Author Archives: Lyd w

Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire: Cooking Oil Burns Jokowi’s Popularity

Rising inflation in Indonesia, especially for cooking oil prices, has dented President Joko Widodo’s popularity. If left unresolved, his party’s showing in the next elections could well be adversely affected by this issue.

Russia, Ukraine and ASEAN: Reading the Geo-political Tea Leaves

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to three scholars about the 2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Fall of Singapore 80 Years On: Lessons Transcend Time and Place

The local lessons from the dramatic defeat of British and Commonwealth forces at the hands of the Japanese in 1942 have been well learned and internalised. Eighty years on, there are still wider lessons to be gleaned that transcend time and place.

“We are Independent Trolls”: The Efficacy of Royalist Digital Activism in Thailand

This Long Read examines the complex intersection of regime-organised cyber troops, pro-regime media outlets, and royalist activists in Thailand. Unlike the first group, the pro-regime press and royalist civic groups are not necessarily sponsored by the regime, but are instead ideologically driven to defend the crown.

“Reform, Not Abolition”: The “Thai Youth Movement” and Its Demands for Reform of the Monarchy

The Thai Monarchy has existed for centuries and despite official and public displays of love for and allegiance to the monarchy, it has constantly faced criticism. The call for its reform has gradually been incorporated into the contemporary Thai youth movement. From a dream, it has now developed into its dominant demand.

Whatever Happened to the Middle Way?

In an increasingly fractious world, Singapore and like-minded countries can reclaim the middle ground and build greater consensus and cooperation. Speaking at ISEAS’ 25th Regional Outlook Forum today, Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, spoke of how this can be achieved. The full text of the speech at the online forum is below.

A Game of Musical Thrones: Candidate Substitutions and Withdrawals in the 2022 Philippine Elections

Last-minute substitutions of presidential and vice-presidential candidates have become the new norm in Philippine electoral politics, exposing an abuse of electoral laws and a lack of transparency in candidate selection.