As Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal (SEAMJ) marks its 25th year of publication, we stand at an important juncture in the history of the journal—proudly reflecting on the path travelled while envisioning an even more impactful future. This milestone is made all the more special by the recent inclusion in Scopus, a global recognition of SEAMJ’s rigorous standards, thematic relevance, and sustained academic contribution to the region and beyond. With this achievement, SEAMJ takes a firm step into its next chapter, renewing its commitment to multidisciplinary scholarship that bridges the social sciences, humanities, environment, and development studies, all anchored in Southeast Asian realities.
In this celebratory issue, we present four distinct but thematically interconnected research articles that illuminate the core values SEAMJ upholds: regional relevance, methodological diversity, policy utility, and interdisciplinary depth. These contributions explore pressing issues such as environmental governance, urban development, maritime logistics, and sociolinguistic identity—each offering timely insights into the dynamic and evolving landscapes of Southeast Asia.
Urban expansion and spatial planning: a case from Indonesia
Fitri, Fauzi, Seanders, and Danniswari’s (2025) article, “Land Use Changes and Residential Area Expansion in South Tangerang City, Indonesia”, brings critical attention to the intersection of population growth, spatial planning, and environmental sustainability in a rapidly urbanizing satellite city of Jakarta. Using satellite imagery and GIS-based remote sensing techniques, the study reveals significant land cover change between 2010 and 2020, particularly the drastic conversion of mixed plantations into residential areas.
The findings of the paper are both empirically grounded and policy-relevant. The authors point to private sector-driven township development as a key catalyst of unregulated urban growth. In an era where urbanization is both a development imperative and a sustainability challenge, this research calls for urgent urban policy reform, particularly in secondary cities across Southeast Asia that often serve as spillover sites for megacities. For urban planners, environmentalists, and policymakers, the study highlights the necessity of integrating spatial foresight with inclusive development frameworks.
Navigating sustainability and growth: the Southeast Asian dilemma
In “Balancing Economic Growth and Sustainability for Environmental Protection in Southeast Asia: A Regional Perspective,” Zafarullah and Mehnaz (2025) present a comprehensive review of the region’s development-environment nexus. Framed around the challenges of decarbonization, climate resilience, and circular economy, this work offers a panoramic lens on how Southeast Asian nations grapple with a paradox: driving rapid economic transformation while managing ecological degradation.
The study is notable for both its analytical ambition and regional scope. Drawing from diverse datasets and multi-sectoral case studies, the authors argue that while Southeast Asia contributes significantly to global GHG emissions, it also showcases pioneering models of green transition—particularly in solar energy adoption, regional climate diplomacy, and sustainable finance. However, structural impediments such as institutional inertia, fossil fuel dependence, and inadequate regulatory mechanisms remain formidable.
This paper underscores SEAMJ’s core editorial objective—to elevate research that not only diagnoses regional challenges but also identifies entry points for structural transformation. As we enter a decade where climate vulnerability and green transformation will increasingly define the development agenda, such multidisciplinary analyses are indispensable.
COVID-19 and the maritime economy: lessons from Malaysia
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed systemic fragilities across global logistics networks, and its impact on the Southeast Asian maritime sector is the subject of the study “Impact of COVID-19 in Price Fluctuations of Shipping Freight in Malaysian Maritime Industry” by Muthu, Ho, Chen, Shee, and Azizuddin (2025). This pioneering qualitative research explores the cascading effects of pandemic-related disruptions on shipping costs, container shortages, labour availability, and port operations in Malaysia.
The authors employ a content analysis methodology and robust literature synthesis to argue that while the pandemic’s initial shock was unprecedented, its ripple effects on shipping freight prices underscore deeper issues—such as Malaysia’s over-reliance on vulnerable global supply chains, lack of agile port infrastructure, and the absence of maritime risk mitigation frameworks.
What makes this article compelling is its forward-looking stance. It proposes viable strategies such as dynamic pricing models, the adoption of Lean Six Sigma, and minimum/maximum rate capping mechanisms to enhance maritime sector resilience. This article contributes to the journal’s growing body of literature on COVID-19’s impact on Southeast Asian economies and strengthens our interdisciplinary discourse on public health, logistics, and trade policy.
Language, identity, and legitimacy: debating China/Chinese English
In a more sociolinguistic and cultural turn, He’s (2025) article “China/Chinese English: A Promising or Problematic Variety? Perspectives from Published Research Papers” engages in an incisive meta-analysis of 143 cited scholarly works on the nomenclature and legitimacy of “China English” versus “Chinese English.” The study is methodologically rigorous and makes a timely intervention in the global conversation on World Englishes, language ownership, and linguistic identity.
Though focused on China, the article resonates with language debates across Southeast Asia—where varieties of English such as Singlish, Manglish, and Taglish are often situated between pride and prejudice. He finds that despite early stigma around “Chinese English” (often associated with “Chinglish”), recent scholarship increasingly views it as a culturally embedded, pedagogically relevant, and globally emergent variety of English.
The implications extend beyond semantics. The study compels scholars and educators to rethink linguistic hierarchies, embrace pluricentric norms, and cultivate culturally contextualized English language instruction. In doing so, it aligns perfectly with SEAMJ’s mission to decolonize academic inquiry and foreground Southeast Asia’s lived realities.
Looking Forward: A Vision for the Next 25 Years.
With our induction into Scopus and entry into our 25th year, SEAMJ is entering a new phase of scholarly maturity and global recognition. We remain committed to:
Expanding Our Multidisciplinarity: Future issues will aim to include more intersections between technology, anthropology, and digital cultures in Southeast Asia, enriching our understanding of a rapidly transforming region.
Regional Grounding, Global Relevance: We will continue to prioritize research that is empirically grounded in Southeast Asia but speaks to global debates—on migration, climate change, inequality, governance, and innovation.
Championing Early-Career Scholars and Diverse Voices: SEAMJ recognizes the need to de-centre established voices and foster inclusive knowledge production. Our editorial team is actively working toward establishing mentorship initiatives and open-access pathways for scholars from underrepresented backgrounds.
Strengthening Policy Dialogue: We envision SEAMJ as not just a journal but a platform where academic research informs policy, where case studies inspire transformation, and where evidence catalyses advocacy.
A Word of Thanks
This moment would not have been possible without the enduring commitment of our contributors, reviewers, editors, and publishing partners at Emerald. We are equally grateful to our growing community of readers and scholars across Southeast Asia and the wider world. We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us, not just in reflection, but in reinvigoration. We look forward to receiving your submissions, collaborating on special issues, and building the next 25 years of Southeast Asian knowledge—together.
