People attending were mostly from Bangkok and surrounding provinces, but also many people from all over the country. People from all ages came, but the majority were 30 and older. Most of the people were regulars at Red Shirt rallies.
Hope you’re not implying that those who can’t, teach. They wouldn’t be fielding cyber warriors on this sort of forum, or Facebook for that matter, if it had ZERO effect on the ground.
A socio-economic / ethno-regional profile of those attending would be interesting. Ditto an age profile. Many younger – hugely frustrated and angry Red Shirts want the country re-structured, and re-named as Siam.
Perhaps this article should be re-titled Aspinall “Fails his first test analysing Jokowi” ! It is difficult to see what else Jokowi could have done, other than erect a praetorian guard of the likes of his new Defence Minister, and the various Sukarnoist appointees.
Left unsaid here is the crippling effects of systemic political repression of productive ethnic Chinese Malaysians – a base cause of her economic woes.
Of course, “ghoulishness” and “tales of magic” are what the Chakri most fear in Thai Buddhism, and what they and their servants have worked hardest to eradicate.
I think it’s Buddhism as practised in Thailand, as hi-jacked by monarchs and powerful monks that’s the problem. Buddhism and Christianity are civilising influences, more so when stripped of their ghoulish fancy-dress parties, tales of magic, epistemological garbage, wealth etc.. I don’t see much harm in unadorned, reasonably credible stories of virtuous moral teachers who renounced all political power. It takes a fair level of education to imbibe a workable system of morality in abstract form.
Some widely held independent moral standard is necessary to mitigate tyranny. I believe that has happened through Buddhism in SE Asia for many centuries, though much less effectively than one would hope. That’s why it’s so dangerous when monarchs or other powerful leaders hi-jack and corrupt religion.
As a humanist, hoping for a secular world, it is sad to see that most of the pro-democracy movement in Thailand is still in the ban of religious rituals. Especially when they are supported by the monarchy. Both institution religion and monarchy are in a contradiction with the principles of democracy. Even more disappointing is the fact that people who should know better are excited about this.
Jimmy.
I admire people’s spirit to engage in online debate, rather ‘air war’ on wide range of topic.
You debate as much as you want, but the reality is that nothing will change. In other words, your debate will have ZERO effect on the ground.
It has been reported here that the deep sea port will be ready next month and a second one planned. The SEZ project however has been delayed until December next year.
He didn’t consider the Jokowi plans to centralize alot of the functions to the Presidential Office. Ministers will be implementing Presidential Goals, rather ministerial ones.
The writer in an academic blog, so standards should be higher than what you find in the popular press. To be credible and impartial, you should go through each department, listing the roles and problems. Then ask whether the minister is capable of solving the problem. Then spell out Jokowi’s vision for the area, and ask if the Minsiter is capable of implementing it.
For example Ryamizard Ryacudu. He is conservative and a ex-general. Picking a ex-general shows confidence that that the civilians don’t have to pick a civilian to show civilian-military supremacy. Secondly, Jokowi wants boast spending and shift it to the Navy. There are going to be a lot of army commanders that will be upset, and who better to explain it to them then an old warhorse.
As for his human rights record. With the police dealing largely with insurgency, I don;t know how important it is?
At the end of the day, the Indonesians politicians swear an Oath to the Indonesian Constitution, and should judge by that.
Increasingly people feel that they can weigh in to New Mandala discussions under multiple monikers. The “sock puppetry” that follows is tedious.
Over the years we have allowed some of it to occur but this comment should be taken as a strong signal that your efforts aren’t considered sporting.
While people can have multiple names, and sometimes there are good reasons for that, the rampant negativity that is indulged will also be stamped out. Good manners should still be compatible with Internet-based discussions.
On this score, we have deleted a large number of recent comments and the authors of those comments know why. New Mandala isn’t a forum for relentless bullying of those with whom you perceive disagreement.
For those of you who find that your comments on New Mandala are regularly binned I hope a message about appropriate conduct is starting to get through. We have proved tolerant but there are limits.
Indonesians been and still are through some ‘extreme’ conditions. You name it, from sectarian violance, unfair corporate practices to massive corrupt allegation bringing the whole rich natural source country bankrupt in few decades to come. Jokowi has learnt that being a public figure may carry a risk of unsatisfaction to a certain point where he had to compromise around. I believe that ‘extreme’ environtment should encounter ‘extreme’ measures for the country to restore its pride and unity back in tact. The message is clear, friends and foes have reached a single deal, foreign robbers stop joking around or we are forced to play hard against you. Then, what could you expect? He is a true nationalist wich is rare among Indonesians today. Leave him alone and let him enjoy working.
That’s funny. Two of the Ministers that the author criticizes – Puan and Tjahjo – are Indonesia’s best hope to roll-back discriminative sharia laws and to protect minority rights. I don’t suppose the professor is a closet muallaf? That would explain the Ryamizard Ryacudu-bashing, too. He’s rabidly anti-Islamist.
Its clear an academic he has little experience in the real world. Take for example Tjahjo Kumolo. Yes he is sleaze ball. But the Home Affairs Department is not a very wet position, but it has a lot of power. First he has define what is the responsibility of the Home Affairs, then underline the problems the Home Affairs has been facing in the last 10 years. The problems with minority issues stem from Home Affairs decrees issued by the Home Affairs Department. Here is an interesting article
Like with Puan, SBY has put in conservative Muslim officials in such positions. The previous Home Minister was the Governor of West Sumatra, one of the most conservative provinces in Indonesia. The Home Affairs Department deals with politicians (regents, governors), they need a politician to crack some skulls. By putting a high ranking PDI-P politician in charge, minorities will know that the PDI-P is serious about reversing all those discriminatory laws.
The author is using one standards to measure all positions. The previous Home Affairs Minister was very qualified on paper. And he is most likely the best person for the job if you want to implement Sharia Law across Indonesia.
His job like Puan is reverse islamization that SBY allowed to run rampant in Indonesia, with local governments violating the Constitution and national laws..
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
The funeral of Dr Apiwan Wiriyachai
People attending were mostly from Bangkok and surrounding provinces, but also many people from all over the country. People from all ages came, but the majority were 30 and older. Most of the people were regulars at Red Shirt rallies.
Game over for Aung San Suu Kyi?
Hope you’re not implying that those who can’t, teach. They wouldn’t be fielding cyber warriors on this sort of forum, or Facebook for that matter, if it had ZERO effect on the ground.
The funeral of Dr Apiwan Wiriyachai
A socio-economic / ethno-regional profile of those attending would be interesting. Ditto an age profile. Many younger – hugely frustrated and angry Red Shirts want the country re-structured, and re-named as Siam.
Jokowi fails his first test
Perhaps this article should be re-titled Aspinall “Fails his first test analysing Jokowi” ! It is difficult to see what else Jokowi could have done, other than erect a praetorian guard of the likes of his new Defence Minister, and the various Sukarnoist appointees.
Malaysia’s long term fiscal challenges
Left unsaid here is the crippling effects of systemic political repression of productive ethnic Chinese Malaysians – a base cause of her economic woes.
The funeral of Dr Apiwan Wiriyachai
Of course, “ghoulishness” and “tales of magic” are what the Chakri most fear in Thai Buddhism, and what they and their servants have worked hardest to eradicate.
Islam: A religion of peace
Amrita Malhi argues that “…Kessler’s pessimism has won over his judgment…” over in The Conversation.
http://theconversation.com/malaysia-reaches-a-critical-crossroad-over-state-islamisation-33256
In conversation with Rafizi Ramli
[…] delegation leader Rafizi Ramli, MP for Pandan and PKR General Secretary, the Malaysian authorities’ drive to reassert their […]
The funeral of Dr Apiwan Wiriyachai
I think it’s Buddhism as practised in Thailand, as hi-jacked by monarchs and powerful monks that’s the problem. Buddhism and Christianity are civilising influences, more so when stripped of their ghoulish fancy-dress parties, tales of magic, epistemological garbage, wealth etc.. I don’t see much harm in unadorned, reasonably credible stories of virtuous moral teachers who renounced all political power. It takes a fair level of education to imbibe a workable system of morality in abstract form.
Some widely held independent moral standard is necessary to mitigate tyranny. I believe that has happened through Buddhism in SE Asia for many centuries, though much less effectively than one would hope. That’s why it’s so dangerous when monarchs or other powerful leaders hi-jack and corrupt religion.
The funeral of Dr Apiwan Wiriyachai
As a humanist, hoping for a secular world, it is sad to see that most of the pro-democracy movement in Thailand is still in the ban of religious rituals. Especially when they are supported by the monarchy. Both institution religion and monarchy are in a contradiction with the principles of democracy. Even more disappointing is the fact that people who should know better are excited about this.
Jimmy.
Review of Personal Names in Asia
Really a great study. I like classifications applied here. The history of personal names in Asia I think goes deep even to sanskryt.
Game over for Aung San Suu Kyi?
I admire people’s spirit to engage in online debate, rather ‘air war’ on wide range of topic.
You debate as much as you want, but the reality is that nothing will change. In other words, your debate will have ZERO effect on the ground.
Myanmar Special Economic Zones, Part II
It has been reported here that the deep sea port will be ready next month and a second one planned. The SEZ project however has been delayed until December next year.
Jokowi fails his first test
He didn’t consider the Jokowi plans to centralize alot of the functions to the Presidential Office. Ministers will be implementing Presidential Goals, rather ministerial ones.
The writer in an academic blog, so standards should be higher than what you find in the popular press. To be credible and impartial, you should go through each department, listing the roles and problems. Then ask whether the minister is capable of solving the problem. Then spell out Jokowi’s vision for the area, and ask if the Minsiter is capable of implementing it.
For example Ryamizard Ryacudu. He is conservative and a ex-general. Picking a ex-general shows confidence that that the civilians don’t have to pick a civilian to show civilian-military supremacy. Secondly, Jokowi wants boast spending and shift it to the Navy. There are going to be a lot of army commanders that will be upset, and who better to explain it to them then an old warhorse.
As for his human rights record. With the police dealing largely with insurgency, I don;t know how important it is?
At the end of the day, the Indonesians politicians swear an Oath to the Indonesian Constitution, and should judge by that.
Jokowi fails his first test
No, most aceh and papuans have not move on! I am one of them!
Jokowi fails his first test
“Albert Hirt” and a multitude of others,
Increasingly people feel that they can weigh in to New Mandala discussions under multiple monikers. The “sock puppetry” that follows is tedious.
Over the years we have allowed some of it to occur but this comment should be taken as a strong signal that your efforts aren’t considered sporting.
While people can have multiple names, and sometimes there are good reasons for that, the rampant negativity that is indulged will also be stamped out. Good manners should still be compatible with Internet-based discussions.
On this score, we have deleted a large number of recent comments and the authors of those comments know why. New Mandala isn’t a forum for relentless bullying of those with whom you perceive disagreement.
For those of you who find that your comments on New Mandala are regularly binned I hope a message about appropriate conduct is starting to get through. We have proved tolerant but there are limits.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Jokowi fails his first test
Indonesians been and still are through some ‘extreme’ conditions. You name it, from sectarian violance, unfair corporate practices to massive corrupt allegation bringing the whole rich natural source country bankrupt in few decades to come. Jokowi has learnt that being a public figure may carry a risk of unsatisfaction to a certain point where he had to compromise around. I believe that ‘extreme’ environtment should encounter ‘extreme’ measures for the country to restore its pride and unity back in tact. The message is clear, friends and foes have reached a single deal, foreign robbers stop joking around or we are forced to play hard against you. Then, what could you expect? He is a true nationalist wich is rare among Indonesians today. Leave him alone and let him enjoy working.
Jokowi fails his first test
That’s funny. Two of the Ministers that the author criticizes – Puan and Tjahjo – are Indonesia’s best hope to roll-back discriminative sharia laws and to protect minority rights. I don’t suppose the professor is a closet muallaf? That would explain the Ryamizard Ryacudu-bashing, too. He’s rabidly anti-Islamist.
Jokowi fails his first test
Its clear an academic he has little experience in the real world. Take for example Tjahjo Kumolo. Yes he is sleaze ball. But the Home Affairs Department is not a very wet position, but it has a lot of power. First he has define what is the responsibility of the Home Affairs, then underline the problems the Home Affairs has been facing in the last 10 years. The problems with minority issues stem from Home Affairs decrees issued by the Home Affairs Department. Here is an interesting article
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/10/28/new-home-minister-delve-minority-issues.html
Like with Puan, SBY has put in conservative Muslim officials in such positions. The previous Home Minister was the Governor of West Sumatra, one of the most conservative provinces in Indonesia. The Home Affairs Department deals with politicians (regents, governors), they need a politician to crack some skulls. By putting a high ranking PDI-P politician in charge, minorities will know that the PDI-P is serious about reversing all those discriminatory laws.
The author is using one standards to measure all positions. The previous Home Affairs Minister was very qualified on paper. And he is most likely the best person for the job if you want to implement Sharia Law across Indonesia.
His job like Puan is reverse islamization that SBY allowed to run rampant in Indonesia, with local governments violating the Constitution and national laws..
Jokowi fails his first test
Totally agree with Aspinall. Sharp comments. Jokowi is overrate.