COMMENTARIES

26 Jun 2020

South China Sea: Indonesia Crosses Swords with China

Leo Suryadinata

Indonesia has recently taken a firmer position vis-à-vis China on the South China Sea. Those who think that Jakarta is assuming the leadership mantle of ASEAN on the issue will be disappointed; the more assertive stance derives from Jakarta’s own interests.

Indonesia South China Sea

26 Jun 2020

Thai Government: The Question of Legitimacy

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Thailand’s tough lèse majesté laws do not appear to have stifled expressions of resistance against the monarchy. Perhaps a review and relook of the laws surrounding perceived offenses to the monarchy is in order.

24 Jun 2020

Sino-US Strategic Competition: Shades of a New Cold War?

Daljit Singh

A new report by the White House has cast China as an ideological threat to cherished liberties and the American way of life. This is a bipartisan approach that will endure even if President Donald Trump loses his bid for a second term.

China-U.S. Relations Cold War

23 Jun 2020

Choosing Pakatan Harapan’s Prime Ministerial Candidate: Reconciling the Unreconcilable?

Francis E. Hutchinson

The Pakatan Harapan coalition has a plan for a political comeback, based on (another) pact between Mahathir Mohamad and his erstwhile nemesis, Anwar Ibrahim. While a bitter pill for Anwar and his party, this looks to be the only option before them. That this is the only visible pathway back to power does not make it any more likely to happen.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

22 Jun 2020

Cash, Cards And Cigarettes: Is Covid-19 Helping or Hampering The Black Economy?

Michael Schaper

It is difficult, at this stage, to predict the impact of Covid-19 on the black economy in the region. Lockdowns and the near-total ban on air travel could well affect underground trade – but only if regulators up their street smarts.

ASEAN Black Economy Southeast Asia

21 Jun 2020

Joko’s Fire and Fury: A Chance to Reform the Cabinet?

Yanuar Nugroho

As a recession looms, President Joko Widodo has unleashed his fury on his ministers for their mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle is rife. Instead of focusing on personalities, however, the emphasis should be on areas which desperately need reform

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

17 Jun 2020

ASEAN Cities: Putting the Smarts into the Fight Against Covid-19

Melinda Martinus

ASEAN governments and companies are harnessing the power of smart technologies to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Given future challenges, small and local interventions will be vital.

ASEAN COVID-19 Smart CIties

15 Jun 2020

Vietnam’s Ageing Challenge: Getting Old Before Getting Rich?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam is encouraging young people to get married earlier and have more kids to deal with the consequences of a rapidly ageing population. However, without proper measures to upgrade the skills of the workforce and enhance its productivity, Vietnam will not be able to find a sustainable solution to the problem.

Demography Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

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.

ASEAN Asean Trade RCEP