Since last year, opposition parties across Southeast Asia have achieved varying degrees of electoral and political success.
The opposition Liberal Party dominated the 2010 Philippine elections and defeated the ruling party, which had been in power since 2001. The opposition victory reflected the unpopularity of former President Gloria Arroyo, who was accused of electoral fraud, human rights violations, corruption and plundering state coffers.
Recently, the opposition Pheu Thai Party defeated the ruling Democrat Party in Thailand, which led to the election of Yingluck Shinawatra – the country’s first female prime minister. Yingluck is the younger sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was forced into exile after he was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. During the campaign, the opposition highlighted the culpability of the Democrat Party in the violent crackdown of anti-government protests last year, the worsening insurgency in the southern part of the country, the hostile relationship with Cambodia over a border dispute and the rising economic difficulties experienced by ordinary Thais.
Meanwhile, the People's Action Party (PAP) is still Singapore’s dominant political coalition after it won the most seats in the general election last May. Also, the candidate the party endorsed won last week’s presidential election. But the opposition scored some significant victories this year after it managed to win a few but strategic parliamentary seats. The PAP, which has dominated Singaporean politics since the late 1950s, also suffered its worst electoral performance this year, which according to analysts has permanently altered Singapore’s political landscape.
As in Singapore, the ruling coalition in Malaysia still has more than enough numbers in parliament, but the opposition is gaining ground. The disenchantment of the public with the country’s political leadership is also rising as seen in the massive participation of ordinary Malaysians in the Bersih democracy march in July. Organized in support of electoral reforms, the Bersih has since then evolved into an opposition political movement following the overreaction of the government, which violently dispersed the peaceful march. Bersih is expected to bring more votes to the opposition.
Moving on to Burma, many analysts were surprised to learn that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has agreed to meet President Thein Sein of the military-controlled government. They are now asking if the global democracy icon has decided to work with the people who imprisoned her for more than two decades. But it could simply be an opposition tactic for outmanoeuvring the generals. Just a few weeks ago, Suu Kyi was allowed to travel to the north of the country for the first time since she regained her freedom, and she was warmly greeted by the people in the streets. The opposition hasn’t yet ditched the prospect of revolution, but it seems to be quietly maximizing the limited democratic space afforded to it by the Junta.
The new Southeast Asian leaders aren’t simply getting younger – most of them have also come from opposition ranks. The success of various opposition parties and movements in articulating the sentiments of the people, and harnessing them into a potent political force, has produced a new generation of leaders who are aware of the need for immediate political and economic reforms. Of course, opposition victories aren’t a guarantee that conditions will now improve, but at least it proved that the emergence of a genuine opposition can foster democracy. This trend should be welcomed and promoted across the region.
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Whining Wimps
When will you and others write the facts about Burma?
The opposition failed miserably in the past 15 years, after an election
she decided to work with the new government to show some sense of legitimacy.
There is no fooling no one in Burma. The people watched as she asked for sanctions
and they were the ones who were affected. Stop these delusions that she matters.
She does not. Asean is a bigger failure now than it has been in the past.
Having ASEAN nation embassies around the globe flying the ASEAN flag, as EU nations fly the EU flag is nothing more than a smoke screen or sham.
Aside from some economics ASEAN hs no teeth. Its a club for wine bibbers.
Cyrus
you should know how diverse and different are the Politics in ASEAN compared to EU and the US. That is why a NATO type organization cannot function in ASEAN. We have Authoritarian Regimes, We have constitutional Monarchies, we have Parliamentarians, and we have Communists. So how do you build an organization like NATO or EU? Follow Socialism or Capitalism?
So before opening your mouth make sure you understand the complexities in South East Asia.
A MYANMAR CITIZEN
Who say Aung San Su Kyi doesn’t matter to Myanmar? She is the people’s heart and hope.
Sanctions doesn’t work well for Myanmar because China is 100% supporting the brutal government. China will do whatever it can benefit , no matter it is ethical or unethical . While gun men, military junta supported by China robbed the Myanmar people’s liberty and locked their leaders who struggle for the freedom, we, Myanmars, cannot progress for democracy and human rights as we expected. We will, see the changes . Aung San Su Kyi discussed with Government not for her political benefit but for the country to change . Without unity of all parties , Myanmar cannot change.
My simple view, China is supporting all human right abusers in the world .
a_canadian_observer
@A MYANMAR CITIZEN: Thanks for sharing the rare info from Myanmar. Let’s see what lies the CCP mouthpices come up with now.
Cyrus
You just need to ask the author regarding the Philippine situation. We are anti Communist communism is banned as a party in the Philippines. Yet they are able to penetrate the government especially with the “so called” marginalized sector which are dominated by Communist led party list groups.
They are so called mainstream and yet their members are going to the hinterlands to talk with Communist Commanders or to immerse with them. They have had a hold of our Sovereign Government that as such our soldiers can’t just do anything with this wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Cyrus
That is just one country and imagine how diverse the rest of ASEAN are. In Politics, Culture and Religion, it is a very daunting task for anyone to create an insitution like EU in ASEAN.