COMMENTARIES

21 Dec 2018

Ma’ruf Amin: A Shield from Identity Politics, but not a Vote-getter?

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Ma'ruf Amin, Joko Wido's choice of running mate for the presidential election in April next year, was chosen mainly to “shield” the Presdient from the attacks utilising the politics of identity and religion. However, Jokowi's camp needs to lower their expectations for Ma'ruf Amin as a vote-getter as he lacks appeal among young voters.

Identity Politics Indonesia

11 Dec 2018

Why did Vietnam Cancel its Defence Engagements with the US?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam cancelled the fifteen defence engagement activities scheduled for 2019 with the United States. Whether it will reverse its decision depends on whether the US will waive sanctions on countries buying military equipment from Russia; the future direction of US-China relations, and China's stance in the South China Sea dispute.

19 Oct 2018

The Mid-Term Review of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan: A Glimpse of the PH Government’s Future Economic Policy Directions

Cassey Lee

The Mid-Term Review of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (MTR-11MP) is a broad overview of the PH government's future economic policy directions with emphasis on institutional reforms and reducing state-level developmental gaps that have persisted.

Economic Planning Malaysia

24 Sep 2018

The Sudden Passing of President Tran Dai Quang and Its Implications

Le Hong Hiep

The sudden passing of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang has created a vacant position without a clear front runner to fill it. Though largely ceremonial, it will have important implications for the country's political system.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

6 Jul 2018

Philippine Federalism: More National-Level Politicians

Malcolm Cook

Philippines seeking to review the 1987 Constitution from a unitary to a federal system. But a leaked copy of the Committee's draft constitution supported critics' argument that it will benefit the political interests of the current national-level politicians than to contribute to a more efficient and devolved political system.

Philippine Philippine Consitution

5 Jul 2018

Vietnam’s Anti-corruption Campaign: How much is it about Political Infighting?

Le Hong Hiep

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong led the fight against corruption among high-profile politicians and those in the state-owned enterprises (SOE) who are closely associated with former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The anti-corruption campaign is a watershed development that hopes to establish Mr Trong's legacy after he retires in 2021.

Anti-Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

22 Jun 2018

Reviewing Mahathir’s and Malaysia’s Foreign Policy

Tang Siew Mun

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's visit to Japan in June 2018 signaled the government's interest to work closely with Japan. While affirming friendly ties with China, Malaysia will vigorously defend its rights in the South China Sea disputes.

Malaysia Malaysia-Japan Relations

14 Jun 2018

How ASEAN Supports the Korean Peninsula Peace Process

Tang Siew Mun

The historic meeting between US President, Donald Trump, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) State Affairs Commission Chairman, Mr Kim Jong Un, paved the way for DPRK participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum. With the resumption of trade and bilateral engagement with ASEAN member states, Pyongyang has a higher stake in the maintenance of regional peace and stability.

ASEAN North Korea Trump-Kim Summit

25 May 2018

Vietnam under Increasing Pressure from China in the South China Sea

Ian Storey

From beefing up its military presence in the islands near Vietnam to overt attempts at curtailing Vietnam's commercial activities in the South China Sea through the threat of force, Beijing has been ramping up the pressure on Hanoi to coerce Vietnam into compromising its maritime claims in favour of China's interests.

China South China Sea Vietnam

14 May 2018

The Future of China’s Investment in Malaysia under Mahathir

Tham Siew Yean

While Mahathir's new government has no issues with foreign direct investment from China, the same cannot be said of Chinese investments funded by loans guaranteed by the previous government - particularly infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and the numerous port projects that may pose a security risk.

China-Malaysia Relations FDI Malaysia