Actually, if you read some of the links in this report for starters or even some of the statements women’s groups and activists have put out in recent months, you would see that parties do have a say – a huge say – in improving gender sensitivity and representation.
It’s all good to say it doesn’t matter if the majority of MPs are men or women, but the fact is that since independence most parliamentarians have been male and the system as it is now does not create opportunities for women. This means lots of legislation passing parliament is “gender blind”, impacting women who are a clearly marginalised group here.
[…] Creak’s entry on New Mandala about the role of Indonesian youth in the 2011 SEA Games is just one example of the potential of studying the role of sports in […]
Well done. We need more articles that give insights to the other side of the coin, or rather the hidden side. We have come to conclude the trend of articles written in The Economist and others alike, are politically and economically glossed for obvious reasons, plus paid avertorial articles. There will come a time when these review business journal will have no value of content. Charis, good job
I apologize if you found it offensive. I’ve found out long time ago there is no way kind way to bring about the other side of gender equality argument without being branded a sexist, alpha-male, or whatever.
That said, I couldn’t care less if the make up of all the MPs are 100% women. What I’m trying point out is the true state of things is that we should be race-blind, colour-blind, ethnic-blind, gender-blind.
I came from a generation of affirmative action and had been at the slapstick of that. I lived through an era where University places were quota based, where less capable colleagues were able to continue further education whilst others wither away. The arguments were always the same. Bumiputeras make up more than 60% of the population, therefore University quota has to be 60% bumiputera. Your qualifications care for naught if you’re not bumiputera and you cannot beat your own ethic group to it.
Secondly, there is one major flaw in this report. “elected” MPs last I heard means “elected by the people” not “elected by the party”. This report gives the impression that the parties had a final say in the proportional representation of women in the government. True report will suggest “contesting” women candidates.
Me being the sexist, would ask you this – why should I care if the person representing me be a man, woman, chinese, indian or malay? Should any of these be a factor?
Anon,
I find your comment offensive. Only a guy – and I assume you are one – with megadoses of male privilege can rile that women MPs are not needed. Women MPs, and women politicians in general, are needed to represent the plethora of women’s concerns. This applies to ethnic minorities, too.
At a time where there’s greater issues with constitutional racial bias, corruption, insecurity, and national debt; is really woman politicians even an agenda?
what makes the race claim less important than the gender claim? in fact, why should either matter? one should take both gender and race out of equation of any sort entirely, or we’re back to an ethic / gender / religion based society / party / government / policy.
on one hand we claim ethnic based politics should be dead, but we pull up a gender based politics? the arguments for and against each are exactly the same.
I believe the basis for World Bannk above is: “the $1.25 a day poverty line measured in 2005 prices.” And Thailand’s poverty statistics, on that basis, do indeed show very dramatic improvement.
If WB says $1.25/day separates the really have-nots, I won’t argue. But I’m sure those Yingluck very expensive hi-speed Thai bullet trains are to be built with the ‘$1.25-day-Thais’ in mind as paying passengers.
The outlays to built those bullet trains are going to be very prohibitive … thus the trillions so Yingluck estimates. I personally believe Thailand’s rail system should be modernized without the prohibitive bullet trains systems. Many Thais, and not only those $1.25-per-day-impoverished-Thai-have-nots, won’t be able to afford the fare for the Yingluck bullet trains.
Ryan Lane, I like your piece and the way you frame your argument. Did Andrew Walker put you up to writing this?
There seems to be a strong connection between your argument / storyline and Andrew Walkers’ book Thailand’s political peasants’ (the focus on Chatterjee’s political society as a starting point, the phrase ‘good men’ and you’re at the same university as AW)
@ nick nostitz – I think the high speed rail idea will not directly provide many mobility advantages for Thai people and disadvantaged regions in Thailand. Isn’t it mainly a political project to show commitment to the ASEAN ideal, much in the same way as European high speed rail been built to foster EU and agenda of european integration by technical experts? (and the example of Japan’s bullet trains, which is in no way sundly applicable to Thailand or SEA as an idea might play a partin fostering this untenable ideal) . There are few direct benefits of a high speed rail system; a decent double track rail line would be a much better idea for Thailand.
First of all – there are very few “poor” left in Thailand (8.something percent below the average poverty line is very good). Thailand is quite solidly now a middle income country.
Increased spending on infrastructure and increased mobility will attract investment, open up structurally disadvantaged regions, and will lead to decentralization of industry, hence increased employment and rising incomes.
The coming together of the ASEAN community and the Chinese investments towards SEA will need an improvement in Thailand’s outdated railway network.
Transport of goods and better mobility of people are necessary for development.
Well, unless you dream of a primarily agrarian society in which people are to stay on their farms and plant rice…
Congratulations, after a long wait finally we have a Chinese version of Bakri Musa. In the future, we would welcome very much the author’s opinion and comparison, say, between the state of Malaysia’s indigenous people and that of Australia, in which case the author may have to refer to John Pilger not John Berger. Looking forward to the author’s entertaining post-structuralist analysis. It doesn’t matter if the facts are inaccurate, as long as it hits the target. Well done.
The French would say: your choices are ‘├а quoi bon le faire?
In modern Thai society with current dynamic politico-socio-economic environment, the demand on monarchic institutional reform is high and dire.
Bravo to Khun Pavin,in summing up with such an eloquent proverb: р╕гр╕зр╕бр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣И р╣Бр╕вр╕Бр╕лр╕бр╕╣р╣Ир╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕Хр╕▓р╕в (United we stand, Divided we fall.) I am surprised! well rather glad to see them finally can somehow functioning like most other normal families. Sadly, if only they unify to play by the rules within Democratic value and progress!but alas!! I just hope to see one day in Thailand, Universal Justice is to be applied to all!!
[…] post builds on analyses which were previously posted at the Australian National University’s New Mandala and the University of Nottingham’s CPI […]
quote:”The desire of the people for clean politics”
– expressed solely by the mass motion of the red-shirts
– from arising in its origin by the coup of 2006, is the driving force to democratize thailand today
Any article that namechecks John Berger in the first paragraph, demands attention. Drawing upon Berger’s work on the interpretation of art to question the way we ‘see’ Malaysia goes beyond psephology. A truly erudite and challenging piece. Well written and insightful, Charis has thrown down a gauntlet to those who demand change. Change has to include a different way of seeing.
The green will be led by good people – and they should guide them and do them good – they teach in “sufficiency”democracy is a foreign word for them – and – all power to the people – sounds devilishly for them
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Sabahans’ (new) dilemma
This is a fascinating comparison between Sabah and East Timor.
http://fernandezjoe.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/parallels-between-east-timor-and-sabah.html
I would be interested to hear New Mandala readers take on this.
Thanks.
Malaysian women parliamentarians: why the different numbers?
Actually, if you read some of the links in this report for starters or even some of the statements women’s groups and activists have put out in recent months, you would see that parties do have a say – a huge say – in improving gender sensitivity and representation.
It’s all good to say it doesn’t matter if the majority of MPs are men or women, but the fact is that since independence most parliamentarians have been male and the system as it is now does not create opportunities for women. This means lots of legislation passing parliament is “gender blind”, impacting women who are a clearly marginalised group here.
Shock horror – Indonesians paid to cheer for Malaysia!
[…] Creak’s entry on New Mandala about the role of Indonesian youth in the 2011 SEA Games is just one example of the potential of studying the role of sports in […]
The people rise again?
Interesting article. The Thai people’s grasp on democracy will only get better. The stage is set for things to unfold.
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Charis,
Well done. We need more articles that give insights to the other side of the coin, or rather the hidden side. We have come to conclude the trend of articles written in The Economist and others alike, are politically and economically glossed for obvious reasons, plus paid avertorial articles. There will come a time when these review business journal will have no value of content. Charis, good job
Malaysian women parliamentarians: why the different numbers?
Hi Mohani,
I apologize if you found it offensive. I’ve found out long time ago there is no way kind way to bring about the other side of gender equality argument without being branded a sexist, alpha-male, or whatever.
That said, I couldn’t care less if the make up of all the MPs are 100% women. What I’m trying point out is the true state of things is that we should be race-blind, colour-blind, ethnic-blind, gender-blind.
I came from a generation of affirmative action and had been at the slapstick of that. I lived through an era where University places were quota based, where less capable colleagues were able to continue further education whilst others wither away. The arguments were always the same. Bumiputeras make up more than 60% of the population, therefore University quota has to be 60% bumiputera. Your qualifications care for naught if you’re not bumiputera and you cannot beat your own ethic group to it.
Secondly, there is one major flaw in this report. “elected” MPs last I heard means “elected by the people” not “elected by the party”. This report gives the impression that the parties had a final say in the proportional representation of women in the government. True report will suggest “contesting” women candidates.
Me being the sexist, would ask you this – why should I care if the person representing me be a man, woman, chinese, indian or malay? Should any of these be a factor?
Malaysian women parliamentarians: why the different numbers?
Anon,
I find your comment offensive. Only a guy – and I assume you are one – with megadoses of male privilege can rile that women MPs are not needed. Women MPs, and women politicians in general, are needed to represent the plethora of women’s concerns. This applies to ethnic minorities, too.
Malaysian women parliamentarians: why the different numbers?
At a time where there’s greater issues with constitutional racial bias, corruption, insecurity, and national debt; is really woman politicians even an agenda?
what makes the race claim less important than the gender claim? in fact, why should either matter? one should take both gender and race out of equation of any sort entirely, or we’re back to an ethic / gender / religion based society / party / government / policy.
on one hand we claim ethnic based politics should be dead, but we pull up a gender based politics? the arguments for and against each are exactly the same.
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Hi Sam Rudin,
Just wondering if you could point out for New Mandala readers, what, in your opinion, are the inaccurate facts in this article.
In the interests of scholarly debates, this would be very helpful, and I think no one wants to perpetuate any myths about Malaysia.
Thank you
Greg Lopez.
Desiring a pure people’s politics
I checked N.Nostitz’ “few poor left in Thailand” and the World Bank reported Thailand’s ‘rural poverty head count ratio’ as:
2008 – 27.5
2009 – 25.1
2010 – 23.1
2011 – 16.1
(Source: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.RUHC)
I believe the basis for World Bannk above is: “the $1.25 a day poverty line measured in 2005 prices.” And Thailand’s poverty statistics, on that basis, do indeed show very dramatic improvement.
If WB says $1.25/day separates the really have-nots, I won’t argue. But I’m sure those Yingluck very expensive hi-speed Thai bullet trains are to be built with the ‘$1.25-day-Thais’ in mind as paying passengers.
The outlays to built those bullet trains are going to be very prohibitive … thus the trillions so Yingluck estimates. I personally believe Thailand’s rail system should be modernized without the prohibitive bullet trains systems. Many Thais, and not only those $1.25-per-day-impoverished-Thai-have-nots, won’t be able to afford the fare for the Yingluck bullet trains.
Desiring a pure people’s politics
Ryan Lane, I like your piece and the way you frame your argument. Did Andrew Walker put you up to writing this?
There seems to be a strong connection between your argument / storyline and Andrew Walkers’ book Thailand’s political peasants’ (the focus on Chatterjee’s political society as a starting point, the phrase ‘good men’ and you’re at the same university as AW)
@ nick nostitz – I think the high speed rail idea will not directly provide many mobility advantages for Thai people and disadvantaged regions in Thailand. Isn’t it mainly a political project to show commitment to the ASEAN ideal, much in the same way as European high speed rail been built to foster EU and agenda of european integration by technical experts? (and the example of Japan’s bullet trains, which is in no way sundly applicable to Thailand or SEA as an idea might play a partin fostering this untenable ideal) . There are few direct benefits of a high speed rail system; a decent double track rail line would be a much better idea for Thailand.
How Malays voted at GE13
[…] шГЬщАЙхРОя╝МшЗкф╕Аф╣Эф║ФщЫ╢х╣┤ф╗гш╡╖ф╛┐цЙзцФ┐чЪДхЫ╜щШ╡х╖▓цШп“ф╕ЦчХМф╕КцЙзцФ┐цЧ╢щЧ┤цЬАщХ┐чЪДц░СщАЙцФ┐цЭГ”я╝МчД╢шАМш┐ЩцмбщАЙф╕╛ч╗УцЮЬцШпхЫ╜щШ╡1969х╣┤ф╗ецЭецЬАцГищЗНчЪДхд▒ш┤еуАВ […]
Desiring a pure people’s politics
First of all – there are very few “poor” left in Thailand (8.something percent below the average poverty line is very good). Thailand is quite solidly now a middle income country.
Increased spending on infrastructure and increased mobility will attract investment, open up structurally disadvantaged regions, and will lead to decentralization of industry, hence increased employment and rising incomes.
The coming together of the ASEAN community and the Chinese investments towards SEA will need an improvement in Thailand’s outdated railway network.
Transport of goods and better mobility of people are necessary for development.
Well, unless you dream of a primarily agrarian society in which people are to stay on their farms and plant rice…
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Congratulations, after a long wait finally we have a Chinese version of Bakri Musa. In the future, we would welcome very much the author’s opinion and comparison, say, between the state of Malaysia’s indigenous people and that of Australia, in which case the author may have to refer to John Pilger not John Berger. Looking forward to the author’s entertaining post-structuralist analysis. It doesn’t matter if the facts are inaccurate, as long as it hits the target. Well done.
Royal power arrangement
The French would say: your choices are ‘├а quoi bon le faire?
In modern Thai society with current dynamic politico-socio-economic environment, the demand on monarchic institutional reform is high and dire.
Bravo to Khun Pavin,in summing up with such an eloquent proverb: р╕гр╕зр╕бр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣И р╣Бр╕вр╕Бр╕лр╕бр╕╣р╣Ир╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕Хр╕▓р╕в (United we stand, Divided we fall.) I am surprised! well rather glad to see them finally can somehow functioning like most other normal families. Sadly, if only they unify to play by the rules within Democratic value and progress!but alas!! I just hope to see one day in Thailand, Universal Justice is to be applied to all!!
A first pass at the GE13 results
[…] post builds on analyses which were previously posted at the Australian National University’s New Mandala and the University of […]
A first pass at the GE13 results
[…] post builds on analyses which were previously posted at the Australian National University’s New Mandala and the University of Nottingham’s CPI […]
Desiring a pure people’s politics
quote:”The desire of the people for clean politics”
– expressed solely by the mass motion of the red-shirts
– from arising in its origin by the coup of 2006, is the driving force to democratize thailand today
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Any article that namechecks John Berger in the first paragraph, demands attention. Drawing upon Berger’s work on the interpretation of art to question the way we ‘see’ Malaysia goes beyond psephology. A truly erudite and challenging piece. Well written and insightful, Charis has thrown down a gauntlet to those who demand change. Change has to include a different way of seeing.
The people rise again?
it ist only “old stuff in a new bottle”
The green will be led by good people – and they should guide them and do them good – they teach in “sufficiency”democracy is a foreign word for them – and – all power to the people – sounds devilishly for them
so it┬┤s only a dirty “yellow” – and not “green”