by Rebecca Chow
When viewers tuned into China’s most popular dating show this spring, they saw beautiful women, brutal rejections and plenty of money worshiping, as when a female contestant was asked by a possible date whether she would like to go for a bicycle ride.
“I’d rather sit and cry in the back of a BMW,” she said.
Or when another woman, asked for a handshake, responded: “Only my boyfriend gets to hold my hand. Everyone else, 200,000 renminbi per shake,” or about $29,475.
Such witticisms made “If You Are the One,” produced by Jiangsu TV, the most watched reality television program in the country. Then the censors started watching.
Late last May, central government propaganda officials issued a directive calling the shows “vulgar” and faulting them for promoting materialism, openly discussing sexual matters and “making up false stories, thus hurting the credibility of the media.”
So the dating show, and others like it, got a makeover. Gone are fast cars, luxury apartments and boasts of flush bank accounts. Now the contestants entice each other with tales of civic service and promises of good relations with future mothers-in-law. One show now uses a professor from the local Communist Party school as a judge.
China’s television programmers are not far behind their Western counterparts in tapping demand for salacious entertainment. But that tends to conflict, sooner or later, with official notions of propriety and taste in China, which are a lot further behind.
“Traditionally for the government, there are several functions of the television industry,” said Ouyang Hongsheng, a media professor at Sichuan University. “Entertainment is last.”
Although all television stations are still state-owned, stations owned by provincial governments now compete with one another for ratings, national cable distribution and advertising revenue. The profits from these stations go back to local agencies, so provincial-level officials often think more about padding their budgets than enforcing decorum in the public media.
Still, central government propaganda officials reserve the right to intervene. And the minders in Beijing have no financial stake in the shows.
Since its debut in January, “If You Are the One” has been at the center of the storm. Each episode is like a game, as 24 women are presented with a parade of eligible bachelors. The men are subjected to abrasive questioning and ego-deflating sound effects of rejection. The entire process, 30 minutes in taping, is edited down to about 10 minutes on screen. The result is what might happen if the “The Bachelor” and “The Gong Show” produced an offspring with attention-deficit disorder.
Before the changes, the courtship tended to focus on financial matters, and the decisions were swift and ruthless. Personal introduction videos were stamped with “owns car, house” (or the unfortunate opposite) on the bottom half of the screen.
During one precensorship episode, a woman said to a potential 33-year-old suitor, “You say you’re good at what you do, but then how can you still just be a salesman?”
Another contestant, the 20-year-old son of a wealthy businessman, showed off his multicolored sports cars and bank statements that indicated a balance of six million renminbi (about US$884,000).
Ma Nuo, 22, the woman who professed to prefer crying in a BMW over riding a bike, denied in an interview that she thought too much about money. She said the producers played up her comment for publicity. “I only wanted to reject him, but in a creative way,” she said.
Men began sending Ms. Nuo marriage proposals attached with pictures of themselves in BMWs. She did not write back to them. She chose a photographer as her date on the show.
Viewers flocked to the program for its off-screen scandals as well as for the on-screen romance. Producers were accused of making up life stories and using actresses as contestants. After every offensive comment or awkward moment, video clips quickly appeared on Web sites.
As the ratings of the show climbed, its critics became louder and more numerous, calling it a frightening window into the degradation of social values.
Censors may have seen an opportunity to present themselves as do-gooders, reining in a form of entertainment many thought had gone too far, said Chris Berry, professor of film and television at Goldsmiths, University of London.
By June, a triumvirate of news organizations run by the Communist Party, the Xinhua news agency, People’s Daily and China Central Television all ran reports extremely critical of the show’s attempt to win ratings at the expense of quality. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television stepped in.
“In this situation, if we don’t correct it, it will have a negative influence on all of society,” Zhu Hong, a spokesman for the state body, told CCTV. “Lots of people on the Web have said, ‘You can’t not control this!’ ”
The shows are now forbidden to “hype up marginal issues, show the ugly side of things, or overly depressing, dark or decadent topics,” according to the directive. Instead, the shows have to “maintain core Socialist values.”
Some dating shows, like Zhejiang TV’s “Run Toward Love,” were canceled. All have toned down references to material wealth and sex.
“If You Are the One” added a new co-panelist: a psychology professor from the School of the Jiangsu Provincial Communist Party Committee.
During an episode broadcast June 27, Huang Han, the mild-mannered psychologist, sat on stage and nervously adjusted her headset microphone.
“Oh you know, I’m so old, you’re a young girl in my eyes,” she said to a female contestant who worried about being older than her date. “These days, everyone works for a few years before they start looking for a duixiang, right?” she responded, using an outdated term for significant other.
In the same episode, Gao Fang, 23, enthused about his volunteer work during the Olympics, which led Yang Yi, 24, to fight back tears as she talked about taking care of disabled orphans.
Ratings have slumped since the changes, according to a spokeswoman for the show who declined to be identified. She attributed the drop to competition with the World Cup, even though the show did not compete directly with live soccer broadcasts.
And then there are the fan reactions. “Volunteering? How fake is that?” said Du Shibin, 48. “Who doesn’t ask about houses and cars these days when looking for someone to marry?”
About the author: Rebecca Chow is Managing-Director of Shanghai-based TransChina Services (http://transchinaservices.weebly.com/ )
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Malaysian Indians cause further shift in power
Malaysia's population 25.7 miliion consists for 50.4% of Malays, 23.6% of ethnic Chinese, 11% of indigeneous people and 7.1% of ethnic Indians. This last group has always been relegated to the fringes of Malay society squeezed beteen the economically powerful Chinese and politically powerful Malays. A lack of confidence and cohesion among the ethnic Indian Malays did not contribute to any improvement of their position. A new found self-confidence among this group, however, is emerging and Malaysia's political landscape may change because of it.
The Malaysian Indians never suffered the fate of the Malaysian Chinese who, until as late as 1969, were still the victim of anti-Chinese pogroms by ethnic Malays. In 2008, a prominent UMNO party member labeled his Chinese compatriots as "mere squatters" in Malaysia and were not deserving of equal rights.
Due to their low position in Malaysian society, Malaysian Indians did not suffer from the jealousy the often richer ethnic Chinese evoked in the ethnic Malays. Their numbers were and are also much smaller than those of the ethnic Chinese.
But since the start of the 21st century and the unstoppable rise of India on the global stage, Malaysian Indians are feeling increasingly self-confident. The growing power of the ancestral homeland reflects also on of ethnic Indian origin who live outside India and are citizens of other countries. Ethnic Indians around the world feel emboldend by India's rising power and influence. In Malaysia this means that they increasingly refuse to accept their lower status in Malaysian society and are claiming their constitutional rights.
The Malaysian political establishment is also aware that treating their ethnic Indian population badly and withholding their rights will put strain on the relationship with India.
The rise of China strenghtened the position of the ethnic Chinese population in Southeast Asia. Where in the past politically instigated pogroms against the ethnic Chinese happened from time to time, now political leaders in all Southeast Asian countries will think twice before allowing something like this to happen again as it will certainly cause mainland China to react with sanctions and a withdrawal of much coveted Chinese investments.
Due to India's rise, ethnic Indians in Malaysia will have trump card of sorts in their sleeves. The Malaysian political establishment will need to adhere to their demands to an improvement of their situation in order not to upset India itself. This will mean a further erosion of the political power of ethnic Malays who only form a tiny majority in Malaysia. A combined movement of ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians can force the ethnic Malay political powers to finally officially abandon their promotion of Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy and accept that Malaysia is a multi racial society.
Such a change will not be a smooth one but how to organize and establish such a society could be learned from neighbour Singapore where the ethnic Chinese majority has gone to great lengths to ensure all religions and ethnicities equal rights and opportunities.
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
The Malaysian Indians never suffered the fate of the Malaysian Chinese who, until as late as 1969, were still the victim of anti-Chinese pogroms by ethnic Malays. In 2008, a prominent UMNO party member labeled his Chinese compatriots as "mere squatters" in Malaysia and were not deserving of equal rights.
Due to their low position in Malaysian society, Malaysian Indians did not suffer from the jealousy the often richer ethnic Chinese evoked in the ethnic Malays. Their numbers were and are also much smaller than those of the ethnic Chinese.
But since the start of the 21st century and the unstoppable rise of India on the global stage, Malaysian Indians are feeling increasingly self-confident. The growing power of the ancestral homeland reflects also on of ethnic Indian origin who live outside India and are citizens of other countries. Ethnic Indians around the world feel emboldend by India's rising power and influence. In Malaysia this means that they increasingly refuse to accept their lower status in Malaysian society and are claiming their constitutional rights.
The Malaysian political establishment is also aware that treating their ethnic Indian population badly and withholding their rights will put strain on the relationship with India.
The rise of China strenghtened the position of the ethnic Chinese population in Southeast Asia. Where in the past politically instigated pogroms against the ethnic Chinese happened from time to time, now political leaders in all Southeast Asian countries will think twice before allowing something like this to happen again as it will certainly cause mainland China to react with sanctions and a withdrawal of much coveted Chinese investments.
Due to India's rise, ethnic Indians in Malaysia will have trump card of sorts in their sleeves. The Malaysian political establishment will need to adhere to their demands to an improvement of their situation in order not to upset India itself. This will mean a further erosion of the political power of ethnic Malays who only form a tiny majority in Malaysia. A combined movement of ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians can force the ethnic Malay political powers to finally officially abandon their promotion of Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy and accept that Malaysia is a multi racial society.
Such a change will not be a smooth one but how to organize and establish such a society could be learned from neighbour Singapore where the ethnic Chinese majority has gone to great lengths to ensure all religions and ethnicities equal rights and opportunities.
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
India's small towns drive consumption
Ernst and Young (India) on 11 May released the report The New Market "Shehers": Tapping Potential Beyong the Metros, identifying the trends in consumption patterns and marketing spends in small town India. The report provides an insight on how non-metro urban markets are becoming more relevant in India's consumption story and how marketers are restructuring their budgets to take advantage of the new urban consumer.
The report highlights consumption patterns of consumers across Key Urban Towns (KUTs) and Rest of Urban India (ROUI).
For the report, India was divided into 4 geographical categories - the top-6 Metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata); the KUTs, which are 22 cities immediately following the metros in their market potential, e.g., Amritsar, Surat abd Ludhiana; cities in the ROUI and the KUTs, e.g., Kota, Jalandhar, Jabalpur and rural India.
Key findings:
- Retail presence in the KUTs and the ROUI through organized retail chains and malls has increased significantly. Over a 2 year period, the percentage growth in the number of malls in the KIT (55%) was more than twice that of the metros (24%).
- Consumers in the KUTs show an increasing preference for the premium products and services of established mass barnds. For instance, the sale of LCD TVs and wellness services is on the rise in the KUTs.
- Significant uptake in the leisure and lifestyle spends of consumers in the KUTS. Men are utilizing wellness services more than ever before, not just in the big metros, but also in tier II and III cities. Womens in small twons are more willing to pay large amounts for age correction, body sculpting and removing skin imperfections, etc..
- The share of KUTs and the ROUI in newpaper advertising (by volume of activity) in 2009 was higher that 50% across most categories. For categories such as cellular skinacare, orla hygiene, hair care and consumer durables, the advertising share is even higher at 75%.
- The KUTs and the ROUI comprise more than 50% of total below-the-line (BTL) activity in the country. BTL activity has grown significantly in non-metros (40% in 2009 vs. 15% during 2007), as compared to metros (60% in 2009 vs. 85% during 2007). 60% of BTL activity is concentrated in the ROUI and in rural India with sectors such as telecom, consumer durables and certain categories of FMCG products.
- Mobile advertising is also catching up more effectively in the KUTs and ROUI as opposed to person-to-person marketing with more than 500 million mobile users base in these regions.
The metros and the KUTs are driving growth in later-stage consumption (higher trandaction value products and discretionary goods), the ROUI are driving growth in early-stage consumption (necccesities and products with lower transaction value).
Marketers are taking cognizance of this new urban consumer and are aggressively targerying these KUTs and ROUIs, which has resulted in a ficus shits in media spends from the metros to the non-metros. This trend is likely to continue with the changing consumption pattern of consumers, fuelled by greater purchasing power.
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
The report highlights consumption patterns of consumers across Key Urban Towns (KUTs) and Rest of Urban India (ROUI).
For the report, India was divided into 4 geographical categories - the top-6 Metros (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata); the KUTs, which are 22 cities immediately following the metros in their market potential, e.g., Amritsar, Surat abd Ludhiana; cities in the ROUI and the KUTs, e.g., Kota, Jalandhar, Jabalpur and rural India.
Key findings:
- Retail presence in the KUTs and the ROUI through organized retail chains and malls has increased significantly. Over a 2 year period, the percentage growth in the number of malls in the KIT (55%) was more than twice that of the metros (24%).
- Consumers in the KUTs show an increasing preference for the premium products and services of established mass barnds. For instance, the sale of LCD TVs and wellness services is on the rise in the KUTs.
- Significant uptake in the leisure and lifestyle spends of consumers in the KUTS. Men are utilizing wellness services more than ever before, not just in the big metros, but also in tier II and III cities. Womens in small twons are more willing to pay large amounts for age correction, body sculpting and removing skin imperfections, etc..
- The share of KUTs and the ROUI in newpaper advertising (by volume of activity) in 2009 was higher that 50% across most categories. For categories such as cellular skinacare, orla hygiene, hair care and consumer durables, the advertising share is even higher at 75%.
- The KUTs and the ROUI comprise more than 50% of total below-the-line (BTL) activity in the country. BTL activity has grown significantly in non-metros (40% in 2009 vs. 15% during 2007), as compared to metros (60% in 2009 vs. 85% during 2007). 60% of BTL activity is concentrated in the ROUI and in rural India with sectors such as telecom, consumer durables and certain categories of FMCG products.
- Mobile advertising is also catching up more effectively in the KUTs and ROUI as opposed to person-to-person marketing with more than 500 million mobile users base in these regions.
The metros and the KUTs are driving growth in later-stage consumption (higher trandaction value products and discretionary goods), the ROUI are driving growth in early-stage consumption (necccesities and products with lower transaction value).
Marketers are taking cognizance of this new urban consumer and are aggressively targerying these KUTs and ROUIs, which has resulted in a ficus shits in media spends from the metros to the non-metros. This trend is likely to continue with the changing consumption pattern of consumers, fuelled by greater purchasing power.
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
Talent shortages in Asia-Pacific high
Manpower Inc. on 20 May released the results of its fifth annual Talent Shortage Survey, revealing that talent is elusive - it's everywhere yet nowhere, as talent shortages persist in many countries and industry sectors. Thirty-one percent of employers worldwide report having difficulty filling key positions within their organization - a rise of one percentage point from 2009, amidst a perpetual global pool of available workers.
The top hardest to fill jobs are Skilled Trades, Sales Representatives, Technicians and Engineers according to the survey of more than 35,000 employers across 36 countries. These are the same top jobs that employers have reported struggling to fill for the past four years, demonstrating that there is an ongoing global mismatch in these key areas.
Globally, employers having the most difficulty finding the right people to fill jobs are those in Japan (76%), Brazil (64%), Argentina (53%), Singapore (53%), Poland (51%), Australia (45%), Hong Kong (44%), Mexico (43%), Peru (42%), Taiwan (41%), China (40%) and Panama (38%). Compared to 2009, employers are reporting that talent shortages are considerably less pervasive in Romania (down 26 percentage points), Taiwan (down 21 percentage points), and South Africa (down 19 percentage points).
Talent shortages in Asia Pacific are ten percent higher than the global average, with 41% of the region's employers indicating they are having difficulty filling positions due to the lack of suitable talent in their markets. This is a nine percentage point increase when compared to the 2009 survey.
Employers having the most difficulty finding the right talent to fill jobs are those in Japan (a huge 76%), Singapore, (53%), Australia (45%) and Hong Kong (44%). The talent shortage appears to be least problematic in India (16%).
There remains a clear talent shortage of skilled sales representatives in Asia Pacific, as this job remains the most difficult to fill for the fifth year in succession.
The top hardest to fill jobs are Skilled Trades, Sales Representatives, Technicians and Engineers according to the survey of more than 35,000 employers across 36 countries. These are the same top jobs that employers have reported struggling to fill for the past four years, demonstrating that there is an ongoing global mismatch in these key areas.
Globally, employers having the most difficulty finding the right people to fill jobs are those in Japan (76%), Brazil (64%), Argentina (53%), Singapore (53%), Poland (51%), Australia (45%), Hong Kong (44%), Mexico (43%), Peru (42%), Taiwan (41%), China (40%) and Panama (38%). Compared to 2009, employers are reporting that talent shortages are considerably less pervasive in Romania (down 26 percentage points), Taiwan (down 21 percentage points), and South Africa (down 19 percentage points).
Talent shortages in Asia Pacific are ten percent higher than the global average, with 41% of the region's employers indicating they are having difficulty filling positions due to the lack of suitable talent in their markets. This is a nine percentage point increase when compared to the 2009 survey.
Employers having the most difficulty finding the right talent to fill jobs are those in Japan (a huge 76%), Singapore, (53%), Australia (45%) and Hong Kong (44%). The talent shortage appears to be least problematic in India (16%).
There remains a clear talent shortage of skilled sales representatives in Asia Pacific, as this job remains the most difficult to fill for the fifth year in succession.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Korean invasion in the Philippines
What started as an embracing of foreign guests and their culture has gone to be a noticeable phenomena with a growing and increasingly noticeable presence of a Korean "diaspora" in the Philippines. To date there is an estimated 100, 000 Koreans living in the country while tourists (most are students) who visits every year has been steadily increasing for almost 5 years now.
In 2005, according to the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education, Koreans comprise 25% of the total number of foreign students enrolled in that year, in fact the highest number foreign nationals entering colleges and universities here. And with the increasing numbers of English learning school for Koreans in Baguio, Pasay City, Makati and Davao, the number of students not only exchange students have been steadily increasing.
The Department of Tourism reported that for the first half of 2008 a total of 380,000 Korean residents visited the Philippine compared to 375,000 for the same period last year. Making Koreans the largest group of tourists in the Philippines, surpassing the Americans and Japanese, with a steady average annual growth of 1.5% since 2005.
Koreatowns in Makati, Paranaque, Baguio City and even in Davao in Mindanao Islands are starting to be as prominent as the Chinatown in Binondo Manila. With Korean restaurants, Christian churches, salons, and spas sprouting here and there although Philippine law prohibits foreign nationals to engage on retail trade as well as purchasing of properties under their name. They do so by marrying Filipinas and / or making Filipino workers "owners" of their businesses.
The Philippines' low cost of living as well as its good reputation in English education, are just two of the many factors why this Southeast Asian country of 85 million people has been one of the favorite destinations of Koreans since the Korean wave hit Asia in the 1990s. "Korean wave" refers to the recent surge of popularity of South Korean popular culture in other countries, especially in Asian countries.
With this fast and at first unnoticed influx of Korean community, where existing barriers are now slowly disappearing, Korean community remained as a closed group compared to the Chinese and Indians residing in the country. Korean restaurants and stores cater mostly to Koreans alone compared to Chinese restaurants where everyone can eat and enjoy their menu. Though there is no big issue of discrimination , Koreans have been critised for keeping to themselves and by seemingly bringing Korea to the Philippines.
There are also reports of growing concerns on how Koreans behave themselves in hotels, clubs, resorts and other public places. This results to some hearsay that Koreans were banned in some private establishments. Some say this is alarming, others say that this is a big help to the country's struggling economy. Whatever the pros and cons, it is inevitable that the Korean diaspora has definitely made a mark and will continue to thrive just like the Chinese and Indian did many years ago.
About the author: Edwin Padillo is Manila-based correspondent for Business Trends Asia. This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
In 2005, according to the Philippines' Commission on Higher Education, Koreans comprise 25% of the total number of foreign students enrolled in that year, in fact the highest number foreign nationals entering colleges and universities here. And with the increasing numbers of English learning school for Koreans in Baguio, Pasay City, Makati and Davao, the number of students not only exchange students have been steadily increasing.
The Department of Tourism reported that for the first half of 2008 a total of 380,000 Korean residents visited the Philippine compared to 375,000 for the same period last year. Making Koreans the largest group of tourists in the Philippines, surpassing the Americans and Japanese, with a steady average annual growth of 1.5% since 2005.
Koreatowns in Makati, Paranaque, Baguio City and even in Davao in Mindanao Islands are starting to be as prominent as the Chinatown in Binondo Manila. With Korean restaurants, Christian churches, salons, and spas sprouting here and there although Philippine law prohibits foreign nationals to engage on retail trade as well as purchasing of properties under their name. They do so by marrying Filipinas and / or making Filipino workers "owners" of their businesses.
The Philippines' low cost of living as well as its good reputation in English education, are just two of the many factors why this Southeast Asian country of 85 million people has been one of the favorite destinations of Koreans since the Korean wave hit Asia in the 1990s. "Korean wave" refers to the recent surge of popularity of South Korean popular culture in other countries, especially in Asian countries.
With this fast and at first unnoticed influx of Korean community, where existing barriers are now slowly disappearing, Korean community remained as a closed group compared to the Chinese and Indians residing in the country. Korean restaurants and stores cater mostly to Koreans alone compared to Chinese restaurants where everyone can eat and enjoy their menu. Though there is no big issue of discrimination , Koreans have been critised for keeping to themselves and by seemingly bringing Korea to the Philippines.
There are also reports of growing concerns on how Koreans behave themselves in hotels, clubs, resorts and other public places. This results to some hearsay that Koreans were banned in some private establishments. Some say this is alarming, others say that this is a big help to the country's struggling economy. Whatever the pros and cons, it is inevitable that the Korean diaspora has definitely made a mark and will continue to thrive just like the Chinese and Indian did many years ago.
About the author: Edwin Padillo is Manila-based correspondent for Business Trends Asia. This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Bangkok demonstrations just tip of iceberg
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
The demonstrations in Bangkok of Saturday, 10 April, 2010, during which 25 people died, caught the attention of the global media. The violence made international headlines but has not put a stop to the demonstrations nor have the Red Shirts (Thaksin supporters) left the capital. But the Bangkok demonstrations form just the tip of the iceberg of the power shift taking place in the country.
All over the Central, North and Northeast part of the country have the supporters of Thaksin, united under the UDD-banner (United front of Democracy against Dictatorship) and characterized by their red shirt outfits, taken control of provincial and municipal institutions, blocking any communication from the Thai government and effectively taken power from the central government who has lost control of the country outside Bangkok and the South.
Rumours about HM the King fuel further unrest. He remains in Siriraj hospital in Bangkok since fallen ill late-2009 and is completely shielded from the public. Prime-Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is rumoured to have asked the King to leave for the royal residence in Hua Hin where the king has lived for the past years. HM the King has supposedly refused to leave the Bangkok hospital as he feels this would lead to his immediate death. However the actual status of his health remains a closely guarded secret of which the public at large has no knowledge. Should the King still be alive and able to communicate he could reassume his mediating role.
On the other hand many UDD supporters believe the monarchy is not on their side but part of the "other camp", the so-called Yellow Shirts (yellow is the colour of the Thai monarchy), and would no longer accept HM the King as a non-partisan mediator nor accept his judgement anymore. The feeling that the King and the royal family have actively taken sides against them creates a feeling of "nothing left to lose" among the UDD supporters, diminishing the stabilizing capabilities of the king during times of turmoil.
Another rumoured twist sees the "devious" genius of Privy Councillor, and close friend of the king, Prem Tinsulanonda, as a master puppet player despite his well advanced age. Apparently Prem is supposed to have obtained documents signed by HM the King and foreseen with the Royal Garuda seal in which all the king's powers have been assigned to him and that he is now in full control of the monarchy.
The Bangkok demonstrations are just the outer symptoms of a massive power struggle among Thailand's elite whereby the winner will be awarded with the ultimate price i.e. full control of the country.
It still remains possible that Thailand will turn into another Burma !
The demonstrations in Bangkok of Saturday, 10 April, 2010, during which 25 people died, caught the attention of the global media. The violence made international headlines but has not put a stop to the demonstrations nor have the Red Shirts (Thaksin supporters) left the capital. But the Bangkok demonstrations form just the tip of the iceberg of the power shift taking place in the country.
All over the Central, North and Northeast part of the country have the supporters of Thaksin, united under the UDD-banner (United front of Democracy against Dictatorship) and characterized by their red shirt outfits, taken control of provincial and municipal institutions, blocking any communication from the Thai government and effectively taken power from the central government who has lost control of the country outside Bangkok and the South.
Rumours about HM the King fuel further unrest. He remains in Siriraj hospital in Bangkok since fallen ill late-2009 and is completely shielded from the public. Prime-Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is rumoured to have asked the King to leave for the royal residence in Hua Hin where the king has lived for the past years. HM the King has supposedly refused to leave the Bangkok hospital as he feels this would lead to his immediate death. However the actual status of his health remains a closely guarded secret of which the public at large has no knowledge. Should the King still be alive and able to communicate he could reassume his mediating role.
On the other hand many UDD supporters believe the monarchy is not on their side but part of the "other camp", the so-called Yellow Shirts (yellow is the colour of the Thai monarchy), and would no longer accept HM the King as a non-partisan mediator nor accept his judgement anymore. The feeling that the King and the royal family have actively taken sides against them creates a feeling of "nothing left to lose" among the UDD supporters, diminishing the stabilizing capabilities of the king during times of turmoil.
Another rumoured twist sees the "devious" genius of Privy Councillor, and close friend of the king, Prem Tinsulanonda, as a master puppet player despite his well advanced age. Apparently Prem is supposed to have obtained documents signed by HM the King and foreseen with the Royal Garuda seal in which all the king's powers have been assigned to him and that he is now in full control of the monarchy.
The Bangkok demonstrations are just the outer symptoms of a massive power struggle among Thailand's elite whereby the winner will be awarded with the ultimate price i.e. full control of the country.
It still remains possible that Thailand will turn into another Burma !
The Indonesian woman: a century after Kartini
This article appeared earlier on www.businesstrendsasia.com
Every 21 April, Indonesia celebrates Kartini Day. Born in Central Java on 21 April 1879, Kartini is Indonesia's foremost woman pioneer. It was through her aspirations which she so poignantly wrote in her letters to friends in Holland, and who later published them in the book entitled "Door Duisternis tot Licht" ("Through Darkness into Light"), opened the gates for Indonesian women to break free from the restrainings shackles of tradition, and demand equal education for daughters as for sons.
Living in the latter of part of 19th Century, Kartini was the daugther of the regent of Rembang in Central Java. Although living a life of comparative luxury for the time, yet following tradition, she was, nonetheless, confined to her home and was only allowed to play with her sisters in the backyard. Seeing Kartini's strong desire to learn more, however, her father hired a private Dutch tutor to teach the sisters reading and writing, embroidery and western cooking. Through the tutor, Kartini received and read women's magazines and newspapers from Holland, which opened up her horizon. Reading about women's emancipation in far off Europe, Kartini dreamt of the day when Javanese girls would also be allowed top enjoy equal education and freedom to pursue their dreams as enjoyed by boys. Kartini yearned for independence, if not for herself, at least for other girls. "I dream of the Javanese girl, who holding her head high, will step lightly and confidently out into the world", writes Kartini, at the young age of 24.
Tragically, though, and still true to tradition and obeying her parent's wishes, Kartini was married off to a neighbouring regent as his fourth wife, albeit his chief wife. But even during this time, Kartini never lost sight of her dreams, founding a school for girls. She also promoted the establishment of more Kartini schools around the region. But, at the tender of 25 Kartini died, four days after giving birth to a son.
Today, in the first decade of the 21st Century, more than a hundred years after her death, much of Kartini's dreams have been realized. Indonesian women today enjoy much by way of freedom and equal opportunities in education. The Indonesian Consitution guarantees equal education and opportunities for all regardless of gender, race or religion. Indonesia had a first woman president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, daughter of the country's first president, Soekarno.
Today, President's Yudhoyono's cabinet includes four women Ministers holding important and strategic portfolios. These are the Minister for Finance, Sri Mulyani, the Minister for Trade, Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister for Health, Siti Supari, and Minister for Women Empowerment, Meutia Hatta. While, in Indonesia's Central Bank, the second in command in the position of Senior Deputy Governor is a woman, Miranda Gultom.
In local government, Indonesia today has a popularly elected woman Governor in the province of Banten, Ratu Atun. and the most recently appointed Mayor of Central Jakarta, as well as a number of popularly directly elected district heads.
In the private sector, outstanding industrialists include Martha Tilaar and Mrs. Mooryati Soedibyo, who have both built themselves empires in herbal cosmetics and traditional court beauty treatment. There are also oustanding women CEOs in banking, telecommunicatiosn, sports fashion, and other areas. Indonesia now also has a woman Police Officer with the rank of Brigadier General and even has a female trained astronaut, although she has not had actually had the opportunity to be launched into space !
Dress-wise Indonesian women are also free to choose their own dress code. Those wishing to wear the Muslim dress, wear headscarves to cover the hair. While other women wear western dress daily, office attire or tight-fitting jeans, or local or national costumes on official occasions.
Nonetheless, despite this progress, Indonesian women still face substantial challenges which include access to education (mostly held back by poverty), and protection from domestic violence. In regard to marriage law, Indonesian women may now also refuse to accept polygamy when her husband insists on taking a second wife. The wife is allowed to file for divorce. Such cases have been widely published especially involving TV idols or well-known public figures.
In society today, with the enforcement of regional autonomy in Indonesia, women activitists observe with concern the increasing number of bylawas that are issued by regional legislators citing "public morality" and "religious considerations", that in effect aim to seriously restict women's freedom from reaching her utmost possibilities. Prof. Saparinah Sadli, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, added that, while the state has issued 29 new policies at national, regional and local level to readicate violence against women, yet on the other hand, regions have issued 27 new bylaws that discriminate women, regulating women's dress, behaviour and mobility.
In this regard, Director for Executive Reform Insitute, Yudi Latif, explains that in Indonesia today, following the Reform movement, which since decade ago transformed Indonesia from a highly authoritarian regime to the present-day democracy, civil society now finds itself no longer facing the state but instead now faces fantaticsm that is anti-equality.
About the author: Wuryastuti Sunario is the Managing Director of Indonesia-based TBSC-Strategic Communication, which publishes news bulletin Indonesia Digest
Every 21 April, Indonesia celebrates Kartini Day. Born in Central Java on 21 April 1879, Kartini is Indonesia's foremost woman pioneer. It was through her aspirations which she so poignantly wrote in her letters to friends in Holland, and who later published them in the book entitled "Door Duisternis tot Licht" ("Through Darkness into Light"), opened the gates for Indonesian women to break free from the restrainings shackles of tradition, and demand equal education for daughters as for sons.
Living in the latter of part of 19th Century, Kartini was the daugther of the regent of Rembang in Central Java. Although living a life of comparative luxury for the time, yet following tradition, she was, nonetheless, confined to her home and was only allowed to play with her sisters in the backyard. Seeing Kartini's strong desire to learn more, however, her father hired a private Dutch tutor to teach the sisters reading and writing, embroidery and western cooking. Through the tutor, Kartini received and read women's magazines and newspapers from Holland, which opened up her horizon. Reading about women's emancipation in far off Europe, Kartini dreamt of the day when Javanese girls would also be allowed top enjoy equal education and freedom to pursue their dreams as enjoyed by boys. Kartini yearned for independence, if not for herself, at least for other girls. "I dream of the Javanese girl, who holding her head high, will step lightly and confidently out into the world", writes Kartini, at the young age of 24.
Tragically, though, and still true to tradition and obeying her parent's wishes, Kartini was married off to a neighbouring regent as his fourth wife, albeit his chief wife. But even during this time, Kartini never lost sight of her dreams, founding a school for girls. She also promoted the establishment of more Kartini schools around the region. But, at the tender of 25 Kartini died, four days after giving birth to a son.
Today, in the first decade of the 21st Century, more than a hundred years after her death, much of Kartini's dreams have been realized. Indonesian women today enjoy much by way of freedom and equal opportunities in education. The Indonesian Consitution guarantees equal education and opportunities for all regardless of gender, race or religion. Indonesia had a first woman president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, daughter of the country's first president, Soekarno.
Today, President's Yudhoyono's cabinet includes four women Ministers holding important and strategic portfolios. These are the Minister for Finance, Sri Mulyani, the Minister for Trade, Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister for Health, Siti Supari, and Minister for Women Empowerment, Meutia Hatta. While, in Indonesia's Central Bank, the second in command in the position of Senior Deputy Governor is a woman, Miranda Gultom.
In local government, Indonesia today has a popularly elected woman Governor in the province of Banten, Ratu Atun. and the most recently appointed Mayor of Central Jakarta, as well as a number of popularly directly elected district heads.
In the private sector, outstanding industrialists include Martha Tilaar and Mrs. Mooryati Soedibyo, who have both built themselves empires in herbal cosmetics and traditional court beauty treatment. There are also oustanding women CEOs in banking, telecommunicatiosn, sports fashion, and other areas. Indonesia now also has a woman Police Officer with the rank of Brigadier General and even has a female trained astronaut, although she has not had actually had the opportunity to be launched into space !
Dress-wise Indonesian women are also free to choose their own dress code. Those wishing to wear the Muslim dress, wear headscarves to cover the hair. While other women wear western dress daily, office attire or tight-fitting jeans, or local or national costumes on official occasions.
Nonetheless, despite this progress, Indonesian women still face substantial challenges which include access to education (mostly held back by poverty), and protection from domestic violence. In regard to marriage law, Indonesian women may now also refuse to accept polygamy when her husband insists on taking a second wife. The wife is allowed to file for divorce. Such cases have been widely published especially involving TV idols or well-known public figures.
In society today, with the enforcement of regional autonomy in Indonesia, women activitists observe with concern the increasing number of bylawas that are issued by regional legislators citing "public morality" and "religious considerations", that in effect aim to seriously restict women's freedom from reaching her utmost possibilities. Prof. Saparinah Sadli, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, added that, while the state has issued 29 new policies at national, regional and local level to readicate violence against women, yet on the other hand, regions have issued 27 new bylaws that discriminate women, regulating women's dress, behaviour and mobility.
In this regard, Director for Executive Reform Insitute, Yudi Latif, explains that in Indonesia today, following the Reform movement, which since decade ago transformed Indonesia from a highly authoritarian regime to the present-day democracy, civil society now finds itself no longer facing the state but instead now faces fantaticsm that is anti-equality.
About the author: Wuryastuti Sunario is the Managing Director of Indonesia-based TBSC-Strategic Communication, which publishes news bulletin Indonesia Digest
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