Malaysia’s recently-launched Pemerkasa+ aid package seeks to provide cash handouts to workers and income support to companies. If the economy suffers from financial hits to segments of the economy, rather than mass job losses, Malaysia would be better served with a structured reprise of higher per-worker subsidies for small companies.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Post-Coup Myanmar: Alternative Education Models Urgently Needed
Myanmar’s educational sector is turning out to be a new front in an ensuing battle between the country’s Civil Disobedience Movement and the military junta. Outside of the state-run education system, however, the number of viable options for students are few and far between.
China’s Submarine Salvage Operation for Indonesia: A Double-edged Sword?
China recently offered assistance to Indonesia in salvaging a stricken submarine. On the surface, the offer could be purely altruistic. But there could be more than meets the eye.
China and Indonesia: The Limits of Transactionalism
Indonesia’s transactional approach in its relations with China has its merits. But there are limits, given the need for Jakarta to maintain relationships with other regional powers.
Malaysia Needs More Than a “Hammer” to Successfully Combat the Covid-19 Pandemic
Achieving herd immunity from Covid-19 is likely to remain a distant goal for Malaysia. Other measures beyond strict lockdowns are needed to deal with the pandemic.
The United States and the Myanmar Crisis: Broad Interests, Constricted Responses
The United States has leaned heavily on traditional policy instruments, primarily sanctions, to manage the political crisis in Myanmar. Currently, it remains unclear if Washington will go beyond the limited scope of past practice.
The Myanmar Challenge to ASEAN
Recent developments have shown how fragile and tricky ASEAN’s quest to help Myanmar will be.
A New Height of ASEAN-China Relations? Not Quite, Not Yet
China and ASEAN had a fairly successful meeting in Chongqing recently. But the conclusion that Beijing has orchestrated a win over Washington in Southeast Asia is premature.
The Other Face of PAS: Eschewing Narrow Sectarianism for Global Revivalism
PAS, under the leadership of Hadi Awang, has championed Sunni-Shi’a conciliation. But it is highly uncertain whether this will remain true under the younger generation of PAS leaders.
Thailand’s Third Pandemic Wave: Felled by Infighting
As the kingdom grapples with a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the political parties in the ruling coalition appear to be focused more on gaining political mileage than fighting the virus.