Politics

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 08, 2021 • 7 min read

Opinion The hard fight to increase women’s political participation in Indonesia

By Dian Maya Safitri • Jan 08, 2021
Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy, but low levels of women's political participation remain an unwanted caveat on that status. Dian Maya Safitri outlines how and why the archipelago nation should strive for a greater female presence in the halls of power

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 07, 2021 • 11 min read

Cambodia-Vietnam relations Is anti-Vietnamese sentiment on the decline in Cambodia?

By Alastair McCready • Jan 07, 2021
Long-regarded as invaders and colonisers in the national narrative, the historically potent enmity shown by many Cambodians towards the Vietnamese is on the wane as the Kingdom's political and economic landscape dramatically shifts

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 07, 2021 • 4 min read

Opinion As Chinese UUV found in Indonesian waters, a strong message must be sent

By Aristyo Rizka Darmawan • Jan 07, 2021
In late December, A Chinese Unmanned Underwater Vehicle was found maneuvering illegally in Indonesian waters. International Law lecturer Aristyo Rizka Darmawan says that Jakarta must send a firm message to Beijing to prevent further intrusions

Politics • Jan 01, 2021 • 8 min read
Analysis

Assessing the damage done to US-Thai relations under Trump

While some commentators assess that US-Thai relations have improved under outgoing president Donald Trump, Professor Mark S. Cogan argues that his legacy with the kingdom is in fact one defined by four years of missed opportunities and political missteps
By Mark S. Cogan • Jan 01, 2021

Politics • Dec 18, 2020 • 7 min read
Thai democracy

In Thailand, provincial elections set to bring back local democracy

This weekend will see Thais go to the polls at provincial elections for the first time since in at least six years. A time of enormous political tension in the kingdom, many are viewing the vote as a bellwether for the health of Thailand's democracy
By Wanpen Pajai • Dec 18, 2020

Politics • Dec 10, 2020 • 7 min read
Opinion

Cambodia scrapping Human Rights Day is a worrying sign of the times

This year is the first time since 1993 that International Human Rights Day will not be a public holiday in Cambodia, with its symbolic shunning a sign of the wider deterioration of human rights and democracy in the Kingdom says CCHR executive director Chak Sopheap
By Chak Sopheap • Dec 10, 2020

Politics • Dec 09, 2020 • 3 min read
Covid-19

Indonesia holds nationwide poll despite virus warnings

Indonesia held nationwide elections with more than 100 million voters expected to have cast a ballot, despite warnings it could spark a Covid-19 disaster
By Agnes Anya/AFP • Dec 09, 2020

Politics • Nov 30, 2020 • 4 min read
Thai democracy

Thai protesters target royal guards unit in latest rally

Hundreds of Thai pro-democracy protesters marched on a barracks of the royal guards unit on November 29, hoisting inflatable rubber ducks high above their heads in a whimsical show of force calling for curbs to the power of the monarchy
By Agence France-Presse • Nov 30, 2020

Politics • Nov 24, 2020 • 4 min read
Thai democracy

Tensions mount in Thai protests as Bangkok braces for major rally

As the Thai capital braces for the next major rally on November 25, and tensions rising around pro-democracy protests, we take a look at the forces in play and what might come next in a country with a long history of political unrest
By Sophie Deviller/AFP • Nov 24, 2020

Politics • Nov 23, 2020 • 8 min read
Press freedom

Does CamboJA offer a glimmer of hope for press freedom in Cambodia?

Cambodian journalist network and outlet CamboJA has been shortlisted for an RSF Press Freedom Award. Could the organisation represent a genuine source of hope for independent media in Cambodia’s increasingly hostile journalism environment?
By Alexi Demetriadi • Nov 23, 2020

Politics • Nov 18, 2020 • 2 min read
Thai democracy

Thai MPs to vote on reforms, day after six protesters shot

As Thai lawmakers prepare to vote on possible constitutional reforms, pro-democracy protesters are set to return to the streets of Bangkok a day after six demonstrators were shot with live rounds
By Agence France-Presse • Nov 18, 2020