 | KHARTOUM, 26 July 2012 (IRIN) - Recent weeks have seen demonstrators, for the most part students, take to the streets of Khartoum - and to a lesser extent other Sudanese cities - to protest against the rising cost of living and call for an end to the 23-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir. |
Jul 26, 2012
SUDAN: Who's who in the opposition
SUDAN: Who's who in the opposition:
HIV/AIDS: Growing old with HIV
HIV/AIDS: Growing old with HIV:
 | WASHINGTON DC, 26 July 2012 (IRIN) - It's hard enough dealing with the aches and pains that usually come with getting older, but when you're HIV-positive, ageing brings more chronic illnesses, even more medication, and a health system that is not ready to cope with this relatively new phenomenon. |
Inside Siem Reaps's blogosphere
Inside Siem Reaps's blogosphere: Friday, 20 July 2012
By Claire Byr
Phnom Penh Post
Google
the words Siem Reap and blog and up comes a plethora of travel posts.
Everyone from scruffy backpackers to luxe flashpackers want to wax
lyrical about Temple Town, posting reams of photos of early mornings at
Angkor Wat and late nights at Angkor What?
Most blogs about Siem Reap are by people who passed through for a
By Claire Byr
Phnom Penh Post
the words Siem Reap and blog and up comes a plethora of travel posts.
Everyone from scruffy backpackers to luxe flashpackers want to wax
lyrical about Temple Town, posting reams of photos of early mornings at
Angkor Wat and late nights at Angkor What?
Most blogs about Siem Reap are by people who passed through for a
mkoasjgana's blog: Kampuchea For Christ - Part I - Register firiem
mkoasjgana's blog: Kampuchea For Christ - Part I - Register firiem: Setan Lee and 7 co-workers founded Kampuchea for Christ on July 8,Coach Outlet, 1995. Setan Lee, an American citizen, was raised in Cambodia. All the rest of the Kampuchea for Christ staff to date is Cambodian. Before ...
Officials, Cambodian residents discuss tensions in Olney - Philadelphia Inquirer
Officials, Cambodian residents discuss tensions in Olney - Philadelphia Inquirer:
Officials, Cambodian residents discuss tensions in Olney Philadelphia Inquirer Throwing a spotlight on rising tension between Philadelphia police and Cambodian residents of Olney - who released a report Wednesday that accused some officers of harassment - community activists and representatives of federal, state and local ... Witnesses: Officer Shot Man Without Warning, From Inside CarMyFox Philadelphia Video: Aftermath of fatal Pa. officer-involved shootingPolice News all 3 news articles » |
Viet Nam invests over VND110 billion in sugar planting in Cambodia - Viet Nam News
Viet Nam invests over VND110 billion in sugar planting in Cambodia - Viet Nam News:
Viet Nam invests over VND110 billion in sugar planting in Cambodia Viet Nam News Viet Nam invests over VND110 billion in sugar planting in Cambodia. Ha Noi— Sugar factories from Tay Ninh Province have spent over VND110 billion (US$5 million) to plant sugar cane in Cambodia's Svay Rieng Province for the 2012-2013 crop, said the ... and more » |
Rouge – review - The Guardian
Rouge – review - The Guardian:
 The Guardian | Rouge – review The Guardian Learning a craft depends on skills passed down through the bodies and memories of others – and at first sight, this Cambodian circus show is simply an innocent celebration of the country's acrobatic traditions. It opens with a young man, little more ... |
Cambodians flock to 'magic' log for lottery luck - Straits Times
Cambodians flock to 'magic' log for lottery luck - Straits Times:
 Straits Times | Cambodians flock to 'magic' log for lottery luck Straits Times In a picture taken on July 19, 2012, Cambodian people gather around a log at Prey Yeang village in Pursat province. The large log has drawn thousands of visitors who believe it possesses healing powers and can predict winning lottery numbers, a local ... and more » |
Cambodia's Undiscovered Temples - Condé Nast Traveler
Cambodia's Undiscovered Temples - Condé Nast Traveler:
Cambodia's Undiscovered Temples Condé Nast Traveler They are kept in a gallery to one side, a little ignored, and are unlike any other in Cambodia. Dark green in color, far older than the masterpieces from Angkor Wat which otherwise crowd the museum, these huge pieces possess a style and sexual grace ... |
Bid to protect Cambodian migrant workers - Bangkok Post
Bid to protect Cambodian migrant workers - Bangkok Post:
Bid to protect Cambodian migrant workers Bangkok Post The Labour Ministry will work with Cambodian authorities to prevent job placement agencies and brokers from giving false information to Cambodian workers looking to work in Thailand. Labour Protection and Welfare Department chief Arthit Issamo ... |
Cambodia | Guest Travel Writers
Cambodia | Guest Travel Writers: When we talk about Cambodia, there is the usual talk of the happening Bar Street in Siem Reap, the Ta Phrom Temple where Angelina Jolie played the role of Lara Croft in one of the Tomb Raider films, and how everything is ...
Jobs in Cambodia - blog*spot
Jobs in Cambodia - blog*spot: An alternative to these industries for employment for expats is the tourism industry which is growing rapidly and bolstering the economy - this fact means that tourism is now helping to stabilise Cambodia and therefore jobs in ...
Measures Urged After Flag Blunder
Measures Urged After Flag Blunder:
The North Korean representative to the International Olympic Committee on Thursday demanded new measures to prevent future gaffes after stadium screens displayed the South Korean flag as a backdrop for his country’s team on the opening day of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament in Britain.
The mistake occurred on Wednesday as the North Korean women’s team prepared to take on Colombia, causing members of the squad to walk off the pitch at the stadium in Glasgow, Scotland and delaying the start of the match for about an hour.
North and South Korea have technically been at war since signing an armistice in 1953 that ended the Korean conflict and established the heavily guarded demilitarized zone at the 38th parallel. The two countries remain bitter rivals.
North Korean IOC representative Chang Ung told the Associated Press that he was dismayed by the blunder and called for the Olympic Committee to require extra steps that would ensure the correct flags are displayed as the Games move ahead, particularly ahead of medal ceremonies.
“This should not have happened,” Chang said. “I am really surprised how ... the London Olympic team, the protocol people, didn’t invite someone from the team to check if it is your flag.”
“With 302 medal awarding ceremonies, if something bad happened, that’s damaging for the IOC,” he said. “Beforehand, the protocol people should invite the team leader or captain to come up.”
Chang had earlier said that the flag mix up wasn’t “a big political issue” while speaking in front of the IOC’s general assembly, and on Thursday said he was content with an apology from the Olympic organizers in London.
“They apologized to the national team. That’s enough,” he said.
IOC apology
IOC President Jacques Rogge said the organizing committee would not let a similar incident occur at future events.
“This was a most unfortunate incident,” he said.
“I can assure you the organizing committee has taken corrective action so that this will not happen in the future. There is no political connotation in that. It was just a simple human mistake.”
The flag incident even prompted a response from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who reiterated that there was no political motive behind the mistake.
Speaking to BBC News, Cameron highlighted the social benefits of the Games, saying, "People are going to be coming to our country over the next few weeks and seeing a really inspiring sight.”
"That's about a people's Olympics, not a government Olympics."
North Korea is set to square off against its southern neighbor during the men’s table tennis tournament next week.
North Korea’s women’s soccer team has been the center of controversy on the international stage before.
In 2011, after losing to the U.S. soccer team in the Women’s World Cup tournament, coach Kim Kwang Min said that the loss was a result of more than five of his players being “struck by lightning” during a June 8 warm up.
A number of the women from that squad were later banned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) from the 2015 Women’s World Cup for steroid usage, which was the result of a traditional medicine treatment with musk deer gland therapy.
The treatment had been prescribed by the team physician to players affected by the lightning incident.
Reported by Joshua Lipes.
The North Korean representative to the International Olympic Committee on Thursday demanded new measures to prevent future gaffes after stadium screens displayed the South Korean flag as a backdrop for his country’s team on the opening day of the women’s Olympic soccer tournament in Britain.
The mistake occurred on Wednesday as the North Korean women’s team prepared to take on Colombia, causing members of the squad to walk off the pitch at the stadium in Glasgow, Scotland and delaying the start of the match for about an hour.
North and South Korea have technically been at war since signing an armistice in 1953 that ended the Korean conflict and established the heavily guarded demilitarized zone at the 38th parallel. The two countries remain bitter rivals.
North Korean IOC representative Chang Ung told the Associated Press that he was dismayed by the blunder and called for the Olympic Committee to require extra steps that would ensure the correct flags are displayed as the Games move ahead, particularly ahead of medal ceremonies.
“This should not have happened,” Chang said. “I am really surprised how ... the London Olympic team, the protocol people, didn’t invite someone from the team to check if it is your flag.”
“With 302 medal awarding ceremonies, if something bad happened, that’s damaging for the IOC,” he said. “Beforehand, the protocol people should invite the team leader or captain to come up.”
Chang had earlier said that the flag mix up wasn’t “a big political issue” while speaking in front of the IOC’s general assembly, and on Thursday said he was content with an apology from the Olympic organizers in London.
“They apologized to the national team. That’s enough,” he said.
IOC apology
IOC President Jacques Rogge said the organizing committee would not let a similar incident occur at future events.
“This was a most unfortunate incident,” he said.
“I can assure you the organizing committee has taken corrective action so that this will not happen in the future. There is no political connotation in that. It was just a simple human mistake.”
The flag incident even prompted a response from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who reiterated that there was no political motive behind the mistake.
Speaking to BBC News, Cameron highlighted the social benefits of the Games, saying, "People are going to be coming to our country over the next few weeks and seeing a really inspiring sight.”
"That's about a people's Olympics, not a government Olympics."
North Korea is set to square off against its southern neighbor during the men’s table tennis tournament next week.
North Korea’s women’s soccer team has been the center of controversy on the international stage before.
In 2011, after losing to the U.S. soccer team in the Women’s World Cup tournament, coach Kim Kwang Min said that the loss was a result of more than five of his players being “struck by lightning” during a June 8 warm up.
A number of the women from that squad were later banned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) from the 2015 Women’s World Cup for steroid usage, which was the result of a traditional medicine treatment with musk deer gland therapy.
The treatment had been prescribed by the team physician to players affected by the lightning incident.
Reported by Joshua Lipes.
Students Forced to Pay Bribes
Students Forced to Pay Bribes:
Cambodian schoolchildren are being forced to pay bribes to pass high school admissions tests, a senior local educator said on Thursday while calling on the country’s Ministry of Education to have students retake their most recent exams.
“These tests must be taken again, as the results of the previous tests are not valid,” Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association president Rong Chhun told RFA in an interview.
Proctors and examiners for junior high school students are requiring payments of between U.S. $30 to U.S. $60 for a passing grade on high school entrance exams, Rong Chhun said, adding that “middlemen” are charging similar amounts for assurances the bribes will reach the right people.
“There is a price for middlemen between U.S. $30 to U.S. $50. I urge the Ministry of Education to work with local authorities to bring the suspects to justice,” Rong Chhun said.
Cambodian Minister of Education Im Sethy could not be reached for comment, but the reports of bribery in Cambodia’s schools underscore the country’s reputation, highlighted in a recent report by Berlin-based Transparency International, for widespread corruption in the public sector.
“This bribery takes place across the country,” Rong Chhun said.
Payment to proctors
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the parent of a student in Kandal province said that his son had been told to pay U.S. $30 to proctors at the Bun Rany Hun Sen High School Examination Center in order to pass his exam, held on July 16-17.
“All students were asked to pay at least U.S. $30 dollars, including my son. But my son gave only U.S. $25,” he said.
Results of the exam will be released on July 28, he said.
Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked Cambodia 164th worst out of 182 countries surveyed in its 2011 Corruption Perception Index.
Cambodia’s official Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) launched an initiative in May to eliminate bribes solicited by local commune councilors for performing public services, with ACU deputy director Chhay Savuth declaring that “[Cambodia’s] culture of bribery has been in place for over 20 years.”
But international organizations have warned that the country’s graft-busting bodies will not be effective until they are free of government influence and control.
Reported by Den Ayuthya for RFA’s Khmer service. Translation by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Cambodian schoolchildren are being forced to pay bribes to pass high school admissions tests, a senior local educator said on Thursday while calling on the country’s Ministry of Education to have students retake their most recent exams.
“These tests must be taken again, as the results of the previous tests are not valid,” Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association president Rong Chhun told RFA in an interview.
Proctors and examiners for junior high school students are requiring payments of between U.S. $30 to U.S. $60 for a passing grade on high school entrance exams, Rong Chhun said, adding that “middlemen” are charging similar amounts for assurances the bribes will reach the right people.
“There is a price for middlemen between U.S. $30 to U.S. $50. I urge the Ministry of Education to work with local authorities to bring the suspects to justice,” Rong Chhun said.
Cambodian Minister of Education Im Sethy could not be reached for comment, but the reports of bribery in Cambodia’s schools underscore the country’s reputation, highlighted in a recent report by Berlin-based Transparency International, for widespread corruption in the public sector.
“This bribery takes place across the country,” Rong Chhun said.
Payment to proctors
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the parent of a student in Kandal province said that his son had been told to pay U.S. $30 to proctors at the Bun Rany Hun Sen High School Examination Center in order to pass his exam, held on July 16-17.
“All students were asked to pay at least U.S. $30 dollars, including my son. But my son gave only U.S. $25,” he said.
Results of the exam will be released on July 28, he said.
Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked Cambodia 164th worst out of 182 countries surveyed in its 2011 Corruption Perception Index.
Cambodia’s official Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) launched an initiative in May to eliminate bribes solicited by local commune councilors for performing public services, with ACU deputy director Chhay Savuth declaring that “[Cambodia’s] culture of bribery has been in place for over 20 years.”
But international organizations have warned that the country’s graft-busting bodies will not be effective until they are free of government influence and control.
Reported by Den Ayuthya for RFA’s Khmer service. Translation by Samean Yun. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Cattle disease affecting children in Southeast Asia
Cattle disease affecting children in Southeast Asia: 
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks in cattle has affected children in Asia in recent months, says the World Health Organization.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks in cattle has affected children in Asia in recent months, says the World Health Organization.
Sanofi's Dengue Vaccine Is Promising
Sanofi's Dengue Vaccine Is Promising: Sanofi said its experimental vaccine against mosquito-borne dengue fever proved effective and safe in a study in 4,000 children in Thailand.
In India's Farming Heartland, Barely a Raindrop Falls
In India's Farming Heartland, Barely a Raindrop Falls: Monsoons are late and weak, leaving vast tracks of parched land and threatening the crucial rural economy.
Israel's Businesses Losing the Cyber War
Israel's Businesses Losing the Cyber War: Israeli businesses and consumers remain prone to cyber attacks, despite the country's reputation as a high-tech and cyber-warfare powerhouse.
Key Role Floated for Syrian Defector
Key Role Floated for Syrian Defector: The Obama administration and officials of some Arab and Western nations are discussing ways to place Syria's highest-ranking military defector at the center of a political transition.
Bo Xilai's Wife Charged With Murder
Bo Xilai's Wife Charged With Murder: Chinese officials have indicted Gu Kailai, the wife of fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai, on the charge of intentional homicide, state media reported.
Jul 25, 2012
National Identity Crisis and ‘Thainess’
National Identity Crisis and ‘Thainess’:
[This abstract is for a paper intended for presentation at the Governance, Human Rights & Development:, Challenges for Southeast Asia and Beyond, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand, 19-20 May 2011. While travel plans interrupted the presentation and completion of the longer paper, this abstract may prove of brief interest in the subject of what is termed ‘Thainess,’ an elusive characteristic said both to be imaginary and real. - Frank G Anderson]
This study attempts to verify whether or not the Thai nation-state is capable of pursuing legitimate democratic reform. Is Thailand so unique that traditionally non-Thai standards can not be used to judge the country or be applied to it?
The study and subsequent research revealed that the current reinvigoration of dated beliefs, closely identified as “Thainess,1” has had and will continue to have a detrimental effect on Thailand’s long-term opportunities for democracy. The study looks at whether the Thai state’s current effort to protect itself is well-founded, or if it is largely designed to preserve the status of the power elite2 and insulate dated institutions from change.
From 1997 to 2005, this author founded and operated northeast Thailand’s first local English language newspaper, the Korat Post. The paper was founded to provide a capstone project for an MBA in information management, and to gather material for a study on how much democracy and freedom of speech in Thailand exist on a local level on the one hand, and what can be done, on the other, to enhance what already exists.
The study identifies key problem areas in making progress toward democratic reform; for example, ultra-nationalism combined with implied citizen identity based on “Thainess.”. Findings over the eight years of the Korat Post’s operation verify that there is a great deal of conservative pressure on everyone, including the media, to restrict dissemination of information to ‘safe’ discourse that reflects positively on institutions and persons, and to avoid topics that are offensive to persons in positions of power – notably politicians, the military, police and the royal institution3. The consequences of not abiding by these limitations seldom but do occasionally include death, rarely satisfactorily investigated after the fact.
The study indicates that local media are by economic necessity, legislation and ever-present threat of seizure and arrest self-censoring and generally compliant with state, commercial and other pressures to ‘follow the leader.’ Findings also reveal that in general provincial (outside Bangkok) Thai media are heavily reliant on the ‘goodwill’ of a select few but powerful and influential persons who will not tolerate pressures toward change in Thai society, even from within by Thais. Finally, the study indicates that to continue to function as a democratic between the state and the people Thai media must develop alternate sources of income other than advertising. In one notable example, the Korat Daily newspaper, published in downtown Korat, is a well-run daily with significant advertising but financially backed up by the owner’s main line of business – printing.
The 2006 coup and its aftermath reintroduced mass censorship in the country, caused alarm and brought domestic and international condemnation. Given advances in computer technology and lack of human rights protections in pre and post-investigative procedures, the Thai state has been making inroads against the right of free expression - ostensibly in the name of national security. The combination of traditional values and renewed state emphasis on them, backed by harsh new legislation, has resulted in a significant setback for Thai democracy.
What is recognized as being Thai, and what is seen as foreign? At what point does foreign become Thai?
Online searches in Thai and English to obtain a concise definition of “Thainess” become a journey into symbology, indoctrination, political correctness and prejudice – both voluntary and involuntary. “Thainess” is perceived as a quality of worthiness, acceptance or rejection based on appearance, behavior and speech. One often hears, for example, “Aren’t you Thai?” or “Are you Thai or not?”
Thainess, or “khwam pen Thai” is a value system that prescribes what is acceptable from what is not, what is Thai from what is not. For example, all Thais are expected - and face stringent legislative, social and cultural reinforcement – to demonstrate loyalty and respect for the country’s three pillars – the nation, the religion (almost universally promoted as Buddhism), and the monarchy. While diversity is officially recognized and often cited as another pillar of social justice it is not welcome in Thailand when it comes to challenging traditional beliefs in these three areas. The question then becomes, who is it that does not welcome such differences of views?
According to several Thai and foreign academic studies and dozens of political commentaries, the answer is the ‘elite’ and those who support – willfully or blindly - this powerful and uncompromising component of traditional Siamese society. Basically what is being described is an umbrella organization that takes its strength from political, cultural and social elitism – a typical and ancient form of the patronage system. Those above look out for those below but with the implicit understanding that at all times those below must remain compliant and loyal. The system is reinforced constantly by a panoply of rigid cultural practices, legislated social structure and a state-applied public relations apparatus that perpetuates elitism, promotes unity in thought, belief, speech and behavior. This system also guards its interests by severely curtailing and punishing those who would challenge the way things are ‘done.’
The question of motive is paramount to being able to ascertain whether or not such a rigid patronage system in this 21st century is survivable or even capable of change. As history has shown time and time again in other cultures, eventually push comes to shove and all is set aside in a rude awakening that leads to loss of life but opens the window toward personal freedom. Is the motive in perpetuating an ancient sociopolitical system such as in Thailand to guard the interests of a benevolent elite or is it to guard the interests of an elite that has its own interests at heart first and foremost? Is such an elite segment of society so blinded by its self-perceived sage wisdom that it feels totally justified in taking whatever measures it feels needed to continue the goose-step? Is such an elite capable of ever stepping aside in the interests of not just change in a modern world but in the interests of people who have a right to be free, to think for themselves and to challenge the beliefs that they are constantly told are the beliefs of what it means to be Thai?
Anyone familiar with the “Thai way” can recite dozens of anecdotes about how Thailand has staved off one colonial power after another to remain independent, or how particular political and social situations were handled in a graceful way to resolve intense confrontations. The same observers will also, however, cite countless criminal proceedings against what have been called democracy activists – many of whom were ‘guilty’ of crossing the “Thainess” line by inquiring into the forbidden-to-discuss subject of the Thai monarchy. These observers will recount the dozen and a half Thai constitutions that have come and gone under military coup, the blood in the middle of Thai streets shed by activists and the many losses of freedom that has taken place in Thailand from the year 2000 onward. Amongst all of this was the phrase “Thainess” drummed beat-box style by the elite and their willing cadre of social engineers.
Basically what has occurred in Thailand over the last decade is not just recognition that regimentation is not producing social justice but that it is becoming a less effective tool in perpetuating elitist control. Inhibiting any meaningful application of this realization to improve social justice and increase freedom is an elitist propaganda machine – run by the state, government, military and other elite factions - that dismisses a genuine immediate need for reform in a cacophony of Thainess-related ‘reminders.’ If these ‘reminders’ don’t work they are reinforced with those that do – intimidation, identification as an enemy of the state, religion and monarchy, allegations of endangering national security, arrest and detention… where determined to be necessary, assassination. In the latter matter two recent cases illustrate the complete autonomy and lack of accountability that powerful forces in Thailand enjoy. The first was the unsuccessful attempt to murder media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul; the second was the successful assassination of “Sae Daeng,” a Thai army officer. Both men were formerly close associates of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Paralleling this realization by the country’s elites that their grip had slipped somewhat and their traditional hold on power was being challenged on many fronts was realization by the same powers that they needed to ‘reinvigorate’ the process of “Thainess” as they viewed it by resorting to legislation, emergency decrees, media propaganda and other forms of coercion and use of ‘reminders’ that too much change will not be permitted. Publicly standing in front of the elite to make sure the message is understood are the Thai military and police – well-armed, well-funded and well-organized.
------------
1. The Construction of Mainstream Thought on “Thainess” and the “Truth” Constructed by “Thainess”,Saichol Sattayanurak. …the concept of “Thainess” as defined by Thai intellectuals was designed in response to political problems that faced the ruling class in each era, as well as to use “Thainess” in the construction of the social and political structure desired by the political elite. This ideology has been so consistently cultivated in the society that it became a “system of truth” that is highly influential on the way Thais think, and constructed many important “truths” in Thai polity.
2. Charles Wright Mills, 1916-1962:”By the power elite, we refer to those political, economic, and military circles which as an intricate set of overlapping cliques share decisions having at least national consequences. In so far as national events are decided, the power elite are those who decide them.”
3. Lese majeste, defaming the monarchy or its members, is enshrined in Article 112 of the Thai Constitution as well as in more current legislation such as the Computer Crimes Act. In one extreme case, the editor of Prachatai website was threatened with over 50 years imprisonment because of alleged lese majeste material she failed to remove from her website in time.
Frank G Anderson
This study attempts to verify whether or not the Thai nation-state is capable of pursuing legitimate democratic reform. Is Thailand so unique that traditionally non-Thai standards can not be used to judge the country or be applied to it?
The study and subsequent research revealed that the current reinvigoration of dated beliefs, closely identified as “Thainess,1” has had and will continue to have a detrimental effect on Thailand’s long-term opportunities for democracy. The study looks at whether the Thai state’s current effort to protect itself is well-founded, or if it is largely designed to preserve the status of the power elite2 and insulate dated institutions from change.
From 1997 to 2005, this author founded and operated northeast Thailand’s first local English language newspaper, the Korat Post. The paper was founded to provide a capstone project for an MBA in information management, and to gather material for a study on how much democracy and freedom of speech in Thailand exist on a local level on the one hand, and what can be done, on the other, to enhance what already exists.
The study identifies key problem areas in making progress toward democratic reform; for example, ultra-nationalism combined with implied citizen identity based on “Thainess.”. Findings over the eight years of the Korat Post’s operation verify that there is a great deal of conservative pressure on everyone, including the media, to restrict dissemination of information to ‘safe’ discourse that reflects positively on institutions and persons, and to avoid topics that are offensive to persons in positions of power – notably politicians, the military, police and the royal institution3. The consequences of not abiding by these limitations seldom but do occasionally include death, rarely satisfactorily investigated after the fact.
The study indicates that local media are by economic necessity, legislation and ever-present threat of seizure and arrest self-censoring and generally compliant with state, commercial and other pressures to ‘follow the leader.’ Findings also reveal that in general provincial (outside Bangkok) Thai media are heavily reliant on the ‘goodwill’ of a select few but powerful and influential persons who will not tolerate pressures toward change in Thai society, even from within by Thais. Finally, the study indicates that to continue to function as a democratic between the state and the people Thai media must develop alternate sources of income other than advertising. In one notable example, the Korat Daily newspaper, published in downtown Korat, is a well-run daily with significant advertising but financially backed up by the owner’s main line of business – printing.
The 2006 coup and its aftermath reintroduced mass censorship in the country, caused alarm and brought domestic and international condemnation. Given advances in computer technology and lack of human rights protections in pre and post-investigative procedures, the Thai state has been making inroads against the right of free expression - ostensibly in the name of national security. The combination of traditional values and renewed state emphasis on them, backed by harsh new legislation, has resulted in a significant setback for Thai democracy.
What is recognized as being Thai, and what is seen as foreign? At what point does foreign become Thai?
Online searches in Thai and English to obtain a concise definition of “Thainess” become a journey into symbology, indoctrination, political correctness and prejudice – both voluntary and involuntary. “Thainess” is perceived as a quality of worthiness, acceptance or rejection based on appearance, behavior and speech. One often hears, for example, “Aren’t you Thai?” or “Are you Thai or not?”
Thainess, or “khwam pen Thai” is a value system that prescribes what is acceptable from what is not, what is Thai from what is not. For example, all Thais are expected - and face stringent legislative, social and cultural reinforcement – to demonstrate loyalty and respect for the country’s three pillars – the nation, the religion (almost universally promoted as Buddhism), and the monarchy. While diversity is officially recognized and often cited as another pillar of social justice it is not welcome in Thailand when it comes to challenging traditional beliefs in these three areas. The question then becomes, who is it that does not welcome such differences of views?
According to several Thai and foreign academic studies and dozens of political commentaries, the answer is the ‘elite’ and those who support – willfully or blindly - this powerful and uncompromising component of traditional Siamese society. Basically what is being described is an umbrella organization that takes its strength from political, cultural and social elitism – a typical and ancient form of the patronage system. Those above look out for those below but with the implicit understanding that at all times those below must remain compliant and loyal. The system is reinforced constantly by a panoply of rigid cultural practices, legislated social structure and a state-applied public relations apparatus that perpetuates elitism, promotes unity in thought, belief, speech and behavior. This system also guards its interests by severely curtailing and punishing those who would challenge the way things are ‘done.’
The question of motive is paramount to being able to ascertain whether or not such a rigid patronage system in this 21st century is survivable or even capable of change. As history has shown time and time again in other cultures, eventually push comes to shove and all is set aside in a rude awakening that leads to loss of life but opens the window toward personal freedom. Is the motive in perpetuating an ancient sociopolitical system such as in Thailand to guard the interests of a benevolent elite or is it to guard the interests of an elite that has its own interests at heart first and foremost? Is such an elite segment of society so blinded by its self-perceived sage wisdom that it feels totally justified in taking whatever measures it feels needed to continue the goose-step? Is such an elite capable of ever stepping aside in the interests of not just change in a modern world but in the interests of people who have a right to be free, to think for themselves and to challenge the beliefs that they are constantly told are the beliefs of what it means to be Thai?
Anyone familiar with the “Thai way” can recite dozens of anecdotes about how Thailand has staved off one colonial power after another to remain independent, or how particular political and social situations were handled in a graceful way to resolve intense confrontations. The same observers will also, however, cite countless criminal proceedings against what have been called democracy activists – many of whom were ‘guilty’ of crossing the “Thainess” line by inquiring into the forbidden-to-discuss subject of the Thai monarchy. These observers will recount the dozen and a half Thai constitutions that have come and gone under military coup, the blood in the middle of Thai streets shed by activists and the many losses of freedom that has taken place in Thailand from the year 2000 onward. Amongst all of this was the phrase “Thainess” drummed beat-box style by the elite and their willing cadre of social engineers.
Basically what has occurred in Thailand over the last decade is not just recognition that regimentation is not producing social justice but that it is becoming a less effective tool in perpetuating elitist control. Inhibiting any meaningful application of this realization to improve social justice and increase freedom is an elitist propaganda machine – run by the state, government, military and other elite factions - that dismisses a genuine immediate need for reform in a cacophony of Thainess-related ‘reminders.’ If these ‘reminders’ don’t work they are reinforced with those that do – intimidation, identification as an enemy of the state, religion and monarchy, allegations of endangering national security, arrest and detention… where determined to be necessary, assassination. In the latter matter two recent cases illustrate the complete autonomy and lack of accountability that powerful forces in Thailand enjoy. The first was the unsuccessful attempt to murder media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul; the second was the successful assassination of “Sae Daeng,” a Thai army officer. Both men were formerly close associates of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Paralleling this realization by the country’s elites that their grip had slipped somewhat and their traditional hold on power was being challenged on many fronts was realization by the same powers that they needed to ‘reinvigorate’ the process of “Thainess” as they viewed it by resorting to legislation, emergency decrees, media propaganda and other forms of coercion and use of ‘reminders’ that too much change will not be permitted. Publicly standing in front of the elite to make sure the message is understood are the Thai military and police – well-armed, well-funded and well-organized.
------------
1. The Construction of Mainstream Thought on “Thainess” and the “Truth” Constructed by “Thainess”,Saichol Sattayanurak. …the concept of “Thainess” as defined by Thai intellectuals was designed in response to political problems that faced the ruling class in each era, as well as to use “Thainess” in the construction of the social and political structure desired by the political elite. This ideology has been so consistently cultivated in the society that it became a “system of truth” that is highly influential on the way Thais think, and constructed many important “truths” in Thai polity.
2. Charles Wright Mills, 1916-1962:”By the power elite, we refer to those political, economic, and military circles which as an intricate set of overlapping cliques share decisions having at least national consequences. In so far as national events are decided, the power elite are those who decide them.”
3. Lese majeste, defaming the monarchy or its members, is enshrined in Article 112 of the Thai Constitution as well as in more current legislation such as the Computer Crimes Act. In one extreme case, the editor of Prachatai website was threatened with over 50 years imprisonment because of alleged lese majeste material she failed to remove from her website in time.
Yingluck and Thaksin’s effective double game?
Yingluck and Thaksin’s effective double game?:
Pavin in WSJ:
Pushing through the constitution amendments was always going to be hard because the establishment cares less about amnesty than the constitution amendments. Amnesty is mostly just a bargaining chip in dealing with Thaksin. As noted in the articles above (in Crispin’s article, you will need to click the link and scroll down), there are benefits for the military with a collective amnesty. Thaksin is unlikely to return anytime soon, or if he does fly into Thailand, it will be for very brief periods of time and he will likely keep a low profile, like he did in 2008. As Crispin notes, the possibility he could be killed, is a real possibility. You just need to see the precautions he took back in 2008 when he returned. Yes, there is a prestige thing for Thaksin, but do the establishment really suffer if there is an amnesty? No. They can also use it to extract concessions out of Thaksin.
The establishment really care about the constitutional amendments as this is the most effective way they have of controlling things. It would have been much more difficult to protest against constitutional amendments if the reconciliation bills had been properly put on the back burner. Before the introduction of the reconciliation bills, the PAD had planned to protest against the amendments, but abandoned those plans. The introduction of the reconciliation bills changed the dynamic, increased the political tensions, and made it easier for the court to intervene with their suggestion/advice.
A few months ago you could have said that Thaksin and Yingluck were playing an effective double game. Now, Yingluck is still playing her role and while her popularity has dropped slightly, it is still in the early 60s and polls show a clear majority want her to serve out her term. There is no sign that there is a popular movement against Yingluck. For Thaksin though and his tactics, can it still be said he is playing an effective double game? Recently, no. He overplayed his hand and got burnt. What is his next play?
Pavin in WSJ:
Ms. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin have so far executed an effective double game, with the former frequently bowing to the traditional elite while the latter maneuvers behind the scenes to consolidate power at the expense of establishment interests. The thrust to amend the constitution is part of Mr. Thaksin’s carrot-and-stick tactics, which are splitting the establishment camp.A few months back, Crispin in Asia Times with a piece entitled “Daring double game in Thailand”:
The military has remained conspicuously silent about the government’s plan to pass reconciliation bills to grant amnesty for crimes committed during political upheavals. That would allow Mr. Thaksin to return to Thailand, reclaim assets confiscated by the courts and re-enter politics. Given that the military staged a coup in 2006 to remove him, its acquiescence now might seem surprising.
But the military would be one of the main beneficiaries of an amnesty, since it would be “off the hook” for any culpability in the deaths of almost 100 pro-Thaksin protesters in 2010. In May, state prosecutors said that they had compiled enough evidence to implicate the military in as many as 18 of 92 protest-related deaths. One military insider has said publicly that the top brass and all generals in line for promotion want the reconciliation bills to move ahead.
While Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has taken a conciliatory tack to the country’s still unresolved seven-year-old political conflict, her self-exiled elder brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and his advisers have worked from behind the scenes to consolidate political power at the expense of rival royalist establishment interests.BP: When Crispin wrote that a few months ago, BP thinks you can say “yes” Yingluck and Thaksin were playing an effective double game. But now? Not sure that BP would agree with Pavin now. There was a possibility of following the KPI amnesty proposal by first holding public hearings. The Speaker conceded this should be done, but this concession only came after the reconciliation bills had been introduced and postponed and we had protests. BP has been trying to figure out Thaksin’s rationale for introducing the reconciliation bills at that time To test the waters? Was the strong reaction unexpected? No. It is like turning on an oven element and touching it to see if it is hot. Yes, of course it is. The bills were introduced and then postponed, a week later. So what was achieved? Nothing. If this is part of some master plan then it must be a very long game before it will bear fruit as now there are no signs it has worked.
Bureaucratic reshuffles, newly laid or threatened criminal charges and proposed constitutional changes have all enhanced the criminally convicted Thaksin’s negotiating leverage vis-a-vis royalist power centers, including in the military, judiciary and palace, to achieve a political amnesty that would restore his court-confiscated wealth and ultimately allow for his return to Thailand as a free man.
A new drive to achieve an amnesty through parliamentary means has met predictable resistance from the opposition Democrat party and anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest group, and raised the specter of new instability after over a year of relative political calm.
Recommendations submitted by a local think-tank to a parliamentary reconciliation subcommittee proposed an amnesty for offenses committed on both sides of the political divide and a reversal of decisions handed down against Thaksin by military coup maker-created bodies.
Pushing through the constitution amendments was always going to be hard because the establishment cares less about amnesty than the constitution amendments. Amnesty is mostly just a bargaining chip in dealing with Thaksin. As noted in the articles above (in Crispin’s article, you will need to click the link and scroll down), there are benefits for the military with a collective amnesty. Thaksin is unlikely to return anytime soon, or if he does fly into Thailand, it will be for very brief periods of time and he will likely keep a low profile, like he did in 2008. As Crispin notes, the possibility he could be killed, is a real possibility. You just need to see the precautions he took back in 2008 when he returned. Yes, there is a prestige thing for Thaksin, but do the establishment really suffer if there is an amnesty? No. They can also use it to extract concessions out of Thaksin.
The establishment really care about the constitutional amendments as this is the most effective way they have of controlling things. It would have been much more difficult to protest against constitutional amendments if the reconciliation bills had been properly put on the back burner. Before the introduction of the reconciliation bills, the PAD had planned to protest against the amendments, but abandoned those plans. The introduction of the reconciliation bills changed the dynamic, increased the political tensions, and made it easier for the court to intervene with their suggestion/advice.
A few months ago you could have said that Thaksin and Yingluck were playing an effective double game. Now, Yingluck is still playing her role and while her popularity has dropped slightly, it is still in the early 60s and polls show a clear majority want her to serve out her term. There is no sign that there is a popular movement against Yingluck. For Thaksin though and his tactics, can it still be said he is playing an effective double game? Recently, no. He overplayed his hand and got burnt. What is his next play?
Singapore. The need for peaceful protest and why the Internet alone will not do.
Singapore. The need for peaceful protest and why the Internet alone will not do.:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If there is one country in the world which is totally abuzz in the Internet with demands for the downfall of their government it has to be Singapore. Every which way you look, there are thousands and thousands of critics who want to see the back of the Singapore ruling family or what is also called the Lee Dynasty.
The demands for change should be obvious. You have Lee Kuan Yew and son and every other member of their family in cushy positions wallowing in corruption. Lee pays himself and each of them $3.7 million a year, 5 times that which Obama gets. The press is state controlled. The legal system is hijacked with government appointed judges who destroy government critics through the courts, the Malays and Indians are racially discriminated, and those at the top are preferentially treated in the courts.
True, with the population completely fed up with this dictatorial regime, with people across the island calling for regime change, change has not only started, it will eventually topple the regime. There is no doubt about that.
You see the unraveling of the regime even now. The brain drain is highest with almost everyone capable of leaving the island doing so. No matter how much the government tries to persuade the people to have more children, it has the lowest birth rate in the world and the highest rates of ageing.
To replace those leaving the island and dying of old age, the government is left with no choice but to bring in Chinese immigrants from mainland China who speak no English to replace them. Because of the low quality of these immigrants, the entire population is degraded and brought down to the level of these Mandarin speaking Chinese coolies.
There is no doubt that if the present trend continues, you will be left with a very inferior sort of population in the island leaving on the one hand educated opportunists who have no principles or self respect except the love of money and on the other hand ignorant dummies who have no idea that they don't have to live like slaves.
In this scenario, change takes time, but it will come. But remember also, no matter how much you sit at your computer writing bad things about the Lee ruling family, you are not going to see instant change. The Lee ruling family will linger on with their propaganda on the state controlled newspapers for some time at least.
If you want to see real change now, you are left with no choice. The message must be clear to you from across the Middle East. Egypt, Tunisia and now Syria will not have changed without the people getting up from the comfort of their computers and getting on the streets. Dictatorships like that of the Lees understand no other logic other than that of open resistance peacefully.
I concede these regimes unlike Singapore's were unimaginably brutal. You are talking about pulling out finger nails. But thank God, Lee does not resort to such brutality, not because he will not but because he understands that such reaction will lead to the island emptying out completely. He represses his people but the repression is a soft kind, such as throwing you out of your job, denying you privileges that other citizens receive and defaming your reputation through the state controlled media.
But my message to those Singaporeans who love their island home is this. If you don't want to see your island completely go to the dogs, which it is presently going, then you have to do what you think is right, protest.
If there is one thing the Lee family it terrified of, it is the lone peaceful protestor standing in Raffles Place surrounded by the high rise office blocks at noon on a working day when thousands and thousands of Singaporeans will be passing. The news of that protestor will spread across the tiny island within 5 minutes. Justice is on the side of this brave protestor, not on the side of the government. Remember the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights across the world guarantees this human right of peaceful protest.
It is true that Lee will have this man arrested. But when he does so, across the world his action would be seen to be illegal, no matter what the illegal laws of Singapore were to say.
The moment one man protests, others will follow, and in a few hours if not a few days, the Lee ruling family will be forced to talk and listen to your demands. You will have a new Singapore almost instantly.
I am not asking for violence or bloodshed. Peaceful protests is a proud and noble form of resistance across the world. You are not a criminal for engaging in peaceful protests, instead you are the best citizen, noblest among the noble, with a civic sense of duty which will be respected and admired.
Remember in 2008 when a wrote a blog post in this blog criticizing Lee’s Judge Belinda Ang Saw Ean, and being arrested for it, I was acting in a noble cause and respected for what I did across the world, even if the Lee Ruling Family threw me in jail. Subsequently I was even disbarred from practicing law in Singapore but I remain today proudly on the Rolls of lawyers in California and the English Bar. Singapore might consider me a criminal but not so in the free world which looks at me instead as a noble citizen with the courage to stand up to principle. The Lee Ruling Family has not dared to demand that I be punished and disbarred in California or England for being in their opinion, in the Singaporean sense, a very bad criminal.
To those Singaporeans who wish to arrest the decline of the island to which it is heading through the denial of freedom, democracy and the rule of law by this dictatorial government, I say once again, that you must rise up in peaceful protest and do what is right for your island country.
Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
Singaporean by Birth
Fremont, California USA
Tel 510 657 6107 or 510 491 4375
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If there is one country in the world which is totally abuzz in the Internet with demands for the downfall of their government it has to be Singapore. Every which way you look, there are thousands and thousands of critics who want to see the back of the Singapore ruling family or what is also called the Lee Dynasty.
The demands for change should be obvious. You have Lee Kuan Yew and son and every other member of their family in cushy positions wallowing in corruption. Lee pays himself and each of them $3.7 million a year, 5 times that which Obama gets. The press is state controlled. The legal system is hijacked with government appointed judges who destroy government critics through the courts, the Malays and Indians are racially discriminated, and those at the top are preferentially treated in the courts.
True, with the population completely fed up with this dictatorial regime, with people across the island calling for regime change, change has not only started, it will eventually topple the regime. There is no doubt about that.
You see the unraveling of the regime even now. The brain drain is highest with almost everyone capable of leaving the island doing so. No matter how much the government tries to persuade the people to have more children, it has the lowest birth rate in the world and the highest rates of ageing.
To replace those leaving the island and dying of old age, the government is left with no choice but to bring in Chinese immigrants from mainland China who speak no English to replace them. Because of the low quality of these immigrants, the entire population is degraded and brought down to the level of these Mandarin speaking Chinese coolies.
There is no doubt that if the present trend continues, you will be left with a very inferior sort of population in the island leaving on the one hand educated opportunists who have no principles or self respect except the love of money and on the other hand ignorant dummies who have no idea that they don't have to live like slaves.
In this scenario, change takes time, but it will come. But remember also, no matter how much you sit at your computer writing bad things about the Lee ruling family, you are not going to see instant change. The Lee ruling family will linger on with their propaganda on the state controlled newspapers for some time at least.
If you want to see real change now, you are left with no choice. The message must be clear to you from across the Middle East. Egypt, Tunisia and now Syria will not have changed without the people getting up from the comfort of their computers and getting on the streets. Dictatorships like that of the Lees understand no other logic other than that of open resistance peacefully.
I concede these regimes unlike Singapore's were unimaginably brutal. You are talking about pulling out finger nails. But thank God, Lee does not resort to such brutality, not because he will not but because he understands that such reaction will lead to the island emptying out completely. He represses his people but the repression is a soft kind, such as throwing you out of your job, denying you privileges that other citizens receive and defaming your reputation through the state controlled media.
But my message to those Singaporeans who love their island home is this. If you don't want to see your island completely go to the dogs, which it is presently going, then you have to do what you think is right, protest.
If there is one thing the Lee family it terrified of, it is the lone peaceful protestor standing in Raffles Place surrounded by the high rise office blocks at noon on a working day when thousands and thousands of Singaporeans will be passing. The news of that protestor will spread across the tiny island within 5 minutes. Justice is on the side of this brave protestor, not on the side of the government. Remember the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights across the world guarantees this human right of peaceful protest.
It is true that Lee will have this man arrested. But when he does so, across the world his action would be seen to be illegal, no matter what the illegal laws of Singapore were to say.
The moment one man protests, others will follow, and in a few hours if not a few days, the Lee ruling family will be forced to talk and listen to your demands. You will have a new Singapore almost instantly.
I am not asking for violence or bloodshed. Peaceful protests is a proud and noble form of resistance across the world. You are not a criminal for engaging in peaceful protests, instead you are the best citizen, noblest among the noble, with a civic sense of duty which will be respected and admired.
Remember in 2008 when a wrote a blog post in this blog criticizing Lee’s Judge Belinda Ang Saw Ean, and being arrested for it, I was acting in a noble cause and respected for what I did across the world, even if the Lee Ruling Family threw me in jail. Subsequently I was even disbarred from practicing law in Singapore but I remain today proudly on the Rolls of lawyers in California and the English Bar. Singapore might consider me a criminal but not so in the free world which looks at me instead as a noble citizen with the courage to stand up to principle. The Lee Ruling Family has not dared to demand that I be punished and disbarred in California or England for being in their opinion, in the Singaporean sense, a very bad criminal.
To those Singaporeans who wish to arrest the decline of the island to which it is heading through the denial of freedom, democracy and the rule of law by this dictatorial government, I say once again, that you must rise up in peaceful protest and do what is right for your island country.
Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
Singaporean by Birth
Fremont, California USA
Tel 510 657 6107 or 510 491 4375
National Day Rally to be held on August 26
National Day Rally to be held on August 26: SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his National Day Rally will be held later than usual this year, on August 26, because the Sunday before that is Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Defining Malaysia’s national identity
Defining Malaysia’s national identity:
Where are Malaysia's leaders?Malaysian politicians have always been able to define what Malaysia’s challenges are and also know what should be done. The number of “plans and visions” that Malaysia has, attest to this.
The main problem is, past and present set of political leaders, on both sides of the divide, in general have failed to provide leadership at critical moments, and instead have sought to preserve power.
This is done through the appeal to their parties ideology. The ideology that underpins each of the main political parties is at odds with what needs to be done in Malaysia.
The United National Malays Organisation (UMNO) ideology is often termed as “Ketuanan Melayu” or Malay supremacy.
Malaysia’s Islamic party (PAS) has the welfare state as its current slogan, but it is essentially about Islamic supremacy (daulah Islamiyya)
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is essentially a populist party for its base group, the Malays. It argues for “Ketuanan Rakyat” (supremacy of the people) but on several critical moments (when “Ketuanan Melayu” clashed head on with “Ketuanan Rakyat”), PKR has faltered. The selection of the Selangor state government economic corporation head and PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim’s strong condemnation of homosexuality are cases in point.
There have of course been momentous occasions when PAS and PKR have stood up against UMNO’s Malay supremacy (such as the Allah issue) but these, while important can be interpreted as strategic rather than principled.
Dr. Helen Ting, from IKMAS (Institute of Malaysian and International Studies) captures the discussions around these ideologies in her paper, ” The Politics of National Identity in West Malaysia: Continued Mutation or Critical Transition“
She concludes that:
Does this mean, that Malaysia will perpetually find itself stuck with leaders that cannot lead Malaysia towards the reforms that Malaysia badly needs?
Where are Malaysia's leaders?
The main problem is, past and present set of political leaders, on both sides of the divide, in general have failed to provide leadership at critical moments, and instead have sought to preserve power.
This is done through the appeal to their parties ideology. The ideology that underpins each of the main political parties is at odds with what needs to be done in Malaysia.
The United National Malays Organisation (UMNO) ideology is often termed as “Ketuanan Melayu” or Malay supremacy.
Malaysia’s Islamic party (PAS) has the welfare state as its current slogan, but it is essentially about Islamic supremacy (daulah Islamiyya)
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is essentially a populist party for its base group, the Malays. It argues for “Ketuanan Rakyat” (supremacy of the people) but on several critical moments (when “Ketuanan Melayu” clashed head on with “Ketuanan Rakyat”), PKR has faltered. The selection of the Selangor state government economic corporation head and PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim’s strong condemnation of homosexuality are cases in point.
There have of course been momentous occasions when PAS and PKR have stood up against UMNO’s Malay supremacy (such as the Allah issue) but these, while important can be interpreted as strategic rather than principled.
Dr. Helen Ting, from IKMAS (Institute of Malaysian and International Studies) captures the discussions around these ideologies in her paper, ” The Politics of National Identity in West Malaysia: Continued Mutation or Critical Transition“
She concludes that:
Historic regime change became conceivable following recent political development. Nonetheless, prospects for radical revision of existing inter-religious dynamics remain dim because Islamic conservatism among Malay politicians transcends party-lines.Articles by Thomas Pepinsky and Kikue Hamayotsu in the Malaysia after regime change series, points to the same conclusion.
Does this mean, that Malaysia will perpetually find itself stuck with leaders that cannot lead Malaysia towards the reforms that Malaysia badly needs?
PNG leaders form joint government
PNG leaders form joint government: Papua New Guinea PM Peter O'Neill announces that he will be heading the next government with the support of former bitter rival Sir Michael Somare.
A Right and Significant Verdict on Bersih
A Right and Significant Verdict on Bersih: By Kee Thuan Chye Malaysian Digest 25 July 2012 THE High Court has declared that Bersih (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections) is not unlawful. And rightly so. Although this comes as a blow to the Government, and especially the Home Minister, the Attorney-General (A-G) should not pursue an appeal. Doing so would hurt the [...]
Pakatan has mixed views on May 13 probe
Pakatan has mixed views on May 13 probe:
PETALING JAYA: Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong’s call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the May 13 incident has drawn mixed reactions from Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
While PAS backs the call for a public inquiry, PKR and DAP say Malaysians must move on from one of the darkest episodes of Malaysian history.
PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said he was in support of Kua’s call, saying that a public inquiry would stop irresponsible quarters from raising the spectre of May 13 for selfish political agenda.
“The young generation needs to know what happened on that day,” said Salahuddin.
However, the PAS leader said it was more important for Barisan Nasional, particularly Umno, to stop playing the May 13 card in an attempt to scare voters into voting BN back to power.
PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar said she was not keen on the formation of the commission saying it was time for Malaysians to let go of the 1969 tragedy.
“Members of my generation don’t recall anything of the incident,” she said.
She said it was more important for the government to draw up policies to promote national integration and back these up with concrete action.
She also expressed fear that some quarters might use the issue to further the agenda of racial politics.
DAP youth chief Anthony Loke said much due diligence would be required in the setting up of the proposed commission and the public must have confidence that it would serve its purpose well.
He agreed with Nurul Izzah that young Malaysians had moved forward from the 1969 tragedy.
On Monday, Kua had urged the government to set up the commission in order to bring justice to those who had lost their loved ones in the riots.
His call came after Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged the young generation to unite in order avoid a repeat of the May 13 incident.
Also read:
May 13: Umno’s election weapon
PETALING JAYA: Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong’s call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the May 13 incident has drawn mixed reactions from Pakatan Rakyat leaders.While PAS backs the call for a public inquiry, PKR and DAP say Malaysians must move on from one of the darkest episodes of Malaysian history.
PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said he was in support of Kua’s call, saying that a public inquiry would stop irresponsible quarters from raising the spectre of May 13 for selfish political agenda.
“The young generation needs to know what happened on that day,” said Salahuddin.
However, the PAS leader said it was more important for Barisan Nasional, particularly Umno, to stop playing the May 13 card in an attempt to scare voters into voting BN back to power.
PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar said she was not keen on the formation of the commission saying it was time for Malaysians to let go of the 1969 tragedy.
“Members of my generation don’t recall anything of the incident,” she said.She said it was more important for the government to draw up policies to promote national integration and back these up with concrete action.
She also expressed fear that some quarters might use the issue to further the agenda of racial politics.
DAP youth chief Anthony Loke said much due diligence would be required in the setting up of the proposed commission and the public must have confidence that it would serve its purpose well.
He agreed with Nurul Izzah that young Malaysians had moved forward from the 1969 tragedy.
On Monday, Kua had urged the government to set up the commission in order to bring justice to those who had lost their loved ones in the riots.
His call came after Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged the young generation to unite in order avoid a repeat of the May 13 incident.
Also read:
May 13: Umno’s election weapon
West Malaysian politics toying with Sabah
West Malaysian politics toying with Sabah:
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s finally arrived, the official announcement that Sabah Barisan Nasional MPs Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing have quit the coalition.
Lajim, who announced his withdrawal in front of 500 people at Kampung Bukit Kallam on July 18, said: “I will sacrifice my RM20,000 monthly pay and perks as a minister for my struggle to uphold Sabah’s rights and fight corruption and cronyism.”
Bumburing, meanwhile, said last night he had sent in his resignation letter to BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.
Both had earlier professed that they would remain “independent”, BN-friendly and likely to contest in the 13th general election.
But rumours are rife that Lajim may join PKR because de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has allegedly promised him that if he helps PKR win most state seats and Pakatan Rakyat wins in Sabah, then Lajim will be chief minister. Lajim has been eyeing the post since 1994.
However, this is a rather sceptical scenario for Lajim is said to be Sabah “most famous” frog and will go only where the guarantees are water-tight. He (and Bumburing) were on that “infamous team” who were supposed to join Anwar in 2008 but did not.
With a looming 13th general election and speculations of it “happening anytime now”, Sabah is quite frankly a powder-keg with both Anwar and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak pushing their political cart shopping for spineless MPs. Frankly, you get the impression that everyone’s sharing a room, if not a bed and the political lines merely illusory.
Both Lajim and Bumburing, meanwhile, are also holding separate “functions” on July 29, during which they will announce their pullouts from their respective parties – Bumburing from Upko and Lajim from Umno.
Interestingly enough, Anwar is also scheduled to be in Sabah next Sunday and tipped to attend Bumburing’s launch of a new political vehicle Sabah Reform Movement and Lajim’s Buka Puasa event.
What this will be is an irritation to Borneo Agenda campaigner Jefrey Kitingan, who has been trying to find a middle road with PKR vis-Ã -vis Pakatan in Sabah with the hope of achieving a consolidated opposition fight against BN.
But this isn’t likely to happen with Anwar having no interest in Sabah per se except to shop for MPs who are prepared to jump over to his side for money and position.
A source close to Jeffrey told FMT that Anwar wanted Jeffrey’s STAR to sort out and come to a compromise on the seats issues with Lajim and Bumburing.
“But Jeffrey flatly refused. He is not going to go with Anwar’s strategy.
“Jeffrey is crystal clear about STAR’s direction and will not compromise on his Borneo Agenda,” said the source.
Anifah close to Najib
Meanwhile, online blog, Malaysia Today, confirmed Kitingan’s angst.
The report by Raja Petra Kamarudin noted that Jeffrey is “quite upset” that Anwar is negotiating with BN leaders to switch camps “after the next general election”.
“This would mean the opposition would have to ‘give way’ to these people and allow them to win the election.
“The second would be: what if after they win they change their minds and decide not to jump after all because Barisan Nasional has counter-offered a higher price?
“They will only be jumping after the general election and after they have won their seats.
“[In the meantime], the opposition would have to help them win these seats, which is very risky.
“Hence [the reason why] Jeffrey is violently opposed to the idea and has told Anwar so in no uncertain terms,” wrote Raja Petra.
He also pointed out that Anwar is helbent on containing Jeffrey. And he is using Ansari Abdullah to do so.
Ansari is allegedly backed by Kimanis MP Anifah Aman, who is Chief Minister Musa Aman’s brother.
Anifah is also the federal level foreign minister and close to Najib.
Lajim factor
In this equation too we have Lajim, who Ansari and team see as a threat. It is known here that Anwar has also allegedly promised Lajim the PKR state chief seat and this is not sitting well with Ansari’s people.
This aside, Lajim is also no friend of the Amans. He is closely aligned to Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, who’s also got Najib’s ear.
In fact, it was Lajim who, under the direction of Shafie, instigated protests and calls for Anifah to move out of Kimanis earlier this year and allow a Kimanis-born to contest in the constituency. But that fizzled out.
It’s common knowledge that Shafie dreams of becoming Sabah’s next chief minister and that Lajim who holds sway over westcoast Muslim in Sabah is an important ally for him.
Rumours of Lajim quitting Umno began last year and was as quickly “settled” when another speculation broke that Shafie, who is Rural Development Minister, had appeased Lajim with a RM150 million road project.
But apparently this wasn’t enough for Lajim who believes he has much to offer Sabah politics and wants to defend his Beaufort seat.
According to Sabah political blogger Selvaraja Somiah, with his latest announcement, Lajim will now train his guns on Musa and those closely aligned to the chief minister.
He said Lajim believes that Musa is poisoning Najib against him and is standing in the way of his candidacy.
“He believes Musa wants him out, so Lajim will do anything to enhance his political image, even if this means humiliating his senior colleagues in the party including Musa,” he said.
But he pointed out that the strategy may not work because the older Sabahans remember Lajim’s treachery from way back in 1987.
“In 1987, Lajim humiliated his then boss Joseph Pairin Kitingan during the swearing-in ceremony at the Istana because he was not appointed as deputy chief minister.
“He called him all kinds of names. Then in 1994, Lajim defected from Parti Bersatu Sabah which won the Sabah election.
“His action opened a floodgate of defections from PBS and saw the collapse of Pairin’s PBS government. He is doing it again,” said Selvaraja.
Lajim-Shafie’s strategy
Selvaraja said Lajim believes that if he continues with his “tantrums”, then Najib will sooner or later come to believe that Musa is no longer acceptable by the majority as chief minister.
In fact, word along Umno corridors in Kuala Lumpur is that some Sabah MPs have already conveyed their no confidence in Musa.
“Given this fractious relationship, any political development could serve as the trigger for a major upheaval.
“The moment Lajim withdraws support from Umno, others inside and outside the alliance will begin to exercise their leverage.
“They [Lajim and Shafie] are hoping to use this strategy to kill off Musa.
“They want Najib to intervene in Sabah’s affairs but that’s the last thing Najib would want to do. He knows what Musa has done,” he said.
It sounds like Lajim and Bumburing are hedging their bets and their followers are likely to do the same.
By Pushparani Thilaganathan FMT
Lajim, who announced his withdrawal in front of 500 people at Kampung Bukit Kallam on July 18, said: “I will sacrifice my RM20,000 monthly pay and perks as a minister for my struggle to uphold Sabah’s rights and fight corruption and cronyism.”
Bumburing, meanwhile, said last night he had sent in his resignation letter to BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.
Both had earlier professed that they would remain “independent”, BN-friendly and likely to contest in the 13th general election.
But rumours are rife that Lajim may join PKR because de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has allegedly promised him that if he helps PKR win most state seats and Pakatan Rakyat wins in Sabah, then Lajim will be chief minister. Lajim has been eyeing the post since 1994.
However, this is a rather sceptical scenario for Lajim is said to be Sabah “most famous” frog and will go only where the guarantees are water-tight. He (and Bumburing) were on that “infamous team” who were supposed to join Anwar in 2008 but did not.
With a looming 13th general election and speculations of it “happening anytime now”, Sabah is quite frankly a powder-keg with both Anwar and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak pushing their political cart shopping for spineless MPs. Frankly, you get the impression that everyone’s sharing a room, if not a bed and the political lines merely illusory.
Both Lajim and Bumburing, meanwhile, are also holding separate “functions” on July 29, during which they will announce their pullouts from their respective parties – Bumburing from Upko and Lajim from Umno.
Interestingly enough, Anwar is also scheduled to be in Sabah next Sunday and tipped to attend Bumburing’s launch of a new political vehicle Sabah Reform Movement and Lajim’s Buka Puasa event.
What this will be is an irritation to Borneo Agenda campaigner Jefrey Kitingan, who has been trying to find a middle road with PKR vis-Ã -vis Pakatan in Sabah with the hope of achieving a consolidated opposition fight against BN.
But this isn’t likely to happen with Anwar having no interest in Sabah per se except to shop for MPs who are prepared to jump over to his side for money and position.
A source close to Jeffrey told FMT that Anwar wanted Jeffrey’s STAR to sort out and come to a compromise on the seats issues with Lajim and Bumburing.
“But Jeffrey flatly refused. He is not going to go with Anwar’s strategy.
“Jeffrey is crystal clear about STAR’s direction and will not compromise on his Borneo Agenda,” said the source.
Anifah close to Najib
Meanwhile, online blog, Malaysia Today, confirmed Kitingan’s angst.
The report by Raja Petra Kamarudin noted that Jeffrey is “quite upset” that Anwar is negotiating with BN leaders to switch camps “after the next general election”.
“This would mean the opposition would have to ‘give way’ to these people and allow them to win the election.
“The second would be: what if after they win they change their minds and decide not to jump after all because Barisan Nasional has counter-offered a higher price?
“They will only be jumping after the general election and after they have won their seats.
“[In the meantime], the opposition would have to help them win these seats, which is very risky.
“Hence [the reason why] Jeffrey is violently opposed to the idea and has told Anwar so in no uncertain terms,” wrote Raja Petra.
He also pointed out that Anwar is helbent on containing Jeffrey. And he is using Ansari Abdullah to do so.
Ansari is allegedly backed by Kimanis MP Anifah Aman, who is Chief Minister Musa Aman’s brother.
Anifah is also the federal level foreign minister and close to Najib.
Lajim factor
In this equation too we have Lajim, who Ansari and team see as a threat. It is known here that Anwar has also allegedly promised Lajim the PKR state chief seat and this is not sitting well with Ansari’s people.
This aside, Lajim is also no friend of the Amans. He is closely aligned to Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal, who’s also got Najib’s ear.
In fact, it was Lajim who, under the direction of Shafie, instigated protests and calls for Anifah to move out of Kimanis earlier this year and allow a Kimanis-born to contest in the constituency. But that fizzled out.
It’s common knowledge that Shafie dreams of becoming Sabah’s next chief minister and that Lajim who holds sway over westcoast Muslim in Sabah is an important ally for him.
Rumours of Lajim quitting Umno began last year and was as quickly “settled” when another speculation broke that Shafie, who is Rural Development Minister, had appeased Lajim with a RM150 million road project.
But apparently this wasn’t enough for Lajim who believes he has much to offer Sabah politics and wants to defend his Beaufort seat.
According to Sabah political blogger Selvaraja Somiah, with his latest announcement, Lajim will now train his guns on Musa and those closely aligned to the chief minister.
He said Lajim believes that Musa is poisoning Najib against him and is standing in the way of his candidacy.
“He believes Musa wants him out, so Lajim will do anything to enhance his political image, even if this means humiliating his senior colleagues in the party including Musa,” he said.
But he pointed out that the strategy may not work because the older Sabahans remember Lajim’s treachery from way back in 1987.
“In 1987, Lajim humiliated his then boss Joseph Pairin Kitingan during the swearing-in ceremony at the Istana because he was not appointed as deputy chief minister.
“He called him all kinds of names. Then in 1994, Lajim defected from Parti Bersatu Sabah which won the Sabah election.
“His action opened a floodgate of defections from PBS and saw the collapse of Pairin’s PBS government. He is doing it again,” said Selvaraja.
Lajim-Shafie’s strategy
Selvaraja said Lajim believes that if he continues with his “tantrums”, then Najib will sooner or later come to believe that Musa is no longer acceptable by the majority as chief minister.
In fact, word along Umno corridors in Kuala Lumpur is that some Sabah MPs have already conveyed their no confidence in Musa.
“Given this fractious relationship, any political development could serve as the trigger for a major upheaval.
“The moment Lajim withdraws support from Umno, others inside and outside the alliance will begin to exercise their leverage.
“They [Lajim and Shafie] are hoping to use this strategy to kill off Musa.
“They want Najib to intervene in Sabah’s affairs but that’s the last thing Najib would want to do. He knows what Musa has done,” he said.
It sounds like Lajim and Bumburing are hedging their bets and their followers are likely to do the same.
By Pushparani Thilaganathan FMT
Suara Sarawak: 'BN could lose more than half of Sabah seats'
Suara Sarawak: 'BN could lose more than half of Sabah seats': The BN stands to lose more than 60 percent of its parliamentary seats in Sabah in the next general election, said a Sabah-based political scientist. UiTM Sabah lecturer Arnold Puyok said that, based on his research, BN could ...
The beginning of the end of the Globe?
The beginning of the end of the Globe?:
Unspun was exceptionally skeptical of The Jakarta Globe when rumors began circulating of its imminent launch. At the heart of the skepticism were two questions:
Firstly, whether hard-nosed business like the Riyadis were prepared to keep pumping the huge amounts of investment into the paper before before can turn profitable (experts have speculated that this takes a minimum of five years)?
Secondly, would the Riyadis allow the type of hard hitting and/or incisive journalism that is required if you wanted to grow a viable newspaper?
Unspun’s skepticism then (this and other posts) led many journalists (who are usually the most defensive people when put under the spotlight) to brand Unspun a skeptic and cynic.
Fair comments and it looked for a time like they were right. Against Unspun’s initial predictions The Jakarta Globe actually began to look and read a lot better than its established rival, the grand old dame The Jakarta Post.
For a while there they had the Post on a run, even forcing the Post to redesign itself from a stodgy paper into a merely ugly paper (its new masthead has the looks only a mother could love).
Its stories also seemed more focussed and much better written. The Jakarta Globe also began to win awards, much more than The Jakarta Post, at least until two years ago.
Unspun was forced to eat humble pie, cancelled his subscription to the Post and signed up for The Globe. The Globe, it seemed, was settling into the right orbit.
Probably about three or four months ago, something began to get awry. The choice of news stories began to get wonky. The writing was still better than the Post but the quality was going down.
Then, a month or two ago the Globe sunk to a new low by changing its format from broadsheet to Berliner, a size slightly broader than the usual tabloid. The change in size is a fair move. (ironically, that format was what the original editors had recommended but wasn’t adopted for reasons unclear to Unspun). It saves paper and money and it is also more user friendly.
But along with the change also came a peculiar new sense. There was the front page story of a satellite launch by the Lippo Group (that owns the paper). It was news, but front page?
The front pages also seemed to adopt a magazine approach, splashing a large photo on the page with little teasers here and there. Unspun’s reaction is that if he wanted to read a magazine he would buy one, but he’d expect much more than a daily.
Then of course there is the famous Lady Gaga fiasco where the Jakarta Globe was not content to make a fool of itself editorial (see Did The Jakarta Globe’s editorial go gaga over Lady Gaga?); the next day it went one step further with an even more ludicrous defense of its editorial (see The Jakarta Globe mounts a defensive commentary on its editorial)
Readers may wonder why the Globe seems to be imploding when for a while it was going so well. Insiders claim that the backers were running out of money, hence the downsizing of the paper.
New people were also brought in to helm the paper and these new people didn’t care much about journalism or were patient enough to realize that good journalism can be viable, if you give it time and enough nurturing. They were in for the short term results and to stop the haemorrage.
So all the key people who started the paper and made it something to be reckoned with have been sidelined, ostensibly into other positions to increase the berita Satu offerings – but obviously so that they would no longer call the shots in Editorial at the Globe.
All this is a shame as some good competition would have kept the Jakarta Post on its toes and improved the state of journalism in this country. But there you have it. Given the choice between bread today and bread tomorrow and even the staunchest Christian might succumb to temptation.
Now Unspun has to eat humble pie again and cancel his subscription to the Globe and resubscribe to the Post. What other choice if there for the reader at home in the English language living in Indonesia?
Unspun was exceptionally skeptical of The Jakarta Globe when rumors began circulating of its imminent launch. At the heart of the skepticism were two questions:
Firstly, whether hard-nosed business like the Riyadis were prepared to keep pumping the huge amounts of investment into the paper before before can turn profitable (experts have speculated that this takes a minimum of five years)?
Secondly, would the Riyadis allow the type of hard hitting and/or incisive journalism that is required if you wanted to grow a viable newspaper?
Unspun’s skepticism then (this and other posts) led many journalists (who are usually the most defensive people when put under the spotlight) to brand Unspun a skeptic and cynic.
Fair comments and it looked for a time like they were right. Against Unspun’s initial predictions The Jakarta Globe actually began to look and read a lot better than its established rival, the grand old dame The Jakarta Post.
For a while there they had the Post on a run, even forcing the Post to redesign itself from a stodgy paper into a merely ugly paper (its new masthead has the looks only a mother could love).
Its stories also seemed more focussed and much better written. The Jakarta Globe also began to win awards, much more than The Jakarta Post, at least until two years ago.
Unspun was forced to eat humble pie, cancelled his subscription to the Post and signed up for The Globe. The Globe, it seemed, was settling into the right orbit.
Probably about three or four months ago, something began to get awry. The choice of news stories began to get wonky. The writing was still better than the Post but the quality was going down.
Then, a month or two ago the Globe sunk to a new low by changing its format from broadsheet to Berliner, a size slightly broader than the usual tabloid. The change in size is a fair move. (ironically, that format was what the original editors had recommended but wasn’t adopted for reasons unclear to Unspun). It saves paper and money and it is also more user friendly.
But along with the change also came a peculiar new sense. There was the front page story of a satellite launch by the Lippo Group (that owns the paper). It was news, but front page?
The front pages also seemed to adopt a magazine approach, splashing a large photo on the page with little teasers here and there. Unspun’s reaction is that if he wanted to read a magazine he would buy one, but he’d expect much more than a daily.
Then of course there is the famous Lady Gaga fiasco where the Jakarta Globe was not content to make a fool of itself editorial (see Did The Jakarta Globe’s editorial go gaga over Lady Gaga?); the next day it went one step further with an even more ludicrous defense of its editorial (see The Jakarta Globe mounts a defensive commentary on its editorial)
Readers may wonder why the Globe seems to be imploding when for a while it was going so well. Insiders claim that the backers were running out of money, hence the downsizing of the paper.
New people were also brought in to helm the paper and these new people didn’t care much about journalism or were patient enough to realize that good journalism can be viable, if you give it time and enough nurturing. They were in for the short term results and to stop the haemorrage.
So all the key people who started the paper and made it something to be reckoned with have been sidelined, ostensibly into other positions to increase the berita Satu offerings – but obviously so that they would no longer call the shots in Editorial at the Globe.
All this is a shame as some good competition would have kept the Jakarta Post on its toes and improved the state of journalism in this country. But there you have it. Given the choice between bread today and bread tomorrow and even the staunchest Christian might succumb to temptation.
Now Unspun has to eat humble pie again and cancel his subscription to the Globe and resubscribe to the Post. What other choice if there for the reader at home in the English language living in Indonesia?
Cross-Cultural Couples: Nicolas & Nina
Cross-Cultural Couples: Nicolas & Nina:
By: Chandra Drews & Emma Kwee
Nina & Nicolas' wedding
As far as Cross-Cultural-Couples go Nicolas and Nina tick every box. Nicolas is a Parisian of Benin-French extraction and Muslim convert while Nina is a native of Bengkulu, South Sumatra. They ‘met’ 4 years ago on the World Wide Web and have recently tied the knot and have since been blessed with an adorable baby girl. This is their story.
If you want to be part of this series, all you have to do is e-mail info@latitudes.nu!
Please introduce yourselves, what are your names, where are you from and where do you live?
My name is Nina, I am 29 years old. I come from Jakarta, Indonesia but now live in Bengkulu, Indonesia. My name is Nicolas Keke Adjignon, I am also 29 years old. I come from Paris, France and live with my wife.
How did you meet and where?
Nina: We met on a pen pal site called interpals around 2008. Nicolas was looking for his Indonesian friend when suddenly he fell into my profile. We wrote each other for some time but nothing was special between us at that time. Afterwards we lost contact because Nicolas erased his account on interpals, until suddenly we met again on Facebook.
Nicolas : It’s not suddenly, she was actually looking for me
Travelling together
How did your relationship evolve?
Nina : On April 2010, I just broke up with my ex boyfriend when suddenly I thought of Nicolas to speak about it and somehow I felt very comfortable speaking to him. Few days after intensive chatting, we officially became couples on Yahoo Messenger, and already spoke about getting married because both of us were not looking for a simple relationship. I know, it was something crazy as we never even met each other before and we were thousands of miles apart, but my heart said “Ok, he’s going to be my future husband.” Nicolas decided to make a visit to Indonesia on August 2010 to meet me and my parents, and also to celebrate Ramadhan and Ied together. As we planned to get married soon, we also spoke about the details such as what we must prepare, where to live, etc.
My parents, family, and friends were quite shocked and surprised to know that I was going to marry to a foreigner I knew only from internet. They thought I was completely crazy. My parents of course were very shocked, especially my mother. But later I was very surprised to know that when Nicolas asked my parents’ permission to marry me, my father – who is quite strict and conservative- directly said okay without hesitating.
Knowing that my parents were okay, Nicolas decided not to take his plane back to France and stayed with me in Bengkulu while waiting for all the wedding preparations. On January 9, 2011, we got married in a mosque near my parents’ home in Depok, Indonesia. Our wedding was as perfect as what we wanted to. Simple but memorable. Nicolas decided to stay in Indonesia because I couldn’t leave my job for some time and as moslems, Nicolas thinks it’s much much better to stay in Indonesia than in France. Until now, Nicolas has never flown back to France and on March 22, 2012 our beautiful baby girl was born. We named her Aisya Odibula Keke Adjignon.
Aisya Odibula Keke AdjignonNicolas: Odibula means “don’t be afraid” in African, as my father in law is a mix of French and Benin, West Africa. So somehow my baby girl is a mix of Asian, European, and African.
What does it mean to your relationship to be of two different cultures?
Nina: Somehow I think these two different cultures have made my life even more colorful! Although there are times that I’m surprised by his habits and so on, but to be honest, it makes me happy because I learn something new. In my opinion, Nicolas made a quite rapid adaptation to Indonesian habits. For example, he now prefers to wear a sarong at home rather than jeans or trousers. Nicolas has almost no problems with Indonesian food, although he really cant stand chili and spicy foods. So I cook neutral Indonesian food and sometimes I do my best to cook an international menu as it is so difficult to find western food in Bengkulu.
Nicolas:Actually, it can sometimes bring misunderstandings but we both are conscious enough about this point to overcome this with no sweat, or almost anyway lol. I must say that even if some habits here in Indonesia may sometimes puzzle me, I’m still amazed by their sharing and solidarity spirit. And also by their religious tolerance that, as surprising as it may sound, I don’t find so much in Paris!
Has it ever caused any problems or miscommunication?
Nina: In big matters, no. But daily life conversations are sometimes so funny because I use to say things short while Nicolas needs more precise sentences. And to me, his French accent makes his English sound weird while to him, my Indonesian accent makes my English sound weird to him (LOL).
Nicolas: Hahaha, yes and sometimes Nina’s accent make me misunderstand too. For exemple she says “beg” for “bag”. It took some time for me to adapt.
With both parents on our wedding
How did your surroundings react to your mixed relationship?
Nina: There are not many foreigners living in Bengkulu and so far I haven’t known any mixed couples who live here, so somehow I could say that Nicolas has become a “celebrity” in this city. Everyone knows him and calls him “Mister”. One other funny thing is that almost everyone thought he is Arabic because his physical appearance is more similar to a Middle Eastern person than a European. So I often get the question “Is he Arabic?’. I guess many Indonesians have the stereotype of Europeans as someone with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Nicolas: Actually , I found the neighbourhood very friendly and helping. I don’t yet speak great Indonesian so sometimes it’s a bit hard to speak but all in all, everything went great. The only point that makes me sometimes grumble is that people here are much more “intrusive” in your life than in France. But well, I know that no harm is intended and that it’s just normal here so I keep patient with this and try to adapt.
What are the biggest challenges you had to overcome?
Nina: Nicolas stays in Indonesia with a kind of “Following Wife” visa which does not allow him to work here. So now, we change positions. I’m a working mother, while he’s a stay-at-home husband and father. As we don’t have any choice for now, we try our best to enjoy it to the fullest. But of course this condition invites so many questions and comments. First it was quite disturbing, but now I dont really care about what people say. It’s not easy sometimes, especially that now we have a baby. But it won’t last forever Insya Allah.
Nicolas: Definetely, WORK. And also now, our baby. Well, at least, we know that it’s temporary and that we must just be patient.
What are the best things that this relationship brings you?
Just like any other married couple, we feel complete. The best years of our lives.
What language do you speak with one another?
Nina: English is the main language we speak. But now we mix also with Indonesian and I start to learn French because I want to be able to speak French with my husband’s family. Now that we have a daughter, I speak to her most of the time in Indonesian, while my husband speaks Indonesian, French, and English to her.
Nicolas' sarung experienceAre religious differences an issue between you and your partner? How did you solve these?
Nina: No, never, because we both are moslem. Nicolas decided to become moslem around early 2009 by his own will, not because he wanted to marry me because at that time we were not in a relationship yet. When we first met on interpals, I remember he already told me that even though he was not officially into one religion, he already had interest in Islam. And on January 2009, he told me that he already became moslem. I can say that he practices Islam much much better than me, that is why he doesn’t want to go back to France because he really enjoys practicing Islam in a country where the majority are moslems.
Nicolas: I would add furthermore that France is NOT a country for religious people, sadly. As soon as you’re practicing seriously, you somehow get harrassed at work etc or labelled extremist, whatever your belief is even if, being muslim is considered worse lol.
What are your future plans?
Nina: I’m planning to quit my job as soon as I could so that I could spend most of my time with my baby girl, and maybe mounting our own business. Hope that my husband soon be able to have working permit as the new regulation of immigration is applied.
Nicolas: Passing a grade for being french teacher, many side-projects regarding creative things (writing, video etc..) and spending the rest of my life with a wonderfully caring and understanding wife! And of course , do my best to raise my daughter the right way.
Do you have any tips for other mixed couples?
Nina: Enjoy every culture shock that may appear. Marriage is never really easy, even if you come from the same culture, but any difference that appears will truly colour your life.
Nicolas: Stick with what you see as a positive and leave the negative points in a trash can after speaking about it if it is necessary.
By: Chandra Drews & Emma Kwee
Nina & Nicolas' wedding
As far as Cross-Cultural-Couples go Nicolas and Nina tick every box. Nicolas is a Parisian of Benin-French extraction and Muslim convert while Nina is a native of Bengkulu, South Sumatra. They ‘met’ 4 years ago on the World Wide Web and have recently tied the knot and have since been blessed with an adorable baby girl. This is their story.
If you want to be part of this series, all you have to do is e-mail info@latitudes.nu!
Please introduce yourselves, what are your names, where are you from and where do you live?
My name is Nina, I am 29 years old. I come from Jakarta, Indonesia but now live in Bengkulu, Indonesia. My name is Nicolas Keke Adjignon, I am also 29 years old. I come from Paris, France and live with my wife.
How did you meet and where?
Nina: We met on a pen pal site called interpals around 2008. Nicolas was looking for his Indonesian friend when suddenly he fell into my profile. We wrote each other for some time but nothing was special between us at that time. Afterwards we lost contact because Nicolas erased his account on interpals, until suddenly we met again on Facebook.
Nicolas : It’s not suddenly, she was actually looking for me
Travelling together
How did your relationship evolve?
Nina : On April 2010, I just broke up with my ex boyfriend when suddenly I thought of Nicolas to speak about it and somehow I felt very comfortable speaking to him. Few days after intensive chatting, we officially became couples on Yahoo Messenger, and already spoke about getting married because both of us were not looking for a simple relationship. I know, it was something crazy as we never even met each other before and we were thousands of miles apart, but my heart said “Ok, he’s going to be my future husband.” Nicolas decided to make a visit to Indonesia on August 2010 to meet me and my parents, and also to celebrate Ramadhan and Ied together. As we planned to get married soon, we also spoke about the details such as what we must prepare, where to live, etc.
My parents, family, and friends were quite shocked and surprised to know that I was going to marry to a foreigner I knew only from internet. They thought I was completely crazy. My parents of course were very shocked, especially my mother. But later I was very surprised to know that when Nicolas asked my parents’ permission to marry me, my father – who is quite strict and conservative- directly said okay without hesitating.
Knowing that my parents were okay, Nicolas decided not to take his plane back to France and stayed with me in Bengkulu while waiting for all the wedding preparations. On January 9, 2011, we got married in a mosque near my parents’ home in Depok, Indonesia. Our wedding was as perfect as what we wanted to. Simple but memorable. Nicolas decided to stay in Indonesia because I couldn’t leave my job for some time and as moslems, Nicolas thinks it’s much much better to stay in Indonesia than in France. Until now, Nicolas has never flown back to France and on March 22, 2012 our beautiful baby girl was born. We named her Aisya Odibula Keke Adjignon.
Aisya Odibula Keke Adjignon
What does it mean to your relationship to be of two different cultures?
Nina: Somehow I think these two different cultures have made my life even more colorful! Although there are times that I’m surprised by his habits and so on, but to be honest, it makes me happy because I learn something new. In my opinion, Nicolas made a quite rapid adaptation to Indonesian habits. For example, he now prefers to wear a sarong at home rather than jeans or trousers. Nicolas has almost no problems with Indonesian food, although he really cant stand chili and spicy foods. So I cook neutral Indonesian food and sometimes I do my best to cook an international menu as it is so difficult to find western food in Bengkulu.
Nicolas:Actually, it can sometimes bring misunderstandings but we both are conscious enough about this point to overcome this with no sweat, or almost anyway lol. I must say that even if some habits here in Indonesia may sometimes puzzle me, I’m still amazed by their sharing and solidarity spirit. And also by their religious tolerance that, as surprising as it may sound, I don’t find so much in Paris!
Has it ever caused any problems or miscommunication?
Nina: In big matters, no. But daily life conversations are sometimes so funny because I use to say things short while Nicolas needs more precise sentences. And to me, his French accent makes his English sound weird while to him, my Indonesian accent makes my English sound weird to him (LOL).
Nicolas: Hahaha, yes and sometimes Nina’s accent make me misunderstand too. For exemple she says “beg” for “bag”. It took some time for me to adapt.
With both parents on our wedding
How did your surroundings react to your mixed relationship?
Nina: There are not many foreigners living in Bengkulu and so far I haven’t known any mixed couples who live here, so somehow I could say that Nicolas has become a “celebrity” in this city. Everyone knows him and calls him “Mister”. One other funny thing is that almost everyone thought he is Arabic because his physical appearance is more similar to a Middle Eastern person than a European. So I often get the question “Is he Arabic?’. I guess many Indonesians have the stereotype of Europeans as someone with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Nicolas: Actually , I found the neighbourhood very friendly and helping. I don’t yet speak great Indonesian so sometimes it’s a bit hard to speak but all in all, everything went great. The only point that makes me sometimes grumble is that people here are much more “intrusive” in your life than in France. But well, I know that no harm is intended and that it’s just normal here so I keep patient with this and try to adapt.
Nina: Nicolas stays in Indonesia with a kind of “Following Wife” visa which does not allow him to work here. So now, we change positions. I’m a working mother, while he’s a stay-at-home husband and father. As we don’t have any choice for now, we try our best to enjoy it to the fullest. But of course this condition invites so many questions and comments. First it was quite disturbing, but now I dont really care about what people say. It’s not easy sometimes, especially that now we have a baby. But it won’t last forever Insya Allah.
Nicolas: Definetely, WORK. And also now, our baby. Well, at least, we know that it’s temporary and that we must just be patient.
What are the best things that this relationship brings you?
Just like any other married couple, we feel complete. The best years of our lives.
What language do you speak with one another?
Nina: English is the main language we speak. But now we mix also with Indonesian and I start to learn French because I want to be able to speak French with my husband’s family. Now that we have a daughter, I speak to her most of the time in Indonesian, while my husband speaks Indonesian, French, and English to her.
Nicolas' sarung experience
Nina: No, never, because we both are moslem. Nicolas decided to become moslem around early 2009 by his own will, not because he wanted to marry me because at that time we were not in a relationship yet. When we first met on interpals, I remember he already told me that even though he was not officially into one religion, he already had interest in Islam. And on January 2009, he told me that he already became moslem. I can say that he practices Islam much much better than me, that is why he doesn’t want to go back to France because he really enjoys practicing Islam in a country where the majority are moslems.
Nicolas: I would add furthermore that France is NOT a country for religious people, sadly. As soon as you’re practicing seriously, you somehow get harrassed at work etc or labelled extremist, whatever your belief is even if, being muslim is considered worse lol.
What are your future plans?
Nina: I’m planning to quit my job as soon as I could so that I could spend most of my time with my baby girl, and maybe mounting our own business. Hope that my husband soon be able to have working permit as the new regulation of immigration is applied.
Nicolas: Passing a grade for being french teacher, many side-projects regarding creative things (writing, video etc..) and spending the rest of my life with a wonderfully caring and understanding wife! And of course , do my best to raise my daughter the right way.
Do you have any tips for other mixed couples?
Nina: Enjoy every culture shock that may appear. Marriage is never really easy, even if you come from the same culture, but any difference that appears will truly colour your life.
Nicolas: Stick with what you see as a positive and leave the negative points in a trash can after speaking about it if it is necessary.
Tofu Makers in Indonesia May Halt Output as Soybean Prices Surge - Bloomberg
Tofu Makers in Indonesia May Halt Output as Soybean Prices Surge - Bloomberg:
 ABC Online | Tofu Makers in Indonesia May Halt Output as Soybean Prices Surge Bloomberg The Confederation of Indonesian Tofu and Tempeh Makers Cooperatives demanded the government lift a 5 percent duty on soybean imports, imposed in January, to help ease local prices that have risen 33 percent in the past three weeks to about 8000 ... Tofu strike in IndonesiaABC Online Soaring soy sparks Indonesian tofu shutdownRadio Australia Production of 'tahu', 'tempeh' in Indonesia threatenedChannel News Asia Jakarta Post all 8 news articles » |
I’m a terrific child!
I’m a terrific child!:
It’s 7.30 am in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi. In the backstreets of this small town of just under 300,000 people, two boys aged two and six are getting ready for kindergarten and pre-school. It’s only a short walk to their classrooms once they have finished their breakfast and put on their uniforms. In fact, they don’t even have to leave the house. Both the kindergarten and pre-school are located inside their home and run by their mother, Mey Tanjung Niasari. Welcome to the Kingdom School. Kendari’s only school in a home.
Founded in 2009, the Kingdom School is a unique initiative in this part of Indonesia. It offers kindergarten and pre-schooling for children aged between two and six, but it is early learning with a difference. Children are allocated to groups and classes based not only on age, but also intellectual ability. The curriculum revolves primarily around character-building and increasing the children’s self-confidence. As a trained psychologist and motivational trainer, Mey is convinced that this approach facilitates early learning much better than conventional methods focused on memorising facts, words and numbers, which are still widely used in Indonesia. Defending her teaching philosophy, Mey criticises the lack of creativity, innovation and critical thinking in the country’s school system. ‘From Year 7 to
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A home schooling project in Kendari provides a new kind of early learning experience
Dirk Tomsa
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The Kingdom Academy in KendariDirk Tomsa |
Founded in 2009, the Kingdom School is a unique initiative in this part of Indonesia. It offers kindergarten and pre-schooling for children aged between two and six, but it is early learning with a difference. Children are allocated to groups and classes based not only on age, but also intellectual ability. The curriculum revolves primarily around character-building and increasing the children’s self-confidence. As a trained psychologist and motivational trainer, Mey is convinced that this approach facilitates early learning much better than conventional methods focused on memorising facts, words and numbers, which are still widely used in Indonesia. Defending her teaching philosophy, Mey criticises the lack of creativity, innovation and critical thinking in the country’s school system. ‘From Year 7 to
Read more...
The Muslim Brotherhood's post-uprising TV station - Columbia Journalism Review (blog)
The Muslim Brotherhood's post-uprising TV station - Columbia Journalism Review (blog):
 The National | The Muslim Brotherhood's post-uprising TV station Columbia Journalism Review (blog) CAIRO, EGYPT — The Muslim Brotherhood's year-old television station, Misr25, broadcasts from a building in Egypt's Media Production City, a vast complex of buildings built under former president Hosni Mubarak in the desert west of Cairo, well beyond ... The History and Ideology of the Muslim BrotherhoodRight Side News Corruption: The Modern-Day Plague of EgyptFrontPage Magazine From Arab Spring to the coming nuclear winterCanada Free Press The National -CNN (blog) -msnbc.com all 159 news articles » |
Conversions to Islam enflame Gaza Christians' frustration and fears for ... - Washington Post
Conversions to Islam enflame Gaza Christians' frustration and fears for ... - Washington Post:
 The Daily Star | Conversions to Islam enflame Gaza Christians' frustration and fears for ... Washington Post They are a dwindling minority among a mostly devout Muslim majority, mostly hemmed into the tiny sliver of land because of movement restrictions imposed by Israel and Egypt. And they say some Muslims are doubling their efforts to convert them, ... Gaza Christians fear for future of tiny communityThe Associated Press The Arab Spring: A Blessing for HamasThe Jewish Press all 141 news articles » |
Turkey stops cross-border trade with Syria
Turkey stops cross-border trade with Syria: Ankara seals border with Syria to commercial traffic, but keeps crossings open for Syrian refugees fleeing conflict.
NK unveils Kim Jong-un 'mystery' marriage
NK unveils Kim Jong-un 'mystery' marriage: State report ends weeks of speculation over unknown woman who had accompanied the 20-something leader at recent events.
FEATURE: Thai villagers to fight Lao Mekong dam in court - Reuters AlertNet
FEATURE: Thai villagers to fight Lao Mekong dam in court - Reuters AlertNet:
 Reuters AlertNet | FEATURE: Thai villagers to fight Lao Mekong dam in court Reuters AlertNet As a result, they vehemently oppose plans for big hydropower projects that would involve building dams on the Mekong in Laos, largely aimed at selling electricity to Thailand. Village headman Phoomi Boonthom, 54, only fishes in his spare time now ... 'Drastic action' needed to halt traffickingBangkok Post all 3 news articles » |
Working for Renewal in Laos- Christian Reformed Church
Working for Renewal in Laos- Christian Reformed Church: In the upland area of Laos, ethnic minority groups earn their living through subsistence farming. The poverty rate is 43%. When CRWRC began working in Laotian communities, many villagers identified education as one of ...
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