Conflict within religion

Has anyone finished reading Ricklefs' "Polarising Javanese Society"? It would be great to hear people giving comments on it. I haven't finished the book, but interested in his main argument posing a question on the conflict within Javanese Islamic communities.

This argument is interesting especially in the current world, where lights are shed only on the religious conflict without realizing that sometime conflicts between religions are not as serious as the conflict among the believers of the same thing.

Let's talk about it.

P.S. Can anyone please recommend blogs or websites on Southeast Asian literature?

Historical documents

I recommend those who pocess anything concerning current political events (i.e. photos, documents, video clips, and so forth) to keep them as many as possible. For the next couple of decades, they will become valuable sources for the next generation. 

I don't believe those who say "time will prove one's guilt". For me, it depends on "who" hold the power at the time. Whether former PM Thanksin will become a hero or a villain, it's up to those who will be holding power to 'produce' knowledge or able to 'write' history legitimately. 

Also, do remember as many details as possible. One day you will have to pass this story onto the youngers. 

Be fair to every side. 

Hopes are fading?

More than 100 NLD youth resigned complaining that they can't participate in any potitical activities, The Irrawaddy reports. 

Are Southeast Asian youths no longer active in politics? 

I don't think so. They always ready, but the situation is not ripe yet.

Keep monitoring, youth of the nation.

Thai-Cambodian Conflict: another test for ASEAN

A situation at the border between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorates in the past 24 hours. The conflict extends from the previous dispute over the Prae Vihear Temple a couple of months ago. 

So far there are injuries and death from both side. Diplomatic methods are in order to stop this conflict at its early stage.

This is a test; not only for Thailand and Cambodia, but for all the ASEAN members. 

Thailand will host the ASEAN meeting later this year. This conflict might create an end to that occasion. It is very important that ASEAN countries must come together to weather the world's economic bust which will be inevitable for Southeast Asia. 

If the conflict is not solved any time soon. It will prove another failure of ASEAN as a regional organization. 

Let's prioritize the problem. 

P.S.  Detailsaresketchy might give you some updates 

A new leadership for UMNO

As PM Badawi officially annonced a decision to give up his premiership, we might be able to learn something. 

He also gives an interesting suggestion that common people should be able to join Barisan directly if they do not like the opposition's policy. 

This might be another way to stop Anwar? 

Not sure, let's see.

Sri-thanonchai is the way

      "Sri-thanonchai" is Thailand's folklore about a chap who tricked everyone especially the authority to get what he wanted. The story is so famous as it represents the challenge of commoners to the rulers. Sri-thanonchai stories are in dark-comedy, parody, and sarcastic genres. 

      Prachatai blogged(in Thai) , (in English) the performance by Thee Lay Thee, a group of burmese comedians, at Chiang Mai University which I think is interesting. You can read the detail in the links. 

      Thee Lay Thee is like Sri-thanonchai in some sense. They represent a resentment of the Burmese commoners against the mil. govt. 

       

       No matter how effective it is, this kind of sentiment must go on. 

       Being Sri-thanonchai is the way. 

P.s. Can anyone please add and describe Sri-thanonchai  in Wikipedia?