MALAYSIA: Some near-term political peace with a new PM, but not much more
Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) appears set to become the country’s next prime minister. He has the support of 114 (out of 220) members of parliament that until before the political crisis had constituted former prime … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
CHINA: This time is different? Signs of progress on long-awaited property tax
Political obstacles have stalled progress on a property tax for over a decade, despite a broad consensus among technocrats and official promises by the Communist Party leadership. But recent policy signals, combined with a more favorable political and economic context, sug… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTHEAST ASIA: A rush to vaccinate the main cities
Vaccination rates in capitals and industrial areas are substantially outpacing the countryside in several countries. The goal is to be able to keep economic centers open as much as possible, even if subsequent outbreaks were to occur. Rural resentment could increase, es… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: The walls are closing in on the prime minister
King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has asked Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to bring forward a parliamentary vote of confidence. The monarch reportedly made the request during a meeting this morning, 11 August, with Yassin, and it was discussed early this evening by leaders … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
CHINA: New Delta outbreak shows downside of zero tolerance
An outbreak of the Delta variant in China is testing Beijing’s commitment to its zero-tolerance policy for new infections. Since the latest outbreak began on 20 July in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, authorities have confirmed more than 414 locally transmitted infections i… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: Confidence vote is not a straight line to a political solution
To de-escalate the current political crisis, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced yesterday that he would seek a confidence vote next month when parliament resumes session. According to the prime minister, the monarch has given his assent. Yassin did not announce a specific … Become a member to read the rest of this article
PHILIPPINES: The symbolic marker to the end of Duterte’s China pivot
The Philippine government announced during the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on 30 July that Manila was retracting its February 2020 termination of the 1999 Philippines-USA visiting forces agreement (VFA). During a press conference yesterday, 2 August, Duterte explai… Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Politburo signals shift towards policy easing – with a few exceptions
The Communist Party’s top policymaking body, the Politburo, held its quarterly meeting on the economy on 30 July. The official readout shows the leadership growing more concerned about slowing growth and shifting towards policy loosening. The shift will be gradual, however, as gr… Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Education crackdown is part of broader ‘common prosperity’ agenda
China’s cabinet announced sweeping new policies to regulate the after-school tutoring industry, motivated by concerns that the industry preys on parents’ anxieties about academic competition and leaves children overworked. The crackdown is part of the government’s latest e… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: How much longer can Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin hold on?
A rare public rebuke from the monarch on 29 July has further weakened Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and significantly raised the probability that he will be forced to resign. However, with parliamentary and party politics at a practical standstill, when and how Muhyiddin could … Become a member to read the rest of this […]