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50th Anniversary Public Lecture: “Developments in the Scholarship on Southeast Asia” by Professor Leonard Y. Andaya

 

ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with a Public Lecture by Prof Leonard Y Andaya entitled “Developments in the Scholarship on Southeast Asia”.

 

 

“Philippine Trade Surprise” by Malcolm Cook

 

2018/15, 22 February 2018

The Trump administration’s seemingly forlorn push for bilateral trade deals in East Asia has received some unexpected support from the Duterte administration in the Philippines. On Monday, Philippines Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia emphasized the importance for the Philippines of elevating its current Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the US to a full free trade agreement. The next day, Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that both sides are conducting their individual studies on a bilateral free trade agreement and suggested that negotiations could start within two years.

 

 

“Will Malaysia’s urban Malays vote for change?” – An Op-Ed by Wan Saiful Wan Jan in The Straits Times

 

This article was published by The Straits Times on 21 February 2018.

Mr Wan Saiful Wan Jan is Visiting Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

 

 

Pritish Bhattacharya quoted in Nikkei Asian Review: “Digital tech to help ASEAN unlock up to $627bn in productivity”

 

This article was published by Nikkei Asian Review on 21 February 2018.

Mr Pritish Bhattacharya is Research Officer with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

 

“Japan-Myanmar Relations: What Will the Dog Year Offer?” by Moe Thuzar

 

2018/14, 21 February 2018

As one of ASEAN’s earliest Dialogue Partners, Japan’s relations with ASEAN countries draws from its commitment under the Fukuda Doctrine to assist Southeast Asia’s post- World War II development. Japan was a major aid-provider to post-independent Burma’s economic development up to the military coup in 1988.  Even with Myanmar under military rule, Japan continued to maintain people-to-people contacts and provided humanitarian aid to areas and peoples in need. Japanese academics also visited Myanmar regularly to understand the general mood and the political and economic landscape.

 

 

“Temper expectations about RCEP free trade agreement” – An Op-Ed by Sanchita Basu Das in Channel Newsasia

 

This article, first published by ISEAS Commentary 2018/8, 9 February 2018  “RCEP in 2018? – Expectations must be Tempered”, was published by Channel Newsasia on 15 February 2018. 

Dr Sanchita Basu Das is Lead Researcher (Economics Affairs) ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 

 

 

“Indonesia between Two Major Powers: US Defense Secretary, Mattis’ Visit” by Leo Suryadinata

 

2018/13, 15 February 2018 

On 22-24 January 2018, US secretary of defense Jim Mattis visited Indonesia. This was the second US leader from the Trump Administration to visit Jakarta after Vice-President Mike Pence. In fact, before visiting Jakarta, Mattis had delivered a speech at the Johns Hopkins University, unveiling the shift in US defense priorities. He declared that the primary focus of U.S. national security today is not terrorism, “but great power competition”. The Mattis visit to Indonesia should be seen in this context.

 

 

Terence Chong quoted in The ASEAN Post: “What does China mean to Cambodia?”

 

This article was published by The ASEAN Post on 13 February 2018.

Dr Terence Chong is Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

 

 

“Religious Intolerance Marks the Beginning of the Election Year in Indonesia” by Deasy Simandjuntak

 

2018/12, 14 February 2018

On Sunday 11 February morning, the residents of the generally tolerant, multi-religious, province of Yogyakarta, experienced a rare bout of religious violence. During a mass at a Catholic church, an unknown young man walked in and stabbed the priest and several church-goers. The police shot the perpetrator, while all victims were rushed to the hospitals and could be saved.

 

 

“Southeast Asia’s Response to Trump’s Economic and Trade Policies” by Joergen Oerstroem Moeller

 

2018/11, 13 February 2018

USA is the largest, most vibrant, and flexible economy in the world, however less so than a decade or two ago. The wildly fluctuating stock market in recent times is not a good omen.

A benign and positive outlook does not call for contingency planning, but dark clouds looming in the horizon do. Is there anything to worry about in this changing economic environment?