Major Developments in East Asia Pacific

Bhargav Reddy, Operations Manager, APAC Assistance

in conversation with

Paul Quaglia, CEO and Director, APAC Assistance

Indonesia: Mimika urges the temporary closure of Freeport

The regent of Mimika in Papua has urged President Joko Widodo to temporarily close Freeport’s Grasberg mine in Tembagapura district as the number of COVID-19 cases in the area continues to rise.

As of May 7, 56 employees of the company had tested positive for the virus, with one death.

Mimika Regent Eltinus Omaleng said he would send a letter to the president regarding his appeal.

Meanwhile, Freeport Spokesperson Riza Pratama wrote in an email that operations in the copper and gold mine would continue following redoubled health protocols.

------
Malaysia: Mahathir and Anwar vow to restore Pakatan Harapan government


Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim said they were setting aside their differences to work together to restore the Pakatan Harapan coalition won two years ago.

The duo’s joint statement came after Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff accepted Mahathir’s proposed vote of no-confidence against Yassin at a future session.

Currently, PKR has 50 seats in parliament and Development Action Party has 42 seats. Bersatu has 26 seats, Parti Amanah Negara has 11 and UMNO and PAS have 56 between them. The Sabah and Sarawak parties hold 30 seats between them.

Thank You For Joining Us

You can contact APAC Assistance (bhargav_reddy@apacassistance.com) for a more focused insight on any issues that are critical to operations. An in-depth assessment can be tasked by our membership clients on any issue of concern