COMMENTARIES

14 Aug 2023

Will Putin Visit Vietnam After Biden? Odds Are Against It

Ian Storey

U.S. President Joseph Biden will travel to Hanoi next month. Russian President Vladimir Putin could be next. This leaves Vietnam in a right (Russian) pickle.

Russia Vietnam

11 Aug 2023

Perikatan Nasional Lacks A Game-changing Chief in Negeri Sembilan

Kevin Zhang

Perikatan Nasional’s campaign in the Negeri Sembilan state election is hampered by the absence of a credible leader, in contrast to its opponents. PN needs to cultivate future leaders, as it has done in other states like Kedah.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections

11 Aug 2023

Populism, Pietism and Pragmatism in the Kedah State Election

Azmil Tayeb

Whether the unlikely partnership of Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional can wrest Kedah from Perikatan Nasional would require an extraordinary alignment of the stars.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

11 Aug 2023

Pheu Thai at the Crossroads: Navigating Thailand’s Senate-Driven Hung Parliament

Punchada Sirivunnabood|Napon Jatusripitak

The Pheu Thai Party’s path to political power is strewn with many obstacles and the need to make difficult compromises with erstwhile enemies.

Thai Elections Thailand

10 Aug 2023

Will Anwar’s “Madani Economy” Narrative Strengthen His Economic Leadership?

Cassey Lee

The “Madani Economy” narrative launched on 27 July hopes to project a stronger public image of Prime and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s economic leadership. It should be seen as an interim economic policy framework of the Unity government inspired by the Madani concept.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

10 Aug 2023

A Material Election: Will Malaysians Vote with Their Wallets?

Lee Hwok-Aun

Electoral campaigns in the run-up to Malaysia’s six state elections on 12 August are spinning economic success stories to tug heartstrings, but the electorate will surely reference their lived experience as they cast ballots.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

8 Aug 2023

From the Fringes of Defeat: How UMNO President Zahid Hamidi Transformed His Vulnerability into Invincibility

James Chai

This Long Read examines the structural moves UMNO President Zahid Hamidi took to consolidate power within the party. It argues that these decisions are likely to disincentivise reforms, rejuvenation and change within UMNO, which may exacerbate its decline in electoral popularity.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

8 Aug 2023

Negeri Sembilan State Election: A Safe Bet for Anwar Administration?

Kevin Zhang

Negeri Sembilan is considered a safe ground for the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional unity alliance. But friction in the coalition might emerge if UMNO has a good showing in the state.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

8 Aug 2023

The Untapped Potential of Carbon Credit Trading in ASEAN

Renard Siew

ASEAN holds out immense potential for generating carbon credits, given the region’s incredibly rich biodiversity and abundance of renewable energy sources. Member countries should collectively forge commitment and a timeline for implementing regionwide carbon trading.

ASEAN Climate Change

7 Aug 2023

Is ASEAN Truly for the People?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin explores the importance of a people-centred ASEAN and ways that the organisation can enhance engagement with its people, ahead of the 56th ASEAN Day celebrations.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Regional Cooperation