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Jeffrey Hutton

Regional Correspondent

<p>Originally from Canada, Jeff started his journalism career with Bloomberg in Tokyo covering the automotive and consumer electronics sectors just as Apple was disrupting the hold Japanese makers had on the sector. In 2005 he moved to Sydney where he worked for Fairfax Media on publications such as business weekly BRW and the Australian Financial Review where he covered utilities and mining. To fulfill his dream of being a foreign correspondent, he moved to Jakarta in 2012 where he freelanced for publications including the Business Times, The Straits Times, the New York Times as well as the Economist Group. Jeff joined the Straits Times in July 2018 with specialties in Indonesian politics as well as business, economics, and commodities. He lives in Jakarta with his partner and practises Muay Thai kick boxing.</p>

Latest articles

Asian consumers saving for a rainy day double down on gold as prices soar

jdgold - Endang Kusumaningsih, 43, tries on rings for herself, including two she will give as birthday gifts to her daughter next month, in the gold market district in Denpasar, Bali this week. Indonesian consumers are buying gold as the economy recovers to replace jewelry and bars sold during the pandemic.

 Credit: Amilia Rosa

Bali’s sporting dream at risk as its governor doubles down on anti-Israel stance

pixbeach - Handball qualifying round in Bali last month. Some 1,600 athletes from 130 countries are scheduled to descend on Bali for the World Beach Games, their second installment after their 2019 inaugural in Qatar. Credit Indonesia NOC.

Subsidies unlikely to turbocharge demand for electric vehicles in Indonesia

Indonesia's coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment Luhut Pandjaitan, posing with one of PT Juara Bike's E-Max electric two wheelers last year.

Free of Covid-19 curbs, Bali marks Nyepi New Year with colour and crowds

Devotees display an effigy known as Ogoh-Ogoh during a ceremony at the Prambanan temple in Sleman, Bali, on March 21, 2023, a day before the 'Day of Silence' - locally known as Nyepi - when Hindus do not work, travel or take part in any indulgence.

Almost paradise: Foreign retirees, digital nomads drawn to South-east Asia

South-east Asia is becoming a magnet for foreign retirees, professionals and high net-worth individuals looking for an idyllic place to live in.

Indonesia refines digital nomad rules, aiming for wealthier expats

Roughly 50,000 people in Bali are thought to hold the 211 and other stay permits that allow extended visits.

Travel blogger in Bali mounts international appeal to stop stalker fan

Bali-based American Alexandra Saper said she fled Indonesia after Mr Robert James Keating arrived at the resort island on Jan 29.

Bali aims for big spenders as Chinese tourists slowly return

FILE PHOTO: First batch of Chinese tourists arrived at Ngurah Rai InternationalÊAirport following the Chinese Government's resumption of travel for citizens in Bali, Indonesia, January 22, 2023 Antara Foto/Fikri Yusuf/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. INDONESIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN INDONESIA./File Photo

In Bali, a Russian mural triggers backlash against a fast-growing coterie of expats

Mr Sergei Ovseikin stencilled in black Cyrillic lettering measuring 40cm high Russian words meaning “Body Here – Heart There”.

Thailand faces tougher competition for high-tech foreign investments as election jitters mount

The BYD Atto 3 EV car is displayed at the 39 Thailand International Motor Expo, in Bangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha