“What should we make of these statements? Do we doubt the general’s sincerity?”
Dr. Farrelly, I do not doubt the Thai generals’ sincerity but I doubt their intelligence and conscience. A lot of Bangkokians have the same mentality due to educational system of brainwashing from cradle to grave. Even my childhood friend who graduated top in our high school and lived and worked in the United States over 40 years also thinks like the generals. Hopeless!
I said something similar about the sloppy use of language in Burma in a recent comment (which made a few people very upset!). I agree with you that modern democratic societies need a precise language for legal and diplomatic purposes. I even claim that the Burmese language (and most probably the Thai language) lacks the precision needed to pursue modern science and technology.
In any case, it is true that this Sino-Orwellian use of language in many Asian cultures are designed to control and manipulate the populace and hence leads to all these contradictions, crass injustices, hypocrisies and double-standards that really look like a “big joke” for people who are used to Aristotelian logic. White people are normally too polite to point that out to Asians, but I was born a Burmese (and as Plan B pointed out here Suu Kyi told Burmese to be Free from Fear LOL)
It is the personal rather than legal framework that characterises the Thai “un-state”. Legalisms are still employed to justify its highly irregular activities, but these are so riddled with vagaries, contradictions, and lies, that they attract only contempt from the civilised world.
Does the Thai language lack the precision necessary for laws to evolve? Do linguistic precision and laws evolve together, as seems to have occurred in the language and laws of the Romans?
Terrorists are more ‘sexy’ than drug mules. After all, drug pushers kill in the name of illusions, while terrorists only kill in the name of delusions.
In his first 100 days he released from jail Malaysian Taufik bin Abdul Halim a JI terrorist who bombed the Jakarta Atrium and was sentenced to death. Commuted to 20 years, then Widodo pardons him after 12. The guy’s brother is another JI terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir – Philippine police just lost 44 men trying to capture/kill him. So why does Widodo pardon terrorists but kills drug mules? He’s a politician, votes and power always come first. And NM campaigned for this creep?
I’m not, since I don’t have a “big brother”, so my 2cents:
Thailand is ruled by corruption, coercion and connections (guanxi, if you like). All c’s.
Democracy, dissidents, demonstrations? No d’s please!
I’d just like to remind everyone how vehemently New Mandala generally, and “experts” like Marcus Mietzner in particular, pushed the KIH as Luke Skywalker and KMP as Palpatine narrative. Yet it seems Jokowi will find refuge with Prabowo.
It is unfortunate that Jokowi has chosen not to give unstinting support to the KPK. Jokowi’s best-known objective is to create a maritime axis, which consists mainly of making maritime trade around the islands of Indonesia contribute more to GDP and making it more efficient than it currently is. A lot remains unclear about this project, such as what its international ramifications will be.
What is clear, though, is that the possibility of large-scale investment by China and other countries in the development of Indonesian ports and other infrastructure will offer vast opportunities for embezzlement, bribery and other forms of corruption.
The KPK is one of the most effective institutions created since the collapse of the Soeharto autocracy. Allowing its authority to be diluted just before what could be a major influx of foreign investment capital is a grave error.
Nich,
They read like you’re hedging your bets but I guess it’s rather inevitable. The expression in Burmese that might strike a chord with many outsiders having to deal with the reform process being rolled out especially and more importantly to the business class and INGOs (certainly to the locals) is perhaps – ayooma lin lote ya thalo (it’s like living with an insane wife). But it’s good to have some positive things to write about.
I’d definitely like to read about your travels in the Rakhine and Kachin states… about governance, rule of law, real prospects for peace and harmony, not least how people receive/perceive the top down reforms and projects – or not. Is it like what Western elites would say like a mantra – getting the message across is the real issue, never their policies?
Everyone wants President Jokowi to succeed, at least among the “Bule”.
Nobody has it in for Indonesia ! What benefit does the world have if Indonesia fails ? None ! I can see and hear the rising crescendo of conspiracy theorists in all camps now. This MUST stop. President Jokowi must decide himself: Is he to inhabit Mega’s shadow or is he prepared to create his own shadow, for as long as he is chased by old PDI-P demons, he will NOT succeed. It is time to step up to the plate and leave Mega behind for good. To the Indonesian people, I say, why did you expect perfection ? Was that fair ? You expect democracy in 48 hours ? Jokowi was a good Governor of Jakarta; maybe he isn’t cut out for the Presidency; not everyone is, but give him a chance. It has been a rocky three months, but with expectations at 100 %, who would perform perfectly ? Transparency is critical for Jokowi and for Indonesia, and that can only come from independence and maturity, which seems to be overrated at the moment.
I do not know what will happen and no one else does either. They are lying if they tell you they do, or they are a very highly paid Dukun. I know this, the record so far is mixed and Jokowi must establish credibility, and I also know that the moron(s) who suggested that Jokowi should be impeached, should grow up, get a life, and graduate from pre-school. Impeach ? Has he done anything wrong, other than some poor choices and missteps ? Why not the guillotine then ? “Heads will roll..”
This incitement from all quarters must stop. Indonesia wanted a fresh start, then it is obviously foolish to try and stop it dead in its tracks, without a fair chance. I see no evidence, so far, that would justify not allowing Jokowi more opportunity to grow and mature. Fine, after two years, if he is deemed incompetent by the people FAIRLY, THEN bring it up. He is mortal; he is not the Nabi (and those who are expecting the Mahdi, better go home and rest).
==========================================
CONTEXT:
At least two polls suggested that President Joko Widodo’s popularity was plunging sharply on the eve of his 100th day in office, which is today, while analysts scrutinize his cabinet’s poor performance obscured behind a series of increasingly scandalous policies. Poll institute Puspol Indonesia said in its press conference last week that 74.6 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with Joko and Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s leadership in the first three months of their term in office. Puspol Indonesia executive director Ubedilah Badrun said among the policies that contributed to Joko’s plunging popularity was the subsidized fuel price hikes. Meanwhile, activists have filed a complaint with the police against the chief security minister, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, over remarks he made over the weekend belittling supporters of the national antigraft agency.
“This is an encouraging sign, as citizens can be seen as shifting away from unquestionable political loyalty towards informed political supporters.”
I wonder how many people thought there was actually a time when a significant number of Indonesian citizens had unquestioning political loyalty to politicians/political parties?
From now on, I will make fun of everyone who dares to call Deutschland Germany or l’Allemagne, , Suomi Finland, Hellas Greek, Zomi Chin, Jingpho Kachin, etc. etc.
Paul, Myanmar is the term used at the time the Myazedi Stone (so called Burma’s Rosetta Stone at Bagan) was erected. Mien is how Marco Polo described Bagan. It evolved to the colloquial Bamar which gained currency and became Bamar pyi (country), Bamar lumyo (race/nation) and Bamar sa/sagar(language) during the colonial days, culminating in the Dobama Asi-anyone (We the Burmans Association) that led the fight for independence. Please note the still current terminology as in the official name of organisations such as BaKaTha (ABFSU) and BaKaPa (CPB).
Myanmar has gained currency in spoken Burmese among the post-89 generations and conformists, not least from diktat. Having said that Myanmar has always been the official and formal usage of the name from the Bagan era.
Jokowi’s recent wawancara khusus with Kompas, available for viewing on YouTube, shows him to be a remarkably inept interviewee. He invites disturbing comparisons with George W.Bush, another inarticulate political leader partial to the death penalty. Let’s hope there’s more to the Jokowi phenomenon.
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Soldiers with democratic hearts?
“What should we make of these statements? Do we doubt the general’s sincerity?”
Dr. Farrelly, I do not doubt the Thai generals’ sincerity but I doubt their intelligence and conscience. A lot of Bangkokians have the same mentality due to educational system of brainwashing from cradle to grave. Even my childhood friend who graduated top in our high school and lived and worked in the United States over 40 years also thinks like the generals. Hopeless!
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
I said something similar about the sloppy use of language in Burma in a recent comment (which made a few people very upset!). I agree with you that modern democratic societies need a precise language for legal and diplomatic purposes. I even claim that the Burmese language (and most probably the Thai language) lacks the precision needed to pursue modern science and technology.
In any case, it is true that this Sino-Orwellian use of language in many Asian cultures are designed to control and manipulate the populace and hence leads to all these contradictions, crass injustices, hypocrisies and double-standards that really look like a “big joke” for people who are used to Aristotelian logic. White people are normally too polite to point that out to Asians, but I was born a Burmese (and as Plan B pointed out here Suu Kyi told Burmese to be Free from Fear LOL)
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
It is the personal rather than legal framework that characterises the Thai “un-state”. Legalisms are still employed to justify its highly irregular activities, but these are so riddled with vagaries, contradictions, and lies, that they attract only contempt from the civilised world.
Does the Thai language lack the precision necessary for laws to evolve? Do linguistic precision and laws evolve together, as seems to have occurred in the language and laws of the Romans?
Jokowi: The First Hundred Days
http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/zulkifli-abdhir/view
Terrorists are more ‘sexy’ than drug mules. After all, drug pushers kill in the name of illusions, while terrorists only kill in the name of delusions.
Jokowi: The First Hundred Days
In his first 100 days he released from jail Malaysian Taufik bin Abdul Halim a JI terrorist who bombed the Jakarta Atrium and was sentenced to death. Commuted to 20 years, then Widodo pardons him after 12. The guy’s brother is another JI terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir – Philippine police just lost 44 men trying to capture/kill him. So why does Widodo pardon terrorists but kills drug mules? He’s a politician, votes and power always come first. And NM campaigned for this creep?
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
The lady has the best take on Democracy:
“FREEDOM FROM FEAR”
The irony is freedom from fear for military mean fearless freedomless.
The best the military can and must guarantee is “Lessfear with lessfreedom” an irony itself.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Word that mean “everything and nothing”:
Democracy and every derivatives.
Define the word within specified context, and find out everyone using this word is a liar or worst a —.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
I’m not, since I don’t have a “big brother”, so my 2cents:
Thailand is ruled by corruption, coercion and connections (guanxi, if you like). All c’s.
Democracy, dissidents, demonstrations? No d’s please!
Defending Indonesia’s anti-corruption fighters
I’d just like to remind everyone how vehemently New Mandala generally, and “experts” like Marcus Mietzner in particular, pushed the KIH as Luke Skywalker and KMP as Palpatine narrative. Yet it seems Jokowi will find refuge with Prabowo.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
I guess most of us are afraid to comment on this subject, as we have big brothers.
Defending Indonesia’s anti-corruption fighters
It is unfortunate that Jokowi has chosen not to give unstinting support to the KPK. Jokowi’s best-known objective is to create a maritime axis, which consists mainly of making maritime trade around the islands of Indonesia contribute more to GDP and making it more efficient than it currently is. A lot remains unclear about this project, such as what its international ramifications will be.
What is clear, though, is that the possibility of large-scale investment by China and other countries in the development of Indonesian ports and other infrastructure will offer vast opportunities for embezzlement, bribery and other forms of corruption.
The KPK is one of the most effective institutions created since the collapse of the Soeharto autocracy. Allowing its authority to be diluted just before what could be a major influx of foreign investment capital is a grave error.
In conversation with Rafizi Ramli
[…] delegation leader Rafizi Ramli, MP for Pandan and PKR General Secretary, the Malaysian authorities’ drive to reassert their […]
Myanmar in transition
Nich,
They read like you’re hedging your bets but I guess it’s rather inevitable. The expression in Burmese that might strike a chord with many outsiders having to deal with the reform process being rolled out especially and more importantly to the business class and INGOs (certainly to the locals) is perhaps – ayooma lin lote ya thalo (it’s like living with an insane wife). But it’s good to have some positive things to write about.
I’d definitely like to read about your travels in the Rakhine and Kachin states… about governance, rule of law, real prospects for peace and harmony, not least how people receive/perceive the top down reforms and projects – or not. Is it like what Western elites would say like a mantra – getting the message across is the real issue, never their policies?
Defending Indonesia’s anti-corruption fighters
Everyone wants President Jokowi to succeed, at least among the “Bule”.
Nobody has it in for Indonesia ! What benefit does the world have if Indonesia fails ? None ! I can see and hear the rising crescendo of conspiracy theorists in all camps now. This MUST stop. President Jokowi must decide himself: Is he to inhabit Mega’s shadow or is he prepared to create his own shadow, for as long as he is chased by old PDI-P demons, he will NOT succeed. It is time to step up to the plate and leave Mega behind for good. To the Indonesian people, I say, why did you expect perfection ? Was that fair ? You expect democracy in 48 hours ? Jokowi was a good Governor of Jakarta; maybe he isn’t cut out for the Presidency; not everyone is, but give him a chance. It has been a rocky three months, but with expectations at 100 %, who would perform perfectly ? Transparency is critical for Jokowi and for Indonesia, and that can only come from independence and maturity, which seems to be overrated at the moment.
I do not know what will happen and no one else does either. They are lying if they tell you they do, or they are a very highly paid Dukun. I know this, the record so far is mixed and Jokowi must establish credibility, and I also know that the moron(s) who suggested that Jokowi should be impeached, should grow up, get a life, and graduate from pre-school. Impeach ? Has he done anything wrong, other than some poor choices and missteps ? Why not the guillotine then ? “Heads will roll..”
This incitement from all quarters must stop. Indonesia wanted a fresh start, then it is obviously foolish to try and stop it dead in its tracks, without a fair chance. I see no evidence, so far, that would justify not allowing Jokowi more opportunity to grow and mature. Fine, after two years, if he is deemed incompetent by the people FAIRLY, THEN bring it up. He is mortal; he is not the Nabi (and those who are expecting the Mahdi, better go home and rest).
==========================================
CONTEXT:
At least two polls suggested that President Joko Widodo’s popularity was plunging sharply on the eve of his 100th day in office, which is today, while analysts scrutinize his cabinet’s poor performance obscured behind a series of increasingly scandalous policies. Poll institute Puspol Indonesia said in its press conference last week that 74.6 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with Joko and Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s leadership in the first three months of their term in office. Puspol Indonesia executive director Ubedilah Badrun said among the policies that contributed to Joko’s plunging popularity was the subsidized fuel price hikes. Meanwhile, activists have filed a complaint with the police against the chief security minister, Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, over remarks he made over the weekend belittling supporters of the national antigraft agency.
http://wp.me/p7hln-867
http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Perspectives/Be-careful-what-you-wish-for-Indonesia?n_cid=NARAN012
Review of Burma’s Spring
Sorry about the typo (damned predictive text). It should read Dobama Asi-ayone.
Jokowi’s National Police Chief debacle
“This is an encouraging sign, as citizens can be seen as shifting away from unquestionable political loyalty towards informed political supporters.”
I wonder how many people thought there was actually a time when a significant number of Indonesian citizens had unquestioning political loyalty to politicians/political parties?
Review of Burma’s Spring
From now on, I will make fun of everyone who dares to call Deutschland Germany or l’Allemagne, , Suomi Finland, Hellas Greek, Zomi Chin, Jingpho Kachin, etc. etc.
Review of Burma’s Spring
Excellent answer, Moe Aung. Thanks and I stand corrected. Looks as if a lot of books are going to be revised over the years to come :D.
Review of Burma’s Spring
Paul, Myanmar is the term used at the time the Myazedi Stone (so called Burma’s Rosetta Stone at Bagan) was erected. Mien is how Marco Polo described Bagan. It evolved to the colloquial Bamar which gained currency and became Bamar pyi (country), Bamar lumyo (race/nation) and Bamar sa/sagar(language) during the colonial days, culminating in the Dobama Asi-anyone (We the Burmans Association) that led the fight for independence. Please note the still current terminology as in the official name of organisations such as BaKaTha (ABFSU) and BaKaPa (CPB).
Myanmar has gained currency in spoken Burmese among the post-89 generations and conformists, not least from diktat. Having said that Myanmar has always been the official and formal usage of the name from the Bagan era.
Jokowi’s National Police Chief debacle
Jokowi’s recent wawancara khusus with Kompas, available for viewing on YouTube, shows him to be a remarkably inept interviewee. He invites disturbing comparisons with George W.Bush, another inarticulate political leader partial to the death penalty. Let’s hope there’s more to the Jokowi phenomenon.