His rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, has alleged widespread cheating. The elections commission was expected to announce the final tally of the April 17 poll on Wednesday in the Southeast Asian nation of 260 million. But amid fears about unrest and street demonstrations in response to the final count, the official result was released early with little advance notice. Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno, the commission said. Some 85.6 million Indonesians cast their ballot in favour of Widodo out of about 154 million voters, it added. "This ruling... will be effective immediately," the commission's chair Arief Budiman said in a live-streamed announcement that was broadcast on major media. Widodo, 57, had been widely predicted to win according to unofficial results. But Subianto, 67, has vowed to challenge any victory for his rival, alleging widespread voter fraud and … [Read more...] about Indonesia’s Joko Widodo wins second term as president
Formally elects the president and vice president
A time of hectic reporting from Cambodia
Viet Nam News By Nguyễn Quốc Uy * The Paris Peace Accords on Cambodia was signed on October 23, 1991 and just a day later, I received a call from Đỗ Phượng, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) General-Director with an instruction to prepare to head to Phnom Penh. Before that, I served as VNA resident reporter in Cambodia from 1980 to 1985 and spoke Khmer rather well. I was also no stranger to Prahok, that Khmer fish paste with a smell that has scared away many Vietnamese before me. I had just 10 days to pack my things and complete paperwork. On November 11, I left Hà Nội for HCM City en route to Phnom Penh. As I arrived, I started to know why the agency selected me for this urgent mission. After the signing of the Peace Accords, we must work quickly to follow the developments. I did not have time to rest. The very next morning, I ran out to call on all the necessary Cambodian offices. I then came to the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh to … [Read more...] about A time of hectic reporting from Cambodia
How Vietnam can walk the tightrope of US-China tensions
The second October 16-17 visit by U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis to Vietnam this year attracted great attention among international experts. His first visit was in January 2018. Frequently cited Vietnam expert Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy, said the trip showed that Secretary Mattis is following guidance in the U.S. National Security Strategy and the U.S. National Defense Strategy to include Vietnam in a cooperative defense network to deal with current challenges to regional security, including aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea. Vietnam calls the waters the East Sea. "It is clear from the U.S. National Security Strategy and U.S. National Defense Strategy that the United States views Vietnam as an important strategic partner. The recent speech by Vice President Mike Pence signaled a major shift in U.S. policy to identify and treat China as an … [Read more...] about How Vietnam can walk the tightrope of US-China tensions
New State President to be sworn in next Tuesday
New State President to be sworn in next TuesdayThe Saigon Times Daily Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is set to become the President of Vietnam next week – PHOTO: VGP HCMC – The new president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will take the oath of office next Tuesday, October 23, for the 2016-2020 tenure, General Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Hanh Phuc said at a meeting of the NA Standing Committee today, October 16. Following the passing of President Tran Dai Quang at the age of 62 on September 21 due to a serious illness, lawmakers are set to vote for a new president on the opening day of the sixth sitting of the legislative NA next Monday. Early this month, all members of the Party Central Committee formally nominated the incumbent Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, 74, for presidency. This is the first time in multiple tenures that a Party’s General Secretary has been recommended as the head of State. The candidate … [Read more...] about New State President to be sworn in next Tuesday
New State President to swear in next Tuesday
New State President to swear in next TuesdayThe Saigon Times Daily Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is set to become the President of Vietnam next week – PHOTO: VGP HCMC – The new president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will take the oath of office next Tuesday, October 23, for the 2016-2020 tenure, General Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Hanh Phuc said at a meeting of the NA Standing Committee today, October 16. Following the passing of President Tran Dai Quang at the age of 62 on September 21 due to a serious illness, lawmakers are set to vote for a new president on the opening day of the sixth sitting of the legislative NA next Monday. Early this month, all members of the Party Central Committee formally nominated the incumbent Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, 74, for presidency. This is the first time in multiple tenures that a Party’s General Secretary has been recommended as the head of State. The candidate for … [Read more...] about New State President to swear in next Tuesday