Pancasila and the “Missing Word”
Syafiq Hasyim
Islamic political voices, include Vice-President Ma’ruf, force the word religion into the draft 2035 national education roadmap.
Articles
Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Losing Its Moral Compass?
Francis E. Hutchinson
There is a logic to Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat working with its arch-nemesis UMNO. But it could well be that the former has lost its moral compass.
Hard to Defend Thailand’s Defence Procurement
Punchada Sirivunnabood
The Thai government is spending more, and more opaquely, on defence procurement.
Great Expectations: the Limits of Chinese Vaccine Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
Khairulanwar Zaini
China’s vaccine diplomacy in Southeast Asia may earn Beijing some goodwill, but strategic gains will be limited.
The Milk Tea Alliance Confronts China’s Weak Brew
Quinton Temby
Social media movements such as the Milk Tea Alliance are tapping into discontent with the regional decline of democracy and fears about the rise of China as a hegemonic power.
Unending Turmoil? Thailand’s Deep South Insurgency in 2021
Paul Chambers
The barriers to political accommodation in Southern Thailand remain many and formidable
The Democrat Party Split: Dynastic versus All-Party Politics
Max Lane
President Joko Widodo’s recent political gain comes at the cost of his predecessor.
Balanced Views Require Deeper Understanding of Middle Eastern Geopolitics
Norshahril Saat
The recent detention of a 20-year Singaporean here under the Internal Security Act underscores the need for Muslims to differentiate the religious and geopolitical aspects of the long-running Arab-Israeli conflict.
Thailand’s Elected Junta: The Pluralistic Poverty of Phalang Pracharat
Paul Chambers
Thailand’s Phalang Pracharat Party is a “junta party” established as a proxy for the 2014-2019 junta and the military, It is specifically designed to sustain the power of the generals Prawit Wongsuwan, Prayut Chan-ocha and Anupong Paochinda. In Thailand itself, the party has become so well-entrenched that it will be a difficult task removing it from office. The party has also become a model for other militaries in Southeast Asia intent on institutionalising their power.
Bangsamoro Elections: Choosing Between Two Bad Options
Malcolm Cook
The much-anticipated polls for the Philippines’ new Bangsamoro regional region has been in the works for more than two years. Given a slew of challenges, however, it might be better for them to be delayed.