For some time, a question has hung in the air about how ASEAN would be able to translate its political commitment into implementation. The top-down approach may never fit the “ASEAN way” of doing things. By its institutional nature, ASEAN’s energy security and speed of energy transition will largely depend on the national self-interest of its member states.
Category: Opinion
For ASEAN’s youth climate declaration to work, look at how China turns promises into proof
The ASEAN Declaration on the Empowerment of Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience, adopted at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on May 8, is a welcome signal.
Triple Disruption and Urban Transformation in Indonesia
Walk through any major Indonesian city and the contradictions are hard to unsee. Gleaming co-working spaces sit beside waterlogged ‘kampungs’.
Indonesia’s Digital Education Boom Has a Child Safety Gap
On 2 May 2026, Indonesia marked its National Education Day under the theme “Strengthening Universal Participation to Realise Quality Education for All.” It is a theme that carries weight beyond ceremony.
When Policy Signals Shape Market Perception
Across Southeast Asia, governments today are not short of policy ambition. New industrial strategies, investment reforms, digital economy roadmaps and public health interventions continue to emerge across the region.
The Illusion of Insulation: Why the Weak Rupiah Hits Rural Indonesia
On May 16, 2026, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto responded to concerns over the weakening rupiah with a seemingly simple remark: “People in the villages don’t use dollars, do they?” He also assured the public that food and energy supplies were secure.
Safeguarding Freedom of Expression in Indonesia
Vice Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus became the victim of an acid attack by unknown individuals at 23.00 on March 12, 2026. He suffered from serious injuries, particularly in the right- and left-hand areas, face, chest and some parts of his eyes. The incident occurred as soon as he finished recording his podcast in the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), entitled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.
Indonesia’s Human Rights Advisory Team: Protection Mechanism or A Tool for Control?
In early May 2026, Indonesia’s Ministry of Human Rights announced plans to establish an advisory team that would evaluate and determine who qualifies as a legitimate human rights activist.
Beyond the Feed: Can Indonesia Buy Trust Through the Illusion of Reach?
Amid the relentless cacophony of social media algorithms, the face of Indonesia’s public communication is undergoing a radical, albeit subtle, transformation.
Strategic Signaling through Simultaneous Military Exercises Around Southeast Asia
On April 20, 2026, the annual Balikatan exercise between the US and the Philippines commenced and will last until May 8.