Category: Opinion
The latest opinion from those committed to making our region fair, just and democratic.
CAMBODIA’S TONLE SAP LAKE UNDER THREAT
The worst drought season in a century, endless damming, ongoing climate change, and the harm of millions subsisting on a seasonal sea have all strained Tonle Sap to breaking.
Attack on FORSEA Board Member Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The FORSEA Board is gravely concerned about the politically motivated attack on our colleague – FORSEA co-founder and Kyoto University professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun in his own bedroom in Kyoto a month ago.
How do Terrorists Fund Their Activities? Some do it legally
Not only are terrorist fund-raising methods changing, but the ways money is being used has also evolved. Vigilance to the changes in terrorist financing methods is needed.
WHY ARE ASIA’s WOMEN POLITICIANS FACING a BACKLASH?
In East and Southeast Asia, women’s legislative presence is not met with an increase in women’s political engagement; in fact, it seems to trigger a backlash.
HONG KONG on the BRINK AFTER CHAOTIC DAY OF PROTEST – ITS LEADERS NOW FACE HARD CHOICES
During the past month, Hong Kong has been rocked by protests on a scale unprecedented since anti-colonial demonstrations against British rule in 1967.
FORSEA Offers a Voice of Solidarity to the Freedom-Loving People of Hong Kong
Based on our shared democratic values and concerns for China’s anti-democratic, anti-people and anti-Environment policies in Southeast Asia, FORSEA stands in solidarity with the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong.
POST-ELECTION BLUES in INDONESIA: IDENTITY POLITICS and HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
It is high time the human rights movement lives up to the foundational motto of the Indonesian state, unity in diversity. To influence in this rough political climate, they need to strengthen civil society – by building coalitions based on affinity.
The PHILIPPINES: INCHING EVER-CLOSER to DICTATORSHIP?
It would do the president good to look at those who came before him, especially the all-popular Marcos, and learn that true power lies in the trust the people have in their leader.
The NEW REIGN of DIVISION HAS BEGUN in THAILAND
Royal absolutism is likely to pick up speed following the coronation. The possibility of consensus-making will diminish the more absolutism grows, and so too will the likelihood of political conflict.
TWO CANDIDATES, TWO WINNERS? THE INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS of 2019
Jokowi was accused of being a crypto communist. Prabowo of harbouring the wish to establish a caliphate. Thus the election results can be seen as an indication of how the nation defines its soul.