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Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Protest a worrying sign
The protest at Victory Monument on Saturday brought back memories of the last two street demonstrations which rocked the capital in recent years -- the protest organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the rallies held by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) against his sister, Yingluck. Both protests ultimately failed to remove the leaders from power. However, they paved the way for two military coups to happen -- the first was led by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, and the latest by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. On Saturday, Thai politics seemed to have come full circle, with old faces from the PDRC and PAD back to protesting on the streets, this time under the banner of the "Ruam Palang Paen Din Pok Pong Athipatai", or the United Power of the Land to Protect Sovereignty, group. Despite the heavy rain over the weekend, at least 10,000 people reportedly showed up to the peaceful rally to back the push to remove yet another prime minister from the Shinawatra family from office -- this time, Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn. The embattled PM is at the centre of the political crisis, which stemmed from the leaked recording of her conversation with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, in which she could be heard promising to do what he wanted to de-escalate the situation along the border. If history is any indication, then this protest movement is destined to fail. Indeed, all street protests over the past two decades -- including those staged by the red shirts and the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) -- failed to achieve their goal of booting the prime minister from office. However, the latest protest is a cause for concern. During the demonstration, veteran protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the crowds which gathered on Saturday that he wouldn't object "if the military does something". Equally worrying is the ultranationalist rhetoric which accompanied his coup-friendly attitude. At the protest, he encouraged the government to reclaim areas along the border which now belong to Cambodia. Such hardline rhetoric truly has no place in today's society. His comments faced a backlash from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, forcing the group to issue a statement to reassure the public that the group isn't calling for a military coup. This, however, isn't enough. To ensure peace, a political campaign or protest must be geared towards promoting democracy through inclusive dialogue and educating the public about the need for a democratic solution and just policies. In fact, Mr Sondhi's remarks spoiled the group's political momentum. The Pheu Thai Party and People's Party have officially blasted the group, accusing it of trying to overthrow the government and undermine democracy by calling for a military putsch. The war of words which followed Saturday's protest suggests Thai politics is about to reach a dead end once more. Street protests and political rhetoric will not bring about real change and improvement. The leaders of all protest movements must remember that people -- regardless of their political inclinations -- turn to street protest because they lack trust in their elected lawmakers. To prevent violent street protests or even a military coup, lawmakers and political parties must work to show that they exist to protect public interests, not their own political goals. Without trust, the centre will not hold.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
RMMJ: Five housing developers blacklisted, 10 under watch
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor state government has taken firm action by blacklisting five housing developers who failed to comply with the Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), while placing ten others under close scrutiny. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, said punitive measures include the registration of land caveats against developers who fail to meet RMMJ obligations, construct fewer affordable units than required, or miss deadlines set by the Evaluation, Planning and Design Committee (PDRC). 'The Johor State Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ), together with the Land and Mines Office (PTG) and local authorities (PBT), has blocked new applications from developers that breach these requirements. 'Caveats have also been placed on land owned by offending developers, including subsidiaries and related companies with common board members,' he said. Under the Johor Affordable Housing Policy 2023, projects on land of five acres or more must allocate 40 per cent of units for affordable housing, while developments on plots between three and five acres must set aside at least 20 per cent. 'This policy is not a guideline but a mandatory condition for all planning applications submitted to local authorities. Any application that fails to comply will be rejected outright,' Mohd Jafni said during the state legislative assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar today, in response to a question from Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang) on compliance and enforcement. Mohd Jafni, who is also the Bukit Permai assemblyman, added that PKPJ is working closely with PTG to block approvals for land title returns (SBKS) if developers have not started their RMMJ projects as promised. Similarly, local authorities are suspending planning permission (KM) for non-compliant developers, who are required to submit revised development plans for review by the PDRC and technical verification by PKPJ. Since PDRC Johor was established in 2022, 29 meetings have been held, resulting in commitments from 115 developers to build 18,568 affordable housing units across 151 projects statewide. These projects are being monitored by 16 local authorities, reflecting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to achieving Johor's goal of becoming an inclusive and prosperous state 'I want to stress that the implementation of the RMMJ agenda is a collective responsibility involving PKPJ, PTG, PLANMalaysia, PBTs, and all stakeholders in the housing ecosystem. 'To date, no housing project has been approved without fulfilling the affordable housing quota. Any violations are met with strict action, as seen in other districts. 'I assure the people that the state government will continue strengthening monitoring and enforcement efforts to meet our target of delivering 100,000 affordable homes by 2030 with integrity and determination. This goal can only be achieved through collective commitment,' he added.
