The charged case of a controversial juvenile accused of insulting the monarchy illustrates the shortcomings of the Thai justice system in protecting the youngest defendants and the complications of upholding lèse-majesté laws in the twenty-first century.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Making the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Work
To fully harness the benefits of bilateral cooperation on both sides, the recent signing of the memorandum of understanding for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone needs to be followed up by the relevant agencies doing the real spade work after the initial hype is over.
Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Campaigns: Hyper-local and Personal Touchpoints Matter Most
A recent survey shows that younger Indonesian voters, like their older fellow citizens, still hold traditional media and in-person conversations in high regard when it comes to learning about the elections and deciding whom to vote for.
Cultivating the Future: Empowering Young Farmers in Southeast Asia
Farmers in Southeast Asia are aging. Governments and not-for-profits need to think of ways to attract younger farmers into agriculture.
Malaysia and ASEAN in 2024: Facing Challenges with Focus and Strength
Malaysia and ASEAN face pressing challenges and opportunities in technology adaptation and transition, geopolitical instability and ASEAN competition, and the need to green our economies. With judicious strategies and effective actions, we can head into 2024 with cautious optimism.
Will the “China Factor” Become an Election Issue in Indonesia?
Indonesia’s economic relationship with China is occasionally marred by deadly accidents at Chinese-built and owned industrial sites in the archipelago. Nevertheless, economic cooperation with China is not going to slow down, no matter who wins the election next month.
ASEAN Economies in the Tech Supply Chain Sweet Spot?
Ongoing trade Sino-U.S. tensions and the need to redirect FDI away from China may present a golden opportunity for economies in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia’s “Dubai Move”: Nothing to See Here, For Now
There has been recent speculation about machinations to bring down Malaysia’s Unity Government. This detracts from the need to deliver on governance outcomes.
Seeing the National in Gaming and Esports in Southeast Asia
Electronic sports have gained global attention, including in Southeast Asia. As with traditional sports, national teams can bring glory and boost a country’s soft power. On the flip side, team rivalries can potentially disrupt neighbourly relations.
Zulkifli Hasan as Malaysia’s New Deputy Religious Affairs Minister: An Analysis
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s new appointee in the religious affairs ministry has the requisite credentials to aid in the government’s bid to resist the rise of the conservative opposition.