Chheang Vannarith
This Long Read examines the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), which came into force in January 2022. It argues that in order to promote industrialisation and export diversification, developing countries need to adopt an integrated industrial-trade-investment strategy. China, as a global trading power, can play a significant role in this process.
Phan Xuan Dung
Vietnam is planning to import more electricity from hydropower facilities in Laos. Such an arrangement, however, poses a threat to the food security and livelihoods of Vietnamese living in the Mekong Delta.
Norshahril Saat|Ahmad Muhajir
Many politicians eyeing Indonesia’s two top political jobs are performing the Hajj this year. While doing so might boost their political capital, it is unlikely to bag them an outright victory at next year’s polls.
David Scott Mathieson
Five weeks after the country was hit by a Category 5 cyclone, the military junta in Myanmar continues to stonewall the delivery of much-needed aid to affected civilians. In particular, this highlights ASEAN’s continued inability to persuade the junta to implement the Five Point Consensus.
Ong Kian Ming
It is time to refresh the popular but inaccurate characterisation of recent Malaysian politics as broadly influenced by Islamisation. The truth is more complex.
Harris Zainul
As Malaysia heads into six state elections, it is imperative for social media platforms to step up their game in moderating harmful content.
Kasit Piromya
A former Thai foreign minister voices his hopes for the future of Thai democracy. It is not clear, however, that Thailand can strengthen its democracy through consensus-building if entrenched political forces continue to thwart the people’s wishes.
Muhammad Habib Abiyan Dzakwan
The growth of Indonesia’s nickel industry must not be left unchecked. In crafting new policies, Indonesia must also prioritise stronger social and environmental safeguards.
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.
Kai Ostwald
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has long cultivated an image of himself as a reformist leader. His ability to effect change, however, is limited by the country’s legacy of hegemonic politics.