COMMENTARIES

6 Nov 2023

Abdul Hadi Awang Enhances His Power as PAS President and Drives the Party to the Far-Right

James Chai

This Long Read examines how PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang consolidated his influence since 2015 to lead the party to its current political high.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

A woman smiles after she received a bag of rice distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of food aid efforts to support residents living in poor communities on the outskirts of Yangon. Myanmar's economy and banking system have been paralysed since the military's power-grab in early February, leading to disaster for millions of people who the World Food Programme has warned could go hungry in the coming months. (Photo by AFP / STR / MYANMAR-COUP-POLITICS-FOOD, FOCUS)

3 Nov 2023

Saving Myanmar’s Post-coup Economy: Strategic and Pragmatic Solutions

Aung Tun

Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) regime has been unable to stem continuous economic woes since the February 2021 coup. However, the situation calls for balanced approach of supporting the democratic movement while advocating for policies that ameliorate the economic condition of Myanmar households.

This picture shows fishermen working near the first towers of wind turbines from Vietnam's first wind power plant along a sea coast on the southern coastal province of Bac Lieu. The Bac Lieu wind power plant has a capacity of some 99,2 MW from a total of 62 wind turbines. (Photo by DUY KHOI / AFP)

2 Nov 2023

Can Vietnam Reach Its Offshore Wind Power Goals?

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam has an impressive slew of offshore wind power projects on the drawing board. But due to various technical and legal constraints, the country is unlikely to hit the 6 gigawatt target by 2030.

Climate Change Energy Vietnam

1 Nov 2023

China’s Belt and Road Forum: Pressing Ahead Without the West

Lye Liang Fook

The lack of Western representation at the recent Belt and Road Forum has strengthened China’s resolve to push ahead with the Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing is using the Forum as a vehicle to engage the developing world in a more concerted manner.

Belt and Road Initiative China

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo by Liu Jie / XINHUA / Xinhua via AFP)

1 Nov 2023

China-U.S. High-Level Dialogues: A Welcome Uptick but a Long Road Ahead

William Choong

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent meeting with U.S. President Joseph R. Biden in Washington indicates that high-level exchanges between the two powers are gaining momentum. But there is still a long way to go.

China China-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Policy US

Creative action members, holding banners, gather to stage demonstration for demand that Hyundai stop its plan to use aluminum produced by new coal power plant production in front of a station of electric vehicles (EV) at Senayan Park in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 23, 2023. (Photo by Eko Siswono Toyudho / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP

31 Oct 2023

Indonesia’s EV Transformation: A Work in Progress

Manggi Habir

The Indonesian government is seeking to ramp up the adoption of electric vehicles on the country’s road. But several challenges remain.

Climate Change Indonesia Indonesian Politics

31 Oct 2023

Diversifying from Rice to Alternative Crops in Southeast Asia

Elyssa Kaur Ludher

It will be a tall order to effectively switch from rice to substitute grains but Southeast Asia owes it to its future generations to build up food security and crop resilience in the face of a changing climate.

Agriculture Climate Change Food Security

Srettha Thavisin, Thailand's newly-elected 30th Prime Minister, attends Bangkok Post Forum 2023, themed 'Thailand: The Era of Change,' at Centara Grand at CentralWorld in Bangkok, Thailand on October 3, 2023. This forum serves as a platform to discuss the policy frameworks set by the new government, with a spotlight on economic recovery and holistic development across all sectors. (Photo by Matt Hunt / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP)

30 Oct 2023

Thailand’s Exposure to Northeast Asia’s Slowdowns

Richard Yarrow

World events have not been kind to Thailand’s economic plans. Besides high oil prices and U.S. interest rates, Thailand faces prolonged slowdowns in its Northeast Asian economic partners. The challenges and opportunities are many, and ultimately hinge on stable democratic leadership.

Thai Economy Thai Politics Thailand

30 Oct 2023

Thailand’s Marooned Submarine Deal: Some Questions Need Answers

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thailand’s long-drawn saga to acquire Chinese-built submarines is dead in the water. The kingdom’s newly-appointed defence minister should be asking the Royal Thai Navy some serious questions.

China-Thai Relations Defence Thailand

27 Oct 2023

Firmly by Palestine’s Side: Behind Malaysia’s Response to the Israel-Gaza Crisis

Julia Lau|Francis E. Hutchinson

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim has not minced his words in upbraiding Israel and its supporters for their response to the worsening crisis in the Gaza territories. His motivations are driven by compelling domestic factors and a long-held political stance on Palestine.

Malaysia Middle East