Asian Studies Commons^™

Rubber Wars: Rubber At The End Of Empire In Colonial Malaya, C. 1945–57, Fiona Williamson

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This article argues the Malayan rubber industry’s fortunes both reflected and coloured the relationship between Britain and the USA during the early Cold War era. British Malaya had developed a world leading rubber industry within a few short decades. The importance of rubber to burgeoning manufacturing and transport industries however – especially in the United States – meant that the commodity became caught up in the geopolitics of a changing world order. During the 1920s and 1930s, Britain had dictated international market rules due to their largely unrivalled position but the Second World War had changed the global balance of …

How Do Young Adults With Drug Use Disorder (Dud) Utilize Treatment? Exploring And Examining Lived Experiences Towards Treatment Completion In Indonesia, Dewi Kartikawatiningsih

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In Indonesia which has the highest rate of drug addiction in Southeast Asia, there is currently little knowledge about how young adults perceive the barriers faced when completing treatment or how treatment providers' perspectives influence their treatment completion. Understanding and identifying barriers to treatment completion is essential to making drug treatment more effective. The purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives and live experiences of young adults with DUD and their addiction counselors to develop a deeper understanding of treatment needs. This study interviewed 33 clients and 15 counselors from the rehabilitation center of the Badan Nasional Narkotika …

Bi-Objective Dynamic Tugboat Scheduling With Speed Optimization Under Stochastic And Time-Varying Service Demands, Xiaoyang Wei, Hoong Chuin Lau, Zhe Xiao, Xiuju Fu, Xiaocai Zhang, Zheng Qin

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

With the growing emphasis on green shipping to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transportation, optimizing fuel consumption with maintaining high service quality has become critical in port operations. Ports are essential nodes in global supply chains, where tugboats play a pivotal role in the safe and efficient maneuvering of ships within constrained environments. However, existing literature lacks approaches that address tugboat scheduling under realistic operational conditions. To fill the research gap, this is the first work to propose the bi-objective dynamic tugboat scheduling problem that optimizes speed under stochastic and time-varying demands, aiming to minimize fuel consumption and manage …

Young Women In Cities: Urbanization And Gender-Biased Migration, Yumi Koh, Li Jing, Yifan Wu, Junjian Yi, Hanzhe Zhang

Research Collection School Of Economics

Young women outnumber young men in cities in many countries during periods of economic growth and urbanization. This gender imbalance among young urbanites is more pronounced in larger cities. We use the gradual rollout of Special Economic Zones across China as a quasi-experiment to establish the causal impact of urbanization on gender-differentiated incentives to migrate. We highlight the role of the marriage market in increasing rural women’s chance of marrying and marrying up in urban areas during rapid urbanization.

Gauging Growth Risk In An International Financial Centre: Some Evidence From Singapore, Hwee Kwan Chow

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper applies the growth-at-risk framework proposed by Adrian et al. (2019) to Singapore, an international financial centre whereby financial shocks are intermediated away quickly. We gauge near-term risks around growth projections taken from the survey of professional forecasters by accounting for financial stress in both local and global financial markets, as well as worldwide economic uncertainty. The conditioning variables are first linked to future growth through quantile regressions, and the estimated quantiles are fitted with skew t-distributions to produce full predictive distributions. Scenario analysis reveals that greater local financial strain tends to widen the uncertainty of growth outlook, higher …

The Overlooked Reality Of Shareholder Activism In China: Defying Western Expectations, Chun Zhou, Wei Zhang, Dan W. Puchniak

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Despite shareholder activism being in the global spotlight, shareholder activism in China – the world’s second largest economy – remains largely a black box. Using unique hand collected data, we reveal the overlooked reality that shareholder activism in China is thriving – with 156 major shareholder activist campaigns, over two-thirds of which have occurred in the last five years. Contrary to Western conventional wisdom, we find that whether the target company is a private owned enterprise (POE) or state-owned enterprise (SOE), has no statistically significant effect on the success of activist campaigns. Private shareholders have undertaken, and in over half …

Andrew Phang (Gen. Ed.), Pioneer, Polymath And Mentor: The Life And Legacy Of Yong Pung How, Kwan Ho Lau, Bryan Leow

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Many know the story of modern Singapore in broad outline. When the country attained independence in 1965, it was not industrialised and fishing villages still dotted the landscape. By 1990, GDP per capita had risen to around US$13,000, far exceeding its neighbours and on par with Hong Kong and New Zealand. A further three decades on, Singapore today boasts gleaming skyscrapers, well-developed infrastructure and a high degree of trust by residents and investors alike in its government.

Financial Regulation, Aurelio Gurrea-Martinez, Nydia Remolina Leon

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

No abstract provided.

Discontent In The World City Of Singapore, Gordon Tan, Jessie P. H. Poon, Orlando Woods

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

A burgeoning literature on ‘left behind’ places has emerged that captures the backlash against globalisation and highlights the locales that lag world cities. This paper integrates the ‘left behind’ and world cities literatures through the lens of discontent in the context of Singapore, using sentiment analysis and topic modelling as well as interviews with local professionals to unpack the multidimensional aspects of discontent. Focusing on the Singapore–India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that spurred discontent directed at foreign Indian professionals, we show that the worlding generated by transnational flows has accentuated intra-urban inequality through racialisation and spatialisation of financial business and …

China's Global Leadership Aspirations And Domestic Support For Climate Policy, Chen Xiang, Terry Van Gevelt

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

In recent years, China has pivoted towards a global leadership role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Notwithstanding the complex political economic reasons underlying China's global leadership aspirations, we are interested in seeing whether the associated national discourse championed by the state increases domestic support for climate policy. That is, do China's international leadership aspirations foster a unifying sense of national pride among the domestic population, thereby lending support to the legitimacy of the state and expediting the implementation of costly domestic climate policies? To test our hypothesis, we enumerated a vignette experiment embedded with conjoint analysis to a …

Book Review: The Malayan Emergency: Revolution And Counterinsurgency At The End Of Empire By Karl Hack, Wen-Qing Ngoei

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This book review critiques the scholarly contributions of historian Karl Hack's new book on the Malayan Emergency.

China, Feminism, And The Legacy Of Confucius, Sor-Hoon Tan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

As the double burden of paid work and family demands leads Chinese women to think twice about marriage and children, we can rush to blame Confucianism’s sexism. But this is a mistake, writes Sor-hoon Tan. We need to separate Confucian philosophy from the oppressive patriarchal norms of its time. Confucian values of care and cultivation can enrich today’s feminism and support equal opportunities for all.

Diaspora Politics And A Rising China: Ambivalent Ties Amid Geopolitical Changes, Jiaqi M. Liu

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Over the past decade, the rise of China on the global stage has witnessed the emergence of members of the Chinese diaspora as new meso-level actors in mediating Sino-Western relations. As part of China’s burgeoning “public diplomacy” around the globe, Chinese migrants organize cultural events to establish grassroots and semi-official exchanges between China and the West. This chapter provides a state-of-the-art examination of so-called “diasporic public diplomacy” whereby the Chinese diaspora plays an increasingly important role in promoting China’s soft power abroad. Based on long-term fieldwork in a prominent emigrant community, I analyse how Chinese national policies envision two specific …

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

This issue of Asian Review brings together four research articles that examine critical dimensions of political economy, governance, and institutional transformation in Southeast Asia. Each article offers a unique analytical lens on the evolving challenges, contradictions, and pathways shaping the political and administrative landscapes of Thailand and the Philippines. Together, they provide an integrated perspective on the interplay between historical trajectories, institutional arrangements, legal frameworks, and digital innovations in these countries, enriching our understanding of their contemporary governance and political development.

Revisiting Thailand’S Developmental Miracle: The Rate Of Profit, Social Structure Of Accumulation, And Trajectory Of Economic Development Between 1957-1997, Paworn Kiatyutthachart

Asian Review

This article aims to provide an overview of Thailand's economic development trajectory from 1957 to 1997. Based on the Social Structure of Accumulation theory, which posits that a "set of institutions" relates to fluctuations in the rate of profit and economic growth, the Thai economy during this period featured a specific institutional framework that created "long waves" in profit rates. Using a historical analysis approach, the arrangement of the Social Structure of Accumulation of this period includes: (1) the dominance of American "capitalist" development ideas; (2) tight control of planning and policy implementation by technocrats; (3) a tripod structure comprising …

Juridification, Legitimacy, And Authoritarian Survival In Thai Politics From The 2014 Military Coup, Apipol Sae-Tung

Asian Review

This article explores the conditions under which authoritarian regimes resort to juridification as a strategy for political survival. It examines why authoritarian governments rely on legal mechanisms despite possessing coercive power. Through an analysis of Thailand’s 2014 military coup and its aftermath, the study argues that juridification—defined here as the expansion of legal control into political domains—is triggered when regimes suffer from low political legitimacy. Drawing on the concepts of legality, legitimacy, and authoritarian adaptation, the article demonstrates how the military-led government in Thailand institutionalised its power through the 2017 Constitution and the National Strategy, both designed to entrench the …

Thailand’S Party Financing Regulation: A U-Turn To Patronage System, Punchada Sirivunnabood

Asian Review

Money is important for the development of political parties. To support the development of parties along with preventing overt corporate influence over parties, the Thai state allocates subsidies from the Political Party Development Fund (PPDF) to eligible party organizations. Beyond the limited PPDF budget, political parties are also allowed to seek their own revenues from other sources such as merchandise sales, fundraisers, and private donations with the maximum of 10 million baht per donor. Based on the qualitative analysis, a series of six focus groups were conducted with party branch members, party MPs, candidates, party staff and ECT officers in …

Chineseness And The Cold War:Contested Cultures And Diaspora In Southeast Asia And-Hong Kong, Nuttawadee Jensiripon

Asian Review

Deviating from that mainstream and rethinking the Cold War within Asian historical contexts, Chineseness and the Cold War: Contested Cultures and Diaspora in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, edited by Jeremy E. Taylor and Lanjun Xu, can be recognized as an extraordinary TV series which offers a significant shift from the traditional Euro-centric perspectives on Cold War studies. Instead, it provides a groundbreaking Sino-centric viewpoint that explores the complex and contested notions of “Chineseness” in Southeast Asia and Hong Kongduring the Cold War period.

A “Bangladeshi” Descendant Muslim Community In Northern Thailand Its Formation Process, Mineo Takada

Asian Review

Thailand is a majority Buddhist country. However, there is a Muslim population in some parts of the country. One such community is a so-called "Indian" Muslim community in northern Thailand. In fact, they originally came from East Bengal, now Bangladesh, not India. A large community of such Bangladeshi descendants can be found in Chiang Mai and other groups of them live in some smaller towns in northern Thailand.  This paper discusses the migration processes, routes, and settlement processes of a group in northern Thailand. When the author started researching them, they declared themselves "Bangladee" (Thai pronunciation of Bangladesh), but they …

The Philippine Digital Paradox: Challenges, Opportunities, And The Way Forward, Shamir Jakaria

Asian Review

The rapid growth of digital technologies is reshaping public governance. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in Philippine public administration. While digital technologies offer significant benefits such as streamlined services, enhanced transparency, and improved citizen engagement, the Philippines faces critical barriers including infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity risks, and a persistent digital divide. Through a systematic review of academic studies, government reports, and policy documents, the study identifies key strategies for advancing e-governance, such as infrastructure development, cybersecurity reforms, and digital literacy programs. The paper highlights successful local and national initiatives, including the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and …

Nationalism And Indian Community In Malaya During The Japanese Occupation, 1941-1945, Ji-Eun Lee

Asian Review

This study examines the transformation of the Indian community in Malaya during the Japanese occupation (1941–45), with a focus on the rise of nationalist consciousness and collective identity. Through the formation and activities of the Indian Independence League (IIL) and the Indian National Army (INA), the Indian community experienced significant organizational and ideological changes. Under Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership, civilian participation and support for the INA increased dramatically, fostering a sense of unity and purpose. Comparative analysis highlights the differing wartime experiences of Malaya’s major ethnic groups: while Malays benefited from Japanese policies, the Chinese faced harsh repression, leading to …

Fluctuating “Indianness” Or “Belonging” : Singapore Indian Dancers And Their Encounter With Southeast Asia At Ramayana Festival, Yoshiaki Takemura

Asian Review

This article investigates the dynamic relationship between cultural heritage and regional identity among the Indian diaspora in Singapore, specifically focusing on the experiences of classical Indian dancers. Historically, the process of “Indianization” deeply influenced the cultural landscape of Southeast Asia, evidenced by the regional prominence of the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Using the context of a regional Ramayana Festival, this paper analyzes how Singaporean Indian dancers, while performing art forms rooted in the Indian subcontinent, negotiate their identity when confronted with diverse Southeast Asian interpretations of the same epic narrative.The study argues that this encounter forces a …

The Library Of Andrew Rippin The Rise Of A QurʾĀnic Philologist, Majid Daneshgar

Asian Review

Andrew Rippin passed away in Victoria, Canada, on 29 November 2016. The current generation of scholars, many of whom began working on Qurʾānic studies within the last decade, have paid a lot of attention to Rippin’s scholarship.  His books and articles have been translated and reviewed in Arabic, Indonesian, Malay, Persian, Turkish and Urdu languages, and are the subject of dissertations and articles throughout the Muslim world. As a contribution to Rippin’s legacy , this communication piece provides an account of the young Rippin and a library collection that he accumulated in the 1970s and 1980s before becoming one of …

China’S Mediation Of The Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement And Its Implications On Regional Peace And Security, Henelito Jr A. Sevilla

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

The Middle East’s geopolitical landscape during the Cold War was characterized by ideological and religious differences among regional powers and their conflicting allegiances to the United States and the Soviet Union. Iran and Saudi Arabia held vast energy reserves and shaped regional divisions along religious and geopolitical lines. These divisions carried over to the post-Cold War era, exposing the Middle East to decades-long crises and proxy warfares. Domestic and regional problems are intensified by the interference of external powers, further deteriorating the prospects of peace and security in the region. Small countries avoid entanglement in big-power rivalries and focus on …

Laudate Deum: A Framework For Environmental Stewardship And Social Justice In The Philippines And Southeast Asia, Antonio Levy S. Ingles Jr.

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This study explores the intersection of environmental initiatives and social justice movements in the Philippines, a nation rich in biodiversity but acutely vulnerable to climate change and ecological degradation. Using Laudate Deum as a guiding framework, the research examines how the principles of Immediate Action, Collective Responsibility, and Social Justice can inform collaborative strategies to address these challenges. Through an analysis of case studies, this paper highlights the socio-economic impacts of environmental crises, such as deforestation and pollution, and evaluates initiatives like mangrove reforestation and community-based waste management for their ecological and social benefits. The findings reveal that integrating Laudate …

Editor's Introduction, Vincenz Serrano

Kritika Kultura

No abstract provided.

Leadership Ethics As A Political Instrument – Normative Challenges Of Global Chinese Expansion For Western Enterprise Cultures, Elmar Nass

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Chinese enterprises with a global focus are emerging as strong competitors in the international market while simultaneously acquiring foreign companies or substantial stakes in them. Distinct leadership paradigms intersect during interactions or within change processes under Chinese influence, significantly impacting goals, strategies, and actions in leadership culture. Chinese businesses are exporting a leadership culture previously unknown in the West. Its ideal follows the large-scale cultural policy of Sinicization, promulgated by state and party leader Xi Jinping. As an ideal model of Sinicized leadership, it is rooted in Sino-Marxist values and infused with Confucian and market-oriented elements. This article deciphers the …

Kamala Harris As Durga: United States Presidential Elections And The Goddess In The Imagination Of Hindu Diaspora, Anisha Saxena

Wagadu: A Journal of Transnational Women's & Gender Studies

The Hindu diaspora in the United States has been one of the most educated and highest earning immigrant groups. They exert considerable influence in the arenas of culture, economy and recently politics. They are attempting to institutionalize Hinduism and “educate” Americans about the religion through creation of lobby groups and the use of social media. Motivated by these recent developments, the article examines the processes of creation, reimagination, and consumption of images of the South Asian goddess in the public sphere, and how these images are perceived by the Hindu diaspora.

Ai, American Politics, And Modern Warfare, Madisen Campbell

Space and Defense

As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms modern warfare, it will pose profound ethical challenges for America’s constitutional democracy.

Technological advancements in the world today, particularly the field of artificial intelligence (AI), impact the current political system in the United States. The importance of understanding and addressing the complex challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI into American politics is key to developing a profound understanding of AI in modern warfare and the implications it has for policy making in America. The need for policy makers and military leaders to receive insight on the development of AI and to develop strategic approaches for …

U.S. 5g Technology Policy: Competition Or Boycott?, Wes Ferguson, Kyle Vargus

Space and Defense

Rather than corral allies and partners across the globe into boycotting Chinese 5G telecommunication systems, U.S. officials should embrace free-and-fair trade competition against China, even in products and services where China may enjoy a technological lead.

The race for technological supremacy has emerged as a defining characteristic of the newest era of great power competition. China and the United States compete to become the dominant world power. Each side is racing to create the latest and most elite technologies to catapult themselves into the lead and give them the edge over their adversary. The fifth generation of wireless technology, called …