Politics in Action 2023: Power, polls, and political dynasties

Row of flags from Southeast Asian countries

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Politics in Action 2023: Power, polls, and political dynasties

18 May 2023

Political updates on Southeast Asia from researchers on the ground

Our annual Politics in Action forum featured timely analysis of political affairs in six Southeast Asian countries.

Six speakers from Politics in Action 2023

This year鈥檚 Politics in Action forum featured political updates on six Southeast Asian countries, brought to us by a talented group of researchers based across the region. Delivered online and held over two days, each presentation was packed with insights and analysis, and followed by lively Q&A sessions.

Designed to be concise, the forum featured updates on Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Recent or upcoming elections were a key theme discussed throughout, as were issues of democratic erosion, personality politics, political dynasties and the plight of opposition parties.

SINGAPORE | Walid Jumblatt Abdullah (Nanyang Technological University) discussed the designation of Lawrence Wong as Singapore鈥檚 prime minister in waiting and the implications for the policymaking approach of the ruling People鈥檚 Action Party. He also cast ahead to the presidential election in September and discussed what issues and interests may be at play. Walid commented that larger political structures will likely remain intact, regardless of changes at the top.

CAMBODIA | Sovinda Po (Royal University of Phnom Penh) covered the significance of the sentencing of opposition figure Kem Sokha to almost three decades of house arrest. He also discussed the upcoming election in July 2023, which will set the stage for a transfer of power within the long-ruling Cambodian People鈥檚 Party, with some figures set to hand the reins to their children or trusted offsiders. Sovinda also spoke about the political standing of Hun Manet, the son of prime minister Hun Sen, who is set to succeed him.

INDONESIA | Bivitri Susanti (Indonesia Jentera School of Law) presented this year鈥檚 Indonesia update. Bivitri discussed the declining rule of law in the country, including issues of 鈥榗ourt capture鈥� and corruption, the judicial harassment of human rights defenders, and the controversial new Criminal Code. She also covered key political issues leading up to the 2024 election, including ongoing speculation about postponement and the two-term presidential limit that prevents president Joko Widodo from running.

THAILAND | Surachanee 鈥淗ammerli鈥� Sriyai (Chiang Mai University) focused on the impending Thai election, which has subsequently seen opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai win the largest share of votes. Hammerli provided key context for the election, including the youth-led protest movement that called for reform to the monarchy, among other demands. She described the fracturing of the Thai government, the reenergizing of key opposition parties, and possibilities for a future governing coalition.

TIMOR-LESTE | Jo茫o da Cruz Cardoso (independent Dili-based researcher) presented on Timor-Leste. He began with an overview of Timor-Leste鈥檚 recent political history, the independence movement, and the 鈥榦ld鈥� and 鈥榶oung鈥� generations of leaders. He discussed the country鈥檚 upcoming parliamentary elections, focusing on five key political parties and the different scenarios that may play out. Finally, Jo茫o explored major development challenges facing the country and the major parties鈥� plans to address them.

PHILIPPINES | Aries Arugay (University of the Philippines Diliman) rounded out this year鈥檚 forum with the Philippines update. Aries spoke about the aftermath of the 2022 presidential election, which featured personality politics, disinformation narratives, the phenomenon of 鈥榓uthoritarian nostalgia鈥�, and the emergence of what he calls a 鈥榙ynasty cartel鈥� between the Marcos and Duterte families. Aries also offered a snapshot of the rule of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, noting the absence of clear policy in key areas and ongoing democratic erosion.

Thank you to all our speakers for making Politics in Action 2023 such an engaging and informative event. Thanks also to our moderators,聽Vichhra Mouyly, Simon Butt, Aim Sinpeng and Sandra Alday, alongside SSEAC's聽Sonja van Wichelen, for expertly guiding the sessions.

If you missed it, catch up on the speakers鈥� presentations below, on our , or on .