by Ferry Bayu | Jun 26, 2024 | Business
Peris.ai, a group of practitioners with professional experience in cybersecurity, revealed in more detail about the Cipher Brain ransomware that has attacked the Temporary National Data Center since last June 20. 
Recently, a shocking incident occurred that resulted in the disruption of immigration services and various other public services. The disruption stemmed from a cyberattack carried out by Brain Cipher Ransomware.
The Pusat Data Nasional (PDN) was the main target of this attack since June 20. The cyberattack has crippled essential services like immigration services, leading to another impact on 210 instantiations. Although some services have been restored, the impact is still felt.
The Badan Siber dan Sandi Negara (BSSN) and related institutions immediately responded to this incident. Emergency measures were taken by sending an assistance team to the data center in Surabaya. The PDNS was built as an alternative because the main Pusat Data Nasional (PDN) is not yet completed.
The responsible party for this attack demanded a ransom of USD 8 million (approximately Rp 131 billion) to restore access to the system.
For context, PDN is managed by Telkom Group through Telkom Sigma. Telkom Indonesia’s Network & IT Solution Director, Herlan Wijanarko, confirmed the ransom demand. However, the compensation process is still under evaluation.
Brain Cipher Ransomware: An Overview
In parallel with the recent events, the Brain Cipher Ransomware is an emerging threat actor currently focusing on organizational targets. The following analysis details the methods, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and tactics used by this ransomware group.
Method of Delivery: Phishing
Brain Cipher Ransomware is delivered primarily through phishing campaigns. These campaigns often use deceptive emails to trick recipients into downloading and executing malicious files.
Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)
- MD5: 448f1796fe8de02194b21c0715e0a5f6
SHA1: 935c0b39837319fda571aa800b67d997b79c3198
- SHA256: eb82946fa0de261e92f8f60aa878c9fef9ebb34fdababa66995403b110118b12
- SSDEEP: 3072/5qUpfDT6zT73Ew8Ym9wV9JyknP7SAy
IP Addresses: 199.232.214.172 (US), 224.0.0.252
Web: http://mybmtbgd7aprdnw2ekxht5qap5daam2wch25coqerrq2zdioanob34ad.onion
Email: br***********@*******ar.com
VirusTotal:VirusTotal Link
MITRE ATT&CK
Execution
Privilege Escalation
- T1548.002: Bypass User Account Control
Defense Evasion
- T1548.002: Bypass User Account Control
Credential Access
Discovery
Impact
- T1486: Data Encryption for Impact
Detailed Analysis
The Brain Cipher Ransomware employs sophisticated techniques to infiltrate, propagate, and encrypt data within targeted networks. Its primary delivery method is through phishing emails, which often contain malicious attachments or links leading to malware downloads.
Once inside a network, the ransomware utilizes various tactics to escalate privileges, evade defenses, and gain access to sensitive information. For instance, it uses Windows Command Shell for execution and bypasses user account control for privilege escalation.
The ransomware’s discovery tactics include querying the registry, discovering system information, and software discovery. These actions allow the ransomware to map out the infected environment and identify high-value targets for encryption.
Credential access is a significant aspect of Brain Cipher’s methodology. It steals web session cookies, credentials from web browsers, and credentials stored in files, providing the attackers with the necessary information to further infiltrate the network or exfiltrate data.
Finally, the ransomware’s impact tactic is data encryption, which renders the victim’s data inaccessible until a ransom is paid. This tactic is effective in causing significant disruption to organizational operations, as seen in the recent attack on Indonesia’s National Data Center.
Mitigation and Response
To mitigate the threat posed by Brain Cipher Ransomware and similar attacks, organizations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. This includes:
- Email Security: Implementing robust email security solutions to detect and block phishing attempts.
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User Training: Regularly training employees to recognize and report phishing emails.
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Endpoint Security: Deploying advanced endpoint protection to detect and prevent malware execution.
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Network Segmentation: Segregating critical systems and data to limit the spread of ransomware.
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Backup Solutions: Maintaining regular backups of critical data and ensuring that backups are stored securely and offline.
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Incident Response Planning: Developing and regularly updating incident response plans to ensure a swift and effective response to ransomware attacks.
Enhancing Your Cybersecurity with Peris.ai
As cyber threats continue to evolve, it becomes increasingly important for organizations to stay ahead of potential attacks. Peris.ai offers advanced cybersecurity solutions designed to anticipate and defend against such threats. One such measure is Peris.ai’s Phisland, a sophisticated phishing simulator designed to safeguard your digital frontier.
What is Ganesha – Phisland?
Phisland is a comprehensive phishing simulator that provides your organization with the tools to stay ahead of cyber threats. By simulating phishing attacks via email, websites, and WhatsApp, Phisland helps enhance your team’s security awareness and overall cybersecurity posture.
How does it work?
Realistic Simulations: Phisland offers a suite of realistic phishing simulations that mimic real-world attacks. By tracking user interactions with these simulations, Phisland enables organizations to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement in real-time.
Enhance Security Awareness: Phisland stands out with its ability to analyze and interpret user responses intelligently. Through advanced algorithms and customizable analytics, Phisland distills vast amounts of data into actionable intelligence, helping organizations create targeted and effective strategies to enhance their security awareness and resilience against cyber threats.
Embrace Phisland to proactively strengthen your cybersecurity measures and protect your organization from potential phishing attacks.
Conclusion
The recent ransomware attack on Indonesia’s National Data Center underscores the escalating threat of ransomware and the profound impact such incidents can have on public services. The emergence of threats like Brain Cipher Ransomware further emphasizes the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures to guard against evolving cyber threats.
Organizations must remain vigilant, continually updating their security practices and staying informed about the latest threat intelligence to effectively combat ransomware attacks.
For comprehensive solutions to enhance your cybersecurity posture and protect against these threats, visitPeris.ai Cybersecurity. Explore our wide range of products and services designed to keep your organization secure in an ever-changing digital landscape. Don’t wait—safeguard your digital assets with Peris.ai today!
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 26, 2024 | Business
• ASEAN is the most targeted region for expansion; nearly half expect “increased revenue and profit” in overseas business over the next three years
• Results of the “corporate survey on overseas business by Japanese companies” released
Tanabe Consulting Co., Ltd., a leading management consulting firm in Japan (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Takahiko Wakamatsu, hereafter Tanabe Consulting), announces the results of the “Corporate Survey on Overseas Businesses.” This survey was conducted among corporate managers, executives, senior management, and those in charge of corporate planning departments throughout Japan. The survey results are as follows.
High Interest in Overseas Expansion: Approximately 80% of Japanese companies responded positively that they are either currently developing overseas business or would like to do so in the future. This indicates a strong interest in ongoing or future overseas business development.
Popular Regions for Expansion: ASEAN accounted for the largest number of countries and regions where Japanese companies are considering or expanding their overseas operations, making up approximately half of the total. About 40% of respondents cited “market growth potential and future prospects” as the reason for selecting a particular country or region for expansion.
Positive Business Outlook: About half of the Japanese companies expect their overseas businesses to see “increased sales and profits” over the next three years. Specifically, 49.4% of companies anticipate increased sales and profits, while only 3.1% foresee a decrease. This suggests that overseas business is currently the mainstay of growth for Japanese companies.
Importance of Market Potential: More than 40% of the respondents place importance on “market growth potential and future prospects” when entering or expanding their overseas business. The most common reason for selecting countries and regions for expansion was “market growth potential/future prospects” at 41.8%, highlighting the importance of promising markets in decision-making.
These findings highlight the growing focus and optimism of Japanese companies regarding international markets, particularly in the ASEAN region, and their expectations of positive business outcomes in the near future.
Insights from Tanabe Consulting’s expert consultants
About half of the companies engaged in overseas business anticipate “revenue and profit growth” over the next three years and have prioritized the development of new markets. However, securing and training global and specialized human resources, essential for business promotion, remains a significant challenge regardless of industry or company size.
According to the Bank of Japan’s “Short-Term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan” released in December 2023, approximately 70% of all Japanese companies reported a “not so good” outlook. In contrast, about half of the companies in our survey view their overseas business prospects as favorable over the next three years, with only 3.1% expecting a decline in sales and profits. This indicates that overseas business can be a catalyst for further growth in Japanese companies.
Report Author
Director, Tanabe Consulting Co., Ltd
Strategy & Domain Consulting Division and Global Consulting Koichi Murakami
Tanabe Consulting Co., Ltd
Global Consulting Chief Yuma Kawana
Tanabe Consulting Co., Ltd
Strategy Research Institute Segment & Region Marketing Chief Tang Tang Huang (Creation Support)
Methodology
The survey received 203 responses from corporate managers, executives, senior management, and individuals responsible for corporate planning departments across Japan. Conducted between January 15, 2024, and February 2, 2024, the study encompassed participants from all over Japan, including those based in overseas offices.
Services offered by Tanabe Consulting
With a population of approximately 130 million people, Japan is a safe, cutting-edge Asian country that offers a very attractive business environment. On the other hand, for foreign companies looking to enter the Japanese market, Japan is an unknown market, with unique business customs and business practices. In order to smoothly launch a business in Japan and penetrate the Japanese market, it is important to build an entry and market expansion strategy based on a clear understanding of the market size and future potential of your product, the competitive landscape and differentiation from competitors, and your supply chain model.
Tanabe Consulting is a pioneer in management consulting in Japan, with over 65 years of history and experience. Tanabe Consulting, with its thorough knowledge of the Japanese business environment, provides total support for expansion and development in the Japanese market.
（１） Japan Market Analysis
Tanabe Consulting, which operates in 10 regions throughout Japan, can provide highly accurate market research and information through consultants who are familiar with the relevant areas.
（２） Entry strategy planning
After market analysis, we will prioritize your expansion into the Japanese market based on your goals and your company’s strengths and core competencies. We determine the direction of entry, create a roadmap, and provide support for the materialization of your strategy.
（３） Marketing Implementation Support
Based on market analysis and entry strategies, we support your business in Japan by identifying potential partners and implementing effective website development and marketing initiatives in Japan, drawing on over 65 years of nationwide management consulting experience and network.
（４） Cross-border M&A
Based on our contacts and networks with companies throughout Japan, cultivated through more than 65 years of management consulting, we support capital alliances with companies that are suitable for gaining a position in the Japanese market.
About Tanabe Consulting Group (TCG)
Founded in 1957, TCG is a leading management consulting firm in Japan with over 65 years of history and achievements. Based on the management philosophy of “we love companies walk together with companies and work for company prosperity,” aiming to create values for the future society.
TCG primarily serves top management (executives and leaders) of large and medium-sized companies, as well as government and public organizations, having supported more than 17,000 companies since its founding. In the area of management consulting, TCG has developed a comprehensive consulting model that provides support for corporate management from strategy formulation (upstream) to the implementation and execution of management operations, such as DX in the field (midstream to downstream), with close ties to local communities throughout Japan.
Adhering to a client-centered philosophy of “All for Client Success,” TCG offers “team consulting,” where multiple professional consultants are selected to form a team tailored to address the specific management challenges of each company.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 25, 2024 | Business
The grand finale of Malaysia’s first and largest official padel tournament recently concluded at ASCARO Padel & Social Club. The Volvo Padel Open represented a significant milestone in the rapid growth of this exhilarating sport in the country.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 25, 2024 | Business
First Life is delighted to reaffirm its commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment for all employees. Recognizing that our success is built on the foundation of a motivated and engaged workforce, we continue to invest in initiatives that promote employee well-being, professional development, and inclusive culture.
At First Life, we believe that our employees are our greatest asset. We are devoted to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential. A perfect example of a valued employee whom First Life has supported and empowered for the last 16 years is Melanie “Lanie” O. Malagkit, HR Supervisor.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 24, 2024 | Business
Manila, June 24, 2024 – VRITIMES, a leading media technology platform for creating, distributing, and analyzing press releases, today announced a strategic partnership with Kwento Co, a dynamic social media agency known for its engaging and creative content. This collaboration aims to significantly amplify the reach and impact of press releases for VRITIMES’ clients.
VRITIMES empowers businesses of all sizes to craft impactful press releases and distribute them to a vast network of media partners. Kwento Co., with its diverse team of content creators and social media influencers, adds a powerful layer of engagement to the mix.
“We are excited to partner with Kwento Co to offer our clients an unparalleled press release distribution experience,” said Ferry Bayu, CEO of VRITIMES. “This collaboration goes beyond traditional distribution by leveraging Kwento Co’s social media expertise to amplify brand messaging and connect with target audiences on a deeper level.”
This partnership helps businesses not only get their message heard but also resonate with their target audience in a meaningful way through the power of storytelling and press releases.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 24, 2024 | Business
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 24, 2024 – Anthology, the leading provider of education solutions that
support the entire learner lifecycle, today announced the University of the Visayas, a province-wide
system of higher education in the Philippines, has selected Blackboard Learn Ultra as its new learning
management system (LMS). Known for innovative student programs, the University
of the Visayas aims to instill a culture of excellence in students through
academic training and lifelong learning, enhancing their leadership potential
and career success. To support this mission, the University of Visayas needed an intuitive learning management system and a partner
that could help them with their digital transformation journey.
The University of the Visayas conducted a thorough competitive
review, including a pilot subscription from another vendor as a potential replacement for their current system. However, they concluded the piloted product was not as
user-friendly as anticipated and lacked the local support they needed.
They expanded their competitive review to include Blackboard by
Anthology. Thirty department heads from the University of Visayas attended a
Blackboard Learn workshop, where they got first-hand experience using its
industry-leading features like the AI Design Assistant.
“The feedback from the attending department heads was resounding,” said
University President Dr. Conrado E. Iñigo, Jr.
“They touted Blackboard’s ease of use, intuitiveness and logical,
flexible workflow; they felt very comfortable with the AI functionality in Blackboard,”
Dr. Iñigo added.
The University selected Blackboard as their new LMS and it will
replace their current platform.
The academic
institution will also implement Anthology’s digital content accessibility solution
(Ally) with Blackboard Learn, supporting their commitment to accessibility and
creating an inclusive environment for
everyone. Ally provides digital course content in multiple formats and
languages, a feature that is imperative to delivering an inclusive student
experience.
“We are thrilled to partner with the University of the Visayas,
a renowned institution dedicated to excellence and career success,” said Joe
Belenardo, Chief Revenue Officer at Anthology. “Our regional presence will
enable us to closely collaborate and support their mission of supporting
community development and the socioeconomic needs of the country through their
educational programs.”
Learn more
about Blackboard
Learn Ultra.
About
Anthology
Anthology offers the largest EdTech ecosystem on a global scale
for education, supporting more than 150 million users in 80 countries. With a
mission to provide dynamic, data-informed experiences to the global education
community through Anthology Intelligent Experiences™, we help learners, leaders
and educators achieve their goals by offering over 60 SaaS products and
services designed to advance learning. Discover more about how we are
fulfilling our mission for education, business and government institutions at www.anthology.com.
About University of the Visayas
Founded in 1919, the University of the Visayas (UV) is
a private institution located in Cebu City, Philippines. It is the first
school in the province of Cebu to attain university status. Anchored in culture
of excellence through academic with a focus in life-long process learning, the
University of the Visayas operates and maintains educational programs which are
nationalistic and democratic, and attuned to nationally and internationally
accepted standards. While it nurtures academic excellence, it also works for
the enhancement of high-level professions and middle level careers relevant to
community development and the socioeconomic needs of the country. Today,
the University of the Visayas offers Bachelor’s degree programs, most
of which start with ladderized Associate degree courses, a post graduate Bachelor of Laws,
seven Masters Degree programs, and four doctoral programs in various fields.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 22, 2024 | Business
24 June 2024 – Art Agenda announces Crossings, a series of art activations including exhibitions and presentations in the Philippines taking place from 28 June to the end of July 2024. Crossings evokes the notions of journeys, meeting, confluence and discoveries, and aptly describes the succession of staged encounters between Philippine and Indonesian post-war and modern art that is at the heart of each of the activations.
Art Agenda is an art gallery and advisory in Jakarta and Singapore. Since establishment in 2016, Art Agenda has focused on the research, exhibition and private sales of post-war and modern Southeast Asian art, particularly Indonesian art. Crossings is Art Agenda’s effort to broaden focus through regional and international affinities, focusing this time on the Philippines since both Indonesia and the Philippines are the two largest countries in Southeast Asia and arguably have the richest cultural and art histories amongst the ten member states of ASEAN.
The three exhibitions that form the core of the activations are:
Jointly presented with Lumena Auctions, Cosmic Concerns is an exhibition juxtaposing the works of Nena Saguil and Fadjar Sidik, two of Southeast Asia’s leading 20th-century painters who each made significant contributions to the development of abstract art in Southeast Asia.
Cosmic Concerns: Nena Saguil & Fadjar Sidik
28 June – 12 July 2024
Monday to Friday 1:00 – 9:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 9:00 PM
Vernissage on Friday, 28 June 1:00 – 3:00 PM
GF, Mahogany Place, Pope John Paul II Ave, Cebu City, Philippines
Download full press kit for Cosmic Concerns: Nena Saguil & Fadjar Sidik here.
Hosted by law firm Quisumbing Torres, Encounters is an exhibition featuring more than two dozen works of the most illustrious Philippine and Indonesian post-war and modern artists, including Affandi, Ang Kiu Kok, Arturo Luz and Vicente Manansala.
Encounters: Post-War & Modern Philippine & Indonesian Art
3 – 6 July 2024
Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Vernissage on 3 July 2024, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
Quisumbing Torres, 17th Floor, One/NEO Building, 26th Street corner 3rd Avenue, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines
Download full press kit for Encounters: Post-War & Modern Philippine & Indonesian Art here.
Art Agenda is presenting works of two leading 20th century women abstract painters, Nena Saguil and Umi Dachlan in support of Athena, the inaugural exhibition at The Monarch, a new art and design destination down south in Alabang.
ATHENA
5 July – 3 August 2024
Monday to Friday 1:00 – 9:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 9:00 PM
Vernissage at 6:00 PM, 5 July 2024
Unit 5, Molito Lifestyle Building 3, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines
Download full press kit for The Monarch and its inaugural exhibition here.
The three exhibitions above are accompanied by a full set of programmes including vernissage, guided tours, presentations and discussion sessions. More information on the programme available here.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
UNAWA COO Atty. Gino Jacinto spoke at a SPEED event in Quezon City, organized by Startup Village. He discussed SME challenges in digital transitions and introduced SignSecure and UCheck for secure transactions and compliance. The event is part of a USAID initiative to enhance SME competitiveness and digital inclusion.
Quezon City, June 21, 2024—Startup Village organized and hosted an insightful session at the University Hotel in UP Diliman as part of the USAID-funded Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy (SPEED) initiative. The event, which featured UNAWA COO Atty. Gino Jacinto, attracted
an audience primarily consisting of members from the Philippine Ecommerce
Association (PECA). Entrepreneurs were eager to enhance their businesses
through the latest technological innovations.
Atty. Jacinto’s talk, “SME Guide to Secure Digital Transactions and
Anti-Money Laundering,” focused on the critical challenges small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face as they transition to digital document
systems. He highlighted the necessity of upfront investments in technology and
training, which can be daunting for SMEs with limited resources. Additionally,
he discussed the complexity of navigating regulatory requirements without
dedicated legal or compliance teams.
Fresh from the success of UNAWA’s
Freedom campaign, Atty. Jacinto introduced two groundbreaking tools: SignSecure
and UCheck.
SignSecure, which uniquely integrates facial recognition
into its e-signature platform, was a key highlight of the presentation. This
innovative feature ensures that the person signing the document is verified at
every step, a security measure unmatched by any other e-signature platform. “SignSecure enables businesses to close
deals securely and efficiently, eliminating doubts,” said Atty. Jacinto
emphasizing the platform’s enhanced security, legal enforceability, and
seamless transaction process.
Additionally, Atty. Jacinto unveiled UCheck, a
comprehensive solution that empowers businesses to make informed decisions and
protect against financial crimes. “UCheck offers robust protection against
financial crimes and ensures constant compliance with all regulations,” he
noted. By leveraging global sanctions lists, Politically Exposed Person (PEP)
checks, Adverse Media checks, and more, UCheck delivers the transparency
necessary for building trust and ensuring business security.
The event is part of a series under the USAID-funded SPEED initiative, which
aims to conduct 42 sessions nationwide involving at least 1,260 SMEs. The SPEED
Activity collaborates with the government and private sector to mobilize the
digital economy for enterprise-led development. The project’s key objectives
include improving SME capacity and access to e-commerce platforms, expanding e-payment
systems and FinTech innovations, integrating e-commerce platforms with
logistical supply chains, and increasing consumer awareness and protection.
By encouraging more SMEs to adopt digital technologies, the SPEED initiative
seeks to accelerate their competitiveness, drive innovation, create jobs, and
enhance market reach, thereby promoting inclusion in the digital economy.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
In response to the growing trend in dental health, both in smile makeover and oral care, Jena will lead the team to provide top-notch dental services through in-office treatments and innovative remote consultations, expanding their reach within the Oracare Group. As Jena takes on this new role, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer Shaun Thompson will work in tandem with Jena to focus on Expat Dental’s growth throughout Southeast Asia, capitalizing on the burgeoning demand for quality dental care in the region.
Singapore, June 21, 2024 – Expat Dental is pleased to announce that Jena Caruso Muñoz has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Expat Dental Group. Expat Dental is renowned for providing exceptional, comprehensive dental care centred around the patient experience and laser-focused on scaling internationally to further its reputation as a trusted brand throughout the region.
Jena joined expatdental® shortly after it was founded in 2014 and has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. With a distinguished legal career and a deep commitment to corporate governance, Jena brings a wealth of expertise and leadership. Her shared vision in people, service and products has been instrumental in advancing the company’s mission of delivering exceptional dental care to the expatriate community and beyond.
Jena Caruso Muñoz is an American-trained attorney who has
been practicing law since 2003. Her extensive legal experience spans various
practice areas, including civil litigation, municipal tax, and property law.
Jena has demonstrated her legal prowess in both state and federal courts,
including appellate jurisdictions. Since 2014, she has been a prominent figure
in the corporate law and compliance landscape in Singapore. She is a
distinguished member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association,
and the Singapore Corporate Counsel Association. Her early career saw her
serving as a clerk to judges in both the Massachusetts State Superior Court and
the Federal District Court of the United States, providing her with invaluable
judicial insights and experience.
“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Expat Dental,” said Jena Caruso Muñoz. “I look forward to leading our talented team as we continue to provide top-notch dental services and expand our reach within the Oracare Group and growth throughout Southeast Asia. Together, we will strive to enhance our patient care, embrace innovation, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in the industry.”
As Jena takes on this new role, Founder and former Chief Executive Officer, Shaun Thompson, will work in tandem with Jena to focus on Expat Dental’s growth throughout Southeast Asia.
by Ferry Bayu | Jun 21, 2024 | Business
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with Brunei’s Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation and GIZ, Hosts Event Exploring Brunei’s Plastic Pollution Strategies and the Private Sector’s Role in Championing Plastic Circularity, organised as part of Brunei Darussalam’s World Environment Day event series.
ERIA’s
Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in collaboration with
Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation and the GIZ, explored Brunei’s strategies to tackle plastic
pollution and the private sector’s role in championing plastic circularity.
Titled
“Private Sector Initiatives to Reduce Marine Plastics: Brunei’s Journey to
Plastic Sustainability: Hands-on Initiatives in Action,” the event, organised
as part of Brunei Darussalam’s World Environment Day event series, brought
together professionals from the public and private sectors, along with civil
society, to explore innovative solutions and best practices in addressing
plastic pollution. Over 108 attendees from the ASEAN region and beyond took
part in the event, actively participating in the Q&A session.
The
seminar began with the Director of the Regional Knowledge Centre, Mr Reo Kawamura emphasising the critical importance of
collaboration between governments, private companies, and academia to address
the global plastic pollution challenge and achieve peaceful coexistence with the natural environment. Ms Hajah Martinah Haji Tamit,
Director of Brunei Darussalam’s Department of Environment, Parks and
Recreation, outlined the challenges of plastic waste management and reaffirmed
Brunei’s commitment to tackling plastic pollution alongside other ASEAN member
states. She also highlighted Brunei’s active involvement in United Nations
negotiations to develop a global treaty on plastic pollution. Mr Phong Giang,
Advisor for GIZ 3RproMar and AMUSE programmes in ASEAN, detailed GIZ’s initiatives across
ASEAN countries, which include supporting government regulations, promoting
circular economy solutions, and engaging with the private sector on upcoming
global plastic treaties.
Mr
Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow on Environmental Issues at ERIA,
highlighted Asia’s plastic pollution crisis and underscored the need for a life
cycle approach. He emphasised the private sector’s role in developing
sustainable materials, designing reusable products, and improving waste
management systems. Mr Mims Sidi from Tebalik Plastik shared their goals to close the loop of plastics, by transforming plastic
waste into sustainable products, supporting a circular economy and aligning
with regional and global sustainability objectives. Ms Trish Lai of Kaimana
Brunei discussed the challenges of the refill business which
can contribute to reduction of packaging waste, for example, high
consumer spending abroad, a small local market, expensive shipping, lack of
manufacturing capacity, and the necessity of focusing on niche products with
anchor points. Ms Wendy Han from Precious Plastic Brunei highlighted
initiatives aimed at raising awareness and mobilising local communities against
plastic waste. She also showed how local communities can create a
plastic recycling facility on their own. Prof Scott Valentine provided insights into
how the lack of perceived value in plastic waste is a root cause and proposed
economic solutions like deposit schemes and plastic bag surcharges to
incentivise responsible plastic use and recycling. He also responded to a participant’s question as to
how to tackle the overwhelming plastic waste issue, by encouraging citizens to
support businesses like Tebalik Plastik, Kaimana, or Precious Plastic, and start contributing in a small way.
This seminar highlights the continuous involvement of
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris in tackling the
intricate challenges linked to marine plastic debris. By encouraging
collaboration and advancing innovative approaches, the Centre remains dedicated
to assisting and showcasing companies and organisations actively addressing
marine debris issues
List of Abbreviations
ERIA
(Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia)
ERIA is an international organization established
in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2008 by a formal agreement among Leaders of 16
countries in the East Asian region to conduct research activities and make
policy recommendations for further economic integration in the East Asia.
Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation
The formation of the Department of Environment,
Parks and Recreation under the Ministry of Development took effect in 2002.
Currently, the department handles matters pertaining to Waste Management,
Environmental Conservation and Management, Management of Landscape and
Recreational Areas and also Environmental Cooperation at National, Bilateral
and International level.
GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH or GIZ is the main German Government development
agency with headquarter in Bonn and Eschborn and provides services in the field
of international development cooperation and international education work. The
main commissioning party is Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
and Development (BMZ)
GIZ 3RproMar Programme
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Protect the Marine
Environment and Coral Reefs (3RproMar) is a GIZ project (2020-2025) is an
ASEAN-German cooperation project implemented by GIZ in coordination with the
ASEAN Secretariat.
GIZ AMUSE
ASEAN Municipal Solid Waste Management
Enhancement (AMUSE) is implemented by GIZ (2022 -2025), having its objective to
improve environmental quality in small and medium-sized cities in the ASEAN
region by optimising waste disposal and recycling.
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