Registration for Malaysia’s central data hub PADU started slow and finished strong but crucial questions that must be convincingly answered remain.
Author Archives: blackbox
State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024: ASEAN’s Rise to Leadership Amid Global Uncertainties
The report card for ASEAN according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey is mixed, but in a difficult global climate, the regional organisation is seen to be making progress even as several areas need improvement.
A Just Transition Approach to the ASEAN Power Grid
Southeast Asia has seen a surge in the development of cross-border energy projects. These projects have merit, but there needs to be an emphasis on just transition to address impacts on various socio-economic groups.
Thai Netizens’ Reactions to Thaksin Shinawatra’s Parole: Keep Calm and Carry On
Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s release on parole sparked some criticism online but this does not appear to be sufficient to stoke larger fires, for now.
State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024: Taking the Region’s Pulse on the Israel-Hamas Conflict
As the Israel-Hamas war passes its six-month mark, regional sentiments can only get more complex and wield more potential to stir up division within and across ASEAN countries.
The National Awakening Party’s Ascendancy in East Java: Implications for Local and National Politics
The final election results from East Java reveal a silver lining for the second-placed vice-presidential candidate, Muhamin Iskandar. He and his party could still win some in the horse-trading for cabinet positions under the next president.
Thailand’s Persevering Police Problem
Whatever reforms are underway for Thailand’s law enforcers would be inadequate if the foxes are already in the henhouse.
Like, Subscribe and Vote: The Role of Political Influencers in the 2022 Philippine Elections and Beyond
Social media influencers are emerging political operators in Philippine elections, but unlike high-level strategists and low-level trolls, they occupy a ‘grey area’ in the political economy of influence operations.
Will the Confucian Religion Develop Further in Indonesia?
The quiet support of the current administration for the tiny minority of Confucianists in Indonesia, who are mostly ethnic Chinese Indonesians, could speak volumes about not just religious but more worldly concerns.
Vietnam’s Social Listening Programme: Big Brother Looming Over Ho Chi Minh City?
Locals in Ho Chi Minh City worry that a new government initiative for social listening powered by artificial intelligence would jeopardise their privacy rather than improve public services.