COMMENTARIES

15 Feb 2021

How Successful Will the Protests in Myanmar Be?

Su-Ann Oh

The ongoing anti-coup protests are qualitatively different and pose a bigger challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers than earlier protest movements.

3 Feb 2021

The Coup in Myanmar: ASEAN Is Not Without Options

Sharon Seah

If ASEAN is serious about upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, there are ways to help guide Myanmar back toward the path of democratisation.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

2 Feb 2021

Myanmar’s State of Emergency: Damn the Torpedoes

Moe Thuzar

The Tatmadaw’s seizure of power in Myanmar will wind back Myanmar’s nascent democracy several decades. The costs to the country are incalculable.

Aung San Suu Kyi COVID-19 Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

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

3 Aug 2020

Myanmar’s 2020 Elections: The State of Play

Moe Thuzar

With the 2020 elections looming, the National League for Democracy looks set to bag an electoral majority again. This may not deter other parties from poking holes in the NLD’s performance legitimacy

Myanmar Myanmar Elections Myanmar Politics

4 May 2020

Myanmar’s Garment Industry: Hanging by a Thread

Su-Ann Oh

Myanmar’s garment sector has been hard hit by the fall in demand, largely from Europe. This is due partly to the fact that the country is now interwoven into the fabric of globalisation.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

26 Mar 2020

The Ruling Party in Myanmar Turns Populist

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

The ruling National League for Democracy’s bid to change the constitution has floundered. But the failure has highlighted the growing schism between the increasingly populist NLD and the corrupt and power-hungry military elite

Myanmar Myanmar Politics

25 Jun 2019

ASEAN, Myanmar, and the Rohingya Issue

Moe Thuzar

Marred by criticisms of being too lenient or too slow, ASEAN's ability to credibly engage Myanmar on the Rohingya issue was discussed at length during the 34th ASEAN Summit. Unfortunately, this decades-long problem is one that needs time and patience to resolve in a meaningful and lasting manner.

ASEAN Myanmar Politics Rohingya

7 Feb 2019

Ahead of 2020 Elections, Moves to Amend the Myanmar Constitution

Ye Htut

Making good on one of their 2015 campaign promises, Myanmar's ruling NLD party has formed a Joint Committee for Constitutional Amendment just ahead of the 2020 elections. However, even with its super-majority, the party will still need the support of minority parties and military representatives to pass any amendments.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics NLD

5 Apr 2018

A “New Generation” Leader for Myanmar’s National League for Democracy?

Ye Htut

Even though Myanmar's President is both the head of state and head of government, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi is still the de facto leader of Myanmar, with all important policy decisions needing her approval. This heavy burden, along with Ms Suu Kyi's advancing age, may necessitate a shift to a new generation of more pro-active leadership.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics NLD