Crisis Averted for Now: Malaysia’s 15th General Election and What Lies Ahead Article Malaysia’s highly anticipated 15th General Election (GE15) on 19 November 2022, originally intended as a way to end the prolonged political instability over the last two and a half years, had resulted in everything but that for the initial few days. There was no clear resolution – until the King stepped in issuing a call for a unity government. The PH, BN and GPS coalitions ultimately came together to form a federal government, and on Thursday 24 November, Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister was appointed and sworn in: Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. By Tricia Yeoh
Dictator’s Son Leads the Nation Plundered by His Family Opinion As soon as the Supreme Court Justice will swear in the new president of the republic, the Duterte regime will finally come to an end. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., the son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is leading the unofficial count and more likely to be the President-elect of the Philippines. But will Marcos Jr. remain a president for long? By Eunice Barbara C. Novio
The Philippines: Erasing History through Good Vibes and Toxic Positivity Article The road to presidency of the late dictator’s son is built on a campaign that embraces the influencer culture of good vibes and toxic positivity while evading demands for accountability. By Nicole Curato
Ambiguously Democratic: Parties, Coalitions, and Candidates in the 2022 Philippine Elections Article Elections in the Philippines is a time of alliances, pundits, politicking within and across party lines. A range of candidates have put themselves forward for the upcoming 2022 elections, though their agendas and positions may still be too cloudy for voters to make a clear bet. Persistent problems around politics are present, although reform via the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is slowly taking place. There’s still plenty of time ahead for unpredictability, by prospective candidates and the voting population. By Cleo Calimbahin
Duterte Says Yes to Mining in the Philippines. But at What Cost? Opinion President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent decision to overturn a nationwide moratorium on new mining projects, which had been in place since 2012, was lauded by mining and business entities and criticized by environmental and human rights groups. Aside from allowing new mines to open in the country, Executive Order No. 130 (EO 130), which was signed on 14 April 2021, calls for a number of reforms. By Gino Garcia
Landing Duterte’s Jet Ski Presidency Opinion Rodrigo Duterte’s term as President of the Philippines ends on June 30, 2022. Many Filipinos and foreigners who have witnessed Duterte’s shocking antics, including presidents, pope, magistrates who have been the subject of Duterte’s abrasive talk and behavior over the past five years wonder how the Duterte presidency will end, and what is in store for the Philippines beyond? By Segundo J. E. Romero, Jr.
Jokowi’s Triumph in the 2019 Presidential Election and the Future of Binary Politics Article On 17 April 2019, Indonesia held the world’s largest, and arguably most complicated, one-day election involved presidential, legislative (national and local), and senate elections – done simultaneously. Voters’ attention, however, was largely on the presidential election, which led to a turnout of 81%, the highest in Indonesia’s electoral history in the post-reform era. By Deasy Simandjuntak
Malaysia’s Reformasi Movement Lives Up To Its Name A revolution took place in Malaysia on May 9, 2018. It was a silent and peaceful one, amazingly achieved through the ballot box, and is therefore not noticed for what it is. But it is a revolution nevertheless, and the effects of it are moving like a strong undercurrent throughout the nation—cutting down old structures, be these mental ones, social ones or political ones. A sense of jubilation and disorientation now permeates the country, and will do so for a few weeks yet, if not months. By Ooi Kee Beng
