Articles

5 Dec 2022

How Will Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government Revise Budget 2023?

Cassey Lee

New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has to lead his “unity government” in navigating the process of revising the country’s Budget 2023 through some significant headwinds.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

2 Dec 2022

Café Culture and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia

Prapimphan Chiengkul

Governments and non-government organisations can help newly formed producer groups, such as by subsidising costly organic or Fairtrade certification fees, until these farmer groups are financially self-reliant.

1 Dec 2022

Vietnam Not Veering Closer to United States or China

Lye Liang Fook|Ha Hoang Hop

It is not in Vietnam’s national interest to be overly dependent on China or the United States. Hanoi is expected to continue to press ahead with efforts to build on its ties with the two major powers as part of its multi-directional foreign policy. There are, however, limits to both approaches.

China U.S. Vietnam

30 Nov 2022

Japan’s Counter-strike Missiles and Southeast Asia’s “Nuclear” Question

Yoichiro Sato

Japan is considering the deployment of non-nuclear counter-strike capabilities in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China. This might have a bearing on Southeast Asia.

Defence Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

30 Nov 2022

More than a Mere Caretaker? Jakarta’s Interim Governor and the 2024 Elections

Ian Wilson

The appointment of a caretaker governor for Jakarta might come across as a routine procedure. In the case of Heru Budi Hartono, however, his employment of a politically partisan approach throws up initial indications of the battle lines going into the 2024 presidential elections.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

29 Nov 2022

Malaysia’s New PM: The Need to Get It Right for the Country

Norshahril Saat

Malaysia’s new premier Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. Going forward, however, he has a slew of challenges.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

29 Nov 2022

COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh: a Geopolitical Cop-out

Sharon Seah|Mirza Sadaqat Huda|Melinda Martinus

The COP27 meeting in Egypt yielded some significant outcomes, such as a historic loss and damage provision. But geopolitics reared its ugly head and might have an impact on future meetings.

Climate Change COP27

28 Nov 2022

Myanmar Junta Prisoner Release: Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves

Ye Khaung Oo

It is too soon to celebrate the recent prisoner amnesty in Myanmar as a serious indication of the junta’s intention to change its ways for the better.

Myanmar Myanmar Military

25 Nov 2022

COP27 and G20: Climate-Food Nexus Takes the Spotlight

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Paul Teng

Two recent international gatherings — COP27 and G20 — have spotlighted the challenge of climate change and the impact on food security. As a highly vulnerable region, Southeast Asia needs to take urgent steps to adapt its agriculture and food systems, to prepare for a more disruptive future.

Climate Change COP27 Food Security

23 Nov 2022

Anies Baswedan’s Run for President: Will it Provoke New Distinctions in Contestation?

Max Lane

The show of support for presidential contender Anies Baswedan has again underscored the enduring dynamic in Indonesian politics: competition without opposition.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics