Nearly two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian countries have realised that they must continually adapt their strategies to stay ahead of the game.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Southeast Asians Weigh In On Climate Issues
A climate outlook survey conducted by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute shows that Southeast Asians expect their government to exert more effort in addressing the issue.
PDI-P’s Presidential Nominee Race Will Shape Future Alliances
The current internal struggle within the PDI-P to determine the party’s 2024 presidential nominee will have a significant bearing on how broader political alliances will shape up thereafter.
Malacca’s Political Crisis: A Microcosm of Fragmented Malay Political Alignments
The collapse of the UMNO-led state government in Malacca throws up many questions about the ensuing feud between UMNO and Bersatu.
Thailand’s Warring Generals: Different Beds, Same Dream
The Thai prime minister might soon leave the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party-led governing coalition. Ironically, his departure might actually boost the party’s chances of assembling a winning coalition come the elections expected next year.
FPI Reborn: Old Wine In A New Bottle?
The Islamic Defenders Front, a hardline group which was banned by the Indonesian government last year, has relaunched itself under a new guise. Not many are convinced that the proverbial apple has fallen far from the tree.
The New Battlefront in Myanmar’s Economy: Fake News
The lack of credible media outlets and the proliferation of fake news have led to much economic grief for the people of Myanmar.
Nominees and ‘Backyard Companies’: How Vietnamese Officials Conceal Their Illicit Wealth
Not a single Vietnamese leader or official has been named in the Pandora Papers, which has shed light on global leaders squirrelling their wealth away from the eyes of the taxman. As the saying goes, the absence of evidence does not necessarily mean the evidence of absence.
Jokowi’s Shrinking Opposition: Smoothening the Path to Constitutional Amendments
PAN’s entry into Jokowi’s ruling coalition has cemented the President’s strong grip over Indonesia’s legislative assemblies and could make passing constitutional amendments even easier.
Twenty Years On: Reflections on The Aftermath of 9/11 and The New Era of Geo-Politics
Twenty years after the historic 9/11 attacks on the United States, the threat of terrorism has largely been contained and a new era of great power competition has returned. States in Southeast Asia need to have a deep appreciation of what drives China and the US in order to maintain agency amid geopolitical flux.