Obstacles to Decarbonisation in Southeast Asia
Sharon Seah
Sharon Seah looks at decarbonisation challenges in Southeast Asia’s electricity generation, transportation and agriculture sectors, as well as other factors hampering such efforts.
Articles
Military Modernisation in Southeast Asia: Learning from the Russia-Ukraine War
Ian Storey
Ian Storey examines the factors driving defence modernisation in Southeast Asia and how the region may draw lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Malls and Mosques: The Sights and Sounds of Indonesia’s Iftar
A'an Suryana|Ahmad Muhajir
During the month-long Ramadhan, Muslims in Indonesia observe the breaking of fasts in mosques, and increasingly, in shopping malls. The differences in observance of the ritual underscore a growing class divide and corresponding social tastes between different groups of Muslims.
Malaysia’s 15th General Election: Ethnicity Remains the Key Factor in Voter Preferences
Marzuki Mohamad|Ibrahim Suffian
The results of Malaysia’s 15th General Election revealed that ethnicity remains the key factor determining voter behaviour. But in a reversal of previous trends, the coalition that received the most support from the ethnic Malay majority is in the Opposition, while the coalition that received the least Malay support is leading the government. This suggests that the current political configuration is intrinsically fragile.
Marcos Jr. and the Dangers of Virtual Hypermasculinity
Maria Tanyag
Marcos Jr. may appear less threatening than Rodrigo Duterte to Philippine democracy but that is because the threat is shifting online.
Why is the U.S.-Thai Alliance Treading Water?
Ian Storey
United States President Joe Biden has done a creditable job in upgrading and reinvigorating America’s treaty alliances. Thailand, one of Washington’s oldest treaty allies in Asia, is an outlier.
Forging Anwar’s Cabinet: Fervent Followers, Forbidden Friends, and Former Foes
Francis E. Hutchinson
With his first 100 days behind him, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acted proactively to solidify his hold on power. Adept at backroom negotiations, he swiftly cobbled together a Cabinet representing his broad ‘coalition of coalitions’ while ensuring that he and his loyalists controlled the most powerful positions. This Long Read provides an analysis of how the spoils were distributed in Anwar’s new Cabinet.
Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government May Write a New Chapter for Malaysia-Singapore Relations
Ong Kian Ming
There is a chance that Malaysia-Singapore economic collaboration can see a real flourishing with Anwar Ibrahim at the helm.
ASEAN Economic Community in Uncertain Times: Can the Indonesian Chair Lead in a Challenging World?
Julia Tijaja
Julia Tijaja highlights several initiatives and Indonesia’s role in re-energising the ASEAN Economic Community.
Does Food Protection Equal Food Security? Lessons from ASEAN’s Experience with Rice
C. Peter Timmer
Drawing on personal experience as an advisor in Asia, C. Peter Timmer, a leading authority on agricultural development, highlights the role of ASEAN in ensuring food security.