COMMENTARIES

20 Sep 2023

The Ba‘Alawi of Indonesia: Genealogy and Identity

Ahmad Muhajir|Sharifah Afra Alatas

The debate in Indonesia about the origins of the Ba‘Alawi community reflects the fact that legitimacy is derived not only from lineage but social, historical and religious identity.

19 Sep 2023

IPEF’s Relevance for ASEAN

Siwage Dharma Negara|Maria Monica Wihardja

Siwage Dharma Negara and Maria Monica Wihardja outline recommendations for Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair to align ASEAN’s interests with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

ASEAN ASEANFocus Indo-Pacific International Trade

Anwar Ibrahim supporters hold Pakatan Harapan party flags as they celebrate Anwar swearing in as Prime Minister outside Istana Negara palace in Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2022.

19 Sep 2023

Anwar’s Unity Government: Striding Forward or Just Moonwalking?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government has survived some stern electoral tests of late. But he has his work cut out going forward.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

Children playing on the playground at a green-blue open space in Jakarta

19 Sep 2023

The Urgent Need to Rejuvenate Public Green Spaces in Jakarta

Paulus Bagus Sugiyono|Neo Hui Yun Rebecca

There is already an existing solution to some of Jakarta’s urban pollution woes, but this requires the present government to more seriously revive and maintain the city’s much-needed green spaces.

Environment Indonesia Pollution

18 Sep 2023

Why Has Batam’s Rempang Eco-City National Project Become a Controversy?

Ady Muzwardi|Siwage Dharma Negara

Unhappiness among villagers in Rempang, close to Batam island, has led to riots in Batam City and threatens existing and future foreign investment. A small but diminishing window exists in which the local and central governments can improve their approach towards convincing residents of the need to relocate for a better future.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

Environmental activists hold a sign that says "stop trying to make coal happen, its never going to happen" during an Earth Day rally on April 22, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Environmental activists, led by students from the Grin Green International group, march on Earth Day from Lumpini Park in Central Bangkok to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Development to request that Thailand prioritize its switch to renewable energy.

18 Sep 2023

Climate Resilience in Southeast Asia: Adapt and Mitigate Before It’s Too Late

Vinod Thomas

Southeast Asia must prioritise climate resilience, encompassing adaptation and mitigation. The process must be strategically managed, informed by data and applied across a broad range of solutions.

Climate Change Southeast Asia

15 Sep 2023

The Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative: Recalibrating Socio-Economic Connectivity

Melinda Martinus

Melinda Martinus scrutinises softer prospects of the new ASEAN-Korea relationship.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Indo-Pacific South Korea

U.S. President Joe Biden makes a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong (R) during a State luncheon at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on September 11, 2023.

15 Sep 2023

Vietnam and Washington’s “De-risking” Strategy: It’s the Economy, Stupid

Nguyen Khac Giang

The historic upgrade in Vietnam-U.S. relations has more to do with the economics than defence and security.

China Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

15 Sep 2023

Vietnamese Perceptions in a Changing Sino-US Relationship

Sharon Seah|Indira Zahra Aridati

Data from the State of Southeast Asia Surveys from 2020 to 2023 suggests that while Vietnamese opinion-leaders’ views of China have oscillated over the past four years, trust in the US remains consistent.

China U.S. Vietnam

14 Sep 2023

Does ASEAN Matter for Myanmar?

Moe Thuzar|Sharon Seah

Now that the ASEAN Summit is over, serious questions remain about how exactly the regional grouping can begin to resolve the Myanmar crisis, despite stronger words and a slight toughening of position.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar