Articles

6 Jun 2022

App-based Drivers in Vietnam: More Workers than Contractors

Joe Buckley

There has been a vigorous debate in Vietnam as to whether drivers for digital platforms are workers or contractors. They should be classified as the former.

6 Jun 2022

ASEAN Cooperation Post-2025: A Vision for Collaborative Governance

Sanchita Basu Das

As ASEAN emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an opportunity for collaborative governance to boost the region’s capacity to meet future challenges in the economy, geopolitics, and the environment.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity Asean Trade Digitalisation Security

3 Jun 2022

Ismail Sabri Charting His Own Course

Norshahril Saat

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob appears to be holding his own, despite pressure from his party colleagues to hold a general election soon.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

3 Jun 2022

‘Doomed to Fail’: Chinese Media Dismisses the U.S.’s ASEAN Diplomacy

Wang Zheng

Chinese state media have negatively portrayed Washington’s recent moves to court ASEAN diplomatically and economically, but the one-sided narrative that Beijing trots out belies the region’s careful reception of both great powers amidst their growing rivalry.

ASEAN-China Relations China-U.S. Relations Diplomacy Indo-Pacfic

2 Jun 2022

Timor Leste’s New President: Polarisation Defused or Postponed?

Max Lane

The victory of Dr Jose Ramos Horta in Timor’s recent presidential elections has done little to defuse the political polarisation that has afflicted the country in recent years.

Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Elections

2 Jun 2022

ASEAN Re-opening: When the Whole is Less than the Sum of its Parts

Joanne Lin

As individual member states rush to reopen their borders amid the pandemic, ASEAN has again been found to be wanting.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity Tourism

1 Jun 2022

Beware of False Peace in Myanmar

Htet Myet Min Tun

Despite recent rhetoric from the State Administration Council seeking ‘peace talks’ with ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar, the prospect of true peace will remain elusive for as long as the generals are selling old wine in new bottles.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

1 Jun 2022

Malaysia’s Nationwide Minimum Wage Omits Crucial Regional Differences

Tham Siew Yean|Kevin Zhang

One of the key goals of a minimum wage is to provide employees with a wage that can sustain their basic livelihood. Therefore, a more appropriate minimum wage scale should create several tiers where wages are calibrated according to state or regional differences.

Labour Market Malaysia Malaysian Economy

31 May 2022

The ‘People’s Court’ Supports and Celebrates Marriage Equality in Thailand

Alexandra Dalferro

Amidst greater popular awareness of the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Thailand, activists are challenging Thai laws restricting marriage to heterosexual couples as being unconstitutional. While significant progress on human rights is unlikely to occur under the current government, Thai citizens are using their voices to call for change.

Human Rights Thai Politics Thailand

31 May 2022

UMNO’s Constitutional Amendment: A Done Deal?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Pending approval from the government, UMNO’s Supreme Council can now delay elections for up to 18 months from a full three-year term or 6 months after a general election — whichever is later. The rationale is that this would allow the party to overcome any internal divisions arising during the polls and focus its energies on the next general election.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics