Worsening climate change adds pressure to food production, and agriculture is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions. G20 leaders have an opportunity at this November’s Bali summit to address the long-term challenges of revamping the global food system into a more sustainable, resilient and equitable one.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Zahid Hamidi’s Acquittal: Darker of Darkest Days?
UMNO president Zahid Hamidi is leveraging his recent acquittal in a corruption case. But the jury is out as to whether the day has dawned for the party going into the next general elections.
The #Bjorka Case and Ratification of Indonesia’s PDP Law: Confronting Digitalisation
Jakarta faces unprecedented pressure to get Indonesia’s new personal data protection (PDP) law right from the get-go, lest a notorious hacker exposes more weaknesses in governance.
Islamic Studies and Intellectualism in Indonesia: Remembering Professor Azyumardi Azra
Islamic scholars and Indonesia’s public alike mourn the untimely passing of Azyumardi Azra, a leading light in Islamic intellectual discourse at home and abroad.
Ending Our Toxic Relationship with Coal
The recently published 2022 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook indicates a growing consensus on ending coal consumption. But perceptions vary across countries, socio-economic classes and education levels of respondents.
Thailand’s New Electoral System: More Freedom of Choice, With a Catch
Thailand’s new electoral system, which will be used in the next general elections, will yield more freedom of choice for voters. It will, however, put smaller parties at a disadvantage.
Unifying Halal Product Certification: ASEAN’s Challenge
Halal certification for certain food and drink products is a tricky area and universal standards should be set to better reflect halal consumer needs and religious principles.
Searching for Keys as the Kyat Goes Out of Kilter
The Central Bank of Myanmar’s responses have failed to prevent rapid currency depreciation or alleviate the balance of payment situation, which has worsened due to increased capital outflows and decreased foreign direct investment. The stoppage of foreign loans and donations has also compounded Myanmar’s fiscal troubles.
Southeast Asia a Key Link in Renewable Energy Supply Chain Resilience
Southeast Asia has an important role to play in the diversification of the world’s renewal energy needs and helping to ensure that politics does not get in the way of progress.
Fuel Price Rises in Indonesia: A Challenge to Stay the Course
The Indonesian government has argued that there is a strong case for increasing prices for fuel. Given that fuel prices are a politically sensitive issue, it remains to be seen whether the government will be about to ride out the storm.