After the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) “Green Wave” of 2022-23, a wide range of Malaysian political actors believed that Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani federal government would not act to counter its narratives. Instead, Anwar’s forces have signalled that they would only check PAS using “administrative” tactics, and only in selected battles and arenas. As a result, PAS holds the narrative advantage. It is free to experiment and is ramping up its use of new and existing cultural assets to burnish its messages.
Author Archives: blackbox
Reassessing Anies Baswedan’s Legacy in Jakarta: Institutionalising Collaboration to Address Urban Challenges
Apart from his political legacy, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan might have left a lasting policy and bureaucratic impact on how Jakarta develops as an urban city, quite apart from its identity as the nation’s capital, which it is about to shed.
Thailand’s New Semiconductor Strategy: Ambitious but Challenging
Thailand has ambitious plans to upgrade its semiconductor sector. There are challenges ahead, however, which require good governance and oversight.
ASEAN’s Image Fades but Expectations Remain High
Southeast Asians welcome a strengthening of ASEAN’s political and economic influence, which has relatively declined in the past year. ASEAN must adapt and assert itself to restore confidence.
‘Dark Indonesia’ and the Anxiety of Indonesian Middle Class
The series of student and civil society protests across Indonesia and some recent surveys reveal a middle class for which all is not well.
Xi Jinping’s ‘Great Rejuvenation of the Pan-Chinese Nation’: A Historical Perspective
Xi Jinping’s vision for the “Great Rejuvenation of the Pan-Chinese Nation” and “China Dream” emphasises a shared ancestry and cultural identity among ethnic Chinese, both within China and abroad. Through “united front work,” the People’s Republic of China (PRC) thus seeks to unite “Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad” under a common civilisational narrative. Despite its rhetoric of unity and shared heritage, however, the PRC offers limited legal and political protection to overseas Chinese.
Myanmar’s Military Regime is Violating its International Economic Obligations
Myanmar’s violations of its international economic obligations contribute to inflation and increasingly impoverish the country’s population. They also threaten to diminish the impact of financial assistance for Myanmar’s recent earthquake.
Making the EU a Credible Economic Hedge for ASEAN
Against a more uncertain global economic backdrop, the European Union and ASEAN face greater urgency to strengthen economic engagement and strategic partnerships.
Beijing Retains Considerable Weight in Regional Perceptions
Despite some apprehension about its actions, Beijing continues to retain considerable weight among Southeast Asian elites. This should improve if China learns to temper its assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea.
Prayer and Prejudice: Marginalisation of Malaysian Hindus
The current Unity Government in Malaysia needs to take stronger action against individuals who upset the country’s delicate multi-religious fabric.