Fuelling Reform: Bolder Petrol Overhaul is Malaysia’s Best Bet
Amalina Anuar
Malaysia is facing a dilemma when it comes to pushing through the reform of its petrol subsidies. It has to stay the course.
Articles
Why are Chinese Students Choosing Higher Education in Asian Countries?
Koh Sin Yee
Chinese students are increasingly opting for Asian universities. With the right policies, Southeast Asia can continue to reap the benefits.
How TikTok’s Visual Politics Shaped Indonesia’s 2024 Election
Nuurrianti Jalli|Ika Ningtyas|Yearry Panji Setianto
Through TikTok, Prabowo Subianto successfully rebranded himself from being a controversial figure to being a relatable leader. TikTok’s emphasis on short-form entertaining content simplifies complex political issues into meme-worthy visuals. While this encourages engagement from younger audiences, it risks trivialising critical political discussions and reducing voters’ decision-making into emotional reactions.
The Thai-Cambodian War of Cyber Attrition: Implications for ASEAN
Surachanee Sriyai
The Thai-Cambodian cyber crossfire highlights ASEAN’s challenge in addressing gaps in international law to prevent both state and non-state actors from misusing cyberspace.
Lee Jae Myung’s Southeast Asia Policy: Can It Move Beyond Its Vietnam Focus?
Cha Hae Won
South Korea’s ties with Southeast Asia are overly focused on Vietnam. To assert its middle power status, the country needs to diversify its relations and rectify this imbalance.
Increasing Government Efficiency in Malaysia through a New Act
Tricia Yeoh
A new Act to improve government efficiency in Malaysia would help streamline the bureaucracy and reduce regulatory burdens. It could be improved, however, by adding some parliamentary oversight.
Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect – What Now?
Stephen Olson
Fulcrum editor Lee Hwok Aun speaks with Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, on making sense of the Trump tariffs and thinking through the unpredictabilities.
Scarborough Shoal Incident Might Raise Tensions
Ian Storey|Aries A. Arugay
A recent incident between the Philippine Coast Guard and China’s maritime forces could presage a change in tactics by the latter. If this is so, tensions in the disputed area might head north.
Grooming New Champions: To Lam Prepares for Private Sector-Led Growth in Vietnam
Nguyen Khac Giang
Resolution 68, issued in May 2025 by the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, marks one of Vietnam’s most dramatic economic policy shifts since Doi Moi. It elevates the private sector from junior partner to the “most important force” of the economy. However, success hinges on overcoming entrenched interests, managing ideological resistance within the CPV, and ensuring disciplined execution of reforms.
Ceasefire on Borrowed Time: The Fragility of Great Power Mediation in the Thai-Cambodian Dispute
Napon Jatusripitak|Tita Sanglee
The involvement of China and the US in the Thai-Cambodian dispute is useful, but it also obscures the need for both Southeast Asian neighbours to reduce the incidence of escalation on the ground.