ARTICLES

Motorists travel on the near-deserted Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway

15 Jan 2021

Malaysia’s New Lockdown – But Where Is the Help for the People?

Lee Hwok-Aun|Kevin Zhang

It is puzzling that the Prime Minister neglects to give assurance that relief will be delivered, if necessary, during this lockdown. Perhaps his government genuinely believes that the broader scope of essential services, along with stimulus programmes introduced in Budget 2021, will translate into a minimal downturn.

COVID-19 Malaysia

Residents are carried on a forklift truck to dry land through flood waters brought by heavy rain from Typhoon Vamco

14 Jan 2021

Hit the Covid Reset Button for Climate’s Sake!

Sharon Seah

Climate change and pandemics are interlinked. So should be the government responses to these human security threats.

A medical worker shows a syringe with the Sinovac Biotech vaccine

11 Jan 2021

Wang Yi’s African Tour: What it Means for Southeast Asia

Lye Liang Fook

Wang Yi’s first overseas trip this year to Africa has implications for Southeast Asia.

Africa Belt and Road Initiative China COVID-19

People pass by flags of ASEAN countries along the banks of the Mekong River in Vientiane

7 Jan 2021

Agency Requires Action: Southeast Asia and Great Power Rivalry

Hanh Nguyen

The US-China rivalry means that Southeast Asia needs more integration and a more outcome-oriented ASEAN.

ASEAN Unity China-U.S. Relations COVID-19

23 Dec 2020

Covid-19 Reaches Myanmar’s Armed Periphery: A Silver Lining?

Andrew Ong

Covid-19 has reached Myanmar’s autonomous regions. But the Wa Region’s militarised nature and access to Chinese assistance might prove valuable in the fight against the pandemic.

COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Politics

15 Dec 2020

Policymakers' View

ASEAN-Australia Partnership Amid the Pandemic: Deepening Ties in Challenging Times

Will Nankervis

During the Covid-19 crisis, Australia has doubled down on its support for ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific. The ASEAN-Australia partnership has emerged stronger than ever.

ASEAN Australia COVID-19 Policymakers’ View

A child reaches for a giant bubble in Central Park

15 Dec 2020

Opening-up Travel in Southeast Asia: Blowing Bubbles Into Balloons

Jayant Menon

Quarantine-free travel in Southeast Asia is unlikely anytime soon, but regional countries can double efforts to move travel bubbles into bigger travel balloons.

ASEAN COVID-19 Open Borders

1 Dec 2020

The Postponed By-Election in Sabah: Another Fight, By and By

Kevin Zhang|Lee Poh Onn

The postponement of a by-election in Sabah underscores the tenuous hold on power by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional coalition.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics

30 Nov 2020

New Fences on the China-Myanmar Border: Separation or Containment?

Andrew Ong

China has reportedly started erecting fences along its border with Myanmar. The move could be seen as a Chinese attempt to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in Myanmar, but some observers have alluded other motives to Beijing.

China-Myanmar Relations COVID-19 Myanmar

16 Oct 2020

Is It Time to Open Borders?

Jayant Menon

The asymmetry in the treatment of national and international movement with regard to the management of the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer justified. If coupled with robust testing and tracing, opening up borders can deliver economic benefits without significantly raising health risks.

COVID-19 Open Borders