The Warisan-led state assembly in Sabah has been dissolved. If the Perikatan Nasional coalition manages to claw its way back to power in Kota Kinabalu, the state storied for being the “land below the wind” might give a second wind to the embattled ruling coalition at the federal level.
This article was first published as ISEAS Commentary 2020/100 “Vietnam: Managing Chinese Pressures around Vanguard Bank” and republished by Think China on 3 August 2020.
This article was first published as ISEAS Perspective 2020/78 “Tensions in Northeast Asia Pose Varying Threats to Southeast Asia” and republished by Think China on 3 August 2020.
The historic guilty verdict given to former premier Najib Razak has led to much political bargaining among the country’s Malay parties. Such unabashed political gaming may lead to disillusionment with the country’s Machiavellian political culture.
The reversion of the Hagia Sophia in Turkey back to its status as a mosque is seen to be harming inter-religious harmony and civilisational relationships. In Indonesia, the precedent set by Turkey could throw up some unsettling scenarios.
With the 2020 elections looming, the National League for Democracy looks set to bag an electoral majority again. This may not deter other parties from poking holes in the NLD’s performance legitimacy
This article was first published as Trends in Southeast Asia 2020/10 “Why Did BERSATU Leave Pakatan Harapan?” by Wan Saiful Wan Jan and extracted for publication in Channel Newsasia on 3 August 2020.
This article was first published as ISEAS Perspective 2020/80 “China-US Relations: Singapore’s Elusive Sweet Spot” and extracted for publication by Mothership on 1 August 2020.
This article was first published as ISEAS Perspective 2020/80 “China-US Relations: Singapore’s Elusive Sweet Spot” and republished by Eurasia Review on 1 August 2020.
Vietnam’s Energy Future: Assessing the Nuclear Option
Vietnam has recently floated plans to revive the nuclear power option. However, Vietnam does not need to develop nuclear power at all cost. Instead, it should focus efforts on developing renewable energy and gas-fired power plants, which are safer, more affordable and less controversial.