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Indonesia’s New National Mosque: Big Shoes to Fill

Indonesia’s national mosque in Jakarta has a storied past and stands as a beacon of tolerance and understanding. Can the new national mosque to be, still under construction in Nusantara, be an adequate replacement?

Chinese EVs in Southeast Asia: More Sustainable Approach Needed

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firms have made inroads into the Southeast Asian market. But they cannot take their current position for granted.

Indonesia’s Free School Lunches: Not So Free

President Prabowo’s universal free school lunch programme is well-intentioned, but it would be more effective if done in coordination with other complementary programmes.

Rethinking Economic Planning in the Philippines

There are plans to transform the Philippines’ socioeconomic planning agency, NEDA, into a new Cabinet department. But this proposal fails to address its declining relevance and chronic inability to ensure the implementation of crucial development projects.

Navigating Trump 2.0 Tariffs: Keep Calm and Carry On

Southeast Asian countries are likely to be caught up in the crossfire between China and the US. But there could be a silver lining.

Growing Piety among Malaysian Youth Should be Taken with a Pinch of Salt

The ISEAS Youth Survey 2024 results show that religiosity in leaders is important to Malay/Muslim students but bread-and-butter issues may be more critical to them.

Border Crackdown on Organised Crime Puts Vulnerable Myanmar Population in Thailand at Risk

The authorities of affected countries should crack down on crime at the Thailand-Myanmar border. However, they should also consider what the human cost of such policing might be for thousands of displaced and vulnerable Myanmar citizens.