Opinion Asia - Southeast Asia

Thailand: Reconciliation not on the agenda?

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:48:13 +0800

The tactical move from both sides, with the appointment of Kittiphong as a new envoy to the United States and Thaksin’s relentless war against the ruling government, points to the fact that the reconciliation plan is destined to become a failure. It will fail simply because Thaksin, instead of being invited to become a part of the reconciliation, is being further isolated.

ASEAN's Unenviable Balancing Act: Promoting and Protecting Human Rights

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:06:23 +0800

A human rights body needs to have the authority to ensure that rights are protected. The AIHCR does not have the authority to investigate, prosecute or impose punishments for violations. At the very heart of the matter, the principal of non-interference removes the possibility of securing individual state compliance.

In Singapore: The Arts engages State Censorship

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:57:10 +0800

We must never presume that the Artist occupies a privileged position by virtue of his or her vocation or that divine thingamajig we call ‘Art’ is sacred and unchallengeable. But in order to engage seriously with artists we need to respond with a combination of history, aesthetics, and philosophy, and not with kneejerk appeals to fear or that elusive beast we know as the ‘conservative majority’.

Rising wages in China: A reason to move to Vietnam?

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:09:12 +0800

The advantages of Vietnam over China are clear, however in Hanoi lurks a marginally less frightening regime than Beijing towards its entrepreneurs, domestic and foreign. In the case of the latter, two recent examples that come to mind immediately are techno-giant Gnome and the Rio Tinto ordeal.

Myanmar's march to Disciplined Democracy

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:46:43 +0800

Myanmar has so far resisted the fielding of international observers for the elections, however, it is not unlikely that with an assured win, they may allow observers and thus earn greater legitimacy. Suu Kyi may also be released to appease the world at large, prior to the elections, however, she would at best be allowed to watch the proceedings from the periphery.

Thailand's Democratic Dead-End

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:39:24 +0800

Thailand stands in uncharted territory. Its ailing and aging monarch presides over a convulsive body politic. The rigidly constructed Thai identity based on a monarchy-centered socio-political hierarchy is coming loose at its seams as development, democratization and globalization seep in from below and the side. As the core weakens, the peripheries run amok.

Emerging Young Politicians in Indonesia's Ageing society

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:01:26 +0800

Critically, the elderly political leaders are likely to remain more influential than perceived. With their business and private sector careers already established, they will be busy engineering political manoeuvres in the run-up to 2014. The levers of reform are likely to be firmly in their hands for some time to come yet.

Indonesia and the War on Corruption: Birthpangs of a new status quo?

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:45:16 +0800

Corruption investigations are nothing new to Indonesia. However, what differentiates the current scandals from previous ones is that the present battles are being fought within and between the law enforcement apparatus. This signifies an intensification of Indonesia’s war against corruption and fuels potential for deeper, structural reforms in the legal system.

In Malaysia: Pakatan chips away at Barisan wall

Wed, 26 May 2010 06:58:38 +0800

Najib not only insulted inhabitants by suggesting that their crime-infested area was really not suitable for a prime minister to visit, he promised away $5 million of taxpayer ringgit to buy support with the comic phrase “I help you, you help me”; something which most Malaysians who have ever bribed a traffic policeman would have heard often enough.

The Thai-US relationship: In the middle of a Bangkok Storm

Wed, 19 May 2010 14:21:08 +0800

I took this opportunity to ask Campbell about the US perception towards Thailand’s protracted crisis. Campbell frankly replied that the Obama administration was more concerned about the rising violence in Thailand than political repression in Burma. This was because Thailand has long been one of the US’s closest allies in Asia and the US has a major stake in the kingdom’s political stability.

Malaysia’s Lucrative Approach to Joint Development in Troubled Seas

Sun, 16 May 2010 06:59:53 +0800

It does appear that Malaysia has given up sovereignty claims to the areas encompassing Brunei Blocks of J and K as stated by Wisma Putra in return for a 40-year CAA. This development would represent a departure from current practice and a new modality of bilateral Joint Development Areas (JDAs) of littoral countries in the disputed seas in the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea.

A Foreign Policy Agenda for the New Philippine President

Fri, 14 May 2010 14:38:24 +0800

Filipinos, those in the country and those outside it, yearn for these simple attributes of life and nationhood, which, they see in person or through the mass media, are enjoyed by other people as a matter of right. It is extremely unhealthy for society that its economy is so dependent on overseas citizens’ remittances as that of the Philippines.

Malaysia: Closure to May 13 remains elusive

Thu, 13 May 2010 22:09:56 +0800

To the extent Najib fails to convince UMNO supporters that his programmes are motivated more by dire economic realities than by narrow ambitions on his part to stay in power, he will have to increasing resistance from groups who see Malaysian politics as a simple battle between races where one or the other must have the upper hand.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Should Malaysia Join?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:38:24 +0800

The USMFTA signified Malaysia’s preparedness to engage the US. However, it came to a halt after eight rounds of negotiations with no end in sight. Unresolved contentious issues stalled the negotiation process. Beyond that, changes in US trade strategies under President Barack Obama’s new administration meant that the US is less eager now to focus on bilateral FTAs.

Can ASEAN become a Premier League?

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:03:19 +0800

Also, the limited role of ASEAN nationals in the operation of ASEAN institutions can result in frustration. This year’s open criticism of the ASEAN-China FTA by industries in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines was caused in large part by ASEAN’s failure to engage the private sector during the negotiations and implementation of the agreement.