Archives

Politics of Halal certification: the collapse of the MUI’s long-held monopoly

In the wake of increased government oversight, questions nonetheless remain over the MUI’s accountability.

From disinformation to democratic innovations: amplifying ordinary citizens’ voices

How do ordinary Filipinos make sense of their experiences of disinformation during elections?

Heaven Doesn’t Divide—Why This Gulf?

Morlam song practices still resound, even if criminalised, depoliticised and silenced.

New friends, old enemies: Politics of Ethnic Armed Organisations after the Myanmar Coup

Has the coup has brought these groups closer together or deepened disunity, and reduced the likelihood of the formation of the federal army?

In limbo: Migrant workers struggle with the Myanmar coup and COVID-19

As their travel documents expire Myanmar migrants risk becoming undocumented and excluded from legal protections by shortcomings in both Myanmar and Thai migration policies.

Gameplay for good: gamified crowdsourcing for better public policy in Southeast Asia

The success of Translator Gator illustrates a gap between current policy making and rapidly changing technologies.

Civil Society and Southeast Asia’s Authoritarian Turn

Just as there is no simple correlation between democracy and good governance, we can no longer draw a straight line between authoritarianism and weak governance.

Poverty policy making during the pandemic

In Malaysia, government social spending is on the decline while policy debates on critical issues such as UBI remain suspended.

NBSEAS: “Future Forward: The Rise and Fall of a Thai Political Party”

Duncan McCargo and Anyarat Chattharakul have analysed the stunning rise and fall of this party in their co-authored book.

Split within the sangha: divergent responses towards the Myanmar coup

Buddhist nationalism, allegiances to the people and anti-Islamic sentiment complicate monks' attitudes.

Thailand’s COVID-19 prisons outbreak: time for an early release?

Large COVID outbreaks in prisons are only a part of a bigger problem in terms of the state overlooking the welfare of prisoners.

What is behind vaccine hesitancy in Indonesia?

Perceived religious prohibition, vaccine coercion, anti-Chinese sentiment and reliance on alternative health and hygiene practices are contributing to low vaccination acceptance.