COMMENTARIES

25 Jul 2023

Rice Production and Food Security in Southeast Asia under Threat from El Niño

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Paul Teng

The latest El Niño event has just begun. The effects on rice production and supplies are expected to be severe. This Long Read argues for the urgency of putting in place plans for the next year and the following years to allay the worst impacts.

Food Security

24 Jul 2023

Jokowi’s (Worst) Reshuffle: A Loss for the Country But Does He Gain?

Yanuar Nugroho|Julia Lau

President Joko Widodo’s cabinet reshuffle last week was a calculated move to shore up his position rather than improve policy performance.

24 Jul 2023

Why Cambodia Should Hedge by Engaging India More

Chanrith Ngin|Bunthorn Khath

Cambodia has become increasingly dependent on China and the West. It is high time for Phnom Penh to hedge by engaging India more.

Cambodia India

21 Jul 2023

Vietnam’s Suspension of Online Magazine: When Even the Compliant Are Not Safe

Dien Nguyen An Luong

Vietnam has suspended the licence of a popular news site which has largely been supportive of the party line. This does not augur well for other media, given their already precarious position.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

20 Jul 2023

The Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: Movement in lieu of Progress

Ian Storey

Observers following the long saga surrounding negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea should not be faulted if they feel a sense of déjà vu.

ASEAN-China Relations South China Sea

19 Jul 2023

Jokowi’s Manoeuvres in Defiance of Megawati Aimed at Consolidating Future Position

Max Lane

How does an outgoing president secure his political future without the usual party mechanism?

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

18 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: Projections and Scenarios

Ong Kian Ming

This Long Read uses the results of the 15th General Election (GE15) held in 2022 to project the possible outcomes in the upcoming state elections, through the use of various scenarios. A key question for the upcoming polls is the extent to which supporters of former political rivals Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) will “transfer” their votes to each other in the upcoming state elections.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

17 Jul 2023

Can Indonesia Ensure That ASEAN Remains in the Driver’s Seat?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin looks at what the recent ASEAN High-Level Meetings have achieved and if ASEAN can indeed play a regional leadership role under Indonesia’s Chairmanship.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting ASEANFocus Indonesia Regional Cooperation

17 Jul 2023

A Divided ASEAN Cannot Help Myanmar’s People

Moe Thuzar|Sharon Seah

Moe Thuzar and Sharon Seah examine ASEAN's latest response to the Myanmar crisis arising from the 56th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting ASEANFocus Myanmar

14 Jul 2023

Pita (and the People) Versus the Powers that Be

Napon Jatusripitak

Pita Limjaroenrat has failed to secure approval as Thailand’s next prime minister. This underscores the stark reality: leaders in Thailand are not elected by the will of the people, but permitted to rise to power with the support or at least the acquiescence of the conservative establishment.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand