Non-Chinese pupil enrolment in Malaysia’s vernacular Chinese primary schools (SJKC) has grown significantly over the past decades, from just 3-6 per cent in the 1990s to approximately 20 per cent by 2020, primarily driven by Malay pupils. These demographic shifts in SJKCs present a profound existential challenge to the Chinese community in Malaysia on whether they should preserve the cultural purity of SJKC or adapt to these demographic realities.
Category Archives: Long Reads
Green Hydrogen in Southeast Asia: Connecting National Strategies with Public Support
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s 2024 Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey highlights a notable rise in public enthusiasm for green hydrogen year-on-year. However, continued public support towards green hydrogen will depend on the ability of policymakers to deliver on their promises. Public enthusiasm may turn negative if the public is forced to pay a high cost for green hydrogen, or when concerns over its safety arises and remains unaddressed.
Vietnam’s Response to Controversial Mekong Projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia
Vietnam is anxious about the geostrategic implications of upstream Mekong projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia. It faces the dilemma of protecting its vital interests in the Mekong while maintaining stable and cooperative relations with its three neighbours.
Legal Pluralism in Malaysia: Navigating the Civil and Shariah Systems
This Long Read outlines the position of Islam in Malaysia’s Constitution and the applicability of the Shariah courts, particularly in respect of criminal offences.
After the Grand Compromise: Voter Profiles in Thai Politics
The grand compromise, forged at the elite level between Thailand’s conservative establishment and Thaksin Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party, could lead many Thai voters to shift their party allegiance in the next general election.
Vietnam Navigates Trump’s Trade Headwinds: Making Virtue Out of Necessity
Vietnam has been navigating the potential trade headwinds from the second Trump administration with pragmatism and opportunism, aligning with Trump’s transactional approach. The focus has been on fostering corporate partnerships, framing Vietnam-US economic ties as win-win instead of virtue-signalling on free trade.
The Narrative Battle for Malay Muslim Support: PAS’ Exclusivist Dominance vs Madani’s Administrative Tactics
After the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) “Green Wave” of 2022-23, a wide range of Malaysian political actors believed that Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani federal government would not act to counter its narratives. Instead, Anwar’s forces have signalled that they would only check PAS using “administrative” tactics, and only in selected battles and arenas. As a result, PAS holds the narrative advantage. It is free to experiment and is ramping up its use of new and existing cultural assets to burnish its messages.
Xi Jinping’s ‘Great Rejuvenation of the Pan-Chinese Nation’: A Historical Perspective
Xi Jinping’s vision for the “Great Rejuvenation of the Pan-Chinese Nation” and “China Dream” emphasises a shared ancestry and cultural identity among ethnic Chinese, both within China and abroad. Through “united front work,” the People’s Republic of China (PRC) thus seeks to unite “Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad” under a common civilisational narrative. Despite its rhetoric of unity and shared heritage, however, the PRC offers limited legal and political protection to overseas Chinese.
Thailand’s Land Bridge: Navigating Geopolitical and Investor Concerns
Thailand’s land bridge project faces challenges in managing geopolitical rivalries and competing with advanced ports in neighbouring countries. Additionally, logistical issues such as transit times and reloading processes could diminish potential time savings. Thailand could instead pursue more cost-effective options to improve existing port and overland infrastructure and boost competitiveness.
Indonesia’s Probable Foreign Policy Shift from the West under a Prabowo Administration
Under Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is expected to further distance itself from traditional Western alliances — a trend initiated during Jokowi’s administration — by prioritising partnerships within Asia, particularly with China for trade and investment, and strengthening regional cooperation through ASEAN and BRICS.