COMMENTARIES

12 Jun 2020

Thai Military Reform: Never the Twain Shall Meet

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Recent high-profile controversies involving the Thai military have elicited calls for reform in the institution. The problem is that the concept means different things to different parties.

Thai Military Thailand

10 Jun 2020

The RCEP in 2020: Covid-19 and Another Casualty?

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

The formation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a lengthy process. Signing the RCEP in 2020 is not impossible although it can be undermined by the persistent spread of Covid-19.

9 Jun 2020

Indonesian Muslim Groups Grapple with the “New Normal”

Syafiq Hasyim

Muslim groups, which were generally in favour of the government’s partial lockdown earlier on in the Covid-19 pandemic, are now taking up a less sanguine position.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics

8 Jun 2020

Covid-19 in the Philippines: Corporate Bigwigs to the Rescue

Malcolm Cook

The corporate sector in the Philippines is widely recognised for its anti-competitive behaviour. But the Covid-19 pandemic has brought out the best from the much-maligned sector.

COVID-19 Philippine Philippine Economy

5 Jun 2020

Climate Change: Let’s Not Waste a Good Crisis

Sharon Seah

The Covid-19 pandemic has knocked many countries sideways, but the crisis should not be wasted. As they emerge from lockdown, it is time for them to re-focus their energies and efforts on sustainable growth.

Climate Change Environment

4 Jun 2020

Visiting Forces Agreement: Uncle Sam Still Welcome for Another Year

Ian Storey

The Philippines has suspended the planned termination of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States. But the alliance is not out of the woods yet.

Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations Security

2 Jun 2020

The Advent of Cashless Transactions in Myanmar: Cash is (Still) King

Su-Ann Oh

The advent of Covid-19 is accelerating the trend towards a cashless society and driving the growth of e-commerce around the world. How will this pan out in Myanmar given the low uptake of e-commerce and mobile financial technology in the country? E-commerce in Myanmar is in its early infancy. It was valued at only US$6...

Myanmar Myanmar Economy

1 Jun 2020

The Phuea Thai Party: The Ignominy of Irrelevance

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The Phuea Thai Party, the country’s largest opposition party, is becoming increasingly irrelevant. To compound matters, the Thai prime minister is enjoying a surge of support, thanks to the country’s relatively successful battle against the coronavirus.

Thai Politics Thailand

29 May 2020

Inter- and Intra-Coalition Competition in Johor – a Kueh Lapis?

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

There are many different dynamics at play when one examines the tenuous nature of the Perikatan Nasional-led state government in Johor. Think political battles within and without.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

29 May 2020

Malaysia: Best Case Scenarios and Bracing for the Worst

Lee Hwok-Aun

The net effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the resultant shutdown and relief measures are hard to fathom. While the government can draw on some base-case scenarios, it might have to prepare for the worst when it comes to unemployment.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Economy