About | Derwin Pereira Musings

Derwin Pereira

54 posts

If journalism is the first draft of history, it was a desire to write the second draft that brought Derwin Pereira from journalism to political consultancy, which probes trends, events and personalities more deeply that journalism could allow. An award-winning journalist at The Straits Times, Derwin rose to the position of Bureau Chief in Indonesia and then the United States. Some of the key personalities he has interviewed include all Indonesian presidents since the fall of Suharto, former US President George W Bush and former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

While building intimate contacts in the antechambers of Indonesia’s political and corporate corridors of power, Derwin realised that he could do so much more than write for a general audience. He could instead advise clients on how to benefit from the drivers of change in Southeast Asia and Indonesia. This led to the genesis of Pereira International in 2010.

Derwin’s insights on regional affairs have since been sought after by many Asian leaders. He maintains those relationships to this day, allowing him to stay up to date on policy matters and giving him exclusive access to vital information.

Derwin, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, specialises in strategic communications and business consultancy in Asia providing clients with expert advice and consultancy.

Apart from leading a team that produces research papers on market trends and political developments, Derwin is at the forefront of Asia-related programmes such as the CSIS-Derwin Pereira Southeast Asia Dialogue at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS and is a member of the Advisory Board for Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS. He has also established a Derwin Pereira scholarship programme at the business school of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

Combining academic knowledge, journalistic practice and a consultant’s keen eye for the elusive political or economic detail, Derwin continues to work on the second draft of history.

LLife

5 minute read

THE JOY OF FLYING

byDerwin Pereira
June 7, 2025

By : Derwin Pereira Like every other child, I think, I used to look up to the skies…

PPolitical

1 minute read

Saudi Arabia: From a regional power to a global player

byDerwin Pereira
May 30, 2025

by: Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asia Viewpoint, June 02, 2025

PPolitical

1 minute read

The Saudi Difference

byDerwin Pereira
May 9, 2025

By Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asian View Point, May 09, 2025

PPolitical

1 minute read

China steps in as the US steps aside

byDerwin Pereira
April 25, 2025

by : Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asian Viewpoints, April 28, 2025

PPolitical

1 minute read

Singapore at 60: Will the miracle continue?

byDerwin Pereira
April 17, 2025

by : Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asian Viewpoint, April 17, 2025

UUncatgerize

1 minute read

A game changer? President Donald Trump’s gift to Singapore

byDerwin Pereira
April 4, 2025

by : Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asian Viewpoint, April 7, 2025

PPolitical

1 minute read

Is China winning?

byDerwin Pereira
March 16, 2025

by : Derwin Pereira Published in The Edge (Singapore) Asian Viewpoint, March 17, 2025

LLife

2 minute read

A croissant a day makes my day

byDerwin Pereira
March 16, 2025

A croissant a day makes my day by Derwin Pereira I confess that I am partial towards the…

LLife

2 minute read

THE JOY OF LAUGHTER

byDerwin Pereira
March 7, 2025

by DERWIN PEREIRA Tell me honestly: Would you not prefer comedy to tragedy? I mean, comic works of…

LLife

2 minute read

My Aston Martin

byDerwin Pereira
January 19, 2025

I am getting a new Aston Martin a few years after I parted from my DB9. This one…