As Vietnam’s recent decision to cancel deals for oil and gas activities in waters around Vanguard Bank caused significant financial and reputational damage, Hanoi should rethink its strategy to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Cashless Society in Myanmar: Still A Long Way to Go
Myanmar has taken some decisive steps towards cashless payments, particularly in a time of the Covid-19 pandemic. But there are still some obstacles to be overcome before the country becomes a cashless society.
The Philippine Pandemic and the Plague on Pedagogy
The Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines has affected not only the economy, but the country’s education sector. A failure to make redress for this as the country emerges from the pandemic will have social and economic costs.
Comprehending Ethnic Inequality in Malaysia: Going Beyond the Stereotypes
Tun Mahathir Mohamad has stirred up controversy again by saying that the incomes of urban Chinese have outstripped those of Malays in rural areas. Rather than using false generalisations to score easy popularity points, the political and policy discourse should move from a focus on income to issues of capability and participation.
ASEAN Single Window: Time to Enlarge the Aperture
The development of ASEAN Single Window in the past 15 years has demonstrated the importance of digitalizing trade procedures to reduce trade costs and boost competitiveness in ASEAN. The enlargement of the ASEAN Single Window to include the grouping’s dialogue partners will reduce trade costs further.
Myanmar’s Elections: Blacking Out from a Clash Between “Red” and “Green”
Myanmar’s November elections are still a way away, but partisan warfare between the so-called “reds” and “greens” has already erupted on Facebook.
Islamist Groups: Jokowi and the Horns of a Dilemma
Islamist groups have been on the up on up in Indonesia. However, a failure to foster unity in the ranks will not bode well for their political fortunes.
The Chini By-Election: A Step Forward for Muafakat Nasional, But Mind the Gap
UMNO’s thumping victory in the recent Chini by-election was not unexpected. The solid Malay support displayed during the poll, however, presages a deeper fissure within the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
Thai Cabinet Overhaul in the Offing?
Thailand will soon be looking at another cabinet reshuffle. But there is more than meets the eye. The prime minister’s relationship with the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party remains tenuous.
Smaller Countries in the Asia-Pacific: Mired in the Middling Middle
Rising Sino-US rivalry and a rapidly changing geopolitical environment means that smaller states in the Asia-Pacific are increasingly compelled to “choose sides” between the two major powers. They are, however, not short of options.