A small new party is sticking to its ideological guns but will probably not make much of a dent in the established elite’s stranglehold on Indonesia’s electoral politics.
Author Archives: blackbox
Current Key Drivers of ASEAN Integration: Digital Skills and Mobilities
The ASEAN Digital Integration Index (ADII) shows that the area of digital skills and talent is ASEAN’s worst-performing indicator of the six digital integration benchmarks used to measure digital integration. This Long Read offers some analysis of the underlying causes of this dismal performance and identifies three opportunities to enhance digital skills.
What’s the Matter with MUDA – is it Moody or just Misunderstood?
The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has parted ways with Pakatan Harapan to contest the upcoming state elections. Although some have written the youth-focused party off, there might yet be method to its madness.
An ‘Islamic Lifestyle’: When Piety Meets Consumerism?
The growing Muslim middle class’s appetite for consumer goods with halal and religious-inspired branding raises challenging questions about whether conspicuous consumption sits well with expressions of religiosity.
Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: So Much Fuss For So Little Work
Amid the political spectacle, Malaysia should critically consider the meagre roles and resources of state governments. The irony is that states, in following their own election cycles, end up augmenting federal dominance and disempowering themselves.
Time to Tackle Illegal Foreign Businesses in Thailand
Illicit nominations of Thais as shareholders in businesses run by Chinese operators are threatening local concerns. This highlights a dense network of transnational criminal activity that the Thai authorities are up against.
Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement: A Cambodian Perspective
This Long Read examines the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA), which came into force in January 2022. It argues that in order to promote industrialisation and export diversification, developing countries need to adopt an integrated industrial-trade-investment strategy. China, as a global trading power, can play a significant role in this process.
Recalibrating Vietnam’s Electricity Cooperation with Laos
Vietnam is planning to import more electricity from hydropower facilities in Laos. Such an arrangement, however, poses a threat to the food security and livelihoods of Vietnamese living in the Mekong Delta.
Pilgrimage, Piety, and Politics: “Haji” Presidents in Indonesia
Many politicians eyeing Indonesia’s two top political jobs are performing the Hajj this year. While doing so might boost their political capital, it is unlikely to bag them an outright victory at next year’s polls.
Disaster Relief Dysfunction in Myanmar
Five weeks after the country was hit by a Category 5 cyclone, the military junta in Myanmar continues to stonewall the delivery of much-needed aid to affected civilians. In particular, this highlights ASEAN’s continued inability to persuade the junta to implement the Five Point Consensus.