Category: NEWS
The latest news and reports on Southeast Asia, from FORSEA Board Members and special guest writers.
Regional Roundup: Asia Dares Covid Disaster
it is increasingly clear that disaster is possible for significant parts of the countries that make up 70 percent of Asia’s population unless authorities can find ways around it.
The Dark Horse in the Race: Muhyiddin Yassin and the Rise of ‘Old Malaysia’
it is highly likely that Muhyiddin will prioritize political survival over policy reforms. The reform agenda of the PH government will take a back seat to policies aimed at strengthening the Malay political and economic position. As such, we are likely to see a return to the 'Old Malaysia' days of BN.
Malaysia’s New Perikatan Nasional Government: A Return of Barisan Nasional Policies?
Barisan Nasional's leader Muhyiddin Yassin, spent most of his political career with BN and up to his removal in 2015 was Najib’s Deputy Prime Minister. Known as a stable establishment figure, he may be most comfortable executing the staid, time-tested staple of policies that allowed Barisan to survive for more than 50 years since independence.
FORSEA ประณามการยุบพรรคอนาคตใหม่ ชี้ถึงความถดถอยของประชาธิปไตยไทย
คำตัดสินของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญจะส่งผลกระทบอย่างมากต่อการเมืองไทยในระยะสั้นและระยะยาว มันทำให้เกิดคำถามถึงเรื่องความเชื่อมั่นของประชาชนต่อระบบการเลือกตั้ง คำถามว่าเสียงของผู้มีสิทธิเลือกตั้งจำนวนหกล้านคนที่เลือกพรรคอนาคตใหม่นั้น ไร้ความหมายทางการเมืองของไทยหรือไม่
FORSEA Condemns the Dissolution of the Future Forward Party: A Setback for Thai Democracy
The Future Forward Party was a threat to the Thai traditional power holders, so it was eradicated by Thailand's Constitutional Court.
Philippines’ Duterte Seeks End of Broadcast Foe
As expected, the increasingly autocratic administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has acted to try to shut down the Philippines’ biggest news and media corporation, ABS-CBN, via a petition filed with the Philippine Supreme Court by the nominally independent solicitor general’s office.
Rights Groups Launch Myanmar Boycott Ahead of Hague Genocide Hearings
Rohingya campaigners launch a global boycott movement, urging corporations, foreign investors, professional and cultural organizations to sever their institutional ties with Myanmar, on the eve of Myanmar’s genocide trial at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
FORSEA Co-Founder Pavin Chachavalpongpun Edits the “Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand”
November 6, 2019, sees the release of the “Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Thailand” which is edited by FORSEA co-founder Pavin Chachavalpongpun. This timely volume discusses the condition of today’s Thailand and contains 34 chapters from an international line-up of academics.
National Security States Demonise Myanmar’s Victims of Genocide – Rohingya – and Other Refugees
Those who vehemently oppose the repressive – and often racist, bigoted and economically predatory states – call attention to Myanmar's Rohingya people as the most terrorised by their own government.
Ban in Extramarital and Gay Sex Postponed in Indonesia
The Criminal Code may yet be revised so that human rights like freedom of expression and association are better protected. But this requires the mobilisation of civil society in a way that has not been seen since General Suharto was ousted in 1998. It seems more likely that the pace of Islamization of the country has only faced a temporary setback.