COMMENTARIES

20 Dec 2024

Seaweed: Prospects for Decarbonisation and Food Security in Southeast Asia

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Wei-Li Woo

Enthusiasm about seaweed has been growing due to its potential to contribute to food security, decarbonisation, and economic growth. Southeast Asia is a major global producer of seaweed; Indonesia and the Philippines are among the top-producing countries. The region’s millions of farmers could potentially benefit from an expansion of the industry.

Climate Change Southeast Asia

20 Dec 2024

Parsing the Politicking Behind the Police

Paul Chambers

The reforms of the Royal Thai Police give some semblance of movement. But politicking remains at the heart of the system.

Thai Politics Thailand

20 Dec 2024

China’s Pop Fiction Boom Poses a Dilemma for the Party

Kornphanat Tungkeunkunt

The export of Chinese pop fiction has found ready markets in Southeast Asia such as Thailand. But some undesirable genres pose a dilemma for China’s soft power.

Arts and Culture China China-Southeast Asia relations

19 Dec 2024

The Political Economy of Vietnam’s North-South High-Speed Rail Project

Nguyen Khac Giang

Today, Vietnam is arguably better positioned, both financially and geopolitically, to move forward with the North-South High Speed Rail project. However, the feasibility of this ambitious megaproject hinges on a careful cost-benefit analysis, which is fraught with uncertainty.

Vietnam Vietnamese Economy Vietnamese Politics

19 Dec 2024

Politically Proofing the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone for Credibility and Durability

Adib Zalkapli

There is positive sentiment on both sides of the Causeway about the proposed special economic zone in Johor. However, the project needs to be future-proofed against potential political complications up north.

Malaysia Malaysian Economy Singapore

19 Dec 2024

Locating Theravāda Buddhism in Maritime Southeast Asia

Jack Meng-Tat Chia

Theravāda Buddhist communities across maritime Southeast Asia have long adapted to local conditions. Even today, believers are finding new ways of transmitting the faith to younger adherents.

Indonesia Religion Southeast Asia Thailand

18 Dec 2024

Japan-ROK-US Trilateral Relations: Flying into Turbulence

Joanne Lin|William Choong

The political tides are going against the recently impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This could adversely affect the trilateral security arrangement involving Japan, South Korea and the US.

Japan South Korea U.S. U.S. Foreign Policy

18 Dec 2024

Should Selangor Take Kuala Lumpur Back?

Tricia Yeoh

There is talk of integrating Kuala Lumpur into Selangor again. However, before considering reintegration, the capital’s governance and residents' needs must be addressed.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

18 Dec 2024

Political Storm in Sabah: Can Hajiji Noor and GRS Survive the Scandal?

Arnold Puyok

Another scandal has rocked the state government in Sabah. But it is too early to tell whether it will deal the death blow to the government.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

17 Dec 2024

Fewer Voices, More Control: Vietnam Reshapes Its Media

Nguyen Khac Giang|Dien Nguyen An Luong

As George Orwell noted in his seminal 1972 essay, "Unpopular ideas can be silenced, and inconvenient facts kept dark, without the need for any official ban". As our authors argue, Vietnam’s state plan to reform its media could create more problems than it solves.

Censorship Media Propaganda Vietnam