Latest posts by Mong Palatino from May, 2013
Blackout Mapping in Cambodia
A massive blackout in Cambodia has sparked online discussion about the country’s power supply situation. Citizens are demanding explanation about the recurring blackouts in recent months. Urban Voice, a crowdsourcing initiative, has mapped the blackouts in Phnom Penh City.
Little PSY and his Vietnamese Heritage
After learning that Korean child actor Hwang Min-woo or Little PSY of Gangnam Style fame has been receiving hate messages for being half-Vietnamese, James Bao wrote him a letter urging him to be proud of his Vietnamese roots: Wear your heritage proud. We hope you’ll one day get a chance...
Vietnam and Same Sex Marriage
Writing for Tuoitrenews, Valentine Vu explains why Vietnam is not yet ready for the legalization of same sex marriage: …majority of the population still holds prejudice against homosexuality being a disease, in fear of it being contagious, and afraid of losing face value if a friend/family member is gay
‘Illegal” Libraries in Myanmar
The Irrawaddy interviews Ye Htet Oo who has launched four mobile libraries in Myanmar. To avoid censorship and acquire license during the military regime, library owners pretended to operate bookstores. Aside from sharing his experience, Ye Htet Oo also discussed the reading culture in Myanmar.
Kindness Mascot Gives Up on Singapore
Singa, Singapore’s courtesy lion and then mascot for kindness since 1982 has resigned. Complaining against an “increasingly angry and disagreeable society” the lion felt it’s time to take a break. Apparently, Singa even submitted a resignation letter to the Singapore Kindness Movement which went viral online
Students Defend Cambodia's Human Rights Record
Some students of Mekong University in Cambodia held a protest after U.N. human rights envoy Surya Subedi delivered a lecture on law of foreign investment. The protesters accused the UN envoy of distorting the human rights situation in Cambodia which they claim is better compared to other countries. But aside...
“Lift your Skirt, Save a Life” Cervical Cancer Ad Divides Singapore
To remind Singapore women about the free Pap smear screenings this month and to promote awareness about cervical cancer, the Singapore Cancer Society came out with a “Lift your skirt. Save a life” ad which sparked a lively discussion on whether it was creative, effective, or offensive.
Indonesia: Petition to Save the Forest of Aceh
Rudi Putra initiated an online petition asking the Indonesian government to block the expansion of mining and palm oil activities in Aceh and to protect the country's remaining rainforest. More than one million people around the world have already signed the petition: I live and work in the last place...
Brunei: ‘Slow Internet is Almost Like Censorship’
Brunei internet users are complaining against the slow and unreliable internet connection in their country. Brunei has one of the most expensive internet rates in Southeast Asia but many Brunei netizens feel they are getting poor internet service for the high fees they are paying.
Laos Defines National Dress
To further promote Lao culture, the government has organized a seminar which defined the country's national dress to be used during formal events. For men the suit will be made from Lao silk fabric and cut in a Lao style. The women’s suit is also from Lao silk fabric cut...
Blogshops are Popular in Singapore
Lucas Chua writes about the blogshop phenomenon in Singapore. A blogshop is an online fashion store that uses a blog. In Singapore, four of the country’s ten most-searched stores are blogshops.
‘Black 505’ Post-Election Rallies Spread in Malaysia
The Opposition-led ‘Black 505’ rallies are spreading in Malaysia. In the past week, hundreds of thousands gathered in Kuala Lumpur and in other parts of the country to protest the outcome of the recent election. ‘Black 505’ refers to the May 5 General Election which was tainted by allegations that the ruling coalition committed massive electoral fraud to remain in power.
Morality vs. Modernity: Thailand's TV History
Mr Brown Goes Around has written a comprehensive study about the history of television in Thailand. He also probed the impact of TV on various Thai political and cultural institutions: So while tied to modernity, moving image technologies was also seen as a potentially morally erosive force
PHOTOS: Vietnam War-Era Posters
Hello Saigon uploads some posters during the Vietnam War era. One poster features a quote from Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh: For the interest in ten years, [we] have to plant trees. For the interest in 100 years [we] have to plant man.
‘Malaysian Tsunami’ Protests Election Irregularities
Tens of thousands in Malaysia gathered in Kelana Jaya stadium near the country’s capital last May 8 to protest the final vote tally of the 13th General Elections. The government warned that some of the speakers in the rally could be charged for sedition. The Opposition announced that more rallies will take place in the coming days.
Drug Trafficking on the Rise in Timor Leste
The East Timor Law and Justice Bulletin features the worsening drug trafficking problem in Timor Leste. It quoted a government report which recognized that the country is being used as a “transit zone for criminals smuggling drugs into both Indonesia and Australia.”
Timor Leste's Bid to Join ASEAN
Julio Gil da Silva Guterres writes about Timor Leste's application to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. He warns that “ASEAN without Timor Leste is the same as a state without sovereignty.”
Documenting West Papua’s Political Prisoners
West Papuan civil society groups have launched the website Papuans Behind Bars to document the cases of political prisoners in West Papua. West Papua is part of Indonesia although many Papuans have been fighting for independence in the past 50 years.
