ARTICLES

24 Sep 2021

Sarawak’s Fight Against the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cautionary Tale?

Kevin Zhang|Lee Poh Onn

On paper, Sarawak should have turned the corner in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The fact that it has not could provide lessons as to how to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

17 Sep 2021

Increasing ASEAN’s Attractiveness for Global Investors

Phi Minh Hong

The race among ASEAN’s economies to attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) may be abusing the tax incentive card.

ASEAN COVID-19 Economic Development Economic Planning

16 Sep 2021

Vietnam and Economic Reopening: Roadmap Needed

Tuan Ho

Vietnam has been wise to switch from a ‘zero Covid’ strategy to one of living with the coronavirus. But it needs a clear plan to maintain business activity as the economy reopens. 

COVID-19 Vietnam Vietnamese Economy Vietnamese Politics

14 Sep 2021

Malaysia’s #Kitajagakita Invigorates Political Activism and Tackles Apathy

Clarissa Ai Ling Lee

A new political movement driven by the grassroots is gaining momentum in Malaysia. Centred on the hashtag #kitajagakita, it embodies ordinary citizens’ responses to crises without political interference and red tape.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics

8 Sep 2021

The Covid-19 Recession: Rough Times for Young Malaysians

Lee Hwok-Aun|Kevin Zhang

The COVID-19 recession has compounded employment and income difficulties for Malaysia’s young workers. They experience higher unemployment and are more adversely impacted than other age groups in terms of wage decrease and under-employment. This has contributed to greater political restiveness among Malaysia’s youth.

COVID-19 Malaysian Economy

6 Sep 2021

Easier Monetary Policies Amid Covid-19: Maintain, Not Roll Back

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy|Neo Guo Wei Kevin

Southeast Asia economies have maintained easier monetary policies to cushion the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that prices are trending upward, they should think twice before tightening the policies.

ASEAN COVID-19 Southeast Asia

3 Sep 2021

Politicians’ Billboard War Underscores Absence of Policy Contestation

Max Lane

Early presidential bids by some Indonesian politicians have highlighted the lack of any policy debate in mainstream Indonesian politics.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics

27 Aug 2021

Vietnam: Turning the Tables on Covid-19

To Cong Nguyen Bao

Vietnam, which enjoyed a relatively fuss-free year fighting Covid-19 in 2020, has had to re-assess its strategy and adopt a newer approach to living with the coronavirus.

COVID-19 Vietnam

25 Aug 2021

Malaysia’s New PM: Bi-partisanship is Good, Non-partisanship Even Better

Lee Hwok-Aun

Malaysia’s new prime minister has called for public demonstrations of unity as the country goes through a difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic hardship. The country needs less a bi-partisan front and more a competent, dedicated and accountable administration.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Politics

23 Aug 2021

Containing the Covid Scourge in South Vietnam

Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook

A number of reasons can account for Vietnam’s latest wave of Covid-19 outbreak. These include the more contagious Delta variant, the initial slow response of the authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, the lack of strict application of Covid-19 safety measures, and the slow pace of vaccination due to a shortage of vaccines.

COVID-19 Health Vietnam