The article which was first published by GeoForum, a leading economic geography journal, for the August 2016 issue (Volume 74, Pages 74 – 87), can be viewed here.
The article empirically examines the trajectory of the electrical and electronics industry in Johor (Malaysia), adopting concepts collectively from the global production networks and evolutionary economic geography literature. Based on trends in firm entries and exit as well as interviews with companies, there are limited robustness in the industry’s trajectory. While there is evidence of the role of ‘structure’ in this outcome, both co-authors argue that human agency – particularly the actions of subnational policy-makers – is key. This is manifest in a preference for fostering regional ‘adaptiveness’ through the often uncritical promotion of a diversity of economic sectors.
Dr Francis Hutchinson is Senior Fellow and Coordinator, Regional Economic Studies Programme, at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
The above article was also co-authored by Leo van Grunsven from Section Economic Geography, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The article which was first published online by The Washington Post on June 19, 2016, can be viewed here.
Dr Ian J. Storey is Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
To read more, please click here.
“The week’s episode is reminiscent of the 2012 debacle in Phnom Penh, where Asean foreign ministers failed to issue a annual joint communique due to disagreements over the South China Sea. “The difference with 2012 and 2016 is that Asean now lacks a mediating person to take on the role that former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa did in 2012,”.
To read more, please click here.
Ms Moe Thuzar is Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
“Both sides will have to live with its aftermath. Asean and China have the choice of indulging in blame games or sweeping it under the carpet and live in a make-believe world that relations have never been better. Both are poor choices and bode ill for future relations.”
To read more, please click here.
Dr Tang Siew Mun is Head of the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
On Thursday, June 2, Mr Daljit Singh was interviewed live on Insight: “Beyond the Scars of War” (Channel NewsAsia).
From sworn enemies, the US, Japan and Vietnam have now built a new economic and strategic partnership to counter Chinas growing assertiveness in Asia. Will they succeed?
Click here to view the video.
Timecode: 2:30 onwards and 6:20 onwards
Mr Daljit Singh is Senior Research Fellow and Coordinator of the Regional Strategic and Political Studies Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
Dr Dirk Tomsa Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and Philisophy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, and Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, shared his views at an ISEAS seminar held on Tuesday morning, 14 June 2016.
To read more, please click here.
The article which was first published online by Today on June 16, 2016, can be viewed here.
Dr Tang Siew Mun is Head of the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
“Malaysia’s Opposition Needs a Miracle—and Fast”, by Ooi Kee Beng
The Barisan Nasional (BN) led by UMNO beat the opposition parties in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-elections held on 18 June by huge margins. This was in itself not unexpected.
While comparisons between by-elections results and general election results can often misleading, no one doubts that the BN’s core supporters stayed loyal despite the scandals and splits that plagued the coalition over the past two years. This is disheartening for the opposition parties and their newly styled coalition Pakatan Harapan. They should not be surprised though, given how they have been rocked by splits and accusations of wrongdoings in recent months.