ISSN 2460-1659 FORWARD Towards ASEAN Community - Centrality - Connectivity 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, Thailand 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 Bangkok, 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