Johor’s Menteri Besar Surprise: Poster Boy Makes Way For King’s Man
Francis E. Hutchinson
The appointment of a relatively junior assemblyman to be Johor’s Menteri Besar is curious. But there are deeper undercurrents at work.
Articles
Custody Woes: PAS’ Calls for the ‘Desecularisation’ of Malaysian Law
Mohd Faizal Musa|Faris Ridzuan
Malaysia’s Islamists and conservatives, led by PAS, are challenging the country’s legal system, calling for the ‘desecularisation’ of Malaysian law in cases involving religious conversions.
Russia, Ukraine and ASEAN: Reading the Geo-political Tea Leaves
Elina Noor|Huong Le Thu|Sharon Seah
In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to three scholars about the 2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Indonesia and Taliban-Led Afghanistan: Treading with Caution
Syafiq Hasyim|Hui Yew-Foong
Indonesia has been cautious in granting diplomatic recognition to the new Taliban regime in Kabul. There are good reasons for doing so.
The Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines’ Post-Duterte China Challenge
Aaron Jed Rabena
Even under China-friendly President Duterte, Chinese BRI projects in the Philippines still encountered strong political opposition and faced several challenges in their roll-out. Nevertheless, taking a broader view of the BRI shows that it has made some progress and jives with the development needs of the Philippines.
Despite Proscription, HTI’s Ideological Activism Continues
Rizky Alif Alvian
Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia was banned in 2017, but the propagation of HTI’s ideology has continued to thrive in Indonesia via various media channels.
How to Solve the South China Sea Disputes
Bill Hayton
This Long Read argues that Southeast Asian states have an interest in recognising each other’s de facto occupation of specific features and then presenting a united position to China. The historical evidence of physical acts of administration suggests that, with some important exceptions, the current occupiers of each feature have the best claim to sovereignty over it.
ASEAN Special Envoy in Myanmar: Too Little, Too Late?
Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin
The recent visit to Myanmar by ASEAN’s Special Envoy has been disappointing. It might be time to reconsider the grouping’s five-point consensus.
U.S.-China Rivalry in Regional Economic Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges for ASEAN
Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy
China’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the prospect of its accession to the CPTPP further increase China’s role in supporting the rules-based multilateral system to which the U.S. is making a steady but selective comeback.
Thailand and the Russia-Ukraine War: Bending or Gone with the Wind?
Ian Storey
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted how Thailand’s desire to balance its relations with the major powers, coupled with the deleterious effects of nearly two decades of political turmoil, has enervated the country’s foreign policy.