Welcome to the monthly political compass of Southeast Asia from The Journal Radar! Our monthly political compass aims to give our readers a quick monthly summary and a better understanding of hot political events across Southeast Asian nations.
What to Watch?
Myanmar
During the celebration of Armed Force Day, Myanmar’s top military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing vowed to put down the anti-junta resistance in the country. He stated his vow during a showy military parade.
The senior general stated that the resistance toward his military administration as a terrorist movement that will break the country apart. He encourages the military to take the decisive action and he even singles out the opposition, National Unity Government (NUG) and the People’s Defense Force (PDFs), in his speech.
Vietnam
After the latest shakes-up in Vietnam’s highest political stage that resulted in the resignation of Nguyen Xuan Puc, the former president of Vietnam, and 2 deputy prime ministers named Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam due to grand corruption case related to the fight against COVID-19. The new President has been elected, Vo Van Thuong.
Vo Van Thuong has been a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) of Politburo and secretariat since 2016. Despite the changing of leadership, CPV is holding the monopoly of power in Vietnam and needs to address the challenge of how the party will fight against corruption.
The Philippines
Following the expansion of the U.S Military presence in the Philippines archipelago, the Chinese officials expressed their opposition to the situation. The two sides, the Philippines and China held a closed-door meeting in Manila.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila showed their displease to the U.S. expansion by saying that the expansion as Washington’s attempt to secure its hegemony and selfish geopolitical interests. The official also stated that the expansion might harm the Philippines’ national interests and endanger regional peace and stability.
Thailand
Thailand’s parliament has been dissolved by a government decree, setting the stage for a general election in May that will once again set to reignite a long-running power struggle between a military-backed establishment and a political movement that has dominated elections for two decades.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, according to an announcement in the Royal Gazette on Monday, ahead of an election that must be held within 45 to 60 days.
Indonesia
Indonesian football players and fans reacted with disappointment and outrage after the announcement of the cancelation as the host for the Under-20 World Cup only eight weeks before the start of the tournament. The U-20 World Cup was seen as a rare occasion for Indonesia’s football team to participate for the first time since the Independence Day.
The cancelation of the hosting right by FIFA was due to political turmoil over Israel’s participation. The cancelation was decided after the rejection from two regional governors over Israel’s participation in their territories. The political decision by the governors and the pressure from pressure groups resulted in heartbreak and ruined the dreams of Indonesia’s youth football team.
By: Putu Radar Bahurekso
