ASEAN’s growing consumer market for tertiary education is an encouraging trend that has potential upsides for future regional development. ASEAN’s demand for university qualifications will create opportunities for foreign and local institutions to set up more regional branches.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Restoring Public Trust in Indonesia’s Political Parties
Indonesia’s political parties are the least trusted political institutions in the country. The combination of elite politics and the entrenched presence of business and other vested interests at the highest levels of government make it challenging for political parties to act as guardians of Indonesian democracy.
Nahdlatul Ulama’s Traditionalist Campaign Shaping Mainstream Indonesian Islamic Discourse
Since 2014, it has appeared as though the traditionalists in Nahdlatul Ulama have won the upper hand in influencing the Islamic discourse in Indonesia, having pushed back against hardline and conservative elements. However, the conservatives remain a critical opposition, and sharp ideological differences will keep tensions simmering.
Corruption is the Worst Enemy of the Vietnamese Army
While there are indications that the Vietnamese government is serious about tackling corruption even in the top ranks of its military, obstacles remain in the fight to eradicate graft. This poses questions about Vietnam’s ability to effectively handle future security threats.
Moon Versus Maths: The Ramadhan Debate and Future of Indonesia’s Pluralism
This year’s Ramadhan saw less bickering among Indonesian Muslims about the appropriate start date for the blessed month. The ‘agree to disagree’ approach should be employed in other facets of the country’s socio-religious life.
Credit UMNO for the Rakyat’s Benefits? More Serious Accounting Needed
UMNO and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri are hoping to take credit for recent announcements on hiking the minimum wage and allowing special withdrawals from retirement savings, but the devil is in the details.
A Third Term for Jokowi: Weighing the Risks of Constitutional Change
The recent brouhaha over a possible extension of President Joko Widodo’s term underscores a quandary in Indonesia’s politics: there is no low-risk candidate that political parties can back.
System Reset? Unlocking Domestic Data Flows to Enhance ASEAN E-Commerce
ASEAN has been unable to take full advantage of the rapid growth of electronic commerce, given uneven levels of openness in data flows within and across the region. Strengthening domestic and regional regulations in this sector will unleash the region’s potential to help its post-pandemic recovery.
The Malaysian Opposition’s ‘Big Tent’ Strategy: A Misreading of Election History
The Malaysian Opposition would do well to reconsider its calls for a ‘Big Tent’ strategy. A closer look at voting patterns in recent Malaysian elections raises questions about their assumption that a united opposition would secure an electoral victory against BN.
Talk is Cheap: The 2022 Philippine Elections’ Climate Implications
President Duterte’s approach to environmental issues has been inconsistent. His declarations about solving environmental problems have been quite strong, but were not followed by concrete actions. The next President must strike a tough balance between fostering a business climate conducive to economic recovery, whilst moving ahead with climate action and environmental commitments.