March 29, 2016 edition

Rosen Plevneliev, 52, was Bulgaria's fourth democratically elected president in 2011, continuing a new political tradition that began after the fall of communism in 1990. A graduate of Sofia Technical University, he has a business background in the field of construction and real estate, with eight years working in Germany before starting his political career. In 2009, he was appointed as minister of regional development and public works, following general elections for seats in the National Assembly.
Some of his works can be seen in the high-quality highways that stretch along the country's borders with Greece and Turkey, also in the construction of the Sofia Business Park and the Sofia Residential Park. He has maintained his good relations with Germany since he became president. "Germany is now our biggest market," he told Tempo in an exclusive interview.

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More On The Record articles in other editions

March 22, 2016 edition

To many people, retirement means an easy life and relaxation. But to Malaysian elder statesman Tun Daim Zainuddin, freedom from government duties and politics means a chance to indulge in a longtime passionart. Yet, for this former Malaysian finance minister, it is not just about collecting paintings, sculptures and antique potteries. For the Tun (Malaysia's highest honorific bestowed on deserving citizens)as he is referred to by friends and associatesthe pleasure is in being able to share art with everyone. Hence the Ilham Art Gallery, containing exhibits that are open to the public for free, the first in Malaysia and perhaps even in the ASEAN region. It occupies three floors of the brand-new and imposing 60-floor Ilham building, which the Tun happens to own.
The 78-year-old Tun's unassuming and soft-spoken persona belies the power he once held and the influence he still retains. Trained as a lawyer and an urban planner, he rose high in his country's political and corporate world, specifically in property development and banking. He retired from public service in 2001, after having servedon two separate occasionsas Malaysia's finance minister. He was an elected parliamentarian representing Alor Star and was for years the treasurer of UMNO.

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March 8, 2016 edition

In Jakarta recently to speak at the annual Panglaykim Lecture Series organized by the Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), Dr. Richard Horton said health must be seen from a holistic perspective: one issue interconnected to another. If we fail to see health problems from that perspective, any preventive or curative measures would fail to achieve the maximum effect.
Horton is honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University College in London, a council member of both the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the University of Birmingham and he is currently co-chair of the WHO Independent Expert Review Group on Accountability for Women's and Children's Health. He took time to speak to share his views with Yuli Ismartono.

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