The war in Ukraine and the de-coupling of Russia from major economies are expected to dampen economic recovery and generate inflationary shocks. If inflation in Malaysia worsens, policymakers may have to implement a more restrictive monetary policy combined with fiscal stimulus funded by debt and petroleum royalties.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Investment Trends and Industrial Prospects in Indonesia
While total investments into Indonesia have increased over the years, much of these were driven by a rapid increase in domestic direct investment while foreign direct investment remained relatively stagnant.
Asia’s Regional Security Architecture: An Australian Perspective
This Long Read argues that ASEAN’s goal of remaining at the centre of regionalism in Asia is at risk. The Quad and AUKUS are centred around the US due to its paramount military power. Washington shares Australia’s interest in result-oriented security mechanisms, and has found sustaining long-term engagement with ASEAN difficult.
The Russia-Ukraine War: Unpacking Online Pro-Russia Narratives in Vietnam
Pro-Russia narratives in Vietnam’s cyberspace are the result of cross-pollination between sentimental attachment since the Soviet era, psychological bias towards Russia embedded in Vietnam’s education and propaganda system, and the overriding imperative to preserve the Vietnamese state’s political and ideological interests.
More Political Implications Than Meet the Eye in Upcoming Election for Bangkok Governor
Bangkok’s voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor on 22 May 2022 for the first time in nearly a decade. The clear front-runner is former transport minister Dr Chadchart Sittipunt. This article evaluates the prospects for a surprise upset.
The Russia-Ukraine War and its Potential Impact on Russia’s Arms Sales to Southeast Asia
Russia has been the largest exporter of arms to Southeast Asia over the past two decades but the value of its defence sales to the region has fallen sharply since its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will only exacerbate this downward trend.
Hydropower Development in Sarawak: Sensitivities over Sustainability and China’s Involvement
China has become the most significant foreign partner in Sarawak’s hydropower development, as its extensive knowledge and experience in this domain dovetails with Sarawak’s ambitious programme to develop hydropower for its own needs and for export to the region.
Social Media Discourse in Malaysia on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Rationales for Pro-Russia Sentiments
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Malaysia’s social media has been abuzz with discussions on the conflict, with different groups expressing both condemnation and support for Russia. This paper examines pro-Russian sentiments and unpacks them for possible explanations for why such views prevail amongst Malaysians.
Labelling Fake News: The Politics of Regulating Disinformation in Thailand
In Thailand, determining what news is true or fake appears to be a political matter. This article argues that political misuse of regulatory measures not only sows censorship and autocratic propensities, but also reinforce public mistrust in official mechanisms to curb disinformation.
Stronger Social Media Influence in the 2022 Philippine Elections
Social media will play a prominent role in the campaign strategy of candidates in the upcoming 2022 elections due to the increasing reliance of Filipinos on social media and the face-to-face restrictions associated with the pandemic.