The appointment of a caretaker governor for Jakarta might come across as a routine procedure. In the case of Heru Budi Hartono, however, his employment of a politically partisan approach throws up initial indications of the battle lines going into the 2024 presidential elections.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Malaysia’s New PM: The Need to Get It Right for the Country
Malaysia’s new premier Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. Going forward, however, he has a slew of challenges.
COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh: a Geopolitical Cop-out
The COP27 meeting in Egypt yielded some significant outcomes, such as a historic loss and damage provision. But geopolitics reared its ugly head and might have an impact on future meetings.
Myanmar Junta Prisoner Release: Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
It is too soon to celebrate the recent prisoner amnesty in Myanmar as a serious indication of the junta’s intention to change its ways for the better.
COP27 and G20: Climate-Food Nexus Takes the Spotlight
Two recent international gatherings — COP27 and G20 — have spotlighted the challenge of climate change and the impact on food security. As a highly vulnerable region, Southeast Asia needs to take urgent steps to adapt its agriculture and food systems, to prepare for a more disruptive future.
Anies Baswedan’s Run for President: Will it Provoke New Distinctions in Contestation?
The show of support for presidential contender Anies Baswedan has again underscored the enduring dynamic in Indonesian politics: competition without opposition.
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident Visa for Global Talent and Wealthy Residents: Aiming Too High?
Thailand’s latest move to attract global investment and talent might be a step too little, too late, given its slow start off the blocks and its unimpressive record on innovative visa schemes.
Post-R20 Climate Action: What Can We Learn from Indonesian Muslim Environmentalism?
Activist groups in Indonesia inspired by Islamic and pro-environment ideas have the potential to do more to address climate change problems, provided those in charge will stop and listen, and perhaps even collaborate.
A Xi-Biden Handshake Does Not Bridge the Sino-U.S. Schism, But Is a Start
The handshakes and smiles in Bali have triggered some optimism about Sino-U.S. relations going forward. Yet the slight uptick in Sino-U.S. relations post-Bali might well be short-lived, given the superpowers’ underlying structural competition and deep mutual distrust.
Reviewing the Review: ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus Implementation
The latest from ASEAN leaders on Myanmar shows more steel in the spine but for real progress to be made, Indonesia as the next ASEAN chair must follow through expeditiously.