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.

Do Rupiah Coins Have Any Value? A Cross Country Comparison and Evaluation of Rupiah Denominations

Wishnu Badrawani — 2025-01-22

Payment system innovation has grown exponentially in numerous nations, raising the prophecy of cash becoming obsolete. However, this is not the prevailing situation in Indonesia, where currency is widely used across the archipelago. In recent decades, the need for cash in circulation has risen steadily, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The possible economic ramifications of rejecting coins in circulation in some cases render the ongoing discussion a significant concern. Therefore, in this study, we thoroughly examine the existence of Rupiah coins in terms of their buying power, denominational structure, and comparative analysis with other countries. The analysis of denomination structure concerning the present and future inflation rate, represented by the average of minimum wages, is conducted utilising the D-Metric and a univariate regression. A comparative analysis is performed using a global product index, and the denomination structure of the Rupiah coin is examined in comparison to the denomination structures in several ASEAN countries and other nations. Our findings indicate that the denomination structure of Rupiah coins has been unsuitable for the current economic situation since 2013. The results are of great importance, as they support policies that improve the usefulness of Rupiah coins for economic transactions and reduce production costs.

Insights into the Uneven Impact of Foreign Direct Investment, Sector-Specific Official Development Assistance, and Remittances on Human Development in ASEAN-9: Evidence from Panel Data Models

Thi Vu Ha Nguyen — 2025-01-22

ASEAN's motto of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" aims for peace, stability, market integration, and inclusivity. However, development disparities persist among member countries. This study analyzes the impact of foreign capital flows on the Human Development Index (HDI) in ASEAN-9 from 2002 to 2021, using panel data regression models and data from reputable international sources. It also highlights the data characteristics and variations in HDI across member countries. Results show that while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and remittances contribute significantly to capital inflows, only FDI affects HDI. Official development assistance (ODA), despite its smaller share, significantly influences HDI. However, the effects of ODA vary across sectors, with grants for social infrastructure and manufacturing, as well as ODA loans for manufacturing and other sectors, positively impacting HDI, while grants for economic infrastructure and other sectors negatively affect HDI. This highlights the complex relationship between foreign capital flows and HDI in ASEAN-9. Targeted ODA allocation and policy considerations are crucial for regional human development, even if the direct impact of remittances on HDI is limited.

Rethinking Border Management: A Human Security Approach to Combating Human Trafficking in the Mekong Subregion

Firstyarinda Indraswari — 2025-03-24

The research examined the relationship between border regulations, human trafficking, and human security in the Mekong subregion. The research applied a qualitative case study methodology to analyze border management policies from 1993 to 2023, employing the first and second-generation human security concepts as a theoretical framework. By focusing on specific regulations and agreements within the Mekong Subregion, the research assessed their ability to address transnational threats such as human trafficking. The findings reveal that while political and economic dimensions dominate, critical aspects of human security—such as personal, environmental, and community security—are often overlooked. Only 23% of border regulations explicitly address human trafficking, reflecting the persistence of state-centric, first-generation approaches that prioritize sovereignty and economic interests over people-centered solutions. The second-generation human security framework highlights the need for a multidimensional, collaborative approach to border management. However, the research analysis shows that existing policies fail to fully integrate human security dimensions, leaving significant gaps in addressing systemic vulnerabilities. This research contributes theoretically by bridging human security concepts with international relations studies, offering a more comprehensive understanding of border management's role in combating human trafficking. Empirically, it critically evaluates policy gaps and their implications for regional governance. By integrating human security principles, border management frameworks in the Mekong Subregion can better address the root causes of human trafficking, providing both theoretical advancements and practical insights for policy development.