Malaysia has commenced fuel subsidy rationalisation by shifting from general to targeted diesel subsidies, but there is still some economic fallout. The government needs to do more to help those bearing the cost.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Thailand’s Grand Compromise Tested, or Back to Square One?
Depending on one’s perspective, the grand political compromise in Thailand is either collapsing or still remains intact.
Southeast Asia and BRICS: Fear of Missing Out
The fact that five Southeast Asian countries are seeking to join BRICS should not be seen as an affront to the West and its so-called rules-based order.
Neighbour to Civil War: Thailand’s Relations with Myanmar in 2024
The road to Myanmar for ASEAN goes through Bangkok. This in itself might be a problem.
Nahdlatul Ulama Ventures into Mining: Threat to the ‘Green Islam’ in Indonesia?
Nahdlatul Ulama’s venture into the mining business might send the wrong signal for Indonesia’s emerging green Islam movement.
Recasting Malaysia–US Relations in the Shadow of the War in Gaza
Anwar Ibrahim can leverage American reactions to the war in Gaza to develop relations with the United States.
The Malaysian Government’s Silence on Covert Conversion: A Poor Start to Madani Harmony?
A controversial Malaysian preacher promotes the secret conversion of non-Muslim youth to Islam and is unrepentant about going against the law of the land.
Unravelling of the Marcos-Duterte Dynastic Alliance
The resignation of Vice-President Sara Duterte from the Cabinet signals the end of Marcos-Duterte political alliance and portends a likely clash between two of the country’s most powerful political dynasties.
Sarawak Offers Malaysia Lessons in Managing Diversity
Sarawak’s unity and harmony stands in marked contrast to the politicised race and religion on the Peninsula. The nation ought to take lessons from East Malaysia.
Beyond the SQUAD: Ideas for the Philippines to Work with a Northeast Asian Minilateral Arrangement
The Philippines has extensively participated in several minilateral defence arrangements in the Indo-Pacific with like-minded states, driven by its current strategic calculus and threats within its maritime domain. The author proposes one more.