The discovery of substantial natural gas deposits in the Philippines does not obviate the need for the country to make a longer-term transition to renewables.
Author Archives: Isabelle Chua
The Limits of Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Efforts
To plug its fiscal gap, Malaysia needs to go beyond asset recovery and clawing back proceeds from graft.
Is Thai Manufacturing Sick?
The Thai manufacturing sector is suffering from low capacity utilisation. The government needs to think about longer-term assistance.
Thailand’s Trade Imbalance and Stunted Industrialisation: Will the Upgraded ASEAN-China Trade Agreement Help?
Thailand could leverage on the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) to redress its burgeoning trade deficit with China and get its industrial development plans back on track.
Will Thailand Become More Democratic After the Vote?
A more democratic Thailand after the 8 February elections must mean more than another competitive poll. It requires change in the constraints that determine whether popular mandates can be exercised and renewed.
Myanmar’s Digital Authoritarianism: Building a Surveillance State with Chinese Technology Transfers
Chinese technology has augmented the junta’s ‘Big Brother’ capability in Myanmar, even if old surveillance tactics die hard.
From Promise to Peril? The Hidden Risks in Malaysia’s Mine-to-Magnet Rare Earth Push
Malaysia’s push to build a full rare earths value chain faces significant technology, trade, investment, and governance hurdles across the mining, processing, and manufacturing stages.
Momentum, Alliances, Incumbency: The Bhumjaithai Party’s Ingredients for Election Success
The Bhumjaithai Party faces the February 2026 election with significant advantages.
Vietnam’s Post-War Generation Takes the Helm
For the first time, the next echelon of Vietnam’s top leaders have not been marked by the experience of the Vietnam War. They have to prove that they would be able to govern and produce the needed outcomes.
“Youth Retirement Homes”: A Temporary Fad or an Emerging Industry?
A number of ‘youth retirement homes’ in China and, more recently, Malaysia provide insights into the predicaments faced by youth in the two countries.