Malaysian reform dynamics
Despite the flurry of reforms, announcements, prosecutions and policy changes since the election, most legal changes – such as abolition of the death penalty – remain to be implemented in Malaysia.
Category: Opinion
Another Brexit vote is a bad idea
British liberals may hope the House of Commons’ likely failure to pass the government’s Brexit proposals will secure a second referendum to reverse the vote to leave. But it would generate class war, writes John Lloyd, risking a confrontation between the national populists and the liberals.
Meng case has implications beyond diplomacy
Chinese tech giant Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested by Canada at the request of the US on December 1, the day Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina.
South China Sea disputes: Makings of a new Cold War?
Tensions in the South China Sea have somewhat abated but the latent flashpoint remains. In mid-October 2018, a near collision took place between a US and Chinese warship.
Huawei CFO deserves better treatment
Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, had her bail hearing Friday in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver, Canada. The hearing was adjourned with no decision made on bail, and will resume today.
Taipei recalibrates itself to Asia
With the world heading towards a multipolar future, the Taiwanese government is broadening its overseas relationships with its New Southbound Policy that eyes trade links with Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
VN’s new power monopoly
The next two years of Vietnamese politics will bear the signature mark of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Alexander L Vuving profiles Mr Trong and argues that it is wrong to compare him with China’s Xi Jinping.
How the US can prevent a China-dominated Asia
The US military is dangerously under-funded and could lose the next big war it wages. That is the key message from a new report by the influential National Defense Strategy Commission.
At what cost to develop Timor-Leste’s oil resources?
Timor-Leste’s recent action to acquire a majority stake in the joint venture to develop oil and gas resources in the Greater Sunrise field, gives it a greater say on the controversial issue of the location of the pipeline.
Sri Lanka’s crisis of democracy
Through three decades of post-independence civil unrest, Sri Lanka operated as a flawed yet commendable democracy. But in the past month, the country’s politicians have unleashed a democratic crisis and become a laughing stock.
G20 teetering on the edge of abyss
Leaders of the world’s top economies have agreed on a joint statement after marathon talks and staunch resistance from the United States. The G20 has long been in trouble.
The rise of China’s ‘Petroyuan’
For the past decade, China’s strategy for internationalising the renminbi has involved greater reliance on the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights as an alternative international reserve currency.
US and China trade truce set to benefit world
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump’s meeting in Argentina on Saturday yielded results that boosted the confidence of both countries and the world.
Why denuclearisation is less important for South Korea
One of the most commented upon elements of this year’s outreach effort toward North Korea is the possible drift in the US-South Korean alliance.
What the looming US recession means for Asia’s economy
Asia’s trade dependence on the United States has in fact increased, not decreased, according to the IMF. A slow-down in the US economy will have significant implications for the region and Adam Triggs advises that Asia best build its domestic buffers now before the next storm hits.
Asean defence cooperation to go online
In the face of increasing cyber threats and attacks in some Southeast Asian states, Asean formally initiated a cyber security working group in 2016.
An enterprising foreign policy builds peace
This week Istanbul will host two separate but related international conferences on mediation. One will be devoted to the state of play in the conflict map and capacity for mediation within the membership of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Towards an AIDS free generation in Cambodia
Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. While Cambodia has made remarkable progress in the fight against AIDS, strong and continued investment in HIV programmes is crucial if the Kingdom wants to end the epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
Indonesia’s Widodo plays the Islamic card
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is the favourite to win a second and mandated final term in the legislative and presidential elections on April 27. But to secure re-election, Mr Widodo must find a way to appeal to all voters in a country increasingly divided along religious lines.
AI: An ethical approach
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more pervasive in everyday life, questions are being asked about where the legal and ethical bright lines are – or should be – in regulating its use, writes Teo Yi-Ling.
Myanmar’s skewed democracy was seen to be predictable
Aung San Suu Kyi has khaki in her veins. Her father, Aung San, was a Bogyoke (Major-General) in the pre-independence Army and is considered the founder of the Tatmadaw, or Myanmar military.
Moon’s N. Korea policy in danger
Approval ratings are exceptionally important for South Korean presidents to maintain authority within their own ruling party and delay the almost inevitable arrival of lame-duck status, which leaves them politically paralysed.
Anwar’s rise, fall and rise again
Anwar Ibrahim is officially elected president of Keadilan, the party he founded nearly 20 years ago, and also had won hands down in a by-election in Port Dickson, giving him a parliament seat.
G20 must not surrender to bilateral bullying
US President Donald Trump is no fan of the G20. His extreme views and unreasonable demands mean G20 meetings have quickly become the ‘G19 versus one’.
EU promotes laundering of looted Cambodian wood
Many reports provide clear indications that Vietnamese companies have been shelling out millions in bribes for logs cut from national parks and community areas in Cambodia.
Thais should lead Asean with migrant worker agenda
Thailand is the next Asean Chair in 2019 after the just concluded Asean Summit in Singapore this month. This is in keeping with Thailand’s hopes to regain its place of regional leadership.
Cambodia has no reason to host foreign military bases
The rumours that Cambodia will harbour foreign military bases along its coastal region has gone viral on mass media, particularly social media, and stirred public discourses at home and abroad.
Russia looks further east after Asean Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first-ever state visit to Singapore on November 13.
Singapore, as chair, advances Asean’s peace and security
Peace in Asean has been good for Singapore. As Asean chair for 2018, Singapore has worked hard to enhance these prospects during its tenure which just ended, writes Joel Ng.
Future directions of Asean
Although the global and regional environments are getting more complex and uncertain, Asean remains a relevant regional actor to shape regional order through Asean-centric multilateral systems.
