Singapore: A Modern History – Faizah Zakaria speaks to Michael Barr on his new book

Michael D. Barr critiques the foundational timeline of the state-sponsored history known as the ‘Singapore Story.’

From ‘being Thai’ to ‘being human’: Thailand’s protests and redefining the nation

The People’s Party 2020 is redefining the nation by withdrawing the condition of "Thainess".

When Will Indonesia’s Film Industry Recover?

COVID-19 interrupted a boom for Indonesian cinema: their rate of recovery may be a bellwether for other sectors.

COVID-19 is eroding Indonesian local media’s role as watchdog

Local media are failing to supervise regional Indonesia, with many relying on government PR budgets or politicians’ fresh cash.

Governing a pandemic: centre-regional relations and Indonesia’s COVID-19 response

The current arrangements slow initial local responses without a corresponding payoff.

Sarawak state elections: testing the times

Conventional wisdom supports an incumbent win, but will GPS face any serious opposition as they take state nationalism to the polls?

EOI close this week! Southeast Asian researcher looking at gender & sexuality? New Mandala is looking for you.

Funded by the ANU Gender Institute, NM's latest project offers workshops in developing a short video using readily available devices. Get your EOI in before 12 Dec.

The role of neighbourhood leaders in Indonesia’s COVID-19 response

Neighbourhood leaders enjoy high levels of public trust but concerns about legitimacy and conflict limit the extent to which they can implement COVID-19 restrictions.

The pro-democracy monks joining Thailand’s protests

"The protesting monks question the Sangha Council’s silence toward radical right-wing monks but relentless effort to suppress democratically minded ones."

What is new in the old pattern of Indonesia’s student movement?

Novel phenomena emerge as students find common ground with workers, but there are risks.

Mental illness in Malaysia: the imperative to destigmatise

The Ministry of Health needs to make the strategic leap from awareness to research and intervention.

Eviction and urban resistance in Bandung

An urban development program has supported a boom in commercial property construction and displaced poor urban communities, sparking an upsurge in resistance

The desertion of Cambodia’s spirits

Spirits and forests are disappearing as a new, consumerist way of relating to the land literally gains ground.

The 2020 Myanmar election: resetting the role of civil society organisations

The current restricted environment for CSOs, especially those advocating on human rights and accountability, is almost certain to continue in post-2020 Myanmar.

Incumbents with attitude in Indonesia’s local elections

Incumbents at the local level can be an obstacle to the political plans of wealthy and well-connected players, even in uncontested elections.

Thailand’s protests and preventing a ‘second 6 October’

The rising wave of peaceful protests in Thailand has reached a critical juncture where the state’s response will determine whether another event of mass bloodshed is written into Thai history.

Understanding LGBT realities in Myanmar: new study indicates public support for equality

Findings give direction for advocacy groups to strategise change-making programs.

The right to water: governing private and communal provision in rural Indonesia

Three cases illustrate that the role of private providers and communal works, or a combination of the two, are the norm among poor, rural communities

Division and unity: anticipating the regime’s response to Thailand’s protests

Pro-democracy groups have taken to the streets in the past, only to see agents provocateurs and royalist reactionaries mobilised to generate confrontation and violence.

Revolution from the kitchen: women and ecological responses to COVID-19

The kitchen has become a centre of social solidarity from which women are making invaluable contributions to the COVID-response.

Thailand’s network monarchy revisited

Monarchy network data revealed through Yoshinori Nishizaki’s research explains one of the pivotal moments in modern Thai history, writes Craig Reynolds.

National harmony: race, politics and campaigning in Malaysia

A new report analyses debates around social cohesion and a failed proposal for a National Harmony Commission in Malaysia in light of Pakatan Harapan's collapse

New Books on Southeast Asia: Melissa Crouch on the Myanmar Constitution

On the unusual context for the drafting of the Constitution of Myanmar, and its impact on present-day politics.

Corruption and power plays in the Royal Thai Navy’s new leadership

In the wake of the annual military reshuffle, the dominant faction in the Royal Thai Navy is facing a juncture due to two recent corruption scandals.