COMMENTARIES

23 May 2025

PKR Party Elections Will Shape Malaysia’s Political Future

Tricia Yeoh

The upcoming Parti Keadilan Rakyat elections will influence Malaysia’s political future.

23 May 2025

Medical Care: Vietnam’s Underleveraged ‘Soft Power’ in Cambodia

Sovinda Po|Kuch Sonika Bun

Although Cambodians are still wary of the Vietnamese, they have faith in Vietnam’s medical services — an asset that the government has not yet fully taken advantage of.

Cambodia Cambodia-Vietnam Relations Health Vietnam

23 May 2025

The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity

Sufian Jusoh|Joanne Lin

Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin assess Malaysia’s bold initiative to host the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, exploring its strategic rationale, economic potential, and the implications for ASEAN’s centrality in a shifting global order.

ASEAN ASEANFocus China Middle East

22 May 2025

Vietnam’s Response to Controversial Mekong Projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam is anxious about the geostrategic implications of upstream Mekong projects in China, Laos, and Cambodia. It faces the dilemma of protecting its vital interests in the Mekong while maintaining stable and cooperative relations with its three neighbours.

Cambodia China Laos Mekong River Vietnam

22 May 2025

Prime Minister Anwar’s Visit to Russia: Long on Pomp, Short on Outcomes

Ian Storey

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit to Russia was high on symbolism but low on substance.

Foreign Policy Malaysia MH17 Plane Crash Political Islam Russia Trade

22 May 2025

A Call for Ecological Justice: Why Indonesia’s Pesantrens ‘Reject’ Renewable Energy

Iim Halimatusa’diyah

It is not clear that some of Indonesia’s renewable energy projects are designed with the people in mind. Some local communities and traditional Islamic boarding schools are pushing back.

Indonesia Islam Renewable Energy

21 May 2025

Why the Asia-Pacific Needs a Regional Green Industrial Strategy

Muyi Yang|Christopher Wright

Amid growing geopolitical rivalry and rising protectionism, a network of net-zero industrial parks could act as the Asia-Pacific’s transition landing zones into a greener future.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity Asia Pacific Sustainable Development

21 May 2025

‘Progressive’ or Conservative? Malaysia’s Rising Politician, Nushi Mahfodz

Mohd Faizal Musa

Nushi Mahfodz appears to be a ‘progressive’ in the ranks of Parti Islam SeMalaysia politicians. But he might not be as progressive as some think.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics Nushi Mahfodz

20 May 2025

An Intelligent Trade-Off: AI as a Double-Edged Sword in Southeast Asia’s Climate Battle

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati argues that although AI offers positive benefits for Southeast Asia’s climate battle, the region should not look at its usage through rose-tinted glasses. Without careful consideration, such systems may inadvertently undermine and be counterintuitive to the very climate goals that they aim to achieve.

Artificial Intelligence ASEAN ASEANFocus Digitalisation Environment

20 May 2025

Preparing Malaysia’s Toolkit for Trump Tariff Tumult

Lee Hwok-Aun

As trade negotiations with the US continue, Malaysia needs to trot out relief measures and pro-growth measures to mitigate the impact of Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Tariffs US