Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific
Author: Mukul Asher, NUS
With the end of 2011, Singapore’s policy makers have ample reason to be satisfied with their economic management, and the results of the long-prevailing business location growth model.
Singapore’s macroeconomic indicators, excepting the inflation rate, exhibited encouraging trends in 2011. Read more…
Author: Liu Shuguang, Ocean University of China
China’s central government approved Guangdong Province’s plan to build a national-level marine economic-development zone on 20 July, establishing a clear trend in this direction.
Guangdong’s is the third plan approved so far this year, following those for Shandong and Zhejiang. Read more…
Author: Nazry Bahrawi, NUS
A decade after 9/11, the pursuit of ‘moderate Islam’ as the antithesis to ‘radical Islam’ has changed the contours of Islamic theology in Southeast Asia in unimaginable ways.
But, while largely positive, this scramble for moderate Islam can run counter to the progressive ideal of pluralism if touted overzealously. Read more…
Author: Yang Razali Kassim, RSIS
Singapore is seeking to ensure its food security through research and development in urban agribusiness.
Singapore’s approach to food security is set to undergo a fundamental rethink — from being a passive food-importer to a more active contributor to the regional and global food system. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
The results of Singapore’s 27 August Presidential Election were a cliff-hanger.
In the four-way contest, the government’s preferred candidate, former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, won 35.2 per cent of the valid votes after a recount. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
As Singaporeans go to the polls today to elect a new president, it is worth remembering there used to be a comfortable myth perpetuated about Singaporeans — this myth held them to be an apolitical people, conditioned by greed and fear to vote the People’s Action Party (PAP) into power, election after boring election.
Author: Andy Yee, Hong Kong
In a speech made at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue on 4 June, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates disclosed US plans to deploy new littoral combat ships (LCS) to Singapore.
What is notable is that they would be the first US military vessels to be permanently stationed in Singapore. Read more…
Author: Sheryn Lee, ANU
On 4-5 June, Singapore was once again awash with security and defence buzz amid the 10th annual International Institute of Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue.
While in previous years attention has centred on the keynote address of the US Secretary of Defence, this year’s event was dominated by a first time attendant: the Chinese Defence Minister, General Liang Guanglie. The Chinese General’s appearance heralded the strategic importance of the dialogue as a forum for the world’s leading nations. Read more…
Author: Michael D Barr, Flinders University
The sudden retirement of Lee Kuan Yew from the Singapore Cabinet last month following the ruling party’s poor showing in the general elections is a tremendous victory for his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Ironically, the younger Lee’s moral stature in Cabinet has been given a major boost by the ruling party’s dreadful showing in the May 2011 elections as he has been able to shift all the blame onto others — notably his two predecessors as prime minister (Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong) and a few poorly performing Cabinet ministers, who also stepped down after the election. Read more…
Author: President J. Ramos-Horta, Timor-Leste
Our desire to join ASEAN is a long-standing one and in the last 10 years we have shown unequivocal determination to join the organisation.
Geographically, we are very much part of Southeast Asia. Indonesia has shown statesmanship, vision and a real sense of history by being among those who are most strongly advocating for Timor-Leste’s early membership — as early as this year. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
Barring the defeat of three ministers, including the multi-talented Foreign Minister George Yeo, the General Election on 7 May was a victory for Singapore and Singaporeans.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) was returned to power with a credible 60.1 per cent of the vote in a promise of economic growth and political stability in the next five years. With 81 out of the 87 seats in Parliament, the Government will enjoy a strong electoral mandate on which to plan and pursue policies decisively for the long term. Read more…
Author: K. Kesavapany, ISEAS
The general election to be held on 7 May is expected to be a watershed in Singapore’s parliamentary history. From 1966 to 1981, there was not a single opposition Member of Parliament.
Among other reasons, the fact was that the opposition Barisan Socialis (Socialist Front) decided to boycott the General Election of 1968 and take politics to the streets. Read more…
Author: Ross Buckley, UNSW
There are curious aspects of the proposal by the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) to take over the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). However, Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan’s decision to block it is not one of them.
The relevant legislative test is whether this takeover is in the national interest. Read more…
Author: Deborah K. Elms, NTU
Trade officials across nine countries will meet in Singapore from 28 March 2011 for the latest round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
This is the sixth time officials have met for the TPP — pitched as a ‘21st century, high-quality’ agreement — with the goal of completing the agreement by the November APEC meeting in Honolulu. Read more…
Author: Geethanjali Nataraj, NCAER
The proliferation of regional trade agreements has continued unabated since the early 1990s. In recent years, this has led to widespread debate on the advantages or disadvantages of regionalism over multilateralism.
The debate stems from the increased use of regional trade agreements (RTAs) in a world now ruled by an improved and disciplined multilateral trading system. Read more…