COMMENTARIES

28 Aug 2023

Are Indonesian Banks Resilient Amidst Rising Interest Rates?

Manggi Habir|Siwage Dharma Negara

Indonesia’s banking sector is likely to withstand higher interest rates given certain fundamentals that will insulate it from the volatility seen elsewhere.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

25 Aug 2023

Biden Skips Jakarta: When (Not) Showing Up Speaks Volumes

William Choong|Sharon Seah

President Biden skipping the East Asia Summit in Jakarta bodes ill for both the optics of the decision and the implications on U.S. engagement in ASEAN, especially as China continues to expand influence and cultivate relations in the region.

25 Aug 2023

Politicised Religion and Indonesia’s Youth: Time to Overhaul Identity Politics

Iim Halimatusa’diyah

Indonesian leaders have committed to refrain from politicising religion in the upcoming February 2024 elections, but political incentives and social forces continue to propagate identity politics, especially among the youth. More must be done to curb the politicisation of religion and educate the youth about its harmful consequences.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Religion

Protesters wave flags and hold placards in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati, Metro Manila

24 Aug 2023

Troubled Waters Ahead for Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership on the South China Sea

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam and the Philippines have formed a strategic partnership in the South China Sea. By reinforcing their respective claims to the area, however, they are vulnerable to a wedge strategy by third parties such as China.

Misinformation Philippine South China Sea Vietnam

A worker walking past a steamroller at the site of a Lynas plant in Gebeng, Malaysia.

24 Aug 2023

The Race for Critical Minerals in Malaysia: Upstream, Mid-Stream, or Downstream?

Tham Siew Yean

The global hunt for critical minerals used in clean energy platforms such as electric vehicles has put the spotlight on some Southeast Asian countries, in particular, Malaysia.

Environment Malaysia Supply Chains

23 Aug 2023

Enhancing U.S. Influence In Southeast Asia: Proof is in The Pudding

Daljit Singh

A joint report calling for Washington to adopt a more nuanced approach to Southeast Asia is sensible. The challenge, however, lies in the implementation of its recommendations.

ASEAN-U.S. Relations U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Anita Anand

23 Aug 2023

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy: When Rhetoric Extends Beyond Reach

William Choong|Joanne Lin

Canada is still on the outside looking in, even if it will be promoted to a strategic partnership with ASEAN next month.

ASEAN Canada Indo-Pacific Quad

22 Aug 2023

The Significance of President Joko Widodo’s 2024 Budget Address

Manggi Habir|Siwage Dharma Negara

President Joko Widodo doubtless hopes to leave behind a legacy that will remind Indonesians of his grand plans for a developed, vibrant, and economically mature country. His latest – and last – budget shows what a tall order that will be.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

22 Aug 2023

Anwar’s Sidestepping Ethnic Policies: Not a Way to Gain Ground

Lee Hwok-Aun

The Unity government concedes that the status quo of ethnic quotas in Malaysia cannot be changed. They are easily tarred by PN as meek and ambivalent toward Malay interests, and simultaneously disappoint non-Malays who nonetheless vote for them because PN is viewed as a worse alternative.

Affirmative Action Malaysia Malaysian Politics

21 Aug 2023

Thaksin’s Machinations and Overturning the People’s Mandate

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sought a route for his return to Thailand. Unfortunately, any new political configuration would involve a compact between the Pheu Thai Party and its erstwhile enemies. This would subvert the electoral mandate of the people.

Thai Politics Thailand