Editor’s Note
by Haniva Sekar Deanty, Lead Editor - Maritime Crescent Desk
In this issue of The Maritime Crescent, we journey across tradition, reckonings, and regional initiatives. This week, we look at the sobering questions raised by Indonesia’s trial of Thomas Lembong, the festive unity of Brunei’s Gerai Perayaan, and Malaysia’s active push to lead halal standardization across borders. Each story may seem different, but together, they trace the questions we often overlook. What sustains trust in an institution? What future does a region choose when it acts [or doesn’t]? And in the quiet margins between the sombre and the jubilant, what quiet hopes do the people carry for tomorrow?
We hope these reflections help you think deeper on where Southeast Asia is heading, and more importantly, why.
Indonesia 🇮🇩
What One Man's Trial Reveals About Indonesia's Soul
by Hree Putri Samudra, in Jakarta
The conviction of Thomas Lembong, Indonesia’s former trade minister under Joko Widodo’s administration, wasn’t really about the man himself. Anyone who suggests his 4.5-year prison sentence was a simple matter of law is either naive or dishonest. It was a political reckoning, a sentiment echoed by respected figures like former top justice Mahfud MD, who bluntly called the prosecution “politicized.” This was one of those moments where you see what a country is truly afraid of, and what it truly wants.
This trial put a long-simmering debate in Jakarta on public display. Would Indonesia be a bridge: a confident, open, and technocratic nation leveraging its unique position to connect a fragmented world? This is the Indonesia of market reforms, of global engagement, of institutions built on trust. It’s a vision that requires its leaders to be fluent in the language of global capital and governance.
Or would it default to its old instincts: the fortress? An Indonesia that keeps its vast resources on a tight leash, mistrusts outsiders, and believes the state—not the market—should call the shots. In this version of the country, getting everyone in line politically matters more than anything else.
Lembong was the embodiment of the bridge. His crime, in the court's eyes, wasn't corruption but conviction. A conviction in market logic to solve a domestic problem. The court all but admitted this when it chastised his embrace of “capitalist principles,” a phrase that revealed its true grievance. Legal experts pointed out the obvious void at the heart of the case: a lack of mens rea, or criminal intent. But that detail seemed irrelevant. The trial was simply the fortress asserting its dominance.
And here lies the deeper reckoning. This isn't just about scaring off a few good technocrats. Lembong explicitly warned about this in his defense plea, referencing a chilling effect: the fear that no official would dare make risky decisions. It's about deliberately choosing a different toolkit for statecraft. A bridge nation wields soft power; its currency is credibility and the rule of law. A fortress nation relies on hard assets; its currency is control and political will. By criminalizing policy, Jakarta has signaled a clear preference for the latter.
This doesn't make Indonesia a “bad” country; it makes it a different one. A more predictable, perhaps, for those who value top-down control, but a less inspiring one for those who saw its potential as a global standard-bearer for democratic governance in the developing world. The world isn't losing a partner, but it may be recalibrating its expectations. The question the Lembong trial leaves us with is not whether Indonesia will be powerful; it will, but what kind of power it ultimately chooses to be?
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.
Brunei Darussalam 🇧🇳
More Than A Celebration: What Brunei’s Monarchy Means for the Region
by Syimah Johari, in Bandar Seri Begawan
Across Brunei’s districts, the month of July is marked by the vibrant Gerai Perayaan, parades, and a shared festive spirit as citizens honour the birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. While deeply rooted in local tradition, this celebration offers more than national pride, it also reflects how royal institutions across Southeast Asia continue to hold relevance – acting as cultural stabilizers in a region balancing modern governance with historical identity.
The month-long celebration includes various events held across the four districts, with the Gerai Perayaan in particular bringing together the citizens of Brunei. Families gather, friends meet, and local businesses thrive as communities mark His Majesty’s birthday. These stalls are more than just festive markets; they constitute a celebration shaped by the people, with local vendors and local talents showcasing the traditions and cultural history of Brunei, while families and the youth play a part in bringing it to life. This nationwide spirit is deeply rooted in the unifying role that monarchy plays in the lives of Bruneians. As both a ruler and a respected cultural figure, His Majesty reflects the nation’s shared beliefs, history, and way of life. This further showcases that the annual celebration is just as much about the citizen’s love for the country as it is about their respect for the Sultan.
Several ASEAN countries, including Brunei, are under monarchies; each with varying degrees of political influence in their respective national systems. In a fast-changing region, shaped by emerging technologies, global events, shifting economies, and evolving social value; monarchy can offer a sense of cultural grounding. It reminds people of where they come from, especially when the future feels unclear. ASEAN’s diverse governmental systems, from constitutional and absolute monarchies to republics and socialist states, actually become part of its strengths. Despite their differences, these countries foster mutual respect and shared goals, allowing them to become a cohesive region.
At a glance, royal birthday celebrations may seem purely ceremonial, but they reflect something more meaningful, especially for many citizens in Brunei. This becomes clear in the way people show up to these events year after year, gathering with family and supporting local stalls and food vendors. Essentially, such celebrations signal trust in long-standing institutions and a sense of shared purpose. That shared place of gathering and celebration, where tradition and the community come together, echoes the way ASEAN works: grounded in respect for each member’s unique history, yet united in a commitment to progress. In a constantly evolving world today, these shared moments of unity and belonging may become just as vital as policy or reform in shaping its 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.
Malaysia 🇲🇾
What happened to the ASEAN Halal Council Planning? - An Update Coverage
by Edrina Lisa Ozaidi, in WP Kuala Lumpur
In our first Maritime Crescent Issue, TAF covered Malaysia’s ambitious proposal to establish the ASEAN Halal Council as an effort to strengthen the regional halal ecosystem. Just weeks after reports hinted at its formation, the ASEAN Halal Council is not just a plan on paper, but it is actively taking shape with Malaysia leading the expansion. This time, we are unearthing some of the steps that Malaysia has taken as an effort to advance those ambitions, crossing the waters to Oceania and offering New Zealand an opportunity to join hands with ASEAN to become a key partner in this burgeoning ecosystem.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also chairing the Malaysia Halal Industry Development Council, made a recent work visit to New Zealand from 16 to 17 July 2025. He made a series of announcements that solidified Malaysia’s strategy. Besides reiterating the ASEAN Halal Council and the ASEAN+3 component, which will be officially unveiled at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025 this September, he also managed to secure an important agreement. Malaysia has positioned itself as the main distribution and marketing hub for halal products from New Zealand to tap into the ASEAN market and consumers. Leveraging Malaysia’s prominent certification bodies, such as FIANZ and NZIDT, and an established halal ecosystem, New Zealand can secure access to the ASEAN market and consumer base.
This development is a direct reflection of the ASEAN Halal Council's core mission, which is to standardize halal certification among ASEAN nations and beyond. Dismantling the fragmented certification systems that have long hindered intra-regional trade for halal products has always been a clear goal. The initial steps taken to achieve that goal are fostering a unified ASEAN halal logo and achieving mutually recognised standards, which should help reduce the complexity of the processes and boost trade activity in the ASEAN economic bloc.
Spearheaded by Malaysia’s robust Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) and its own halal standards, Malaysia is serious in growing the halal economy while upholding the integrity of the halal industry. This ultimately encourages the flow of goods and services across the bloc with nearly 700 million consumers. The proposed ASEAN Halal Council not only aligns processes but also encourages the bloc to unite and secure a position in the global halal market.
The interest expressed by a key nation from Oceania, like New Zealand, in joining as an associate member of the ASEAN Halal Council signals a major expansion of this ambitious initiative. It also properly demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to spearheading this initiative toward broader regional alignment. This not only makes Malaysia a national halal hub, but it also connects thriving halal economies of Oceania and the Southeast Asia region, where countries possess great potential.
However, the question remains: can this council standardize and overcome the hurdles of diverse interpretations and bureaucracy of halal industry? If successful, it would underscore ASEAN’s standing in the global halal economy.
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.
Editorial Deadline 27/07/2025 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
