Commentaries | FULCRUM

Laos Streamlines Bureaucracy to Make it More Efficient

The government plans to merge ministries and reduce redundancy to become more ‘lean’ and ‘robust’.

Southeast Asia’s Potential Role in Rare Earth Elements Diversification

Southeast Asia has the chance to participate in rare earth element (REE) supply chain diversification. The region must be strategic and cautious to exploit its REE reserves while avoiding the industry’s perils.

Reassessing Anies Baswedan’s Legacy in Jakarta: Institutionalising Collaboration to Address Urban Challenges

Apart from his political legacy, former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan might have left a lasting policy and bureaucratic impact on how Jakarta develops as an urban city, quite apart from its identity as the nation’s capital, which it is about to shed.

Thailand’s New Semiconductor Strategy: Ambitious but Challenging

Thailand has ambitious plans to upgrade its semiconductor sector. There are challenges ahead, however, which require good governance and oversight.

ASEAN’s Image Fades but Expectations Remain High

Southeast Asians welcome a strengthening of ASEAN’s political and economic influence, which has relatively declined in the past year. ASEAN must adapt and assert itself to restore confidence.

‘Dark Indonesia’ and the Anxiety of Indonesian Middle Class

The series of student and civil society protests across Indonesia and some recent surveys reveal a middle class for which all is not well.

Myanmar’s Military Regime is Violating its International Economic Obligations

Myanmar’s violations of its international economic obligations contribute to inflation and increasingly impoverish the country’s population. They also threaten to diminish the impact of financial assistance for Myanmar’s recent earthquake.

Making the EU a Credible Economic Hedge for ASEAN

Against a more uncertain global economic backdrop, the European Union and ASEAN face greater urgency to strengthen economic engagement and strategic partnerships.

Beijing Retains Considerable Weight in Regional Perceptions

Despite some apprehension about its actions, Beijing continues to retain considerable weight among Southeast Asian elites. This should improve if China learns to temper its assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea.