Security officers disrupt seminar criticising junta’s land policy
Thu, 20/04/2017
Authorities have ordered an NGO to postpone a public seminar about the junta’s land policies, out of fear the seminar would discuss the missing 1932 revolution plaque.
You seem to be confusing Srirasmi and Sirindhorn. Also, the suggestion that Sirindhorn would move to China after royal succession did not come from me, but from leaked US cable 09BANGKOK2967.
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court on Monday acquitted former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook of a charge of computer crime brought against him by the army over comments posted online critical of the military government.
On 26 February 2017, Watana Muangsook, an embattled Pheu Thai politician, posted on his Facebook account that a military commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment had summoned him for a discussion.
After a two-hour long discussion with Lt Gen Apirat Kongsompong the next day, he told the media that the officer mainly asked him about his opinions on national reconciliation.
During the discussion, Watana denounced the junta’s reconciliation plan, saying that true reconciliation cannot begin until the military acknowledge that they themselves are a party to the political conflict.
Reconciliation would be more attainable if people had been given opportunities to participate in the process of drafting the constitution, said Watana.
“Members of the public are asked to refrain from following, contacting, spreading or engaging in any activity that results in spreading content and information of the persons mentioned in this announcement on the internet system, social media; either directly or indirectly,” the statement read.
I strongly disagree with the analysis is its about poverty. Its clearly about religion.
Ahok polled 80% among Bataks in Jakarta, higher than even among Chinese Indonesians. All other predominately non-Muslim ethnic groups he was pulling above 70%, whether they came from Bali, NTT, Manado etc How many Christian Batak Metro Mini drivers participated in the protest?
The author falls to understand that in Indonesia, religion is important. Increasingly how people interact is based on religion. Poor Christian Indonesians live among poor Muslims in Jakarta, but beyond that they live separate lives, they don’t worship in the same places, they go to different schools, they rarely intermarry , take on different jobs etc. Anti-Christian discrimination in many of public schools in Jakarta is nasty, and its why Christian parents spend a fortune sending their children to Christian schools if they can afford it.
In the West people have forgotten how sectarian their own cities were 100 years ago. Ahok trial is like Dreyfus affair in France
If you plot incidence of poverty and % votes for the incumbent, it is high likely you will always have a negative correlation, i.e. the higher the poverty level, the lower the proportion of votes for the incumbent. Even if we’re talking about relative (not absolute) poverty. People who see their neighbors better off would risk their chances with the other guy. The Jokowi & Ahok duet probably won in 2012 in some part by taking advantage of this widening income inequality and making themselves as different as the incumbent as possible. So inequality is always a factor in all elections. Only this time, the other guys are going to extremes in making themselves different by taking advantage of the minority leadership issues (Chinese, Christian). Actually, one can argue that sectarian tactics needed to be used because economic issues were not cutting it (the so-called evictions weren’t cruel enough). It would be these sectarian tactics which will be used in the national scale in 2019 because it’s proven effective, and because it is also less likely that the economic angle will work against Jokowi. In hindsight, it’s good that this is happening now, as everyone can prepare for 2019 to make sure the worst outcome doesn’t happen.
Insightful analysis indeed. Sadly, the trace of ahok & his supporters perceived arrogance on issue of eviction of urban poor, will only reinforce the misleading negative stereotype of chinese and christians as untrustworthy. Those evicted urban poor will always remember very well, how ahok has failed to deliver jokowi’s promise of no-eviction policy, back in 2012 when jokowi and ahok ran for jakarta’s governatorial candidate. Or how ahok’s middle class supporters (who were once boastful that they are with urban poors against fauzi bowo’s cruel eviction) suddenly vilified and humiliated their suffering. It is something they forget very soon.
Chris, is the Ministry’s letter literally directed to Thai citizens? I have been uncertain about that, and the reporting has been imprecise – referring to “citizens” and “the public.”
Agree… and the issue of massive corruption and public service inefficiency on every level will now blow out again. This impacts entrepreneurs far more than microloans or grants.
Ahok made symbolic gains which are small in the big picture but important.
Errr, no, poll shows 70percent Jakartans are satisfied with how Jkt is run. Even if we assume that ALL of the other 30 percent are not satisfied because said roughshodness (rather than, oh I don’t know, parking? Ha) that’s less than a third.
[…] some analysts have expected Vajiralongkorn to be a ‘weak king’, precisely because of his lack of moral authority, divinity and popularity once enjoyed by […]
Also, taking photograph of the new plaque is not allowed although it is too late because some people did it, and the image of the new plaque already goes viral.
So I humbly hereby petition His Majesty – in the Siamese style of prostration before Monarch, and the Rhamakhaeng Stone – to have the current plaque replaced by one dedicated to King Chulalongkorn, Siam’s – and Thailand’s – greatest democrat. Such replacement would be far better international PR, public relations.
Its indicative of the low quality of the articles in New Mandala. Using Jakarta Post article to reference statistics, put some effort into it. Secondly, why the hell did the author take an article that is over 2 years old. According to the latest figures, economic inequality in Indonesia has dropped.
Would any people here bet there tenure or their job, and say that its largely about poverty and Ahok riding roughshod over the poor? Just assume that Ahok didn’t evict people and there was no blasphemy case, would he have won? There is a very good chance he wouldn’t have
Its easy for Westerners who haven’t faced discrimination as minorities feel in Indonesia, to paint it as poverty, and that race/religion is used as a smoke screen. The religious / racial issues are NOT the distraction, they are the main issue.
The scary part is the solutions recommended by researchers are always in the form of lets help the poor by giving them money or help them become entrepreneurs. Well that is stupid. The reason why Economic inequality has increased in Indonesia despite all the lavish social programs enacted since Reformasi is because not enough high equality jobs are created in the formal economy due to 1) Shortage of technical personal 2) Neglect in infrastructure. The Suharto era was defined by crony capitalism galore, but income inequality under the Suharto period was lower than it is now.. Because Suharto build enough infrastructure to attract manufacturing investment that provided factory jobs that lifted many out of poverty.
The response by Western intellectuals, increasing the minimum wage for workers in Jakarta, cash handouts, more social spending, help “entrepreneurs” means less money on infrastructure, which in turn means less investment and fewer jobs. Help people setup informal undustries is a dead end, because the state often doesn’t capture the benefit (ie tax revenue)
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Kingdom of fear (and favour)
Security officers disrupt seminar criticising junta’s land policy
Thu, 20/04/2017
Authorities have ordered an NGO to postpone a public seminar about the junta’s land policies, out of fear the seminar would discuss the missing 1932 revolution plaque.
https://prachatai.com/english/node/7088
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
You seem to be confusing Srirasmi and Sirindhorn. Also, the suggestion that Sirindhorn would move to China after royal succession did not come from me, but from leaked US cable 09BANGKOK2967.
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
31 Oct 2016
The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court on Monday acquitted former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook of a charge of computer crime brought against him by the army over comments posted online critical of the military government.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1123644/
followed by
Tue, 28/02/2017
On 26 February 2017, Watana Muangsook, an embattled Pheu Thai politician, posted on his Facebook account that a military commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment had summoned him for a discussion.
After a two-hour long discussion with Lt Gen Apirat Kongsompong the next day, he told the media that the officer mainly asked him about his opinions on national reconciliation.
During the discussion, Watana denounced the junta’s reconciliation plan, saying that true reconciliation cannot begin until the military acknowledge that they themselves are a party to the political conflict.
Reconciliation would be more attainable if people had been given opportunities to participate in the process of drafting the constitution, said Watana.
http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6957
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
“Members of the public are asked to refrain from following, contacting, spreading or engaging in any activity that results in spreading content and information of the persons mentioned in this announcement on the internet system, social media; either directly or indirectly,” the statement read.
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2017/04/12/govt-bans-online-communication-three-monarchy-critics/
link also contains a pic of the order
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
I strongly disagree with the analysis is its about poverty. Its clearly about religion.
Ahok polled 80% among Bataks in Jakarta, higher than even among Chinese Indonesians. All other predominately non-Muslim ethnic groups he was pulling above 70%, whether they came from Bali, NTT, Manado etc How many Christian Batak Metro Mini drivers participated in the protest?
The author falls to understand that in Indonesia, religion is important. Increasingly how people interact is based on religion. Poor Christian Indonesians live among poor Muslims in Jakarta, but beyond that they live separate lives, they don’t worship in the same places, they go to different schools, they rarely intermarry , take on different jobs etc. Anti-Christian discrimination in many of public schools in Jakarta is nasty, and its why Christian parents spend a fortune sending their children to Christian schools if they can afford it.
In the West people have forgotten how sectarian their own cities were 100 years ago. Ahok trial is like Dreyfus affair in France
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
If you plot incidence of poverty and % votes for the incumbent, it is high likely you will always have a negative correlation, i.e. the higher the poverty level, the lower the proportion of votes for the incumbent. Even if we’re talking about relative (not absolute) poverty. People who see their neighbors better off would risk their chances with the other guy. The Jokowi & Ahok duet probably won in 2012 in some part by taking advantage of this widening income inequality and making themselves as different as the incumbent as possible. So inequality is always a factor in all elections. Only this time, the other guys are going to extremes in making themselves different by taking advantage of the minority leadership issues (Chinese, Christian). Actually, one can argue that sectarian tactics needed to be used because economic issues were not cutting it (the so-called evictions weren’t cruel enough). It would be these sectarian tactics which will be used in the national scale in 2019 because it’s proven effective, and because it is also less likely that the economic angle will work against Jokowi. In hindsight, it’s good that this is happening now, as everyone can prepare for 2019 to make sure the worst outcome doesn’t happen.
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
Insightful analysis indeed. Sadly, the trace of ahok & his supporters perceived arrogance on issue of eviction of urban poor, will only reinforce the misleading negative stereotype of chinese and christians as untrustworthy. Those evicted urban poor will always remember very well, how ahok has failed to deliver jokowi’s promise of no-eviction policy, back in 2012 when jokowi and ahok ran for jakarta’s governatorial candidate. Or how ahok’s middle class supporters (who were once boastful that they are with urban poors against fauzi bowo’s cruel eviction) suddenly vilified and humiliated their suffering. It is something they forget very soon.
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
Chris, is the Ministry’s letter literally directed to Thai citizens? I have been uncertain about that, and the reporting has been imprecise – referring to “citizens” and “the public.”
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
Srirasmi, not Sirindhorn
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
This isnt the first time Watana Muangsook has been up on Computer Crime charges.
http://www.ibtimes.com/who-watana-muangsook-thai-politician-charged-criticizing-junta-deputy-leader-over-2329356
Does anyone know how the last one worked out?
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
Medan and North Sumatra elected Muslims, and numerous other areas where minorities lead majorities you should look it up. Actuallly someone probably has a dataset somewhere.
https://m.detik.com/news/berita/d-3386774/icmi-ada-bupati-tionghoa-di-kabupaten-99-persen-muslim
http://m.hidayatullah.com/lensa/read/2016/05/31/95620/wajah-muslim-di-raja-ampat-papua.html
If not for his candor on Almaidah, Ahok would have won.
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
Agree… and the issue of massive corruption and public service inefficiency on every level will now blow out again. This impacts entrepreneurs far more than microloans or grants.
Ahok made symbolic gains which are small in the big picture but important.
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
Errr, no, poll shows 70percent Jakartans are satisfied with how Jkt is run. Even if we assume that ALL of the other 30 percent are not satisfied because said roughshodness (rather than, oh I don’t know, parking? Ha) that’s less than a third.
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
see for yourself Chris , pic here :
http://prachatai.org/english/node/7085
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
City Hall Instructed to Remove 11 CCTVs Before 1932 Plaque Taken
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2017/04/19/city-hall-instructed-remove-11-cctvs-1932-plaque-taken/
Why King Vajiralongkorn will be good for Thai Democracy
[…] some analysts have expected Vajiralongkorn to be a ‘weak king’, precisely because of his lack of moral authority, divinity and popularity once enjoyed by […]
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
This generation of Pridi Banamyong’s evil enemies.
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
The image from Somsak Jeamteerasakul is the only source we can find: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1288436311209645&set=a.137616112958343.44289.100001298657012
Also, taking photograph of the new plaque is not allowed although it is too late because some people did it, and the image of the new plaque already goes viral.
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
So I humbly hereby petition His Majesty – in the Siamese style of prostration before Monarch, and the Rhamakhaeng Stone – to have the current plaque replaced by one dedicated to King Chulalongkorn, Siam’s – and Thailand’s – greatest democrat. Such replacement would be far better international PR, public relations.
Jakarta: inequality and the poverty of elite pluralism
Its indicative of the low quality of the articles in New Mandala. Using Jakarta Post article to reference statistics, put some effort into it. Secondly, why the hell did the author take an article that is over 2 years old. According to the latest figures, economic inequality in Indonesia has dropped.
http://indonesiaeconomicforum.com/article/read/income-inequality-on-decline-in-indonesia
Would any people here bet there tenure or their job, and say that its largely about poverty and Ahok riding roughshod over the poor? Just assume that Ahok didn’t evict people and there was no blasphemy case, would he have won? There is a very good chance he wouldn’t have
Its easy for Westerners who haven’t faced discrimination as minorities feel in Indonesia, to paint it as poverty, and that race/religion is used as a smoke screen. The religious / racial issues are NOT the distraction, they are the main issue.
The scary part is the solutions recommended by researchers are always in the form of lets help the poor by giving them money or help them become entrepreneurs. Well that is stupid. The reason why Economic inequality has increased in Indonesia despite all the lavish social programs enacted since Reformasi is because not enough high equality jobs are created in the formal economy due to 1) Shortage of technical personal 2) Neglect in infrastructure. The Suharto era was defined by crony capitalism galore, but income inequality under the Suharto period was lower than it is now.. Because Suharto build enough infrastructure to attract manufacturing investment that provided factory jobs that lifted many out of poverty.
The response by Western intellectuals, increasing the minimum wage for workers in Jakarta, cash handouts, more social spending, help “entrepreneurs” means less money on infrastructure, which in turn means less investment and fewer jobs. Help people setup informal undustries is a dead end, because the state often doesn’t capture the benefit (ie tax revenue)