Mr Hanafi is responding to Max Lane’s Fulcrum, published on 18 March 2024, on the success of “Eksil”, the documentary about ten exiled Indonesians discussing Suharto’s purge of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and the ensuing violence in the mid-1960s.
Author Archives: lwongiseas
Choosing China over the U.S.: Neither a Tidal Shift Nor a Sea Change
The U.S. was ASEAN’s preferred major power to align with since the 2020 State of Southeast Asia survey. But this year, more respondents are leaning toward China than the U.S. Southeast Asia may remain engaged with the U.S. while harbouring apprehensions towards China, but the tide may be shifting.
Malaysia’s Carbon Credit Conundrum: For Putrajaya to Unlock the Potential, State Governments Must Provide the Keys
Environmental conservation and economic opportunity can potentially converge through generating carbon credits based on Malaysia’s forests. However, the federal government must overcome the jurisdictional complexities that arise from the reality that forest management is predominantly governed by state authorities.
Malaysia’s Sock Scandal: The Sound of Silence
The situation is tense in Malaysia following a fiery fracas over foot coverings.
Conscription in Myanmar Pushing Young Men to Choose Sides
The State Administration Council is seeking to revive Myanmar’s policy of conscription. Instead of bolstering national solidarity, it will undermine it.
The United States of America in Southeast Asia: A Conversation with DAS Melissa Brown
Fulcrum editor and Co-Coordinator of Indonesia Studies Programme Julia Lau discusses the United States’ role and policies in Southeast Asia with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Melissa Brown, the day after her public address at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute on 13 March 2024.
The Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership in an Era of Geopolitical Realignment
The recent visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Australia demonstrates the resolve of the Philippines to solidify its strategic partnerships with like-minded states in the Indo-Pacific region.
Two Presidents Ousted in One Year: What Lies Ahead for Vietnam’s Political Outlook?
Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong will be replaced. The primary task of the country’s leaders now is to find his replacement and steady the keel.
Being a Member of an Online Group Can Make You More Accepting of Fake News: The Case of Thailand
This article explores the dynamics of information sharing in online political groups. It tests whether being a member of an online group can make individuals more susceptible to fake news.
A Cultural Blow to an Eroding Political Taboo: Viewing “Eksil” (The Exiles), a Hit Documentary
A popular documentary about ten exiles has had an extraordinary run in Indonesia, not least because it sings a different tune from the official historical narrative about the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) and its supporters, perpetuated since the Suharto era.