COMMENTARIES

31 May 2023

Battle of Indonesia’s Kingmakers: A Rift Between Jokowi and Megawati?

Burhanuddin Muhtadi

The incumbent president of Indonesia could tip the scales in the next election by sitting on the fence a little longer.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

30 May 2023

Move Forward Party Has Won the Election, but May Lose the Premiership Race

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The Move Forward Party’s surprise victory in the Thai general election was a major upset for the Pheu Thai Party. However, Pheu Thai may be better positioned to form the next government. It has the flexibility of working with some parties in the Prayut Administration; whereas Move Forward, which is 63 votes short of winning the premiership, has rejected working with all parties in the previous government coalition.

Thai Elections Thailand

29 May 2023

Strategies to Future-Proof ASEAN’s Myanmar Response

Moe Thuzar|Lina Alexandra

Moe Thuzar and Lina Alexandra examine possible strategies for the ASEAN Chair to future-proof the regional response to the Myanmar crisis.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Myanmar

29 May 2023

Reinventing Pheu Thai

Mark S. Cogan

Faced with a disappointing second-place finish in Thailand’s 14 May election, Pheu Thai leaders must innovate and adapt for the sake of Thai democracy.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

26 May 2023

President Marcos Jr.’s Disaster Policy: Is a New Disaster Agency in the Works?

Cherry Ann Madriaga

Instead of relying on bureaucracy to address pressing disaster management weaknesses in the Philippines, President Marcos Jr.’s administration might consider strengthening the grassroots to avoid more disasters.

Disaster Management Philippine

25 May 2023

Malaysia’s First Unity Government Convention: The Art of Keeping Enemies Close

James Chai

Malaysia’s new Unity Government is in a state of consolidation and relative stability. The current unified coalition structure will stay in its current semi-permanent state, whereby it retains the trappings of a coalition without formalisation.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 May 2023

Can Vietnam Benefit from the Global Chip Rush?

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam’s semiconductor industry is expanding rapidly as firms caught in the ensuing U.S.-China trade war seek refuge in the country. But Hanoi needs to bolster support for domestic semiconductor firms to make the country a significant player in the global chip market.

Technology Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

22 May 2023

Cambodia Has Benefited From BRI projects, but Must be More Strategic Going Forward

Jayant Menon

Cambodia’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened relations with China and brought net benefits, but also highlighted the risks of over-reliance on one country and the need for a more comprehensive framework for evaluating new investments.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations

19 May 2023

Why Malaysia’s Unity Government Will (Probably) Survive

Kai Ostwald

Malaysia has seen four changes in government since 2018. Its 15th general election resulted in a grand-coalition government comprising former arch rivals. Will this new government be equally short-lived? This Long Read examines the reasons why Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government may be more stable than one would think.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics