COMMENTARIES

7 Jul 2022

‘Tell the RCEP Story Well’: The Salience of RCEP in China’s Global Discourse

Hoang Thi Ha

China has gone to extensive lengths to underscore the tangible benefits arising from its participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But Beijing’s criticism of the United States as being anti-globalist is overdone.

6 Jul 2022

Vietnam’s App-based Driver Protests Surge amidst Rising Petrol Prices

Joe Buckley

Collective strikes by app-based drivers in Vietnam are using strategies previously employed by workers from more traditional sectors. As petrol prices rise, the heat is on the app companies to respond to growing demands for change.

Labour Market Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

5 Jul 2022

Could Franchising Help Save The Planet?

Michael Schaper

The franchising sector has the capacity to play a lead role in reducing emissions, but appears to be a bit of a blind spot for climate change support and action by governments.

ASEAN Environment Sustainable Development

5 Jul 2022

The Paradox of Malaysia’s Lowering of Voting Age – Expanded Enfranchisement Devalued by More Unequal Representation

James Chai

In Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional had long benefited from its dominance over the smaller rural constituencies, winning more seats even if they performed poorly in the larger, under-represented urban constituencies. CA2019 aggravates this phenomenon because the new young voters tend to be located in the urban areas.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Indonesia’s New Workers Party: Ambiguity in Labour Politics

Max Lane

The formation of a new Workers Party backed by the country’s labour unions signifies a new trend in Indonesian politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

4 Jul 2022

Has ASEAN Reached the Point of Diminishing Returns with Myanmar?

Sharon Seah|Moe Thuzar

The State Administration Council has cleverly gamed the ASEAN system for its own ends and dragged out the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. It is time for ASEAN to pack more punch into the office of the Special Envoy to Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy International Relations Myanmar

1 Jul 2022

Policymakers' View

Taking a New Tack on Ageing: Seniors as Agents of Development

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana

As populations in Asia and the Pacific age, it is crucial for countries to reimagine senior citizens as agents of development rather than seeing them as a burden on societies.

Ageing Population Asia Pacific Demography Health Policymakers’ View Sustainable Development

30 Jun 2022

Restoring Privacy Rights a Must for Ending Myanmar’s Violence

Aung Tun

Myanmar’s military regime has committed gross violations of its citizens’ privacy rights in its attempts to quell resistance. Any return to normalcy has to begin with restoring the people’s privacy protections.

Myanmar Myanmar Military Myanmar Politics

29 Jun 2022

Malaysia’s Skewed Transport System: Rising Costs Demand Bolder Solutions

Liew Chin Tong

Malaysia’s failure to build an efficient and functioning public transport system has a price tag: a huge fuel subsidy bill, sizable accumulated public debts and a high level of household debts partly caused by car loans. Policymakers should think out of the box and consider subsidising commuters to take public transport.

Malaysia