Was it just a dream?

Will ASEAN countries be like they were in the 1980s?

Robert McMahon observes that ASEAN was one of the "most dynamic area" in world economy back in the eighties.

Of course, there are many factors that made ASEAN become a gold pot; Cold War, the U.S. involvement, industrialization, and so forth.

Was it just a dream?

What do we do?

The world is facing an economic stagnation and Southeast Asia is no exception. Oil and commodity price are roaring.

What do Southeast Asian governments do?

Thailand and Indonesia are having quite a similar policy to help poor people by reserving some goods i.e. rice to sell to the poor cheaply. Indonesia is going to have rice-for-poor packages to sell and Thailand is having "blue-flag" project by reserving some goods to sell at the price lower than the market rate.

My first question is: who are the poors?

and my second question concerns economic perspective: Does this distort the market machanism?

Ps. Malaysia's PM announced that the oil price in Malaysia will not increase again for the rest of the year. I don't think it is possible.

Good Governance in Developing Countries

I have attended Prof.Mushtaq H. Khan's inaugural talk today. He talks about "good governance" in developing countries.

He argues by casting doubts on the issue about wheather good governance is either achievable or necessary for developing countries in order to have economic developement. There is no country in history that has been through this process; by having a good governance an then follow by economic development.

He concludes that each country has its own particular kind of patron-client relationship and needs to be reformed in a particular way.

Throwing somewhat a vague concept calls "good governance" to those countries cannot make their economic develop.

The vicious cycle of politics

To be honest, I don't want to talk about the current political situation that much. As a historian, it is too early to analyze. Let this be an exception.

The PAD has come out to the streets again. Nothing new. Somehow I agree with those people who condemn the media for making this matter too salient.

I cannot understand why the PAD's supporters do not see what is the most urgent matter for the country. Prices are roaring, don't expect that the new government can make everything better overnight.

I tell you; whether you guys win or loose, you will be suffered, not your leaders. Those people are getting even richer from this situation.

You are being used!

Ps. However, I don't think they will succeed. No support from above.