Dr Terence Chong is Deputy CEO and Director, Research Division at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He is also Head of the institute’s Temasek History Research Centre and Archaeology Unit.
He is a sociologist with a PhD from the University of Warwick, UK. His interests include religious developments in Southeast Asia; new Chinese immigrants in CLMV countries, and politics and multiculturalism in Singapore. Chong has won several research grants, including the inaugural Social Science Research Thematic Grant in 2016.
Dr Chong has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Contemporary Asia, Critical Asian Studies, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, Modern Asian Studies and Asian Studies Review. He also sits on advisory panels in the National Heritage Board and the National Arts Council.
The US has gained ground against China in the contest for regional influence in Southeast Asia, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey. ASEAN continues to be seen as ineffective in the eyes of respondents; at the same time, they are willing to give it credit when it is due.
Covid-19 is the biggest challenge facing Southeast Asia even as regional confidence in the new Biden Administration grows, according to the latest State of Southeast Asia Survey published by the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will ascend to become King Rama X after accepting the invitation by the Thai parliament. How he reigns will affect the monarchy's relationship with the military-backed parliament and the support of the public.
The Trump's campaign appealed to the middle class who feel more insecure due to globalisation. It appealed to a bygone era when the privileged position of white middle-class Americans was sacrosanct. In Singapore, middle-class anxiety mirrors that of the US with the desire to get back to the 'kampong days' when all was well despite the relatively poorer living conditions.
The passing of King Bhumibol's, a figure of stability, is marked by grief and uncertainty over the economic and political state of the country. The newly crowned King Rama X's actions will set the tone for the monarchy to be above the political squalor or be tainted by it.
