Myanmar military dissolved Aung San Suu Kyi’s party
The military junta in Myanmar dissolved the former leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), on 29 March 2023 due to their failure to register for the national election.
In January, the military gave political parties two months to re-register under its new electoral law and subsequently extended its state of emergency by six months thus pushing back the possible date for a fresh election. Despite the election’s extension and with no clear date set for the poll, Myanmar’s military-controlled electoral commission dissolved the NLD along with 39 other political parties. Although 63 parties had registered at the local or national level, an election held without the participation of the NLD—which won the 2020 polls in a landslide—would likely see the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) sweep to victory.
Some believed the election could turn out to be the bloodiest in the country’s recent history as the majority of the population fiercely opposes going to an election which would legitimize the military’s claims to power. The United States condemned the dissolution of the 40 political parties and believed an election held by the military government would not be free nor fair. Despite the junta chief’s (Min Aung Hlaing) urging of international critics to support his efforts to restore democracy, the deposed NLD lawmakers do not accept that an election should be held after many political leaders and activists have been arrested and tortured.
With the NLD’s dissolution and full control over any future election, the military government will be able to move forward to gain electoral victory however with limited legitimacy given the circumstances.
Malaysia’s parliament voted to abolish the death penalty
Malaysia’s lower house voted in favour of removing the country’s mandatory death sentences for serious offences, along with lifelong imprisonment, on 3 April 2023, in an effort to respect each individual’s right to life.
The reform would apply to 34 offenses that would result in the death penalty, including murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and acts of terrorism, giving the chance of sparing more than 1,300 prisoners on death row. However, alternative forms of punishment including whipping and imprisonment for up to 30 – 40 years would be enforced. The bill will proceed to the upper house for review where it is expected to be approved to become law after receiving royal assent.
Many showed their support for the abolishment viewing it as an important breakthrough. Others saw this approach as a good first step forward toward the total abolition of capital punishment. Human rights groups have hailed the reform, hoping that Malaysia would encourage other neighbouring countries to do the same. However, opposition lawmakers viewed it as unfair towards the victim’s families who wanted retribution for the loss of their loved ones. With this reform, the Malaysian Deputy Law Minister lauded the country’s commitment to always renewing and improving legislation and justice in Malaysia while Amnesty International hoped Malaysia’s Senate would make these reforms a reality.
Malaysia may become the third country in Southeast Asia to abolish the death penalty, after Cambodia and the Philippines, and it is highly expected that the bill would become law soon.
The Philippines announced the locations of 4 bases to be used by the US military
Following an agreement in February 2023 between Manila and Washington to allow the US access to four additional military bases in the Philippines, the Philippines disclosed the locations of these bases to the public.
The sites are the Camilo Osias naval base in Sta Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan. The base locations in Isabela and Cagayan are facing north towards Taiwan while the base in Palawan is located near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The US access to these bases will allow Washington and Manila to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The Pentagon believed these locations will strengthen the interoperability of the US and the Philippine Armed Forces allowing them to respond to challenges more seamlessly in the Indo-Pacific. Some believed there will be an increase of rotational forces in the region while others saw the US access to the four bases as a suitable and mutual benefit that can boost the disaster response of the Philippines. Although Beijing had not commented on this recent announcement, China has been critical of the 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the US and the Philippines, viewing it as an effort to encircle and contain Beijing.
The new bases will allow the US easier maneuverability near the South China Sea and Taiwan, while Washington’s military presence in Manila will strengthen the Philippines’ security in the Indo-Pacific.
The Pheu Thai party confirmed Thaksin’s daughter as one of the PM candidates
Thailand’s main opposition party – the Pheu Thai party – confirmed on 5 April 2023 that Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of the ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, would be one of its prime ministerial candidates for the upcoming general election.
Paetongtarn was among two others, property tycoon Srettha Thavisin and former attorney-general and party strategist Chaikasem Nitisiri, who have been nominated as Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates. Despite leading in recent opinion polls, the Pheu Thai party has yet to confirm that Paetongtarn is its final choice for prime ministerial candidate. However, she is seen as the front-runner for the position due to her popularity over her electoral rivals including the current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and his deputy Prawit Wongsuwon – both former generals who led the 2014 coup to oust Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister.
Ms Paetongtarn pledged to take back democracy and bring prosperity to Thailand. Despite being 8 months pregnant, she also admitted that it will be a challenge but pledged to communicate with the people as much as possible. While Prime Minister Prayut touted that the country needs experienced people who know how to do the job, others were surprised at how fast she earned voters, especially among the younger population. Paetongtarn is the youngest of Thaksin’s three children and managed the hotel branch of the family’s real estate business before moving into politics.
Although the Pheu Thai party has yet to confirm Ms Paetongtarn as its prime ministerial candidate, and could still promote the less controversial candidate Srettha to avoid perceptions of maintaining overly close links to Thaksin, she remains the most likely prime ministerial candidate to represent Pheu Thai in the Thai general election that is set to be held on 14 May 2023.
Sovinda Po is a Research Assistant at the Griffith Asia Institute.
