Driving Dangerously in Dili
Issue 57 — Key Developments Across the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam
Editor’s Note
by Karen Ysabelle R. David, Lead Editor - Pacific Corridor Desk
The vibrant and busy streets of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, can often be dangerous. Road traffic crashes continue to be a public safety hazard in the country, with the problem being particularly acute in the capital city. For Southeast Asia’s youngest state and ASEAN’s newest member, its road safety journey has only just begun as it seeks to transform its driving culture and its young people seek solutions.
Across the rest of the Pacific Corridor, young people are also facing other challenges: in Singapore, they are getting married less, owing to a perfect storm of domestic factors and broader regional demographic challenges. In the Philippines, the rise of AI is opening up a new divide in education, infiltrating schools before regulatory mechanisms can even be put securely into place.
And from Vietnam, an AI-related reminder from the start of the year: Hanoi’s movers and shakers optimistically dubbed AI as the new “core engine” for urban governance. Five months since this article was first published, is there truth behind the optimism?
Timor-Leste 🇹🇱
Timor-Leste’s Road Safety Journey Is Just Beginning
by Lucreicha Jane
Road traffic crashes continue to be one of the most pressing public safety challenges in Timor-Leste. In an exclusive interview with The ASEAN Frontier, the Polícia Nacional Timor-Leste (PNTL), Comando Geral, Direção de Trânsito e Segurança Rodoviária reported that between 1 January and 31 May 2026, 818 road traffic crashes were recorded across the country’s 13 municipalities. These incidents resulted in 46 deaths, 139 serious injuries, and 543 minor injuries. Dili alone accounted for 490 crashes, with 11 fatalities, 57 serious injuries, and 444 minor injuries, making it the municipality with the highest number of recorded traffic crashes during the reporting period. Behind every statistic is a person: a student on the way to school, a parent returning home from work, or a young person riding a motorcycle to meet friends. These figures remind us that road traffic crashes are not merely transportation issues; they are public health, social, and development challenges that affect families and communities across the country. As the number of vehicles continues to grow, particularly motorcycles, Timor-Leste faces increasing pressure to strengthen road safety through better infrastructure, stronger law enforcement, public education, and responsible road user behavior. Preventing road crashes requires more than enforcing traffic laws. It also requires building a culture where wearing helmets properly, respecting speed limits, avoiding distracted driving, and protecting vulnerable road users become everyday habits.
Despite these challenges, 2026 also marks an encouraging milestone for Timor-Leste’s road safety journey. From 1–5 July 2026, Timor-Leste participated for the first time in the Youth United for Road Safety program, organized through the ASEAN Secretariat. Three youth representatives from Timor-Leste joined young leaders from across Southeast Asia in Bangkok to exchange experiences, discuss road safety challenges, and develop practical recommendations for improving road safety in their respective countries. For Timor-Leste, this participation represents more than attendance at an international forum. It reflects the country’s growing commitment to involving young people in shaping road safety solutions. Throughout the program, participants discussed common challenges shared across ASEAN, explored successful initiatives implemented in neighboring countries, and worked together to formulate youth-driven recommendations that can contribute to safer roads throughout the region.
Young people bring valuable perspectives because they are among the most frequent road users. They understand the daily realities of commuting, the influence of social media on driving behavior, and the importance of creating campaigns that resonate with younger generations. Their voices can help bridge the gap between policy discussions and community action. Road safety is a shared responsibility. Government institutions, law enforcement agencies, schools, civil society organizations, families, and communities all have important roles to play. At the same time, every individual decision — whether wearing a helmet correctly, following traffic regulations, or choosing not to speed — can help prevent injuries and save lives. Timor-Leste’s participation in the Youth United for Road Safety program marks an important first step toward stronger regional collaboration. By learning from neighboring ASEAN countries while sharing its own experiences, Timor-Leste is beginning to build a stronger foundation for a safer road environment. The journey toward safer roads will require continued commitment, cooperation, and innovation, but every conversation, every partnership, and every responsible action brings the country one step closer to ensuring that every journey ends safely.
Lucreicha Jane is an International Relations undergraduate at the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), with interests in international law, governance, and youth leadership. She previously served as General Secretary of the JCI Timor-Leste Local Chapter Dili Women Entrepreneurs (2024–2025) and as Executive Vice President of the Student Council at UNTL's Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics.
Singapore 🇸🇬
Why Fewer Singaporeans Are Saying “I Do”
by Jennifer Hui En Tan, in Singapore
Marriage has long been treated as a cornerstone of adulthood in Singapore, embedded within its own bureaucratic architecture with priority housing queues, family benefits, and parenthood incentives. The latest figures from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) land as more than a statistical footnote. According to MSF’s Family Trends Report 2026, marriages fell for a third consecutive year in 2025, with a 6.2% drop from 2024 and the lowest count in nearly a decade besides 2020.
The decline is often attributed to changing priorities among younger Singaporeans, who now prioritize careers and personal freedom over settling down. Though there is some truth to this, several demographers cited in recent coverage suggested that marriage decisions are shaped by economic and institutional conditions, not preference alone.
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) Principal Research Fellow Mathew Mathews explains that the decline in marriage continuity depends on whether young Singaporeans see marriage and family formation as both achievable and attractive, noting that many still see marriage as attractive but may not feel ready for it. Furthermore, he noted the long-term social shift, with the younger generation taking more time to search for the right partner, leading to a higher median age at first marriage.
Women’s educational attainment has also reshaped traditional marriage patterns. Greater access to higher education and stronger labor force participation have reduced the economic necessity of early marriage, giving women greater autonomy. At the same time, expectations surrounding dual-income households have risen while caregiving responsibilities remain unevenly distributed, making marriage and parenthood appear more demanding than previous generations experienced.
These shifts carry consequences beyond individual households. As Singapore grapples with an ageing population, the shrinking workforce and rising dependency ratio are now core issues in Singapore’s politics. Demographer Jean Yeung has noted that because the marriage rate is the primary predictor of local birth rates, fewer unions will almost certainly mean fewer children. The shift touches the family support system directly, with the number of seniors living alone more than doubling in the past decade.
Despite policies aimed at encouraging fertility, most existing support only kicks in after marriage rather than making marriage itself more attainable. Broader directions being floated include reducing work-life imbalance, easing housing accessibility for young adults, and even potential matchmaking services. Mathews has flagged the newly convened Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup as timely, aimed at workplace norms, housing transitions, and the pressures young adults associate with marriage.
Singapore’s experience may also foreshadow demographic challenges emerging across Southeast Asia. Thailand officially became a “fully aged society” in 2024, with people aged 60 and above accounting for more than one-fifth of its population, while recording fewer than half a million births for the first time. Thai policymakers have similarly linked delayed marriage and declining fertility to rising living costs and economic uncertainty. Indonesia is witnessing a comparable shift. Its 2025 Intercensal Population survey found that the average age of first marriage for women increased from 23.1 years in 2015 to 25.1 years in 2025, with the most pronounced changes occurring in Jakarta and other highly urbanized regions where female education and workforce participation have expanded rapidly.
These trends reflect a broader ASEAN shift driven by urbanization, higher education, and economic pressures. As demographic challenges grow, governments must find ways to support marriage and family formation without forcing young people to choose between financial security and parenthood.
Jennifer is a final-year International Relations student at the Singapore Institute of Management, where she focuses on political engagement, diplomacy, and community governance. She is an active volunteer in her constituency, working closely with residents to understand local concerns, facilitate dialogue, and support community initiatives.
The Philippines 🇵🇭
The Next Digital Divide Is Access to Artificial Intelligence
by Glenn Vincent N. Boquilon, in Angeles City
For a long time, one of the biggest challenges in education was the digital divide.
In those days, the difference was simple. The divide meant that some schools had access to computers, the internet, and digital tools, while others did not. But as technology continues to evolve rapidly, a new gap may be emerging. This challenge is no longer only about who has internet access. It may soon be about who has access to artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is becoming part of how education systems operate. Around the world, schools are exploring how AI can support teachers, improve decision-making, and better support learners. Despite that, access to these tools remains disparate. Countries that can adopt AI responsibly may gain an advantage, while others risk being left behind.
This challenge is becoming more relevant in Southeast Asia. The region has made some progress in digital transformation, but differences remain between countries and communities. Some education systems have stronger digital infrastructure and research capabilities, while others continue to face challenges in connectivity and resources. As AI becomes more common, these differences could create a new form of inequality.
The Philippines is beginning to explore how AI can address long-standing education challenges. Through the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), AI is being developed for practical use in schools. Projects such as SIGLA use AI-assisted screening to identify learners who may need nutrition interventions. SIBOL explores how data and AI can help optimize new library hub investments. Other projects, such as LIGTAS, use technology to support school disaster preparedness and risk assessment.
These initiatives show that AI does not have to replace teachers or existing traditional systems. Alternatively, it can become a tool that helps education administrators make better decisions and respond faster to challenges. The value of AI is not only in the technology itself, but in how it is applied to real-world problems.
Nonetheless, access to AI is not only a question of technology. It is also a question of governance. As more governments adopt AI systems, they must consider how data is collected, how decisions are made, and how people are protected. Without proper safeguards, AI could create new risks, especially when used in areas involving children and public services.
Across Southeast Asia, many countries are starting to develop policies and frameworks to guide responsible AI use. Singapore introduced its Model AI Governance Framework to promote safe and trustworthy AI adoption. Other countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, have also released national AI strategies focused on innovation and responsible development. At the regional level, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics to encourage cooperation among member states.
These initiatives highlight an important reality. The future of AI will not only depend on who develops the most advanced technology. It will also depend on who can use it responsibly. For education systems, this means ensuring that AI further supports teachers, protects learner well-being, and improves access to quality education.
The first digital divide was about access to the internet. The next may be about access to AI. Addressing this gap will require more than technology. It will require strong governance, regional cooperation, and a commitment to ensuring that AI serves learners across Southeast Asia.
Glenn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Santo Tomas. His experience spans governance programs, policy development, and political research, having worked with the Ateneo School of Government and WR Numero Research on projects focused on electoral reform, public opinion, and regional development. He also helped coordinate the drafting of the Bangsamoro Local Government Code and supported the Academy of Multiparty Democracy.
Vietnam 🇻🇳
From Volume to Value
by Tri Vo, in Ho Chi Minh City
Note: This article was first published in Issue 31 of the Pacific Corridor newsletter.
The end of 2025 also signified the end of the beginning of a period of incredible changes in Vietnam. Under the direction of To Lam, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Hanoi has articulated a vision for a distinct “Era of Rise,” signaling a departure from the more cautious approach of administrations past and toward a more aggressive expansion agenda. This new spirit was reflected in the recent GDP growth target of at least 10% for 2026 approved by the National Assembly, a figure that far exceeds the forecasts of international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund.
The preliminary economic data of Vietnam in 2025 confirms that the rationale for this ambitious target is not without foundation. Indeed, the economy was on track to close 2025 with growth exceeding 8%, driven by a manufacturing sector that expanded by 9.5%. Crucially, total export turnover is projected to hit a record US$470 billion, marking a 16% increase year-on-year despite the global trade tumults in 2025, the most notable of which is the major rise in US tariff rates — one of, if not the largest, export markets for Vietnam.
However, the “Era of Rise” sees growth not merely as the expansion in volume but also as a progression in the quality of it. Recent debates have centered on escapingthe processing trap, i.e., the reliance on the low-rung, low-value assembly for foreign direct investment firms as an engine for growth.
The first few signs that signal this shift could be seen in the agricultural and forestry sectors. On 22 December, the Vietnam Administration of Forestry officially launched the “Vietnam Wood” certification mark. As noted by industry leaders at the launch, this is a critical step to standardizing quality and to securing firmer footing in markets that place a high emphasis on quality as well as environmental and social responsibility, like the EU, rather than competing solely on the basis of price competitiveness.
Simultaneously, the technology sector is pivoting from “outsourcing” to “solution generation.” At the Vietnam-Asia Smart City Summit 2025 held in Hanoi on 23 December, the focus shifted entirely to artificial intelligence (AI) as the new “core engine” for urban governance. Policymakers and tech giants discussed deploying AI not just as a supporting tool for efficiency, but to solve critical governmental and operational bottlenecks that threaten to stifle major urban centers, Vietnam’s economic engines, and by extension, the lofty 10% growth target for 2026.
Yet, while the macroeconomic indicators for 2025 are robust, the success of the “Era of Rise” in 2026 and beyond will depend almost entirely on further “institutional breakthroughs” within the Vietnamese state to further accommodate and buttress the ambitious growth target. As such, 2026 will likely see further reforms in the administrative and fiscal fields on a scale similar to those seen in 2025 to cement the momentum gained as of now. Such reforms might engender some initial disruptions, but if the past is prologue, they, like those in 2025, will be the propellant with which Vietnam can move up in a world of increasing disruptions, where what has worked as of now will prove inadequate in the face of upheaval.
Tri has experience in management consulting and strategy, having worked with institutions such as the UNDP, The Asia Group, and ARC Group. He has provided strategic, legal, and operational insights to clients in sectors including manufacturing, energy, and technology. He holds both academic and professional experience related to Southeast and East Asia, with a focus on regional development and policy.
Editorial Deadline 14/07/2026 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
