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.
2023/5 “Indonesia’s ‘Social Opposition’ Remains Weak but Hopeful” by Max Lane
2023 No. 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over a period of 40 years, NGOs and other activist organisations have emerged as social opposition to a political establishment largely embodied in parliamentary political parties. This social opposition, often still referred to as “civil society”, has developed around opposition to policies in different sectors. This has created the impression that such opposition […]
2023/4 “What to Expect from the Vietnam–South Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” by Huynh Tam Sang
2023 No. 4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Strengthened mutual trust, growing people-to-people ties, and robust economic cooperation are principal assets guiding Vietnam – South Korea relations today. While bilateral economic cooperation has achieved significant milestones, defence ties remain relatively modest. Vietnam and South Korea have the leverage to strengthen ties further thanks to the comprehensive strategic partnership inked in December […]
2023/3 “The ‘Future-Ready Youth’ of Brunei Darussalam: Meeting National Aspirations through Digital Civic Engagement” by Siti Mazidah Mohamad
2023 No. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since the 1960s, the youth in Brunei Darussalam has been regarded as significant stakeholders in the country’s national development. In recent years, they have been lauded as “agents of change” and “future-ready”; the “future-ready youth” narrative anchors Brunei’s national aspirations and development under the Wawasan 2035 (Brunei Vision 2035). This article examines the […]
2023/2 “Will Perikatan Nasional’s Electoral Dominance in Kedah Persist in the Upcoming State Election?” by Azmil Tayeb
2023 No. 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The recently concluded 15th General Election in Malaysia saw a better-than-expected performance for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which managed to win 74 seats, making it the second strongest after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) which gained 81 seats. PN’s strong performance came at the expense of Barisan Nasional (BN), especially UMNO, particularly in […]
2023/1 “Dangerous Unintended Consequences Loom in the Wake of Thailand’s Hasty Legalisation of Marijuana” by Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2023 No. 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Thailand has hastily ventured into the legalisation of marijuana and hemp without first putting in place necessary control measures. The push to legalise the two cannabis plants was led by the Bhumjaithai Party, whose leader is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul. Legal ambiguities have led to confusion and […]
2022/120 “China-educated Malaysians and China’s Educational Outreach to Malaysia” by Ngeow Chow Bing and Fan Pik Shy
2022 No. 120
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY There are at least four different kinds of China-educated Malaysians: Malaysians pursuing university education in China; Malaysians doing short-term training courses in China; Malaysians learning Chinese language at Confucius Institutes within Malaysia; and Malaysians studying at Xiamen University Malaysia. Those Malaysian students studying in China universities are associated with two different circles, the […]
2022/119 “The Promise and Peril of Patronage Politics for Authoritarian Party-Building in Thailand” by Napon Jatusripitak
2022 No. 119
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP’s) decision to mobilise support through patronage politics in the 2019 general election has resulted in its failure to develop a strong and coherent party organisation with effective control over its MPs and durable ties to its local electoral base. This outcome is best understood as an enduring consequence […]
2022/118 “The Struggle for International Recognition: Myanmar after the 2021 Coup” by Joanne Lin and Moe Thuzar
2022 No. 118
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The military coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021 created huge diplomatic repercussions, throwing into uncertainty the country’s international position and representation. The coup’s unconstitutional basis and the resistance to military rule in Myanmar also presented challenges for international and regional bodies to engage with stakeholders in Myanmar. The United Nations and […]
2022/117 “Setbacks for Moscow, Progress for Kyiv: The Russia-Ukraine War and its Impact on the ASEAN, G20 and APEC Summits” by Ian Storey
2022 No. 117
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Russia-Ukraine War complicated but did not derail the ASEAN, G20 and APEC summits in Southeast Asia. The host nations stood their ground and refused to heed calls from Western countries to exclude Russia. All three meetings were a qualified success thanks to skilful diplomacy. President Putin did not travel to Southeast Asia […]
2022/116 “China’s Hydro-Politics Through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation” by Hoang Thi Ha
2022 No. 116
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY China has actively pursued water diplomacy with Lower Mekong countries through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) to ensure a stable and friendly periphery and to counter US criticism and securitisation of Chinese cascade dam-building. Central to the Chinese discursive construction is the positive framing of its dams as providing regional public goods through “regulating […]