Two Anwars on the Ballot? Regulating AI Before GE16
Nuurrianti Jalli
There is an urgent need for Malaysia to regulate AI-assisted campaigning before the next general elections.
Articles
The 2016 South China Sea Award and the Future of a Legally Binding Code of Conduct
Joanne Lin|Huynh Trung Dung
Joanne Lin and Huynh Trung Dung examine what the continuing legal divergence surrounding the recognition of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award means for ASEAN and China’s pursuit of a legally binding Code of Conduct.
Cambodia’s Three-Track Strategy for Peace with Thailand
Chheang Vannarith
Cambodia has adopted a comprehensive approach to resolving its border dispute with Thailand. Substantive progress, however, would only occur when the two sides agree on border demarcation.
Melaka State Government: What DAP’s Departure Portends for Federal Government
Tricia Yeoh
DAP’s departure from the Melaka state assembly will have repercussions for the PH-BN unity government at the federal level.
ASEAN’s Convening Power Meets Its Delivery Test: Lessons From the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Huynh Trung Dung|Joanne Lin|Kristina Fong Siew Leng
Huynh Trung Dung, Joanne Lin and Kristina Fong examine whether ASEAN can convert its convening power and shared commitments into tangible regional outcomes.
Quietly, not Silently: How Vietnam Deals with China on the South China Sea
Huynh Trung Dung
Vietnam did not sign the joint statement on the Tribunal Award invalidating China’s claims on the South China Sea. Hanoi’s consistent "speak less, do more" approach combines public restraint with a range of quieter policy tools.
Redirecting Crypto Exchanges to Fight — Rather than Facilitate — Crypto Scams in Southeast Asia
David Lam
Southeast Asian countries can significantly amplify their anti-scam efforts by compelling crypto exchanges to proactively join the fight. Exchanges are not merely the primary gateways through which scam funds flow — they are also the custodians of valuable on-chain and platform intelligence needed to detect and disrupt those flows.
Thailand’s Defence Budget: Money and Materiel
Paul Chambers
Amid growing fiscal austerity, the Thai government has approved a defence budget largely unchanged from the previous year. This highlights the civilian government’s growing inclination to cater to the inclinations of the military.
Vietnam’s Ambition for Double-Digit Growth: Rationale and Challenges
Ho Quoc Tuan
Vietnam sees double-digit growth in 2026 and beyond as a political imperative. To achieve this, the government needs to adopt an economic model that aggressively leverages domestic stimulus while managing inflation and asset prices.
When the Indonesian Middle Class Takes to the Streets
Chatib Basri|Maria Monica Wihardja|Abror Tegar Pradana
Empirical evidence shows that a shrinking middle class in Indonesia has led to a growing number of protests. This is pertinent not only to Indonesia, but for other countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines.