COMMENTARIES

3 Jun 2022

Ismail Sabri Charting His Own Course

Norshahril Saat

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob appears to be holding his own, despite pressure from his party colleagues to hold a general election soon.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

3 Jun 2022

‘Doomed to Fail’: Chinese Media Dismisses the U.S.’s ASEAN Diplomacy

Wang Zheng

Chinese state media have negatively portrayed Washington’s recent moves to court ASEAN diplomatically and economically, but the one-sided narrative that Beijing trots out belies the region’s careful reception of both great powers amidst their growing rivalry.

2 Jun 2022

Timor Leste’s New President: Polarisation Defused or Postponed?

Max Lane

The victory of Dr Jose Ramos Horta in Timor’s recent presidential elections has done little to defuse the political polarisation that has afflicted the country in recent years.

Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Elections

2 Jun 2022

ASEAN Re-opening: When the Whole is Less than the Sum of its Parts

Joanne Lin

As individual member states rush to reopen their borders amid the pandemic, ASEAN has again been found to be wanting.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity Tourism

1 Jun 2022

Beware of False Peace in Myanmar

Htet Myet Min Tun

Despite recent rhetoric from the State Administration Council seeking ‘peace talks’ with ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar, the prospect of true peace will remain elusive for as long as the generals are selling old wine in new bottles.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

1 Jun 2022

Malaysia’s Nationwide Minimum Wage Omits Crucial Regional Differences

Tham Siew Yean|Kevin Zhang

One of the key goals of a minimum wage is to provide employees with a wage that can sustain their basic livelihood. Therefore, a more appropriate minimum wage scale should create several tiers where wages are calibrated according to state or regional differences.

Labour Market Malaysia Malaysian Economy

31 May 2022

Analysing Public Opinion on Moving Indonesia’s Capital: Demographic and Attitudinal Trends

Burhanuddin Muhtadi

Public support for President Jokowi’s ambitious plan to move the Indonesian capital to East Kalimantan has waned. Urgent efforts are needed to address this slide to ensure successful implementation of the move.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics Infrastructure

31 May 2022

The ‘People’s Court’ Supports and Celebrates Marriage Equality in Thailand

Alexandra Dalferro

Amidst greater popular awareness of the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Thailand, activists are challenging Thai laws restricting marriage to heterosexual couples as being unconstitutional. While significant progress on human rights is unlikely to occur under the current government, Thai citizens are using their voices to call for change.

Human Rights Thai Politics Thailand

31 May 2022

UMNO’s Constitutional Amendment: A Done Deal?

Francis E. Hutchinson

Pending approval from the government, UMNO’s Supreme Council can now delay elections for up to 18 months from a full three-year term or 6 months after a general election — whichever is later. The rationale is that this would allow the party to overcome any internal divisions arising during the polls and focus its energies on the next general election.

Malaysia Malaysian Elections Malaysian Politics

30 May 2022

To Ban or Not To Ban? How Indonesia Can Overcome the Global Food Crisis

Maria Monica Wihardja|Arianto Patunru

Jakarta’s latest decision to briefly ban the export of crude palm oil has not helped Indonesians reeling from rising food prices. Rather than bending with the political wind, Indonesia’s leaders should steer its course by reconsidering fundamentals to improve its competitiveness in the global food economy.

Environment Food Security Indonesia Indonesian Economy International Trade