COMMENTARIES

5 Apr 2022

Bahasa Melayu as ASEAN’s Second Language: Sekali Lagi Tak Boleh

Joanne Lin

Malaysia has again proposed making Malay a working language of ASEAN, but this proposal is likely to be a non-starter as ASEAN wrestles with more pressing crises.

4 Apr 2022

Will Vietnam Be Able to Wean Itself Off Russian Arms?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam is finding it increasingly hard to continue its policy of buying military equipment from Russia. Hanoi is aware of the rationale for securing weapons from other countries, but doing so will not be easy.

Vietnam Vietnam-Russia relations

1 Apr 2022

Supply Chain Resilience and the Trumped-up Case for Reshoring

Jayant Menon

Regional or country-specific shocks are more likely to cause relocations to third countries than reshoring, driven by changes to competitiveness.

COVID-19 Economic Development International Trade Supply Chains

1 Apr 2022

Myanmar’s Post-coup Electricity Woes: Stalled Power Plans, Shattered Public Trust

Khine Win

Two years ago, and even a year ago in the aftermath of the 1 February 2021 coup, Yangon was not suffering severe blackouts. While there were sporadic electricity cuts for a few hours a day in some of its townships, electricity supply was more stable and predictable than ten or fifteen years earlier. This experience has left city dwellers wondering what accounts for the severe power cuts now.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Military

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.

ASEAN COVID-19 Health

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