Articles

25 Apr 2022

Restoring Public Trust in Indonesia’s Political Parties

Albert Jehoshua Rapha|Azeem Marhendra Amedi

Indonesia’s political parties are the least trusted political institutions in the country. The combination of elite politics and the entrenched presence of business and other vested interests at the highest levels of government make it challenging for political parties to act as guardians of Indonesian democracy.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

25 Apr 2022

Nahdlatul Ulama’s Traditionalist Campaign Shaping Mainstream Indonesian Islamic Discourse

Wasisto Raharjo Jati

Since 2014, it has appeared as though the traditionalists in Nahdlatul Ulama have won the upper hand in influencing the Islamic discourse in Indonesia, having pushed back against hardline and conservative elements. However, the conservatives remain a critical opposition, and sharp ideological differences will keep tensions simmering.

22 Apr 2022

Corruption is the Worst Enemy of the Vietnamese Army

Le Hong Hiep

While there are indications that the Vietnamese government is serious about tackling corruption even in the top ranks of its military, obstacles remain in the fight to eradicate graft. This poses questions about Vietnam’s ability to effectively handle future security threats.

Anti-Corruption Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Military Vietnamese Politics

21 Apr 2022

Moon Versus Maths: The Ramadhan Debate and Future of Indonesia’s Pluralism

A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat

This year’s Ramadhan saw less bickering among Indonesian Muslims about the appropriate start date for the blessed month. The ‘agree to disagree’ approach should be employed in other facets of the country’s socio-religious life.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Religion Religious Dialogue Religious Intolerance

21 Apr 2022

Credit UMNO for the Rakyat’s Benefits? More Serious Accounting Needed

Kevin Zhang|Lee Hwok-Aun

UMNO and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri are hoping to take credit for recent announcements on hiking the minimum wage and allowing special withdrawals from retirement savings, but the devil is in the details.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

20 Apr 2022

A Third Term for Jokowi: Weighing the Risks of Constitutional Change

Max Lane

The recent brouhaha over a possible extension of President Joko Widodo’s term underscores a quandary in Indonesia’s politics: there is no low-risk candidate that political parties can back.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

20 Apr 2022

Labelling Fake News: The Politics of Regulating Disinformation in Thailand

Janjira Sombatpoonsiri

In Thailand, determining what news is true or fake appears to be a political matter. This article argues that political misuse of regulatory measures not only sows censorship and autocratic propensities, but also reinforce public mistrust in official mechanisms to curb disinformation.

Misinformation Online Misinformation Thai Politics Thailand

19 Apr 2022

System Reset? Unlocking Domestic Data Flows to Enhance ASEAN E-Commerce

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

ASEAN has been unable to take full advantage of the rapid growth of electronic commerce, given uneven levels of openness in data flows within and across the region. Strengthening domestic and regional regulations in this sector will unleash the region’s potential to help its post-pandemic recovery.

ASEAN Asean Trade Data Security E-Commerce

19 Apr 2022

The Malaysian Opposition’s ‘Big Tent’ Strategy: A Misreading of Election History

James Chai

The Malaysian Opposition would do well to reconsider its calls for a ‘Big Tent’ strategy. A closer look at voting patterns in recent Malaysian elections raises questions about their assumption that a united opposition would secure an electoral victory against BN.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

18 Apr 2022

Talk is Cheap: The 2022 Philippine Elections’ Climate Implications

Ruth Lusterio-Rico

President Duterte’s approach to environmental issues has been inconsistent. His declarations about solving environmental problems have been quite strong, but were not followed by concrete actions. The next President must strike a tough balance between fostering a business climate conducive to economic recovery, whilst moving ahead with climate action and environmental commitments.

Climate Change Environment Philippine Philippine Economy Philippine Politics Sustainable Development