Photo: Instagram post by @oatjo (2023, November 29)

Introduction

Because of the growing influence of entertainment, more tourists are flocking to visit destinations featured in various media, notably films. Reflecting on this, Iwashita (2003) pointed out that film, television, and literature wield significant power in shaping the travel preferences and destination choices of individuals. Through the lens of films, individuals are exposed to a variety of destinations, igniting their interests by portraying the unique attributes and attractions of each one. For instance, the global popularity of South Korean entertainment, known as Hallyu or Korean Wave, has led to a surge in tourism to South Korea, with many fans of Korean dramas visiting filming locations. Not just showcasing breathtaking natural landscapes, films also serve as powerful marketing tools, promoting destinations through captivating narration and visuals (Horrigan, 2009). read more

Photo: Chalinee Thirasupa / Reuters (February 2, 2023)

Abstract

Southeast Asia faces a serious air pollution crisis due to rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and unsustainable farming practices. The proposed Clean Air Act in Thailand represents a crucial step in tackling this pressing issue and reflects broader debates on the effectiveness of legislative interventions. This article examines the provisions and potential impacts of Thailand’s Clean Air Act. While the Act introduces promising measures such as recognizing the right to clean air and establishing committees for air quality management, concerns persist regarding enforcement mechanisms, socioeconomic implications, and the perpetuation of car dependency. By contextualizing the Act within the broader context of systemic challenges and competing priorities, this article emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive and holistic approaches to air pollution management. Collaborative efforts across governance levels, embracing sustainable practices, technological innovation, and fostering public participation are essential for effectively addressing air pollution not only in Thailand but also across Southeast Asia. read more

Information has become a crucial asset in a globalised world order, speed and consistent transmission of information have become vital for a thriving digital economy. To facilitate this global flow of information, subsea communication cables connect every continent in a vast network. Current estimates suggest subsea cables transmit more than 95% of internet traffic, facilitating USD $10 trillion in financial transactions every day in the US financial sector alone (Brock, 2023; Goodman & Wayland, 2022). Additional research has stressed an increased cable manufacturing effort by several nation states, coupled with tense bidding for cable project contracts and the designation of placements, which disrupt the interests of other parties (Noor, 2024, p. 7-8). Arguably, this tense situation opens a new dimension to the ongoing security dilemma between regional superpowers in Southeast Asia, with uncertain and perhaps harmful outcomes. The fragility of these cables with their vital communication and electricity transmission capacity, will leave them as exposed desirable targets in conflict scenarios. I will additionally analyse two factors to consider from a global competition context: market driven interests and state driven interests. read more

Introduction

Film, as a source of entertainment and escapism, has played a crucial role throughout history. It serves beyond mere enjoyment, aiding in reconciling with the past, preserving traditions, and expressing national identity. During the twentieth century, the introduction of film in Southeast Asia varied across countries, primarily through colonial contact driven by various European powers, which significantly impacted the film industry. It has brought the introduction of technology to Southeast Asia, which marked the inception of a local film industry. Films began to incorporate local languages, music, settings, and actors, gradually gaining popularity among the local audience (Ang, 2021).  Despite initial developments, certain countries experienced downfall periods that erased progress. Cambodia, notably affected by the painful political history of the Khmer Rouge invasion, faced considerable challenges, including the film business. read more

Southeast Asia is a region developing and expanding fast in terms of population, importance, and interconnectedness. While the future beckons promisingly for the continued success of the region, potential backsliding into instability threatens to change this trajectory. Non-traditional aspects of security now take the forefront of issues threatening this backsliding. While changes in the balance of power between Southeast Asian nations or the efficacy of institutions remain integral to the region’s future, threats like a warming and unpredictable climate or breaches in cyber-security now have the potential to drastically change the state of security in the region.  read more

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted in 1948 by the international community,proved that human rights  were being accepted as universal norms that needed to be respected, protected, and promoted. The phrase in the UDHR “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” means that  everyone is equal in claiming their rights without distinction. This is supported by the first paragraph of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Actions preambular, where it recognizes human rights as a universal norm by stating that “All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated.” UDHR as a foundation of international treaties later became the foundation of other international human rights instruments including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The existence of CEDAW in international law marks the importance of protection and promotion of women’s rights and gender equality between men and women, but in the process of gender equality to some women it is more challenging especially to women from minority communities, like indigenous women. Report from the United Nation (UN) special rapporteur on violence against women by Reem Alsalem stated that indigenous women and girls experienced systematic discrimination in indigenous and non-indigenous justice system (United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, 2022). Furthermore, the Human Rights Committee in their General Comment No. 28, art. 3 highlight that the inequality of the enjoyment of rights by women is deeply embedded in tradition, history and culture including religious attitudes.  read more

Introduction

With a population of 260 million people, Indonesia is the fourth largest country globally and one of the most dynamic economies in the global market. According to the World Bank, Indonesia is now included in the status of a middle-income country. The economy in the country is running smoothly, especially during the last decade following the economic contraction caused by the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998. Due to its fairly rapid economic development, Indonesia has become a developing country and the first economic power in Southeast Asia. Its role in ASEAN continues to be important. Indonesia’s political and economic structure has changed over the years since its independence. In 1950, after the end of Dutch colonialism, economic and political development focused on the agricultural sector to realize a self-sufficient agricultural system by 1960. In the middle of 1970-1980, after the crude oil price fell, the Indonesian economy rapidly developed with urbanization and industrialization programs, for This Indonesia occurred as a consequence of the political change from crude oil exports to manufactured exports.  read more

Jokowi’s First Development Plan: Infrastructure

Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, is in his second period of the presidency in Indonesia, which had, during his first period, he concentrated policy on the development of the Indonesian economy, especially through investment in the development of the development infrastructure (Hill and Negara 2019). Jokowi knows that infrastructure has been the “Achilles Heel” for developing countries like Indonesia, yet he focused on investment, health systems, and education during his second term. The last law on labour, the Omnibus law, was confirmed by the Jokowi administration last October during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law will administer labour, environmental and investment regulation (Arifin 2021, Mahy 2021) read more

Abstrak

Pola relasi-relasi sosial yang tumbuh dan berkembang dalam kehidupan komunitas digital antara lain ditandai oleh kontak langsung, komunikasi yang melibatkan banyak orang (many-to-many communication), keterbukaan pandangan (ide), serta kebebasan berinteraksi. Uraian berikut memetakan perbedaan pandangan tentang dampak pola relasi-relasi tersebut terhadap inklusi sosial atau proses meningkatnya kapasitas akses komunitas pada sumber daya (resources), menguatnya partisipasi mereka dalam formulasi dan eksekusi keputusan publik, serta jalinan kerja sama di antara mereka dalam memanfaatkan dan menciptakan peluang. Di satu sisi, terdapat pandangan yang yakin (optimistic) bahwa relasi-relasi sosial tersebut memiliki dampak signifikan terhadap inklusi sosial karena mampu menghimpun perbendaharaan informasi yang dapat dipergunakan sebagai saluran akses pada sumber daya (resources), dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai pengetahuan (knowledge) untuk menciptakan dan memanfaatkan peluang, serta sebagai sarana mendorong partisipasi politik. Sementara itu, di sisi yang lain, terdapat pandangan yang justru meragukannya (skeptic) karena relasi-relasi sosial tersebut masih menghadapi kendala ketimpangan digital (digital divide) dan literasi sehingga tidak kondusif bagi upaya meningkatkan inklusi sosial. read more

In Indonesia, terrorism is a threat that affects the nation’s social/political order and bring light to tensions existing in the country. Indonesia has the largest Muslim majority globally; however, Indonesia is a secular country adopting a liberal reform of Islam and accepting religious tolerance towards other minorities. However, terrorist groups have voiced their radical opinions on Indonesia’s secularism calling for the country to be an Islamic state and achieve these goals through violence. The Indonesian government has taken counter-measure to tackle these terrorist threats, but these measures are criticized by Human Rights Organisations (HRO). Because Indonesia has created many anti-terror repressive laws, violating the freedom of speech and the task force Densus 88 has broken many Human Rights Violations (HRV). This brings into question is terrorism the overall threat towards Indonesia, I would argue no but state that terrorism must be a risk that does possess a threat, however, cannot endanger Indonesia’s democratic institution. I would argue that Indonesia’s anti-terror laws are a danger to Indonesia’s democracy and Indonesia’s Counter-Terrorism (CT) agencies violate human rights laws (HRL). These are the overall threats that endanger Indonesia’s democracy and why treating terrorism as a risk can be approached with de-radicalization programs. I will explain how Indonesia can treat terrorism as a risk and not an existential threat like climate change and can be mitigated with soft-approach policies, and I will outline the dangers of the hard-approach undertaken by the Indonesian government. read more