While Vietnam has not criticised Myanmar’s ruling regime about its violence against the Myanmar people and the Rohingya, Hanoi should recognise that its staunch support and use of non-interference as a fig leaf could undermine Vietnam’s own quest to become more significant regionally and internationally.
Category Archives: Commentaries
A Peaceful Election at Muhammadiyah’s 48th Congress Can Be an Example for Indonesia
Muhammadiyah’s smooth running of its recent leadership election shows that democratic choice can be exercised by letting candidates’ reputations speak for themselves.
How Will Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government Revise Budget 2023?
New Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has to lead his “unity government” in navigating the process of revising the country’s Budget 2023 through some significant headwinds.
Café Culture and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia
Governments and non-government organisations can help newly formed producer groups, such as by subsidising costly organic or Fairtrade certification fees, until these farmer groups are financially self-reliant.
Vietnam Not Veering Closer to United States or China
It is not in Vietnam’s national interest to be overly dependent on China or the United States. Hanoi is expected to continue to press ahead with efforts to build on its ties with the two major powers as part of its multi-directional foreign policy. There are, however, limits to both approaches.
Japan’s Counter-strike Missiles and Southeast Asia’s “Nuclear” Question
Japan is considering the deployment of non-nuclear counter-strike capabilities in the face of growing threats from North Korea and China. This might have a bearing on Southeast Asia.
More than a Mere Caretaker? Jakarta’s Interim Governor and the 2024 Elections
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.
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.