One of the consequences of the diversity that exists in Southeast Asia is the emergence of many dynamic questions that never expires to be discussed. One of the questions we keep thinking about is, how does this region survive with hundreds of local beliefs and at the same time impose public policy on religious rules? Dr. Dicky Sofjan discussed the answer to this question in SEA Talks # 8, on Thursday afternoon, (16/06/16). In his presentation, Dr. Dicky explained that the religious logic in society is often different from public policy. This can not be separated from the influence of the democratic system adopted by almost all countries in Southeast Asia. According to him, the application of democracy leads to unintended consequences, such as the phenomenon of misuse of the law, decentralization that causes inequality, as well as multi-interpretation of the beliefs of one group. On the other hand, the state also has great authority through the prevailing system. Just as Malaysia that applies Islam as a national religion and lists it in the constitution. This rule then legitimizes the expulsion of Ahmadiyah pilgrims in one of the mosques in Malaysia and also the rules that lead to minority discrimination.
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Activity
How far do we know our neighbors? Neighbors are probably the closest people who actually keep the enigma and do not prejudice. But, cinema can help you uncover our nearest neighbor’s curtain: Malaysia. There are five movie options that can be your window to peek our neighbors Malaysia. Sepas made by Yasmin Ahmad reveals intricate interethnic relations in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Ho Yuhang through Rain Dog climbs the dark alley of ethnic Chinese conditions in Malaysia. Similarly, Songlap made by duo Effendy Mazlan and Fariza Azlina Isahak unmistakably reveals the other side of the sparkling capital of Kuala Lumpur. By contrast, Dain Iskandar Said via Bunohan brings you to recognize the face of Malaysia’s peripheral that is not less complicated. And, lastly, Mamat Khalid invites you to taste the taste of classic Malay cinema wrapped in ‘noir movie’ style in the Kala Bulan Mengambang which is loaded with contemporary Malaysian political allegories. So, watch the Malaysian cinema and seize the opportunity to recognize it. (Budi Irawanto)
When reading the literature on the history of Southeast Asia, we often take to the depiction of a character who has a position or power in a community context. The depiction of Southeast Asian history is then often associated (intentionally or unintentionally) strictly with economic or political aspects. This makes reading in the literature of Southeast Asian history often plastered with emphasis on facts, dates, names or personalities.
However, we will encounter different things when reading A History of Southeast Asia: Critical Crossroads. This is one of a professor’s works from Australian National University, Anthony Reid. This book at least provides a new offer to the study of the history of Southeast Asia. In this book, the reading of the history of Southeast Asia places more emphasis on the aspects of its context, processes, and historical intersections.
“Area studies programs were closed or merged into other units; on the eve of the September 11 attacks, half of the top political science departments in the United States did not have a Middle East studies program. ”
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The above sentence was written by Francis Fukuyama quoted by Budiawan as the opening of the SEA-Talks # 5 on Tuesday afternoon (29/01/2016) in Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies (CESASS). It is a writing describing the recent fate of institutionalized regional studies in the United States. The view of the Crisis on the study of the area by Francis Fukuyama was also supported by the writings of Professor Robert Elson which stated that, 10 years ago, Asian Studies in Australia had a strong activity. But conditions have now declined, and it is believed that only Australia National University remains in this crisis.
The afternoon was overcast and a moment later it was raining heavily. In the not-so-extensive library room, a group of audiences had sat sweet and relaxed, waiting for Anthony Chen’s Ilo-Ilo to be screened. This 100 minute movie, apart from the numerous awards it earns, is worth talking about. The film itself is set in 1997, which we know at that time countries in the Asian region experienced a terrible economic crisis. The economy is paralyzed, unemployment everywhere, and Ilo-Ilo recording all of it through the simple relations of the employer and the maid, binding his characters in socio-economic relationships which then changing meaning over time, into a strong psychological relationship.
Aekachai Ounsup Mike as the speaker opened the discussion that afternoon with the question “what you guys think when you hear about Thailand” then the participants also revealed their respective answers, ranging from Thai cuisine, film, language and also transgender. Mike justified these things, then Mike also explained that Thailand does many more than that. There are still many other things that are more interesting, such as the culture, how the daily life of the Thai people, and places of interest in Thailand.
People in Southeast Asia and surrounding areas are believed to have the same root or from the same source. It is characterized by several cultures, customs, and values that are still reflected in the life of people in Southeast Asia and beyond. This thesis was presented by Ronnie Hatley Ph.D in his presentation at SEA Talk discussion of Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies in collaboration with American Institute For Indonesian Studies. This discussion was held on Thursday, February 18, 2016, followed by dozens of academics and researchers from various scientific backgrounds.
The first PSSAT’s SEA Talk program on May 29, 2015 was titled “Mass Media and ASEAN Community Construction”. Dr. Phil. Hermin Indah Wahyuni, M.Si, head of PSSAT, became the speaker that afternoon. According to her, the mass media now is not fully concerned about the importance of the ASEAN Economic Community (MEA). Mass media, in this case journalists, need to be more in knowing this issue so that it is not only becoming a discourse on the level of the elite alone but this information can be up to the community in Southeast Asia itself.