Commentaries | FULCRUM

Questioning the Question: Who Is Really Revising the Global Order?

For those who have consistently touted the “China threat”, recent US actions should necessitate some intellectual honesty.

Overseas Filipino Remittances and the Philippine Economy: Time for a Rethink

As remittances from overseas Filipinos slow down amid global uncertainties and a changing global economy, the Philippines needs to develop new growth drivers.

Vietnam’s Post-War Generation Takes the Helm

For the first time, the next echelon of Vietnam’s top leaders have not been marked by the experience of the Vietnam War. They have to prove that they would be able to govern and produce the needed outcomes.

Rabble-rouser UMNO Youth Unlikely to Dent Ahmad Zahid’s Unity Call

UMNO Youth has pulled out all the stops to persuade the party leadership to yank UMNO out of the ruling coalition. But the UMNO president has different ideas.

Thai-Cambodian Dispute: Differing Configurations of Nationalism and Legitimacy

A durable peace at the Thai-Cambodian border requires a rethinking of how nationalism, history, and legitimacy are mobilised on both sides of the demarcation.

Heading Into GE16: Desires and Dissensions

Two years from the next general elections, there are dissensions in the ranks of Malaysia’s ruling and opposition coalitions. Observers of the country’s politics will need to brace for volatility.

Malaysia’s Proposed PM Term Limit: Some Things to Consider

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s legislation to limit the prime minister’s term to 10 years is a prudent move. This should be paired with fixed parliamentary terms.

Should Southeast Asia Pay Attention to ‘Spheres of Influence’?

What might the implications of the United States’ actions in Venezuela be for Southeast Asian countries?

“Youth Retirement Homes”: A Temporary Fad or an Emerging Industry?

A number of ‘youth retirement homes’ in China and, more recently, Malaysia provide insights into the predicaments faced by youth in the two countries.