The strength of the new unity government in Malaysia lies in three aspects: strategic, legal and relational.
Author Archives: blackbox
When the Rule-Maker Breaks the Rules
The United States often stresses the need to uphold the rules-based international order. With its recent economic actions, however, the advocate of the rules may be guilty of undermining them.
Digital Repression Deliberated: The Importance of Parliamentary Scrutiny
One effective check on the Thai military-led regime’s use of repressive tactics online has come in the form of parliamentary oversight.
Criminalising Sin? Indonesian Society Not As Conservative As Elites Imagine
Those who worry that the recent criminal code revision in Indonesia might portend a conservative Islamic tide may take heart in some survey findings showing a more tolerant, moderate, and multicultural citizenry.
The Cianjur Earthquake Reveals the Inadequacy of Disaster Resilience in Indonesia
The aftermath of the Cianjur earthquake which claimed more than 330 lives calls for Jakarta to seriously review its disaster reduction and prevention efforts. Much more needs to be done to reduce future losses.
Locating Strategic Imperatives in ASEAN-EU Relations 45 Years On
The ASEAN-EU Summit in Brussels highlighted potential areas for closer cooperation between the two regional blocs, provided leaders can surmount strategic and other differences at this tricky juncture in world politics.
Digitally Connected Youth as Potential Agents for Brunei’s Socio-cultural Change
Just like young people in other nation-states who are digital natives, Brunei’s youth are making their presence felt online and off, in culture, politics, and society.
Fact-checking in the Philippines: The Quest to End Disinformation in Elections
The 2022 presidential election in the Philippines saw fact-checkers fighting an uphill battle against widespread efforts to misinform and disinform Filipino voters, but some key lessons were learned.
The Struggle for International Recognition: Myanmar after the 2021 Coup
The military coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021 created huge diplomatic repercussions, throwing into uncertainty the country’s international position and representation. Although the National Unity Government (NUG) appears to be the more popular choice for the international community, the prospects for its formal recognition remain uncertain.
Digital Disinformation and Anti-Chinese Resentment in the Philippines
In the Philippines, digital disinformation campaigns have become central to electoral politics. Unfortunately, their use of vitriolic and socially divisive techniques has become increasingly normalised in the country’s politics, as these techniques are put into play even between national voting seasons.