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OPINION Elections and Democracy in Southeast Asia

everal elections had been held the quality of democracy, we can find that (Electoral Integrity Initiative, 2018). This simultaneously by countries in the Southeast Asian region to some extent situation also indicates, as explained by Southeast Asian Region in this year. still face a very serious problem. According the former ASEAN Secretary General Dr. S to European Intelligence Unit, in its 2018 This includes three main countries in this Surin Pitsuwan (2016), that one of the region namely Indonesia, and the index, for instance, four of ten countries in main problems of this region is related Philippines. In 2018, Malaysia also held this region could be regarded as “flawed to democracy development that still a relatively free and fair election. Many democracy” (Malaysia, the Philippines, left behind compared to the economic hopes that these elections would bring a Indonesia and Singapore) while the rest development. For this reason, a part of new-fresh direction and hope of the people is whether “hybrid system” (Thailand) or the quite success story in terms of the in their countries towards much better “authoritarian” (Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos election procedural process, one of the democracy. This kind of hope is really and Cambodia). This situation is actually in main homework of the people and the significant, since the strength of democracy line with the statement made by Electoral government in this region is actually how is actually a prominent based for creating Integrity Initiative that “Some ASEAN to properly establish “people sovereignty”. a democratic government that would countries remain under authoritarian It becomes a fundamental business, so manifest relevant policies for the people form of government, other are reverting that the election would eventually provide and also the region’s interests. The result to authoritarianism, while many of the the real meaning for the life of people and of the elections had generally peacefully more democratic system continue to the region prosperity. We certainly hope accepted. However, if we scrutinize the suffer from chronic problems including that the new governments could really real political condition, in particular money politics, weak electoral justice become a “positive trigger” to reach those system and shrinking civil society space” important aims. (Firman Noor)

TABLE OF CONTENT NEWS UPDATE Page 1 Opinion Elections and Democracy in Strengthening ASEAN Leadership in Indo-Pacific Southeast Asia News Update fter a long wait, ASEAN finally The release of the outlook could be seen as Strengthening ASEAN Leadership expressed its vision on Indo-Pacific ASEAN’s effort to set up a clear orientation in Indo-Pacific A concept during the 34th ASEAN for member states’ behavior in dealing with Page 2 Summit in , Thailand 20-23 June 2019. their partners in Indo-Pacific region. The Article Under the theme of “Advancing Partnership outlook does not only emphasize ASEAN Election and Democracy in Indonesia for Sustainability”, the summit focused on centrality, dialogue and cooperation culture, The Philippines Election: Between promoting cooperation and strengthening but also reflect ASEAN’s hope to build Combating Drugs Related Crimes and Protecting Human Rights consensus among member states to address regional stability. Unfortunately, the five-page new global challenges. ASEAN officially released document does not offer much explanation on Page 3 a document entitled “ASEAN Outlook on how ASEAN would manage the Indo-Pacific Article Indo-Pacific”, which contains five main points region, especially in the fierce competition Thailand’s 2019 Election and its Implications for ASEAN of ASEAN vision for the Indo-Pacific region: among major powers. The document also gives the background and reason behind, the key a little note about crucial issues like the South Page 4 elements, objectives, principles, and areas of China Sea. However, the release of the outlook Activities cooperation mechanism of the Indo-Pacific is still a notable accomplishment for ASEAN, Book Resume region. Previously, the US, France, Japan and since it helps the association to strengthen 50 Years of ASEAN: Dynamics Australia had expressed their Indo-Pacific its role in establishing relations with external and Challenges in the Future regional vision. partners. (Hayati Nufus)

FORWARD Vol.5 No.1 2019 15 FORWARD Towards ASEAN Community - Centrality - Connectivity ARTICLE Election and Democracy in Indonesia

ndonesia has been acknowledged as the world’s third- It was held in 810,329 polling stations across all provinces in largest democracy due to the implementation of free Indonesia, and involved more than 7 million election officers. I and fair elections since 1999. Indonesia’s election is While for the election abroad, the Indonesian Election even considered as one of the most complicated elections in Commission (KPU) prepared several methods for voters to the world because of the combination of its systems. Since elect, including voting at 789 polling stations, 2,326 mobile 2009, local, provincial, and national legislative elections ballot boxes, and 436 post offices. There were 190,779,969 have been carried out with an open list system, so that the voters in Indonesia and 2,086,285 voters abroad registered on voters are able to elect both parties and/or the candidates. the list of voters in the election. Moreover, the head of districts/cities and provinces, as well as president are elected directly by the voters every This election succeeded in increasing voter participation five years. This electoral system has become increasingly by almost 10% higher than the previous election in 2014. The complicated with the implementation of concurrent election voter turnout reached more than 80%. The election results in 2019 that allows the voters to elect the members of were also announced by the KPU as planned in May 2019, parliament and the president simultaneously. with Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin as the president-vice president-elect of the Republic of Indonesia for 2019-2024. The first concurrent election was held in 34 provinces in They defeated Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno with a vote Indonesia as well as in Indonesian embassies and consulates of 55.5% compared to 44.5%. While for the legislative election, abroad on April 2019. This election has been dubbed as the the PDIP, which is also the main bearer party of the presidential “five boxes” election as the voters elected members of the election winner, got the highest vote (19%). Other parties that House of Representatives (DPR RI), the House of Regional will hold the seats in the national parliament are Gerindra Representatives (DPD RI), the provincial parliaments (DPRD (12.57%), Golkar (12.31%), PKB (9.69%), Nasdem (9.05%), PKS Provinsi), the regency/city parliaments (DPRD Kabupaten/ (8.21%), Democrats (7.77%), PAN (6.84%) and PPP (4.52%). Kota), and the president-vice president at the same time. (Aisah Putri Budiatri)

The Philippines Election: Between Combating Drugs Related Crimes and Protecting Human Rights

019 is a year of celebration for democracy in the drugs related crimes have been criticized by human rights group Philippines as it held national and local elections. for executing extrajudicial killing in the process. In July 2019, the 2 This national and local elections is a midterm UN Human Rights Council passed Resolution on the Promotion election that is held in the middle of the presidential and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines by a thin terms. The elections are conducted and managed by a margin which push the formation of investigation of Human governmental agency called Commission in Elections Rights violation related such allegation. In spite of International (COMELEC) which is mandated by Constitutions of The effort to highlight this issue, spokesman of Duterte stated Philippines on 1940. that “The resolution is grotesquely one-sided, outrageously narrow, and maliciously partisan” (Reuters, 2019). With this th The Midterm was conducted on 13 of May to vote rate of rejection, UN’s effort to investigate this issue might 12 out of 24 seats in the Senates, all seats in the House face obstacles because of Duterte’s high popularity within the of Representatives and also leaders on provincial, city Philippines and strong support in the Senates. and municipal governments. From 63,643,263 registered voters, 74,31% voter turnout in this election (COMELEC, When it comes to independence of each country to uphold 2019). The result showed that 9 out of 12 elected senators justice within its national territory, the Philippines’ stance can are those who support Duterte and the other three are be understandable. The flow of illegal drugs is indeed have independent (BBC, 2019). becoming a national threat that must be handled seriously. Even it has become one of regional priority since 1998 as Then, what is the impact of the midterm election planned through Joint Declaration for a Drug Free ASEAN. especially in regard to stronger support to Duterte’s However, it must be noted that ASEAN Member States also administration? From international perspective, the have committed in respecting and promoting human rights. strengthening of Duterte’s power in the Philippines has Therefore, it is important for the Philippines to balance both the raised concern for those who found Duterte’s crack down need for combating drugs related crimes and acknowledging the on drugs is worrisome. The Philippine’s effort to combat commitment to protect human rights. (Khanisa Krisman)

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Coordinator: Khanisa and Sandy Nur Ikfal R. ARTICLE Design and Layouter: Anggih Tangkas Wibowo Publisher: Thailand’s 2019 Election Research Center for Politics Indonesian Institute of Sciences Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto 10 and its Implications for ASEAN Jakarta 12710

Website: http://politik.lipi.go.id fter the 2014 military coup and Knowing the fact that Thailand is the chair of Email: [email protected] the 2017 constitutional change, ASEAN in 2019, what are the consequences of A Thailand under Prime Minister the election of Prayut Chan-o-cha, known for ASEAN RESEARCH GROUP (ARG) Prayut Chan-o-cha finally held elections on his affiliation with the military, to ASEAN? TEAM MEMBERS March 24, 2019. This election was intended to elect 500 members of the House of First, in the context of partnership, Thailand Dr. Adriana Elisabeth Representatives from 77 contested parties. is likely to bring itself and other countries (International political economy) After being criticized for biased conduct and in the subregion to continue improving delaying the announcement of official results economic and development relations with Dr. Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti several times, The Election Commission China. In June 2019, Prayut met with the (International migration) finally announced the results for 349 Communist Party Secretary of Guangdong constituency seats on May 7, 2019 and for province to discuss the linkage between the Dr. M. Riefqi Muna party list seats on May 8, 2019. For popular Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay (International security) votes, which has Area and the Eastern Economic Corridor of the Greater Mekong Subregion, as well as the Dra. Awani Irewati, MA affiliation with Prayut Chan-o-cha got the Belt and Road Initiative (The Nation, 2019). (Border studies) highest vote (23.74%), followed by affiliated with former Prime Minister Thailand also expressed its desire to work Drs. Agus R. Rahman, MM., ME Thaksin and with 22.16%. closely with China within the framework of (International economy) However, in the number of constituency seats, ASEAN and Lancang Mekong Cooperation Pheu Thai Party won 136 seats, followed by (beltandroadforum, 2019). However, C.P.F. Luhulima Palang Pracharath Party (116 seats), Future China’s great role in the above subregional (Regional political economy) Forward Party (81 seats), Democrat Party cooperation should also be watched out so as (53 seats), (51 seats), and not to disrupt ASEAN’s centrality in dealing Ratna Shofi Inayati, MBA the rest gained by 21 others parties (Thailand with external entities. (Regional studies) Election Commission, 2019). Secondly, the election result in Thailand Indriana Kartini, S.IP., MA The election results above are then used by also indicates that the issue of upholding (International Politics) parties to compete in determining the prime democracy and human rights as an ASEAN minister. Anti-military junta parties, namely agenda, such as the case of the Rohingya Lidya Christin Sinaga, S.IP., MA people, will be difficult to get Thailand’s full (International Politics and Disaster study) Pheu Thai, Future Forward, Thai Liberal, Puea Chat, Prachachart, Thai People Power and support. This can be traced from Prayut’s statement on July 25, Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo, M.Si (Han) New Economics parties formed an alliance “Speaking of the (Border studies) early on March 27, 2019. Meanwhile, parties Rohingya, I am sympathetic. But their looks, supporting the junta also formed a coalition their appearance is very different from us. If you Khanisa, MA under leadership of the Palang Pracharath can accept more than these people in Thailand, (ASEAN and Diplomacy) Party, including the Democrat Party. Under that is up to you” (HRW, 2019). Previously, the new rules in the 2017 Constitution, the Internal Security Operations Command, Hayati Nufus, S. Hum, LL. M Thailand’s Prime Minister Election does not chaired by Prayuth, had implemented a three- (Junior researcher, Chinese studies) only involve 500 members of the house of step action plan to stop the flow of Rohingya representatives elected in the election, but people who wanted to land in Thailand to Faudzan Farhana, SH also 250 members of the Senate appointed obtain asylum seeker status. Thailand is one (Junior researcher, International law) by the military junta government. As a result, of the three main destination countries for on 5 June 2019, 500 votes (66.7%) re-elected Rohingya migrants, besides Malaysia and Pandu Prayoga, S.IP, MA Prayut Chan-0-cha as the Prime Minister of Indonesia. Without a constructive position (Junior researcher, Thailand (Bangkok Post, 2019). from Thailand, effective solution efforts for International political economy) Rohingya migrants in ASEAN will be difficult to realize. (Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo)

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ACTIVITIES

n 2019, ASEAN Research Group is working on Thailand, and the Institute of Strategic and International two studies entitled “Global Maritime Fulcrum Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. This forum concluded with a series of I and Maritime Connectivity in ASEAN” and “The concrete ideas and plans of action for advancing key elements Development of Cross-border Connectivity through Sub- of the regional protection system. regional Economic Cooperation.” Another think-tank dialogue was held between the Alongside with the main research activities, the ARG Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik-Germany and Indonesian members also involve with external partners in conducting Institute of Sciences under the theme of “Dealing with discussions on current issues. In May 2019, Research Center Maritime Security: Lesson learnt from Indonesia and for Politics-Deputyship of Social Sciences and Humanities, Germany’s Experience” in Berlin, 4-5 July 2019. ARG member, Indonesian Institute of Sciences in collaboration with Asia Sandy Raharjo, was presenting his paper of “Dealing with Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA) conducted Maritime migration Issue in Southeast Asia: Indonesia’s the APPRA Conference on “Empowering Culture of Peace, Experience” at the event. (Lidya Sinaga) Sustainable Development and Defending Democracy” in Jakarta.

Later, Prof. Dr. Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti from the ARG participated as one of the key speakers at the 8th Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM), 28-29 June 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Jakarta. Since its inaugural meeting in August 2015, the ADFM has become a leading regional forum for policy development on forced migration issues. This event was supported by the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) in Australia, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP) Mahidol University BOOK RESUME 50 Years of ASEAN: Dynamics and Challenges in the Future

n 2017, ASEAN has remarked its entire articles are Indonesia’s perspective on existence as the longest-standing ASEAN, which is regarded as the cornerstone I regional organization in Southeast of Indonesia’s foreign policy. Asia. For 50 years, ASEAN has managed to transform itself, not only by expanding This book provides insights from 15 the membership but also by shifting its scholars at the Indonesian Institute of paradigm from state-centric to people- Sciences, which has directly involved oriented and people-centered. in advancing science and technology cooperation in ASEAN. Some of them have Original Title: 50 years of ASEAN transformation is conducted research on ASEAN-related issues 50 Tahun ASEAN Dinamika dan the main message of this book. However, for more than 20 years. Through this book, Tantangan ke Depan this book criticises the progress and maps they summarize their works throughout Editor: the future challenges based on three pillars these years and reflect the future challenges Lidya C Sinaga, Khanisa, Pandu of ASEAN Community: political-security, for ASEAN in an era of rapid change in the Prayoga, Faudzan Farhana, and CPF Luhulima economy, and socio-cultural. Therefore, next fifty years. Anyone interested in ASEAN Year of Publication: 2019 the readers can gain deeper understanding will find a lot to chew on in “50 Years of Publisher: LIPI Press of what ASEAN is facing and is going to ASEAN: Dynamics and Future Challenges”. Pages : xvii + 283 pages face under each pillar. Importantly, the (Lidya Sinaga)

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