Registration for Malaysia’s central data hub PADU started slow and finished strong but crucial questions that must be convincingly answered remain.
Category Archives: Commentaries
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.
Assessing Energy Security in the Philippines
Energy security is a serious concern in the Philippines, as evidenced by an indicators-based assessment. Domestic policy interventions and foreign investment are needed to improve the Philippine energy security situation.
A Just Transition Approach to the ASEAN Power Grid
Southeast Asia has seen a surge in the development of cross-border energy projects. These projects have merit, but there needs to be an emphasis on just transition to address impacts on various socio-economic groups.
Thai Netizens’ Reactions to Thaksin Shinawatra’s Parole: Keep Calm and Carry On
Former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s release on parole sparked some criticism online but this does not appear to be sufficient to stoke larger fires, for now.
Indonesia’s Perennial Rice Self-Sufficiency Problem
Indonesia is striving to achieve rice self-sufficiency, amid rising geopolitical and global rice market uncertainties. The country must take climate change and its disrupting impact on food production more seriously.
State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024: Taking the Region’s Pulse on the Israel-Hamas Conflict
As the Israel-Hamas war passes its six-month mark, regional sentiments can only get more complex and wield more potential to stir up division within and across ASEAN countries.
The National Awakening Party’s Ascendancy in East Java: Implications for Local and National Politics
The final election results from East Java reveal a silver lining for the second-placed vice-presidential candidate, Muhamin Iskandar. He and his party could still win some in the horse-trading for cabinet positions under the next president.