Thank you, Neptunian. This is exactly the finding in my research. The Chinese in the arm forces played a vital role during the emergency period. Today I saw some Indian looking uniformed police but not any Chinese faces. I have learned there are some Chinese in the criminal investigation department dealing with cases in Chinese gangsterism.
Constitution drafters earning 1.0 million baht pet year is not much. Uber drivers in Bangkok could earn more in a year if they are not lazy.
But I digress. If the constitution writers could propose a clause, for referendum approval, to defang Thailand’s Lese Majeste laws would be just absolutely liberating!
There were plenty of non-malays in the police and arm forces in the 60s 70s and early 80s. When the bite of the NEP kicked in big time and the “ketuanan” rubbish perpetrated by Mahathir started to erode basic rights of non-malay malaysians, less and less non-malays malaysians want to work in the govt.
There were much more “danger” for the police and arm forces in the 60s and 70s than now, so the rubbbish about the “conditions” being tough is just yours
This statement is a joke – Can you please define democracy. In fact can all the so called analyst reading NM, please define democracy?
As far as I can tell, the Singapore elected Govt fits all Webster’s definition.t because one party or Govt is over whelmingly popular does not violates democracy. How about acknowledging the Govt doing a really good job?
Can you say that th PAP cheat at the polls?
Are you saying tht the Govt looking after the welfare of its citizens is “vote buying”?
get real
The drafters won’t be upset one bit by the rejection of the charter. It means they get to stay on the gravy train with the next re-write and they keep their masters in power that little bit longer, thus wearing down the opposition through attrition.
Let’s put this way:
1. A government without any democratic legitimation gave the order to draft a new constitution.
2. Those drafting the constitution were selected by the government.
3. The constitution drafted can hardly be described as democratic.
4. A commission/assembly or whatever to call it, whose members were selected by the government, deceided about endorsement of the constitution, and rejected it.
My question: has any aspect of this process anything to do with any basic principle of democracy?
My point was that neither endorsing nor rejecting the draft had any relationship whatever with democracy or even liberal forms of governance.
Apparently, Singaporeans are quite content with a “disciplined democracy” as long as their beloved money is on “safe authoritarian hands”. No foolish dissidents or democratic experiments are needed in an orderly British Commonwealth Confucian City State.
One Party, One Road, One Singapore!
I’m not sure what the real story is but I was once told by a couple of Swiss friends that in Apenzell, when women were still disenfranchised at the cantonal level, the national government held a referendum there on the question of whether or not women should be allowed to vote.
The women themselves voted overwhelmingly against being given the vote.
As a good democratic institution the Swiss government insisted that they get it anyway.
I don’t know why, but the most recent articles on NM regarding Singaporean democracy bring that story to mind.
It is with a deep sense of disgust that I read this article, how the friends of the junta are lining their pockets with the spoils of the coup while small businesses
in the Chiang Rai area are going bankrupt one after the other, due to the inane economic policies of a government of clowns.
C Beale you give the impression you are personally familiar with the moods of the heir apparent, How is that so?
In a four decade association with Thailand I have yet to talk to a single Thai person – including a number of elite arch monarchists – who have had a kind word for the fellow. When you’re totally above law and filthy rich you too would be unfazed, cool, calm and collected. At least in public.
As for a ‘gross’ – a rather poorly chosen word in this context – ‘invasion of his privacy’ the footage was clearly taken by someone in his entourage, not some paparazzi half a kilometre away. As to how it became public, now there’s an interesting story.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Change is on its way in Singapore
[…] [5] http://www.newmandala.org/2015/09/07/change-is-on-its-way-in-singapore/ […]
Singapore slide
[…] by Elvin Ong http://www.newmandala.org/2015/09/12/singapore-slide/ […]
The medium of people power
Thank you, Neptunian. This is exactly the finding in my research. The Chinese in the arm forces played a vital role during the emergency period. Today I saw some Indian looking uniformed police but not any Chinese faces. I have learned there are some Chinese in the criminal investigation department dealing with cases in Chinese gangsterism.
Singapore slide
Please tell me more about the money-laundromat scheme.
Singapore swing
[…] http://www.newmandala.org/2015/09/12/singapore-swing/ […]
Cashing in on constitutions
Constitution drafters earning 1.0 million baht pet year is not much. Uber drivers in Bangkok could earn more in a year if they are not lazy.
But I digress. If the constitution writers could propose a clause, for referendum approval, to defang Thailand’s Lese Majeste laws would be just absolutely liberating!
Singapore slide
You’re right. The money-laundromat is working fine!
Cashing in on constitutions
More reading guys
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21664234-thailand-spins-circles-generals-friends-vote-down-their-draft-constitution-curiouser-and
The medium of people power
There were plenty of non-malays in the police and arm forces in the 60s 70s and early 80s. When the bite of the NEP kicked in big time and the “ketuanan” rubbish perpetrated by Mahathir started to erode basic rights of non-malay malaysians, less and less non-malays malaysians want to work in the govt.
There were much more “danger” for the police and arm forces in the 60s and 70s than now, so the rubbbish about the “conditions” being tough is just yours
Singapore slide
This statement is a joke – Can you please define democracy. In fact can all the so called analyst reading NM, please define democracy?
As far as I can tell, the Singapore elected Govt fits all Webster’s definition.t because one party or Govt is over whelmingly popular does not violates democracy. How about acknowledging the Govt doing a really good job?
Can you say that th PAP cheat at the polls?
Are you saying tht the Govt looking after the welfare of its citizens is “vote buying”?
get real
Cashing in on constitutions
The drafters won’t be upset one bit by the rejection of the charter. It means they get to stay on the gravy train with the next re-write and they keep their masters in power that little bit longer, thus wearing down the opposition through attrition.
Coups and constitutions
Let’s put this way:
1. A government without any democratic legitimation gave the order to draft a new constitution.
2. Those drafting the constitution were selected by the government.
3. The constitution drafted can hardly be described as democratic.
4. A commission/assembly or whatever to call it, whose members were selected by the government, deceided about endorsement of the constitution, and rejected it.
My question: has any aspect of this process anything to do with any basic principle of democracy?
My point was that neither endorsing nor rejecting the draft had any relationship whatever with democracy or even liberal forms of governance.
Singapore slide
Good choice. If it is not broke why fix it.
Singapore slide
Apparently, Singaporeans are quite content with a “disciplined democracy” as long as their beloved money is on “safe authoritarian hands”. No foolish dissidents or democratic experiments are needed in an orderly British Commonwealth Confucian City State.
One Party, One Road, One Singapore!
Singapore slide
I’m not sure what the real story is but I was once told by a couple of Swiss friends that in Apenzell, when women were still disenfranchised at the cantonal level, the national government held a referendum there on the question of whether or not women should be allowed to vote.
The women themselves voted overwhelmingly against being given the vote.
As a good democratic institution the Swiss government insisted that they get it anyway.
I don’t know why, but the most recent articles on NM regarding Singaporean democracy bring that story to mind.
Bersih 4.0 takes over Kuala Lumpur
So what, if he were invited? An enemy of the enemy is not a foe. You do not have to be his friend but you can use him. This is practical politic.
Following the leaders in Vietnam
Excellent analysis by Shane Tarr . Almost worth an article in itself.
Remembering the victims of lese majeste
I agree, the whole 112 issue is connected to character assasination, but can you tell me, whose character is to be assassinated?
Cashing in on constitutions
It is with a deep sense of disgust that I read this article, how the friends of the junta are lining their pockets with the spoils of the coup while small businesses
in the Chiang Rai area are going bankrupt one after the other, due to the inane economic policies of a government of clowns.
Remembering the victims of lese majeste
C Beale you give the impression you are personally familiar with the moods of the heir apparent, How is that so?
In a four decade association with Thailand I have yet to talk to a single Thai person – including a number of elite arch monarchists – who have had a kind word for the fellow. When you’re totally above law and filthy rich you too would be unfazed, cool, calm and collected. At least in public.
As for a ‘gross’ – a rather poorly chosen word in this context – ‘invasion of his privacy’ the footage was clearly taken by someone in his entourage, not some paparazzi half a kilometre away. As to how it became public, now there’s an interesting story.