JAS (Journal of ASEAN Studies)

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre): Examining Gender-Based Approach in the 2018 Lombok Earthquake

Mala Mardialina — 2024-10-04

This research aimed to examine the role played by The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) as the disaster coordination agency in the ASEAN region in addressing gender-based approach in Lombok earthquake disasters in 2018. The research utilized a qualitative descriptive research design. The findings indicate that the activities of the AHA Centre following the Lombok earthquake were predominantly focused on emergency response efforts and lacked significant involvement in gender-sensitive initiatives, ultimately yielding a dual impact on women. Through this research, it was ascertained that the suboptimal integration of gender perspectives in disaster management exacerbates the societal marginalization of women. The absence of gender-informed disaster management is evidenced by non-gender-disaggregated victim data, logistic aid provision overlooking gender-specific needs, as well as mitigation efforts and information dissemination disregarding gender dynamics. Thus, it emphasizes the lingering absence of a gender-responsive disaster management framework. This raises questions considering that ASEAN, including the AHA Centre, has already implemented a responsive gender declaration in 2015, whereas the AHA Centre has yet to demonstrate the establishment and implementation of a gender-based framework, due to inconsistencies in motivations towards universal norms. This study suggests that a masculine approach to disaster management hinders gender-sensitive disaster response efforts. It employs the concepts of gender mainstreaming and gender sensitivity to examine both the AHA Centre's disaster response efforts and the necessary steps to implement gender-sensitive disaster management. This research constructs the notion that disaster management efforts conducted without gender sensitivity, regardless of their quality, will not be optimal or effective.

Academic Capitalism in Southeast Asia: Lessons from Islamic Universities in Indonesia

Hangga Fathana — 2025-01-22

Indonesia’s demographic potential has fueled increasing demand for higher education, creating opportunities for private universities to address gaps left by public institutions. Many private universities in Indonesia, particularly Islamic institutions, integrate religious values as a core identity while navigating the pressures of academic capitalism. This research investigated how academic capitalism reshapes Islamic universities, compelling them to balance their religious values with global market demands and aspirations for world-class status. This research explored the strategies Islamic universities adopt to navigate these challenges by employing qualitative methods. The findings identify two dominant responses: a pragmatic model, which prioritizes global rankings and revenue generation as indicators of institutional success, and an idealistic model, which integrates rankings cautiously while emphasizing the preservation of Islamic values. These models reflect the diverse ways institutions reconcile external pressures with their missions. Despite challenges, Islamic universities demonstrate resilience, crafting strategies to balance their educational mission with the demands of globalization. The research emphasizes the need for context-sensitive approaches that align global frameworks with local religious and cultural values, offering insights into the evolving landscape of higher education in Southeast Asia. This balance underscores the critical role of identity and values in shaping the future of Islamic higher education.

The Market Interest of Electric Vehicle in ASEAN Through Digital Analytics and Industry Performance

Dianta Hasri Natalius Barus — 2025-02-07

The electric vehicle industry is considered the next generation of the automotive sector. ASEAN, specifically, comprises three major electric vehicle markets: Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. However, can this sector displace the fossil fuel automotive, which has dominated for many years? Changes in technology and policies across countries have pushed the automotive industry further towards environmental concerns. Growing businesses must be in line with environmental sustainability. Indonesia may be described as having a burgeoning and constantly changing curiosity that tends to be dynamic and impulsive. From 2020 to 2023, Malaysia saw a notable increase in interest in Electric Vehicle (EV), comparable to Indonesia. The examination of interest in Malaysia yields an overall index of 25.65. It is below Indonesia’s rate of 32.76 but above Thailand’s rate of 11.87. By analyzing the three trend graphs, it is clear that the interest in electric automobiles in Indonesia have experienced the most substantial increase, while Malaysia has shown the second highest level of interest. Indonesia encounters the lowest level of buying power in comparison to the remaining two countries. Thailand, being the foremost motor vehicle producer in Southeast Asia, is anticipated to see a decline in customer demand for EV. However, the growth and decline of market interest in the future will be driven by industry players and policy makers in each country, broadly in the ASEAN region.