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.
2023/81 “The Critical Role of Electric Vehicles in Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP 2030)” by Tham Siew Yean
2023 No. 81
Electric Vehicle (EV) development is one of four new growth areas adopted for the plan due to its numerous linkages with other sectors and its potential spillovers onto these.
2023/80 “Virtue and Violence: Revealing the Nexus between Political and Domestic Violence in Thailand’s Deep South” by Daungyewa Utarasint
2023 No. 80
There are several types and levels of violence to be mindful of when we frame an analysis on these issues where Thailand’s Deep South is concerned.
2023/79 “Selangor’s 2023 State Election: Pakatan-BN’s Defense, Perikatan’s Breakthrough” by Lee Hwok Aun
2023 No. 79
The Pakatan Harapan – Barisan Nasional (PH – BN) pact retained power at Selangor’s 2023 state election of 12 August, but saw its seat count drop from 45 to 34.
2023/78 “The Digital Transformation of Indonesia’s Banking Sector: Current Trends and Future Prospects” by Manggi Habir and Siwage Dharma Negara
2023 No. 78
The pandemic has especially accelerated digital adoption in the financial sector.
2023/77 “New Thai PM Faces a Crisis of Confidence” by Termsak Chalermpalanupap
2023 No. 77
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As a political novice, Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin is facing an uphill struggle to prove that he is the right man for the job. He has no formal leadership post inside Pheu Thai, the major party in the 11-party coalition government. He also did not take part in the selection of […]
2023/76 “Maintaining ASEAN’s Leverage in a Volatile Trade Policy Landscape” by Kristina Fong Siew Leng
2023 No. 76
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Geopolitical tensions between the US and China have been rising, with international trade facing more frequent challenges in what has become a tit-for-tat retaliatory landscape. Moreover, economic security initiatives have become more strategic and sophisticated, and more players now find themselves caught in the crosswinds of the strategic battleground. The US-China trade spat […]
2023/75 “What Can We Expect of Indonesia’s PDP Law?” by Yanuar Nugroho and Sofie Syarief
2023 No. 75
The Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law was ratified by the Indonesian House of Representatives at the end of 2022. Although seen as a move in reaction to some data leakage incidents, this marks an important step in the country’s journey towards digital transformation.
2023/74 “Are the National Unity Government’s Responsible Investment Policies Fit for Purpose?” by Sam Baron and Ye Khaung Oo
2023 No. 74
After the February 2021 coup, Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) issued new responsible investment policies that call for companies to end tax payments to the military and divest from all military-backed companies.
2023/73 “Vote-buying and Islamic Politics in Thailand’s Deep South” by Daungyewa (Hong) Utarasint
2023 No. 73
The more the political parties compete for seats, the higher is the magnitude of money spent in exchange for votes.
2023/72 “Responses to Humanitarian Needs in Western Myanmar after Cyclone Mocha” by Kyaw Hsan Hlaing
2023 No. 72
The humanitarian impact of Cyclone Mocha, a Category 5 storm that hit Myanmar on 14 May 2023, has added to Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian needs and challenges, including those that arose after the 2021 coup.