Think of yourself as a teenager, enthusiastic about the world. You have ambitious goals, which will help you achieve your dreams. You want to be a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, or maybe an engineer. You see your body as a freshly bloomed flower, and enjoy immersing yourself in a romantic love story. However, life sometimes overturns all expectations. You are asked (or rather “forced”) to marry in order to improve the fate of the family. You are forced to marry in order to avoid sin. You are forced to marry by custom. You live your life as a mother, even though you’re still a child. You marry to obey your parents, and now you must obey a husband you do not recognize. Your dreams of becoming a lawyer, teacher, or doctor instantly waver. read more

In the first and second week of September, the Standard Index of Air Pollution in Pekanbaru Riau stayed in the status of “very unhealthy” and “dangerous”. The Governor in act of Riau must announce the condition of Air Pollution Emergency. The post-decision of the status does not provide a significant meaning for the prevention of this smoke disaster. Until now, the thick haze still fluctuates in covering Pekanbaru and other cities in Sumatera Island and Kalimantan. Conversely, pressure on the Governor in act is stronger to evacuate 6.7 million citizens of Riau, even bringing back the desire for independence for a group of people who lost trust to the Central Government. Along with this haze calamity as well, the increasing demand for HTI and oil palm plantations getting higher, to be responsible, revoked its license and withdraw from Riau. Finally, only heavy rains which can calm down the anger of the people who become more flare up because of the haze. read more

It has become a truth that the ASEAN community consists of various cultures, ethnicities and beliefs. Understanding the ASEAN community is clearly inseparable from the differences that exist. In this case, trust that grows and develops becomes part of the community inherent in their lives.

ASEAN became a gathering area and the development of a number of beliefs through trade channels and through colonization in the past. But basically, the ASEAN community itself has existed and has developed a number of beliefs since hundreds or thousands of years before, even its existence continues to be maintained as in indigenous peoples who have faith in nature. read more

ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a geo-political and economic organization of countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967, with signing the Bangkok Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, one of the aims and purpose of ASEAN is to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations. read more

The challenges of open competition because globalization is a challenge for all individuals and also the state in carrying out its functions as an institution that regulates the life of the nation and state in achieving prosperity. Globalization and connectivity make someone sneeze in the European hemisphere and cause flu for others in Asia. More specifically, the real challenge currently faced by ASEAN countries is open competition which is a consequence of the suppression of Asian Charter contracts by leaders of ASEAN countries on December 15, 2008. Cooperation agreements that resemble the union of European countries within the European Union making the movement of goods, people, and money become unhindered by territorial and political boundaries (borderless) this was then popularly known as the Asian Community which began to be effectively implemented in 2015. read more

The challenge of open competition because of globalization become the challenge for all and also countries in running its function as an institution that regulate the life of nation and state in achieving prosperity. Globalization and connectivity make one’s sneeze in the European hemisphere cause flu for others in Asia. More specifically, the real challenge currently faced by ASEAN countries is the open competition which is the consequence of the suppression of Asian Charter contract by the leaders of ASEAN countries on December 15, 2008. The cooperation agreement that resembles the unity of European countries in the EU makes the movement of goods, people, and money become without obstruction of territorial and political boundaries (border-less) is then popularly known as the Asian Community which began effective implementation in 2015. read more

The South China Sea Dispute to this day still leaves various problems. Indonesia is not a country involved in this dispute, but the background of Indonesia’s position as a country that is often considered to be able to stand neutral in the midst of such problems, makes this country as if it has an obligation to place itself in resolving the dispute. Some other reasons behind the involvement of Indonesia in the settlement of the dispute is due to several things. Firstly, the increasingly protracted problem is feared will affect the stability of the relations of countries in Southeast Asia. No improvement in the condition of this dispute has the potential to hamper the export of natural resources and other economic activities. On the other hand, Indonesia can show its image as a responsible regional leader by taking a role in the settlement of this dispute. Without the impetus to be able to reach the settlement of this dispute by the Indonesian side, will certainly reduce the image of Indonesia itself. read more