COMMENTARIES

Israel-UAE-Bahrain Deals: Questions over Indonesia and Malaysia’s Reactions

Giora Eliraz

The recently-concluded peace agreements between Israel and both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have elicited a delayed and carefully-phrased response from Indonesia and a relatively mild response from Malaysia. Indonesia’s growing relations with the UAE could be a factor in the delayed response. Malaysia’s reaction, however, is more difficult to fathom.

Indonesia and Covid-19: Worst of Both Worlds

Quinton Temby

Jakarta is going into a second lockdown in the wake of the Covid-19. This time, it is hoped that the capital will avoid the nightmare scenario: a lockdown that fails to stop community transmission and a further contraction of the economy.

PAS and the “Younger Brother” Conundrum

Norshahril Saat

Six months after Perikatan Nasional grabbed the reins of power, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia has settled into its position as a party in the ruling coalition. The question is whether the rank and file can stomach the party’s second fiddle status.

Muhyiddin Yassin: Sitting Pretty (For Now)

Francis E. Hutchinson

Roiled by political instability in the past few months, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin can afford to take a breather, for now at least. A survey by arguably the country’s foremost pollster shows him in a strong position.