Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, many Southeast Asian countries, several of which are already forecast to careen into recession this year, will see themselves in hock.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Global Leadership is Flagging. Can ASEAN or ASEAN+3 Step Up?
Both ASEAN and its Plus Three partners – China, Japan and Korea – have been ramping up efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. It is time now for the Plus Three to step up to the plate.
Tariff Reductions In RCEP: They Still Matter for ASEAN Trade
Exporters in ASEAN are likely to face lower demand for their goods under the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as three ASEAN dialogue partners – China, Japan and the Republic of Korea – are likely to intensify trade flows among them. This does not mean there is no room for ASEAN to accrue gains from the trade deal.
Covid-19 and Indonesia: Not Quite a Lockdown
Jakarta has studied the examples of Malaysia and India and decided not to implement a full lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The social and economic costs are deemed to be too high.
“A-May” Suu’s Facebook Debut: Upping the Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s de facto leader, has finally made her debut on Facebook. If managed carefully, this would help to rally efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 in Myanmar: Panic Vigilantism?
Official warnings about the potential of Covid-19 infection stemming from the return of Myanmar nationals has only intensified panic-vigilantism to enforce isolation measures.
Britain and the Asia-Pacific: Global Interests versus Regional Engagement
Britain has intensified its engagement with Asia-Pacific countries, in particular Southeast Asia. But London’s global interests will limit its ability to project a meaningful presence in the region.
COVID19 in Malaysia: Pandemic Impacts on the Poor
The raft of measures announced by the Malaysian government to restrict people’s movements will help to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures, however, are having a huge impact on the country’s poor.
Fighting Covid-19 in Indonesia: The Nexus of Religion and the State
The positions taken by some Islamic groups on the national policy of social distancing will determine the success – or failure – of the policy.
Singapore-Malaysia Border Shutdown: Counting the Costs
Recent policy responses effected by Malaysia and Singapore to combat the Covid-19 pandemic have been responsible and measured – and have also underscored the deep and wide economic relations between the two neighbours.