COMMENTARIES

2 Aug 2023

Is Indonesia’s Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School Facing an Existential Threat?

A'an Suryana

An Islamic boarding school and its principal are embroiled once again in controversy. This time, maybe the public’s complaints will bite – but for how long?

1 Aug 2023

Anwar Ibrahim Welcomes Abdul Somad to Putrajaya: What Gives?

Mohd Faizal Musa|Sharifah Afra Alatas

The Malaysian premier’s warm welcome to a controversial Indonesian preacher should have raised questions about the former’s commitment to moderate Islamic principles. That the visit did not cause more of a stir within Malaysian circles raises even more questions.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

31 Jul 2023

The State Administration Council and Aung San Suu Kyi: The Lady is Not for Turning?

Kyi Sin|Moe Thuzar

Two recent developments in Myanmar suggest that the State Administration Council has come round to banking on the iconic status of Aung San Suu Kyi as a political ploy.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

31 Jul 2023

Malaysia’s 2023 Elections: A Coming Clash of Coalitions in Selangor

Khairy Jamaluddin

The upcoming state elections in Malaysia represent a referendum on the first eight months of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ‘Unity Government’. This Long Read assesses possible scenarios for the election outcome in Selangor.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

28 Jul 2023

One Constituency, Two Parties: Ballot Splitting and Divided Loyalties in Thailand’s Election

Mathis Lohatepanont|Napon Jatusripitak

Thailand’s two-ballot electoral system has uncovered divided loyalties among the country’s voters.

Thai Elections Thailand

28 Jul 2023

Singapore – Malaysia Economic Ties: Recovering from COVID-19

Pritish Bhattacharya|Francis E. Hutchinson

This Long Read seeks to understand the impact of the COVID crisis on the economic ties between Singapore and Malaysia. It analyses historical trends as well as recent data to assess how the different aspects of the relationship were affected and what the near-term outlook is likely to be.

Malaysia-Singapore Relations Malaysian Economy Singaporean Economy

28 Jul 2023

Can Indonesia Escape the Middle Income Trap?

A. Prasetyantoko

To succeed in truly uplifting most Indonesians to middle income status by 2045, no less than sustained and serious commitment by the country’s next administration(s) to clean up Indonesia’s economy would be required.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

26 Jul 2023

The G7’s Climate Club: ASEAN Need Not Have High Expectations

Mirza Sadaqat Huda

The G7’s proposal for a new climate club may fall short if its creators fail to separate geopolitical concerns from pressing environmental ones.

Climate Change G7

25 Jul 2023

Vietnam and Singapore: Chicken Rice, Apom, Milk Tea and a Shared Strategic Outlook

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam and Singapore commemorated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in July. Looking ahead, the two partners can deepen the relationship by focusing on initiatives in the South China Sea and the Mekong.

Singapore Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

25 Jul 2023

Promoting Local Business for Marawi’s Rehabilitation and Peace

Mari Katayanagi|John Lee Candelaria

Business for peace (B4P) studies have identified how business activities contribute to peace. Marawi's reconstruction calls for business engagement that will support the pride and dignity of the local Maranao people.

Philippine terrorism