Commentaries | FULCRUM

MAGA Show on ASEAN’s Stage: Guarded Expectations

President Trump will make a spectacle of his presence in Kuala Lumpur, but is unlikely to offer ASEAN the reliable, long-term engagement it seeks.

Malaysia’s Islamic Authorities Risk Sowing Societal Confusion through Hasty Bans on Some ‘New Age’ Practices

By indiscriminately condemning as heretical some ‘New Age’ practices, such as those involving healing and astrology, Malaysia’s Islamic authorities could inadvertently undermine some Malay cultural traditions.

How Stablecoins Could Destabilise Southeast Asian Economies

For all the recent excitement around stablecoins, they bring significant risks that warrant proactive policy responses.

Anutin’s Rise and the People’s Party’s Test

By supporting the Bhumjaithai minority government, the People’s Party has embarked on a political gambit: working with the party’s erstwhile enemy in exchange for some degree of reform in the medium term.

Scarborough Shoal Standoff: More Deterrence, Less Trust

The dispute over Scarborough Shoal reflects a fragile balance sustained by deterrence and symbolism rather than trust.

Energy Trade in Southeast Asia: The Need to Address Resource Nationalism

Resource nationalism can impede energy cooperation in Southeast Asia. ASEAN can use a mix of carrots and sticks to deal with it.

The Intangible Yet Unmistakable Costs of Myanmar’s Political Crisis

The protracted Myanmar crisis is now everyone’s problem. The time for ASEAN to act is now.

A Gathering Storm: How Prabowo’s Fiscal Centralisation and Out-of-Touch Elites Fuel Discontent and Protests

Almost a year into office, Indonesia’s central government must balance its ambitions against rising public discontent. There is still time to right the ship.

Crypto Safer than Traditional Banking? Not According to the Data

Crypto transactions are not definitively safer than their traditional forebears. In fact, they are often the preferred route for people who want to transact in the shadows.