Supporters of the blasphemy law follow the particular logic that mainstream Muslims are threatened by non-conformist interpretations of Islam and that the law was vital to forestall “anarchic activities” by local Muslims. This view is often shared by government officials who see more at stake when it comes to issues involving Islam as compared to other religions.

In secular Singapore over the past few weeks, a crisis of faith has enraptured an entire nation. All eyes were transfixed on the tribulations of Pastor Rony Tan, a Christian preacher who had destabilised the state’s much-valued principle of religious harmony and repented.

On the other hand, this demographic reality will necessitate the emergence of more non-Javanese national leaders. Will Indonesians have non-Javanese presidents in future? From a demographic point of view, the likelihood of Indonesia being led by one will be pretty high after 2020.

The challenge for the government now, as it has been for Thailand’s powers-that-be since the coup, is to eliminate Thaksin for his corruption and abuses of power while accommodating his red columns for their grievances, demands and expectations. Thailand will not see peace until such accommodation take place. 

On 26 February 2010, the Thai Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on whether to seize the frozen assets of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Some political analysts predict that his fortune would be confiscated as the court appears to have been pressured to do so by Thaksin’s rivals, especially those in the current Abhisit Vejjajiva government.