COMMENTARIES

19 Jan 2017

Beyond Jakarta: Indonesian Regions Resisting Muslim Hardliners

Deasy Simandjuntak

The rising trend of religious intolerance and hard-line ideologies, is being challenged across Indonesia. The central government must take the lead in dealing with such attitudes so that local authorities can follow suit.

12 Jan 2017

“Islamization of Politics” in Indonesia and Malaysia?

Leo Suryadinata

Recent political developments in Indonesia and Malaysia have seen the use of Islam in determining the political processes – Islam was employed to weaken the ruling elite, or to maintain political power and to support a forthcoming election. Such tactics may inadvertently destroy the pluralistic nature of both societies.

Indonesia Malaysia radicalism Religious Intolerance

12 Jan 2017

What Lies Ahead for Sarawak with Adenan Satem’s passing?

Lee Hock Guan|Lee Poh Onn

Chief Minister Adenan Satem, who passed away recently, implemented a series of popular policies, which helped to deliver the bulk of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak to the ruling coalition BN in the 2013 elections. While Adenan has a team in place to seek continuity in policies, there is a lack of a new leader vocal enough to face the government in Putrajaya.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

15 Dec 2016

Migrant Worker Abuse Remains a Problem in Malaysia

Lee Hwok-Aun

The presence of forced labour in Malaysia prevails despite some employers being compliant with market norms against such labour. It is the government''s responsibility to monitor and enforce checks against labour abuse and make the system treat migrant workers better.

Labour Exploitation Malaysia Malaysian Economy

13 Dec 2016

Services to Drive Future Growth: Implications for CLMV Countries

Tham Siew Yean

The services sector is the drive for the future growth of the Asia Pacific region. Building capacity in the services sector and supporting regulatory reforms in the CLMV countries will enable these countries to access the benefits of services liberalization and help them to reach the full potential of the economy.

ASEAN Services Liberalisation

12 Dec 2016

Managing the Rohingya Issue through Quiet Diplomacy

Hoang Thi Ha

The Rohingya crisis is a transboundary problem that requires a regional response. ASEAN's position of non-interference towards Myanmar should be combined with an awareness of the need to act together - a validation of mutual respect and constructive engagement.

ASEAN Malaysia-Myanmar Relations Myanmar Rohingya

30 Nov 2016

Thailand’s New King

Terence Chong

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will ascend to become King Rama X after accepting the invitation by the Thai parliament. How he reigns will affect the monarchy's relationship with the military-backed parliament and the support of the public.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

21 Nov 2016

Trump, Singapore and the Anxious Middle Class

Terence Chong

The Trump's campaign appealed to the middle class who feel more insecure due to globalisation. It appealed to a bygone era when the privileged position of white middle-class Americans was sacrosanct. In Singapore, middle-class anxiety mirrors that of the US with the desire to get back to the 'kampong days' when all was well despite the relatively poorer living conditions.

Donald Trump Middle Class Anxiety

3 Nov 2016

Dangerous Dichotomy

Malcolm Cook

Recent analyses of a US decline and China's rise in East Asia can illuminate and clarify as much as they obfuscate and confuse.

China Cold War U.S.

1 Nov 2016

A Political Reading of Najib’s Visit to China

Tang Siew Mun

Malaysia has been receiving a large-scale infusion of funds from China to support its economy and the building of infrastructure projects. The closer economic ties with China and planned arms deal will have political and strategic implications on Malaysia and ASEAN.

China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia