Publications
Philippines in 2024: Workers’ Welfare Deteriorates along with Quality of Democracy
By Benjamin Velasco |
As President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s administration approaches its midpoint, the conditions for workers and the poor continue to deteriorate, while the quality of democracy remains in decline. One indicator of the deficits in democracy is the utter dominance of political dynasties in the upcoming midterm elections in May 2025. The elections represent a pivotal moment…
Malaysia in 2024: Corruption, Racial Divides, and Economic Discontent Under Anwar Ibrahim
By Jeremy Lim |
In 2024, Malaysia saw a continuation of previous negative trends under the Anwar Ibrahim administration, with few upsides to show for it. High-level corruption persists as current and former figures from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) – the party of the former Prime Minister implicated in the infamous 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and…
Indonesia in 2024: Strengthening of Dynasties and the Military – A Decline in Democracy
By Ririn Sefsani |
The year 2024 was expected to be marked by high political tensions, shifting socio-political dynamics, and significant political change. With Indonesian President Joko Widodo (known as Jokowi) completing his second five -year term in October 2024, general elections were scheduled for February 2024 to elect a new president. However, the actual political landscape turned out…
2 Years of JETP: Progress and the Urgency to Accelerate
By AEER |
The journey of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Indonesia has been marked by both progress and challenges. Following the initial high expectations generated by the signing at the G20 summit in late 2022, there was significant criticism in early to mid-2023 due to concerns about the lack of grant funding and the potential…
Jeepney modernization and the long road to just transition
By Ayi Kaario |
Image by PISTON Amidst the scorching heat of last April, an elderly jeepney driver, diligently navigating one of the city’s most congested streets, expressed deep concern about the impending jeepney phaseout. “They are always siding with the rich. What will then happen to us?” he said, thinking about potentially losing his only source of livelihood….
Indonesia’s New President – Threat to Democracy? Perspectives from Indonesia and Germany
By Liliane Danso-Dahmen |
Image by Vecteezy.com/Deni Prasetya On 20 October 2024, businessman and former general Prabowo Subianto became the President of Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country. He took over from Joko Widodo after a landslide victory in the February election, in which he was supported by nine parties and won around 96.2 million votes, or…