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.
2024/47 “Two Borneo Neighbours on Diversity: Comparing Religious Authority in Brunei and Sarawak” by Norshahril Saat
2024 No. 47
Borneo represents a unique case study of religious diversity. It is ethnically diverse and presents three sovereign states: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
2024/46 “Southeast Asian Perceptions of China: Beijing’s Growing Power is Recognised, but Feared” by Lee Sue-Ann and William Choong
2024 No. 46
Taken together, these indicators suggest that the region’s preference for aligning with China is more about an erosion in confidence in US leadership and a concomitant desire to ‘keep the peace’ with China.
2024/45 “Southeast Asia and the Global South: Rhetoric and Reality” by Hoang Thi Ha and Cha Hae Won
2024 No. 45
The Global South discourse has been gaining greater salience in contemporary global politics, driven by the shift of the world’s centre of gravity to the Indo-Pacific, the rise of non-Western powers, and intensified great power competition.
2024/44 “Anti-Corruption Politics and Shifts in Central-Local Relations in Vietnam” by Nguyen Khac Giang
2024 No. 44
Moving forward, Vietnam must strike a balance between its anti-corruption efforts and the need for provincial autonomy, to sustain economic growth at the local level.
2024/43 “The Impact of China’s Digital Silk Road on the Digital Domain of the Philippines” by Julio S. Amador III and Deryk Matthew N. Baladjay
2024 No. 43
The Marcos Jr. administration’s digitalisation efforts are caught in the middle of the geopolitical contests between China and the United States.
2024/42 “Corruption Eradication in Indonesia: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” by Astrid Meilasari-Sugiana, Gunardi Endro, Siwage Dharma Negara
2024 No. 42
The establishment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is arguably one of the most important milestones in Indonesia’s anti-corruption drive since the fall of Suharto.
2024/41 “Engaging Southeast Asia: The EU’s role as a Resilient and Reliable Middle Power?” by Eugene R.L. Tan and Joanne Lin
2024 No. 41
The European Union’s (EU) role in Southeast Asia continues to be acknowledged, particularly amid the escalating competition between the US and China.
2024/40 “Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in Indonesia and Vietnam: Implications for Southeast Asia” by Melinda Martinus
2024 No. 40
JETPs emerged during COP26 as a significant multilateral climate financing initiative undertaken by the International Partners Group (IPG) to assist developing countries like South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal in transitioning away from coal.
2024/39 “Policies to Increase the Inclusiveness, Resilience and Sustainability of Economic Growth in Cambodia” by Jayant Menon
2024 No. 39
To realise its aspirations to become an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050, Cambodia has to pursue inclusive growth that is also sustainable and resilient.
2024/38 “Ethnic Diversity in Kalimantan and the Implications of Indonesia’s Capital Relocation” by Evi Nurvidya Arifin
2024 No. 38
This article provides foundational statistics on the ethnic mosaic in Kalimantan and delves into the intricate dynamics of the ethnic diversity of Borneo island. This ethno-demographic exploration is conducted through a political economy lens.