Indonesia’s Sakdiyah Ma’ruf battles Islamic extremism, intolerance with laughs

Groundbreaker Sakdiyah Ma’ruf is Indonesia’s first female standup comedian, let alone the first to perform wearing a hijab. Ma’ruf has won international awards for her support of tolerance and women’s rights, but most important for a comedian, she’s genuinely funny.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

East meets West in casino mogul Lawrence Ho

Experts say Melco Resorts boss Lawrence Ho’s mix of East and West distinguishes him among billionaire casino magnates and paves the way for success beyond Macau.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Billionaire Baha Mar buyer Henry Cheng joins Forbes Hong Kong’s 50 Richest for 2018

Succeeding his late father Cheng Yu-tung at the head of the Chow Tai Fook/New World empire, Henry Cheng has expanded the family’s role in casinos beyond Macau into Vietnam, Australia and the Bahamas while becoming a billionaire in his own right.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

CNBC’s Cramer makes mad money call on Macau

Television pundit Jim Cramer says buy Macau, but his stock picking is nuts because it ignores looming casino license expirations.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Looking back, ahead at Asian gaming

Here’s the customary review of my 2017 predictions, and, more important, a look ahead at 2018 in Asian gaming.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Enter the Dragon2: Naga addition lifts Cambodia

In Phnom Penh, NagaWorld’s Naga2 takes the casino resort and Cambodia to the next level as a regional gaming destination. As forecast a year ago, Southeast Asia has gained traction as a source market and development site for integrated resorts.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

James Packer recovering from humbling year

Few billionaires had more humbling 2017 than Australia’s James Packer, controlling shareholder of Crown Resorts. But a scaled down, laser focused Packer and Crown are looking to defend their number position in Australia, rather than conquer the world.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Islam a mother – and daughter – can love

Malaysian activist Marina Mahathir uses the Qur’an to champion women’s rights in the Muslim world. The daughter of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is also at the forefront of efforts to stop Arabization of Islam in Asia, where the vast majority of the world’s Muslims live.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.

Bali finds a way without Chinese tourists

Mainland China visitors represented one in four international arrivals to Bali through October. But the Mount Agung volcano led to a suspension of Chinese airline flights during the December holiday season. Tourism stakeholders on the Indonesian island are managing to cope, but at a price.

Totally globalized native New Yorker and former broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is a blogger for Forbes, editor at large for Inside Asian Gaming and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about television news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his bio, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MuhammadCohen.