COMMENTARIES

26 Jul 2022

Digital Transformation under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency: What can it Deliver?

Lili Yan Ing|Titik Anas|Maria Monica Wihardja

Indonesia’s G20 presidency has committed to take action in the three priority areas of digital transformation, global health infrastructure and energy transition. But the war in Ukraine threatens to overshadow the agenda. The G20 may have to be satisfied with lowest common denominator agreements, though Indonesia clearly aspires for more.

25 Jul 2022

Anies Baswedan: Potential Kingmaker in Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Race?

Lee Sue-Ann

The race for Indonesia’s 2024 presidential elections remains wide open. Among the top three contenders, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan is the one with the most options. If he does not make a run for the nation’s top job himself, he is well-placed to become a kingmaker.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

25 Jul 2022

No Room at the Inn? ASEAN Should Not Delay Timor-Leste’s Membership

Julia Lau

Timor-Leste hopes to become a fully-fledged ASEAN member in 2023 when Indonesia takes over as ASEAN Chair. The regional grouping should allow its admission, even if embracing this newest member, the most democratic in the region by some measures, might prove to be uncomfortable.

ASEAN Timor-Leste

22 Jul 2022

India-ASEAN Relations: The Need to Reconsider RCEP

Akash Sahu

There was no mention of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership when the foreign ministers of India and ASEAN met in New Delhi last month. India opted out of RCEP negotiations in 2019. New Delhi might want to reconsider its position.

ASEAN-India Relations India International Trade

22 Jul 2022

What’s Behind Vietnam’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’ Discourse?

Phan Xuan Dung|To Minh Son

Hanoi has been promoting the concept of ‘bamboo diplomacy’ to define its foreign policy of independence and refusal to take sides in international disputes.

Communist Party of Vietnam Diplomacy International Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

21 Jul 2022

Malaysia Must Pursue A New Order of Stability via Democracy

Liew Chin Tong

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has publicly argued that Malaysia should return to the old order with UMNO as the singular dominant party and Barisan Nasional ruling with two-thirds majority. It is important for the nation to ask, what sort of new political order should emerge?

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO

20 Jul 2022

Has Jokowi’s Recent Cabinet Reshuffle Sacrificed Technocratic Effectiveness for Political Consolidation?

Yanuar Nugroho

President Jokowi’s recent Cabinet picks may not necessarily be the best persons to do their jobs. It seems the President may have prioritised consolidating power instead.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

19 Jul 2022

Enhancing ASEAN Access to Finance with Digital Banknote

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form an integral part of ASEAN economies, but they have not been able to access sufficient financial resources to unlock their growth potential.

ASEAN Digitalisation Economic Development Monetary Policy

18 Jul 2022

The Nusantara Project: Prospects and Challenges

Yanuar Nugroho|Dimas Wisnu Adrianto

The relocation of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan is perhaps the most ambitious government project in history. But detailed planning on how the project should be implemented should be undertaken urgently to ensure its sustainability and success.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics Infrastructure

18 Jul 2022

Can the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Derail Southeast Asia’s Decarbonisation Efforts?

Mirza Sadaqat Huda

The commodities supply crunch can disrupt Southeast Asia’s goal of attaining net-zero targets in the next few decades. While regional countries have backtracked on climate commitments, the crisis can stimulate long-term strategic responses such as accelerating decarbonisation efforts and developing domestic deposits of critical minerals.

ASEAN Climate Change Energy Environment Renewable Energy