‘Presidential Curse’ Could Tarnish Aquino’s legacy
President Benigno Aquino III completes his six-year term much less popular than when he began it. His approval rating has dropped from a high of 79 per cent at the beginning of his term to […]
Can Jokowi Move Indonesia Beyond Protectionism?
Put in a comparative historical perspective Indonesia’s economic growth performance has been relatively strong. Yet the recent slowdown in growth is a cause for concern. According to official figures the Indonesian economy grew by only […]
Singapore’s Future After Lee Kuan Yew
Singapore’s ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP), enters 2016 enjoying the comfort of a magnificent electoral victory in the 2015 Singapore general elections. In that election — the first since the death of patriarch […]
What The Asean Economic Community (AEC) Means For Laos
The Asean Economic Community (AEC) presents new opportunities for Laos PDR, but it also underlines significant challenges. Laos has long been a country of promise given its resources and geographic proximity to China and other […]
Malaysia’s year as Asean chair reviewed
Malaysia ended its chairmanship of Asean as the grouping announced the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in November 2015. The AEC intends to create a single market across the Asean region by standardising economic […]
What Will Happen When Thailand’s King Bhumibol is Gone?
Back in February 2005, Thaksin Shinawatra’s Thai Rak Thai (TRT) was re-elected with a bumper majority. But as Thaksin consolidated ever more power his opponents became anxious. The Democrat Party worried that it would never […]
Asean Urbanisation And The AEC
As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) takes steps toward implementing the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015, they should be cognisant that the paths towards economic integration and sustainable Asean […]
Can Najib & BN Survive The 2018 Malaysia General Election?
These are tiring times for Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak. Mr Razak has so far managed to stay in power despite the flurry of attacks on his leadership. Political debacles have almost cost Najib his […]
Roadmap for a smoke-haze-free Asean
The smoke-haze crisis that battered a major part of southern Asean in mid-2015 is showing signs of abating. Along with the disappearing haze, it is crucial that the resolve demonstrated by all parties — especially […]
Defusing The Ageing Singapore Time Bomb
According to United Nations World Population Prospects 2015 Singapore will become a super-aged society by 2026. By then, one in five people in the country (or 1.25 million) will be aged 65 or above. The […]
Malaysia’s Troubles Are Just Beginning
As it tussles with multiple crises of political legitimacy and governance Malaysia has reached a decisive point in its more than half-century history as an independent nation. What started as a shocking but not exceptional […]
Money Politics To Spoil Simultaneous Indonesia Local Elections
On December 9, Indonesia will have its first simultaneous local executive elections to elect governors, district heads and mayors in 269 localities (out of 537) across Indonesia. While direct election of local executives has been […]