Stories about East Asia from January, 2009
Indonesia: Top Religous Council Perceived Corrupt
The latest survey of Transparency International Indonesia includes Indonesia Ulemas Council (MUI) in the top 15 of the most perceived corrupt institutions in the country.
Brunei after the floods: A time of loss and prayers
Two persons died in Brunei due to the recent flooding that swept the Asia-Pacific region. Brunei has experienced the worst flooding in the past few weeks. More Bruneians are using the power of prayers and reflections to survive in these troubled times.
Japan: Robot Puppets
Edo from Pink Tentacle blogs about the use of robot technology in classic bunraku puppets in Japan.
China and U.S: The Timing of Charter 08
Roland discusses about the timing of Charter 08, a joint statement for political reform signed by more than 300 intellectuals, in relation to the politics in the U.S to account for its impact.
China: Internet In 2008
ESWN translated a local media (Southern weekend) review on major incidents happened in China Internet 2008.
China: Debate over RMB exchange rate
China matter sums up the debate over RMB valuation between the U.S and China government.
Thailand: Media investigates Rohingya refugees
Bangkok Pundit summarises some of the foreign media's investigations of the cases of the Rohingya refugees. Thailand Crisis says the incident represents the failure of the Abhisit government.
Myanmar: Kachin Conflict
Writing for The Pulitzer Center, Tim Patterson and Ryan Libre explain the backround of the Kachin Conflict in Myanmar. The struggle in Kachin is separate from the campaign of the political opposition of the ethnic Burmese majority.
Cambodia: Demolition of Dey Krahorm Community
A community in Phnom Penh was demolished last Saturday. Aside from the violence, the demolition attracted attention because it was “one of the biggest urban redevelopment stories in the capital over the last decade.” But city officials denied the action was an eviction.
Indonesia: Chinese New Year Celebration
For more than three decades, the Indonesian Chinese have been forbidden to express their culture. Thanks to President Wahid in 2000 who annulled the discrimination against the Chinese and all the minority in general, the Indonesian Chinese now can express their culture openly.
Taiwan: Books, Writers & Videos
China Times in Taiwan announces "Books of the Year" and makes short videos for awarded writers to share their writing experiences and perspectives. Hopefully their ideas will be portrayed through the power of images.
Japan: Looking back on 2008
The last year in Japan saw, among other things, an economic crisis, employment instability, and the beginnings of the collapse of journalism. While the year was already recapped here last month, we add to that recap the reflections of bloggers looking back over the year. Blogger Motohiko Tokuriki wrote about...
Taiwan: Photos of industrial town
Daliao Township in Kaohsiung County has been the site of several poisonous gas leaks in the past two months. The EPA came under fire for its poor handling of the case and a protest by locals turned violent. Shan Ding Lu has a photo essay of the town showing the...
Korea: Marital Rape and Suicide
A man who was convicted for the first time in Korea of marital rape in January of 2009 committed suicide.[EN] The judgement stood for his wife who is from the Philippines and the humiliation led him to suicide. His case brings several issues to netizens — countryside men, multi-cultural families,...
Philippines: World War 2 History in Indie Film
The acclaimed indie film Concerto: Davao War Diary depicts the interaction of a Filipino family with Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. Concerto, set in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, is based on true events. The film's trailer can be viewed on YouTube.
Thailand: Kissing in public
Kissing in Public is an ongoing project in Thailand which invites residents in Thailand to perform the act of, well, kissing in public. According to organizers, this is an exercise in socio-cultural politics. “At the time where all the eyes in Thailand and the media focus on national politics, we’d...
Brunei: Better pay for doctors
Brunei doctors are asking for higher salaries: “Doctors deserve a high salary. After all those long demanding years of study and training; and the demanding long hours of work day and night.”
Indonesia: Psychological tests for police
Jakarta's Police Department ordered its members to undergo psychological examinations to “gauge their ability to endure harsh street conditions in the city.”
Malaysia: Criteria for adding friends on Facebook
Suanie from Malaysia writes her criteria in approving friend requests on popular social networking site Facebook.
Malaysia: Support for retrenched workers
As companies reduce their operations in Malaysia, anilnetto highlights the need for a national retrenchment fund to support workers.
Japan: Bloggers on TV-Asahi and “Uso Basutaa”
Heated has been the reaction of many Japanese bloggers over the last week who felt cheated by TV Asahi after it turned out that in the variety show ウソバスター! (Uso Basutaa!, lit. lie buster), broadcast prime time on the 10th of January, the blogs quoted as sources had been created...