Malaysia’s newly unveiled National Trade Blueprint seeks to arrest the country’s downward slide in global export rankings. But its prescriptions may fall short of what is needed in today’s environment.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Is Cambodia’s Endemic Covid-19 Approach Sensible?
With high vaccination rates, Cambodia has decided to reopen. Learning to live with the virus may be the right decision but ending random testing could pose risks.
Collapse of Myanmar’s Fiscal Space
Myanmar’s fiscal position has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the February coup. This will have repercussions long into the country’s future.
The Philippines after Duterte: The End of Impunity?
President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial ‘war on drugs’ looms large in the 2022 election for his successor.
Muktamar and the Future of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
The largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia will hold its congress in December to elect its next chairman. The new leader will have his work cut out for him.
Moving the Indonesian Capital: Political Ambition or Realistic Vision?
Legislation to approve moving the Indonesian capital to East Kalimantan is expected soon. Meticulous planning and execution will be required to avoid huge problems in future.
The SAC Versus ASEAN: The Futility of Legal Recourse
Myanmar’s State Administration Council has challenged a decision by ASEAN’s foreign minister to bar its leader from attending the grouping’s year-end summits. The legal merits of the Council’s position are disputable.
Cajoling China and the US Towards Peace, Not War
The European Union and ASEAN are supporters of a rules-based global system. As such, they can use their collective weight to persuade Washington and Beijing to focus less on their bilateral tensions and more on solving contemporary problems.
Thai 2021 Demonstrations: Losing Traction Online
A combination of political suppression and public fatigue appear to have resulted in a marked decline in online and offline political protests in Thailand this year.
Unlocking Cross-Border E-Commerce for Smaller Firms
Small and medium sized enterprises in Southeast Asia have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. A way forward is for them to leverage on digital technologies to open up new markets.