Farm labourers returning from overseas can, if empowered, form a pool of experienced talent that Southeast Asia’s vulnerable agricultural sector can tap into for food security.
Author Archives: blackbox
The Two-Term Limit on Prime Ministerial Tenures: Timely and Tantalising
PM Anwar Ibrahim supports a term limit on Malaysia’s premiership. Momentum for reform under his administration has been limited, and such a measure would rekindle support among the urban electorate. If Anwar spearheads the change, few may begrudge him a bid for a second term.
Autonomous Driving and Southeast Asia: Will it Hit the Road?
Chinese and American firms are seeking to export their autonomous driving technologies to Southeast Asia. The signal lesson is that their data-driven models require sensitivity and adaptation to the region’s diverse markets.
How Will Vietnam Deal With President Trump’s Shocking Tariffs?
Faced with 46 per cent US tariffs, Vietnam is unlikely to retaliate in kind. It is likely that Hanoi would avoid confrontation and lean on diplomacy instead.
Trump’s ‘Liberation’ Day Unlikely to End Well for Southeast Asia — or Anyone
Trump’s “Liberation” day tariffs will hit Southeast Asia hard. Countries can hold firm and adopt appropriate countermeasures, or cut “deals” in order to reduce or eliminate the tariffs. Neither option bodes well.
Betting on the Bulldozer: Why (Most of) Southeast Asia is Warming Up to Trump 2.0
The US president’s tough leadership, reputation as a dealmaker and expectation that he may pay more attention to the region seems to be winning over ASEAN countries.
Singapore is Not Buying into Trump 2.0
This commentary draws on the perspectives of 242 respondents from Singapore who participated in the State of Southeast Asia 2025 Survey.
Taking Southeast Asia’s Pulse on Geopolitics
Some Southeast Asians appear to have warmed to Trump. This could be based on the assessment that his policies might not harm the region as much.
Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar’s Polycrisis: Navigating Disaster Amid Conflict
Rendering immediate aid to Myanmar’s earthquake victims should be a straightforward exercise. However, four years of civil conflict and the potential for politicisation by the ruling junta of humanitarian assistance efforts should put all donors and parties on notice.
Malaysia’s DAP in the Post-Lim Era: Fighting Demographic Realities
Malaysia’s Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party has made inroads as a multi-racial political party. But demographic and political realities will conscribe progress.