The Malaysian government has announced highly ambitious education reforms, among other things, mandating preschool from age five and lowering the start of Primary One to age six.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Prabowo’s Pardons of Political Opponents: A Step Towards an Integralist State?
One interpretation of the Indonesian president’s recent pardons of two prominent politicians is that the quality of mercy is sometimes strained.
China’s Overtures to Southeast Asia: Xi Takes the Lead
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has taken a personal interest in driving high-level visits to Southeast Asia. This reflects the region’s growing importance and Beijing’s bid to manage global uncertainty.
Cambodia–Thailand Conflict: Borders Should Not Be Battlefields
A military or unilateral approach to the Thai-Cambodian dispute would only trigger cycles of provocation. The two sides need to use a multifaceted approach to rebuild the bridge of cooperation.
Sabah’s Ruling Coalition Navigates Treacherous Waters Ahead of Polls
Dogged by scandals and potential infighting within the coalition, Sabah’s ruling coalition faces some tough dilemmas going into the next state elections.
Fuelling Reform: Bolder Petrol Overhaul is Malaysia’s Best Bet
Malaysia is facing a dilemma when it comes to pushing through the reform of its petrol subsidies. It has to stay the course.
Why are Chinese Students Choosing Higher Education in Asian Countries?
Chinese students are increasingly opting for Asian universities. With the right policies, Southeast Asia can continue to reap the benefits.
The Thai-Cambodian War of Cyber Attrition: Implications for ASEAN
The Thai-Cambodian cyber crossfire highlights ASEAN’s challenge in addressing gaps in international law to prevent both state and non-state actors from misusing cyberspace.
Lee Jae Myung’s Southeast Asia Policy: Can It Move Beyond Its Vietnam Focus?
South Korea’s ties with Southeast Asia are overly focused on Vietnam. To assert its middle power status, the country needs to diversify its relations and rectify this imbalance.
Increasing Government Efficiency in Malaysia through a New Act
A new Act to improve government efficiency in Malaysia would help streamline the bureaucracy and reduce regulatory burdens. It could be improved, however, by adding some parliamentary oversight.