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The Philippines’ Vexed Vaccine Rollout

The Philippines’ battle against the Covid-19 pandemic is plagued by supply and demand-side problems

Vietnam’s Frontrunner for Prime Minister: Bold Leader With Bold Plans

Pham Minh Chinh is the surprise frontrunner to be Vietnam’s next prime minister. He has big shoes to fill.

The Allah Controversy in Malaysia: More Than Semantics

Muslim Protestors display a banner during a demonstration against a Malaysian Catholic newspaper using the word "Allah" at the court of appeal in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur on 14 October, 2013. A recent High Court ruling has permitted non-Muslims to use of four previously-prohibited words, including the word "Allah." (Photo: Mohd RASFAN/ AFP)

The recent High Court ruling permitting the use of four previously-prohibited words in non-Muslim publications is more than a contention about semantics. It concerns the issue of religious rights versus the preserving the exclusivity of Malay-Muslims.

Amending Thailand’s 2017 Constitution: More Tunnel than Light

A toy tank is burnt on top of a mock Thai Constitution during a rally demanding the dissolution of the military government of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and amendments to the Constitution outside the Parliament building in Bangkok on 10 August, 2020. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV/ AFP)

The appointed Senate is the biggest but not the only obstacle to amending or replacing Thailand’s 2017 Constitution.

Vietnam’s New Government Election: The Sooner the Better?

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is seen congratulating the new Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi.

There is little reason for the Community Party of Vietnam to repeat its “fast track” procedure to get a new government in place. The Party’s reputation is best served by its playing by the rules.

Thailand’s Human Rights Investigations’ Imbroglio

Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission is weaker and more focused on investigating accusers than those accused of abuses.

Pancasila and the “Missing Word”

Islamic political voices, include Vice-President Ma’ruf, force the word religion into the draft 2035 national education roadmap.

Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Losing Its Moral Compass?

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) smiling with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (L) as the two enjoy a cup of tea together in the parliament lobby on the sidelines of a session in Kuala Lumpur on 17 November, 2009. Anwar has recently been in talks with UMNO for a possible alliance. (Photo: STR/ AFP)

There is a logic to Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat working with its arch-nemesis UMNO. But it could well be that the former has lost its moral compass.