Thailand: Political law blasted for bias

Thailand’s organic bill on criminal procedures for holders of political positions, recently approved by the NLA, has drawn criticism over its ambiguity and partiality. Critics argue that it has been designed to target ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and politicians supporting him. The law creates a double standard in legal prosecution against politicians and other groups of people.

(Bangkok Post)

An election like none other - is it time for change in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, the next general election will be held at a still undecided date before August 2018. However, this election will bring several “firsts”: A new coalition, a new logo, a new atmosphere of economic malaise and a new wave of young voters mean there are virtually no points of reference for it.

(South China Morning Post)

The next election will be about religion: Why Indonesia´s President had to abandon his ally Ahok

The article highlights the Indonesian President’s uncomfortable position between a rock and a hard place in form of a nationalism rooted in the country's authoritarian past on the one hand and an increasingly illiberal Islamic fundamentalism on the other while liberal voices are at risk to be increasingly marginalized in the world' largest Muslim country’s polity with no end in sight before the 2019 elections.

(South China Morning Post)

Philippine Background Portrait: “Rudy Fariñas - boss in the House”

A portrait of the House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte politician Rodolfo Fariñas who has delivered the votes needed to pass the President's priority bills and who generally makes things work in a chamber of sometimes unruly lawmakers.

(Rappler)

Myanmar Background Reading: Myanmar’s Myth of Ethnical Unity

Matthew Walton points out the pitfalls of prescribing to the “myth” of pre-independence ethnic unity in Myanmar and advocates for an unbiased view on history.

(The Tea Circle)

South Korea: More than 7 in 10 favor constitutional revision

The majority of South Koreans believe their Constitution and the country’s  basic law need to be updated to improve their fundamental rights and good governance.

(Yonhap)

Human Trafficking in Thailand: Ensure justice in Thailand’s largest-ever human trafficking trial

The criminal Court Division for Human Trafficking in Bangkok will render the decision against state officers involved in the case of mass human trafficking of Rohingya refugees. Although this reflects the government’s will to address the human trafficking issue, NGO’s remain critical.

(Asian Correspondent)

Human Trafficking in Malaysia: Malaysian rights group calls for crackdown

A Malaysian rights group lamented the lack of action taken by Malaysian authorities to crack down on human trafficking following the discovery of death camps at the Thai-Malaysian border in 2015.

(South China Morning Post)

Malaysian Federal State Kelantan amends Sharia law to allow public caning

The Malaysian state of Kelantan on Wednesday (Jul 12) overhauled its Islamic laws to allow caning in public, prompting criticism that the move was against the constitution.

(Channel News Asia)

Cambodia's Khmer Rouge Tribunal: Mission Accomplished?

With the Cambodian Khmer Rouge Tribunal coming to an end, it is time to take stock of what has been achieved. The tribunal has been strongly criticised since its onset but proponents have highlighted key achievements.

(The Diplomat)

Indonesia “Under the Black Flag”, Indonesia number two on list of foreign Islamic State jihadists arrested in Turkey

Even as its caliphate dwindles away in Iraq and Syria, ISIS appears equipped for a long struggle in the Philippines and possibly elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

(Bangkok Post)

Myanmar´s Counter-Insurgency Strategy and its humanitarian costs – The ‘Four cuts’ strategy deepens Myanmar’s war wounds

Stella Naw provides a critical view of the Tatmadaw’s counter-insurgency “Four Cuts” strategy, which is aimed at isolating armed resistance groups throughout the country.

(Asia Times)

Bangladesh: Militancy rising due to poverty & misinterpretation of religion

Rising radicalization towards Islamic militancy is subject of this overview, which addresses changing pattern of radicalization, causes and catalyzing factors for militancy as well as possible counter-strategies.

(Prothom)

Singapore´s Foreign Policy: Vivian Balakrishnan outlines the core principles

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has laid out five principles of Singapore’s foreign policy focusing around sovereignty, independence and advancing the city states own interest whilst cooperating with other countries. His speech in full can be found here.

(The Strait Times)

Indonesia & The South China Sea: Why Did Indonesia Just Rename Its Part of the South China Sea?

Since more recently Indonesia takes a more assertive stance to maintain its interest in the South China Sea despite being not a not a claimant to the South China Sea disputes in a technical sense. In a symbolically significant move, Indonesia has now announced that it had renamed a resource-rich northern portion of the South China Sea.

(The Diplomats)

Indian - Pakistan Border ceasefire violations

The Indian army has retaliated against Pakistani ‘heavy shelling and firing’ in Kashmir. The Indian army and the Pakistani army routinely accuse each other of initiating fire across the Line of Control that separates Pakistani and Indian Kashmir. 

(The Indian Express, Voice of America News)

Assessing the South China Sea Arbitral Award after One Year: Why China Won and the U.S. is Losing

A year after the PCA ruling on the South China Sea, it looks as though the PRC has turned a legal loss into a political victory. Nations who have an interest in upholding the ruling have thus far failed to exploit it to their advantage, in particular with regards to reputational costs that could have arguably been imposed upon the PRC.

(LAWFARE)

Testing Japan´s Composure:  China, Russia, North Korea

Increasing threats caused by North Korea, Russia, and China are creating tensions Japan has not felt since the end of World War II.  The threats are designed to throw Japan off balance, and to challenge the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

(Nikkei)

Political Background: Xi Jinping and China’s Traditionalist Restoration

In an effort to harmonize contemporary national consciousness with traditional Chinese values, President Xi Jinping has been engaging in a tremendous project of reviving Chinese culture and tradition.

(The Jamestown Foundation China Brief)

Reshaping China’s military: 10 Chinese military milestones as Xi Jinping overhauls the People’s Liberation Army

Since 2015 major steps have been taken to reshape China’s military and make it a modern army.

(South China Morning Post)

China’s Draft on Securing ‘Critical Information Infrastructure’

In the context of the recent cyber security law, Chinese authorities have issued further draft regulations on protecting “Critical Information Infrastructure”. Though unlikely to be the final version of the regulations, the document indicates far reaching scope and significant implications for businesses and network operators. In addition to the article, the authors have also translated the draft regulation here.

(New America)

Human Rights: “Penetrating Law Into the Walls of Chinese Detention Centers”

China’s Ministry of Public Security has released the draft law on detention centers.

(CPI Analysis)

China’s economic rebalancing act is finally starting to pay off

China’s economic performance in the first half of 2017 shows signs of a model of sustainable growth being achievable in China.

(South China Morning Post)