COMMENTARIES

30 Mar 2022

The Race to Produce Covid-19 Vaccines in Southeast Asia

Tham Siew Yean

Several Southeast Asian countries are racing to produce home-grown Covid-19 vaccines, to reduce dependence on the vagaries of external sources. Local vaccine manufacturers face significant challenges as well as stiff competition. Nonetheless, the technology acquired and lessons learnt are helpful to prepare the region for future pandemics.

30 Mar 2022

No April Fool’s Joke: The Singapore-Malaysia Border Finally Reopens

Serina Rahman

The reopening of the Singapore-Malaysia land border on 1 April 2022 will bring crucial relief to the Malaysian economy, but potential confusion about travel requirements may mar this widely anticipated event.

Malaysia Malaysia-Singapore Relations Malaysian Economy Tourism

30 Mar 2022

Hale and Hearty Plans for Thailand’s Andaman Coast

Michael J. Montesano

Thailand's ambitious plans for a wellness corridor along its Andaman Coast underscores the coming together of different players for the development of the country's regions.

Economic Development Thai Economy Thailand Tourism

29 Mar 2022

Indonesia’s Cooking Oil Crisis: Causes and Consequences

Siwage Dharma Negara|Manggi Habir

World’s largest crude palm oil producer Indonesia faces the challenge of managing the rising cost of cooking oil, as external shocks and supply issues worsen, going into the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

29 Mar 2022

Johor’s Menteri Besar Surprise: Poster Boy Makes Way For King’s Man

Francis E. Hutchinson

The appointment of a relatively junior assemblyman to be Johor’s Menteri Besar is curious. But there are deeper undercurrents at work.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 Mar 2022

Custody Woes: PAS’ Calls for the ‘Desecularisation’ of Malaysian Law

Mohd Faizal Musa|Faris Ridzuan

Malaysia’s Islamists and conservatives, led by PAS, are challenging the country’s legal system, calling for the ‘desecularisation’ of Malaysian law in cases involving religious conversions.

Islamic State Malaysia Malaysian Politics Political Islam

29 Mar 2022

Russia, Ukraine and ASEAN: Reading the Geo-political Tea Leaves

Elina Noor|Huong Le Thu|Sharon Seah

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to three scholars about the 2022 State of Southeast Asia Survey, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.

ASEAN China Dialogues at Fulcrum Russia State of Southeast Asia Survey U.S. Ukraine

28 Mar 2022

Indonesia and Taliban-Led Afghanistan: Treading with Caution

Syafiq Hasyim|Hui Yew-Foong

Indonesia has been cautious in granting diplomatic recognition to the new Taliban regime in Kabul. There are good reasons for doing so.

Indonesia Islamic State Islamist Groups Progressive Islam

25 Mar 2022

The Belt and Road Initiative and the Philippines’ Post-Duterte China Challenge

Aaron Jed Rabena

Even under China-friendly President Duterte, Chinese BRI projects in the Philippines still encountered strong political opposition and faced several challenges in their roll-out. Nevertheless, taking a broader view of the BRI shows that it has made some progress and jives with the development needs of the Philippines.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Philippine Relations Philippine Philippine Politics