This Insight Episode 1 was broadcasted by Channel Newsasia on 5 April 2018.
Ms Moe Thuzar is Lead Researcher (Socio-Cultural Affairs), ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
This article was published by CNA on 6 April 2018.
Dr Serina Abdul Rahman is Visiting Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
2018/36, 6 April 2018
On 27 June 2018, Indonesian voters in 171 regions will flock to their local ballots to vote for governors, district-heads and mayors. With 152 million voters this year, it will be one of the largest one-day elections in the world.
Regions under contest include Indonesia’s most populous provinces: West Java (31.7 million voters), Central Java (27.3 million), East Java (30.4 million) and North Sumatra (9.2 million). Together they make up more than half of this year’s total number of voters. Because of the large electorate size, local dynamics can be a useful barometer to gauge the strength of political parties and the popularity of President Jokowi. This is especially important coming up to Indonesia’s presidential election in 2019.
This article was published by Nikkei Asian Review on 4 April 2018.
Dr Lee Hwok-Aun is Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
2018/35, 5 April 2018
Following the surprise resignation of President Htin Kyaw on 21 March 2018, Myanmar’s Parliament elected lower-house speaker Mr Win Myint as President, and swore him in on 30 March. Under Myanmar’s current political set-up, it is relevant to ponder what the role of the new president is.
According to the 2008 constitution, the President is both head of state and head of government. With the passing of the State Counsellor bill (set into motion by President Htin Kyaw) since April 2016, however, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi has become the de facto leader of Myanmar, with President Htin Kyaw playing a largely ceremonial role.
This article was published by FMT on 4 April 2108.
Dr Lee Hwok-Aun is Senior Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
This article was published by The New Paper on 5 April 2018.
Mr Aaron Kao is Research Officer with the Archaeology Unit, Nalada-Sriwijaya Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
2018/34, 4 April 2018
In the refugee camps in Bangladesh, there is a common saying that the choice between living in Myanmar or fleeing to refugee camps in Bangladesh is akin to that between a crocodile and a snake. Almost 900 000 Rohingya, or Bengali as they are referred to in Myanmar, have sought refuge in Bangladesh. The majority fled after insurgent attacks on police stations and border guards, and subsequent military operations in Rakhine State, Myanmar at the end of August last year. The conditions in Bangladesh are squalid and bleak, with 90 per cent of the refugees dependent on food assistance and a considerable number living in makeshift shelters. To make matters worse, the monsoon season consisting of heavy rain and cyclones has begun in Bangladesh. There is a real danger of landslides, floods and waterborne diseases.
This article was published by The Straits Times on 4 April 2018.
The digs will take place from 2 April to 22 April 2018.
“What drives Vietnam’s public security forces restructuring?” by Le Hong Hiep
2018/37, 6 April 2018