China’s trade and investment in Indonesia have grown substantially since the early 2000s but the Indonesian public does not share Jakarta’s desire to wholeheartedly embrace Beijing.
Category Archives: Commentaries
NasDem’s Endorsement of Anies Baswedan: Brilliant Gambit or Political Blunder?
The race for Indonesia’s 2024 presidency might be narrowing in the wake of a bold move by a small party.
Food, Floods and Finance at COP27: Southeast Asia Must Act
Southeast Asian governments should support the call to set up a new global loss and damage (L&D) financing facility, empowered with a broad and responsive mandate. It is insufficient to merely strengthen old institutions. An L&D facility is in every country’s interest.
Identity Politics Might Undermine Malay/Muslim Unity
Three broad coalitions are gunning for the Malay/ Muslim vote in Malaysia’s general election. The question is whether voters still regard the issues of race and religion as important.
Putting Sustainability at the Heart of the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision
If ASEAN’s Coordinating Council comprising its foreign ministers and their High-level Task Force manages to influence their national leaders to make the right moves despite global uncertainty, ASEAN’s environmental, socio-economic and cultural future can be set on the right, albeit steeper, trajectory.
Pakatan Harapan and Malay Heartland Voters: The Need to Stay Grounded
Pakatan Harapan has its work cut out for it in seeking to defend or even take new seats in Malay-majority constituencies. In such seats, the coalition needs to work close to the ground and address quotidian issues, rather than stressing national-level matters.
Easy Highway, Troubled City: How China Wins and Loses Cambodians’ Hearts
Two China-driven projects show striking contrasts. The newly opened Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has been well-received by Cambodians. But grand plans for Sihanoukville to be an investment hub and “multi-purpose” city have instead seen Chinese businesses crowding out locals, a boom-bust cycle in construction and illicit trades.
Zooming In on the Government Zoomers Want
Political parties and coalitions campaigning in Malaysia’s general election will do better if they take note of the concerns of Gen Z voters.
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.