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.
Author Archives: blackbox
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.
Debunking the Myths of Malaysia’s “Green Wave” in GE15
It is time to refresh the popular but inaccurate characterisation of recent Malaysian politics as broadly influenced by Islamisation. The truth is more complex.
Transparent Content Moderation the Key to Responsible Political Discourse
As Malaysia heads into six state elections, it is imperative for social media platforms to step up their game in moderating harmful content.
A Reflection on Thai Politics
A former Thai foreign minister voices his hopes for the future of Thai democracy. It is not clear, however, that Thailand can strengthen its democracy through consensus-building if entrenched political forces continue to thwart the people’s wishes.