Daily News on Southeast Asia – 18 Dec 2023

Every weekday, ISEAS Library collates articles relevant to Southeast Asia and special topics in line with the research interests of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. To view articles behind paywalls, please visit the Library during its operating hours.

Today’s issue includes the following commentaries and citations attributed to ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and its researchers. You can click on the links to go to the articles directly.


Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Laos | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Timor-Leste | Vietnam | ASEAN / Southeast Asia | Asia PacificEast/South China Sea | Climate Change/Environment | Media, Technology & Society | Others


Indonesia

1. Analysis: Survey suggests presidential debates can change electoral landscape
Tenggara Strategics
Jakarta Post, 18 December 2023
 
2. PDI-P changes tune on its offensive rhetoric against Jokowi after popularity slips
Yerica Lai
Jakarta Post, 18 December 2023
 
3. Free rice, free ride plus pocket money for joining political rally in Indonesia
Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja
Straits Times, 18 December 2023
 
4. Commentary: The first debate unveils the character of Indonesia’s 2024 presidential campaign
[This commentary first appeared on Fulcrum, the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute blog]
Made Supriatma
Channel News Asia, 17 December 2023
 
5. For decades, Indonesia’s Aceh offered a safe haven to Rohingya refugees. Why has that suddenly changed?
Nivell Rayda
Channel News Asia, 17 December 2023
 
6. Bilateral Indonesia-Japan meeting promises continuing cooperation in the future
Sheena Suparman
Jakarta Post, 17 December 2023
 
7. Indonesia’s new train offers chance to improve views of China
Tomoyoshi Oshikiri
Nikkei Asia, 17 December 2023
 
8. Indonesia’s increasingly opposition-less democracy
Ward Berenschot, University of Amsterdam
East Asia Forum, 16 December 2023
 
9. Where Indonesia’s Presidential Candidates Stand On the New Capital Project
Isti Marta Sukma
Diplomat, 15 December 2023
 
10. ADB provides Rp 37.22 billion of grant for IKN development
Jakarta Post, 15 December 2023
 
11. Indonesia’s economic outlook and risks in 2024
The World Bank
Jakarta Post, 15 December 2023
 
12. Cek Fakta: benarkah Indonesia tengah mengalami deindustrialisasi? [Fact check: is it true that Indonesia is experiencing de-industrialisation?]
The Conversation, 13 December 2023

Malaysia

13. Sarawak to provide free education at state tertiary institutions from 2026, says premier
Borneo Post, 18 December 2023
 
14. ‘RM10,000 in losses’: Slow start to Malaysia’s flood mitigation measures leaving victims high and dry
Amir Yusof
Channel News Asia, 18 December 2023
 
15. Umno will never allow local council elections – Lokman tells DAP
Malaysiakini, 18 December 2023
 
16. Usaha Menjamin Sekuriti Makanan Tempatan [Efforts to Guarantee Local Food Security]
Rahida Aini
Penang Institute, 18 December 2023
 
17. Cautiously optimistic: JB businesses near RTS Link look forward to potential boom
Lok Jian Wen
Straits Times, 18 December 2023
 
18. ‘Sokongan Melayu belum jelas kepada kita’ [‘Malay support not yet clear to us’]
Aslinda Nasir
Utusan Malaysia, 18 December 2023
 
19. 马国稳中求变的内阁改组 [Malaysia’s cabinet reshuffle – seeking change amid stability]
刘惟诚
联合早报, 18 December 2023
 
20. Spooking the electorate
Philip Golingai
Star, 17 December 2023
 
21. Mesej tersirat rombakan kabinet [The implicit message of the cabinet reshuffle]
Mohd Azizi Jaeh
The Malaysian Insight, 17 December 2023
 
22. Amanah Youth passes two-term limit motion for party assemblymen
Bernama, 16 December 2023
 
23. Anwar, Kishida announce Malaysia-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership
Ravichandran D. J Paul
Bernama, 16 December 2023
 
24. Kit Siang to Muhyiddin: Did Dr M’s ‘subservience’ cause Sheraton Move?
Malaysiakini, 16 December 2023
 
25. Ripples ahead of Royal arrival
Joceline Tan
Star, 16 December 2023
 
26. Cabinet reshuffle: ‘Masterclass’ Zahid shows Umno he’s still in charge – KJ
Hariz Mohd
Malaysiakini, 15 December 2023
 
27. With Umno subservient to DAP, non-Malay PM possible: Muhyiddin
Malaysiakini, 15 December 2023
 
28. Malaysia’s tech hub ambition takes major leap with new ministry spearheading digital transformation
Hadi Azmi
South China Morning Post, 15 December 2023

Myanmar

29. It is too early to write off Myanmar’s junta
Andrew Selth, Griffith Asia Institute
East Asia Forum, 16 December 2023
 
30. Peacemaking can only be achieved through dialogue and solutions through political means based on the spirit of union between ethnics: SAC Chair
Eleven Myanmar, 16 December 2023
 
31. UN Agency Says Reports it Will Support Myanmar’s ‘Surveillance Census’ Are False
Irrawaddy, 15 December 2023

Philippines

32. Philippines Seeks More Defense Pacts Amid China Tensions
Ditas B Lopez and Cliff Harvey Venzon
Bloomberg, 17 December 2023
 
33. Marcos: Philippines could face drought conditions, food shortages in 2024
Benar News, 15 December 2023
 
34. IMF Executive Board Concludes 2023 Article IV Consultation with the Philippines
IMF News, 15 December 2023

Thailand

35. High debt remains key concern
Lamonphet Apisitniran, Nareerat Wiriyapong & Phusadee Arunmas
Bangkok Post, 18 December 2023
 
36. Ministry prioritises SME development roadmap
Phusadee Arunmas
Bangkok Post, 18 December 2023
 
37. UTN polishes its own amnesty bill
Bangkok Post, 18 December 2023
 
38. Thaksin’s Checkmate and the Unravelling of Thailand’s Constitutional Order
Prem Singh Gill
Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, 18 December 2023
 
39. Thai economy poised for growth in 2024, fueled by tourism and export
Anusorn Sawetamal
The Nation, 18 December 2023
 
40. Call to rethink ‘soft power’
Poramet Tangsathaporn
Bangkok Post, 17 December 2023
 
41. Thailand’s ‘Landbridge’ will bring East and West closer together
Srettha Thavisin
Nikkei Asia, 17 December 2023
 
42. Commentary: A tale of two (or more) prime ministers in Thailand
[This commentary first appeared on Fulcrum, the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute blog]
Napon Jatusripitak
Channel News Asia, 16 December 2023
 
43. IN FOCUS: Record-low births, ageing society could halve Thailand’s 66m population, but it’s not a done deal yet
Pichayada Promchertchoo
Channel News Asia, 16 December 2023
 
44. Thailand’s economy needs structural changes for long-term growth, says report
Nongluck Ajanapanya
The Nation, 15 December 2023

Timor-Leste

45. East Timor gas project open to Chinese firms, PM Gusmao says
Shigeru Seno
Nikkei Asia, 17 December 2023

Vietnam

46. Vietnam rethinks scepticism in China’s Belt and Road Initiative as Laos, Cambodia reap benefits
[This commentary first appeared on Fulcrum, the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute blog]
Hoang Thi Ha
South China Morning Post, 17 December 2023
 
47. Vietnam’s firm but flexible balancing act between China and US
Han Yong Hong
ThinkChina, 15 December 2023

ASEAN/Southeast Asia

48. 东南亚华教本土化与职业化的思考 [Thoughts on the localization and professionalization of Chinese education in Southeast Asia]
张森林
联合早报, 18 December 2023
 
49. Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Trusted Partners and its Implementation Plan
ASEAN Secretariat News, 17 December 2023
 
50. Japan’s ambition to use Southeast Asian countries to improve its maritime defense capabilities deserves vigilance: experts
Xu Yelu
Global Times, 17 December 2023
 
51. Anwar proposes four cooperation areas to empower Asean
Malaysiakini, 17 December 2023
 
52. Japan and ASEAN to craft ‘master plan’ for next-generation cars
Akira Kitado
Nikkei Asia, 17 December 2023
 
53. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia pledge to boost solidarity in ensuring security
VietNamNet, 17 December 2023
 
54. My Say: Making palm oil safe for the planet and your plate: The need to embrace change
M R Chandran
Edge Markets, 16 December 2023
 
55. Japan and ASEAN deepen ties as security, economic challenges mount
Akira Kitado
Nikkei Asia, 16 December 2023
 
56. Singapore’s economic rebound to boost ASEAN growth in 2024: JCER
Chihiro Ishikawa
Nikkei Asia, 16 December 2023
 
57. Circular Value Chains of Electrical and Electronic Equipment in ASEAN
[119-page PDF report]
Keita Oikawa, Fusanori Iwasaki (Editors)
ERIA, 15 December 2023
 
58. Southeast Asia quarterly economic review: Pockets of growth emerge
Denis Bugrov, Debadrita Dhara, and Kamaruzaman Kamarudin
McKinsey & Co., 15 December 2023

Asia Pacific

59. After APEC: Whither US Leadership on Trade?
Chris Dixon and Bob Savic
Diplomat, 15 December 2023

East/South China Sea

60. Philippines wants to start new energy exploration projects in South China Sea
Reuters, 17 December 2023
 
61. Is Beijing warming to South China Sea code of conduct?
Orange Wang and Alyssa Chen
South China Morning Post, 17 December 2023
 
62. What we don’t understand about China’s actions and ambitions in the South China Sea
Edward Sing Yue Chan, Postdoctoral Fellow in China Studies, Australian National University
The Conversation, 17 December 2023
 
63. Will more assertive Philippine approach to South China Sea pay off in long run?
Jack Lau
South China Morning Post, 15 December 2023

Climate Change/Environment

64. Srettha seeks closer Japan-ASEAN ties, backs zero emission initiative
The Nation, 17 December 2023
 
65. Can Singapore’s new taxonomy fill the regulatory vacuum in ‘transition finance’ for Asia and beyond?
Gabrielle See
Eco-Business, 15 December 2023

Media, Technology & Society

66. The sharing economy priority for new digital ministry
Geoffrey Williams
Free Malaysia Today, 18 December 2023
 
67. In Cambodia’s ‘underground’ crypto economy, Tether becomes coin of choice for Chinese-linked activities
Danielle Keeton-Olsen
South China Morning Post, 17 December 2023
 
68. Pengasingan Kementerian Komunikasi, digital beri fokus ekonomi digital, kata Fahmi [Split in Ministry of Communication provides focus on digital economy, says Fahmi]
The Malaysian Insight, 17 December 2023
 
69. Operational Technology Security in ASEAN
EDITORS: Keita Oikawa, Yoichiro Hatakeyama
ERIA, 15 December 2023


Image credit: Photo by Mega Caesaria on Unsplash

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