Security and Regional Integration

ECONOMICS, REFSA BRIEF, RESEARCH PAPER

RCEP: one small step, not a giant leap, for trade and growth in Malaysia

REFSA researcher Jaideep Singh unpacks the agreement to show that RCEP is a small step forward that mostly consolidates regional rules rather than a giant leap for trade and growth. Read the full report to find out more.

February 10, 2022

COMMENTARY

RCEP falls short of being transformational

Rather than a game changer, it would be more useful to think of RCEP as the first step in the path towards more transparent and integrated trade in Asia-Pacific.

February 8, 2022

EVENT, PODCAST

The South China Sea: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Collaboration

The South China Sea is one of Malaysia’s most strategic but vulnerable maritime domains, with long-standing territorial disputes and rising tensions. In an ISIS webinar, REFSA Research Director Ivy Kwek address the socio-economic challenges and impact facing SCS today.

July 7, 2021

PODCAST

Why Did Hishammuddin’s ‘China/Big Brother’ Comment Cause So Much Controversy?

REFSA Research Director Ivy Kwek shares on BFM the importance of appropriate gestures in diplomacy, how to deal with big powers and why foreign policy matters to all of us.

April 7, 2021

COMMENTARY

Rethinking the National Defence Industry

There is no doubt that Malaysia has potential to be a producer of various arms and other defence accoutrements. However, this potential must be guided with the right objectives and principles in mind to produce the relevant outcomes.

March 22, 2021

COMMENTARY

One year on – what have we learned from our Covid response?

It is hoped that the Covid pandemic can become a catalyst to spur further thinking of our national security planning, as well as the relations between our military, civilian agencies and society as a whole.

March 22, 2021

COMMENTARY

LCS fiasco at critical crossroads

Malaysia's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program is now at a difficult crossroad. The program was slated to see its first delivery in April of 2019, with the remaining ships being delivered every six months after that. It is now March 2021, nearly two years since the original due date, and it would appear no end is in sight for the troubled procurement project.

March 8, 2021

COMMENTARY

“Building Back Better” Together – ASEAN-China Relations in the Post-Pandemic Era

Post-pandemic opportunities for cooperation between ASEAN and China abound, but both must go past hurdles to trust-building in order to work closer together, for the common future of the region.

December 21, 2020

EVENT, Others

[DCAF x REFSA DISCUSS #9] Roundtable Consultation

A roundtable consultation where participants discussed the way forward for security sector governance in Malaysia with recommendations on reform including having greater inter-agency coordination, transparency and stronger civil-military relations.

October 28, 2020

COMMENTARY, STATECRAFT

Where Is Defense Reform in Malaysia Headed?

Malaysia has no time to lose in face of rapidly evolving security landscape, and its planned defence reforms identified urgently needs implementing. .

July 7, 2020