Once again, key Indonesian politicians are floating trial balloons on the merits of postponing the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, citing mounting public support for it. But the data suggests otherwise.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Pakatan Harapan in Johor: Fading Fan Favourites
PH’s campaign messaging has consisted of playing its ‘fan favourites’ of good governance and anti-corruption. This is a re-run of the 2018 campaign, which successfully linked Malaysian’s economic woes to the imposition of the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the financial extravagance of former prime minister Najib Razak, and the ill-fated 1MDB.
Vietnam Netizens Reactions at Odds with Vietnam’s Stance on Ukraine
Vietnamese netizen sentiments suggest that they have generally been critical of Vietnam’s decision to abstain from the UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Decoding Phuket Province’s Demand for Autonomy
There are growing calls in Phuket, Thailand’s tourism powerhouse, to become more autonomous from the central authorities in Bangkok. While such an idea has not gained traction outside Phuket, the province might need to think deeper about what autonomy entails, and in what form.
Reforming the Philippine Electoral Commission
Less than two months before the presidential elections, the Commission of Elections (COMELEC), the Philippines’ independent electoral authority, has been mired in controversy itself. It is high time to reform one of the oldest election commissions in the region.
The Russia-Ukraine War: Parallels and Lessons for Vietnam
Vietnam’s nuanced approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and its refusal to single out Russia’s invasion suggest introspection in Hanoi over its foreign and defence policy calculations.
Win Over Renewable Naysayers in Indonesia
Indonesia has the potential to be a vital renewable energy exporter in the region. But it has to first get its ducks in a row on the technical, financial and regulatory fronts.
Tourism in Southeast Asia: Building Forward Better
Countries need to mutually recognize each other’s vaccination certificates, harmonize rules on travel procedures, and safeguard public health to manage the pandemic. This will enable the countries to capture new source markets, thus compensating for the revenue loss due to the decrease in Chinese tourists.
Cambodia’s Education System: Looking Back to Move Forward
Cambodia has set ambitious goals to become an upper middle income country by 2030. To achieve this, it needs to rethink its education system to upgrade the skills of its workforce so the country can become a knowledge-intensive society.
School Closures and Child Labour: The Pandemic’s Social Cost
The disruption of face-to-face education and internet inaccessibility may cause children to drop out of school permanently. Children who leave school and start working face greater difficulty resuming their education in the future.