Politics and

Governance in
Southeast Asia
Overview of
ASEAN the
Region and Its
Cultures
Brunei Darussalam

• Location: Southeast Asia
• Capital City: Bandar Seri
Begawan
• Government: Unitary Islamic
absolute monarchy
• Currency: Brunei Dollar (BND)
• Main Languages: Malay,
English, Chinese
• Main Religions: Sunni Islam
(78%), Christianity, Buddhist
Country Profile
• located entirely on the on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia
• Brunei is bordered by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, which splits the country
into two parts.
• western part of the country, with smaller communities inhabiting the towns and
villages surrounding Brunei’s pristine rainforest and mountainous areas.
• Brunei has one of the highest standards of living in the world, thanks to its rich oil
and gas reserves
• inhabitants of this tiny state pay no income tax and healthcare and education are
free to citizens.
• is an absolute monarchy, currently ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (crowned in
1968), the world’s second richest royal (after the King of Thailand).
• Two thirds of Brunei’s people are Muslim and adhere to strict Islamic traditions
and culture
• indeed Brunei was the first country in South East Asia to introduce Sharia law into
its penal code.
• Sultan rules from the opulent golden-domed Istana Nurul Iman palace, located in
Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan, which is thought to be the world’s largest
residential palace.
Economic
Profile
• In 2019, Brunei’s gross domestic
product (GDP) reached
BND18.375 billion, with a GDP
per capita of BND39,989. Its GDP
was valued at BND18.301 billion
and the per-capita GDP was
BND41,366 in 2018. The
economic growth in 2019 was
attributed to the growth in the oil
and gas and non-oil and gas
sectors.
Demographic Profile

• In 2019, the Bruneian population was

459,500, up from 442,400 the previous
year. Brunei citizens accounted for the
largest share of the population with 72.2
percent (331,800 persons), while
permanent residents and temporary
residents made up 7.3 percent (33,500
persons) and 20.5 percent (94,200 persons)
of the population respectively. More than
74 percent of its population were aged
between 15 and 64 years old, 20.6 percent
were below 15 years of age and 4.83
percent were 65 years and older. Malays
form the majority of the population at 65.8
percent.
 Foreign trade and investment
• Brunei’s foreign direct investment (FDI) totalled BND1.245 billion in 2018. Hong Kong SAR contributed the largest share of
total investment with BND902.4 million (72.5 percent) – an increase from the BND651.5 million recorded the previous year.
The manufacturing sector was the largest recipient of FDI inflows in 2018, which amounted to BND945.6 million.
Industries
• The energy sector – which includes oil and gas exploration and
production, petrochemical and refineries, fuel, power, energy
efficiency and conservation and renewable energy – is a core
pillar of Brunei’s economy. A significant contributor to the
government’s revenue, the energy sector also spurs development
in other sectors of the economy
 Malaysia

• Capital city: Kuala Lumpur

• Government: Federal parliamentary
democracy, constitutional monarchy
• Currency: Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
• Main languages: Malay, English, Chinese
dialects
• Main religions: Islam, Buddhism,
Christianity, Hinduism
Country Profile

• Malaysia comprises two

regions: the Peninsular
Malaysia and the states of
Sabah and Sarawak. It is a
multi-ethnic and multi-religious
federation of 13 states and
three federal territories.
• The states of East Malaysia
(Sabah and Sarawak) have
separate immigration policies
and controls.
Country profile

• Malaysia is quite literally a country of

two halves, with its component land
masses – Peninsular Malaysia (which
lies on the Malay Peninsula) and East
Malaysia (on the island of Borneo) –
separated by the South China Sea. A
former British colony which gained
independence in 1957, the country
consists of 13 statesand three federal
territories governed by a democratic
parliament with an elected king, the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as head of
state. Every five years, the monarch is
elected from the hereditary rulers of
the Malay states.
 Culture

• Malaysia is a genuinely multi-ethnic and multi-

cultural country, and this diversity has a profound
impact on the politics of the state. The political
landscape owes a lot to the British parliamentary
system, while the constitution acknowledges
Islam as the state religion but enshrines in law
the freedom to practice other religions. The
majority of people in Malaysia are ethnic Malays,
but there are also large Chinese and Indian
communities.
Demographic profile

• In 2020, the population in Malaysia is

estimated at 32.7 million, with 29.7 million
citizens and 2.96 million non-citizens. The
population grew 0.4 percent, an increase
from the 32.5 million recorded in 2019. The
population of males outnumbers that of
females: in 2020, the gender ratio is 1.06
male to one female. The Malaysian
population comprises many ethnic groups.
In 2020, more than 69 percent of the
population were Bumiputera, which
included Malays, Orang Asli, and Sabah and
Sarawak natives.
Economic profile

• Malaysia’s economy grew at a

moderate rate of 4.3 percent in
2019, attaining a gross domestic
product (GDP) of MYR1,510.7
billion. Growth was led by the
services sector, which contributed
to 57.7 percent to GDP, followed
by the manufacturing (22.3
percent) and agriculture sectors
(8.2 percent).
• The country’s GDP per capita rose
from MYR44,682in 2018 to
MYR46,450 in 2019.
Industry
• Malaysia’s services industry grew by 6.1 percent from the previous year in
2018, led by wholesale and retail trade and information and communication
sub-sectors.
• The manufacturing industry became a significant contributor to the
country’s economy in the post-independence period beginning in the 1960s.
• In 2019, the manufacturing industry recorded a 3.8 percent growth. Leading
Malaysia’s manufacturing industry is the electrical, electronic and optical
products sector.
• The agriculture sector is another important sector in Malaysia’s economic
development. It provides rural employment, uplift rural incomes and ensure
national food security.
• The agriculture sector is another important sector in Malaysia’s economic
development. It provides rural employment, uplift rural incomes and ensure
national food security.
• In 2019, the agriculture industry expanded two percent and contributed 7.1
percent to the country’s GDP. The growth is influenced by the oil palm,
livestock and other agriculture sub-sectors. Some of Malaysia’s agricultural
products are palm oil, rice and rubber.
Singapore

• Capital city: Singapore
• Government: Unitary
parliamentary constitutional
republic
• Currency: Singapore dollar
(SGD, SG$)
• Main languages: English,
Malay, Tamil, Mandarin
• Main religions: Buddhism,
Islam, Christianity
 Country profile

• Singapore is a prosperous city-state located just off the

southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. With the exception
of its occupation by Japan during World War Two,
Singapore was under British sovereignty from 1824 until
independence was declared in 1963. After a brief union
with Malaysia ended in 1965, the country became an
independent Commonwealth nation. Consisting of one
main island and around 60 outlying islands, the whole
country is just a few hundred square kilometres in area.
However, its strategic location for shipping made it a
commercial hub during the colonial era and Singapore
remains a leading financial centre even today.
Culture

• A popular destination for British expats

as early as the 1920s, Singapore has a
historically transient society. Following
independence from Britain, the country
welcomed large numbers of migrant
workers from China, India and Malaysia,
adding to the already diverse community.
Despite this apparent lack of a single
cultural identity, racial and religious
harmony is valued highly in Singapore,
and major festivals of several religions
are celebrated nationally. Generally
conservative in nature, modern Singapore
has a reputation for being something of a
nanny-state, with laws including a ban on
chewing gum!
 • Tourism in Singapore is a major industry and
contributor to the Singaporean economy, attracting
18.5 million international tourists in 2018, more than
three times Singapore's total population.
•  It is also environmental friendly , and maintains
natural and heritage conservation programs. Along
with this, it also has one of the lowest crime rates.
Economy As English is the dominant one of its four official
language, it is generally easier for tourists to
understand when speaking to the local population of
the country, for example, when shopping . Transport in
Singapore  exhaustively covers most, if not all public
venues in Singapore, which increases convenience for
tourists. This includes the well-known Mass Rapid
Transit  (MRT) system. Singapore is the 5th most
visited city in the world, and 2nd in Asia Pacific.
Industries
• As the commercial hub of ASEAN,
Singapore is characterized by its
open, efficient, and corruption-free
government, low-interest rates,
state-of-the-art infrastructure,
significant investment incentives,
and highly-educated workforce.
These reasons and more led to
Singapore ranking first on the World
Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business
Index” for nine consecutive years
(2006-2014).
Thailand
• Official name: Kingdom of Thailand
• Capital: Bangkok
• Geography: 76 provinces and two special local territories –
Bangkok and Pattaya
• Land area (2019): 513,120 sq km
• Population (2019): 66.6 million
• Head of government: Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-
o-cha
• National language: Thai
• Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
 Country profile

• Thailand is situated in the heart of

Southeast Asia, bordered by the Laos and
Cambodia in the east; the Gulf of
Thailand and Malaysia in the south; the
Andaman Sea and Myanmar in the west;
and Laos and Myanmar in the north. 
Culture
• Thailand lies between Cambodia, Myanmar, and
Laos, with the Gulf of Thailand to its south. Its
unique culture mixes strong Indian influences,
Chinese traditions, and elements that are
absolutely Thai. With its diverse geography,
friendly people, and stunning scenery, the “Land
of Smiles” is a must-see destination in South East
Asia.
• Much of Thailand’s culture comes from the ethnic
Thai people.  One of the most important
influences on Thai culture has been Buddhism.
Many of the traditions and beliefs of the people in
Thailand stem directly from Buddhist principles,
however, Hinduism has also made important
contributions to Thai culture, and the close links
between Thailand and India can be seen in art,
literature, and in many of the country’s customs. 
Demographic profile
• The total population of Thailand was almost 66.6 million in 2019. Around 48.96 percent (32.61 million
persons) were male and 50.98 percent (33.95 million persons) female. Most of the population lived in the
northeastern region (33.05 percent), followed by the northern region (18.2 percent) and Bangkok (16.42
percent). Majority of the population are Buddhists, followed by Muslims and Christians.
Economy • Thailand has a mixed
economy with the major
economic sectors being
agriculture, manufacturing,
tourism, service and
natural resource. Its GDP
in 2019 was 16,879 billion
baht. Its economic growth
sectors include tourism,
automotive and food
manufacturing, which are
supported by its well-
developed transportation
system, infrastructure and
communications systems
Singapore and
Thailand

• Singapore and Thailand share a

bilateral network known as the
Singapore-Thailand Enhanced
Economic Relationship. This is a
platform for government
agencies and private sectors to
promote closer economic
cooperation and deepened the
level of contact and
consultative process between
the two countries.
Industries

• Thailand’s key business sectors include infrastructure development

and manufacturing. The government approved a 3.3 trillion baht
(US$101 billion) Infrastructure Development Plan (2015–2022) that
aims to improve Thailand’s transport links (railways, roads, water
transportation, aviation and mass transit projects), both within
Thailand and with its neighbours.
• Thailand has the fourth largest consumer market in ASEAN. Its
unemployment rate is at a low one percent and the country has a
purchasing power of an estimated US$6,000. In recent years, the
purchasing power outside of capital city Bangkok has also grown.
• The Thai automotive sector is the largest in ASEAN. However, the
industry has been impacted by the global shift towards electric
vehicles (EVs) in recent years. Hence, the “Thai government is
persistently trying to encourage the manufacturing of EVs and high-
tech auto parts through promotion of incentive packages.”
Cambodia
• Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
• Capital: Phnom Penh
• Geography: 25 provinces
• Land Area: 181,035 sq km
• Population (2019): 15.288 million
• Head of state: President Norodom Sihamoni
• Official Language: Khmer
• Currency: Riel
• GDP (2019): 99,544 billion Riels
• GDP Per Capita (2018): 6.323 million Riels
 Country profile

• Cambodia, located on the Indochinese

mainland of Southeast Asia, is a land of
plains and rivers that lies amid important
overland and river trade routes linking
China to India and Southeast Asia.
Cambodia is bordered to the west and
northwest by Thailand, to the northeast
by Laos, to the east and southeast by
Vietnam, and to the southwest by the
Gulf of Thailand
 • Driven by garment exports and tourism, Cambodia’s economy has sustained an average
growth rate of eight percent between 1998 and 2018, making it one of the fastest-growing
economies in the world. While easing slightly, growth remained strong, estimated to have

Economy reached 7.1 percent in 2019, after the better-than-expected growth rate of 7.5 percent in
2018. The agriculture and service sector make up the bulk of the Cambodian economy.
Major agricultural products are rice, rubber, maize and cassava. The major industry of the
manufacturing sector is apparel products, which make up the export sector. While the
Cambodian economy continues to suffer from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,
there are signs that economic activity is beginning to pick up. According to the World
Bank’s latest economic update for Cambodia, the economy was projected to contract by two
percent in 2020 but is expected to bounce back and grow by four percent in 2021
Foreign Trade
• Both exports and imports have been
expanding as a result of the high
economic growth of Cambodia. The
primary export product is apparel and the
major import products are textiles,
petroleum products and vehicles.
Although total manufacturing exports
have been hit by the pandemic, exports of
bicycles, electrical parts and vehicle parts
and accessories are rising, and exports of
rice and other agricultural commodities
have surged. Domestic tourists have
supported a partial recovery of the travel
and tourism industry. Foreign direct
inflows to projects in non-garment
industries and agriculture have been
rising, likely attracted by Free Trade
Agreements.
Indonesia
• Official name: Republic of Indonesia (Republik Indonesia)
• Capital: Jakarta
• Geography: 34 provinces
• Land area: 1,916,906.77 sq km
• Population (2019): 268.1 million
• Head of state: President Joko Widodo (since October 2014)
• National language: Bahasa Indonesia
• Currency: Rupiah (IDR)
• GDP (2019): IDR 15,833.9 trillion
• GDP per capita (2019): IDR 59.1 million
Country Profile

• The Republic of Indonesia is located between the

continents of Asia and Australia. It comprises 16,056
islands, with 34 provinces spreading over five main
islands and four archipelagos. The five main islands
include Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and
Papua. The four archipelagos are Riau, Bangka
Belitung, Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku. Papua
(319,036.05 sq km) is the largest of the 34 provinces
and the smallest is Daerah Khusus Ibukota (DKI)
Jakarta (664.01 sq km).
• Apart from its vast territory, Indonesia has a dense
population and is rich in natural resources. It is also
rich in cultural diversity, with each region having its
own unique cultural characteristics, local language,
dance, custom and costume. On 2 October 2009,
UNESCO inscribed Indonesian batik on its
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
of Humanity.
 Demographic profile
• Indonesia’s population reached 268.1 million in 2019, up from 238.5 million in 2010. The population growth
rate was 1.31 percent. The most populous province in 2019 was West Java (49.317 million), while the least
populous province was West Papua (959,600), which is located in the far eastern region of Indonesia.
Economic profile • Indonesia is ASEAN’s largest
economy. Its GDP in 2019 was IDR
15,833.9 trillion, a growth of more
than six percent from the IDR
14,838.3 trillion achieved in 2017.
 Since 2014, the Indonesian
government has been pushing ahead
with its plans to make Indonesia a
manufacturing hub for Southeast Asia.
In 2018, it launched the Making
Indonesia 4.0 Roadmap, which aims to
boost the industry’s competitiveness
by incorporating major innovations
such as artificial intelligence, robotics
and sensor technology. The roadmap
focuses on the capability upgrading of
five manufacturing sectors, namely
F&B, automotive, electronics,
chemicals, and textile and garment.
Culture
• The culture of Indonesia has been shaped by
long interaction between original indigenous
customs and multiple foreign
influences. Indonesia  is centrally-located along
ancient trading roots between the Far
East, South East and the Middle East, resulting
in many cultural practices being strongly
influenced by a multitude of religions,
including Buddhism, Christianity, 
Confucianism, Hinduism, and Islam, all strong
in the major trading cities. The result is a
complex cultural mixture very different from
the original indigenous cultures.
Vietnam
• Official name: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
• Capital: Hanoi
• Geography: 63 provinces and municipalities
• Land area (2019): 331,236 sq km
• Population (2019) 96.484 million persons
• Head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc
• National language: Vietnamese
• Currency: Viet Nam Dong (VND)
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2019): 6,037.3 trillion VND
• GDP per capita (2019): 62.6 million VND
Country Profile
• Vietnam, a strip of land shaped like
the letter “S”, lies on the eastern part
of the Indochinese peninsula. It is
bordered by China in the north, Laos
and Cambodia to the west, the East
Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean
to the east and south. Three quarters
of its territory comprise mountains
and hills and it has over 3,000 km
long coastline.
Demographic profile

• The population of Vietnam reached

almost 96.5 million persons in 2019.
The urban population accounted for
35 percent (33.8 million persons)
while the rural population accounted
for 65 percent (62.7 million persons).
Around 49.8 percent (48 million
persons) were male, while 50.2
percent (48.5 million persons) were
female. The labour force aged 15 and
above nationwide was estimated at
55.8 million persons.
Economic profile

• In 2019, the service sector

accounted for 41.64 percent of the
economy while the industry and
construction sector comprised 34.49
percent. The agriculture, forestry and
fishery sector made up 13.96
percent and the taxes on products
(less subsidies) contributed 9.91
percent.
Industries

• Some key industries in Vietnam include

infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, and
food and agriculture. To support its fast-
growing economy, Vietnam increased its
infrastructural projects, whose financing
had traditionally relied on international
developmental aid. Now, the financing
model is moving towards public-private
partnerships (PPPs) that operate under
contracts modelled after standard
international project agreements. The
government is also reforming and equitising
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), thereby
opening up certain industries traditionally
monopolised by SOEs to the private sector.
 Philippines
• Official name: Republic of the Philippines
• Land Area: 300,000 sq km
• Population (2015): 100.98 million
• Capital: Manila
• Head of government: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
• GDP (2020): US$367.362 billion
• GDP per capita (2020): US$ 3,372.529
• Major cities (2015 census): Manila, Quezon City, Davao City,
Caloocan, Cebu City, Zamboanga City, Taguig, Antipolo, Pasig and
Cagayan de Oro
Country profile

• Philippines, an island country in

Southeast Asia in the western Pacific
Ocean, is an archipelago consisting of
some 7,100 islands and islets lying about
800 km off the coast of Vietnam. The
archipelago is bounded by the Philippine
Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the
south, the Sulu Sea to the southwest, and
the South China Sea to the west and
north. The archipelago stretches about
1,850 km from north to south, and its
widest east-west extent is some 1,130
km. The large islands fall into three
groups: the Luzon group in the north and
west; the Visayas group in the centre; and
Mindanao in the south.
 • The Philippines is one of the most dynamic economies in the East Asia Pacific region.
With increasing urbanisation, a growing middle class, and a large and young
population, the Philippines’ economic dynamism is rooted in strong consumer
demand supported by a vibrant labour market and robust remittances. Business
activities are buoyant with notable performance in the services sector including the
Economy business process outsourcing, real estate, and finance and insurance industries.
Sound economic fundamentals and a globally recognised competitive workforce
reinforce the growth momentum. Having sustained average annual growth of 6.4
percent between 2010-2019 from an average of 4.5 between 2000-2009, the
country is on its way from a lower middle-income country to an upper middle-
income country in the near term.
Industry

• The industry drivers of the

Philippine economy are the
construction, tourism,
manufacturing and services
industries. Within the
manufacturing industry,
petroleum, transport
equipment, beverage
industries, and food are the
top contributors to
economic growth.
Myannmar
• Official name: The Republic of the Union of
Myanmar
• Land Area: 676,577.23 sq km
• Population (2018): 53.63 million
• Capital: Nay Pyi Taw
• Head of government: President Win Myint
• GDP (2018): 32,522,818.1 million Kyats
• GDP Per Capita (2018): Kyat 1,694,219 Kyats
• Major cities (2014 census): Yangon (7.355
million), Mandalay (6.14588 million), Bago
(4.863455 million), Nay Pyi Taw (1.158368
million)
Economy

• Building on successful political and

economic transformation, Myanmar is
emerging as a prosperous nation. The
country possesses abundant natural
resources, a strategic location at the
crossroads of Asia, a young population,
and a sizable market with wide-ranging
investment opportunities. Myanmar’s
long-term vision is to achieve inclusive
and sustainable economic growth, with
national reconciliation, equitable
development, protection of natural
resources, and job creation as
overarching goals
 Laos

• Official name: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

• Land area: 236,800 sq km
• Population (2019): 7.169 million
• Capital: Vientiane
• Head of government: President Bounnhang Vorachith
• Gross domestic product (GDP) (2019): US$18.174
billion
• GDP per capita (2019): US$2,570
Country
profile
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
(PDR) is a landlocked, mountainous
country that is widely covered with
tropical rainforests. It is bordered by
China and Myanmar to the north,
Cambodia to the south, Vietnam to
the east and Thailand to the west.
Overall, the country extends about
650 miles (1,050 km) from
northwest to southeast.
Economy
• Lao PDR’s economy was set to grow by
6.9 percent in 2019. Growth was driven by
the expansion of infrastructure-related
construction activities, electricity exports,
and growth in wholesale and retail trade.
The country hopes to make hydropower
the largest source of state revenue by 2025
and thus become the “battery of Southeast
Asia”. If the expected construction of the
first high-speed 414 km rail line between
Kunming, southern China and Vientiane,
the capital city of Lao PDR, as part of the
Kunming-Singapore railway is realised in
2022, it will be the “leap towards full
connectivity with the region.”
 • Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Lao PDR has increased in recent
Foreign years. From US$300 million in 2013, it reached US$1.7 billion in 2017.
Infrastructure, particularly electricity generation, remains the largest recipient of

investments
FDI in Lao PDR. Inflows in this sector increased from US$1.1 billion in 2016 to
US$1.7 billion in 2017. This is followed by construction (US$413 billion) and
mining and quarrying (US$207 million).
Singapore – Lao PDR
Trade and Investment
• Bilateral trade between Singapore and Lao PDR
amounted to US$51 million in 2016 while Singapore
had invested US$284 million in Lao PDR. To further
strengthen economic ties between Lao PDR and
Singapore, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lao
National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 1
May 2017. The MOU sought to ensure sharing of
information between the two chambers, and to offer
businessmen more understanding of the investment
opportunities in Laos. It would also help Singapore
firms link up with potential partners in Lao PDR to
explore opportunities there. In addition, on 1
September 2017, Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte
Ltd, Mekong Group Pte Ltd and Laos Phonsavanh
Group signed an MOU to jointly pursue business
opportunities in Lao PDR
ASEAN GOALS

• On ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.

• On ending hunger and improving nutrition.
• On ensuring healthy lives
• On ensuring inclusive and equitable education.
• On achieving gender equality.
• On ensuring availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation.
• On ensuring access to affordable, reliable and
sustainable energy
ASEAN GOALS
• On promoting sustainable and inclusive
economic growth, full and productive
and decent work.
• On building resilient infrastructure and
promoting inclusive industrialization.
• On protecting, restoring and promoting
use of terrestrial ecosystems and
sustainably manage forests
• On promoting peaceful and inclusive
societies for sustainable development,
providing access to justice and building
inclusive institutions.