nbsp,

Admiralty Secondary School has reached out for post, according to CNA.

NEPHEW” BRUTALLY ASSAULTED”&nbsp,

A people claiming to be the murderer’s uncle made a Facebook post about the incident later on Tuesday evening. &nbsp,

The blog read,” I am greatly disturbed and heartbroken by an incident that occurred at my brother, a new pupil at Admiralty Secondary School. &nbsp,

It described how the target had been “brutally assaulted” by his colleague and had a severe cut that required stitches on the back of his head. &nbsp,

The boy’s colleague regularly hit him on the mind with a metal water bottle, the writer claims. &nbsp,

” As I type this concept, the scar is still bleeding, adding to our stress and worry for his well-being”, read the post. &nbsp,

The article included images of the victim’s mind bandaged and the wound’s target in a wheelchair. &nbsp,

The post read,” We have requested that this scenario never be swept under the carpet,” study. &nbsp,

It’s about ensuring the safety and responsibilities of a class that is supposed to safeguard and nurture its individuals.
 

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Mediacorp disqualifies 3 entries from design competition following plagiarism claims

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Lee even criticizes some of the terms and conditions of Design Pompipi in his post, revealing one that states that Mediacorp will own all submitted entries ‘ right.

” That’s where one of the major problems is by accepting such entries”, wrote Lee.

One of Mediacorp’s activities to mark Singapore’s 60th time of freedom, Design Pompipi&nbsp, invited the people to design a graphic – sharing what Singapore or SG60 meant to them. &nbsp,

The designers who received the top six main category designs will be awarded a cash prize of S$ 2, 000 and Caltex StarCash gift cards worth$ 100 each. The competition’s submission deadline was January 5.

In a statement to CNA Lifestyle, a Mediacorp director said:” We thank all members of the public who participated in Mediacorp’s Design Pompipi contest for their assistance.

Participants agree to the competition’s terms and conditions, which include requiring all designs to be original and not to be created using artificial intelligence ( AI ) by submitting their entries. We will invalidate for submissions as and when they are discovered, even though there is no foolproof way to determine whether designs were plagiarized or created using AI at the level of distribution.

” On this, we have reviewed internet input from a member of the public, sent on Jan 5, regarding the submissions listed in]Lee Xin Yi’s Social post]. We have since removed these comments, disqualified them, and informed the individuals in writing that they had been disqualified.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday ( Jan 7 ), Lee revealed that he had received an e-mail apology from Sabiyathul. He added that other designers have told him that they’ve even had their functions taken and turned over to Design Pompipi.

I also advise that you should read the terms and conditions of any battle or opposition, including this, and to be careful when submitting submissions for these competitions, Lee wrote.

” I will also tell all that these plagiarized works took place while the organisers were executing them, and they remained there until the general public heard.” You don’t need a public outcry to do the proper thing.

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Writers in Singapore issue collective statement denouncing NLB’s ‘uncritical endorsement of generative AI’

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The members requested that NLB adjust its policies and programs in light of concerns raised by intellectual house, the psychological impact of relational AI, the quality of AI-generated plays, and the environmental impact.

Additionally, they requested that NLB hold an open dialogue with Singapore’s artistic elite to discuss AI issues.

” We trust that you will remember this important part you play in our culture, and spend wisely in policies that may enrich, not oppress, our literary tradition”.

CNA Lifestyle has reached out to NLB for feedback.

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