2023 Top 10
Same Moon, Different Dates for Hari Raya (Again!)
Norshahril Saat
Some countries in Southeast Asia might end up celebrating Hari Raya on different dates, but this should not detract them from the higher goals of Ramadhan.
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2023 Top 10
“Red Card” for the President? Vietnam’s Biggest Political Drama in Decades
Le Hong Hiep
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc might be removed from his position. If online speculation is true, Phuc will become the first Vietnamese president to be ousted while still in office.
2023 Top 10
On the Horns of Anwar’s Twin Dilemmas
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.
2023 Top 10
China’s Military Exercises in Southeast Asia Belie Lack of Trust
Ian Storey
The PLA has increased the number of military exercises conducted with its smaller regional neighbours this year. But the scope, frequency and sophistication of the exercises still lag behind those conducted by the United States.
2023 Top 10
Anwar’s First Year: Performative and Underperforming
Khairy Jamaluddin
Anwar Ibrahim’s ascent to the country’s highest office last year was accompanied by a surge of expectations in his reformist government. One year on, however, his administration has lost some of its shine.
2023 Top 10
Making Sense of Cambodia’s Reaction to AUKUS
Chansambath Bong
Cambodia’s reaction to the trilateral nuclear-technology sharing deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States can best be described as lukewarm. It would be an oversimplification to say that AUKUS will have no adverse effects on Southeast Asia.
2023 Top 10
Anwar Ibrahim’s Visit to Saudi Arabia: Is His Foot in the Door?
Mohd Faizal Musa
Anwar Ibrahim’s opponents are trying to politicise his recent trip to Mecca but it is not a foregone conclusion that Anwar, and by extension Malaysia, was snubbed.
2023 Top 10
Is Malaysia’s “Green Wave” More a Tsunami of Discontent?
Khairy Jamaluddin
In the run-up to elections in six states, Malaysia’s Prime Minister is seeking to improve his coalition’s electability among Malay voters. The crux of the issue is less about a ‘green wave’ sweeping across the country than a wider discontent over the lack of economic direction.
2023 Top 10
Anwar’s First 100 Days: Passing Grade but Stern Tests Ahead
Khairy Jamaluddin
Anwar Ibrahim has managed to even the keel of Malaysia’s new coalition government in its first 100 days. But his fragile coalition government faces sterner tests on the horizon.
Collaboration Between Pheu Thai and Move Forward Parties on Their Core Issues Will Determine Thailand’s Future
Termsak Chalermpalanupap
Thailand’s Pheu Thai-led coalition government is struggling to amend the Constitution of 2017, or to draft a new replacement for it. Not much progress can be made on that front, however, unless and until the Move Forward Party provides support.