Alistair Speirs
The Power of the Positive
Now we have settled down to what will be (again) a challenging year, we really need to look for the positive elements we have in our lives and take special care to find things we can change for the better – and do them! At the macro-city level we can see that the real estate
Ainsley Mann: Global Scot and Scottish Trade Envoy
In 2012, Ainsley Mann was nominated by Scottish Development International (SDI) as a “Global Scot” and shortly thereafter formally appointed by the First Minister of Scotland. As a Global Scot he has a responsibility to use influence, connections and experience to help foster commercial links with Scotland. In 2017 he was appointed as Scotland’s first
Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn in Hong Kong
There are some cities that are just made for tourists. Cities that combine history with culture, great views with great walks, fashion and food, mystery and intrigue and just plain excitement. Hong Kong is one of them. Sophisticated but still raw, combining the ultimate in Asian hospitality with the old traditions of the east. It
The Benefits of Working Together
This issue celebrates the great intentions of ASEAN, the Association of SE Asian Nations, who went from rival neighbours to close allies working together to seek peace and the opportunity to trade with the world from a stronger position as a compact group of nations. While rivalries certainly still exist and of course competition does
Is Indonesia going deaf?
Down every street literally every day, often every hour, sometimes every minute, a motorcycle passes roaring, blasting, rasping and belching its unrestrained voice to all it passes. I suspect maybe up to one in ten bikes have no effective exhaust system and inflict serious damage on the surroundings. In countries where sound is actually considered
An Interview with H.E. Patrick Herman, Ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia
From urban development initiatives to discussions on conflict reconciliation and gender equality, Belgium has been working actively with the Indonesian government. NOW! Jakarta spoke to H.E. Patrick Herman about these programmes and about his time as Ambassador to Indonesia. NOW!JAKARTA publisher Alistair Speirs sit down with H.E. Patrick Herman, Ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia. Photo by
An Interview with H.E. Rob Swartbol, Ambassador of The Netherlands to Indonesia
With the increasing reliance on the EU as the economic interface with Indonesia and ASEAN, and initiatives by the Indonesian government that could possibly provide a huge opportunity for the Dutch maritime industry, the decades-long relationship between the Netherlands and Indonesia is getting stronger. NOW! Jakarta spoke to H.E. Rob Swartbol about this long relationship
Enjoy Jakarta
Many years ago I undertook a very serious study for Jakarta City Government : to find out what visitors to the city, and the organisations which welcome them: hotels, restaurants, airlines, travel agents, etc. thought were the main strengths and weakness of the city. We polled 2,000 hotel guests in 4 and 5 star hotels,
Fatness and Fitness as Health Issue in an Era of Urbanisation
It seems to me as a casual observer that there is a health crisis here in Jakarta. I may be wrong but to my untrained eyes at least 50 per cent of the population is overweight, some very overweight! Is it true? Well, perhaps there are statistics but I haven’t found them yet. Now fatness,
Kota Tua: The Cultural Heart of Jakarta?
Few who know the history of the “KotaTua” saga were surprised by the rejection of UNESCO to declare Jakarta’s old city (plus four islands in Pulau Seribu) a World Heritage Site. The qualifications for acceptance into this elite category are very strict and very clear, and to even the least technically minded people (myself included)
Saigonsan, the Art of Asian Food
To describe Saigonsan as a restaurant is like saying that the Vatican Museum is a small part of a church. It is not. it is a magnificent concept, delivered in style, portraying Asian culture and history brilliantly and meaningfully, and allowing guests to simply marvel at the exuberance of real symbols of ancient Asian cultures.
The Reason for Games
While the Olympic Games motto is “Higher, Faster, Stronger” which is a very competitive and challenging phrase, the Olympic Creed summarises the ideals behind the Olympic games very well. “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not
The Very Odd-Even-3-in-1-Busway Challenge
Do you own a car in Jakarta? Yes? Really sorry but you don’t – you only own half a car! Jakarta has been applying new odd-even traffic restrictions since 2016. NOW!JAKARTA Introducing the Odd-Even Car policy to try to control traffic congestion is brilliant. What a great way to keep people off the roads and
