We are pleased to present the 2025 edition of Southeast Asian Affairs. Since it was launched in 1975, the volume has recorded the evolution of regional and national developments in Southeast Asia. As in many past years, Southeast Asia in 2024 presented a mixed picture of steady economic progress and enormous potential, together with security and political challenges, as well as shortfalls in governance.

Political Developments

Post-Election Struggles: Challenges in Power Consolidation and Effective Governance

In 2024, the struggle to consolidate power remained a significant challenge across Southeast Asia as countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia navigated the aftermath of their respective elections. What initially seemed like opportunities for effective governance slipped into uncertainty as countries grappled with, inter alia, institutional weaknesses, issues of corruption, unfulfilled policy pledges, and internal power struggles.

Indonesia's February 2024 presidential elections saw former general Prabowo Subianto—backed by the strategic support and political influence of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo—secure more than half the popular vote. While Prabowo's resounding electoral triumph seemed to offer a clear path forward, the country's political landscape continued to be marked by ferment and controversy. Pro-democracy protests erupted against a controversial revised bill on regional elections, which would have paved the way for Jokowi's youngest son, Kaeseng Pangarep, to enter the political fray. Meanwhile, Prabowo's focus on political consolidation over efficient governance and technocratic expertise—as evidenced by his bloated, alliance-driven cabinet—raised concerns about the administration's capacity to effectively implement policies, enforce laws and deliver public services.