Among my associates, relatives and friends who voted Yes, the dominant theme was the fear that Thaksin or his nominee could somehow reemerge if the No votes prevail and its destabilizing consequences while HMK Bhumibhol’s I’ll health looms like gloom over the Kingdom.
The fact that executions are somehow a valid expression of Indonesia’s shrill nationalism is telling. The Indonesia Project has plateaued. It’s democracy, such as it is, festers while it’s constitutional framework is best depicted by a traditional pastime for celebrating Independence Day; climbing a greasy pole, i.e. trampling over others to get to the top. Indonesia is in the doldrums and no amount of soft power applied on RI will alter it’s course. The application of the death penalty, like religious intolerance, and a plethora of other systemic human rights failures are structural features of Indonesia’s political order. Like paramilitary groups that never seem to go away and resource theft that is all too obvious. If anyone had any doubt as to reformasi’s total rewind, consider the symbolic message inherent to Wiranto’s full reinstatement.
this constitution is written in order to obtain the power of the military after the death of the king.
The military derives its legitimacy from the king. but the successor is not the image of the father and will not give the military the same legitimacy.
Thus, the military has a new constitution written directives stipulating their status
Thailand is undergoing the same military-civilian metamorphosis which she went through in the past. We have to watch out when the Thai King passes away, there may be a tense period to ensue. Let’s hope there won’t be a big turmoil.
You don’t matter Neptunian. You are not a foreign-designated academic archetypal Malaysian or Indonesian. You are a real local and not a contrived sum of averages. You don’t count.
Funny! On the other hand, how about the rights of normal guys like myself to live and work without the drug menace (with its accompanying violence etc etc)
Getting rid of scums that ahve been haunting Philipinos for the last few decades is “debasing” Philipine’s society?
NO, Philipines have been debased by these people..
On balance, I think the author’s analysis, and conclusions, are probably correct. Certainly her call for peace is one everyone should support. I CERTAINLY DO. Her conclusions seem to be proven correct by : a) the fact a CLEAR AND CERTAIN phone link with Malaysia’s border provinces has been established, and 2) a very senior Thai Intelligence officer – who had the integrity to run foul of both Thaksin, and anti-Thaksin camps – has now bravely come out of years of silence, to express his opinion that the attacks were most likely Patani separatists. And he cites the fact Malaysia shut its’ northern borders, shortly before the attacks happened.
I agree with you. I can’t judge how well Jonan performed in his portfolio, but I rate him highly for having an independent spirit. I am very sceptical of the Jakarta-Bandung project. If you are right in saying Jonan is squeaky clean, can you find any Indonesian who would say the same thing of Rini?
Another indication of the depth of his popular support lies in the Facebook statistics of the campaigns of the various presidential candidates. Whereas Duterte’s rival got more “likes” for their posts than he did, Duterte was way out in front when it came to “shares”, reflecting the strength of his networks.
No fear. In a mere few years, all this slaughter on the part of an elected government will be being excused, justified and ignored by the pro-democratic brain-trusts here at NM.
Maybe Thaksin could fund a school for death squads a la the CIA’s School of the Americas and Duterte could retire to a teaching position there.
And surely someone will come on here and find a way to hail it as a step in the ‘demokratization’ project in SE Asia!
When the author of this piece says “[b]ut it has come at the cost of a debased Filipino society willing to go along even with the deprivation of poor people’s right to grieve – and live”, he could not be more out of step with the way those who observe the Thai political scene understand demokracy, i.e. as long as you are elected, and people appear to go along with what you do, the people are empowered by seeing their will being done.”
No mention of Ignatius Jonan? His refusal to go along with the Chinese supplied high speed train was against Jokowi’s (and Rini’s) wish. Jonan even declined to come to the groundbreaking ceremony of the project attended by Jokowi. Is this why he was given the pink slip? Jonan being a squeaky clean guy, does his sacking prove of his former Boss’ true color? I’m sure many of those who voted for him are extremely disappointed now.
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A vague vote and uncertain future
Quote:”….and its destabilizing Consequences” –
yet no one of them want democracy…
they cling on Nai-Prai principle….
– well then they have now indeed what they want –
let them continue to be dust under someone´s feet….
… and let them gently continue slumber in the land of the everlasting false smile ………………………………………………………………
A vague vote and uncertain future
Among my associates, relatives and friends who voted Yes, the dominant theme was the fear that Thaksin or his nominee could somehow reemerge if the No votes prevail and its destabilizing consequences while HMK Bhumibhol’s I’ll health looms like gloom over the Kingdom.
A storm of bullets, a wave of apathy
Just found the New Mandala piece I was thinking of.
http://www.newmandala.org/how-duterte-won-the-election-on-facebook/
Rights in the firing line
The fact that executions are somehow a valid expression of Indonesia’s shrill nationalism is telling. The Indonesia Project has plateaued. It’s democracy, such as it is, festers while it’s constitutional framework is best depicted by a traditional pastime for celebrating Independence Day; climbing a greasy pole, i.e. trampling over others to get to the top. Indonesia is in the doldrums and no amount of soft power applied on RI will alter it’s course. The application of the death penalty, like religious intolerance, and a plethora of other systemic human rights failures are structural features of Indonesia’s political order. Like paramilitary groups that never seem to go away and resource theft that is all too obvious. If anyone had any doubt as to reformasi’s total rewind, consider the symbolic message inherent to Wiranto’s full reinstatement.
A vague vote and uncertain future
this constitution is written in order to obtain the power of the military after the death of the king.
The military derives its legitimacy from the king. but the successor is not the image of the father and will not give the military the same legitimacy.
Thus, the military has a new constitution written directives stipulating their status
A vague vote and uncertain future
Thailand is undergoing the same military-civilian metamorphosis which she went through in the past. We have to watch out when the Thai King passes away, there may be a tense period to ensue. Let’s hope there won’t be a big turmoil.
Emergencies and executions under Jokowi
You don’t matter Neptunian. You are not a foreign-designated academic archetypal Malaysian or Indonesian. You are a real local and not a contrived sum of averages. You don’t count.
Emergencies and executions under Jokowi
Funny! On the other hand, how about the rights of normal guys like myself to live and work without the drug menace (with its accompanying violence etc etc)
A storm of bullets, a wave of apathy
Getting rid of scums that ahve been haunting Philipinos for the last few decades is “debasing” Philipine’s society?
NO, Philipines have been debased by these people..
Bombs, facts, and myths in southern Thailand
Hasn’t since the beginning of the Junta .
Thai blasts a wake-up call for peace?
Not everything reported represents the truth, especially not in anti-terrorist operations. Read John Le Carree.
Thai blasts a wake-up call for peace?
On balance, I think the author’s analysis, and conclusions, are probably correct. Certainly her call for peace is one everyone should support. I CERTAINLY DO. Her conclusions seem to be proven correct by : a) the fact a CLEAR AND CERTAIN phone link with Malaysia’s border provinces has been established, and 2) a very senior Thai Intelligence officer – who had the integrity to run foul of both Thaksin, and anti-Thaksin camps – has now bravely come out of years of silence, to express his opinion that the attacks were most likely Patani separatists. And he cites the fact Malaysia shut its’ northern borders, shortly before the attacks happened.
Cashing in
Pandir,
I agree with you. I can’t judge how well Jonan performed in his portfolio, but I rate him highly for having an independent spirit. I am very sceptical of the Jakarta-Bandung project. If you are right in saying Jonan is squeaky clean, can you find any Indonesian who would say the same thing of Rini?
Bombs, facts, and myths in southern Thailand
[…] has been concentrated in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and rarely targets foreigners…”. This is simply untrue but fits the […]
Emergencies and executions under Jokowi
In case you are not a native English speaker, let me inform you that ‘small comfort’ means ‘no comfort’.
A storm of bullets, a wave of apathy
Yes, but how was his Twitter hashtag support? Did he get a lot of views on YouTube?
The 16 million plus votes he got hardly represents “popular support” to those whose preferred form of “demokracy” tends to the virtual I imagine.
A storm of bullets, a wave of apathy
A sure indication of the path Duterte is on is his decision to move Ferdinand Marcos’ body to the National Heroes’ Cemetery.
Another indication of the depth of his popular support lies in the Facebook statistics of the campaigns of the various presidential candidates. Whereas Duterte’s rival got more “likes” for their posts than he did, Duterte was way out in front when it came to “shares”, reflecting the strength of his networks.
Two suspects in Thailand’s blasts
I seem to have antagonised NM’s resident crazies here!
A storm of bullets, a wave of apathy
No fear. In a mere few years, all this slaughter on the part of an elected government will be being excused, justified and ignored by the pro-democratic brain-trusts here at NM.
Maybe Thaksin could fund a school for death squads a la the CIA’s School of the Americas and Duterte could retire to a teaching position there.
And surely someone will come on here and find a way to hail it as a step in the ‘demokratization’ project in SE Asia!
When the author of this piece says “[b]ut it has come at the cost of a debased Filipino society willing to go along even with the deprivation of poor people’s right to grieve – and live”, he could not be more out of step with the way those who observe the Thai political scene understand demokracy, i.e. as long as you are elected, and people appear to go along with what you do, the people are empowered by seeing their will being done.”
Pathetic really.
Cashing in
No mention of Ignatius Jonan? His refusal to go along with the Chinese supplied high speed train was against Jokowi’s (and Rini’s) wish. Jonan even declined to come to the groundbreaking ceremony of the project attended by Jokowi. Is this why he was given the pink slip? Jonan being a squeaky clean guy, does his sacking prove of his former Boss’ true color? I’m sure many of those who voted for him are extremely disappointed now.