Latest posts by Mong Palatino from August, 2011
Indonesia: Prison Situation
Leo Sudaryono identifies chronic corruption, threat of gang violence, over-crowding, poor quality water and sanitation, and an absence of basic health and education services as among the main problems facing Indonesia's prisons.
Myanmar: Facebook ‘mini-revolution’
An article in Mizzima written by Tun Tun reveals how Myanmar internet users are able to use Facebook to share political ideas and campaign messages.
Philippines: Tokay Gecko Hunting Craze
In recent months, the hunting of Tokay Geckos has become a craze in the Philippines because of reports that online traders have been buying these lizards for a large amount of money. The hunting started when it was rumored that geckos can help cure asthma and HIV/AIDS. It was recently exposed as a hoax and scam.
Indonesia: ‘Insensitive’ Ramadan video ad?
Unspun blogs about a Ramadan video message of an Indonesian TV station TVOne which has become controversial because of criticism that it used religion to advertise a product.
Indonesia: Increased shopping during Ramadan
nrg07 explains the seeming paradox of the rise in shopping and the prices of food and clothes during the holy month of Ramadan in Indonesia.
Indonesia: Villagers Threaten to Raise Malaysian Flag
Villagers in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan have threatened to raise the flag of Malaysia during the Indonesia's Independence Day celebration to protest the lack of economic and social services in the province.
Singapore: Foreign Maids are Happy?
Yawning Bread posts some questions to the survey conducted by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower about the situation of foreign maids and workers in the city. The survey showed that most maids are happy working in Singapore.
Malaysia: Voter Registration Details
reg2vote is a website developed by concerned citizens of Malaysia to give information on voter registration events throughout the country.
Vanuatu: Concern on Media Independence
The Pacific Freedom Forum released a statement expressing concern about the reported visit of a politician in a state-owned media station in Vanuatu demanding the censorship about his arrest on the eve of Vanuatu Independence day celebrations
Thailand: Student blogger ‘witch hunted’ on Facebook
Suluck Lamubol writes that the first student blogger who was charged with Lese Majeste in Thailand was ‘witch hunted’ by a Facebook group called Social Sanction. The group's objective is “to increase public awareness of corruption and create pressure to combat it and to stop the crime of lese majeste”.
Malaysia: Islamization of Education
Bakri Musa notes that the rapid Islamization of Malaysian education started in the 1980s. The author cites the negative impact of excessive Islamization on the quality of education in the country.
Malaysia: Bersih Rally and UK Riots Compared
Aliran posts an article comparing the Bersih Democracy March which drew thousands of people in the streets of Kuala Lumpur last month and the riots in the United Kingdom.
Malaysia: Poverty Problem in Sabah
Daniel John Jambun writes about the economic hardships experienced by many people in Sabah, Malaysia.
Malaysian Football Website Hacked
A Malaysian football website, Ultras Malaya, was hacked by an angry Singaporean fan after Singapore's football team lost to Malaysia in a World Cup qualifying round.
Should Thailand Raise the Minimum Wage?
One of the campaign promises of newly elected Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai Party was to double Thailand’s minimum wage. The new pay scale will be implemented next year but the business sector is opposed to it. Here are some reactions from bloggers
Thailand: University Student Detained for Lese Majeste
A university student in Thailand was detained after being charged of violating the country's Lese Majeste law. The student allegedly posted a comment on the internet which was deemed ‘insulting’ to the monarchy.
Thailand: Reviving the Democrat Party
Suthichai Yoon analyzes the defeat of the Democrat Party in the recent elections in Thailand. He said an overhaul is needed to improve the image of Thailand's oldest political party.
Thailand: Inside a Thai Court
Richard Barrow describes the scenes and procedures inside a Thai trial court.
Philippines: #Zubiri and #Pimentel hashtags
The twitter hashtags #zubiri and #kokopimentel which became global trending topics for several hours refer to Philippine Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who resigned from the Senate after the cheating allegation against him was revived. Meanwhile, Koko Pimentel is the candidate who accused Zubiri of committing poll fraud
Myanmar Alphabet, Names and Culture
Ba Kaung writes about the Myanmar alphabet and explains the meaning of some of the popular names used in the country
Myanmar: Prison term for Facebook defamation
Francis Wade of the Democratic Voice of Burma learned that Facebook users in Myanmar found guilty of defamation could end up in prison under the Electronic Transactions Act
