Commentaries | FULCRUM

ASEAN’s Trade in Services with the US and China: A Hidden Casualty of Trump’s 2.0 Tariffs

In services trade, ASEAN has maintained a deficit with the US and a surplus with China. The Trump tariff fixation with goods has omitted services, to the detriment of all sides.

PKR Party Elections Will Shape Malaysia’s Political Future

The upcoming Parti Keadilan Rakyat elections will influence Malaysia’s political future.

Medical Care: Vietnam’s Underleveraged ‘Soft Power’ in Cambodia

Although Cambodians are still wary of the Vietnamese, they have faith in Vietnam’s medical services — an asset that the government has not yet fully taken advantage of.

Prime Minister Anwar’s Visit to Russia: Long on Pomp, Short on Outcomes

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to Russia was high on symbolism but low on substance.

A Call for Ecological Justice: Why Indonesia’s Pesantrens ‘Reject’ Renewable Energy

It is not clear that some of Indonesia’s renewable energy projects are designed with the people in mind. Some local communities and traditional Islamic boarding schools are pushing back.

Why the Asia-Pacific Needs a Regional Green Industrial Strategy

Amid growing geopolitical rivalry and rising protectionism, a network of net-zero industrial parks could act as the Asia-Pacific’s transition landing zones into a greener future.

‘Progressive’ or Conservative? Malaysia’s Rising Politician, Nushi Mahfodz

Nushi Mahfodz appears to be a ‘progressive’ in the ranks of Parti Islam SeMalaysia politicians. But he might not be as progressive as some think.

Preparing Malaysia’s Toolkit for Trump Tariff Tumult

As trade negotiations with the US continue, Malaysia needs to trot out relief measures and pro-growth measures to mitigate the impact of Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs.