Indonesia renamed the waters northeast of the Natuna Islands to 'North Natuna Sea', a move that overlaps with China's nine-dash line and has led to maritime disputes. President Jokowi has increased military presence in the area and made visits to demonstrate sovereignty, but remains focused on narrow territorial interests rather than broader South China Sea issues. China's response to the renaming was dismissive, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the current situation. The article suggests that while Indonesia's actions may protect its interests in the short term, they are unlikely to deter China's growing naval capabilities and aggressive behavior in the long term. The piece also reflects on historical names of the sea and suggests that Southeast Asian states should focus on practical measures against Chinese coercion rather than name changes.

Despite the active role of women in Indonesian politics historically and their campaign skills, as exemplified by Eva Bande and the Kendeng farmers, women's representation in Indonesian politics has not shown significant progress. The number of women lawmakers has never surpassed 30% since Suharto's regime. Efforts to increase women's representation in the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat have been uneven, with a peak after the 2009 elections at 17.9% and a decrease to 17.3% between 2014–2019. The lack of female representation affects the prioritization of women-friendly regulations, with activists still pushing for the ratification of a sexual violence bill. Historical challenges persist, with women's political activism being suppressed during Suharto's rule and replaced with domestic-focused organizations. However, the spirit of the women's movement continues, with organizations like Kalyanamitra Foundation and Rifka Annisa emerging, and indigenous women like Mama Yosepha Alomang and Aleta Baun leading cultural changes. The future of women in Indonesian politics remains uncertain, with some parties like the Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) raising women's issues, but overall, women's roles are often limited to traditional stereotypes. The hope is for women to not only gain more seats in parliament but also hold strategic positions and lead major organizations.

Vietnamese Professor Vo Quy, a renowned zoologist and environmental hero, passed away at age 87 in Hanoi. Known for his work on Agent Orange and establishing national parks, Quy was recognized by Time Magazine as a Hero of the Environment in 2008. Despite his connections with the ruling Communist Party, he was not a strident activist but an advocate with influence. The article reflects on his legacy in the context of Vietnam's growing environmental activism, particularly following the Formosa fish kill scandal.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing significant political challenges, including a larger budget deficit than expected and criticism over budget cuts and policy missteps. Despite securing free trade agreements, his government's domestic policy contradictions have overshadowed these achievements. Even conservative commentators and media figures have criticized Abbott's management. The Palmer United Party's steadfast opposition to education reforms and the Labor Party's victory in the Victorian state election signal widespread dissatisfaction with Abbott's leadership, raising the possibility that he may only serve one term.