The SOUTHEAST Asia Thread: Hun Sen In The Bathroom With The Golf Club. Case Closed.

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > The SOUTHEAST Asia Thread: Hun Sen In The Bathroom With The Golf Club. Case Closed.

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

ReindeerF posted:

2) ...or any of the various forms of Bahasa, including Tagalog (ah-hah, gotcha Pinoys!)...

Bahasa literally means language (in Indonesian and Malay language). If you say "let's speak Bahasa!", it means "let's speak language!", what language? Technically how you put it in the sentence is correct but misleading. The correct term is Bahasa Indonesia or Indonesian language, because "Bahasa" is definitely not a Tagalog term, and Tagalog is a completely different language compared to Indonesian or Malay. It is often mistakenly mentioned in incomplete sentence, and the word Bahasa is often confusingly referred to as the Indonesian language.

ReindeerF posted:

You Are Indonesia
need a local contributor here!!!

Here's what I found...(lol)

To Justin Bieber, Indonesia Just ‘Some Random Country’ with Bad Studios

# ¿ Jun 17, 2012 01:25

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# ¿ May 21, 2013 04:55

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Yeah, what's the real deal with the "Red shirts movement" in Thailand? I remembered watching news in 2010 when the Red Shirts took over downtown Bangkok and the Thai army deployed heavily armed soldiers with armored vehicles to "remove" them. Watching TV news as foreigner gave you the impression that Bangkok is a warzone.

I heard some story of Red Shirts movement back then is basically disenchanted people who enjoyed economic prosperity under Thaksin and dislike the military rulers who overthrown him, though I can't tell whether that's actually fact or fairy-tale.

Section 31 fucked around with this message at Jun 18, 2012 around 12:33

# ¿ Jun 18, 2012 12:29

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Thanks for the lengthy explanation. Here's "nasi lemak" for your effort (I'm pretty sure it's a popular food there but correct me if I'm wrong)...

ReindeerF posted:

This post is rambling and disorganized and doesn't cover the Yellow Shirts because my fingers are tired, but please don't let that imply that they're the good guys or anything, they're complex too and not exactly lovable.

I noticed the Red shirts and Yellow shirts group never march in the same time or openly clash with each others. Like for example during the takeover of central Bangkok by Red shirts in 2010, the Yellow shirts didn't do counter-march or anything like that, or did I miss something?

# ¿ Jun 20, 2012 23:55

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Jim Bont posted:

What do people here think of the prospects of the PAP and the general state of multiparty democracy in Singapore over the next decade - specifically once Lee Kuan Yew dies?

I've been to Singapore several times, and honestly (in my opinion) the local folks don't seem to care about politics since they already "enjoy a good life" provided by the government, if you know what I mean.

# ¿ Jun 27, 2012 08:41

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Positive Optimyst posted:

Just letting you guys know I'm in Hanoi.

If you have a question, feel free to ask.

lemonadesweetheart posted:

I'm an expat living in KL if anyone has any questions.

What's the general impression of local folks to foreign workers/immigrants, both Westerners and fellow Asians?

# ¿ Jun 28, 2012 10:41

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Modus Operandi posted:

Most of the complaints i've heard about transportation in Singapore is how expensive it is to get a license to own a car. In some cases the registration or licensing fees cost more than the vehicle itself. These measures were created to prevent the massive grid lock and pollution you see in other SEA countries. It seems to work for the most part but I guess a portion of the middle class isn't thrilled with being essentially taxed into submission like this.

I think these measures should be kept. I've watched footages and TV reports of traffic in several SE Asian cities like Jakarta, Hanoi, and Manila, and boy, they're horrible to the point where even ant might not be able to pass between the congested traffic.

Modus Operandi posted:

It's historically ironic but the Japanese are probably the most well liked expats around Asia except in China, heh. It's mainly because they tend to build low-key communities for themselves that don't aggravate the locals. They are typically polite and respectful. The Japanese also dump a lot of money or invest into the local economy so there are few cultural friction points.

This might be a skewed view but I got the impression (from the local TV and talks with some folks) that Korean boyband and Japanese anime/cartoon are very popular particularly among the youths.

# ¿ Jun 30, 2012 10:15

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

So all these "romance" with the US, I'm guessing China won't be too happy? Or they just don't care?

# ¿ Jul 2, 2012 23:32

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

lemonadesweetheart posted:

Speaking of land grabs, the south china sea is kinda hilarious.

Did China have the naval capability to reinforce their claim against the SE Asia nations though?

From what I read a couple years back, the strongest military in ASEAN is, ironically also the smallest nation, namely Singapore.

# ¿ Jul 4, 2012 12:17

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Jim Bont posted:

The Singaporean plan to deal with Malaysia in a hypothetical war is hilarious, I've heard it from a few people who've served in NS so it's an open secret at this point but I still don't think I should write it down. Let's just say it doesn't involve Singapore sitting put on their side of the Causeway.

Well, Singapore seems small and might need more land for population growth so...

Speaking of Singapore...is this a popular forum for expat?

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/

Section 31 fucked around with this message at Jul 5, 2012 around 05:06

# ¿ Jul 5, 2012 05:02

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

It's one thing and also not surprising to watch anti-US rally, but anti-China rally in Vietnam?

quote:

Vietnamese activists hold anti-China rally

Demonstrators said they were stopped by security forces about 100 metres (330 feet) away from the Chinese embassy in the city, but no arrests were made in the latest public expression of discontent over Beijing's perceived aggression in the sea.

The crowd waved banners and chanted "Paracel -- Vietnam! Spratlys -- Vietnam!" during the peaceful rally, in reference to two potentially oil-rich island chains claimed by both Beijing and Hanoi.

Last Sunday, smaller demonstrations were held in both Hanoi and the southern economic metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City as the maritime dispute once again flared following 11 street rallies on the issue last year.

Protest is rare in the authoritarian country. The first rallies last year were allowed to go ahead without interference, but authorities clamped down on later gatherings, briefly detaining dozens of people after talks between Hanoi and Beijing.

Relations between Beijing and Hanoi have soured recently, with Vietnam attracting China's ire last month after it adopted a law that places the Spratlys under Hanoi's sovereignty.

For its part China in June said it had elevated the administrative status of what it calls the Nansha (Spratly) and Xisha (Paracel) islands from a county to a prefectural-level district.

China's state-backed China National Offshore Oil Corp. also said it was seeking bids for exploration of oil blocks in disputed waters -- a move slammed by Vietnam.

Beijing says it has sovereign rights to the whole South China Sea, believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits. The sea is also claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

# ¿ Jul 9, 2012 08:24

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

There was similar anti-China demonstration last year in Vietnam but it was dispersed by authority (as mentioned in article), I wonder whether Vietnamese authority will respond differently this year given the higher tension between two countries.

# ¿ Jul 9, 2012 09:33

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Where exactly are the Rohingya people concentrated in Burma? Are they scattered across the country?

Maybe some maps of Burma ethnicity can give perspective.

# ¿ Jul 16, 2012 12:37

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Thanks.

Looking at the photo and description, the Rohingya people appear very much like Bangladeshi (or people from Indian subcontinent for that matter). The neighboring Bangladesh won't help and shelter them though?

# ¿ Jul 16, 2012 13:23

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

This issue has boggled my mind for some times. For anyone who's familiar with Malaysia's politics, what's your thoughts on alleged Anwar Ibrahim (ex-deputy PM) sodomy sex scandal? Was that a simple case of sex scandal, a ploy by people who are threatened by him or was there something more? It's interesting to note that after he was fired by Mahathir, he became a leading figure in Malaysia opposition...

Section 31 fucked around with this message at Jul 21, 2012 around 23:28

# ¿ Jul 21, 2012 23:24

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

lemonadesweetheart posted:

It was staged to discredit him. It's all a bit retarded, some of the stories I heard are hilarious. Something about how the sperm linking him to the rent boy was processed/extracted a week after the incident and that the sperm samples identified were from six different people.

Can you elaborate a bit on that -What was the reason that he was "disgraced" from being a deputy PM? Did he openly criticize Mahathir at one point?

# ¿ Jul 23, 2012 09:27

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Thanks! I didn't know that Anwar Ibrahim preferred IMF approach on dealing with the financial crisis. I know Mahathir doesn't like IMF (and I agree with his approach on economic policy) but I'm surprised Anwar was the opposite of that.

The impression I got from the media was mostly how Anwar Ibrahim was victim of Mahathir's ambition, since I know very little about Malaysian politics. The narrative always centered on how either Anwar was a prominent opposition figure or a criminal who sodomized little boy, with no news about his IMF approach.

# ¿ Jul 28, 2012 22:27

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

A shameless copy-paste from other thread:

quote:

So apparently Russia is getting a naval base in Vietnam, and trying to get one in Cuba.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-...0728-232tt.html
http://en.ria.ru/world/20120727/174804220.html

Of course, they're now denying it. But it certainly makes sense that Vietnam would like a Russian presence, wanting to counterbalance China's influence and expanding control over the South China Sea. Cuba and Seychelles? We'll see.

~~I was under the impression that Russia already had naval base in Vietnam since Soviet era to counter China and American influence (who were both united in their stance against the USSR).~~
Nevermind, the Russians apparently had withdrawn in 2002.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Ranh_Bay

Section 31 fucked around with this message at Jul 29, 2012 around 10:22

# ¿ Jul 28, 2012 22:32

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

kazakirinyancat posted:

Some think it's a ploy by Malaysia to get Sabah and that Bangsamoro will eventually secede to Malaysia too. Some are bracing for an atrocity even worse than the Ampatuan Massacre.

Is Malaysia really responsible and to be blamed for the armed movements in southern Philippines? That sounds like a wild and paranoid conspiracy theory...

# ¿ Oct 20, 2012 23:47

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

kazakirinyancat posted:

Law goes into effect on the 3rd of October. I'm doing my best to get into trouble to see if they'll actually make an example of me.

Quoting your earlier post...

So it's been more than 3 weeks, did the authority manage to make an example of you?

# ¿ Oct 23, 2012 18:16

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Modus Operandi posted:

I recently read a book called Looming Tower and there were a surprising number of prominent terrorism cells with direct AQ links in Malaysia. It was even a country that 9/11 terrorist hijackers chose to have a meeting at with a Malaysian host to hash out their plans. I don't know how it is now but I have a feeling that Malaysia might be a little bit like Pakistan where authorities ignore certain "elements" because they are part of the intelligence and government infrastructure there.

Malaysia is also regularly blamed by Thais for harboring extremists who incite unrest in southern Thailand. Though that could just be the usual Thais blaming neighboring countries for everything though.

Apparently two Malaysians were also responsible as the mastermind behind several deadly bombings in Indonesia, so...

But really, if Malaysia orchestrated all those mayhem, I'm guessing the authority at neighboring countries will quickly raise their voices and point fingers toward Malaysia.

# ¿ Oct 27, 2012 12:41

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

There hasn't been news about the fate of Rohingnya people for weeks, what's the latest? Have peace finally returned to Myanmar?

# ¿ Nov 17, 2012 12:54

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

It seems Obama is having a good day in Myanmar.

# ¿ Nov 19, 2012 11:25

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

Modus Operandi posted:

One thing i've noticed, and this is worldwide, is that the more corrupt the bureaucracy the more they love redundant paperwork. Thai people love shuffling paperwork and making stacks of photocopies that are stuffed away in some gigantic filing cabinet or left to pile up on a desk. It seems the same stuff goes on in the Philippines and probably to an even worse degree. The funny thing is that if any legal accountability is called for which involves paperwork none of it is actually legit. It's all quick forgeries, phony signatures, etc.. or up top it won't matter at all since the judges in whatever case are all paid off or biased in some way.

Once during my travel in Malaysia, I was told by the taxi driver (when passing bunch of cops inspecting vehicle) something like "cops still need food to eat, ah!" referring to how giving "fee" to police will release you from trouble.

I think Singapore is the only SEA countries with bureaucracy mostly free from corruption.

# ¿ Jan 1, 2013 13:47

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

On a more positive news, two mayors from SEA have been selected in The top 10 mayors of World Mayor 2012:

http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2...12-results.html

There are only three mayors from Asia who made it to the list and two happened to be from SEA (the other is Korean mayor). Maybe someone (local) from Indonesia or Phillipines would like to give testimony?

# ¿ Jan 8, 2013 03:01

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

lemonadesweetheart posted:

Just a quick update on the Sabah issue. Malaysian armed forces attacked the Sulu forces (Air strikes, artillery strikes) and apparently drove them out. No deaths on the Malaysian side, some but no numbers confirmed on the Sulu side. Sulu representatives have issued statements saying they will seek reprisals. Things are pretty messed up in Sabah right now.

Do you think Malaysia will "easily defeat" these ragtag group of gunmen? From what I read there are at most 300 "Sulu people" armed with something like AK or M-16, while Malaysia had deployed thousands of police/soldiers with heavy weaponries.

# ¿ Mar 7, 2013 19:54

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# ¿ May 21, 2013 04:55

Section 31: Mar 4, 2012; What was that?

So I was reading an Indonesia news outlet which seems pretty informative.

Then I read this:
House to tackle black magic in law revision
Witch hunt junket for 60 lawmakers
The latter article is interesting particularly because of this:

quote:

Despite massive criticism for irrational pronouncements, the House’s legal commission members plan trips to three European countries including Russia to ‘find facts’ for the Criminal Code and Criminal Code Procedures revisions.

The lawmakers will go in four groups of 15, departing between April 14 and 19 to the Netherlands, France, the UK and Russia. Among the facts they hope to find and insight on how to deal the impact of black magic on society.

"Black magic is a part of witchcraft, which has existed everywhere since a long time ago," Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah from the United Development Party (PPP) said on Friday.

"Many people believe in black magic. That's why we need to regulate it to avoid communal judgement," he added. Activists have been asking why the lawmakers intend to put a chapter on black magic into the new codes, arguing that law enforcers would meet serious obstacles in proving the acts had been committed. (dic)

Is there even "black magic" law in the four countries mentioned above?

It seems some lawmakers are watching Harry Potters too much or playing Skyrim a lot...

# ¿ Mar 22, 2013 09:05

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > The SOUTHEAST Asia Thread: Hun Sen In The Bathroom With The Golf Club. Case Closed.