Exploring the Demand for Cigarettes: An Analysis of Adults in Malaysia

Smoking is an alarming public health issue in today’s rapidly urbanising society. The objective of the present study is to investigate factors associated with the demand for cigarettes among adults in Malaysia, i.e., an ASEAN country. Statistical analyses were performed using nationally representative data with a large sample. In terms of multivariate analysis, a Tobit model was used to examine the effects of sociodemographic factors on expenditure on cigarettes. Both conditional and unconditional expectations were estimated. We found that age, gender, wealth index, education and house locality were significantly associated with expenditure on cigarettes. The elderly spent less on cigarettes compared with young adults. Males and less-educated individuals spent more on cigarettes than females and well-educated individuals. There was a positive relationship between residing in urban areas and cigarettes expenditure. In conclusion, sociodemographic factors play an important role in determining the demand for cigarettes. Findings of the present study show that a successful anti-smoking policy should be targeted primarily at individuals who spend a large amount of money on cigarettes.

Institutional Change and Macroeconomic Variables in the ASEAN—Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia: The Effects of a Trade War between China and USA

A trade war between the United States and China resulted in an increase in trade tariffs on imported goods entering each of these countries. Southeast Asian countries that have trade relations with the two countries, especially in terms of non-oil and gas exports of 25% to 35%, will be affected by export demand. Furthermore, the effects of the trade war will reduce gross domestic product (GDP) in Southeast Asian countries or the ASEAN and increase the current account deficit. On the other hand, the effects of the trade war that led to the decision of foreign investors to move their manufacturing base out of China will produce a flow of foreign investment that is ready to be captured by every ASEAN country.

Shaping new interregionalism: The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and beyond

The article examines the theoretical concept of interregionalism in the context of the evolving framework between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As the EU’s first free trade agreement (FTA) with an ASEAN country, the EU-Singapore FTA is a pathfinder agreement that signifies a new phase of interregionalism and the EU’s new Asia strategy after the Treaty of Lisbon. The article argues that the innovative designs of the EU-Singapore FTA will shape the normative development of EU-ASEAN relations in the post-pandemic era. It also cautions that a comparative analysis of EU and US agreements reveals deficiencies in the FTA that require remedies. To buttress the contention, key provisions on ASEAN cumulative rules of origin, banking and legal services and non-tariff barriers are analysed in light of contemporary Asian agreements. The research further provides insight into the effectiveness of new-generation rules on geographical indications, competition, and investor-state arbitration and mediation. Hence, the findings contribute to the understanding of interregionalism and the EU’s Asia-Pacific trade and investment agreements from global and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Implementasi ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) dalam Pengembangan Pariwisata Sumatra Barat

Tourism in the ASEAN context is considered substantial in supporting the economic growth acceleration in each ASEAN country. Therefore, ASEAN has formed a joint strategy to support tourism development in each ASEAN member country through the formation of the ATSP (ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan). Indonesia is one of the ASEAN member countries also has focus on the tourism sector. One of the provinces with good tourism opportunities in Indonesia is West Sumatra. This study will analyze how West Sumatra maximizes tourism potential through the implementation of ATSP. The method chosen to explain and analyze the problem in this research is a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytic type of research. Through a qualitative approach allows researchers to be able to produce a detailed description of the policies taken by the Government of West Sumatra within the framework of the ATSP for regional tourism development. The findings of this study indicate that the government of West Sumatra has not yet maximized the potential of the region in the tourism sector and has not implemented ATSP thoroughly.

Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein sequence variations in ASEAN countries

BACKGROUND Nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of four structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 which is known to be more conserved than spike protein and is highly immunogenic. This study aimed to analyze the variation of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein sequences in ASEAN countries, including Indonesia. METHODS Complete sequences of SARS-CoV-2 N protein from each ASEAN country were obtained from Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID), while the reference sequence was obtained from GenBank. All sequences collected from December 2019 to March 2021 were grouped to the clade according to GISAID, and two representative isolates were chosen from each clade for the analysis. The sequences were aligned by MUSCLE, and phylogenetic trees were built using MEGA-X software based on the nucleotide and translated AA sequences. RESULTS 98 isolates of complete N protein genes from ASEAN countries were analyzed. The nucleotides of all isolates were 97.5% conserved. Of 31 nucleotide changes, 22 led to amino acid (AA) substitutions; thus, the AA sequences were 94.5% conserved. The phylogenetic tree of nucleotide and AA sequences shows similar branches. Nucleotide variations in clade O (C28311T); clade GR (28881–28883 GGG>AAC); and clade GRY (28881–28883 GGG>AAC and C28977T) lead to specific branches corresponding to the clade within both trees. CONCLUSIONS The N protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2 across ASEAN countries are highly conserved. Most isolates were closely related to the reference sequence originating from China, except the isolates representing clade O, GR, and GRY which formed specific branches in the phylogenetic tree.

CONVERGENCE OF FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ASEAN BASED ON PRIVATE CREDIT AND LIQUID LIABILITIES INDICATORS

The financial development gap for ASEAN countries is critical to analyze since the widening financial development gap will lead to underdeveloped financial sector performance. The concept considered appropriate to measure the gap of financial development is the sigma, and beta convergence approaches. Therefore, this study aims to measure, test, and analyze the convergence of sigma and beta financial development in ASEAN. The method used was the Generalized Moment Method (GMM) dynamic panel with 2010-2017. Results of the study showed that there is a convergence of sigma and beta financial development in ASEAN countries. The limitation of this study is that it only uses two indicators of financial development. The governments of each ASEAN country can improve the financial sector by reforming the financial sector to mitigate, improve, and encourage the development of the financial sector. Keywords: ASEAN, convergence, financial development, GMM

Development of Microplastic Research in ASEAN

Microplastic research is currently an exciting trend along with global environmental problems. The purpose of this study is to review the development of microplastic research in ASEAN. The researc uses a systematic review method by searching for the keyword “microplastic” and the name of the ASEAN country on the Google Scholar website, Science Direct, and other research paper provider websites. Papers reviewed in 2018 to August 2021 period were then classified based on the components analyzed. The results showed that based on the research location category, the majority of microplastic research was carried out in Vietnam (12/50 articles). The category of research object focused on marine organisms more than terrestrial organisms, the category of microplastic concentration varied because the microplastic sampling method was not standardized, the category of microplastic form dominated by the form of fiber; commonly found in coastal areas. The socio-economic category is not much related to the circular economy. To conclude, microplastic research still has opportunities, especially from a socio-economic perspective.