Recent scandal involving one of the largest Islamic charities in Indonesia threatens to damage public trust if the authorities waste the chance to overhaul the poorly regulated sector.
Category Archives: Commentaries
When Environmental Sustainability Masks Unsustainable Employment
The drive by food delivery platforms to achieve environmental sustainability through the reduction of plastic use belies the fact that these firms do little to create sustainable employment.
Putting Up a Front: How Indonesians Feel about Jokowi’s Climate Agenda
Indonesians’ responses to the Southeast Asia Climate Change Outlook Survey 2022 show mixed feelings about Jakarta’s ability to push for real green transformation, but a chance exists for change to take root.
Politicised Islam Frays the Fabric of Keluarga Malaysia
Ismail Sabri’s vision for Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) tries to paint the picture of an administration that is more inclusive than its predecessors, or that it is departing from Islam-centric policies. However, upon closer inspection his rhetoric rings hollow.
Environmental and Labour Standards in IPEF: Tough Pill to Swallow for Southeast Asia
The U.S. must ensure that it finds the right leverage within its IPEF scheme to make up for its lack of trade benefits or risk turning off prospective participants.
Myanmar and Russia: Vladivostok Meeting Signals a Tighter Embrace
Russia and Myanmar have been broadening bilateral cooperation in the face of global condemnation.
Survival, Success and the Sea: The Importance of UNCLOS to Singapore
UNCLOS has played a pivotal role in Singapore’s development from a maritime colony to a modern maritime state.
Stealthy Islamism Riding on Mat Kilau’s Stellar Success
Due to some feedback on the article’s references, this article has been taken down for the time being while the references are being clarified with the author.
Vietnam Tightens the Screws on Big Tech
Vietnam’s Decree 53 appears to be focused less on making Big Tech firms set up offices and data centres in Vietnam. Instead, it appears to be more focused on instilling fear in such companies and Internet users.
The ‘Sambo Case’: Public Trust in the Indonesian Police at Stake
The convoluted case involving a former police general’s alleged murder of his aide threatens to up-end the Indonesian public’s trust in their law enforcement agencies.