Indonesia

KPU: Jokowi Wins the 2019 Presidential Election (21 May)

The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced that incumbent President Joko Widodo “Jokowi” won the 2019 presidential election early on Tuesday morning, 21 May. The results were in line with unofficial counts conducted by reputable pollsters such as the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), with Jokowi capturing 55.5% of the tally or over 85 million votes. In comparison, his opponent Prabowo Subianto captured 44.5% of the vote.

Sources: Jakarta Post, FT

Infrastructure, Foreign Investment Among Hurdles for Jokowi 2.0 (21 May)

Commentators in outlets such as Financial Times, Jakarta Post and Bloomberg have highlighted the policies and challenges that Jokowi will face in his second term. On infrastructure, the returning President announced a US$412 billion infrastructure plan, 40% of which will be funded directly by the government, 25% through state-owned enterprises and the rest through the private sector. Jokowi will also have to boost foreign direct investment numbers, after the year on year figures for 2018 slumped by 8.8%. All eyes will be on Jokowi to determine whether he will be risk-averse in his second term, or push ahead with key reforms.

Sources: FT, Jakarta Post, Fortune, Bloomberg

Prabowo to Challenge Election Result in Court, Verdict Out by 28 June (21 May)

Prabowo Subianto has refused to concede defeat following the revelation of the official vote tally on 21 May, and will reportedly launch a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court despite calling such efforts “useless” (Jakarta Post). The three-time presidential candidate had launched a similar lawsuit following the 2014 election, though it was eventually dismissed. After Prabowo submitted his challenge in the late evening of 24 May, the court will have until 28 June to issue a ruling on it.

Sources: Channel NewsAsia, Jakarta Globe

Prabowo’s Coalition Allies Endorse Election Results (22 May)

Former President and Democratic Party Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) congratulated Jokowi for winning the 2019 election. The Democrats, while part of Prabowo Subianto’s opposition coalition during the election, were joined by the National Mandate Party (PAN) in accepting the KPU’s final vote tally. The other two members of the coalition, Prabowo’s Gerindra Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) continue to reject the outcome.

Sources: Jakarta Post

Post-Election Riots Leave Eight Dead, Hundreds Injured in Jakarta (22-23 May)

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan announced that at least eight people were killed in two days of post-election riots in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 23 May. The riots started after supporters of Prabowo Subianto took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the results, which they claimed were fraudulent. The violence was underpinned by anti-Chinese sentiments, with messages on Whatsapp alleging that secret security forces from China were responsible for the deaths. The government responded by restricting access to social media to limit the spread of fake news. There were also reports that the rioters were paid by unknown parties, and that members of an Islamic State-affiliated group had infiltrated the mob. While Prabowo’s coalition initially called for mass protests in a display of “people power” prior to the release of the election results, the former candidate told protestors to return to their homes on 22 May, and called the riot “the actions of provocateurs”.

Sources: Jakarta Post, Nikkei Asian Review, SCMP, Jakarta Globe, Sydney Morning Herald, Tempo.Co

Malaysia

Sandakan Victory Breaks Pakatan’s By-Election Losing Streak (11 May)

The Pakatan Harapan government ended its by-election losing streak with a victory in Sandakan, Sabah. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) candidate Vivian Wong emerged with a majority of 11,521 votes, extending her late father’s victory margin from the 2018 General Election. While Barisan Nasional brought in heavyweight leaders such as Former Prime Minister Najib Razak and UMNO Deputy President Mohamad Hasan, it did not translate into votes for the Parti Besatu Sabah (PBS)candidate Linda Tsen. Some claim instead that Najib’s presence might have driven voters away from PBS. The turnout for the by-election was 54.22%, far below police estimates of 70%.

Sources: The Star, Free Malaysia Today, Malay Mail

Anwar: Dr Mahathir Will Still Play a Role as Statesman When I am Leader (15 May)

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim said that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will continue to play a vital role as statesman even after a change of leadership. He made the statement on the eve of the anniversary of his release from prison (16 May 2018). The exact timetable of succession, in which Anwar is supposed to take over the Prime Ministership, is still unclear.

Sources: The Straits Times

Beating Forecasts, Malaysia’s Economy Grows by 4.5% in Q1 (16 May)

Bank Negara announced that Malaysia’s economy expanded by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2019, slightly above economists’ forecasts of 4.3%. This discrepancy was attributed to recovery in the agriculture sector, higher crude palm oil production, continued expansion in private sector spending and high net exports. However, the growth rate was still lower than the fourth quarter (4.7%) and first quarter of 2018 (5.3%). Looking ahead in 2019, GDP growth is forecasted to be between 4.3-4.8%.

Sources: The Star, New Straits Times

Singapore and Malaysia Agree to Defer RTS Link Until 30 Sep (21 May)

Singapore agreed to Malaysia’s request to suspend construction of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link until 30 September on Tuesday, 21 May. Malaysia is expected to consider its next steps for the RTS Link project, including whether changes should be made to the scope or if the project should proceed at all. In the meantime, Malaysia is also due to reimburse Singapore for the abortive costs incurred, amounting to S$600,000

Sources: The Star, Channel NewsAsia

The Rise and Fall of the Kit Siang-Najib Debate (21-23 May)

Former Prime Minister Najib Razak and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang agreed to engage in a public debate on 21 May, following a series of spirited exchanges on national issues. The proposed topic was “How Malaysia became a global kleptocracy and how we can become a leading nation of integrity”, though Najib suggested that other current topics could be debated as well. However, Lim subsequently backed out of the debate on 23 May, citing that it could be used to inflame ethnic sentiments.

Sources: The Star, Malaysiakini

Myanmar

Muse-Mandalay Railway project to cost US$8.9bn (14 May)

Myanmar Railways managing director U Ba Myint stated in a press conference in Naypyidaw that the construction of the Muse-Mandalay railway project will cost US$8.9bn in total. The megaproject aims to link economic centres in Myanmar with Kunming, the capital of China’s south-western Yunnan province. The Muse-Mandalay railway is a key aspect of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which is a part of the greater Belt and Road Initiative. The railway will when completed stretch 431km from Mandalay to Muse and the Chinese border city of Ruili. It is planned as the initial stage in a larger railway project which will connect Ruili all the way to the deep-sea port of Kyaukpyu in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Source: Irrawaddy

4^th NCA Signatory Ethnic Armed Organisation (NCA-S EAO) Summit held in Chiang Mai (14-18 May)

The top leaders of the Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) which have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) met in Chiang Mai from the 14^th to 18^th of May for peace talks. Nearly a hundred representatives of 10 NCA-signatory EAOs and two non-signatories met to discuss progress on peace talks. Notably, the Karen National Union (KNU), which is one of the largest and oldest of the active EAOs, submitted its withdrawal from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), on the grounds that its efforts to push for necessary reform had gone unanswered. The PPST had been established in 2016 to negotiate with the NLD government, and was headed by KNU Chairman General Saw Mutu Sae Poe since its establishment until this March. General Saw had earlier made comments lamenting the derailing of the peace process.

Sources: Irrawaddy, Irrawaddy

Ooredoo and ZTE sign MOU to develop 5G network in Myanmar (15 May)

Qatar’s Ooredoo and China’s ZTE have signed an MOU on collaborating to develop 5G network capacity in Myanmar. This collaboration is reportedly part of Ooredoo’s network modernisation program for Myanmar, which aims to ensure it is ready for 5G deployment. Ooredoo is reportedly the first telecom operator to push for 5G network development. As part of their new partnership, Ooredoo and ZTE will be collaborating on potential test environments to evaluate performance. Officials at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had previously announced that Myanmar was aiming to widely deploy 5G technology in two to three years.

Source: Myanmar Times, Nikkei Asian Review

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor office opens in Naypyidaw (18 May)

The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor Office of the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar (CECCM) was opened in Naypyidaw. This office is intended to promote communication and cooperation between the CECCM and Myanmar’s government departments. The Inaugural China-Myanmar Economic Corridor Investment Summit was also held in Yangon on the same day, and was attended by U Thaung Tun of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.

Sources: Myanmar Ministry of Information(Facebook, Facebook), DICA, Xinhua

Myanmar’s Parliament approves US$748.5m loan for urban development projects (21 May)

Myanmar’s Assembly of the Union has approved a ¥82.27bn (US$748.5m) loan for urban development projects within Yangon and Mandalay. Notable projects included in this loan include the renovation of Yangon’s 130-year old sewage systems, which will require an approximately US$419.2m overhaul in order to meet the city’s evolving needs. Another US$224.5m has been earmarked for improving Yangon’s water drainage systems and other projects, while US$112.2m is being set aside to improve power distribution networks in Yangon and Mandalay. These loans will be issued by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and will be payable in 30 years, with a 10-year grace period and an annual interest rate of 0.01%.

Sources: Myanmar Times

Ministry of Energy and Electricity (MOEE) to call tender on short term electricity plan (22 May)

The MOEE has announced that it will be calling an international tender in order to seek electricity generation capacity via offshore power plants, to meet short term demand. This move comes off the back of an announcement last week that the MOEE would also be purchasing 1000MW of electricity in batches from China Southern Power Grid by 2021. These measures are intended to address a critical 600MW shortage of power generation capacity which is set to rise to 1500MW in 2020. The MOEE has set the deadline for additional power to be generated as February 2020, with the international tender being set to take place within a month.

Sources: Myanmar Times, Myanmar Times

Thailand

Post-Election Developments (Ongoing)

• King Rama X Opens Parliament (24 May)

Thailand’s parliament was opened for the first time since 2014’s coup in a ceremony conducted at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs by King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). Present at the ceremony were the members of the House of Representatives, including the Future Forward Party’s (FWP’s) Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who was allowed to attend despite his suspension. Also present were the junta-elected senators, ambassadors, junta members, and members of the King’s Privy Council. In his address, the King reminded parliamentarians to be “aware of the importance and responsibility of their duties”, which “directly impact the security of the nation and the happiness of the people.” (Channel NewsAsia)

• Phalang Pracharat (PPRP) reportedly close to forming government (24 May)
  The pro-junta Phalang Pracharat party is reportedly close to forming a coalition with the Bhumjaithai (BJT) party and the Democrat Party. Military sources have indicated that PPRP had successfully gained the support of the New Economics Party (NEP), which won six seats and had previously aligned itself with the Pheu Thai-led anti-junta coalition. The recent resignation of NEP leader Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who had vowed not to support PPRP leader General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, was seen as a vital step paving a way for the NEP to support the pro-junta parties. This development would allow the pro-junta coalition to command a total of 259 seats, if they are also able to gain the support of all undecided parties. (Bangkok Post)

• Constitutional Court agrees to consider legal case against FWP’s Thanathorn (23 May)
  Thailand’s Constitutional Court has agreed to consider legal charges brought against Future Forward Party (FWP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, regarding his alleged holding of media company shares that discount him from running for political office. The court has thus temporarily suspended him from office. Thanathorn had previously asserted that he and the FWP were going to take the lead in the anti-junta coalition, with an additional stated aim of securing for himself the position of Prime Minister. (The Nation, South China Morning Post)

• Bhumjaithai and Democrat Parties form political pact (23 May)
  Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party has formed a political pact with the Democrat Party, under its newly elected leader Jurin Laksanawisit, to negotiate for cabinet posts. The two parties together control 103 parliamentary seats, and could significantly shift legislative power towards or against either coalition. Bhumjaithai is reportedly seeking the Ministerial portfolios for Transport, Public Health Ministry, and Tourism and Sports, while the Democrat Party is seeking appointments at the Interior Ministry, as well as the Ministries of Commerce and Energy. (Bangkok Post)

700-megahertz spectrum licences to be sold for 54bn Thai Baht (14 May)

Thailand’s National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced plans to sell three 700-megahertz spectrum licences for a total of about 53bn baht (US$1.66bn), or 17.58bn baht (US$552.2m) as part of a push to develop 5G telecommunications networks. The 700-megahertz band of frequencies is understood to be integral to the expansion of 5G wireless networks. The three intended buyers for these licenses are Thailand’s three providers of wireless services, Advanced Info Service PLC, True Corporation, Total Access Communication PLC. All three buyers have, however, raised objections to the proposal on the grounds of the high costs, which they say are disproportionate to expected earnings and rates in the region.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Bangkok Post

Thailand’s export growth projections fall yet again among business operators (24 May)

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), which sits on Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), has announced that it will revise its export growth forecast for 2019 down to 0-1% on the back of uncertainties relating to the ongoing US-China trade war. The JSCCIB had earlier announced this cut as a possibility, on the back of an earlier cut in projected export growth this year, from 5-7% to 3-5%. This announcement follows a Thai Commerce Ministry report which reflected a 2.6% year-on-year fall in exports for April to US$18.6 billion, after an earlier 4.9% decline in March.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Bangkok Post