Category: Opinion
The latest opinion from those committed to making our region fair, just and democratic.
From Auschwitz to Myanmar
FORSEA Co-founder Dr Maung Zarni shared his thoughts on the recurring genocides around the world, despite the Genocide Convention of 1948 and the Security Council, tasked to maintain peace in the world, 26 November 2021.
Merdeka, Melayu and Muhibbah: Contradictions of Malay(sian) Nationalisms
Without a political or social revolution to rewrite our founding myths and foundational race narratives, the only conceivable path forward at this moment is a combination of creed and crucible — a multiethnic harmony that is underpinned by constitutional protections.
Why Have Myanmar Activists Begun Talking, Approvingly, about Balkanizing Their Country?
I want to spell out clearly my stance on this taboo subject: I see the Balkanization of Myanmar as the only viable end to what the overwhelming majority of Burmese public, including religious and ethnic minorities, experience as a home-grown Fascist occupier.
“Silent Voices”? The Subaltern Can Speak & Have Always Spoken
If activists are unwilling to be better allies to marginalised groups, they risk becoming complicit in silencing them.
The Balkanization of Myanmar: Minorities’ Solution to 70-years of the Colonial Rule & Political Repression?
The next FORSEA Dialogue on Democratic Struggles Across Asia discusses Myanmar with Rual Lian Than, an ethnic Chin researcher and activist.
Yugoslavia bang kawlram hi vawleipi map in thlau asi lai lo tiah chim ngam asi hnga maw?
Chin language article with English summary – The Balkanization of Myanmar – Deeply troubled UN member state with its multiple ethnic nations with distinct histories memories, linguistic traditions and conflicting group interests, Myanmar has been in the slow but discernible process of “Balkanization”.
Incorporate women’s history for better gender-sensitive public policies and politics in Malaysia
In a world governed by patriarchy, Undi18's Sirikandis offer renewed hope for gender equality in Malaysia.
After Afghanistan, Time to Review and Reset ASEAN & International Policies Towards Myanmar
The vicious dialectic of “failed international policies AND failed Myanmar state”, will need to be placed at the right, left and centre of the new international policy debates on Myanmar. Repeating the same strategy of dangling the sweet discourse of mediation before the intransigent mass-murderous generals of Myanmar without the serious stick of international accountability will simply not do.
Ignoring Global Realities? Western Governments need to invest in Asian Studies in their Universities
The West had a very long run forcing other societies to respect its supremacy, wear its clothes and adopt its manners, not to mention its languages, values, and even its laws. Yet Asian Studies centres are no longer a monopoly of the West but are now increasingly centred, where they are funded much more richly, by their own governments.
On Myanmar’s Dead Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement
Maung Zarni blew the whistle on military-led top-down democratic reforms – which he argued were, in the final instance, cosmetic as early as these "reforms" were launched by the Burmese generals in 2010. To his rage and dismay, this "transition" was blessed by none other than Aung San San Suu Kyi and celebrated by Western media and powerful external actors.