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.
2022/88 “Chinese ‘Debt Traps’ in Southeast Asia: What the Data Say” by Darren Cheong
2022 No. 88
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Utilising novel data on China’s overseas development finance, this article examines whether a Chinese “debt trap” strategy exists in Southeast Asia. China’s development loans in the region are mainly debt-financed, rather than aid-financed, which carry substantially higher interest rates than those of benchmark institutions such as the World Bank, and generate higher returns […]
2022/87 “Can ASEAN and India Share a Common Outlook and Approach in the Indo-Pacific?” by Joanne Lin
2022 No. 87
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the past three years, ASEAN and India, as strategic partners, have been finding ways to align their outlook and strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. As such, identifying common approaches and strategic alignment between the two can help elevate the relations to a higher level. ASEAN’s approach to the Indo-Pacific through the ASEAN […]
2022/86 “The State of Southeast Asia’s Green Recovery Post Covid-19” by Melinda Martinus and Sharon Seah
2022 No. 86
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ASEAN countries are eager to make a quick economic recovery to make up for lost time. It is timely therefore to evaluate their planned trajectories for a green transformation as some actions taken presently could inadvertently lock in their future decisions. ASEAN countries (minus Brunei and Laos) launched a total of US$472.95 billion […]
2022/85 “Peddling Secrecy in a Climate of Distrust: Buzzers, Rumours and Implications for Indonesia’s 2024 Elections” by Yatun Sastramidjaja, Pradipa P. Rasidi, and Gita N. Elsitra
2022 No. 85
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In Indonesia, public debates on political issues are increasingly influenced by “buzzers” or anonymous social media influencers. Undoubtedly serving as their patrons’ cyber-army, buzzers portray themselves as information brokers, claiming to serve the public interest by purportedly revealing secrets gained through their privileged access to political players behind the scenes. The strong appeal […]
2022/84 “The Undetermined Costs and Benefits of Cambodia’s Engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative” by Chanrith Ngin
2022 No. 84
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cambodia is perceived as a ‘client state’ of China due to its dependence on Chinese aid and investment, particularly within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Lack of agency and debt default are potential pitfalls that Cambodia is perceived to have. Cambodia does have agency to manage BRI projects in that it can […]
2022/83 “Thailand Approaches an Historic Turning Point Amid Political Uncertainties” by Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2022 No. 83
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Thai Constitutional Court will soon be requested to make a historic ruling on when Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha’s premiership will reach the limit of eight years specified under the 2017 Constitution. There are three possible outcomes. One possible outcome is that the court decides that General Prayut shall reach the limit […]
2022/82 “New Battle Lines Appear in the Wake of Malaysia’s Historic Enfranchisement Bill” by James Chai
2022 No. 82
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Constitutional Amendment Act 2019 (“CA2019”) was passed by a unanimous vote in the Malaysian parliament. Every political party assumed they had a political advantage by expanding the nationwide voter base from 15.22 million to 21.02 million. In fact, CA2019 has different effects in different parts of the country. To illustrate the impact […]
2022/81 “The Roots of Cambodia’s Actions against Illegal Vietnamese Immigrants” by Jing Jing Luo and Kheang Un
2022 No. 81
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Since 2015, the Cambodian government has been addressing the politically and diplomatically sensitive issue of illegal Vietnamese immigrants through methods such as documentation, deportation, eviction, relocation and registration. These actions are the ruling Cambodian People’s Party’s response to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party’s successful politicisation of anti-Vietnamese sentiments among Cambodian voters. The […]
2022/80 “The Complicated Role of Kerohanian Islam (Rohis) Alumni in Disseminating Islam in Indonesia” by Sari Oktafiana and A’an Suryana
2022 No. 80
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The role of the Rohis (Kerohanian Islam) group in disseminating Islam (dakwah) in Indonesia has been understudied. The organization’s executives are in fact responsible for organizing significant events such as religious learning forums (majelis taklim) and Quranic studies for senior high school students. This article discusses the unique role played by the Rohis […]
2022/79 “How the Party-State Retains Controls over Vietnam’s Blossoming Media Landscape” by Dien Nguyen An Luong
2022 No. 79
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Most of the popular news sites in Vietnam are currently run by three private tech conglomerates, namely FPT, Zalo/VNG and VCCorp. On the face of it, this situation poses a challenge to the Vietnamese party-state. But in fact, there are no signs that these tech companies have ventured into editorial independence. The nexus […]