Eurasia 2023/1 - web by eurasiamagazine

EURASIA NOVEMBER 27, 2023

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Southeast Asia can play an important role in the multipolar world order

Table of contents FOREWORD The next battlefield – Levente Horváth

GEURASIA

2-4.

Southeast Asia wants to go its own way: interview with George Yeo – Mariann Őry

6-9. ASEAN faces new challenges – Máté Szakáli

THE ECONOMICS OF GEOGRAPHY

10-11.

The Indonesian miracle – Dániel Kovács

NEW SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS

12-13.

A sustainable gateway to Southeast Asia – Ildikó Nagy, Zsófia Gulyás

15. Sustainable and smart cities: interview with Brian Chi-ang Lin – Mariann Őry

NEW AGE – NEW ROAD

RHYMES IN HISTORY

Indonesia builds its new capital – Ildikó Nagy

Compromise for governance – Péter Klemensits

2T2C: TALENT, TECHNOLOGY, CAPITAL, COGNITION

ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE IN A MODERN WORLD

Cashless societies – Joakim Scheffer

Scenery and tradition

16-17.

18-19.

28-29.

30-31.

20-21. The university where futures are shaped: interview with Eng Chye Tan – Dávid László

CULTURE AND INNOVATION

22. Book reviews 24-25.

The Hungarian chef who let the Asians cook: interview with Dániel Varga – Tamás Velkei

“ASEAN needs a new ‘growth paradigm’, one that fosters dynamic, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, leaves no one behind, and prioritises human capital development concurrently with environmental conservation.” Prayut Chan-o-cha,

26. Highlights of Eurasia: Laos

Former Prime Minister of Thailand

THE NEXT

BATTLEFIELD When it comes to the changing world order of the 21st century, the rise of Asia is the talk of the town, but the news is mostly about China. However, the Southeast Asian region plays a prominent economic and geopolitical role on the vast continent. Yet, we hear very little about it or know it only for its holiday opportunities, beautiful beaches and other entertainment options. With a population of almost 700 million people, the ASEAN region is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. If the ASEAN group of countries in Southeast Asia were considered as one country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world with a GDP of 3.6 trillion dollars in 2022. Indonesia stands out from the ASEAN group as the fourth most populous country in the world, currently in 16th place in the global economic rankings but economic projections show that it will be the fourth largest economy by 2050. Vietnam and the Philippines are also forecast to grow by an average of 4-5 per cent by 2050, climbing from 35th and 38th place to 20th and 19th place respectively. The Singapore dollar is already the 11th strongest currency in the world. There are tremendous economic and innovative developments throughout the region. It is also important to note that 90 per cent of world trade is carried by sea, much of it in transit between ASEAN countries. The port of Singapore is the second busiest, the ports of Malaysia the 12th and 19th busiest and the port of Thailand the 20th busiest in the world (although other ports in Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia are also in the top 50). Based on the above economic data, it is no coincidence that there is a major geopolitical struggle for the region. Historically, China has been a trading partner of Southeast Asia well before the 10th century due to its geographical proximity and technological development, in contrast to the Western powers that emerged with colonial intentions in the 15th century and were present in the region until the

Levente Horváth, Ph.D., Director of the Eurasia Center, Editor-in-Chief of Eurasia

independence of Southeast Asian countries in the 20th century. The United States of America, whose historical record in Southeast Asia is not necessarily positive, continues to exert a strong influence in the region. In the 21st century, China is experiencing an economic and political renaissance, which is why relations between China and the region are becoming ever closer through China-ASEAN cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative. The West does not look favourably on the rise and the reshaping of the world order, and so the US announced its “Pivot to Asia” policy in 2011, which has been a constant source of dispute between China and countries in the region, although historical experience shows that it is not China that has caused the suffering of Southeast Asian countries for centuries. Today, proxy wars are increasingly being waged in order for the West to prevent the emergence of a Eurasian supercontinent, and the Russo-Ukrainian and Middle East conflicts have broken the momentum of developing Eurasian connectivity. It is to be hoped that the Southeast Asian region will not become the theatre of the next proxy war of the West, which insists on a unipolar hegemonic world order.

Geurasia

Southeast Asia

wants to go its own way by Mariann Őry Photos: Róbert Hegedüs

THE UNITED STATES WOULD ALSO BENEFIT FROM A MULTIPOLAR WORLD ORDER, BUT FOR THE TIME BEING IT IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP ITS HEGEMONIC ROLE, ACCORDING TO GEORGE YEO, FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER OF SINGAPORE, WHO RECENTLY VISITED BUDAPEST AT THE INVITATION OF THE DANUBE INSTITUTE. HE ALSO SPOKE TO EURASIA ABOUT HOW HE SEES THE ROLE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA IN THE EMERGING NEW WORLD ORDER.

- We are witnessing increased bloc building and decoupling efforts between the East and the West nowadays. In contrast, Hungary’s government argues for connectivity. Where is this tendency going? - Being a small country – just like Singapore – Hungary should fight against this tendency of dividing the world into blocs. Within each bloc, countries, especially small countries, are subject to certain disciplines, which, in fact, would be curbs on our freedoms. On the level of ordinary human beings, what we want is secure livelihoods

to be free to connect to those we want to connect to. I find this tendency of bloc building unhealthy, dysfunctional, and, to some extent, immoral because it plays with people’s lives. - Do you feel that there is pressure on your country and, in general, on the Southeast Asian region to choose, especially by the US? - The Chinese take a more relaxed attitude; they say if it is not against me, that’s fine. You are free to make your own friends. But the Americans are now

There’s almost nothing to prevent a great transition to a multipolar world" embarking on a strategy to somehow surround China and slow it down. Some of us see it almost as an attempt at containment. But no country in Southeast Asia has agreed to it. We have to comply with some of the pressure because the US is a very powerful country and can inflict punishments on us. But people are not happy about it. And if the pressure is too strong, there will be a recoil. And we find comfort in the fact that we have a regional group, the ASEAN, which is bound by a certain degree of group solidarity and which gives us a collective buffer against being overly pressured by major powers.

- How the multipolar world order is taking shape? - There’s almost nothing to prevent a great transition to a multipolar world. What is of concern is how these poles are connected. The European and the American poles will always be close to each other. China and Russia will also be close to each other. ASEAN will try to find space for itself as a grouping. I think Brazil, Africa and certainly the Middle East will also follow its own interests. For the US, the best position would be to be close to all poles and, therefore, play decisive with much less effort instead of trying to pull others down. Unfortunately, for the time being, the US doesn’t like the idea of multipolarity because it means it loses its dominance. This transitional period is now marked by instability; accidents can happen, and it’s risky for small countries. The author is managing editor at Eurasia

Tr ansitions for Sustainability Mihály Varga, Hungary’s Minister of Finance Cai Xuejun, President (CEO) of the Silk Road Fund

György Matolcsy, Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary

Sung-han Kim, Professor of Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University

Wu Hongbo, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs

Our coverage of this year's successful Eurasia Forum and interviews with prominent speakers will be available in our upcoming issues. Stay tuned and see you at the

Eurasia Forum 2024! www.mnb.hu\eurasia

FOCUS ON SOUTHEAST ASEAN FACES NEW CHALLENGES by Máté Szakáli

JAKARTA HOSTED THE 43RD ASEAN SUMMIT AND RELATED NON-BINDING INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS FROM 5 TO 7 SEPTEMBER, WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT FROM THE 10 MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ALLIANCE AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM INDIA, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, AUSTRALIA, AND CANADA, AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES, CHINA AND RUSSIA. Since the beginning of this year, Indonesia has led the Southeast Asian integration under the motto „ASEAN matters: the epicentre of growth.” In line with this motto, sustainable growth of national economies and political stability were high on the agenda in Jakarta, and in his speech at the closing session, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on ASEAN countries to develop the Indo-Pacific into a region of peace and inclusion. He also warned the leaders present that, despite the summit’s achievements, the work was far from over. The summit has produced 90 outcome documents. A number of important agreements were reached with partner countries, such as promoting cooperation on green infrastructure development, connectivity, energy transition, and the digital economy; funding commitment of USD 100 million from Japan to support the implementation of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook (AOIP) through the

The ASEAN summit in September

Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund ( JAIF) 3.0; endorsement of Japan’s comprehensive connectivity initiative at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) and Australia’s USD 95.4 million initiative to strengthen its ties with ASEAN. For Indonesia, the summit also provided an opportunity to advance national agendas such as infrastructure investment, cross-border payments, electric vehicle ecosystem and digital economy. However, commitments in these sectors have yet to be followed by concrete agreements. And the announcements made at the regional level at the

ASIA

Photo: AFP/Adek Berry

Non-aligned countries and the Bandung spirit

Indonesian President Joko Widodo

Another race is on for Africa, and Indonesia is in the running. This is at least the context in which some Indonesian analysts and media see President Joko Widodo’s five-day tour of four African countries in August, which included visits to Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, before he visited South Africa to observe the 15th World Summit on Sustainable Development. President Widodo’s first tour of the continent was officially organised to promote global South-South cooperation and the Bandung spirit, and also to mark this year’s Indonesian ASEAN presidency. The itinerary and communication of the tour was also in line with the growing political perception and public sentiment in the developing world that the current institutional world order does not adequately represent the interests of developing countries and that alternative self-organisation of these states is therefore essential. The Bandung Conference, April 18-24, 1955, was a meeting of Asian and African nations, most of them newly independent. The stated goals of the conference were to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation and to oppose colonialism or neo-colonialism by any nation. Based on the principles agreed at the Bandung Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement was formally established in Belgrade in 1961 at the initiative of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, and Indonesian President Sukarno. The countries of the Non-Aligned Movement represent nearly two-thirds of the members of the United Nations and contain 55 per cent of the world’s population. (MSz)

Photo: AFP/Ludovic Marin

Photo: AFP/PIB

World leaders pay respect at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi

G20 SUMMIT BRINGS INDIA DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS

African Union Chairman and Comoros President Azali Assoumani with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi hosted the G20 summit on 9-10 September. The main successes of the summit, and also the biggest compromises, were made in three areas. One of the central themes of this year’s G20 Presidency is action on climate change. On the one hand, there is the unanimous decision to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity and slow the current rate of global warming. On the other hand, there is the failure to reach consensus on phasing out non-renewable energy sources. For the adoption of the declaration on the war in Ukraine, it was possible to find a wording that was acceptable to all parties, despite differences of opinion. From a geopolitical perspective, the biggest achievement of the summit is the full membership of the African Union, proposed by India in June. In addition to inclusiveness, this move provides an opportunity for the Global South to make its voice heard more forcefully on international issues and also demonstrates India’s changing diplomatic focus. (Krisztina Dávid, Indologist)

summit suggest that while the Indonesian government has been effective in seeking to build unity among the alliance’s member states and to promote ASEAN’s relevance amid growing divisions within the regional grouping, it is highly questionable whether it has succeeded in making ASEAN really count, beyond the above-average global economic growth rate. Despite active support for Indonesian efforts to strengthen ASEAN, there is a tendency among members to prefer signing bilateral agreements among themselves and with external partners rather than forging regional consensus.

The Indonesian government has warned that ASEAN’s „strength as a community is being challenged by one crisis after another” and that growing geopolitical rivalry „could lead to open conflict that our region will have to face”. Consequently, it is now not only a theoretical question whether the bloc can re-establish itself for a new era of confrontation, as it was able to establish itself in the dynamics of the Cold War, but also where the energy for such a renewal can come from. The author is a researcher at the Eurasia Center

10 8 6 4 2 0 -2

ASEAN

Cambodia

Brunei

Indonesia

Laos

Myanmar

Malaysia

Singapore

Philippines

Vietnam

Thailand

2022 2023 forecast 2024 forecast Data source: ASEAN Economic Integration Brief; ASEAN Secretariat (June 2023); GDP Forecast is based on ADB (April 2023)

THE IDEA OF THE ASIAN MONETARY FUND As Asia has recently been grappling with how to mitigate the risks of a still-strong dollar that has weakened local currencies and become a tool of economic statecraft Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for the revival of an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) “to reduce reliance on the dollar or the International Monetary Fund”. The idea of an AMF was initially suggested by Japan in 1997 so as to combat the Asian Financial Crisis. As some economists view the IMF’s Western-centric perspectives on certain economic issues and its high dependence on the thriving of dollarization may inadvertently cause countries to default on their domestic policies as a form of state-protectionism, causing ruptured geopolitical divides, weakening economic cooperation and creating economic turbulence. Critics have argued the AMF, in its functional operations, could be ideal in that it is able to establish appropriate exchange rate policies, monitor currency unions and local currency settlements, allowing financial trade to prosper and economic activity to operate in a way that is minimally hindered by issues relating to the dollar itself. (MSz)

Photo: iStock

Graphic: Alexandra Érsek-Csanádi

-4

The Economics of Geography

THE INDONESIAN MIRACLE by Dániel Kovács

STARTING FROM A COLONIAL BACKGROUND, AFTER A RAPID CATCH-UP IT WAS THE 16TH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD IN 2019 AND COULD SOON BE IN THE TOP TEN. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INDONESIA, WHOSE IMPORTANCE IS GROWING NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY BUT ALSO GEOPOLITICALLY.

THE ISLAND NATION HAS BEEN ON A SUSTAINED AND UNINTERRUPTED GROWTH PATH” Having in reality - and not only on paper - broken away from its colonial master, the Netherlands, Indonesia immediately committed itself to economic development. This did not go smoothly, however, and in the 1960s the Southeast Asian state was taken over by a military regime which was only replaced in 1998. This left its mark on economic de-

Photos: iStock

serves of bauxite, which is all that is needed to make batteries for modern smart devices and electric cars. The markedly neutral country welcomes metal processors from Korea, Japan, the US and China. In addition, the capital Jakarta is one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing tech and start-up havens and a magnet for venture capitalists.

velopment, but since the change of regime the island nation has been on a sustained and uninterrupted growth path. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country, with a population growing by 0.8-1 per cent per year, and by 2020 it exceeded 270 million people. The country has a large young population and various governments have made huge efforts to improve the quality of their education. While Indonesia used to be famous for its coal and palm oil exports, it now has a huge opportunity, with one fifth of the world’s nickel reserves, the third largest cobalt producer and significant re-

“JAKARTA IS ONE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA’S FASTEST GROWING TECH AND START-UP HAVENS AND A MAGNET FOR VENTURE CAPITALISTS”

As a result, Indonesia is now the world’s 32nd largest exporter and 30th largest importer of goods. Between 2000 and 2019, the amount of working capital invested in the country more than ninefold increased to USD 232 billion. Combine this with the country’s geopolitical importance, and it is likely that Indonesia will become one of the world’s top ten economies before 2050. The author is an economics journalist

New Sustainable Economics

A sustainable gateway to Southeast Asia by Ildikó Nagy, Zsófia Gulyás

SINGAPORE WAS ALREADY ONE OF THE TOP EIGHT GLOBAL FINANCIAL HUBS BEFORE THE WORLD FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS OF 2008, AND HAS NOW OVERTAKEN PARIS AND TOKYO. STRENGTHENING SINGAPORE’S ROLE AS A GREEN FINANCE HUB WAS ESSENTIAL TO ACCOMPLISHING THIS.

Singapore’s economic success and development model has long been a priority area of research in relevant literature. Having gained independence from Malaysia in 1965, a social contract of sorts was established between the Lee Kuan Yew-led cabinet and the people, whereby society accepted the curtailment of individual freedoms and tight government control in the interests of economic prosperity and better quality of life. This special political system, resulted in a near sevenfold increase in Singapore’s capital flows between 1968 and 1972, and the country is now the third most competitive financial centre in the world (Global Financial Centres Index 32).

There is a consensus among experts in the academic world that the successful development model is not the result of a ‘tried and tested recipe’, but a combination of factors. Singapore already had several conditions in its favour in the mid-20th century, acting as a logistics hub given its geographic location and British colonial past, and the infrastructure was already in place by the mid-1960s. In addition, a combination of interventionist state policies such as industrial and fiscal policy, political stability and a political culture open to international ideas, effective fiscal and monetary policy and various social policies have made Singapore a model state.

Fireworks over Marina bay Photo: iStock

“Singapore’s economic success has given it an outstanding role in regional and even global politics”

The full application of the Singapore model in the 21st century is limited, but there are many elements in its economic strategy that other countries can successfully apply. These include: a high degree of internationalisation; transposing international best practices into the domestic system; promoting a labour-based economy, the promotion of free trade and investment facilitation practices; tax incentives for start-ups; continuous improvement of the business environment; increasing investment in infrastructure; and ensuring an environmentally-sustainable and digital transition.

Ildikó Nagy – The author is an international adviser at Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB), the central bank of Hungary Zsófia Gulyás – The author is a junior international adviser at MNB

SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES

by Mariann Őry Photo: Róbert Hegedüs

IN ORDER TO BE SMART AND SUSTAINABLE, CITIES NEED A VISION AND THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT YOUNG TALENTS, SAYS BRIAN CHI-ANG LIN, SUSTAINABILITY PROFESSOR AND BUSINESS ADVISER FROM NATIONAL CHENGCHI UNIVERSITY IN TAIPEI, WHO WAS A VISITING FELLOW AT BC4LS IN BUDAPEST. - What makes a city sustainable? - Sustainability is a long-term vision. If we want to make a city sustainable, the vision of the city must be clearly understood by the citizens. Of course, in a democratic society, the vision must be fully discussed and accepted through the democratic process. The next step is setting a target and finding out how to reach it. For example, we have a target for the city to reduce the carbon emission by 2050 by 30 percent or to create more jobs.

A smart city must be able to attract young people to stay in the city to create their sustainable careers”

- And what makes a city smart? - When people talk about smart cities, they emphasize the use of modern technology. But not only that. If we want to make a city smarter, we should try our best to create more opportunity and attract talents to our city. A smart city must be able to attract young people to stay in the city to create their sustainable careers. It’s very clear now that younger generations pay more attention to sustainability issues (than the older generations) and are more willing to make a timely change toward the targets of sustainable development. Thus, a smart city will gradually grow and develop into a sustainable city if more and more local, national, and international young people decide to live in a city and work together for their sustainable future. The author is managing editor of Eurasia

New Age - New Road

The plan aims to create a global smart, green city on the island of Borneo that can act as a hub for government, industry, business and education.

by Ildikó Nagy

THE INDONESIAN CAPITAL OF JAKARTA, WITH A POPULATION OF AROUND 10 MILLION, HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXTREME LAND SUBSIDENCE FOR DECADES AND, TO ADDRESS THIS, PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODO ANNOUNCED THE NUSANTARA PROJECT IN 2019, A NEW CAPITAL CITY ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO. Since the early 2000s, Jakarta has been trying to protect itself from rising sea levels with a sea wall, which is currently being developed in two phases. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of adequate drinking water supplies and the pumping of groundwater from Jakarta, some of which is pumped through illegal wells. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the Nusantara plan in 2019 to ease pressure on a congested and increasingly polluted Jakarta. According to the Indonesian government, only 20% of the project will be completed with public funds by 2045. The project is expected to cost around USD 30–35 billion, to be financed by the national budget, state-owned companies and private investors. According to the government, the United Arab

Source: AFP/NUARTA Photo: AFP/Bagus Saragih

Indonesia builds its new capital

Emirates, China and South Korea have expressed interest in investing. President Joko Widodo is looking to leave behind the new capital, located on a 921-hectare development site, as a legacy after his mandate ends in 2024. To this end, the relocation of the capital was enacted into law in 2022, ensuring that the Nusantara plan remains on the agenda after President Widodo’s mandate expires in 2024. Following delays caused by the pandemic, the first phase of the project is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2023 and is expected to conclude in 2024.

Titik Nol Nusantara (ground zero Nusantara)

The first phase will see the construction of 184 apartment blocks, which will house 14,500 public, military and police employees. Designed by Indonesian studio URBAN3 for a population of 500,000, Nusantara — which will take over the functions of Jakarta’s capital — will also contain the state palace, the house of representatives, government offices and housing for civil servants. The author is an international adviser at Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB), the central bank of Hungary

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„MOBILE-PAYMENT WALLETS HAVE BECOME A VITAL PART OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN CONSUMER LANDSCAPE”

CASHLESS SOCIETIES by Joakim Scheffer

Photo: iStock

Asia is experiencing a huge digital revolution, with mobile payments on the surge in the region. China is leading the way with the world’s largest internet user population and smartphone market, but other countries such as India and Indonesia have also stepped up to the plate. Asia has long been a front-runner in mobile payments; according to some reports, Southeast Asia has become a „wallet-first region”. „Mobile-payment wallets have become a vital part of the Southeast Asian consumer landscape, allowing financial access for millions of previously excluded people. As online spending soared during the Covid-19 pandemic, wallets saw a surge in newly registered users. Uptake of this convenient technology now far outpaces that of credit cards in the region’s emerging markets, thereby revitalizing the payments ecosystem”, wrote global management consulting firm Mckinsey. According to a market report by Mordor Intelligence, the Asia Pacific mobile payments market is expected to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 23.91 per cent between 2023-2028. Within the region, China is playing a leading role in the surge of mobile payments. More than 85% of China’s internet users were using mobile payment services in 2022. The Chinese government has long sought to make a cashless society, supported by a favourable regulatory framework, which has contributed to the success of mobile payments. Mobile payment giants like Alipay and WeChat Pay, which boast over a billion users each, are leading the way. Similar trends can be recognized in other countries in the region. For example, the market for mobile payments is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 29.5 per cent between 2022-2027 in Indonesia. Moreover, the Indian instant payment system UPI hit a record 9 billion transactions in May 2023. According to a report published by The National Payments Corporation of India, UPI accounted for about 75 per cent of the total transaction volume in the retail segment during 2022-23. However, there’s still room for growth, there are a lot of places where cash payments are dominant. Nevertheless, it is clear that Asia is a front-runner in this important area of technology. The author is an editor at Eurasia

The university where futures are shaped Photo: AFP/Witt Pierre

by Dávid László

– Singapore is a superpower when it comes to education. Can they serve as an example for the West? – The postCovid world is characterised by being extremely complex and quite uncertain. But universities have a unique opportunity to shape the future. They can do it, for example, by identifying

“NUS is consistently ranked among the best universities in Asia and even the world” themselves as drivers of innovation and creativity. As a business that creates new opportunities. One that supports lifelong learning and development. And one that contributes to social welfare. It’s important for us to learn from each other’s successes and experiences, but also to develop our own unique approach that benefits the communities we serve.

Photo: NUS

THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE (NUS) OPENED A LITTLE OVER 100 YEARS AGO, IN 1905, WITH A MODEST STUDENT COHORT OF 23. TODAY THEY HAVE OVER 35 THOUSAND STUDENTS ATTENDING THE CLASSES OF 2,500 TEACHERS. IT CONSISTENTLY MAKES THE TOP 100 IN ALL HIGHER EDUCATION RANKINGS WORLDWIDE, AND THIS YEAR IT CAME A QUITE PRESTIGIOUS 11TH IN ONE RANKING. WE ASKED THE RECTOR OF THIS WORLD LEADING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, RENOWNED MATHEMATICIAN AND FRENCH KNIGHT, PROFESSOR ENG CHYE TAN ABOUT THE SECRET OF THEIR SUCCESS.

“It’s important for us to learn from each other’s successes and experiences” – The National University of Singapore is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world, most recently at prestigious number eleven. What is your “secret ingredient”? What makes a good university? – We are delighted to be consistently ranked among the best universities in Asia and even the world. This is a serious recognition of our futurecentred approach to education and research. Our aim is to keep up the excellent work and do even better. We see ourselves as a talent management organisation committed to developing active and resilient graduates through our interdisciplinary, practical and lifelong learning initiatives. At the same time, we also strive to bring together a solid core of researchers with a broad range of skills to deepen the application and communication of our research. We also want to go beyond that in improving lives, making a positive impact that Singapore and society as a whole can only benefit from. The author is a foreign policy journalist

Culture and Innovation

Milton Osborne

Philip C. Zerrillo, Havovi Joshi and Pannapachr Itthiopassagul

Southeast Asia – An Introductory History

Start-Up Thailand: The Entrepreneurs’ Journey

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co.

Publication date: 2013 (11th edition)

Publication date: 2020

ISBN: 978-1743312674

ISBN: 978-981-121-618-3

Pages: 376

Pages: 184

A number of monographs on the history of Southeast Asia have appeared in recent decades, some of which aimed to provide a detailed account of the region’s history that met all the criteria of academic rigour, while others sought merely to provide a concise, readable summary of the subject. Milton Osborne’s work is unique in the latter category. The first edition of the book appeared in 1979 and was immediately met with great interest. While Osborne gives due attention to the region’s early history, he focuses on the changes that have taken place since the 18th century: the impact of colonial rule, the economic upheavals of the 19th and 20th centuries, the rise and triumph of independence movements, the impact of social change, and the key roles played by religion, ethnic minorities, and immigrant groups.

In this book, the authors, drawing on their great expertise in marketing and business practices in ASEAN countries compile a set of inspiring stories of Thai entrepreneurism. The twelve chapters represent eleven business cases, each of which exhibits its own unique way of becoming a prominent player or game changer in their respective industry, including jewellery, health, food, and IT-industry. Many of the chapters portray the interesting journeys of the entrepreneurs, including family businesses, female founders, and start-up entrepreneurs, from their origins to their initial successes and ahead to their future challenges. Unlike most entrepreneurs in other nations, one of the common characteristics of these business owners is their “Jai Dee” or good heart approach.

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THE HUNGARIAN CHEF — WHO — LET THE ASIANS COOK by Tamás Velkei Photos: Róbert Hegedüs

HE HAS GROWN HUNGARIAN PEPPERS IN THAILAND, PETTED DRAGONS IN KOMODO AND SWAM WITH DAVID BECKHAM IN SINGAPORE. IN ADDITION TO HIS HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND CREATIVITY, CHEF DÁNIEL VARGA’S AIM IS TO SURPRISE, A GOAL HE UNDERTAKES WITH HONESTY AND COURAGE.

– To what extent is religion and tradition present in Thai food culture? – Extremely present. The country has several Buddha Days a year, on which no alcohol is consumed. They also feed the spirits: the so-called spirit houses have small windows where food is placed for the spirits. Family is important to them, and they have restaurants where they collect phones before meals so that everyone in the family can focus on each other. – Are feasts a typical event? – Not really, instead they eat little but frequently. This custom is served by the many vendors preparing food on the street, with one selling peeled pineapples, another grilled squid, another chicken. Essentially, you can eat something every hundred metres, relatively cheaply. – Were there any customs that surprised you when it comes to Thai cuisine? – Managing leftovers. For example, the soup from the previous day is often reused the next day if they don’t feel like dealing with it at the end of the day. But it was this strange habit that led to my conscious recycling of what I call the master or primordial soup. Another custom that may seem strange is that when locals eat a fruit, they throw the peel back into the wild. When I asked them why they were taking the leftovers to the jungle, they said: what they throw away, they find again. And indeed, compost and seeds both turned out to be very useful.

– Have you only been to Thailand? – I travelled all over Southeast Asia, from Papua New Guinea to Indonesia. If we were in a big city, I would try the high-end hotels. For example, in Singapore I swam on the rooftop of the Marina Bay Hotel, even when David Beckham was being photographed in the hotel pool. It was 400,000 forints a night, but I was like, who knows if I’ll ever make it back here. We had a tour where 9 out of 10 days we were flying. – How did you cope? – The experience overcame all fatigue. On the island of Komodo, I wanted to take pictures with Komodo dragons. That’s something I was never going to miss out on.

RED CURRY DUCK SOUP FIND THE RECIPE ON OUR WEBSITE!

Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos. It is on a bend of the Mekong River, at which point it forms the border with Thailand. The memorial monument, Patuxai, built between 1957 and 1968, is perhaps the most prominent landmark in the city.

Photos: iStock

HIGHLIGHTS OF EURASIA Vat Phou is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos and one of the oldest places of worship in Southeast Asia. It is at the base of mount Phou Khao, some 6 kilometres from the Mekong in Champasak Province.

Laos

The Khone Falls and Pha Pheng Falls together form a waterfall located in Champasak Province on the Mekong River in southern Laos, near the border with Cambodia. It is the widest waterfall in the world at 10,783 metres in width from one edge of its multiple channels to the other.

INSTITUTE

Rhymes in history

“The numerous changes of government in Thailand in the 20th century illustrate cyclicality, and the trend is likely to continue in the future.”

Compromise for governance by Péter Klemensits

IN THAILAND, THE MONARCH, WHICH IS RATHER UNUSUAL AMONG CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHIES, ALSO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT POLITICAL ROLE AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN THE VARIOUS FACTIONS, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP AND THE PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES. THE COUNTRY’S CITIZENS EXPERIENCED THIS IN THE 20TH CENTURY WITH NUMEROUS CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT.

Thai royalist supporters hold portrait of late Thai King Bhumibole Adulyadej

On May 14, 2023, Thailand held elections for the National Assembly, in which opposition parties won a decisive victory over the ruling party, which was also supported by the military. The result basically meant that the opposition could form a government again since 2014, but the conservative elite tried to prevent this, and it was not until September that the Srettha Thavisin cabinet, formed by a coalition of 6 parties (not all opposition), was finally formed and sanctioned by the ruler. The current situation is by no means unique, as the country’s history in the 20th and 21st centuries has seen a succession of military dictatorships and democratic periods in which the military seized

Photo: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha

Photo: AFP/Guillaume Payen

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn

power on several occasions, sidelining civilian forces. Although Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, meaning that the king no longer holds actual power, he has maintained his role as a unifying and mediating force, allowing for a smoother transition between dictatorship and democracy. Thailand was the only country in Southeast Asia that did not come under the rule of European colonial powers in the 19th and 20th centuries, which meant that, unlike other states in the region, the Thai monarchy was not discredited but retained its role as a political unifier in addition to its leading role in Buddhism. Since the 1950s, relations between the throne and military dictatorships became closer, although the king insisted that the monarchy remain impartial and seek peaceful cooperation with all. Since the 1970s, however, he has repeatedly spoken out against dictatorship and supported democratisation. Vajiralongkorn, who came to power in 2016, appears to be following a similar trend. The king has established a harmonious relationship with the military since his coronation, but the current election results and social discontent will likely lead him to side with the reformers. The author is a senior researcher at the Eurasia Center

Photo: iStock

Photo: AFP/Frank Fell

Photo: iStock

Ancient Knowledge in a Modern World

Traditional water management techniques have formed the emblematic terraces in Bali and the Philippines. The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras consist of a complex of rice terraces on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. They were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, the first-ever property to be included in the cultural landscape category. It is believed that terracing began in the Cordilleras less than one thousand years ago as taro cultivation, while other sources speak of more than 2,000 years. It shows a high level of knowledge of structural and hydraulic engineering on the part of the Ifugao builders. The knowledge and practices, supported by rituals, involved in maintaining the terraces are transferred orally from generation to generation, without written records. Taro was later replaced by rice around 1600. The famous Batad Rice Terraces resemble an amphitheatre. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is the biggest rice terraces in Bali. It comprises over 600Ha of rice fields that follow the flowing hillside topography of the Batukaru mountain range. The terraces have been formed by the traditional Balinese irrigation known as subak, Bali’s community-based water control management system. The subak water management system gained acknowledgement from UNESCO.

Photo: AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka

RICE TERRACES IN BALI AND THE PHILIPPINES

Photo: AFP/Rieger Bertrand

— and — TRADITION

Photo: AFP/Gardel Bertrand

SCENERY

EURASIA ONLINE ISSN 2939-8789 (Online) ISSN 3003-9339 (Print) Published by Neumann Lapkiadó és Kommunikációs Kft. Publisher's Headquarters: 1117 Budapest, Hungary, Infopark sétány 1. Responsible Publisher: Levente Horváth, Ph.D., Managing Director

“Southeast Asia has been intimately associated and involved with four of the great universalist cultures and civilizations of the world: India, China, Islam and the West.” Kishore Mahbubani, former president of the UN Security Council (in: The ASEAN Miracle: A Catalyst for Peace)

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Southeast Asia is comprised of 11 countries squeezed between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, East Timor, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Vietnam. The entire region is in the same time zone, GMT+8.

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