COMMENTARIES

12 Aug 2020

The Race for Global Value Chains: Return to RCEP, India?

Tham Siew Yean

Both India and ASEAN are vying for places in shifting global value chains (GVC) affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. India is behind the grouping in GVC participation. One way for New Delhi to play catch-up is to rethink its withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

12 Aug 2020

Finding ASEAN’s Voice Amid the Din of Geopolitics

Hoang Thi Ha

The re-emergence of the “neutrality” term in a recent ASEAN statement shows the underlying tensions between a fallback position based on neutrality and autonomy, as opposed to a more forward “principled neutrality” position based on international law.

ASEAN ASEAN Neutrality ZOPFAN

11 Aug 2020

Thai Cabinet Reshuffle: Prayut Gets His Way (For Now)

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The recent reshuffle of the Thai cabinet has thrown up several surprises. A sobering development is a parting of ways between General Prayut and the Phalang Pracharat Party.

Thai Politics Thailand

7 Aug 2020

Save the Planet? Eat Like an Indonesian

Geoffrey K. Pakiam

Protein-rich foods such as tofu and tempeh might well save the world. If all other countries adopted Indonesia’s prescribed dietary standards and actually followed them, current greenhouse gas emissions from global food production would plummet.

Health Indonesia

7 Aug 2020

State Capture and Indonesia’s Justice System: A Mountain to Climb

A'an Suryana

Indonesia recently witnessed a saga involving a high-profile fugitive who received substantial privileges from the public service while he was on the run. Such instances of state capture remain a chronic problem in Indonesia.

Corruption Criminal Justice System Indonesia

6 Aug 2020

Will Covid-19 Trigger a Tsunami of Maritime Crime in Southeast Asia?

Ian Storey

The incidents of maritime violence in Asia has risen sharply in the first half of 2020. These incidents are likely to rise in the second half of this year. But the high number of attacks of the late 1990s and early 2000s may not be repeated, given greater political stability in Southeast Asia and increased regional cooperation.

COVID-19 Maritime Crime

5 Aug 2020

Political Turmoil in Sabah: Attack of the Kataks

Arnold Puyok

True to form, Sabah’s storied “katak” (frog) politicians have hopped parties again, leading to the dissolution of the state assembly and triggering fresh elections. Voters have much to mull over in coming days.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

5 Aug 2020

India and China: Finding the Balance between Cooperation and Competition

Muhammad Saad Siddiqui

New Delhi wants to be a significant player in Myanmar. To achieve this, it needs to do more on its own and also consider working with others. One application of this would be leveraging on China’s BRI projects.

Belt and Road Initiative India-Myanmar Relations

4 Aug 2020

Indonesia’s State Ideology Bill: A Brewing Controversy

Max Lane

A bill setting out to interpret the Panca Sila, a set of five principles enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution, has come under attack. Conservative elements argue that the bill has framed Panca Sila in an entirely secular manner.

Indonesia Pancasila

4 Aug 2020

Vietnam’s Energy Future: Assessing the Nuclear Option

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam has recently floated plans to revive the nuclear power option. However, Vietnam does not need to develop nuclear power at all cost. Instead, it should focus efforts on developing renewable energy and gas-fired power plants, which are safer, more affordable and less controversial.

Nuclear Power Vietnam