Locals in Ho Chi Minh City worry that a new government initiative for social listening powered by artificial intelligence would jeopardise their privacy rather than improve public services.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Vietnam’s High-Potential Energy Transition Needs Clear Policy And Clean Government
Vietnam’s green growth commitments crucially depend on expanding renewable energy and replacing coal. The country must seize the rich opportunities on hand and manage the transition with a clear plan and effective, corruption-free administration.
Conscription in Myanmar Pushing Young Men to Choose Sides
The State Administration Council is seeking to revive Myanmar’s policy of conscription. Instead of bolstering national solidarity, it will undermine it.
Southeast Asia’s Soldiers of Fortune in the Russia-Ukraine War
A small number of Southeast Asians are fighting in the war in Ukraine. They appear to be motivated by a mix of factors.
The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)’s Green Proposition: A Hard Chug
Malaysia is seeking to promote greener modes in freight transportation via the ECRL. This is laudable, but not without a set of challenges.
The Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership in an Era of Geopolitical Realignment
The recent visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Australia demonstrates the resolve of the Philippines to solidify its strategic partnerships with like-minded states in the Indo-Pacific region.
Two Presidents Ousted in One Year: What Lies Ahead for Vietnam’s Political Outlook?
Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong will be replaced. The primary task of the country’s leaders now is to find his replacement and steady the keel.
An Urgent Need for Post-Election Civil Society Consolidation in Indonesia
There is serious disquiet among Indonesia’s civil society actors and academics, who support the two candidate pairs that lost last month’s election. Much work lies ahead if there is to be an effective national reckoning of alleged electoral misconduct – yet it may be a case of too little, too late.
Pheu Thai Versus Bank of Thailand: More Than a Question of Digital Wallets and Interest Rates
A festering dispute between the Pheu Thai-led government and the Bank of Thailand has underscored a major question as to who sets the kingdom’s economic direction.
The Ulama and the 2024 Indonesian Presidential Election: The Missing Voice of Conscience?
Within Indonesia’s Islamic intellectual elite, this generation does not seem to have leaders who can rise to the ranks of their brave predecessors in acting as the nation’s moral conscience, especially in the face of blatant political chicanery.