Political parties and coalitions campaigning in Malaysia’s general election will do better if they take note of the concerns of Gen Z voters.
Category Archives: Commentaries
MUI’s Strong Survival Instincts for a Shariah-Compliant Indonesia
The key to Indonesia’s Council of Ulama’s longevity even in the post-Suharto period lies in its dominance of the halal certification system, which other major Muslim organisations have not managed to dilute.
There Should Be Some Tough Talk on Loss and Damage at COP27
Southeast Asian countries should stand alongside other developing countries and call on more richer countries to compensate them for the damaging effects caused by climate change.
Will ASEAN Take the Side of the Myanmar People?
Choosing the right approach that best serves the pressing humanitarian needs of the Myanmar people requires ASEAN Leaders to do some new thinking.
Defence Procurement in Malaysia: A Way Forward?
Malaysia has seen problems in its defence procurement in recent years. Once a new government is installed after the general election, it should follow through with reforms to improve transparency in the process of acquiring new military hardware.
Persuasion Not Regulation the Key for Social Media Influencers Navigating Religion and Culture
There is already a patchwork of laws supported by some communal surveillance and cultural policing when it comes to social media influencers in Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia. It is perhaps possible to socialise influencers, Muslim or otherwise, to tread carefully when navigating sensitive issues, but this must stop short of over-regulation.
“Anything Is Possible” at GE15, but Pakatan Harapan Needs a GE14 Rerun
In the lineup for Malaysia’s 15th general elections, Barisan Nasional appears to have an advantage over its rival Pakatan Harapan. To take power, the former can rally allies and partners to its side. The latter must win big on its own.
The Threat and Allure of Thai-Style Party Bans
There is irony in the Pheu Thai Party’s attempt to get its rival Bhumjaithai Party banned since this tactic was originally designed to eradicate Pheu Thai itself. The attempt will likely alienate Pheu Thai’s supporters and weaken its anti-regime stance.
Finding Soulmates through Halal Means: Ta‘aruf Online for Indonesian Muslim Youth
The popularity of so-called halal matchmaking apps is a positive development provided developers and users alike remain clear-eyed about their claims to serve Islam.
The US-Philippine Alliance: Shared Interests and Subtle Nuances
The US National Security Strategy (NSS) identifies some shared interests between Washington and Manila. However, there are nuances in the strategic calculus of the allies when it comes to two key potential flashpoints in the region: Taiwan and the South China Sea.