COMMENTARIES

5 Jul 2022

Could Franchising Help Save The Planet?

Michael Schaper

The franchising sector has the capacity to play a lead role in reducing emissions, but appears to be a bit of a blind spot for climate change support and action by governments.

5 Jul 2022

The Paradox of Malaysia’s Lowering of Voting Age – Expanded Enfranchisement Devalued by More Unequal Representation

James Chai

In Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional had long benefited from its dominance over the smaller rural constituencies, winning more seats even if they performed poorly in the larger, under-represented urban constituencies. CA2019 aggravates this phenomenon because the new young voters tend to be located in the urban areas.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Indonesia’s New Workers Party: Ambiguity in Labour Politics

Max Lane

The formation of a new Workers Party backed by the country’s labour unions signifies a new trend in Indonesian politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Has ASEAN Reached the Point of Diminishing Returns with Myanmar?

Sharon Seah|Moe Thuzar

The State Administration Council has cleverly gamed the ASEAN system for its own ends and dragged out the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. It is time for ASEAN to pack more punch into the office of the Special Envoy to Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy International Relations Myanmar

1 Jul 2022

Policymakers' View

Taking a New Tack on Ageing: Seniors as Agents of Development

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana

As populations in Asia and the Pacific age, it is crucial for countries to reimagine senior citizens as agents of development rather than seeing them as a burden on societies.

Ageing Population Asia Pacific Demography Health Policymakers’ View Sustainable Development

30 Jun 2022

Restoring Privacy Rights a Must for Ending Myanmar’s Violence

Aung Tun

Myanmar’s military regime has committed gross violations of its citizens’ privacy rights in its attempts to quell resistance. Any return to normalcy has to begin with restoring the people’s privacy protections.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

29 Jun 2022

Malaysia’s Skewed Transport System: Rising Costs Demand Bolder Solutions

Liew Chin Tong

Malaysia’s failure to build an efficient and functioning public transport system has a price tag: a huge fuel subsidy bill, sizable accumulated public debts and a high level of household debts partly caused by car loans. Policymakers should think out of the box and consider subsidising commuters to take public transport.

Malaysia

28 Jun 2022

The Shi’as and Freedom of Religion under Joko Widodo’s Presidency

A'an Suryana

This Long Read argues that under the current Joko Widodo presidency, the Shi’as have suffered less harassment and intimidation from the Sunni majority than under previous governments.

Indonesia Islam Political Islam Religion Religious Intolerance

28 Jun 2022

ASEAN and ADMM: Climbing Out of a Deep Hole

Joanne Lin

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting has bagged modest achievements in past years. But it will take a lot more to assert ASEAN’s central role in a region where external powers have grabbed the initiative in forming minilaterals outside the ASEAN ecosystem.

ASEAN Defence Indo-Pacfic