COMMENTARIES

10 Dec 2024

Women in Myanmar: Addressing Cracks Beneath the Tough Facade

Su Mon Thazin Aung

Women in Myanmar are increasingly taking on traditional roles of men. But this has come at a cost.

9 Dec 2024

Singapore College of Islamic Studies: Prospects and Challenges

Mohammed Hasyir Bin Mohd Abdul Hamid

A new degree programme at the Singapore College of Islamic Studies will help equip graduates who are capable of contextualising religious teachings for Singapore but there are challenges to be overcome.

Islam Singapore

9 Dec 2024

Amidst Malaysia’s Rising Polarisation: What More Mandarin-speaking Non-Chinese Malaysians Show

James Chai

More non-Chinese Malaysians are enrolling their children in Chinese vernacular primary schools, and Malaysia’s job market increasingly favours Mandarin speakers as China’s power grows. How might this impact Malaysia’s inter-ethnic relations?

China China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia Race Relations

6 Dec 2024

The Importance of Being Earnest: Strengthening ASEAN-India Relations in an Evolving World

Yanitha Meena Louis

Yanitha Meena Louis argues that for the ASEAN-India relationship to reach its full potential, it must move beyond surface-level engagement and delve deeper into strategic issues that reflect the dynamic roles of both parties in a constantly evolving world.

ASEAN ASEAN-India Relations ASEANFocus India

5 Dec 2024

ASEAN Should Drive Action for Agri-Food Sector after COP29

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Paul Teng

Following the letdown of COP29, ASEAN needs to step up and lead the way in controlling emissions from Southeast Asia’s agri-food system.

Agriculture Climate Change Southeast Asia

3 Dec 2024

How a Provincial Election in Udon Thani Became a National Battleground

Napon Jatusripitak

Thaksin used a local election to stage a political comeback. While this reaped dividends, the key is to ensure that the needs of voters are addressed in the long term.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

2 Dec 2024

Thailand’s Army White Paper: Heat is on to Supply the RTA

Paul Chambers

The Thai Army’s inaugural White Paper is spurring competition among suppliers for a slice of the kingdom’s defence procurement pie.

Arms Supply Thai Military Thailand

29 Nov 2024

Petronas-Petros Dispute: Finding a Way Out

Amalina Anuar

A legal confrontation between Petronas and Sarawak’s oil and gas company would not be productive. The dispute should be resolved using new political and economic arrangements.

Energy Malaysia Malaysian Politics Oil and Gas Exploration

29 Nov 2024

Indonesian Muslims and the Apocalypse: End of the Road for Effective Green Transition?

Iim Halimatusa’diyah|Aptiani Nur Jannah|Grace Rachmanda

Green transition in Indonesia is hampered by Indonesian Muslims’ belief that climate change is a sign of the end times.

Climate Change Indonesia Renewable Energy

28 Nov 2024

Re-ordering the World: China’s Global South Focus versus the Ally-centric Approach of the US

Hoang Thi Ha|Pham Thi Phuong Thao

Institutional balancing has become a key strategy in US-China strategic competition, with both powers taking different approaches in leveraging their institutional networks to advance their strategic agenda. Southeast Asian countries have straddled both institutional realms advocated respectively by China and the US, while continuing to leverage ASEAN-led mechanisms to advance their interests.

China Security US