Jacqueline F. Espenilla
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has served the Philippines well in achieving its security, economic and environmental goals. The most high-profile application of UNCLOS was the country’s arbitration proceedings against China in 2013 over the South China Sea.
Mohd Faizal Musa
Amanah, the progressive Islamist party, will be contesting in as many as 54 seats in Malaysia’s general elections. The prospect of many multi-cornered fights suggests that the party faces an uphill battle to retain the eleven parliamentary seats it now holds.
James Chai
Political parties and coalitions campaigning in Malaysia’s general election will do better if they take note of the concerns of Gen Z voters.
Syafiq Hasyim
The key to Indonesia’s Council of Ulama’s longevity even in the post-Suharto period lies in its dominance of the halal certification system, which other major Muslim organisations have not managed to dilute.
Prapimphan Chiengkul
Southeast Asian countries should stand alongside other developing countries and call on more richer countries to compensate them for the damaging effects caused by climate change.
Adelina Kamal
Choosing the right approach that best serves the pressing humanitarian needs of the Myanmar people requires ASEAN Leaders to do some new thinking.
Sze Fung Ng
Malaysia has seen problems in its defence procurement in recent years. Once a new government is installed after the general election, it should follow through with reforms to improve transparency in the process of acquiring new military hardware.
Siti Mazidah Mohamad
There is already a patchwork of laws supported by some communal surveillance and cultural policing when it comes to social media influencers in Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia. It is perhaps possible to socialise influencers, Muslim or otherwise, to tread carefully when navigating sensitive issues, but this must stop short of over-regulation.
Lee Hwok-Aun
In the lineup for Malaysia’s 15th general elections, Barisan Nasional appears to have an advantage over its rival Pakatan Harapan. To take power, the former can rally allies and partners to its side. The latter must win big on its own.
Napon Jatusripitak
There is irony in the Pheu Thai Party’s attempt to get its rival Bhumjaithai Party banned since this tactic was originally designed to eradicate Pheu Thai itself. The attempt will likely alienate Pheu Thai’s supporters and weaken its anti-regime stance.