COMMENTARIES

8 Apr 2020

Global Leadership is Flagging. Can ASEAN or ASEAN+3 Step Up?

Jayant Menon

Both ASEAN and its Plus Three partners – China, Japan and Korea – have been ramping up efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. It is time now for the Plus Three to step up to the plate.

3 Apr 2020

Tariff Reductions In RCEP: They Still Matter for ASEAN Trade

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Exporters in ASEAN are likely to face lower demand for their goods under the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as three ASEAN dialogue partners – China, Japan and the Republic of Korea – are likely to intensify trade flows among them. This does not mean there is no room for ASEAN to accrue gains from the trade deal.

ASEAN Asean Trade RCEP

3 Apr 2020

Covid-19 and Indonesia: Not Quite a Lockdown

Siwage Dharma Negara

Jakarta has studied the examples of Malaysia and India and decided not to implement a full lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The social and economic costs are deemed to be too high.

COVID-19 Indonesia

2 Apr 2020

Covid-19 in Myanmar: Panic Vigilantism?

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

Official warnings about the potential of Covid-19 infection stemming from the return of Myanmar nationals has only intensified panic-vigilantism to enforce isolation measures.

COVID-19 Myanmar Thailand

1 Apr 2020

Britain and the Asia-Pacific: Global Interests versus Regional Engagement

James Bosbotinis

Britain has intensified its engagement with Asia-Pacific countries, in particular Southeast Asia. But London’s global interests will limit its ability to project a meaningful presence in the region.

ASEAN Defence

1 Apr 2020

COVID19 in Malaysia: Pandemic Impacts on the Poor

Serina Rahman

The raft of measures announced by the Malaysian government to restrict people’s movements will help to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures, however, are having a huge impact on the country’s poor.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Economy

31 Mar 2020

Fighting Covid-19 in Indonesia: The Nexus of Religion and the State

Syafiq Hasyim

The positions taken by some Islamic groups on the national policy of social distancing will determine the success – or failure – of the policy.

COVID-19 Indonesia Religion

30 Mar 2020

Singapore-Malaysia Border Shutdown: Counting the Costs

Francis E. Hutchinson|Pritish Bhattacharya

Recent policy responses effected by Malaysia and Singapore to combat the Covid-19 pandemic have been responsible and measured – and have also underscored the deep and wide economic relations between the two neighbours.

COVID-19 Malaysia Singapore

30 Mar 2020

Johor’s New Cabinet Line-Up: More of the Same

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

The new cabinet of Johor closely resembles the traditional Barisan Nasional line-ups in terms of ethnic majority. UMNO’s traditional share of ministerial portfolios is also a blast from the past.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics