Termsak Chalermpalanupap
Exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sought a route for his return to Thailand. Unfortunately, any new political configuration would involve a compact between the Pheu Thai Party and its erstwhile enemies. This would subvert the electoral mandate of the people.
Nguyen Khac Giang
Vietnam and Thailand have repeatedly sought to form a rice cartel to influence rice prices, but such an initiative faces ethical, political and practical hurdles. A rice consortium pursuing multiple objectives offers a better option for developing the rice sector and supporting rice farmers.
Kai Ostwald
Numerous interpretations have been offered for the recent state elections in Malaysia. They may offer some truth, but the results also conform with general expectations for a mid-term election that have little to do with the specifics of Malaysia.
Benjamin Y.H. Loh|Sarah Ali
The ugliness on social media during the campaigning for last week’s Malaysian state elections may mark an irreversible trend in the country’s politics, and not for the better.
Khairy Jamaluddin
The results of the recent state elections in Malaysia were not unexpected. But the more important thing is Pakatan Harapan’s pursuit of the Malay vote, and what this portends for the coalition going into the next general election.
Burhanuddin Muhtadi
While his party has come up with a shortlist of potential running mates, the decision as to who will run with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo to be his vice-president will most likely lie with none other than a former president who is Ganjar’s party boss.
Ian Wilson
By the end of 2023, there will be 271 interim regional heads who are appointed rather than elected, constituting over half of the regional leadership posts throughout Indonesia. These handpicked interim leaders are well-positioned to use the advantages of incumbency to promote central government interests at the expense of others in the 2024 elections.
Julia Tijaja|Denis Hew
Julia Tijaja and Denis Hew call for a renewed focus on productivity, for ASEAN’s long-term growth and competitiveness in its post-2025 economic agenda.
Lye Liang Fook
Recent top-level changes at China’s foreign ministry are unlikely to affect Beijing’s foreign policy orientation towards Southeast Asia. The region remains important in light of China’s difficult relationship with the United States and other key countries.
Norshahril Saat
It may well be true that not much has changed after the six state elections in Malaysia last week. But much of the political ground – specifically among Malay voters – has shifted towards the opposition.