Indonesia

KPK Developments: Supervisory Council Inaugurated While Jokowi Introduces the First of Three Regulations (20 Dec, 29 Dec)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” inaugurated five members of the newly established Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) supervisory council on 20 December. The council members, including a former Constitutional Court justice and former Supreme Court justice, are tasked with overseeing and approving the agency’s wiretapping and evidence-gathering activities. While students and antigraft activists voiced their opposition to these changes, they came into effect by default on 17 October.

After the inauguration of the supervisory council, Jokowi drafted and signed Presidential Regulation No. 91/2019 on 30 December, mandating the formation of an executive body to “provide administrative and technical support” for the council. Two more regulations on granting civil apparatus status for KPK employees and detailing the KPK’s new duties and functions are expected in the coming weeks. Jokowi also drafted a regulation that bestowed KPK leaders with the authority to act as investigators and prosecutors (A clause that was missing in the new KPK law). However, observers such as Indonesia Corruption Watch maintain that such changes are not enough to prevent the KPK from being hindered by the new law.

 Sources: The Jakarta Post, The Jakarta Post (Premium), The Jakarta Post (Premium)

At Least 60 Dead as Floods Hit Jakarta Over the New Year (1-4 Jan)

Torrential rains on New Year’s Eve led to flash floods and landslides in Jakarta and its surroundings, leaving at least 60 dead and thousands more displaced from their homes. While Jakarta is often afflicted with floods after the start of the rainy season in November, this incident marks the worst bout of flooding in six years. The floodwaters have subsided around Jakarta, but heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue until 10 January.

 Sources: Channel NewsAsia, Jakarta Globe, CNN

Indonesia and China Face Off Over Maritime Borders (30 Dec – Ongoing)

Indonesia and China have been engaged in a diplomatic tug of war since Chinese fishing and coastguard vessels were sighted off the Riau Islands. Indonesia claims the waters as part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while China asserts that it was performing “routine” activities near the Spratly Islands and has kept its ships in place. In response to the incident, Indonesia summoned Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian to lodge a formal protest on 30 December, while the Indonesian Military (TNI) deployed eight warships to drive the foreign vessels away by 6 January. While Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said that Indonesia would not negotiate with China since the latter has no right to claim the area, Chinese foreign ministry said that the two have been communicating on the matter via diplomatic channels.

 Sources: The Jakarta Post, The Straits Times, Jakarta Globe, Channel NewsAsia, SCMP

Malaysia

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Resigns (2 Jan)

In a surprise move, Malaysian Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik announced his resignation on Thursday, 2 January. The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) member said that he had been advised to step down by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, though additional reportage by The Malaysian Insight alleged that Dr Maszlee was prompted by a letter from Dr Mahathir that chastised him for going against several cabinet decisions. With his departure, people such as PPBM (and former United Malaysia National Organisation, or UMNO) member Mustapa Homamed, and even Dr Mahathir himself have been suggested as his replacement.

Sources: SCMP, Malay Mail, The Star, Asiaone

Dong Zong and Pro-Malay Groups Clash Over Jawi Issue (19 Dec – Ongoing)

Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong (Consisting of the United Chinese Schools Teachers’ Association, or Jiao Zong, and the United Chinese School Committees’ Association, or Dong Zong) was the subject of much debate as it pushed for a rally against the introduction of Jawi in vernacular schools at the end of December. Not only did Malay groups criticise the decision, but Dr Mahathir and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim expressed their opposition to the rally as well, arguing that it would stir a pro-Jawi backlash and calling for Dong Zong to be “sensitive” and “considerate” of other people’s feelings. Following concerns about violence, Malaysian police eventually applied for and received a court order to call off the rally on 28 December.

In the aftermath of the cancelled rally, analysts are divided about the impact the face-off will have on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. While proponents of Jawi may be pleased, there is no guarantee that they will be inclined to vote for PH in ensuing electoral contests. The Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis) also continued with a planned protest against Dong Zong on 1 January, accusing them of threatening national unity and calling them an “extremist” group.

Sources: Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times, The Straits Times, Malay Mail, Malay Mail

Civil Service Allowance Cut Delayed After Backlash (20-28 Dec)

 Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir delayed a planned cut of civil service allowances for new government hires just days before it was to come into effect on 1 January. The plan, which affected 33 professions and involved cuts on nine items deemed by the Public Service Department to be Critical Services Incentives Payments (In other words, benefits for civil servants), would have allowed the government to save US$19.2 million in 2020, and US$21.7 million in 2021. However, it met with fierce resistance. A single petition from the Malaysian Medical Association protesting the change gathered 93,000 signatures in four days. In response to the backlash, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman announced that Dr Mahathir would delay the planned cut, and that the cabinet would discuss the issue when it reconvened in January. That concession, however, has not stopped observers from raising questions about the perks that ministers receive in contrast to members of the civil service.

Sources: SCMP, The Straits Times

Myanmar

Myanmar holds Joint-Ceasefire Implementation Coordinating Meeting (8 Jan – Ongoing)

There are renewed expectations for progress in Myanmar’s peace process with the convening of the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) on 8 January 2020 in Naypyitaw. State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will meet with top military officials and leaders of 10 ethnic armed groups that signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). It is an attempt to revive the peace process that has been in limbo due to issues related to the establishment of a federal union. Ahead of the JICM, the 10 NCA signatories held a preliminary meeting on Tuesday to discuss common grounds. The JICM was last convened in February 2018.

 Sources: Myanmar Times, Irrawaddy

Government Officials in Rakhine to Obtain Permission for Travel, Following Arakan Army Abductions (3 Jan – Ongoing)

Myanmar’s Ministry of Border Affairs has ordered government employees in Rakhine state to obtain official permission before they travel by land or water, amid an uptick in abductions of civilian officers by the rebel Arakan Army (AA). The Ministry plans to make arrangements for those travelling such as reserving a spot for them on military-operated ferries or transporting them via helicopter. The AA also has also requested advance notice about any government travel plans in northern Rakhine “to avoid unnecessary casualties”. The announcement comes after reports that two border police officers have gone missing following a clash between Myanmar and AA forces in Rakhine’s Rathedaung township. The AA has said it cannot guarantee the safety of its captives after U Ye Thein was killed in his detention cell from an artillery explosion in December. The chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) for Buthidaung township was seized in early December. The AA continues to hold several hostages, including Chin State MP U Hwei Tin.

 Sources: Radio Free Asia, Mizzima, Myanmar Times

Energy Firms Ink Deal for Offshore Gas Project in Myanmar (19 Dec – Ongoing)

France’s Total and Australia’s Woodside Energy, together with a local partner have agreed on terms with the Myanmar Government on financial terms for an offshore gas project. Total and Woodside have a 40% stake each in the project while the local partner MPRL E&P has 20%. The offshore supply facility located in the Bay of Bengal and known as the A-6 project will be Myanmar’s first ultra-deepwater natural gas field. The state-run Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise expects the gas produced from the A-6 block to be used mainly to supply gas-fired power plants in Myanmar. The joint venture plans to start commercial production on Dec. 31, 2023.

 Sources: Nikkei Asian Review, Irrawaddy

Thailand

Palang Pracharat Wins By-Election in Khon Kaen (22 Dec)

Palang Pracharat, the largest party of the pro-military government, emerged victorious in a by-election in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen. This is the second by-election victory for the government coalition, with Chart Thai Pattana beating the Future Forward Party in another by-election in October. While the winning margin in this contest was a narrow 2,000 votes, the fact that the party triumphed in a traditional Pheu Thai stronghold was seen as a significant victory for the government. The government now holds 255 seats in the Lower House of Parliament in comparison to 240 for the opposition, making them likely to survive the no-confidence motion that will be brought against them in early 2020.

Sources: Bangkok Post, The Straits Times

2020 Budget to Clear House, Be Deliberated in Senate by End of January (31 Dec – Ongoing)

The 2020 Thai budget bill is scheduled to undergo its second and third readings in the House on 8 and 9 January. The budget passed its first reading on 19 October, following three days of intense debates. Since then, its initial request for US$106 billion in expenditure was cut by US$537 million by the House committee vetting the bill, with most of the cuts affecting the Defence, Public Health and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation ministries. The bill, now over four months late, is expected to pass its second and third readings and be tabled for Senate deliberation later in January.

Sources: Bangkok Post

More than 10,000 Sign Up for “Run Against Dictatorship” (20 Dec – Ongoing)

An anti-government running event is scheduled to occur on Sunday, 12 January in north Bangkok. The 6km “Run against Dictatorship”, organised by student activist Tanawat Wongchai, has attracted over 10,000 registrants and received over US$66,300 in donations. In comparison, a pro-government walk to support Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on the same day has only attracted 2,500 registrants. Even though Tanawat said he has taken measures to avoid the chance of a clash between the groups, the public display of opposition is a measure of support for the besieged Future Forward Party (FFP), and the government is expected to closely monitor how it develops. Already, an impromptu rally on 14 December by FFP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit drew over 5,000 pro-democracy protestors, making it the largest protest in Thailand since the 2014 coup. More can be expected depending on the outcome of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on whether to dissolve the FFP on 21 January.

Sources: Nikkei Asian Review, Reuters, Khaosod English

Vietnam

Vietnam Signs Deals to Buy Electricity From Laos (4 Jan – Ongoing)

Vietnam’s state power utility EVN (Vietnam Electricty) as signed five new deals to buy 1.5 billion kWh of electricity from Laos beginning in 2021. The deals are with Laos’ Phongsubthavy and Chealun Sekong groups and were signed in Hanoi. The Vietnamese government is hoping to mitigate power shortages that are predicted to hit the country from this year. The Ministry of Industry and Trade estimates shortages of 3.7 billion kWh in 2021 and nearly 10 billion kWh the following year. The shortage is expected to worsen significantly in 2023 and the solution is to import more power from Laos and China. The industry ministry has said this is only a temporary band-aid and hopes to speed up work on large power generation projects.

Sources: VN Express, Reuters

Prudential Vietnam Inks Bancassurance Deal With SeABank (6 Jan)

Prudential Vietnam Assurance will begin offering life insurance products to Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank’s (SeABank) customers in a 20-year exclusive bancassurance partnership. SeABank has approximately 1.2 million customers and almost 170 branches. In this partnership, Prudential Vietnam will also become the preferred life insurance provider to Vietnamese conglomerate BRG Group. The BRG group has more than 10 million customers across its business segments including hospitality, banking and finance, real estate, and retail. The agreement is expected to be effective from April 2020.

 Sources: Business Times, Vietnam News

Viet Nam Officially Launches ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship (6 Jan)

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc chaired a ceremony in Hà Nội on Monday, 6 Jan to launch Việt Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship. The country will host more than 300 meetings and activities at different levels, with the 36th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN – New Zealand Commemorative Summit scheduled in Da Nang in April, and the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Hanoi in November. Việt Nam-made car manufacturer Vinfast under the conglomerate VinGroup committed to provide 393 cars to service ASEAN events that will be held in the country during the year. Under the theme “Cohesive and Responsive” for ASEAN 2020, Vietnam will promote five priorities on:

1. strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity,
2. promoting regional connectivity and adaptability to the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
3. fostering awareness of the ASEAN community and identity,
4. stepping up partnerships for peace and sustainable development,
5. and improving the adaptability and operational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus

Sources: Vietnam News, Vietnam Plus