“There are few, if any, anti-monarchy republicans in the UDD grassroots and even the suggestion of anything along those lines is carefully avoided.”
This statement is absolutely wrong.
It is actually nowadays the other way around – you will have a hard time to still find royalists especially under grassroots Red Shirts. There is a whole catalog of coded names for members of the royal family, which on grass roots level stages and in community radio stations are used with increasing openness.
It is almost impossible for UDD leaders to curb the open expression of those sentiments.
While the Red Shirts can not (yet) be classified as an anti-monarchy movement, just as a movement in which most ordinary members have, especially after April 10 and the Rajaprasong crackdown, morphed from loving the monarchy into withdrawing their loyalty, it may not take much more to transform into such. Nowadays this pressure actually comes mostly from the grassroots level, and not from the leadership of the UDD.
The death of Ah Kong was the most recent key step that has, and will continue to contribute to the ideological radicalization of the Red Shirts. Much will depend on how the state will respond to the death of Ah Kong.
Analyzing this movement along the elite conflict always was wrong, and is now more wrong than ever before. If you, for example, follow the ongoing discussion within the Red Shirts, you will find that, for example, Thaksin is heavily criticized for his statements regarding sacrifice and reconciliation on the Siam Reap stage. Yingluck’s visiting Prem is another thing that is widely criticized under Red Shirts.
Discussion within the Red Shirt movement occurs on many levels. official statements and stage speeches of main leaders are one thing, but community radio stations, grassroots organizations, facebook, etc are more reflective of what ordinary Red Shirts feel. Lacking reports from that level in the media (especially local English language media), you will have to do your own research.
More so in the last two decades, the so-called western democracies have become borderless with the advent of this globalization.
The capitalists are always at the upper hand and decide what to be done, by whom and how. The advent of technology helps it in a tramendous way. There are many more super-tankers, many more super freighters like Emma Maersk and her seven sisters polluting, at the same time carying goods cheaper way and that instant all weather cheap communication from the CEO to the factory floor anywhere in the world.
It could yet have been a good thing except all are used in old fashion way of only profit orientated manner. That puts unwinnable disadvantage for workers all over the world.
So the world has become two layers of elite capatalists and workers whichever geographical area one is in and whatever language or religion one carries.
Thus far, these “democratic governments” have been well co-opted by the upper layer to the greatest disadvantage for the masses reminiscent of the industrial revolution and now we are seeing puffs of smoke of latent explosion in Occupy movements and the 2011 London Riots. People are starting to compile 100 most likely riotous cities in America (led by Detriot), for example.
Current inability of Greece to form government and the socialist win in France may mean there may be possible peaceful change in the balance of power yet.
For the human race, it is more important for ALL to understand the root cause of the current issues -which is unthinking rampant promotion of vastly wasteful consumerism ( iPhone 5 out next month as well as 4mm Super-Amoled TV later) and lack of understanding of the fragility of the natural environment and cohesive societal attributes.
By regrouping in their own camps, the oppressed together across the geographical boundaries against the oppressive lording capatalists cum governments, the current system will be more entrenched and would likely lead to “French Revolution”.
Whether Min Aung’s sentiments and philosophising stemmed from genuine remorse, or getting mellow in his old age with a need for atonement of his sins like his army godfather Ne Win tried by his building of Maha Wizaya Pagoda next to the Shwedagon near the end of his life, this sort of sermonising has gone on for as long as the civil war has lasted it is rather wearing thin.
Steven’s one example of Dottagamani of Lanka is less well known than Asoka of India, the all conquering Buddhist emperor, of course, but a true crusade/jihad is exceptional in Buddhism. Anawrahta’s conquest of Thaton was a straightforward daylight robbery of the Buddhist Canon when The Mon king Manuha rejected his request for a set out of hand.
Now that Thein Sein is in danger of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize according to some, Min Aung’s endorsement of a 180 degree (36o if we are too gullible) change is to be expected. But have I missed the guns being silenced and the smoke blowing away?
If there is one national weakness of the Burmese, it is their propensity to wishful thinking and yes, for astrology.
Having said all that our peoples, Bamar and ethnic alike, deserve this internal peace that cannot come soon enough. How we achieve it has been the issue that has dogged us like forever, a more hopeless search it seems than for the holy grail. Sadly so long as the political will is not there it won’t be in the foreseeable future. The biggest hurdle (at least to those not seeing through rose tinted spectacles of late) remains the military yoke that continues to crush everyone.
Couldn’t agree more, Roy. Only internationalist solidarity can effectively counter capitalist globalisation and the downward spiral of workers’ wages and working conditions in the name of competitiveness and productivity in pursuit of profits before people.
Steve: I have to say I’ve never thought of Yingluck as a Redshirt either, but it might be fun to see how she responds to someone framing a question for her in that way.
Nich: Do you know something the rest of us don’t. Watching Yingluck fawning over the royals and their more prominent minions is apparently viewed by many Reds as her engaging in cagey politics, but surely she has never been nor is not now a Redshirt.
John Smith: No offense intended, but were you drunk when you made that post?
For me, the real question is whether the Redshirts will continue to pursue the goals they have laid out over the past few years even though doing so will put them at odds with the government they have helped to elect and whose de facto leader is a man many of them admire.
“Conflict Resolution” favor dialogue over violence.
Have there been any careful attempt to bridge differences through CR within Myanmar, some ethnic conflict might not have been
The West consistently chooses, intimidation, threat, ignorance and deprivation, all subsets of violence in its policy towards Myanmar.
Even the institution of peace UN, is manipulated to justify this violence.
As it is now the tragic results from today conflicts are merely convenient facts to be used tomorrow against any parties involved.
The root cause of present Kachin, the ongoing Karen and any future conflicts within Myanmar will always have the SAME common denominators.
Until these common denominators, so clearly repeated in the history of Myanmar are dealt with properly these conflicts will present as civil wars with all the associated unspeakable vile attributes.
Perhaps outwardly “partial détente is the spirit of the current age” but no doubt behind the scenes politics and manoeuvering continues apace. Readers should read Steve Sciacchitano and John Cole’s piece at http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NE11Ae03.html describing preparations in the military in case the spirit of détente does not last.
John Smith, your argument that current events are “nothing but down and dirty Thai politics between the usual suspects” neglects the fact that in Siriraj Hospital a clock is ticking slowly downwards. The current political game is playing for higher stakes than ever before, concerning which group(s) will hold power after the succession and possibly establishing a new status quo for many decades. So as Pavin’s article stated “it is misleading to conclude that Thaksin represents the crux of the crisis. Indeed, Thailand’s political future greatly depends on the ability of the monarchy to readjust itself to the changing domestic environment.” [I would suggest that should be “monarchy-military alliance”.]
It is very hard (at least for me) to tell how ideological the grass roots have become regarding the monarchy, not least of all because of LM laws that prevent open discussion of such topics. But it does seem clear to me that the motivation at the top levels for these conflicts is the pursuit of power post-succession rather than any particular ideology.
SteveCM #1
This may be the first time you and I actually agree on anything.
I am continually amazed by the intellectuals continued insistence on portray this as some sort of ideological conflict between “Royalist” and the “Red Shirts”. This is nothing but down and dirty Thai politics between the usual suspects, with one side or the other constantly upping the stakes.
There are few, if any, anti-monarchy republicans in the UDD grassroots and even the suggestion of anything along those lines is carefully avoided. The opponents of Thaksin and his band of provincial faction leaders would be in deep trouble with their constituencies if any anti royally message is seen to be supported.
Does Nick believe that Thaksin cannot control Jatuporn and Nattawut?
Are they not now and always been nothing more than hack politicians without their own natural constituencies, fully dependent on their patrons for their political careers? Does he really think they would lead the UDD in conflict with Thaksin?
Its probably none of my business but I feel passionate enough to say a few things about paddy farming here.
Rice Estates:
If you read the masterplan of the NCER the rice estates are owned by an anchor company who leases the land off the smallholders to consolidate the land together, etc to gain the so called economies of scale and increase yields etc. The smallholders have the privalege of being able to offer their labour back to the anchor companies to earn a wage.
There are a number of reasons why rice yields are low. The NCER masterplan blamed poor seeds and economies of scale. Rice farming is usually undertaken through a number of contractors doing certain jobs on a harvest, tractoring, planting, harvesting, etc. Therefore its difficult for any body to0 make a profit when there maybe three or four contractors involved. In addition it is illegal to utilise different varieties of rice in any area designated for a certain strain. Therefore if there is a market for aromatic rice, one can not legally plant this. The farmers in pattalung in Southern Thailand plant various local varieties and make their own consumer products and are now exporting the finished product making a value added return. In Malaysia however farmers are required to sell their crop to a specified buyer by law, and thus cannot value add their product. i.e, making a brand of rice milk out of a paddy harvest is illegal in Malaysia.
SR rice also could be introduced where yields can go up to 16 tonne per Ha rather than the 7-9 paddy is currently achieveing in Kedah/Perlis.
As the NCER report says – Malaysia’s paddy farming does need reform but not into a fuedal model as proposed. malaysia is certainly business friendly, but needs to become market friendly as well so that farmers could become real entreprenrs rather than bonded wage earners.
Like the seeds from the same tree would produce different tasting fruit when grown in different soil and weather conditions, the kernel of any religion would be swayed by the social attitude as well as circumstances of the society it is in.
Since the time of Asoka (300 BC), there has been many violent suppression of Buddhism in Cyelon.
That would easily make the Buddhist clergy very close to the warring kings.
In Burmese history since Pagan time, there has never been serious invasion of other religion. As posted by Plan B, the war is usually by the Burmese to get the Buddhism by force (killing) from Mon and Arakanese.
Adonirum Judson was credited for making Burma the third most populous Baptist country, but there were precious few ethnic Burmese converted for all the untiring efforts of this remarkable man and his wife.
For better or worse, it is a form of religious chauvinism and would have certainly influenced the attitude of the Burmee towards other religious groups, certainly for the military.
Currently the clergy is actively recruited and controlled by the military and are taking part in controlling the segments of Sangha who would side with the people against the government.
Crucially, there are more and more preaching of the current Sangha about foreign travels, money- donating or donated- iPAD’s and other electronics, material wealth than the value of traditional austerity and observation of Five Precepts making the covetousness of the populace for material wealth and moral degradation so natural.
It is important that trades unions are strengthened in Thailand. This strike did that. Although they did not win everything, including the basic national wage rate, their fight shows that workers in united workers struggle can win concessions from the bosses. This now gives them a great feeling of power and can lead to greater things. Many years ago in Britain garment workers mostly shunned their international colleagues in their fight for better conditions and wages. Because of this myopic attitude there are very few workers in the gag trade as imports are cheaper and made by near slave labour.
International solidarity is needed to bring better wages and conditions to all workers.
[…] Claudio Sopranzetti, currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University, who researched and blogged on the role of the motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok and eventually during the 2010 red shirt protests. This now has resulted in the book […]
There is really no need to wonder about the things that need to be done. All Najib has to do is to actually do 20% of the things that he said. As it is, most are just slogans and not much else.
Corruption in Malaysia is endemic and mostly structural. It has been going on for so long without much consequence to the “powers that be” that it is extremely difficult to erase. The corrupt mind-set is probably coded in the DNA by now, according to Darwinian theory.
This is not to say that it is impossible. The Govt (Najib’s), if it really wants to can take on corruption, can do it layer by layer. The first layer – the one that interacts with the public directly, if tackled would bring a sense of believe that the Govt is serious about corruption.
It is not that hard either – just replace obscure procedures with clearly written ones, complete with person / job title responsible for each procedure. have a clear consequence, also written for failure to perform his / her duties according to the guidelines. The immigration dept (dealing with Malaysians for Malaysians requirements only) is a good example of this improvement.
Have you looked into the rice estates that are forming in MADA? I have seen a presentation where officials claim these estates take advantage of economies of scale to increase rice yields up to 6 ton/hectare. From what I understood, the estates act somewhat like a farmer co-op. The officials who presented also said that the estate program also diminished problems of young people leaving for urban areas.
I have no idea how effective they really are, but it appears that there might be some institutional innovation going on in that area.
The frequently reprinted (and widely read) Myanmar text The Illustrated History of Buddhism put out by the Young Men’s Buddhist Association includes the tale of Sri Lanka’s King Dottagami going out to war against the Tamils in order “to make the [Buddha’s] teaching shine” (originals here and here):
King Dottagamani respectfully invites the Sanha to go marching to battle
On the island of Sri Lanka King Dottagamani Abhaya was a religious propagator king who resolutely protected the [Buddhist] teaching. One day, just before going out to battle [with] the king of [the Tamils] who were causing disturbances for the [Buddhist] teaching, went to a monastery and said to the senior abbots, “[your] royal supporter must go to the [other] side of the [river] in order to make the [Buddhist] teaching shine. In order that [I am] not cut off from paying homage to monks, [I] want [you] to follow.” At that time 500 senior abbots of a good age went along. The king of the dhamma [Dottagamani], while donating alms and medicine in reverence carried out the matter of purifying the [Buddhist] teaching. As for that king, he enshrined a relic of the Buddha in the tip of the spear which he himself held. His motto was: “[I] strive not for wealth, [but] for the [Buddhist] teaching to endure.”
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Analysing Thailand’s détente
“John Smith”:
“There are few, if any, anti-monarchy republicans in the UDD grassroots and even the suggestion of anything along those lines is carefully avoided.”
This statement is absolutely wrong.
It is actually nowadays the other way around – you will have a hard time to still find royalists especially under grassroots Red Shirts. There is a whole catalog of coded names for members of the royal family, which on grass roots level stages and in community radio stations are used with increasing openness.
It is almost impossible for UDD leaders to curb the open expression of those sentiments.
While the Red Shirts can not (yet) be classified as an anti-monarchy movement, just as a movement in which most ordinary members have, especially after April 10 and the Rajaprasong crackdown, morphed from loving the monarchy into withdrawing their loyalty, it may not take much more to transform into such. Nowadays this pressure actually comes mostly from the grassroots level, and not from the leadership of the UDD.
The death of Ah Kong was the most recent key step that has, and will continue to contribute to the ideological radicalization of the Red Shirts. Much will depend on how the state will respond to the death of Ah Kong.
Analyzing this movement along the elite conflict always was wrong, and is now more wrong than ever before. If you, for example, follow the ongoing discussion within the Red Shirts, you will find that, for example, Thaksin is heavily criticized for his statements regarding sacrifice and reconciliation on the Siam Reap stage. Yingluck’s visiting Prem is another thing that is widely criticized under Red Shirts.
Discussion within the Red Shirt movement occurs on many levels. official statements and stage speeches of main leaders are one thing, but community radio stations, grassroots organizations, facebook, etc are more reflective of what ordinary Red Shirts feel. Lacking reports from that level in the media (especially local English language media), you will have to do your own research.
Lese majeste makes it to UK parliament
It is ironic that questions like these cannot be asked in the Thai parliament. What’s happening to Thai democracy?
Lese majeste makes it to UK parliament
Ha ha! That would really be interesting. The death of Ah Kong is now as loud as an atomic bomb.
Anatomy of a Burmese migrant strike
“International solidarity …”
More so in the last two decades, the so-called western democracies have become borderless with the advent of this globalization.
The capitalists are always at the upper hand and decide what to be done, by whom and how. The advent of technology helps it in a tramendous way. There are many more super-tankers, many more super freighters like Emma Maersk and her seven sisters polluting, at the same time carying goods cheaper way and that instant all weather cheap communication from the CEO to the factory floor anywhere in the world.
It could yet have been a good thing except all are used in old fashion way of only profit orientated manner. That puts unwinnable disadvantage for workers all over the world.
So the world has become two layers of elite capatalists and workers whichever geographical area one is in and whatever language or religion one carries.
Thus far, these “democratic governments” have been well co-opted by the upper layer to the greatest disadvantage for the masses reminiscent of the industrial revolution and now we are seeing puffs of smoke of latent explosion in Occupy movements and the 2011 London Riots. People are starting to compile 100 most likely riotous cities in America (led by Detriot), for example.
Current inability of Greece to form government and the socialist win in France may mean there may be possible peaceful change in the balance of power yet.
For the human race, it is more important for ALL to understand the root cause of the current issues -which is unthinking rampant promotion of vastly wasteful consumerism ( iPhone 5 out next month as well as 4mm Super-Amoled TV later) and lack of understanding of the fragility of the natural environment and cohesive societal attributes.
By regrouping in their own camps, the oppressed together across the geographical boundaries against the oppressive lording capatalists cum governments, the current system will be more entrenched and would likely lead to “French Revolution”.
Ending civil war in Burma
Whether Min Aung’s sentiments and philosophising stemmed from genuine remorse, or getting mellow in his old age with a need for atonement of his sins like his army godfather Ne Win tried by his building of Maha Wizaya Pagoda next to the Shwedagon near the end of his life, this sort of sermonising has gone on for as long as the civil war has lasted it is rather wearing thin.
Steven’s one example of Dottagamani of Lanka is less well known than Asoka of India, the all conquering Buddhist emperor, of course, but a true crusade/jihad is exceptional in Buddhism. Anawrahta’s conquest of Thaton was a straightforward daylight robbery of the Buddhist Canon when The Mon king Manuha rejected his request for a set out of hand.
Now that Thein Sein is in danger of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize according to some, Min Aung’s endorsement of a 180 degree (36o if we are too gullible) change is to be expected. But have I missed the guns being silenced and the smoke blowing away?
If there is one national weakness of the Burmese, it is their propensity to wishful thinking and yes, for astrology.
Having said all that our peoples, Bamar and ethnic alike, deserve this internal peace that cannot come soon enough. How we achieve it has been the issue that has dogged us like forever, a more hopeless search it seems than for the holy grail. Sadly so long as the political will is not there it won’t be in the foreseeable future. The biggest hurdle (at least to those not seeing through rose tinted spectacles of late) remains the military yoke that continues to crush everyone.
Anatomy of a Burmese migrant strike
Couldn’t agree more, Roy. Only internationalist solidarity can effectively counter capitalist globalisation and the downward spiral of workers’ wages and working conditions in the name of competitiveness and productivity in pursuit of profits before people.
Analysing Thailand’s détente
Steve: I have to say I’ve never thought of Yingluck as a Redshirt either, but it might be fun to see how she responds to someone framing a question for her in that way.
Nich: Do you know something the rest of us don’t. Watching Yingluck fawning over the royals and their more prominent minions is apparently viewed by many Reds as her engaging in cagey politics, but surely she has never been nor is not now a Redshirt.
John Smith: No offense intended, but were you drunk when you made that post?
For me, the real question is whether the Redshirts will continue to pursue the goals they have laid out over the past few years even though doing so will put them at odds with the government they have helped to elect and whose de facto leader is a man many of them admire.
Ending civil war in Burma
“Conflict Resolution” favor dialogue over violence.
Have there been any careful attempt to bridge differences through CR within Myanmar, some ethnic conflict might not have been
The West consistently chooses, intimidation, threat, ignorance and deprivation, all subsets of violence in its policy towards Myanmar.
Even the institution of peace UN, is manipulated to justify this violence.
As it is now the tragic results from today conflicts are merely convenient facts to be used tomorrow against any parties involved.
The root cause of present Kachin, the ongoing Karen and any future conflicts within Myanmar will always have the SAME common denominators.
Until these common denominators, so clearly repeated in the history of Myanmar are dealt with properly these conflicts will present as civil wars with all the associated unspeakable vile attributes.
Analysing Thailand’s détente
Why the photo of Canberra?
Analysing Thailand’s détente
Perhaps outwardly “partial détente is the spirit of the current age” but no doubt behind the scenes politics and manoeuvering continues apace. Readers should read Steve Sciacchitano and John Cole’s piece at http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NE11Ae03.html describing preparations in the military in case the spirit of détente does not last.
Analysing Thailand’s détente
John Smith, your argument that current events are “nothing but down and dirty Thai politics between the usual suspects” neglects the fact that in Siriraj Hospital a clock is ticking slowly downwards. The current political game is playing for higher stakes than ever before, concerning which group(s) will hold power after the succession and possibly establishing a new status quo for many decades. So as Pavin’s article stated “it is misleading to conclude that Thaksin represents the crux of the crisis. Indeed, Thailand’s political future greatly depends on the ability of the monarchy to readjust itself to the changing domestic environment.” [I would suggest that should be “monarchy-military alliance”.]
It is very hard (at least for me) to tell how ideological the grass roots have become regarding the monarchy, not least of all because of LM laws that prevent open discussion of such topics. But it does seem clear to me that the motivation at the top levels for these conflicts is the pursuit of power post-succession rather than any particular ideology.
Analysing Thailand’s détente
SteveCM #1
This may be the first time you and I actually agree on anything.
I am continually amazed by the intellectuals continued insistence on portray this as some sort of ideological conflict between “Royalist” and the “Red Shirts”. This is nothing but down and dirty Thai politics between the usual suspects, with one side or the other constantly upping the stakes.
There are few, if any, anti-monarchy republicans in the UDD grassroots and even the suggestion of anything along those lines is carefully avoided. The opponents of Thaksin and his band of provincial faction leaders would be in deep trouble with their constituencies if any anti royally message is seen to be supported.
Does Nick believe that Thaksin cannot control Jatuporn and Nattawut?
Are they not now and always been nothing more than hack politicians without their own natural constituencies, fully dependent on their patrons for their political careers? Does he really think they would lead the UDD in conflict with Thaksin?
Agriculture in Malaysia’s economic and social transformation
Its probably none of my business but I feel passionate enough to say a few things about paddy farming here.
Rice Estates:
If you read the masterplan of the NCER the rice estates are owned by an anchor company who leases the land off the smallholders to consolidate the land together, etc to gain the so called economies of scale and increase yields etc. The smallholders have the privalege of being able to offer their labour back to the anchor companies to earn a wage.
There are a number of reasons why rice yields are low. The NCER masterplan blamed poor seeds and economies of scale. Rice farming is usually undertaken through a number of contractors doing certain jobs on a harvest, tractoring, planting, harvesting, etc. Therefore its difficult for any body to0 make a profit when there maybe three or four contractors involved. In addition it is illegal to utilise different varieties of rice in any area designated for a certain strain. Therefore if there is a market for aromatic rice, one can not legally plant this. The farmers in pattalung in Southern Thailand plant various local varieties and make their own consumer products and are now exporting the finished product making a value added return. In Malaysia however farmers are required to sell their crop to a specified buyer by law, and thus cannot value add their product. i.e, making a brand of rice milk out of a paddy harvest is illegal in Malaysia.
SR rice also could be introduced where yields can go up to 16 tonne per Ha rather than the 7-9 paddy is currently achieveing in Kedah/Perlis.
As the NCER report says – Malaysia’s paddy farming does need reform but not into a fuedal model as proposed. malaysia is certainly business friendly, but needs to become market friendly as well so that farmers could become real entreprenrs rather than bonded wage earners.
Analysing Thailand’s détente
“…more explicitly “royalist” Red Shirts, such as Yingluck…”
“Later in May 2012 Prime Minister Yingluck will visit Canberra. Perhaps there will be an opportunity to ask these questions while she is here.”
Anyone asking such questions would be well advised to leave out the startling proposition that Yingluck is any kind of Red Shirt.
Ending civil war in Burma
Like the seeds from the same tree would produce different tasting fruit when grown in different soil and weather conditions, the kernel of any religion would be swayed by the social attitude as well as circumstances of the society it is in.
Since the time of Asoka (300 BC), there has been many violent suppression of Buddhism in Cyelon.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/sri_timeline.htm
That would easily make the Buddhist clergy very close to the warring kings.
In Burmese history since Pagan time, there has never been serious invasion of other religion. As posted by Plan B, the war is usually by the Burmese to get the Buddhism by force (killing) from Mon and Arakanese.
Adonirum Judson was credited for making Burma the third most populous Baptist country, but there were precious few ethnic Burmese converted for all the untiring efforts of this remarkable man and his wife.
For better or worse, it is a form of religious chauvinism and would have certainly influenced the attitude of the Burmee towards other religious groups, certainly for the military.
Currently the clergy is actively recruited and controlled by the military and are taking part in controlling the segments of Sangha who would side with the people against the government.
Crucially, there are more and more preaching of the current Sangha about foreign travels, money- donating or donated- iPAD’s and other electronics, material wealth than the value of traditional austerity and observation of Five Precepts making the covetousness of the populace for material wealth and moral degradation so natural.
Anatomy of a Burmese migrant strike
It is important that trades unions are strengthened in Thailand. This strike did that. Although they did not win everything, including the basic national wage rate, their fight shows that workers in united workers struggle can win concessions from the bosses. This now gives them a great feeling of power and can lead to greater things. Many years ago in Britain garment workers mostly shunned their international colleagues in their fight for better conditions and wages. Because of this myopic attitude there are very few workers in the gag trade as imports are cheaper and made by near slave labour.
International solidarity is needed to bring better wages and conditions to all workers.
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
[…] Claudio Sopranzetti, currently a PhD candidate at Harvard University, who researched and blogged on the role of the motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok and eventually during the 2010 red shirt protests. This now has resulted in the book […]
Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
There is really no need to wonder about the things that need to be done. All Najib has to do is to actually do 20% of the things that he said. As it is, most are just slogans and not much else.
Corruption in Malaysia is endemic and mostly structural. It has been going on for so long without much consequence to the “powers that be” that it is extremely difficult to erase. The corrupt mind-set is probably coded in the DNA by now, according to Darwinian theory.
This is not to say that it is impossible. The Govt (Najib’s), if it really wants to can take on corruption, can do it layer by layer. The first layer – the one that interacts with the public directly, if tackled would bring a sense of believe that the Govt is serious about corruption.
It is not that hard either – just replace obscure procedures with clearly written ones, complete with person / job title responsible for each procedure. have a clear consequence, also written for failure to perform his / her duties according to the guidelines. The immigration dept (dealing with Malaysians for Malaysians requirements only) is a good example of this improvement.
Agriculture in Malaysia’s economic and social transformation
Colin,
Have you looked into the rice estates that are forming in MADA? I have seen a presentation where officials claim these estates take advantage of economies of scale to increase rice yields up to 6 ton/hectare. From what I understood, the estates act somewhat like a farmer co-op. The officials who presented also said that the estate program also diminished problems of young people leaving for urban areas.
I have no idea how effective they really are, but it appears that there might be some institutional innovation going on in that area.
Ending civil war in Burma
The frequently reprinted (and widely read) Myanmar text The Illustrated History of Buddhism put out by the Young Men’s Buddhist Association includes the tale of Sri Lanka’s King Dottagami going out to war against the Tamils in order “to make the [Buddha’s] teaching shine” (originals here and here):