ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Fulcrum Commentary by Vinod Thomas - The vast minority of middle-income countries graduate to high-income status. Past strategies that prioritised physical capital must give way to a quality of growth approach premised on investment in human and natural capital.

Southeast Asia’s High-Income Aspirants Should Focus on Quality of Growth | FULCRUM The vast minority of middle-income countries graduate to high-income status. Past strategies that prioritised physical capital must give way to a quality of growth approach premised on investment i…

ISEAS Perspective by Koh Sin Yee - Inbound international student mobility has been a consistent focus of the Malaysian government over the past decade. The Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 (MHEB 2026-2035), launched in January 2026, articulated the aim for Malaysia to become a global education hub, attracting 500,000 international students by 2035.

2026/42 “Becoming a Global Education Hub: Malaysia Needs to Focus on Domestic Needs and Regional Strengths” by Koh Sin Yee Malaysia’s ambitions must go beyond the matrix for global reputation (e.g., international student numbers and university global rankings). Attention must also be paid to domestic needs (i.e., the study of graduate employment needs of Malaysian students, and the country’s labour market needs) and...

Fulcrum Commentary by Nguyen Phuong Linh - Vietnam’s foreign policy has typically been described as bamboo diplomacy. This still holds true, but decision-making is increasingly being constrained by domestic considerations.

Beyond Bamboo Diplomacy: Vietnam’s Shrinking Room for Manoeuvre | FULCRUM Vietnam’s foreign policy has typically been described as bamboo diplomacy. This still holds true, but decision-making is increasingly being constrained by domestic considerations.

This webinar will dissect the 13th Malaysia Plan to analyse Prime Minister Ibrahim’s "Madani" economic vision amidst current domestic and global challenges, and assess its ultimate impact on his economic legacy.

Sign up here - https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/madani-economic-policy-anwars-imprint-on-malaysias-future/

Explore the , a traditional form of oral that is firmly rooted in the culture and literature of the world.

Read more in ’s latest blog post - https://www.iseas.edu.sg/library/blog/highlights-happenings/exploring-the-beauty-of-pantun-the-heart-of-malay-poetry

Fulcrum Commentary by David Lam - Social media companies cannot be trusted to police the scams they profit from. Some government intervention is needed.

Scams in Southeast Asia: When Self-Regulation is Not Enough | FULCRUM Social media companies cannot be trusted to police the scams they profit from. Some government intervention is needed.

Happening now — We are pleased to have Dr Lisandro E. Claudio with us this morning to discuss the historical foundations of economic austerity in the .

Sharing the chapters from his recent book, Dr Claudio discussed key moments in Philippine economic history across the 20th century and how generations of Filipino policymakers, central bankers, and intellectuals adopted austerity as an ideology that transcended political divides and reshaped the boundaries of the Philippine economy. He also spoke about the challenges of implementing fiscal policies for sustainable development and corruption amongst others during the lively Q&A session.

This webinar, titled 'The Historical Foundations of Economic Austerity in the Philippines', is moderated by Dr Aries Arugay and organised by Philippine Studies Programme.

Fulcrum Commentary by Firdausi Suffian - If the war in Iran does not end soon, the Malaysian government must have more arrows in its energy policy quiver.

Walking Malaysia’s Oil Shock Tightrope: Assisting Society While Stewarding Deficits | FULCRUM If the war in Iran does not end soon, the Malaysian government must have more arrows in its energy policy quiver.

Book Talk– We are pleased to gather this afternoon at the Natonal Library of Singapore to talk about title - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁

Ms Angelina Fernandez, President of Eurasian Association, Singapore and Dr Joseph Sheares, son of Dr Benjamin Sheares delivered remarks to open the session.

Mr K. C. Vijayan, author of the biography then shared insights from his research for the book, with anecdotes from Dr Sheares’ personal life, his medical breakthroughs and work ethics as a pioneering gynaecologist who helped the nation navigate through World War 2 and the post-war baby boom years, and as he personified the quiet dignity of a young, independent Singapore during his time as our second President. Mr Vijayan also discussed the enduring legacy from the President’s life story which serve as inspiration for current and future generations.

About 60 guests, including Madam Constance Sheares, daughter of Dr Sheares and Dr Laven Iswaran, former President of Obstetrical & Gynecological (O & G) Society of Singapore attended the event.

For more information on the title, visit https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg/publication/7982

Dialogues@Fulcrum - Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Piper Campbell and Joanne Lin about Southeast Asia operating amid rivalry between China and the US. Ambassador Campbell is the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, American University. She has taught at the university since January 2020. This followed a distinguished, 30-year diplomatic career. Joanne Lin is the coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS.

Southeast Asia Between the Giants | FULCRUM Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Piper Campbell and Joanne Lin about Southeast Asia operating amid rivalry between China and the US. Ambassador Campbell is the Inaugural Chair of the Departme…