Populism, Pietism and Pragmatism in the Kedah State Election
Azmil Tayeb
Whether the unlikely partnership of Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional can wrest Kedah from Perikatan Nasional would require an extraordinary alignment of the stars.
Articles
Pheu Thai at the Crossroads: Navigating Thailand’s Senate-Driven Hung Parliament
Punchada Sirivunnabood|Napon Jatusripitak
The Pheu Thai Party’s path to political power is strewn with many obstacles and the need to make difficult compromises with erstwhile enemies.
Will Anwar’s “Madani Economy” Narrative Strengthen His Economic Leadership?
Cassey Lee
The “Madani Economy” narrative launched on 27 July hopes to project a stronger public image of Prime and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s economic leadership. It should be seen as an interim economic policy framework of the Unity government inspired by the Madani concept.
A Material Election: Will Malaysians Vote with Their Wallets?
Lee Hwok-Aun
Electoral campaigns in the run-up to Malaysia’s six state elections on 12 August are spinning economic success stories to tug heartstrings, but the electorate will surely reference their lived experience as they cast ballots.
From the Fringes of Defeat: How UMNO President Zahid Hamidi Transformed His Vulnerability into Invincibility
James Chai
This Long Read examines the structural moves UMNO President Zahid Hamidi took to consolidate power within the party. It argues that these decisions are likely to disincentivise reforms, rejuvenation and change within UMNO, which may exacerbate its decline in electoral popularity.
Negeri Sembilan State Election: A Safe Bet for Anwar Administration?
Kevin Zhang
Negeri Sembilan is considered a safe ground for the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional unity alliance. But friction in the coalition might emerge if UMNO has a good showing in the state.
The Untapped Potential of Carbon Credit Trading in ASEAN
Renard Siew
ASEAN holds out immense potential for generating carbon credits, given the region’s incredibly rich biodiversity and abundance of renewable energy sources. Member countries should collectively forge commitment and a timeline for implementing regionwide carbon trading.
Is ASEAN Truly for the People?
Joanne Lin
Joanne Lin explores the importance of a people-centred ASEAN and ways that the organisation can enhance engagement with its people, ahead of the 56th ASEAN Day celebrations.
The Unity Government: Preventing a Partial Victory in the Polls
Francis E. Hutchinson
The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional tag-team will likely win by a big margin in the Penang state elections. The key question here is whether the Unity Government would represent Malays in the state adequately.
Leveraging Dirt: Soil as Southeast Asia’s Under-explored Solution for Carbon Mitigation and Food Security
Elyssa Kaur Ludher
The world’s soils are under threat due to deforestation, urbanisation, agriculture, and pollution. Southeast Asia should prioritise sustainable soil management to reap the benefits of carbon mitigation and enhance food security.