Opinion Asia - Southeast Asia

Thailand's Street Politics turn against Democracy

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:06:04 +0800

Samak’s government deserves scrutiny in parliament and through constitutional channels and mechanisms, but not through the PAD’s rabid and reckless street campaign. If it succeeds in ousting the Samak government, the PAD’s street power will be a major setback for Thai democracy.

The “Badawied” Malaysian Political Transition

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:58:54 +0800

The joke making its rounds is that “badawi” may soon be accepted as a neologism by Oxford Dictionary to mean “to start something full of promise but end in disappointment, failure and/or disaster”. So, an example of its usage would be “France badawied their Euro 2008 campaign.”

The Coming of Age of Malaysia's Youth

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 15:12:34 +0800

This time around however the youth chose a silent revolution. Tellingly, a substantial number of young candidates fielded by the PR – including myself – emerged victorious. This was apparent when our campaigning strategy of using mobile and the latest internet-based technologies caught on like wildfire among Malaysians.

Thai-Cambodian relations worsen over Temple spat

Thu, 29 May 2008 17:39:41 +0800

Many Thai government officials understand that it is this very same nationalistic strategy that is being employed in the case of Preah Vihear, especially when the next elections in Cambodia are around the corner. The Thai army, in particular, has been led to believe that Cambodia intends to claim the disputed area through the creation of “false historical evidence.”

In Malaysia: UMNO must sharpen its wits, not its elbows

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:54:27 +0800

Great danger lies in wait if UMNO fails to summon enough ingenuity in remarketing itself. The recent use of dubious sedition charges against major critics like blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, journalist and author Syed Akbar Ali and DAP MP Karpal Singh does not bode well for the country. The less the party succeeds in reinventing itself, the more it sharpens its elbows.

One Cyclone after another? Myanmar's 10 May Referendum

Tue, 6 May 2008 10:14:59 +0800

Some Myanmar observers have remarked that trying to understand Burmese politics is like tealeaf reading or crystal ball gazing. But uncertainty and unpredictability concerning Myanmar politics and economy is often overstated. Whatever the Referendum results, the fundamental building blocks of politics and power, as well as larger geo-economic and strategic equations surrounding Myanmar are least likely to be affected.

Charter Change: Thailand's new battleground

Sun, 4 May 2008 06:33:45 +0800

Outside observers who are confused and astonished by Thailand’s persistent turmoil ought to be forgiven. This is a country that not long ago was viewed as having consolidated its democratic rule. Yet for almost the past three years, it has been caught in a roller-coaster of street protests and political polarisation, a military coup, a new constitution, a general election and the return of more street protests, confrontation and brinkmanship.

The Mindanao Peace Process: On a Carriage with Two Horses

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:25:22 +0800

After having been stationed in Mindanao for around four years, the monitoring contingent must have observed how the Philippine government used the peace process to simply neutralise and tame the MILF, while propping up the Philippines’ international image as a genuine peace partner. In reality, it was busier attracting economic assistance and investment to Mindanao from donor countries and international agencies.

Malaysia’s political terrain tilts beyond recognition

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 15:31:25 +0800

The politics of fear – where UMNO warned non-Malays that violence was imminent if the Malays purportedly represented by that party lost power, and where non-Malay parties in the ruling coalition cautioned that the non-Malays would be unrepresented in the government and Islamism would take over if they voted for the opposition – was shown to be an outdated bogeyman left over from the country’s troubled childhood.

Abdullah Badawi and the Malaysian “Perestroika”

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:50:59 +0800

Abdullah’s own “perestroika” (reform agenda) proved to be an egregious failure and accounts for the current developments. The jury may still be out on whether the new Abdullah government can be sustained for five more years. My guess is however long he may stay in the driver’s seat, it is obvious that others will be steering the wheel.

In Southeast Asia: Time to get serious about railways

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:47:59 +0800

Rising oil prices are putting more pressure than they might on Southeast Asia because more freight than necessary goes by fuel-guzzling trucks. Consequently many governments are unable to resist the temptation of fuel subsidies. A better move would be for Southeast Asia to get serious about railways.

Hallyu: The Diminishing Korean Wave?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:23:31 +0800

From another perspective, the spread of Christianity à la Korea has also upset many in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, where the majority of the population commits to Catholicism, Korean missionaries have zealously sough to attract locals to their Protestant denominations, which are perceived by local religious leaders with suspicion.

Another Winner in Malaysia’s Elections: Open Markets?

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:18:56 +0800

During the drawn-out FTA talks with Malaysia, US trade officials often remarked in private at the absence of domestic support for open markets and economic reform. With the March 8 elections, it appears that such support may have materialised. This could bode well for Malaysia’s FTA talks with its trading partners, including the US.

Scaling the conceptual walls in ASEAN's way

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:25:16 +0800

The dilemma common to Southeast Asia’s societies today stems from a bias towards nation-state thinking, kept alive by the fact that political discourses are western in nature, and Southeast Asian leaders and intellectuals are largely trained in the west to favour Westphalian ideas.

Thailand's Energy Security Complex

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:03:55 +0800

Bangkok's enduring friendship with Washington is doubtless a concern for Beijing, which in seeking to secure its southern flank and dominance of the South China Sea needs a neutral Thailand. Patterns of energy, investment and trade suggest matters may be moving in Beijing's favour.