New Mandala

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Hosted by the Australian National University’s (ANU) Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, New Mandala provides anecdote, analysis and new perspectives on Southeast Asia. The site was established in June 2006, with co-founder Dr Nicholas Farrelly editing and running the site until 2015. In May that year, James Giggacher was appointed as editor. Since April 2017, the editor of the site has been Liam Gammon, assisted by associate editor Mish Khan. Since its inception the site has devoted its attention to the politics and societies of Southeast Asia, and especially Thailand and Myanmar. Increasingly its focus stretches to Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. New Mandala also runs a successful book review series.

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2022/12/13 | New Mandala

Indonesia’s New Criminal Code Turns Representatives Into Rulers

Activists say provisions in the code smack of the Sukarno-era Anti-Subversion Law, a vaguely-worded statute that was used to great effect by the Suharto regime to repress and intimidate dissidents.

2020/07/17 | New Mandala

Vietnam’s Public Loudspeaker System: A Means of Communication to Combat Covid-19

War era loudspeakers in Vietnam have taken on a new public health role during Covid-19.

2019/09/17 | New Mandala

The Dual Fronts of Myanmar's Authoritarianism

In Myanmar, democracy is interpreted in a different capacity where diversity does not matter.

2019/03/27 | New Mandala

INDONESIA: Which Candidates Are Running on Islamic Identity?

Candidates for legislative office in Indonesia's upcoming elections seem hesitant to latch onto polarizing religious rhetoric.

2018/11/13 | New Mandala

Has Cambodia Slipped Away From the International Community?

Many Cambodians are skeptical of global leaders. The international community must take this seriously.

2018/10/30 | New Mandala

MALAYSIA: What Happened to UMNO and Malay Support During GE14?

Despite regime change at the top, the United Malays National Organisation retains strong support from the Malaysian people.

2018/09/13 | New Mandala

Repent or Duterte! How Religion Keeps the Philippines President Popular

Two academics speak to religious leaders and find that support for Duterte's War on Drugs emanates from the churches.

2018/07/24 | New Mandala

VIETNAM: Workers Protest Proposed Lease of Economic Zones to China

A draft law governing rules in the zones erodes protections for Vietnamese workers, heavily favors Chinese investors, and promotes toxic industries and gambling.

2018/07/11 | New Mandala

'Thailand 4.0': No Security in the Growing Thai Gig Economy

Thailand has high hopes for the growth of its sharing economy. Despite promising early returns for workers, there is little reason to believe they will lead to long-term stability.

2018/06/08 | New Mandala

New Government, New Opportunities in Far-From-Failing Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is no failed state, despite outdated assumptions to the contrary.

2018/06/04 | New Mandala

Indonesian Democracy on Tenterhooks amid Global Backslide toward Despotism

In the decades since Suharto fell, has Indonesia truly transformed into a stable democracy?

2018/05/28 | New Mandala

REVIEW: 'Divergent Paths' Explains Changing Fates of Myanmar and North Korea

One was embraced as a flowering democracy, the other remains a pariah state, but both governments remain paranoid and oppressive.