COMMENTARIES

11 Jul 2023

How the Nine-Dash Line Undermines China’s Economic Interests in Vietnam

Le Hong Hiep

China’s controversial nine-dash line claim to the South China Sea is creating problems for its businesses operating in Vietnam.

President Jokowi and PM Anthony Albanese visited the Sumatran tigers at Taronga Zoo, Sydney on July 4, 2023 (photo: AlboMP / Twitter)

10 Jul 2023

Indonesia Looks East: Widodo’s Engagement with Australia and Papua New Guinea

Julia Lau

Despite earlier misgivings about his overly domestic focus, President Joko Widodo’s recent trip to Australia underscores how he has matured as a statesman and improved bilateral ties with Indonesia’s southern neighbour. Indonesia’s growing middle power influence was illustrated by Widodo’s subsequent visit to Papua New Guinea.

Australia Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy

10 Jul 2023

Quad-lite Makes Right?

Hoang Thi Ha|William Choong

Analyses about the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) tend to focus on its four-way formal structures. An examination of the bilateral and plurilateral interactions between Quad members, as well as those between Quad members and other regional states, suggests that their coalition building is much more nimble and flexible.

China Indo-Pacific Quad

7 Jul 2023

From Likes to Lies: Disinformation in the Philippines and Thailand

Aries A. Arugay|Surachanee Sriyai

Recent elections in Thailand and the Philippines have seen the use of disinformation. Currently, policy options to tackle such a phenomenon remain limited.

Online Misinformation Philippine Elections Thai Elections

7 Jul 2023

Will the Labour Party Successfully Challenge the Dominance of “Elektabilitas” Politics in Indonesia?

Max Lane

A small new party is sticking to its ideological guns but will probably not make much of a dent in the established elite’s stranglehold on Indonesia’s electoral politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections

6 Jul 2023

Current Key Drivers of ASEAN Integration: Digital Skills and Mobilities

Melinda Martinus|Farah Nadine Seth

The ASEAN Digital Integration Index (ADII) shows that the area of digital skills and talent is ASEAN’s worst-performing indicator of the six digital integration benchmarks used to measure digital integration. This Long Read offers some analysis of the underlying causes of this dismal performance and identifies three opportunities to enhance digital skills.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity ASEAN Master Plan

6 Jul 2023

What’s the Matter with MUDA – is it Moody or just Misunderstood?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) has parted ways with Pakatan Harapan to contest the upcoming state elections. Although some have written the youth-focused party off, there might yet be method to its madness.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

6 Jul 2023

An ‘Islamic Lifestyle’: When Piety Meets Consumerism?

Sharifah Afra Alatas|Nadirah Norruddin

The growing Muslim middle class’s appetite for consumer goods with halal and religious-inspired branding raises challenging questions about whether conspicuous consumption sits well with expressions of religiosity.

Economy Islam

5 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: So Much Fuss For So Little Work

Lee Hwok-Aun

Amid the political spectacle, Malaysia should critically consider the meagre roles and resources of state governments. The irony is that states, in following their own election cycles, end up augmenting federal dominance and disempowering themselves.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

5 Jul 2023

Time to Tackle Illegal Foreign Businesses in Thailand

Sivarin Lertpusit

Illicit nominations of Thais as shareholders in businesses run by Chinese operators are threatening local concerns. This highlights a dense network of transnational criminal activity that the Thai authorities are up against.

Crime Thailand