chahaewon

What the Weak Must Suffer: Indonesia’s High-Cost Trade Deal with the US

A fast deal is not necessarily a good deal if Indonesia strikes an unequal trade bargain to avoid higher tariffs.

Malaysia Must Address Ailing Security of its Ageing Society

Malaysia’s retirement fund system is ailing and will not serve the retirement needs of the populace adequately. It is time to consider a basic pension scheme.

Why Students from China Are Picking Malaysia over Traditional Destinations

Mainland Chinese student numbers in Malaysian universities have surged recently, driven by affordability, proximity, and cultural familiarity, as well as restrictions in traditional study destinations such as the US.

Marriage Equality: Could Vietnam Be Next?

There is growing momentum in Vietnam to adopt marriage equality. However, traditional societal norms and tighter controls on foreign funding loom.

Thai-Cambodian Dispute: When Foreign Policy Begins at Home

Amid growing tensions in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, the former is doing itself no favours as political parties manoeuvre to gain political advantages.

Trump’s Tariff Deal With the Philippines: All Praise, Little Gain

For all the praise that US President Trump lavished on his Philippine counterpart, Marcos Jr. had little to account for from his high-profile visit to the US.

Malaysia’s Push for the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Connecting Past and Present

Malaysia’s initiative to establish the ASEAN-GCC-China summit underscores a long-standing desire to connect past and present.

Rethinking GenAI Visuals in Government Communications

Governments are turning to generative AI to assist in public communications, sparking backlash from the public over the quality and intent of such visuals. A better approach would be to pair GenAI with human expertise.

Global Inequality and Digital Vulnerability: Unpacking Online Scams and Human Trafficking

Online scams and digital-enabled human trafficking have escalated into complex transnational operations. An estimated 220,000 people were coerced into scam compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar in 2023 alone. A holistic, people-centred strategy is urgently needed. Solutions must include economic inclusion, social safety nets, digital literacy, and international cooperation to tackle root vulnerabilities.