COMMENTARIES

24 Nov 2021

What is China Bringing to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN

Joanne Lin

Last Monday, ASEAN member states met formally with China’s top leader Xi Jinping for the first time to commemorate 30 years of dialogue partnership.

23 Nov 2021

Indonesia’s New Army Chief: Nudging the Country Towards the Sea

Aristyo Rizka Darmawan

The newly-appointed commander of the Indonesian military has an army background. But his appointment comes at a time when Indonesia’s defence challenges fall largely in the maritime domain.

Indo-Pacific Indonesia Indonesian Politics

23 Nov 2021

Japan’s Foreign Policy Direction under Kishida

John D. Ciorciari

New Japanese premier Fumio Kishida’s likely continuation of quiet economic, diplomatic and security investment in the region aligns well with Southeast Asian preferences.

Indo-Pacific Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

23 Nov 2021

US-China Relations: Guardrails and Third Rails

William Choong

There is much virtue for smaller states, particularly those in Southeast Asia, in upholding high principles and expressing a desire for a rules-based regional order. These elements, however, are premised on continued stability in Sino-US relations, which is not guaranteed.

China-U.S. Relations U.S. Foreign Policy US

19 Nov 2021

Pakatan Harapan to Retake Melaka: Long Odds?

Kevin Zhang|Francis E. Hutchinson

The Pakatan Harapan faces long odds if it wants to return to govern the state of Melaka again. A deep dive into three key seats illustrates the challenges that the coalition faces in polls due tomorrow.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Pakatan Harapan

19 Nov 2021

Cambodia and Covid-19: Last to Lock Down, First to Open Up

Bradley J. Murg

Cambodia, a lower middle-income country, has enjoyed relative success in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopefully, its chairing of ASEAN next year will provide the nudge to form a regional travel bubble.

Cambodia COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy

18 Nov 2021

The Melaka State Election: Unwanted, Unwieldy, and Unpredictable

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

The upcoming Melaka state election due on November 20 will be a useful barometer of the electoral fortunes of Malaysia’s shifting alliances and overlapping coalitions, particularly on the Peninsula.

Bersatu Malaysia Malaysian Politics Pakatan Harapan UMNO

18 Nov 2021

Bumiputeras vs ‘the Others’ in Malaysia’s 2022 Budget: Moral Outrage is Not Enough

Lee Hwok-Aun

The UMNO-Perikatan-governed Bumiputera agenda forges on, with a zealousness that, if unchecked, will spell trouble. But the critique must go beyond moral outrage at the ethnic disparities in the budget and grapple with real alternatives.

Affirmative Action Identity Politics Malaysia Malaysian Politics

17 Nov 2021

Technology and Climate Adaptation: How to Fill the Gap

Phi Minh Hong

The adoption of digital technology can help Southeast Asian countries adapt to the effects of climate change.

Climate Change Environment Southeast Asia Sustainable Development Technology

17 Nov 2021

Indonesia’s Budget Stretched to Control a Pandemic and to Revive a Struggling Economy

Manggi Habir|Siwage Dharma Negara

A massive second wave of delta-variant infections has disrupted Indonesia’s economic growth trajectory. This complicates the government’s budget implementation and planning for 2022. While funds are sorely needed for social spending and economic programmes, fiscal prudence is critical to avoid any downgrading of Indonesia’s risk and debt ratings.

Economic Development Indonesia Indonesian Economy