Just learning of this! I knew Danny from my years at the International School of Bangkok where we were students. Played many a time at his house. I am sad of his passing.
This is such sad news as I knew him growing up in Thailand in the late 1960’s. We both attended the International School of Bangkok and were friends. The last time I saw him was in 2004 at NIU. He was a brilliant scholar and a had such a grasp on the issues in Southeast Asia. I will miss him.
Unfortunately there are some important parts missing from this article.
The writer should explained why Ariesman (ED of Agung Podomoro Land, a convict on reclamation graft case) represented PT Jakarta Propertindo (SOE company) during negotiation and signing of additional contribution agreement.
And regarding the bickering fight of 5% and 15%, it is only a “she said he said” and never proven by any hard fact.
The writer should aware that Ahok once denied about hundreds of houses and townhouses that already built at Island C and D without any building permits and building zoning (owned by PT Kapuk Niaga Indah or Agung Sedayu Group which the owner regularly is having lunch with Ahok every month or every 3 weeks at Tzu Chi Center, located 1 km away from Island C and D). https://m.tempo.co/read/news/2016/03/15/231753702/ahok-bantah-ada-ruko-di-pulau-reklamasi
If the writer is doing research carefully about construction sector, he should aware that the Head of Water Management kept telling the governor about the danger of islet C & D badly designed and constructed, but the governor kept ignoring him.
The writer should aware that 1 day before Ahok starting his campaign leave, he signed a governor decree (Pergub) that could serve as a legal basis to issuing permits for buildings at Island C and D. And this decree is released without a proper provincial regulation (Perda) as a legal basis.
Since the writer is a former ED for Indonesia Corruption Watch, I would love to know more his view on Kompensasi KLB (floor area ration compensation) and how Ahok issued 4 different government decrees within 12 months duration just to support any projects that he would like to do. The negotiation of compensation were done behind the closed door, without any public comments and involvement. And there are no mandatory audit for any compensation project.
If the writer take note on Bakrie debt on fasus fasum, he should know that the total of fasos fasum debt in Jakarta is now reaching 2Trillion rupiah. In the beginning of 2012 election, Ahok used fasos and fasum issue as a bad campaign for Fauzi Bowo, but after he elected, I did not see any efforts from Ahok side to force the developers to fulfil their obligations.
Of course there are lots of benefit building large infrastructure projects using SOE combined with discretion. The LRTs, 9km of Pluit elevated highway and new Semanggi interchange are not in the Spatial Planning Provincial Law (Perda 1/2012 and Perda 1/2014), but those being built anyway. And you must know how Jokowi and Ahok once intended to get rid of environmental assessment (AMDAL), and up until now we never know wether those few projects that I mentioned before have submitted AMDAL. At the end of the day, it’s the public who will bear the burden, especially the environmental and social burden.
Well, it is a shock to discover that Nick has passed away. I was very close to him while he was living in Canberra. We visited each other often and played tennis on odd days but we lost contact since he moved to Shanghai… RIP Nick – we miss you.
Steven Rood – that is not a new suggestion. I have copies of the Far Eastern Economic Review, from at least two decades ago, naking exactly the same suggestion. Problem is : Manila does not address the basic problem. It’s much easier to play Rambo.
[…] scholar Kathryn Robinson points out, some conservatives argue that only men should be religious leaders. Indeed, some of the attendees at the Indonesian conference were reluctant to consider themselves […]
I’m saddened by the news of Ajarn Danny’s sudden passing. He taught our International Relations class at Thammasat University during the introductory period in 2013 and my final module before graduating past November. During that time with us he appeared so free spirited and happy about the success of his latest book ‘Thai Politics: Between Democracy and Its Discontents’. He was well liked at Thammasat and we will miss him here. Rest in Peace, Good Sir!
Yes, the “longer term development history” is always “worth recording” and should be rigorously included as background information in every news article.
I can categorically say after ten years of being involved in the daily writing of news articles at a major newspaper in Thailand that this background information is, in fact, not included, so what we have is a lot of news articles that without adequate context raise more questions that they answer (head scratching, what exactly is this? what does it mean? guess I have to wait for the op-ed reaction to the news tomorrow to make sense of this, sorts of articles) or get most of their interest from a gee-wiz, WTF, astonishment or gawker sort of factor.
Furthermore, these news articles often effectively stake out the limits of academic discourse on a topic because many academic monographs and dissertations are highly dependent on news articles, e.g. Pasuk & Baker Thaksin biographies, Eric Haanstad’s PhD dissertation on the Thai police, etc.
If Duterte is working off of any script, wouldn’t it more likely be the script that he started off his political career with, the liberation of Davao, Mindanao from the NPA in 1986 and its replacement with the right-wing vigilante organization Alsa Masa?
[…] a shift towards more authoritarian governments through providing new sources of patronage. Governments can entrench their position by rewarding supporters and binding them to the incumbent regime while making […]
Thanks — I certainly agree with the thrust of this piece: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/mindanao-churchgoers-hostage-marawi-siege-170524085829461.html
Rood said, however, that martial law alone will not ease the situation.
“Shooting to kill won’t be a solution; there needs to be a much broader attempt to address the issues that are being raised by average people in Mindanao that sometimes can feed this disconentent.”
NU and Muhammadiyah obviously support what the government is doing to HTI and FPI. But it is obvious that these new muslim middle class does not follow NU or Muhammadiyah. I think, in their mind, NU and Muhammadiyah are seen as the old guard, part of the old establishment that is not militant enough and not voicing enough “Islamic” view based on canonical sources (Quran and Hadith).
I think if you read between the lines in this article, http://www.newmandala.org/ahok-not-jokowi/ , 20-30% of Indonesian will be susceptible to HTI and FPI hardline view of Islam.
[…] leaving systemic and unresolved problems with the social insurance system and law, as explained by Angie Ngoc Tran. Firstly, companies often refuse to pay their required share with no consequence, while others flee […]
I am not sure about the statement that it will be harder for Jokowi after what his government did to HTI and FPI. In fact, many in muslim communities support it. NU is an obvious one. Unless if you think that the new muslim middle class are mostly having the same view or ideology of HTI and FPI. This move could bolster his popularity, IMO.
This is a fine argument to current situation in Indonesia. It actually explained a lot about why Jokowi is facing such high resistance even when he’s building a lot of infrastructure that would benefit a whole lot of “people” (why it is in quote will be clear later on).
Middle class muslims are afraid that everything Jokowi build would benefit only his “cronies”: the Chinese Government (who gives lots of loans to Jokowi), and PDIP. Note that this is what basically being said by Jokowi many rivals since the election. And historically, president always benefit their cronies since Soekarno. They are afraid that with increasing debt to China and more power to PDIP would mean they will be cast aside like during the Soeharto days. Days when if you espouse different opinion than the central government you will disappear. Gone will be all the new muslim middle class hard earned place in society. In their mind, “people” benefited from all the infrastructure project would be Jokowi “cronies”. This also explains why Jokowi approval rating always hover around 60%. It will be harder for Jokowi to win hearts of these new muslim middle class, especially after what they perceive as his action toward HTI (trying to disassemble) and FPI (making one of their leader a suspect).
The interesting thing is that two of the prominent example, Jokowi and Ahok, whose policies and actions are perceived as genuinely trying (at least starting to try) to narrow the wealth gaps or share more of the state income (between people, between provinces) are often attacked as enemy of the major religion.
By the Queen offering up an opportunity for delaying tactics, I mean that her demise will produce yet another prolonged period of mourning and therefore inaction in tackling the problems faced by the populace.
In her current state she personally is unable to o anything.
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Tribute to Daniel H. Unger
Just learning of this! I knew Danny from my years at the International School of Bangkok where we were students. Played many a time at his house. I am sad of his passing.
Tribute to Daniel H. Unger
This is such sad news as I knew him growing up in Thailand in the late 1960’s. We both attended the International School of Bangkok and were friends. The last time I saw him was in 2004 at NIU. He was a brilliant scholar and a had such a grasp on the issues in Southeast Asia. I will miss him.
A life journey’s end after “finding” Myanmar
Vale, a skilful medical practitioner and a wonderful humanitarian.
Professor Conolly was my hand surgeon for twenty years – a very special person.
Ahok and the rise (and fall?) of state capital
Unfortunately there are some important parts missing from this article.
The writer should explained why Ariesman (ED of Agung Podomoro Land, a convict on reclamation graft case) represented PT Jakarta Propertindo (SOE company) during negotiation and signing of additional contribution agreement.
And regarding the bickering fight of 5% and 15%, it is only a “she said he said” and never proven by any hard fact.
The writer should aware that Ahok once denied about hundreds of houses and townhouses that already built at Island C and D without any building permits and building zoning (owned by PT Kapuk Niaga Indah or Agung Sedayu Group which the owner regularly is having lunch with Ahok every month or every 3 weeks at Tzu Chi Center, located 1 km away from Island C and D). https://m.tempo.co/read/news/2016/03/15/231753702/ahok-bantah-ada-ruko-di-pulau-reklamasi
If the writer is doing research carefully about construction sector, he should aware that the Head of Water Management kept telling the governor about the danger of islet C & D badly designed and constructed, but the governor kept ignoring him.
The writer should aware that 1 day before Ahok starting his campaign leave, he signed a governor decree (Pergub) that could serve as a legal basis to issuing permits for buildings at Island C and D. And this decree is released without a proper provincial regulation (Perda) as a legal basis.
Since the writer is a former ED for Indonesia Corruption Watch, I would love to know more his view on Kompensasi KLB (floor area ration compensation) and how Ahok issued 4 different government decrees within 12 months duration just to support any projects that he would like to do. The negotiation of compensation were done behind the closed door, without any public comments and involvement. And there are no mandatory audit for any compensation project.
If the writer take note on Bakrie debt on fasus fasum, he should know that the total of fasos fasum debt in Jakarta is now reaching 2Trillion rupiah. In the beginning of 2012 election, Ahok used fasos and fasum issue as a bad campaign for Fauzi Bowo, but after he elected, I did not see any efforts from Ahok side to force the developers to fulfil their obligations.
Of course there are lots of benefit building large infrastructure projects using SOE combined with discretion. The LRTs, 9km of Pluit elevated highway and new Semanggi interchange are not in the Spatial Planning Provincial Law (Perda 1/2012 and Perda 1/2014), but those being built anyway. And you must know how Jokowi and Ahok once intended to get rid of environmental assessment (AMDAL), and up until now we never know wether those few projects that I mentioned before have submitted AMDAL. At the end of the day, it’s the public who will bear the burden, especially the environmental and social burden.
A tribute to Nicholas Tapp
Well, it is a shock to discover that Nick has passed away. I was very close to him while he was living in Canberra. We visited each other often and played tennis on odd days but we lost contact since he moved to Shanghai… RIP Nick – we miss you.
Yeu Lee – A Hmong friend
Making enemies out of friends
[…] developments have provided room for groups like the FPI, and other political opponents of Ahok, to exploit the anger of the “little people” in […]
Duterte’s exceptionalism and the pitfalls of military rule
Steven Rood – that is not a new suggestion. I have copies of the Far Eastern Economic Review, from at least two decades ago, naking exactly the same suggestion. Problem is : Manila does not address the basic problem. It’s much easier to play Rambo.
Female Ulama voice a vision for Indonesia’s future
[…] scholar Kathryn Robinson points out, some conservatives argue that only men should be religious leaders. Indeed, some of the attendees at the Indonesian conference were reluctant to consider themselves […]
Tribute to Daniel H. Unger
I’m saddened by the news of Ajarn Danny’s sudden passing. He taught our International Relations class at Thammasat University during the introductory period in 2013 and my final module before graduating past November. During that time with us he appeared so free spirited and happy about the success of his latest book ‘Thai Politics: Between Democracy and Its Discontents’. He was well liked at Thammasat and we will miss him here. Rest in Peace, Good Sir!
Despotic urbanism in Thailand
Yes, the “longer term development history” is always “worth recording” and should be rigorously included as background information in every news article.
I can categorically say after ten years of being involved in the daily writing of news articles at a major newspaper in Thailand that this background information is, in fact, not included, so what we have is a lot of news articles that without adequate context raise more questions that they answer (head scratching, what exactly is this? what does it mean? guess I have to wait for the op-ed reaction to the news tomorrow to make sense of this, sorts of articles) or get most of their interest from a gee-wiz, WTF, astonishment or gawker sort of factor.
Furthermore, these news articles often effectively stake out the limits of academic discourse on a topic because many academic monographs and dissertations are highly dependent on news articles, e.g. Pasuk & Baker Thaksin biographies, Eric Haanstad’s PhD dissertation on the Thai police, etc.
Duterte’s exceptionalism and the pitfalls of military rule
If Duterte is working off of any script, wouldn’t it more likely be the script that he started off his political career with, the liberation of Davao, Mindanao from the NPA in 1986 and its replacement with the right-wing vigilante organization Alsa Masa?
Elections without democracy in Southeast Asia
[…] a shift towards more authoritarian governments through providing new sources of patronage. Governments can entrench their position by rewarding supporters and binding them to the incumbent regime while making […]
Duterte’s exceptionalism and the pitfalls of military rule
Thanks — I certainly agree with the thrust of this piece:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/mindanao-churchgoers-hostage-marawi-siege-170524085829461.html
Rood said, however, that martial law alone will not ease the situation.
“Shooting to kill won’t be a solution; there needs to be a much broader attempt to address the issues that are being raised by average people in Mindanao that sometimes can feed this disconentent.”
Querying Martial Law in Mindanao
[…] post is published in conjunction with New Mandala, a Southeast Asia-focused blog based out of the Coral Bell School at the Australian National […]
Middle class competition and Islamic populism
NU and Muhammadiyah obviously support what the government is doing to HTI and FPI. But it is obvious that these new muslim middle class does not follow NU or Muhammadiyah. I think, in their mind, NU and Muhammadiyah are seen as the old guard, part of the old establishment that is not militant enough and not voicing enough “Islamic” view based on canonical sources (Quran and Hadith).
I think if you read between the lines in this article, http://www.newmandala.org/ahok-not-jokowi/ , 20-30% of Indonesian will be susceptible to HTI and FPI hardline view of Islam.
Small victory, systemic problems
[…] leaving systemic and unresolved problems with the social insurance system and law, as explained by Angie Ngoc Tran. Firstly, companies often refuse to pay their required share with no consequence, while others flee […]
Middle class competition and Islamic populism
I am not sure about the statement that it will be harder for Jokowi after what his government did to HTI and FPI. In fact, many in muslim communities support it. NU is an obvious one. Unless if you think that the new muslim middle class are mostly having the same view or ideology of HTI and FPI. This move could bolster his popularity, IMO.
Middle class competition and Islamic populism
This is a fine argument to current situation in Indonesia. It actually explained a lot about why Jokowi is facing such high resistance even when he’s building a lot of infrastructure that would benefit a whole lot of “people” (why it is in quote will be clear later on).
Middle class muslims are afraid that everything Jokowi build would benefit only his “cronies”: the Chinese Government (who gives lots of loans to Jokowi), and PDIP. Note that this is what basically being said by Jokowi many rivals since the election. And historically, president always benefit their cronies since Soekarno. They are afraid that with increasing debt to China and more power to PDIP would mean they will be cast aside like during the Soeharto days. Days when if you espouse different opinion than the central government you will disappear. Gone will be all the new muslim middle class hard earned place in society. In their mind, “people” benefited from all the infrastructure project would be Jokowi “cronies”. This also explains why Jokowi approval rating always hover around 60%. It will be harder for Jokowi to win hearts of these new muslim middle class, especially after what they perceive as his action toward HTI (trying to disassemble) and FPI (making one of their leader a suspect).
Middle class competition and Islamic populism
The interesting thing is that two of the prominent example, Jokowi and Ahok, whose policies and actions are perceived as genuinely trying (at least starting to try) to narrow the wealth gaps or share more of the state income (between people, between provinces) are often attacked as enemy of the major religion.
Despotic urbanism in Thailand
By the Queen offering up an opportunity for delaying tactics, I mean that her demise will produce yet another prolonged period of mourning and therefore inaction in tackling the problems faced by the populace.
In her current state she personally is unable to o anything.