Syaza Shukri – författare

While the world was swept up in the complications and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia’s government changed leadership twice without going to ballot. Employing the Malaysian case as a starting point for examining a wider trend in Southeast Asia, Pandemic, Politics, and a Fairer Society in Southeast Asia delves into how politicians and policymakers navigate political uncertainty and the impact of their decisions on creating and maintaining a fairer society.Presenting perspectives from political scientists from across Malaysia and the SEA region, chapters base themselves in the circumstances of political upheaval that Malaysia faced during the pandemic, making a unique and critical contribution to literature on the Southeast Asian experience of COVID-19. Covering trends in Southeast Asia, public perception, elections, and governance, contributors chronicle the rise of regional governments that sought to increase populism and authoritarianism at the height of the pandemic, in addition to monitoring the ongoing fluctuation of public trust and its relation to the political landscapes of the region.With a special focus on creating a fair and just society for a sustainable future, Pandemic, Politics, and a Fairer Society in Southeast Asia offers an in-depth analysis of regional political dynamics from multiple disciplines, including international relations, philosophy, and gender studies.

Youths in Southeast Asia have been active in making their voices heard in politics and in society, both online and offline. However, comparative studies on their civic engagement across the region remain wanting. This pilot study, conducted by the Regional Social and Cultural Studies Programme (RSCS) at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, gathers insights from educated youths across selected Southeast Asian countries. Between August and October 2024, the team surveyed undergraduates from six Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The survey drew responses from 3,081 participants, attaining a generally balanced representation of female and male respondents, and of students from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and non-STEM majors. Respondents were evenly spread across the ages of 18 and 24. This paper highlights some key findings from the survey, focusing on four broad themes: (1) the issues that concern youths the most; (2) their levels of religiosity and political engagement; (3) their optimism towards the political system, law enforcement and economic outlook; and (4) their online and offline participation.

Youths in Southeast Asia have been active in making their voices heard in politics and in society, both online and offline. However, comparative studies on their civic engagement across the region remain wanting.The survey drew responses from 3,081 participants, attaining a generally balanced representation of female and male respondents, and of students from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and non-STEM majors. Respondents were evenly spread across the ages of 18 and 24.

While much research has explored how perceptions of income inequality influence political outcomes—such as political participation, behaviour, and support for democracy—less attention has been given to how a country’s economic and political conditions shape these perceptions. This article argues that economic outlook and political stability play a crucial role in shaping how youths perceive income inequality.A youth and civic engagement survey conducted by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute between August and October 2024 found that Indonesian, Filipino and Thai youths are the most pessimistic about the economic prospects and political conditions of their countries. This bleak outlook aligns closely with their negative perceptions of income inequality.In contrast, youths in Singapore and Vietnam exhibit higher levels of optimism, underpinned by the strong economic growth and political stability of their countries. These favourable conditions, in turn, contribute to more positive perceptions of fairness in wealth distribution in their respective countries.Malaysia, however, presents a more nuanced picture. Despite relatively high levels of income inequality, Malaysian youths remain optimistic about the economic future of the country, revealing a disconnect between economic optimism and perceptions of income inequality.Overall, this article urges policymakers to address objective measures as well as subjective perceptions of inequality by fostering economic environments and political systems that bolster youth optimism and confidence in equitable development. As these perceptions will shape future political landscapes significantly, ensuring a balanced narrative regarding economic growth and fair wealth distribution is essential for sociopolitical stability in Southeast Asia in the future.

By exploring the trajectories of Islamist parties in six diverse countries (Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia), this book provides a comparative analysis of the strategies employed by Islamist groups to confront established political structures through electoral processes and their subsequent governance practices if and when they assume power. The latter aspect is less explored than the predominant focus on Islamist opposition movements.The book analyses how these Islamist political parties navigate and negotiate with oppositional forces and establishments, concisely discussing the complex dynamics at play within each country.The book also bridges the gap between North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Asia Minor, providing a comparative analysis across regions.Primarily serving as an introductory text to the subject of Islamist parties, the book functions as a comprehensive reader and handbook. Each chapter covers a range of key issues and themes relevant to the governance and political activities of the Islamist party of the country studied in the chapter, offering a general overview of Islamist party experiences across various themes and different historical periods.