ARTICLES

6 Aug 2021

State Elections in Sarawak: Kingmaker in the Offing?

Lee Poh Onn

The political temperature in Kuala Lumpur has risen recently due to the governing coalition’s increasingly tenuous hold on the reins of power. In the general elections that are to come, any coalition eyeing power will have to look at the eastern state of Sarawak.

2 Aug 2021

Between Religious Rituals and Safety Protocols in the Time of a Pandemic

Sharifah Afra Alatas|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek

Religious leaders have an important role to play, in word and deed, to safeguard the physical and spiritual well-being of their flock during this pandemic.

COVID-19 Health Malaysia Malaysian Politics Religion

30 Jul 2021

BRI Projects in Cambodia and Laos Roll On Despite Covid-19

Chheang Vannarith

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the implementation of BRI projects. However, China has swiftly taken measures to keep BRI projects going, notably in Cambodia and Laos, by ensuring financial flow and supply of materials.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Cambodia Relations COVID-19

26 Jul 2021

The Religious Challenges Behind Enforcing Emergency Covid-19 Restrictions

Syafiq Hasyim

Although the mainstream Muslim organisations had supported closing mosques during Indonesia’s current round of emergency Covid-19 restrictions, the government subsequently compromised. This is another indication of the growing influence of conservative Muslim voices on Muslim issues.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia Religion

23 Jul 2021

Indonesia Suspends Paid Vaccination Programme: Signs of Growing Political Pressure

Max Lane

In Indonesia, a paid vaccination programme bombed out in a span of days. Putting economics above health priorities had added to the negative political climate for the government.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia

21 Jul 2021

Sandboxes Amidst a Rising Tide

Kevin S.Y. Tan|Kevin Zhang

Thailand’s so-called “sandbox” schemes to jumpstart the country’s tourism sector is laudable. But they might be achieved at a cost.

COVID-19 Health Open Borders Thai Economy Thailand Tourism

14 Jul 2021

Malaysia’s Covid-19 Response: Pressed to Be (in the) Present

Lee Hwok-Aun|Kevin Zhang

Pressed by short-term exigencies caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia is planning to raise Malaysia’s debt ceiling to 65 per cent of GDP. Another round of stimulus package might be on the cards.

COVID-19 Malaysia Malaysian Economy Malaysian Politics

14 Jul 2021

ASEAN’s Covid-19 Recovery Measures: Missing Opportunities for a Green Future

Melinda Martinus|Sharon Seah

As of 28 May 2021, ASEAN countries had authorised a total of US$ 730 billion, equivalent to 7.8% of ASEAN’s total GDP, in stimulus dollars. But few ASEAN countries have prioritised green components to their Covid-19 stimulus packages.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Energy Environment

12 Jul 2021

A Tale of Two Vaccines in Vietnam

Hoang Thi Ha

The public reactions to the arrivals of Covid-19 vaccines to Vietnam – one from China, the other from the United States – underscore a geopolitical dilemma for the country.

China-Vietnam Relations COVID-19 U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam