ISEAS Perspective provides analysis of specific current events and their significance for the Southeast Asian region. This will be published occasionally, and is aimed at keeping decision-makers in both the public and private sectors informed; as well as scholars, laymen and the interested public. This series undergoes a peer-review process.
2024/29 “Indonesian Mainstream Media in the Digital Age: Corporate Convergence, Low-quality News and Staff Exploitation” by Sofie Syarief
2024 No. 29
News as a business, especially in its most traditional press and broadcast models, is suffering from shrinking readership and viewership, and thus becoming less profitable.
2024/28 “Thailand’s Ageing Society and Young Thais’ Changing Views and Expectations” by Panarat Anamwathana
2024 No. 28
Thailand is facing a historically low birthrate which could negatively impact the country’s economy in the near future.
2024/27 “Something Old, Something New: The Philippines’ Transparency Initiative in the South China Sea” by Edcel John A. Ibarra & Aries A. Arugay
2024 No. 27
Since February 2023, the Marcos Jr. administration has embarked on a transparency initiative for exposing China’s grey zone tactics within Philippine maritime zones in the South China Sea.
2024/26 “The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea: Has it Worked for China?” by Lye Liang Fook
2024 No. 26
The China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) was established in May 2017 for discussing issues of mutual concern in the South China Sea and exploring possible areas of cooperation, especially in oil and gas development.
2024/25 “Former Thai PM Thaksin at the Centre of Intrigues and Political Rumours: As Mastermind or Just Victim of Fate?” by Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2024 No. 25
Former two-time Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in Thailand after 17 years of exile overseas.
2024/24 “Japan and Southeast Asia Set to Co-Create an Interwoven Future” by Hoang Thi Ha and Pham Thi Phuong Thao
2024 NO. 24
While Japan’s significance to the region in the economic sphere has relatively declined, its soft power and people-to-people connections with the region have never been more profound.
2024/23 “Malaysia–China Economic Relations: Riding the Dragon’s Tail for Structural Transformation” by Cassey Lee
2024 No. 23
Strengthening the economic relationship between Malaysia and China can potentially contribute towards Malaysia’s structural transformation in terms of re-industrialisation and greening of its economy.
2024/22 “Thailand’s Submarine Saga Reaches a Climax in March” by Paul Chambers and Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2024 No. 22
Since 2015, Thailand’s Navy has been struggling to obtain three advanced submarines from China.
2024/21 “A Deep Dive into Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party (PKR)” by James Chai
2024 No. 21
PKR has emerged as a definite force in mainstream Malaysian politics, winning an average of 35 seats (16% of total seats) and 2 million votes (18% of total vote share) over the past 15 years.
2024/20 “Indonesia’s Export-Proceeds Holding Policy: A Preliminary Assessment” by Manggi Habir
2024 No. 20
To ensure that sufficient export payments are kept within Indonesia’s banking system for a longer period, the government introduced a Natural Resource Export Proceeds (Devisa Hasil Ekspor or DHE) policy, effective from 1 August 2023.