Barack Obama famously observed that he was “confident” he could have won a third term as US president in 2016 had a constitutional amendment not prohibited him from doing so. “No drama Obama 0.3" would certainly have been a calmer alternative to the rollercoaster ride the world experienced under his successor, Donald Trump, but the question of term limits is not at all theoretical for many people now in South-East Asia – specifically, the nearly 400 million who live in Indonesia and the Philippines.
In the latter, current incumbent Rodrigo Duterte is legally only allowed one six-year term as president, but he has recently made it clear that he is giving serious consideration to running for the vice presidency in 2022, with his daughter Sara going for the top post instead of him. The two posts are elected separately, not as a ticket, and a recent survey showed the Dutertes leading the fields among potential candidates for both positions.
In Indonesia, President Joko Widodo has insisted that he isn’t interested in running for a third term – he is limited to two – but there has been persistent talk for months about amending the constitution to let him do so. Recently, a “national committee” of his supporters was formed to campaign for a referendum on the idea, the idea being that Jokowi, as Mr Widodo is known, should run in 2024 on a ticket with Prabowo Subianto, his two-time presidential opponent whom he appointed as his defence minister in 2019.
Both scenarios are possible.
There is no legal bar to Mr Duterte standing for the vice presidency. If he were to have such influence in that job over his daughter, should she be elected president, that he would remain the country’s de facto chief executive, it is hard to see how that could be challenged. Likewise, there is nothing in the law to forbid his daughter resigning so that Mr Duterte could then assume the presidency – although that would very clearly be against the spirit of the constitution.
In Indonesia, the People’s Consultative Assembly – the two chambers of the country’s parliament – would have to vote through an amendment to the constitution to remove the limit on presidential terms, but that is far from inconceivable. Further, it would be possible that such a vote could be mobilised even if Mr Widodo proclaimed he was not in favour of it – although some wonder whether he is protesting too much – because, quite unusually for presidents, he is a member of but not the leader of his own party.
A dim view is generally taken of attempts to extend or override term limits, and in both countries those limits were constitutionally enshrined to ensure that neither endured decades of authoritarian rule again, as they did under Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines and Suharto in Indonesia. But that points to the fact that these are not venerable provisions going back to antiquity. The current Philippines constitution dates from 1987, while in the case of Indonesia, it was only in 1999 that legislation barring the president from more than two five-year terms was passed – a ruling absent from the country’s 1945 constitution.
In Indonesia, there could also be moves to return to the old system whereby the People’s Consultative Assembly elected the president, not the general population. That would not necessarily be less democratic; it would in effect be a turn towards a parliamentary system such as the UK’s, wherein the prime minister has to command the confidence of a majority of his or her peers, and can thus also be ejected by them at any point, not having the security of a separate mandate from the people.
Why would they want to stay in office longer than they are currently allowed? Mr Duterte may hope for protection from the International Criminal Court, which is planning an investigation into the thousands of people who have died during his administration’s war on drugs, but he would be perfectly entitled to argue that six years is far too short a time to implement far-reaching policies.
Even with 10 years under his belt by 2024, Mr Widodo could say the same – especially when compared with many other leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, late Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew or former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (in office the first time from 1981-2003). These leaders were – Mr Xi and Mr Putin still are – really able to take the long view.
Constitutions should be living documents and adapt to their times
Both Mr Widodo and Mr Duterte are still very popular. A survey last month found that going by polling so far, the latter is likely to step down as the most popular president since the fall of Marcos. Intriguingly, eight out of 10 Filipinos said they approved of Mr Duterte’s war on drugs. As one pollster put it: “Maybe they didn’t see it in terms of human rights violations. They probably viewed drug addicts as being against the law.” So, what international commentators – who are aghast at the idea of Mr Duterte somehow managing to remain in charge – consider the chief charge against him is actually a strength when it comes to his own citizens.
Ultimately, shouldn’t it be up to Filipino and Indonesian voters to decide if their current leaders should stay on? Making a fetish out of a clause in a constitution is a mistake, as is shown by America’s obsession with gun ownership – based on the Second Amendment idea that a “well-regulated militia” was necessary for the security of the new nation, which has nothing to do with the reality of the 21st century.
Constitutions should be living documents and adapt to their times. There can certainly be nothing sacred about rules put in place so recently in the Philippines and Indonesia. There have been many democratic transitions in both countries in subsequent years, with no sign of a new Marcos or another Suharto emerging. Perhaps they should not let the ghosts of the past cast too long a shadow over their lively, sometimes troubled, but always vibrant futures.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
LIST OF INVITEES
Shergo Kurdi (am)
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
HWJN
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Disposing of non-recycleable masks
Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
Do not put them in a recycling bin
Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Smart words at Make Smart Cool
Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.
SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360 x 1640, 264ppi, wide colour, True Tone, Apple Pencil support
Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR
Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps
Audio: Stereo speakers
Biometrics: Touch ID
I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)
Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular
Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue
Price: Wi-Fi – Dh2,499 (64GB) / Dh3,099 (256GB); cellular – Dh3,099 (64GB) / Dh3,699 (256GB)
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
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