Cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council should be seen not only from the lens of trade investments, but also people-to-people connections.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Thorny Issue: The Durian Economy and Land Tussle in Pahang
There has been an ongoing dispute between the Pahang state government and farmers cultivating durians on encroached state land. With a new player in the fray, however, the dispute looks closer to a settlement.
Malaysia’s Metadata Controversy: Surveillance in the Guise of Statistics
The Malaysian government’s directive to collect mobile phone metadata from telecom providers has sparked much unease. It should implement stronger safeguards to demonstrate accountability.
The Onset of ‘De-Jokowi-sation’ in Indonesian Politics?
Eight months into the job, President Prabowo Subianto appears to have started trimming the sails of his powerful predecessor.
Thai-Cambodian Tensions: For Thailand, Appeasement Will Not Hold the Line
In seeking to defuse tensions with Cambodia over a border dispute, Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra has scored an own goal. Thailand now faces an uphill climb in resolving the dispute.
Trump Administration’s International Student Curbs Risk Undermining US Soft Power
The Trump administration’s curbs on foreign student admissions not only risk undermining US soft power but could also pave the way for more educational exchanges between China and Southeast Asia.
Positioning Thailand as an LGBTQ+ Tourism Hub: Opportunities and Challenges
Thailand has begun to market its LGBTQ+ friendliness to woo LGBTQ+ tourists and boost the economy. While the country has made progressive strides by legalising same-sex marriage, transgender individuals still face systemic hurdles.
Understanding Bobby Saputra, Indonesia’s ‘Professional Son’
Bobby’s satirical skewering of nepotism and corruption strongly appeals to Southeast Asians, who share disillusionment and a desire to laugh at a system seen as unfair and ineffective.
US-China Negotiations in London Signal a Tough Road Ahead for Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian countries lack the personal rapport and leverage that have shaped US-China bargaining, and with US’ limited bandwidth, could find themselves on the outside looking in.
Pulling Hanoi from the Pollution Precipice
Hanoi’s air pollution crisis demands action in emission regulation, waste management, and climate mitigation.