COURSE : ASIAN POLITICS

COURSE CODE : COM654

EXAMINATION : JULY 2021
TIME: 3HOURS

PART A
QUESTION 1

The intention of the newly introduced Omnibus Law in Indonesia by President Jokowi was part
of economic reforms to simplify regulations and encourage investment. The new law is also to
boost jobs and investments particularly during this economic challenging time of Covid-19
pandemic. Indonesia's economy has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic this
year. And the Indonesian government considers this landmark legislation really as a key part
of its reform efforts to free up and rationalize important parts of Indonesia's economy. The aim
really is to cut red tape, attract more foreign investment, and to create more jobs for Indonesia.
And, in particular, the omnibus law seeks to override and modify provisions of over 78 separate
existing laws in Indonesia, which covers various areas and sectors, primarily with a view to
simplifying and consolidating all these laws. The scope of the omnibus law is very wide,
ranging from licensing and investment approval processes, reforms around distribution of
power, or authority among various government institutions when it comes to approving foreign
investment. It also covers employment and land procurement processes, which is important for
efficient foreign investment in Indonesia. The decision made has received backlashes from the
people of Indonesian and some investors. The two main points of why the Omnibus Law has
been heavily criticised is citing of human rights and environmental concerns for Indonesia.

In terms of human rights under Omnibus Law of job creation, the law will removed sectoral
minimum wage, reduced pay benefits, widened the scope of outsourcing and encouraging life-
long contract workers. This will eventually lead to the current local workers at risk and a big
rollback of the worker’s rights. Additionally, the law will weakens the workers minimum wage
and extends maximum overtime working hours and also encouraging temporary contracts to
keep employers for an indefinite period of time. In regard to the environmental concerns, the
law will scrap environmental protections and will lead to serious threat to Indonesia’s carbon
emissions reduction targets. As example, more than 60% of Indonesia’s carbon emissions come
from land use changes, forest fires and peat. The removal of protection measures under the new

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law may open the door to large-scale deforestation and increased coal production. Electricity
is a major exporter of coal accounting for about 60% of the country's electricity. Indonesia is
also one of the few countries in the world to build new coal-fired power plants in 2020. Any
factor leading to deforestation and increased coal production indicates Indonesia's commitment
to reduce carbon emissions by 29-41 per cent by 2030 as part of its commitment to the Paris
Agreement, and to phase-out coal completely by 2040.

QUESTION 2

The military of Myanmar has now back in charge and declared a year-long state of emergency.
The Myanmar has been switching between military and civilian leadership since 1948, and the
country’s armed forces has remained the most powerful institution the entire time. Late in the
1980s, a civilian pro-democracy movement gained strength with Suu Kyi as its leader. In her
are of ruling, the military junta has placed Suu Kyi under house arrest for her stands for
democracy and nonviolence movements. However, since the military has taken power, this
would essentially bring the whole situation back to the pre-2011 era: with the pro-democracy
movement weakened and its leaders detained, and the military in full control of the country but
under international sanctions. And it is yet another unfortunate turn in Myanmar’s long road to
democracy as the transition democracy from military regime was very difficult and will impact
on Myanmar political system.

QUESTION 3

The autonomy rights of Sabah and Sarawak are indeed major political issues that have long
been voiced by politicians from these two states in the General Election (GE) and State
Elections (PRN). This issue of autonomy is often interpreted as a reflection of that indicates
that the two states have more position higher than other states in Peninsular Malaysia, as the
enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63). Among the
five contemporary grievances of Sabah and Sarawak related to the 1963 Malaysia Agreement
(MA63) are Claims for export duties on timber and forest products, Gas distribution and
electricity and gas regulatory powers, Implementation of Federal and State Works, State power
over health issues and Agriculture and forestry issues.

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QUESTION 4

In Thailand, the Thai’s Lèse Majesté law is explained under Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal
code that refers to anyone that defame, insult or threaten the King, Queen and its heirs will be
punished with a jail term to three and fifteen years. During the govern of Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha, Thailand has been in crisis of protesting and demonstration against the new Prime
Minister. In early 2020, the Thai constitutional court dissolved the Future Forward Party which
is the 3rd largest party in parliament. Many saw that as a government tactic to wipe out the
opposition, then protests erupted. Protests subsided after the outbreak of COVID, but re -
entered July. Pro-democracy groups put forward ‘3 demands’ (symbolized with 3 fingers)
namely to amend the 2017 constitution that gives the military more power, dissolve parliament,
and stop detaining pro-democracy activists. At the same time, pro-democracy groups also
called for the king's power to be limited. However, the The Internet has changed the perception
of monarchy in Thailand as people has started to protest against the heir of King Bhumibol
Adulyedaj whom is very popular with having not good charateristics, background of lifestyle
and marriage life. Street protests against the prime minister have been held by several groups,
including Prayuth’s former political allies, as frustrations grow over the mounting coronavirus
infections and the damage the pandemic has done to the economy. The momentum of those
protests stalled after authorities began cracking down on rallies and detaining protest leaders,
and after new waves of COVID-19 infections broke out.

QUESTION 5

A Rules-based Community of Shared Values and Norms

ASEAN’s political development cooperation aims to strengthen democracy, improve good

governance and the rule of law, promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,
while taking into account the rights and obligations of ASEAN member states, and ultimately
establish a rule-based political development cooperation. A community of common values and
norms. As example, society in the ASEAN region need to share similar values and norms to
promote regional peace and stability and relationships among other countries.

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Cooperation in Political Development

Since the adoption of ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN has seen progress in
measures of political development. This shows in the increased of participation by
organisations such as academic institutions, think tanks, and civil society organisations in their
meetings and activities held. Such consultations and heightened interactions fostered good
relations and resulted in positive outcomes for the region.

Promotion and Protection of human rights

In the field of human rights, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
(AICHR) was established in 2009 with the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights (AHR)
as the beginning, and has contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights in
ASEAN. Adopted the Phnom Penh Human Rights Development Declaration signed by the
head of state or government in 2012. These two documents reflect the commitment of the
governments of ASEAN member countries to protect the human rights, human rights and
fundamental freedoms of the people of ASEAN countries. Cooperate with civil society
organizations (CSO) to promote constructive participation. Recognizing the cross-sectoral
nature of human rights, AICHR, as ASEAN’s primary human rights institution, has
continuously participated in cross-sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation and participation to
realize the integration of human rights into all pillars of ASEAN. Including but not limited to
the rights of persons with disabilities, business and human rights, and human trafficking.

PART B
QUESTION 1

Singapore has depended on two main anti-corruption laws to fight corruption in the act of the
Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious
Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA). The two laws was established to ensure the
corruption in Singapore remains a high risk low rewards activity. The enforcement towards
this law is control solely by The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) whom
responsible for combating corruption in Singapore. With a fearsome and trusted reputation, the
CPIB acts swiftly and vigorously to enforce the tough anti-corruption laws impartially for both
public and private sector corruption. During the investigation process, the CPIB will work with

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various government agencies and private organisations to gather evidence and obtain
information.

Additionally is the Public Administration, The Singapore public service is conduct by a Code
of Conduct, which sets out the high standards of behaviour expected of public officers based
on principles of integrity, incorruptibility and transparency. The practice of meritocracy in the
Public Service, together with regular reviews of administrative rules and processes to improve
efficiency also reduce the opportunities for corruption. In addition, the CPIB is mandated to
conduct procedural reviews for government agencies which may have work procedures that
can be exploited for corrupt practices. Furthermore, The political will to eradicate corruption
was established by Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, when the
People’s Action Party (PAP) was elected into government in 1959. The PAP is determined to
establish a clean, performance-oriented government and take decisive and comprehensive
measures to eradicate corruption from all levels of Singaporean society. Consequently, the
government’s unwavering political commitment and leadership, a culture of zero tolerance for
corruption has become deeply ingrained in Singapore’s thinking and lifestyle.

QUESTION 2

Since President Rodrigo Duterte introduced his “war on drugs” on June 30, 2016, many of
people in the Philippines have been killed among of them are children under age 18 who were
either specifically targeted or were inadvertently shot during anti-drug raids, what authorities
have called “collateral damage.” The impact of war on drugs is mainly towards children of
Philippino. Many children have suffered severe psychological and emotional trauma as a result
of witnessing their parents or guardians being killed. The long-term effects are likely to scar
Filipino’s next generation. This consequently lead to poverty, the risk of children becoming
homeless, stopped going to school and has to work at the young age to survive in life. Example
of cases of war on drugs according to news reported, the killing of 17-year-old Manila student
Kian delos Santos, recorded on video in 2017 and Children violating quarantines in the
pandemic have been killed.

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