COMMENTARIES

24 Aug 2026

Rethinking Flood Protection Through a ‘No-Regret’ Lens

Bao Tan-Hoang Nguyen

Governments in our region and beyond must plan today for tomorrow's floods, in a warming world. Regret can be minimised, if not eliminated.

21 Aug 2026

The “Karenni Model”: Wartime Governance in Contested Territory

Su Mon Thazin Aung

The Karenni governance experience in Myanmar explains how wartime governance emerges and is sustained under intensified conflict, fragmented political orders, and uneven international engagement. But this requires continued efforts to maintain minimum levels of territorial security and de-escalate conflict.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

21 Aug 2026

Malaysia’s Chinese Investment Boom Has a Hiring Problem

Luna Ge Lai

Chinese firms are investing in Malaysia at record levels, but many recent entrants tend to fill key technical and managerial positions with costly expatriates rather than develop Malaysian successors.

China-Malaysia Relations Foreign Direct Investment Labour Market Malaysia

20 Aug 2026

Indonesia’s Green Industrialisation Plans Have a Brown Problem

Peh Ko Hsu|Siwage Dharma Negara

Indonesia has managed to surpass targets for renewable energy. The problem, however, is that green sources of energy continue to exist with their brown counterparts.

Energy Environment Indonesia Indonesian Economy Renewable Energy

19 Aug 2026

How Do ASEAN Countries Fare in Managing Global Economic Shocks?

Geopolitical conflict, energy disruptions and shifting global supply chains are testing Southeast Asia’s economic resilience. ASEANFocus+ asked regional experts how individual countries are responding and whether ASEAN has the tools to collectively manage the next shock. Their insights highlight the different challenges facing the region, as well as the need for stronger regional coordination, deeper market integration and greater resilience across energy, trade, food and financial systems.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Economic Development Supply Chains

19 Aug 2026

The Humanitarian Costs of Starlink’s Policy

Su Mon Thazin Aung

Starlink is seeking to curtail access to one of its Internet services. This would affect many conflict-afflicted regions in Myanmar

Myanmar Scam Technology

18 Aug 2026

China’s Drive for Food Self-Sufficiency: What It Means for ASEAN Countries

Paul Teng|Genevieve Donnellon-May

China is determined to become more self-sufficient in its food supply. This will have implications for ASEAN economies.

Agriculture China Food Security

17 Aug 2026

Prabowo and Indonesia’s Ulema Council: Is MUI Losing Traction Again?

Ary Hermawan|Norshahril Saat

President Prabowo was absent from a key Ulema Council of Indonesia (MUI) event last month. This signals that the organisation might now rank lower on his list of priorities.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam

17 Aug 2026

Why Indonesia Needs a China Strategy Now

Kevin Zongzhe Li|Brian Wong

The authors argue that Indonesia needs a more coherent strategy for its relationship with China.

China-Indonesia Relations Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy

14 Aug 2026

Gig Workers in Malaysia: Is the New Law a Good Deal?

Lee Hwok-Aun

Malaysia’s Gig Workers Act, which took effect in April 2026, is a legislative milestone for the Madani administration. Malaysia’s 1.64 million gig workers stand to gain from the introduction of contractual frameworks, mandatory injury insurance, dispute settlement mechanisms, and a consultative council for setting minimum earnings. However, various policy gaps still need to be addressed.

Labour Market Malaysia Malaysian Economy