opposition parties — 9DASHLINE

Indonesia's election landscape: Dynasty, Islam, and human rights in the spotlight

Written by Aniello Iannone

As Indonesia stands at this pivotal crossroads, the decisions made by its electorate will carry profound consequences not only for the nation's democratic fabric but also for the country's reputation internationally.

Power Politics9DLFebruary 12, 20249dashline, Indonesia's election landscape: Dynasty, Islam, and human rights in the spotlight, Aniello Iannone, ANIELLO IANNONE, Indonesia, Joko Widodo, Jokowi, election, economic elites, economic development, industrial development, workers' rights, 2020 Omnibus Law, ITE (Electronic Transaction) law, political elite, political dynasty, Griban Rakabuming Raka, ideological divide, Prabowo Subianto, Gerindra, Minister of Defence, opposition parties, majority in parliament, democracy, identity politics, hardline Islamic faction, Soeharto, Soeharto’s regime, voter trust, military regime, political dynasties, civil resistance, Sukarnoputri Megawati, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati Sukarnoputri, PDI-P, Orissa Putri Hapsari, Kaesang Pangarep, PSI, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Democratic Party, democratic standards, vice-presidential candidacy, legislative reform, Anwar Usman, Islamic extremism, human rights abuses, Anies Rasyid Baswedan, PKB, Minister of Education, Jakarta, gubernatorial election, Rizieq Shihab, Muslim Defense Front, extremist Islamic movement, Saudi Wahhabi orientation, Bachtiar Nasir, Action 212 movement, Ahok, Felix Siauw, integrity pact, conservative ulama groups, Ijtima Ulama, radical Muslim constituents, moderate electorate, Ganjar Pranowo, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, PDIP, Puan Mahari, Wadas village, democratic values, political alliances, political stability, democratic trajectory, voters

Sustaining change in Cambodia: Hun Manet's journey of steady reform

Written by Jason Chumtong and Soth Chhayheng

The initial months of Hun Manet’s rule have been guided by public interest and the introduction of long-term strategies for the nation's progress to 2050, prompting reflection on the advancement of his vision for Cambodia's role in the region.

Southeast Asia9DLJanuary 25, 20249dashline, Sustaining change in Cambodia: Hun Manet's journey of steady reform, Jason Chumtong, Soth Chhayheng, Cambodia, Hun Manet, Hun Sen, long-term strategies, strategic policies, stability, foreign affairs, Pentagon Strategy, Kingdom of Cambodia, human capital development, economic diversification, economic competitiveness, private sector development, resilient development, sustainable development, inclusive development, digital economy, digital society, strategic shift, strategic guidance, collaboration, transregional political alliances, contemporary global strategies, reform, inclusive governance models, power sharing, domestic politics, opposition parties, competitive elections, least developed country, LDC, economic policies, economic reform, economic growth, foreign investment, national self-reliance, preferential market access, development aid, exports, garment industry, Everything But Arms, EBA, EU, duty-free access schemes, US market, EU market, Prime Minister, Prime Minister Hun Manet, human capital, social welfare, employment opportunities, healthcare, foreign direct investment, 43rd ASEAN Summit, ASEAN, UNGA, Saudi Arabia, ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, ASEAN-Japan Summit, Sretta Thavisin, diplomatic gesture, state visits, mass immigration, water disputes, energy resource exploration, indo-pacific, Victoria Nuland, Cambodia-US relations, USAID, diplomatic ties, US-China rivalry, Ream Naval Base, Brazil, diversification, Emmanuel Macron, France, political leadership, Khmer politics, fiscal policy, bilateral meetings, World Economic Forum, inauguration

Evaluating South Korea's democratic backsliding

Written by Dr Mi-son Kim

The current state of South Korean politics suggests that the country is at a critical moment that could determine its fate: democratic backsliding or consolidation.

East Asia9DLOctober 9, 20239dashline, Evaluating South Korea's democratic backsliding, Dr Mi-son Kim, Park Geun-hye, South Korea, impeachment, abuse of power, corruption, Constitutional Court of Korea, candlelight protests, protests, demonstrations, democratic consolidation, President Park, partisan polarisation, concentration of power, Moon Jae-in, Yoon Suk-yeol, weak legislature, Park administration, opposition parties, Labour Reform Act, Service Industry Development Act, bipartisan bill, National Assembly Act, Saenuri Party, democratic transition, veto, Yoo Seung-min, cabinet appointments, presidential impeachment, Democratic Party, Supreme Prosecutor, Korean presidents, National Intelligence Service, Yoon administration, Han Dong-hoon, Park Geun-hye administration, personalist political systems, Kaesong Industrial Complex, North Korea, nuclear, US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, THAAD, Sewol ferry, Japan, hyper-partisan, hostile rhetoric, Lee Myung-bak, coercive state apparatuses, Board of Audit and Inspection, Anything but Moon (ABM), political volatility, democratic backsliding

Thailand’s upcoming general election: A preview

Written by Ken Mathis Lohatepanont

The blurring of the lines between the government and the opposition means that voters may very well end up with a government that straddles Thailand’s traditional divides.

Southeast Asia9DLMarch 14, 20239dashline, Thailand’s upcoming general election: a preview, KEN MATHIS LOHATEPANONT, Thailand, 2014 military coup, military coup, 2017 constitution, election, Thai election, Thai Senate, Thai House of Representatives, Thai Prime Minister, majoritarian electoral system, conservative parties, opposition parties, COVID-19, Prayut Chan-o-cha, general election, prime ministerial term limit, Prawit Wongsuwan, prime ministerial candidate, Palang Pracharath Party, PPRP, United Thai Nation Party, UTN, patronage systems, Democrat Party, Bhumjaithai Party, marijuana legalisation, Prayut regime, Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, self-imposed exile, military junta, Government House, coalition, Move Forward Party, parliament, Thai parliament, public debate, economic contraction, high inflation, economic policies, minimum wage, welfare state, Pom 700, Constitutional Court, infrastructure, electric vehicles, global hub, banking services and credit, Paethongtharn Shinawatra

In Conversation with Dr Elvin Ong

9DASHLINE recently sat down with Dr Elvin Ong to discuss his new book Opposing Power: Building Opposition Alliances in Electoral Autocracies. This insightful study of East and Southeast Asian electoral autocracies from 1965 to 2020 illustrates why and how opposition parties build alliances to fight autocratic incumbents, and under which conditions they don’t.

In Conversation9DLMarch 2, 20239dashline, In Conversation with Elvin Ong, Elvin Ong, Dr Elvin Ong, opposition alliances, electoral autocracies, electoral autocracy, East Asia, Southeast Asia, opposition parties, autocratic incumbents, electoral campaigns, elections, opposition victory, regime vulnerability, mutual dependency, strategic actors, internal regime splits, opposition party leaders, alliance building, Philippines, Salvador Laurel, Corazon Aquino, ideology, religion, opposition candidates, Marcos regime, public protests, US, South Korea, Roh Tae Woo, Kim Dae Jung, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, ruling party, Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha, United Thai Nation Party, Palang Pracharath Party, Bhumjaithai Party, Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, opinion polls

What’s next for Bangladeshi politics?

Written by Ali Riaz

The escalating face-off between the Bangladeshi government and the opposition will likely lead to heightened violence in the coming months, further persecution of critics by the government, and the potential weakening of the ruling party’s grip over the situation.

South Asia9DLNovember 24, 20229DashLine, What’s next for Bangladeshi politics?, Ali Riaz, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP, Bangladesh Awami League, BAL, political rallies, political volatility, general strikes, public demonstrations, opposition parties, transport strikes, rallies, anti-government demonstrations, elections, economic crisis, political dissent, price hikes, fuel price hikes, trade deficit, rolling blackouts, national grid failure, fuel shortages, wage cuts, rigged elections, human rights, human rights violations, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, UN Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet, US Treasury, sanctions, Rapid Action Battalion, RAB, persecution of opposition activists, surveillance capacity, encrypted messages, Telegram, Digital Security Act, DSA, CII, Election Commission, Gaibandha, Electronic Voting Machines, EVMs, CSOs, Taka 8711 crore, VVPAT

In Brief: Perle Petit and Philip Lott, our new assistant editors

With a busy summer already behind them, our Editor-in-Chief, Dr Manali Kumar recently took the opportunity to learn more about their interests and their early thoughts on what makes a strong article.

In Brief9DLNovember 3, 20229DashLine, In Brief: Perle Petit and Philip Lott, our new assistant editors, Perle Petit, Philip Lott, democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, press freedom, freedom of the press, media freedom, Southeast Asia, democratic standards, independent media, journalists, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines, elections, technologies, artificial intelligence, Indo-Pacific, digital transformation, social media, semiconductors, semiconductor supply chains, Pakistan, South Asia, separatist movements, Balochistan, US drone war, Kashmir conflict, Russia-Ukraine war, climate change, droughts, floods, health crisis, disinformation, Thailand, 'information chaos', foreign interference, propaganda, opposition parties, illiberal governments, opposition coalitions, city diplomacy, urban development, innovation hubs, population density, climate change mitigation