Author Archives: Lyd w

Anwar’s Sidestepping Ethnic Policies: Not a Way to Gain Ground

The Unity government concedes that the status quo of ethnic quotas in Malaysia cannot be changed. They are easily tarred by PN as meek and ambivalent toward Malay interests, and simultaneously disappoint non-Malays who nonetheless vote for them because PN is viewed as a worse alternative.

Ganjar Pranowo’s Running Mate: What’s in PDI-P’s Playbook?

While his party has come up with a shortlist of potential running mates, the decision as to who will run with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo to be his vice-president will most likely lie with none other than a former president who is Ganjar’s party boss.

Indonesia’s Appointed Leaders and the Future of Regional Elections

By the end of 2023, there will be 271 interim regional heads who are appointed rather than elected, constituting over half of the regional leadership posts throughout Indonesia. These handpicked interim leaders are well-positioned to use the advantages of incumbency to promote central government interests at the expense of others in the 2024 elections.

Personnel Changes at China’s Foreign Ministry: Beijing Will Stay the Course on Southeast Asia

Recent top-level changes at China’s foreign ministry are unlikely to affect Beijing’s foreign policy orientation towards Southeast Asia. The region remains important in light of China’s difficult relationship with the United States and other key countries.

The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations.

Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government

Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, speak with Khairy Jamaluddin on a broad range of Malaysian political and policy issues. Six months after the 15th general election, UMNO, Prime Minister Anwar, and the unity government are each facing distinct challenges that will test their ability to reform, govern, contest state elections, and sustain the ruling coalition. Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

Indonesia’s Democracy after 25 Years of Reformasi: Rights, Wrongs, and Reflections

In this podcast, Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the direction of Indonesian democracy with Dr Deasy Simandjuntak and Mr Made Supriatma, 25 years after the momentous fall of Suharto. Rights, wrongs and reflections: which way forward for Indonesia with the 2024 elections?

Ukraine and Southeast Asia: Implications One Year On

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko and Prof C. Raja Mohan about the implications of the war against Ukraine on Southeast Asia. Ambassador Zelenko is the Ukrainian ambassador to Singapore and long-serving diplomat with her country’s Foreign Ministry. Prof Mohan is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi, a contributing editor on International affairs at the Indian Express and a visiting professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

What to Expect from the Vietnam–South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Vietnam and South Korea have the potential strengthen their bilateral ties following the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022. The two countries should join hands to forge multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific, develop resilient supply chains for their key industries and boost arms transfer and naval cooperation.