Japan’s decades of cultivating relations with Southeast Asia have not only strengthened their diplomatic and economic ties but also deepened interpersonal and societal interactions, ultimately shifting postwar animosity towards Japan into a prevailing positive sentiment today.
Author Archives: blackbox
Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election in North Sumatra: The End of a Long-Established Religious Binarism?
In February’s presidential race, the use of religion as a motivator to get votes seemingly declined in North Sumatra. This shift echoed the national propensity to focus on pragmatism in politics, rather than piety.
Southeast Asia and the Chip Wars: Navigating a Decoupling World
The race for some Southeast Asian countries to anchor themselves in the global semiconductor industry is open and evolving, even as it is complicated by factors like great power rivalry.
Malaysia Must Seize the Pivotal Developments in Myanmar
Malaysia’s former foreign minister outlines a possible roadmap for Malaysia as 2025 ASEAN Chair, Myanmar, and ASEAN to forge a realistic way out of the Myanmar crisis. There is a lot of work to be done. This article builds on the author’s press statement of 9 April 2024.
Bersatu’s Unending Crisis: No End in Sight
Parti Pribumi Malaysia Bersatu is going through a vulnerable period, with defections by members and leadership tussles.
The Case for Vietnam’s Mekong Energy Diplomacy
Vietnam needs to complement water diplomacy with energy diplomacy to curb the unsustainable exploitation of the Mekong for hydropower. Hanoi should promote the development and cross-country trade of non-hydro renewables, especially wind and solar power.
Malaysia’s PADU Central Data Hub: Reduced Targets, Raised Stakes
Registration for Malaysia’s central data hub PADU started slow and finished strong but crucial questions that must be convincingly answered remain.
Analysing Prabowo Subianto’s Visits to China, Japan, and Malaysia
A defence minister’s courtesy calls take on a different significance, albeit only slightly, when he will take over as Indonesia’s president in a matter of months.
Cooling the “Blazing Furnace” of Vietnam’s Anti-Corruption Drive
Vietnam’s anti-corruption drive is appropriate but it has led to an exodus from the public sector. The priority should be to improve the compensation of public servants and better management.
State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024: ASEAN’s Rise to Leadership Amid Global Uncertainties
The report card for ASEAN according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey is mixed, but in a difficult global climate, the regional organisation is seen to be making progress even as several areas need improvement.