A bit late but wanted to share, a 10minute talk by Taimur Rahman
YouTube - Imperialism and Historical Conjuncture Today
This is why understanding the opportunities that multipolarity places before the revolutionary movements of the world is crucial to turning the tide of history in our favor. BRICS represents an economic magnetic pole that for all those countries that want to escape the grip of IMF led austerity.
People’s Army Newspaper (Viet Nam) - ASEAN remains China’s biggest trading partner
ASEAN remained China's largest trade partner, with bilateral trade volume reaching CNY 3.92 trillion (USD 546.6 billion) in the first seven months, up 10.5% from a year ago, according to statistics by the Chinese General Administration of Customs (GAC).
Of the sum, China’s exports to ASEAN stood at CNY 2.36 trillion, up 13.7% year-on-year, the agency said.
China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while ASEAN has risen to become China's largest trade partner for four years in a row.
Last year, the two-year trade revenue accounted for 15.4% of China’s international trade value, and the number was 15.8% in the seven months.
Among the 10 ASEAN member countries, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia were China’s top trade partners, with turnover up 24.1%, 13.7%, and 4.1% respectively in the reviewed period.
You know, I’ll just mirror your low effort reply.
I support a Global South government when it bans reactionaries, and not support them when they ban revolutionaries.
Great. Now instead of continuing to speak past eachother, I just stopped the thread right here and we can both move on.
Why must we tail western liberals and their funded propagandists?
Is the world not govern by a Global Capitalist economy led by US capital? The least we can do is analyse the class forces at play, nationally and internationally before simplifying certain parties as just “anti-monarchy”.
As the OP’s linked article clearly states:
Coming back to Bangkok, the Thai generals are evidently circling the wagons sensing the Time of Troubles ahead as the Five Eyes is creating a cauldron in Myanmar that can ensnare the neighbouring regions. Bangkok, a western ally previously, is traditionally a hotbed of western intelligence — Five Eyes — and the authorities are well aware of the resentment in the US that their ties with Beijing have expanded and deepened and assumed a strategic character in the recent years.
And later on,
Washington is livid that its proxy, Move Forward led by a young man educated in the US and groomed to spearhead a colour revolution, has been banned. The Thai authorities understand that the western intention is to break up the ancient crust of their country’s polity, which is the only way to make inroads into what is otherwise a deeply Buddhist culture — specifically, to demolish the so-called lèse-majesté law protecting the institution of monarchy, an institution that dates back more than 700 years and is a pillar of stability in the country symbolising the unity of the Thai communities. By the way, Christian missionary work is active in both Thailand and Myanmar — as in next-door north-eastern region of India. And the evangelicals are an influential pressure group in the US politics.
The Thai authorities have shied away from confronting the US. Thai culture values serenity and avoids conflict and displays of anger. Even disagreements are to be handled with a smile, without assigning blame. Hence the circuitous route to squash Move Forward on legal grounds.
You can disagree with this narrative, but there is truth in this description. A similar thing happens in Thailand’s neighbouring countries. Call it culturalist, or idealist, but it’s an observable reality that the Southeast Asian Left has had to confront.
The question now arises, are we to support (and what would “support” even entail if it’s just a random comment on an niche online board?) the Western ideologues who espouse the virtuous nature of liberal democracy, when 300 years of history has shown that it was built on colonization and imperialism, or atleast be cognizant of the fact that the Global South countries face overwhelming odds and to fullfil your personal idealist notions of democracy may actually hamper the larger goals of anti-imperialism and communism?
Why are there so many racialist parties?
Colonial capitalism. The British.
One large point I think is also the failure in developing a national vision to dissolve the communal differences between groups. As a result the parties take on a parochial character.
And what do indonesians make of it?
Most Indonesians in Malaysia and Singapore (ie, those with MY/SG citizenship) would be counted as Malay in classifications and often continue to identify as Malay rather than individual ethnic groups (Orang Minang, Bugi etc) as a result. There is a reason for this but I’ll keep my answer short.
As for Indonesians in Indonesia or migrated to Malaysia and Singapore after independence - I am not too sure.
Indonesian national identity was developed through efforts by anti-colonial Indonesian nationalists (many where also Chinese) in establishing a Malay-based national language (Indonesian), and so racial classifications had little effect after independence. The Dutch also had not imported as much foreign labourers as the British did, and often utilised the plentiful population surplus in Java for their colonial economy.
A somewhat similar trend could be seen in Indonesia’s history with their Chinese minority and the indigenous populations of the islands outside of Java but that would not fall under racism or racialism - a colonial construct with extensive roots in Western Modernity and Colonization.
So when I say particularity, it genuinely is a particularity found only within Malaysia and Singapore in Southeast Asia, but can be seen in many examples across the wider Global South.
I know that there is some level of racialist tension between malaysia and singapore (and brain drain of malaysian chinese into singapore)
Brain drain is somewhat of a concern due to uneven development and the higher wages seen in Singapore. This is the result of the semi-peripheral nature of the Malaysia in the World Economy. Other than that it’s not much of a political issue - as in, it is not covered as much in the political theatre of both respective nations (usually).
Malaysia sometimes complain about brain drain but that is the nature of Capitalism when you are imbedded in global trade networks. The neoliberal leaders follow the mercy of International Capital, and so backlash faced is due to their own subservience and nothing more. Having the 11th most powerful passport in the world has its downsides.
Singaporeans also have a nascent anti-immigrant base, something along the lines of “they are taking our jobs” but that is also the reality of being a city-state for Western conglomerates to park their headquarters in. Capitalism is the root cause. Not that I expect the labour aristocrats in Singapore to take heed.
I truly hate the word racialism, please find an alternative
I can’t change the literature unfortunately.
Communalism is also sometimes used as a synonym but I prefer racialism because everyone here uses the word “race” and it is immediately understood what it means.
And I also use communalism to refer to movements that generally do not fall under the “3 Race” umbrella (Malay/Indigenous, Chinese, Indian) or for more specific ethno-cultural chauvinism within the aforementioned racialised categories.
All they need to do is just start accepting chinese refugees when Malaysia is destroyed by climate change.
Actually Malaysia will fair quite well with climate change due to being richer than our neighbours. The position of the country in the middle of the tectonic plate also means that typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also are not much of a concern.
Most major cities are also not threatened as much by rising sea levels.
If anything we will see more climate refugees enter Malaysia as time goes on. 10% of the population are already immigrants, mainly from South Asia.
I know your point should be mainly taken in jest but Chinese identity in Southeast Asia and especially Malaysia and Singapore is complicated, I do not necessarily think they will be willing to move to the mainland just due to identifying as Chinese. The most vulnerable to climate change would be indigenous groups that live in/near the coasts. The Sea Nomads (Orang Laut) and certain Orang Asli groups comes to mind.
Since I am bored with all the Yankee electoralism, here’s a general profile of Malaysian electoral parties
Most of these parties and coalitions also form larger coalitions and/or are splinters/mergers of each other.
I use “Malay-Muslim” to denote a racial-religious political identity unique to Malaysian and Singaporean politics. “Malay” has multiple meanings and various contestations throughout Nusantara (Maritime Southeast Asia).
“Racialism” is also used to highlight the particularities of how race plays out in Malaysia and Singapore, which is different (but interconnected) to how “Racism” plays out in the West and other colonized regions (Latin America and Africa). Malaysia and Singapore’s closest comparison will probably be East Africa as a result.
Barisan Nasional (aka The Tripartite Alliance or the OG compradors, racialism and anti-communism):
UMNO - Malay-Muslim feudal lords and now national bourgeoisie. Racialism with neoliberalism, original progenitors of “Ketuanan Melayu” (Malay-Muslim Supremacy/Dominance) which simmered down the past decade
MCA - Chinese bourgeoisie, had contacts with the KMT, Chinese racialism
MIC - Tamil and Hindu communalism, Indian racialism
KIMMA - Muslim Indian communalism, minor party
Perikatan Nasional (Malay-Muslim racialism):
PAS - Political Islam with racialised characteristics, used to be anti-colonial anti-neoliberal left, drifted more to big-tent for racialised rural Malay-Muslim politics with current leader
Bersatu - splinter because of perceived faults in UMNO, racialised “indigenous rights” (more akin to “nativist” in American context) with focus on “indigenous” Malay-Muslim politics, full membership exclusive to “indigenous” people
Gerakan - Global South Social Democracy
Pakatan Harapan (Capital L Liberalism, mostly urban base, allegedly “reformist”):
PKR - Social Liberalism
DAP - Western Social (Liberal) Democracy, key proponent of “Malaysian Malaysia”, a racialised liberal compromise
Amanah - Splinter faction of PAS, Political Islam with Social Liberalism
Others
GRS - coalition with many component parties, Racialism with regional characteristics
GPS - coalition with many component parties, Racialism with regional characteristics
MUDA - Global South Social Democracy, youth politics
Warisan - Social Liberalism, regional
Pejuang - Malay-Muslim Dominance/Supremacy “Ketuanan Melayu”
PSM and PRM - Marxism/Socialism
Pakistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka has also condemned.
I double checked for Indonesia and the article was only written 1 hour ago, with the referenced twitter post being sent https://x.com/Kemlu_RI/status/1818619190678626578 1.5hrs ago.
Malaysian reaction to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by the Zionist Entity
As per usual, Singapore is silent and will probably be late and say something close to what any European power would say. Indonesia’s national news agency Antara is also quiet and only reactions from individual politicians (in Indonesian) have happened (atleast from what I know).
Politicians across the divide slam killing of Hamas chief
article
Politicians from across the divide have reacted with outrage to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, with Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang among those condemning the Hamas leader’s assassination.
In a Facebook post, Hadi conveyed PAS’s condolences to Haniyeh’s family.
“May he be rewarded with a martyr’s blessings at Allah’s side. The whole world must condemn cowardly Israel, which is not only behind this attack, but also the ongoing war crimes in Gaza,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lee said the assassination in Tehran, Iran, showed a “blatant disregard for international law and the principles of sovereignty”.
“Such actions not only escalate regional tensions but also violate the norms of conduct and the protection of human rights.
The use of extrajudicial measures to target individuals, regardless of their affiliations, sets a dangerous precedent and compromises efforts toward peace and stability in the region, he said on Facebook.
Lee also called on the United Nations to condemn the assassination and assist in the investigation so that it can be concluded swiftly and openly.
Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of the morning, according to Hamas, which described the strike as a severe escalation that would not achieve its goals.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed the death of Haniyeh hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new president, and said it was investigating.
Haniyeh had been the face of Hamas’s international diplomacy amid the war raging in Gaza, where three of his sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Bersatu leader and former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah also expressed shock and dismay at Haniyeh’s death and condemned Israel for the attack, adding that he had once spoken through voice chat with the Hamas leader during his time in the ministry.
In a post on Facebook, Amanah president and agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu also said he had received news of Sheikh Ismail Haniyeh’s passing and return to his Creator as a martyr.
All these politicians barely even have 1% of the courage and strength of the Palestinian Resistance.
How I would characterise the parties mentioned:
PAS - Political Islam with racialised characteristics
The other MP is from PKR - Social Liberalism
Bersatu - “Recent” splinter of the traditional comprador party UMNO, focusing on “indigenous rights” (it means something different here, more akin to “nativist”).
Amanah - Splinter faction of PAS, Political Islam with Social Liberalism.
If I were to generalise the political landscape of Malaysia, it would be similar to other semi-peripheral nations like Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Russia.
Malaysian Cabinet demands swift justice over Ismail Haniyeh's assassination
political theatre warning
PETALING JAYA: Immediate investigations must be carried out over the assassination of former Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh so that those responsible can be brought to justice, said Putrajaya.
Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet, following its weekly meeting, has condemned the assassination of the Hamas chief in Tehran, Iran and it stands in solidarity with Palestinians.
“The Cabinet also expresses condolences to the family of the former Palestinian prime minister and we urged for immediate investigations so that those responsible can be brought to justice.
“The Malaysian government will continue voicing out support and cooperating with other countries in our efforts to push for Palestinians to be freed from any forms of oppression,” said Fahmi in a statement on Wednesday (July 31).
On Wednesday (July 31), Hamas said in a statement that Israel attacked Ismail’s residence in Tehran, Iran.
Ismail was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday (July 30).
Also present in Tehran was Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul as Malaysia’s representative at the inauguration ceremony.
MALAYSIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ASSASSINATION OF ISMAIL HANIYEH (Press Release by Wisma Putra aka Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
how about put your words into action and stop co-operation with the Great Satan
Malaysia strongly condemns the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas and former Prime Minister of Palestine, and one of his bodyguards on 31 July 2024.
Malaysia extends our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family members, as well as to the leadership and people of Palestine.
Malaysia unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassination, and urges all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such acts. The incident underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and reinforces the necessity for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue peaceful resolutions.
Malaysia urges for an immediate and thorough investigation into this assassination, and those responsible to be brought to justice. Malaysia also urges all parties to exercise restraint while facts surrounding the assassination are being established.
Malaysia stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and reaffirms its commitment to supporting their struggle for justice and self-determination. Malaysia recognises the role and contribution of the late Ismail Haniyeh to free Palestine and her people from the illegal Israeli occupation.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Johari Abdul is also in Tehran as Malaysia’s representative to the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. All members of the Malaysian delegation are safe.
All mosques under Jakim to hold funeral prayers for slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
I have thoughts on this but I will not voice them because it will be misinterpreted and distract from the main point.
Bernama - World Leaders Denounce Killing Of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh
Good rundown from the national news agency of Malaysia.
Global Times - Peace and development are firm consensus reached between China and ASEAN: Global Times editorial
The 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings were held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from July 21 to 27. The main purpose of the meetings was to prepare for the political and outcome achievements of the Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation in October later this year. Against the backdrop of global economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions, the overall situation in East Asia remains stable, with regional economic integration continuing to advance. It is the common aspiration and universal voice of the people of the region to remain an engine of development and highland of cooperation. This consensus was prominently reflected in these series of meetings.
In addition to the 10 ASEAN member countries, this meeting was attended by many countries and regional organizations such as China, the US, the EU, the UK, Russia and Japan. It has become an important platform for direct communication on bilateral and multilateral diplomatic issues. The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with the theme of "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," emphasized promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing development gaps, promoting economic integration and cultural exchanges, and emphasized resolving regional disputes based on international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. These signs all indicate that peace and development have become the biggest consensus and firm choice of ASEAN countries. China is a fellow traveler in this vision of ASEAN. This is rooted not only in the historical genes of mutual recognition and pursuit of independence and mutual respect between China and ASEAN countries as developing countries, but also in the practical need to further strengthen relations in response to turmoil and challenges.
continuation of article
In recent years, whenever ASEAN meetings are held, some media outlets have predicted that the South China Sea will become a major topic. However, this has not been the case, as the behavior of external powers stirring up trouble in the region has not received collective approval from ASEAN. On the South China Sea dispute, the joint communique of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is closer to China's position, both advocating peaceful resolution of disputes and resolving disputes through political means rather than resorting to force.
Despite facing various disruptions and challenges, the atmosphere of "cooperation first, development priority" presented at the ASEAN meetings once again demonstrates that ASEAN countries are determined to stick to their own path rather than accept an agenda imposed by others. The joint communique of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting clearly reaffirms their commitment to upholding regionalism and multilateralism, emphasizing the maintenance of existing ASEAN-led mechanisms, in promoting peace, stability, security, development, growth to enhance regional resilience to respond to common and emerging challenges. Most ASEAN countries are tired of and resistant to "taking sides" and are unwilling to become appendages or pawns of major powers, which is a fundamental reason why the ASEAN meetings will not become a "home game" for the US.
If we must "take sides," most of East Asia, including ASEAN, will definitely stand for regional peace and development. The China-ASEAN relationship has become the most successful and dynamic model of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. ASEAN has reaped development opportunities in its cooperation with China, and the entire East Asian region has consistently ranked among the top contributors to global economic growth.
Openness and inclusiveness are the important foundations and keys to the success of China-ASEAN cooperation. In contrast, today's Biden administration's "Indo-Pacific strategy," US' engagement with ASEAN has been increasingly tinged with "Cold War sentiments," putting pressure on ASEAN countries. As Indonesian President Joko Widodo said at an ASEAN summit last September, "the partnership will only be possible through a strong commitment by both parties in maintaining regional peace and stability." Peace and stability are preconditions for development. Manipulating so-called "security issues" may bring short-term investment and trade chips, but getting caught up in geopolitical disputes and conflicts will exact an unbearable cost on the region, a fact that ASEAN countries know.
China and ASEAN are friendly neighbors who help each other, intimate partners, and a community of shared future in honor and disgrace. Accelerating negotiations for the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0, tapping into the potential of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and financial cooperation, and hosting the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges are all on the shared wish list of both sides. After 33 years, China-ASEAN dialogue and cooperation have entered a mature and stable period, with peace and development becoming an even stronger consensus between the two sides.
Reading this article I can’t help but think of Kim Il Sung’s words in 1985:
South-South cooperation is a noble way for the developing countries to strengthen their economic independence and achieve complete economic freedom through close economic and technical cooperation.
Only when they are economically independent can the developing countries free their peoples from backwardness and poverty, starvation and disease, the consequences of imperialist colonial rule, and consolidate the political independence which they have already won.
In FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT.
I know there is this belief that Chinese foreign policy isn’t as progressive as the Soviet Union’s, but speaking from a region of the world that was more influenced by Chinese Marxism than European, I don’t think that’s the case. This does not justify every single policy decision made but Chinese foreign policy has been especially pragmatic and beneficial for those in the Global South.
Ultimately I do wish for Deng Xiaoping’s theory of “joint development” to be the mainstay in the South China Sea as the waterway continuously becomes a chokepoint for imperialist aggression through the Philippines and Taiwan Province.
The Bangkok Post - Oil Workers Protest Wages
CGTN - Wang Yi: China to build East Asian community under ASEAN Plus Three mechanism
The Diplomat - Indonesian FM Criticizes Myanmar Junta Over ASEAN Peace Plan
Bloomberg - Asean Chief Sees Chance to Ramp Up Diplomacy in South China Sea
The Hindustan Times - Malaysia: A fulcrum for a new improved ASEAN-India-China strategic relationship
TASS - Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership contributing to stability in Asia-Pacific — statement
VietnamPlus - Vietnamese Deputy FM calls for stronger partnership between ASEAN and partners
TASS - Lavrov hopes ASEAN countries see risks of deploying intermediate-range missiles in Asia
SCMP - Southeast Asia and the Global South: rhetoric vs reality
This is another ISEAS banger. Everything they said is not necessarily inaccurate but the overall narrative is painfully liberal.
The Bangkok Post - Rifts surface at East Asia meetings
Train gang stays winning
The Strait Times - New freight train service between Selangor and Yunnan set to spur Malaysia-China trade
VNExpress - Thailand develops dual rail tracks
Devdiscourse- Vietnam-China Railways: A New Era of Cooperation
The Star - Malaysia acquires 62 train sets through RM10.7bil [2.4 billion USD] leasing deal with China