Archives

Rohingya radicalisation in Malaysia: Where’s the evidence?

Claims of widespread Rohingya radicalisation in Malaysia don't ring true on the ground.

Singapore’s mystifying political succession

Why is the PAP sidelining the most worthy candidate to succeed Lee Hsien Loong?

Kean Wong is our GE14 editor

The experienced journalist and editor joins the New Mandala team as Contributing Editor to oversee our coverage of Malaysia's upcoming general election.

The Philippines’ Chinese FDI boom: more politics than geopolitics

A common logic—play nice with Beijing, get investment—doesn't fit the facts in the Philippines.

UNESCO heritage-lists Indonesian wooden boat building

Maritime historian Jeffrey Mellefont on why UNESCO has recognised the cultural significance of South Sulawesi boat-building.

The New Way: Protestantism and the Hmong in Vietnam

The New Books in Southeast Asian Studies podcast talks to Tam Ngo about her new book on protestantism in Hmong society in Vietnam.

Terrorist arbitrage in Southeast Asia

Jihadists know how to take advantage of the unique space for mobilisation offered by the Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines triborder area. Governments are still catching up.

Ownership and control in 21st century Malaysia

Terence Gomez's 'Minister of Finance Incorporated' is a important statement on Malaysian political economy, comparable to James Puthucheary's of 58 years ago.

Five reasons why I don’t always like art galleries

A personally-confronting reflection on why, sometimes, art galleries don’t seem to work for the author.

Islamic leaders don’t get their ‘copy and paste’ of Jakarta

Details on a falling out between pro-Anies Baswedan political parties and the religious leaders behind the 212 movement.

Disinformation and democracy in Indonesia

Crackdowns on ‘fake news’ producers aren’t enough—Indonesian voters need better journalism and greater digital literacy.

Thailand in 2018: no neat exit strategy for junta

The status quo isn't sustainable, but none of the likely exit strategies for the junta will give it what it wants.