Imminent excavation to divert part of the Mekong through Cambodia has alarmed Vietnam. Is this a Chinese‑supported stratagem to use water a geo-political leverage? Also, Erin and Kevin discuss high-stakes political wrangling over shipping containers detained at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, and the rolling out of Wolbachia-treated Aedes Aegypti to combat dengue fever. And finally, what Elon Musk can - and can not - offer Indonesia.

Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Indonesia's parliament has returned to session and a flurry of bills reveals plenty about the designs of the allied outgoing and incoming presidents. Among them, a 4th bill on a key judicial entity. Also: Erin and Kevin discuss Singapore's change of government and the tragic passing of a Thai hunger striker.

Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Reformasi Dispatch conferred with Angus Mackintosh, an independent research analyst from SmartKarma and CrossAsean, on how innovation is unfolding in Indonesia. Despite low research levels and an uncertain investment climate, artificial intelligence (AI) can close skill gaps and thereby help unlock Indonesia's long‑latent potential. Erin, Kevin and Angus consider examples of ventures leading the process, along with the US$1.7 billion AI investment plan of Microsoft -- which would include infrastructure as well as one-month AI training courses for 840,000 participants over four years. However, will the next administration regard foreign artificial intelligence as just another form of foreign intelligence?

Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/