Editor’s Note
by Nabil Haskanbancha, in Bangkok
For Issue 3 of the Maritime Crescent, we explore stories of how ASEAN countries are taking steps to lead in the fields of education, diplomacy, and sustainability. Malaysia aims to become the region’s hub for vocational education by building a skilled labour force that drives innovation and economic growth. This effort will help prepare future generations by equipping them with essential skills demanded by today’s industries. In Indonesia, Prabowo’s visit to Russia signals a shift toward new global partners–his praise for the Eurasian Economic Union and interest in joining BRICS indicate a more balanced diplomatic strategy that engages multiple regions. Meanwhile, Brunei continues to expand its solar energy projects by partnering with leading global energy companies; this helps strengthen its clean energy capabilities in a way that is beneficial for civilians and the environment.
Indonesia 🇮🇩
The Sukarno Smokescreen: Decoding Prabowo’s Russian Gambit
by Hree Putri Samudra, in Jakarta
The "Strategic Partnership" President Prabowo Subianto signed in St. Petersburg on June 18-19 is a calculated diversion. The diplomatic pomp at Konstantinovsky Palace, with Prabowo pictured alongside Vladimir Putin, surrounded by his own ministers, was merely the stage. Forget the documents. That's the simple analysis everyone will write. The real story is the narrative shield masterfully constructed from the ghost of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno (in office from 1945-1967).
A masterful example of coordinated messaging was the narrative offensive. When Prabowo recalled how the "Soviet Union…helped us build critical infrastructure like railways, bridges, and great factories," he wasn't merely being courteous during the joint press conference on June 19, according to Times Indonesia. Teddy Indra Wijaya, his cabinet secretary, expertly reaffirmed this, telling news agency ANTARA News about the historic contribution of Soviet architects from Technoexport to the Gelora Bung Karno stadium's design. In this political theatre, even the summit’s "deliverables" are merely props. Jakarta's message was clear: this partnership is a profound historical destiny, anchored in historical continuity rather than opportunism.
This historical epic, however, is a deliberate smokescreen, because the underlying numbers are not just weak, they're pathetic. Putin’s boast of $4.3 billion in bilateral trade, as reported by CNBC Indonesia, is meaningless growth from a laughably low base. The wider context is even more damning. Analysis from The Interpreter shows Russia’s total FDI into the entire ASEAN region is a paltry $159 million, utterly dwarfed by America’s $40 billion. Scholar Alexander S. Korolev confirms the insignificance, noting Russia contributes a mere 0.5% of ASEAN's total exports. This is why Singapore's Tommy Koh bluntly dismissed the partnership as "thin on substance" and "more optical than substantive." The tactic is brutally straightforward: when the spreadsheet is weak, you sell the story.
So why build this ornate façade? Because this narrative shield provides the perfect ideological cover for Prabowo's true strategic prize: a pivot toward non-Western institutions. He laid his cards on the table himself, praising a deal with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and thanking Putin directly for backing Indonesia’s swift entry into BRICS. This is where the ghost of Sukarno becomes a strategic weapon. His anti-colonial, non-aligned spirit masterfully reframes a pragmatic alignment with an isolated Russia. Not as a risky gamble, but as a triumphant return to Indonesia’s independent roots. The result is a geopolitical checkmate: it makes it nearly impossible for Western capitals to object without looking like neo-colonial powers trying to control Jakarta's destiny.
The ultimate takeaway from St. Petersburg, therefore, has little to do with Russia. It is a profound lesson in understanding the Prabowo Playbook. We are witnessing a new brand of statecraft, one that understands that a powerful national myth can be more valuable than foreign direct investment. The question for Washington, Beijing, and other regional players is no longer how to compete with Russian money or arms. That's the easy part. The real, far more difficult question is, how do you compete with a ghost?
Hree serves as Project Associate for Asia and the Pacific at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), where she leads multi-country initiatives integrating Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) frameworks into security policies across ASEAN and South Asia. She is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the University of Glasgow’s Atomic Anxiety in the New Nuclear Age program. Previously, she served as Chair of the Humanitarian Disarmament and Inclusive Governance Working Group at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), advocating for more accountable and inclusive nuclear policy frameworks.
Malaysia 🇲🇾
Malaysia Aims To Cement Its Place as ASEAN’s Vocational Hub
by Edrina Lisa Ozaidi, in WP Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is making strides toward strengthening regional human capital by officially declaring its aim to center the country as the ASEAN Hub for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Certification and Excellence. Announced during the recently concluded 4th Regional Policy Dialogue of the ASEAN TVET Council from 11 to 12 June 2025, this aim aligns with Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN theme: Inclusivity and Sustainability.
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamid stressed that the initiative aims to improve essential skills in the ASEAN workforce, strengthen the labor market, and ultimately promote economic growth. Malaysia is particularly interested in improving high-value sectors, including semiconductors, Electric Vehicles (EVs), aerospace, and renewable energy, where skilled talent is in high demand.
An important strategy to promote skilled labour is strengthening international collaborations with reputable institutions. Currently, Malaysia is seeking to deepen partnerships with UK universities, industries, and vocational schools to effectively integrate training, certification, and graduate employability, while also enhancing bilateral ties between both countries.
Malaysia’s push to reposition TVET from a fallback option to a first-choice career path aligns with its national agenda, particularly its active economic strategy under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030). The government has also allocated substantial funds, up to RM6.8 billion from the national budget, and is working to amend the National Skills Development Act. The additional funding and relevant amendments will enhance the prestige of local TVET institutes and encourage more people to develop their skill sets in targeted industries.
Malaysia’s effort in positioning itself as the ASEAN TVET hub is not an unprecedented move, but rather a bold attempt to elevate what has long been considered a fallback track within the labour market to global standards. More importantly, it aims to attract top talent and produce high-skilled laborers across the region, ensuring that ASEAN moves forward toward a more prosperous and equitable society.
Edrina is a communications professional with a background in international relations. She holds a degree from the University of Nottingham Malaysia and has worked across public relations and social media for organizations in the development, education, and corporate sectors. Her work focuses on crafting narratives around regional affairs and strengthening media engagement across Southeast Asia.
Brunei Darussalam 🇧🇳
Brunei’s Role in Driving ASEAN’s Clean Energy Shift
by Syimah Johari, in Bandar Seri Begawan
Brunei Darussalam, often known for its lush rainforests and warm climate, is a popular destination for people interested in ecotourism, especially those who enjoy tropical climates. Beyond tourism, the country’s consistent year-round sunlight and average temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees Celsius create ideal conditions for solar energy development. This gives Brunei strong potential to lead the ASEAN region in advancing clean energy efforts.
Capitalizing on this potential, Brunei recently signed a joint-venture agreement under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to develop a 30-megawatt Solar Photovoltaics Power Plant, the largest government-led solar project in the country to date and an important milestone for the country. This milestone supports Brunei’s goal of generating 30 percent of its total energy from renewable sources by 2035. Earlier efforts, such as the 2010 Tenaga Suria Brunei solar farm with Mitsubishi Japan and the solar project launched by Brunei Shell Petroleum in 2021, have strengthened the country’s solar energy capabilities. The ongoing Project SINAR with Hengyi Industries has underscored Brunei’s commitment to renewable energy.
Though fossil fuels remain central to the country’s energy mix, recent solar projects drive progress toward cleaner alternatives as they generate electricity using a combination of both direct and indirect sunlight. Just last month, the country recorded a peak temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. With rising temperatures and more solar farms under development, the country is generating more electricity than ever before and the potential continues to grow. The recent SINAR project is expected to generate enough electricity for 23,000 homes once completed. Furthermore, recent solar projects introduced through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) could also raise public awareness about the benefits of solar energy. With broader participation, moving toward cleaner energy becomes a more achievable reality for all ASEAN countries.
Brunei’s sustainability efforts in reducing regional carbon footprint contribute to the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), and aim to position the country as a key player and reliable partner in future clean energy initiatives. By staying engaged in shaping a greener energy future for the region, Brunei can enhance its influence and voice in ASEAN energy dialogues, climate summits, and similar regional discussions. Like its ASEAN neighbors, Brunei’s efforts in investing and expanding its solar power capacity will undoubtedly help move the region closer to a shared sustainable future.
Syimah is a graduate of King’s College London with a BA in International Relations. With a strong focus on diplomacy, regional cooperation, and development policy, she is passionate about contributing to meaningful change through public service. Currently, she is involved in poverty alleviation work through a local NGO.
Editorial Deadline 22/06/2025 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
