COMMENTARIES

21 Jul 2020

Comprehending Ethnic Inequality in Malaysia: Going Beyond the Stereotypes

Lee Hwok-Aun

Tun Mahathir Mohamad has stirred up controversy again by saying that the incomes of urban Chinese have outstripped those of Malays in rural areas. Rather than using false generalisations to score easy popularity points, the political and policy discourse should move from a focus on income to issues of capability and participation.

Income Inequality Malaysia

17 Jul 2020

ASEAN Single Window: Time to Enlarge the Aperture

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

The development of ASEAN Single Window in the past 15 years has demonstrated the importance of digitalizing trade procedures to reduce trade costs and boost competitiveness in ASEAN. The enlargement of the ASEAN Single Window to include the grouping’s dialogue partners will reduce trade costs further.

ASEAN Asean Trade

14 Jul 2020

Myanmar’s Elections: Blacking Out from a Clash Between “Red” and “Green”

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

Myanmar’s November elections are still a way away, but partisan warfare between the so-called “reds” and “greens” has already erupted on Facebook.

Myanmar Myanmar Elections

13 Jul 2020

Islamist Groups: Jokowi and the Horns of a Dilemma

Syafiq Hasyim

Islamist groups have been on the up on up in Indonesia. However, a failure to foster unity in the ranks will not bode well for their political fortunes.

Indonesia Islamist Groups

9 Jul 2020

The Chini By-Election: A Step Forward for Muafakat Nasional, But Mind the Gap

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

UMNO’s thumping victory in the recent Chini by-election was not unexpected. The solid Malay support displayed during the poll, however, presages a deeper fissure within the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

6 Jul 2020

Thai Cabinet Overhaul in the Offing?

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thailand will soon be looking at another cabinet reshuffle. But there is more than meets the eye. The prime minister’s relationship with the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party remains tenuous.

Thai Politics Thailand

3 Jul 2020

Smaller Countries in the Asia-Pacific: Mired in the Middling Middle

William Choong

Rising Sino-US rivalry and a rapidly changing geopolitical environment means that smaller states in the Asia-Pacific are increasingly compelled to “choose sides” between the two major powers. They are, however, not short of options.

Asia Pacific China-U.S. Relations Indo-Pacfic

2 Jul 2020

Australia’s 2020 Defence Strategic Update: Red Alert, Down Under

Malcolm Cook

Australia’s recently-released defence update may be the most consequential document in terms of Canberra’s defence relations with Southeast Asia. Australia is asking its Southeast Asia partners to do more, while offering them more in return.

ASEAN Australia Southeast Asia

1 Jul 2020

Call for Coalition Government in Myanmar Is Premature

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

Some political parties have called on the ruling National League for Democracy to form a coalition government come the November polls. Such a tactic is premature.

COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Elections

29 Jun 2020

A Covid-19-Induced Export Slump: Magnifying a Malaysian Malaise

Tham Siew Yean

A historic slump in Malaysia’s exports has been attributed to the coronavirus sweeping across the region. But the fall is indicative of a deeper, structural weakness in the economy.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Economy