A nationwide survey finds that many Indonesian voters supporting a party in the legislative election might not support the party’s chosen presidential candidate. The three presidential candidates are liked more for their personality traits than policy stances. In short, personality still outweighs policy.
Author Archives: chahaewon
The Twin Axis in Indonesian Politics: Elite Personal Ambition and the Alienation of Civil Society
This Long Read argues that a 20-year process of consolidation of a homogeneous political outlook among the parties controlling the Indonesian electoral scene has facilitated a political life that is dominated by personal rivalry and ambitions, and which has opened the way for dynasty building.
The Kra Land Bridge: Thailand’s White Elephant Comes Charging Back
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has revitalised the idea of the Kra land bridge with gusto. Poor economic viability, environmental problems and geopolitical complications account for the project’s tepid international reception.
Yok’s case and Thailand’s Treatment of Child Activists
The charged case of a controversial juvenile accused of insulting the monarchy illustrates the shortcomings of the Thai justice system in protecting the youngest defendants and the complications of upholding lèse-majesté laws in the twenty-first century.
Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Campaigns: Hyper-local and Personal Touchpoints Matter Most
A recent survey shows that younger Indonesian voters, like their older fellow citizens, still hold traditional media and in-person conversations in high regard when it comes to learning about the elections and deciding whom to vote for.
Cultivating the Future: Empowering Young Farmers in Southeast Asia
Farmers in Southeast Asia are aging. Governments and not-for-profits need to think of ways to attract younger farmers into agriculture.
Will the “China Factor” Become an Election Issue in Indonesia?
Indonesia’s economic relationship with China is occasionally marred by deadly accidents at Chinese-built and owned industrial sites in the archipelago. Nevertheless, economic cooperation with China is not going to slow down, no matter who wins the election next month.
ASEAN Economies in the Tech Supply Chain Sweet Spot?
Ongoing trade Sino-U.S. tensions and the need to redirect FDI away from China may present a golden opportunity for economies in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia’s “Dubai Move”: Nothing to See Here, For Now
There has been recent speculation about machinations to bring down Malaysia’s Unity Government. This detracts from the need to deliver on governance outcomes.
Zulkifli Hasan as Malaysia’s New Deputy Religious Affairs Minister: An Analysis
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s new appointee in the religious affairs ministry has the requisite credentials to aid in the government’s bid to resist the rise of the conservative opposition.