Does the UN abandon democracy in Asia?

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has redefined the term ‘governance’ in the conceptual framework of its engagement for the promotion of development. In favor of an apolitical developmental notion of governance ‘political’ criteria for the assessment of governance has been dropped.

(East Asia Forum)

Democracy in Cambodia: Party Law Changes by Government Party

The space for opposition in Cambodia keeps getting tighter as the National Assembly passes more changes to the Law on Political Parties. Contradictory to CPP claims, the rules and regulations are perceived to be directed at the CNRP and their former leader in exile Sam Rainsy.

(The Cambodia Daily)

Political Stability & Human Rights in Myanmar: Gagging the messengers of Myanmar’s wars

The detention of three journalists in Myanmar is a worrying sign of where things are headed. Ethnic conflict in Myanmar goes well beyond the tragic situation of the Rohingya.

(Asia Times)

Thailand´s Ever Debated Police Reform: Police reform panel said to 'lack sincerity' 

The government appointed the police reform committee consisting of 36 members, mostly senior officials with no history of intent to fight for justice or reform. NGO’s are disappointed claiming the reform poses the tendency for conflict of interest and offers nothing new in terms of important functions.

(The Bangkok Post)

Father of modern Malaysia backs jailed former deputy in attempt to oust PM

In the wake of a massive corruption scandal shaking Malaysia and PM Najib, former PM Mahathir announced that he is backing his former protégé and jailed opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to become prime minister. Ibrahim was sacked by Mahathir himself as deputy, and imprisoned on sodomy charges.

(The Guardian)

The end of political ideology in Malaysia?

Party ideology with strong values, which formerly constituted the backbone of political parties in Malaysia, is fading away. Nowadays, ideologies are represented by parties only in name, marked by personality politics where politicians jump from one camp to another based on the behavior of a leader.

(The Strait Times)

Azalina: Do not politicise judges’ appointments

In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said that the appointments of two additional judges to the Federal Court are in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

(The Star Online)

IS declares war on Malaysia and Indonesia

A video clip released by IS, depicts a man followed by child soldiers stating military threats and giving up their Malaysian and Indonesian citizenships by burning their passports.

(The Jakarta Post)

Malaysia on high alert for fleeing militants after Mosul's liberation

Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Monday said intelligence reports indicate that foreign Islamic State (IS) fighters fleeing the Middle East are planning to shift their bases to Southeast Asia.

(Channel NewsAsia)

'A cannon to shoot sparrows': New Indonesian anti-Islamist law slammed

Human rights organizations condemn the revised law in Indonesia allowing the disbanding of religious and civil society organizations without the right of appeal. Part of the government’s plan to ban the conservative Islam group Hizbut Tahrir, it could exasperate issues as peaceful political activism is already severely restricted.

(CNN)

Indonesia: Counterterrorism Law Changes Threaten Rights

Despite legitimate concerns over terrorism, Indonesia’s proposed revisions to its counterterrorism law could restrict freedom of speech and promote violations of citizenship rights.

(Human Rights Watch)

China and North-Korea: Why Won’t China Help With North Korea? 

The international community can’t rely on China to tighten the noose around Kim Jong-un’s neck. Historical lessons show that Xi has no desire to “help” America with North Korea.

(China File)

China's first military base abroad: China sends troops to first overseas naval base in Djibouti

Military personnel have been sent to China’s first overseas naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, triggering worries in India.

(South China Morning Post)

India, U.S. and Japan Begin War Games, and China Hears a Message

For the first time since their inception in 1992, India’s Malabar series prompted joint naval exercises by the Indian, Japanese, but also US navies. The goal of the exercises is to permanently station warships near the Strait of Malacca, a strategic stronghold which could be used to put pressure on Chinese supply and trade routes.

(The New York Times)

China’s biggest ally in the South China Sea? A volcano in the Philippines

How the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 led to the closing of two U.S. naval bases, facilitating Chinese advancement in the South China Sea.

(Quartz)

Dutertismo and the West Philippine Sea: Year One

Despite its apparent benefits, Duterte's policy has not generated any assurance that China will not impose itself and its pre-emptive claim over waters and resources that legally pertain to the Philippines.

(Rappler)

US-Vietnam Joint statement: Vietnam to pull the US back to Asia?

The US-Viet Nam joint statement released in the context of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to the White House on 31 May 2017 marks a firm agenda for the  deepening of the two countries’ political, diplomatic, and economic ties.

(East Asia Forum)

Pakistan - Indonesia Ties: Consultative Forum reviews economic and security matters

During Pakistan and Indonesia’s Bilateral Consultative Forum, aimed at reviewing and discussing the countries’ political, economic, and security relations, the countries vowed to continue bilateral collaboration through the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and Policy Planning Dialogue.

(Business Recorder)

Indian Foreign Minister: ‘Powerful convergences’ with ASEAN 

At a distinguished lecture in Singapore, India’s foreign secretary Jaishankar highlighted strong convergences between India and ASEAN, which can spur cooperation, harmonize global contradictions, and create credible meeting points.

(Indian Express)

China and Rights: Isolated, tortured and mentally scarred ... the plight of China’s human rights lawyers two years after ‘709 crackdown’

Two years after the “709 crackdown”, Chinese Human Rights lawyers are struggling and whilst the President speaks of rule of law, they are facing a different reality.

(South China Morning Post)

Japan: New Party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Japan has finally agreed to become party to the U.N. Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, after first signing the treaty in 2000.  The move should enhance Japan’s law enforcement effectiveness, and its standing with the other countries party to the treaty.

(The Japan News)

Sri Lanka’s Current Political Impasse

Sri Lanka is facing a three-fold political crisis, namely at the regime level, governance level, and its broader political transformation process.

(The Sunday Leader)

Pakistan: "The toxic path we still tread" 

The coup on July 5, 1977 by Gen Ziaul Haq left damaging scars and shapes Pakistan’s state and society until today. Forces four decades old still holds the country back and could create another big wave of violence.

(Dawn)

Bangladesh: Political Opponents held in secret detention

According to the Human Rights Watch, many opposition activists in Bangladesh have been secretly detained and killed by security agencies.

(Prothom Alo)

EU-Japan Trade Deal: Big in Japan: How the EU pulled off its largest trade deal

Phil Hogan, European Commissioner, managed to seal the agreement with Japan on opening up Japan’s agricultural markets in exchange for Europe dropping tariffs on Japanese cars, with the deciding factor being soft cheese.

(Politico)

TPP talks to focus on bridging divides

Talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement have begun in Hakone (Japan), in the absence of the United States, who withdrew. Plenary and individual meetings are expected to focus on the steps needed to bring the TPP into force without the US, by aligning the participating countries’ positions.

(The Japan News)

Vietnam vows to boost foreign investment

Viet Nam is ready to lift restrictions on foreign investment, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc declared at the Việt Nam - Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague on Tuesday.

(Viet Nam News)