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Draft:Derwin John Pereira

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Derwin John Pereira
File:Derwin Pereira.jpg
CEO of Pereira International Pte Ltd
Born (1966-10-30) October 30, 1966 (age 58) Singapore
CitizenshipSingaporean
Alma materHarvard University’s John F. Kennedy School Harvard University and London School of Economics
Occupation(s)Political strategist and writer
Known forJournalism and political consulting
Websitehttps://pereiraintl.com/

Derwin John Pereira (born October 30, 1966) is a political strategist and business consultant, and the founder and CEO of Pereira International Pte Ltd[1], a Singapore-based strategic advisory firm focused on Southeast Asia.[2][3] He began his career in 1991 as a research officer with the Singapore Ministry of Defense. In 1992,[2] he moved to journalism, joining The Straits Times. As a foreign correspondent, he reported from Jakarta between 1997 and 2001 and later served as the paper's Indonesia Bureau Chief from 2001 to 2005. He then spent over a year at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government as a Mason Fellow[4].[3][5] After graduation, he was appointed as the United States Bureau Chief of The Straits Times from 2006 to 2008.[3] Pereira left The Straits Times in 2008 to venture into the world of consulting. Leveraging his extensive experience and international network, Pereira established Pereira International Pte Ltd in 2010.[3][6]

Early life and education

Pereira was born in Singapore to John Phillip Pereira, a banker, and Theresa John Pereira, a homemaker. He grew up with four siblings and attended St Gabriel's School, where he completed his GCE 'O' Levels. Pereira then studied at Catholic Junior College, where he achieved his GCE 'A' Levels, excelling in History and English Literature.[2][6]

Pereira pursued higher education at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, specializing in government and international relations. He later earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2006.[2][5][6]

Career

Early career

Pereira began his professional career in 1991 as a Research Officer with the Ministry of Defence in Singapore. In 1992, he transitioned to journalism with The Straits Times,[7] Singapore's national daily.[7] He worked as a foreign correspondent based in Jakarta from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently served as the Indonesia Bureau Chief from 2001 to 2005.[8]

Harvard and Washington, D.C.

In 2005, Pereira was awarded a Singapore Press Holdings Scholarship to study at Harvard University, where he was a Mason Fellow. He completed his studies in 2006. Following his graduation, Pereira was appointed as the United States Bureau Chief for The Straits Times, stationed in Washington, D.C., from 2006 to 2008.[9]

Mr. Pereira's career has been at the forefront of Indonesia-related programmes such as The Derwin Pereira Indonesia Initiative at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., a member of the Dean’s Council at Harvard University, and an International Council Member of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, also at Harvard University.[1]

Consulting

Pereira left journalism to enter the consulting field and founded Pereira International Pte Ltd. in 2010[9], a strategic advisory firm focusing on Southeast Asia. The firm provides political and business consulting services and has established a strong presence in the region. Clients benefit from the organization's extensive network with influential leaders in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries..

Philanthropy

Pereira has sponsored several Southeast Asian programs in the USA to nuture the next generation of global leaders, particularly at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the Derwin Pereira Southeast Asian Foreign Policy Roundtables at the Center for a New American Security. To ensure that the most deserving have a chance at exploring their potential, he established scholarships at Harvard University, and the Derwin Pereira MBA Scholarship at Nanyang Technological University.[2][10]

Notable collaborations

Pereira is widely known for his "ability to analyze trends, interpret developments, and provide forward-looking solutions [which] has made him a trusted advisor to governments, corporations, and political leaders across Southeast Asia.[11] His connections include Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore; Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the former President of Indonesia; Taufik Kiemas, the late husband of Megawati Sukarnoputri; Akbar Tandjung, the former Golkar chairman; Lim Siong Guan, the former Permanent Secretary of Defense (Singapore); and Leslie Fong, the former editor of The Straits Times.

Controversies

Terrorism: The Jibril Document

Pereira faced criticism from Indonesian media after reporting on a potential terror attack in 2002, which later occurred in Bali. His reporting on imminent threats in 2003, including the Marriott bombing, was seen as prescient, though it led to controversy regarding his sources and predictions. [citation needed]

Representation of the Indonesian Government

In 2015, Michael Buehler published an article alleging that Pereira International had a contract with a U.S. lobbying firm to represent the Indonesian government. Pereira denied these allegations, apologized for any confusion, and confirmed that neither he nor his firm had received money from the Indonesian government. [citation needed]

Awards and recognition

Pereira was recognized with the Feature of the Year award by The Straits Times for his reporting on terrorism threats in Indonesia.[12] The following year, he received the Story of the Year award for his coverage of the Marriott Hotel bombing. [citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Pereira International | Your Strategic Advisory Partner in Asia". Pereira International. 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e "mba.nus.edu". mba.nus.edu.sg. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  3. ^ a b c d "Derwin Pereira". South China Morning Post. 2019-11-24. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  4. ^ "MC/MPA Edward S. Mason Program". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  5. ^ a b "The Campaign for Harvard Kennedy School: Impact Report". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  6. ^ a b c "About | Derwin Pereira Musings". Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  7. ^ a b "mba.nus.edu". mba.nus.edu.sg. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  8. ^ https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/rsis-pubs/WP10.pdf
  9. ^ a b "Founder & CEO". Pereira International. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  10. ^ "Derwin Pereira Southeast Asian Foreign Policy Roundtables". CNAS. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  11. ^ carlastlouis, Carla St Louis (2025-01-23). "Building Resilient Strategies: Derwin Pereira's Approach to Guiding Business and Government in Southeast Asia". International Business Times. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  12. ^ "Derwin Pereira | The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs". www.belfercenter.org. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
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