Commentaries | FULCRUM

Vietnam: Turning the Tables on Covid-19

A man talks with his wife and daughter from behind a barricade inside a blocked neighborhood in Hanoi on 24 August, 2021 during the government-imposed lockdown to stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo: Nhac NGUYEN/ AFP)

Vietnam, which enjoyed a relatively fuss-free year fighting Covid-19 in 2020, has had to re-assess its strategy and adopt a newer approach to living with the coronavirus.

IPCC Report: No Time for Southeast Asia To Take it Easy

A child pushes his bike through floodwaters following heavy rain at a residential area of Ajun on the outskirts of Banda Aceh on 11 August, 2021. (Photo: Chaideer MAHYUDDIN/ AFP)

The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has some sobering data applicable to Southeast Asia. Whether countries muster up the political will to follow through on their commitments will be key.

Malaysia’s New PM: Bi-partisanship is Good, Non-partisanship Even Better

Malaysia’s new prime minister has called for public demonstrations of unity as the country goes through a difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic hardship. The country needs less a bi-partisan front and more a competent, dedicated and accountable administration.

Thaksin 72; Tony 27: the Return of Thaksin Shinawatra

A screenshot of a video posted on Thaksin’s YouTube channel on 10 August, 2021. (Screengrab: Thaksin Official/ YouTube)

Thaksin Shinawatra is priming himself for a return to Thai politics. This time, he is reaching out to younger Thai voters.

Containing the Covid Scourge in South Vietnam

A number of reasons can account for Vietnam’s latest wave of Covid-19 outbreak. These include the more contagious Delta variant, the initial slow response of the authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, the lack of strict application of Covid-19 safety measures, and the slow pace of vaccination due to a shortage of vaccines.

Ismail Sabri as the New PM: An Uneasy Truce

The appointment of Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister is welcome. At best, however, his ascent represents an agglomeration of compromises between the players concerned. As the country experiences another Covid-19 surge, he will have his work cut out for him.

Delta Variant Should Not Derail Southeast Asia’s Economic Recovery

While the Delta variant of the coronavirus has had a significant impact on Southeast Asia economies, it is unlikely that economies will return to the troughs that they saw in 2020.

The Monarchy and Article 150

The recent heightened tensions between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Prime Minister Muhyidddin Yassin’s Cabinet have put the spotlight on whether the Constitution allows the King to exercise discretionary powers, apart from acting on the advice of Cabinet.