Commentaries | FULCRUM

Negeri Sembilan State Polls Will Shape National Politics

The inter-party dynamics in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state polls provide some indicators of how they could pan out at the national level.

ASEAN Oil Stockpile Ambition: Destined for the Same Old Fate?

There is revived interest in developing an ASEAN oil stockpile, a decades-old concept. The rationale is clear, but the hurdles remain high.

The Grey Capital Malaise Infecting Thailand

Thailand has not been immune to the sweep of ‘grey capital’ afflicting Laos and Myanmar. Given the authorities’ weak-willed approach to fighting the problem, it will continue to fester.

New US Tariffs on Thailand: The Need for Market Diversification

The US’ latest series of tariffs is seeking to compel Thailand and other countries to import less from China. There is a need for long-term market diversification.

The Politics of Indonesia’s Fiscal Recentralisation: Public Views on Regional Transfer Cuts

Indonesia’s central government risks incurring public dissatisfaction with its cuts to regional budgets. If left unchecked, the president’s re-election prospects might dim in time.

From Exporting Workers to Importing Them: Vietnam’s New Labour Reality

Vietnam is transitioning from being a source of labour exports to an economy that imports unskilled foreign workers. This is becoming a long-term trend.

Prabowo’s Nutrition Agency Shake-Up Reveals Deeper Structural Problems

Rent-seeking plagues Indonesia’s politically charged free nutritious meals, but there is no clear way forward.

Should Southeast Asia Fear the Second China Shock?

The second China shock fundamentally differs from the first. Southeast Asia should strategically optimise the growth of capital imports and investment from China.