Sofiah Jamil - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sofiah Jamil

In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the important role of the informal sector in supp... more In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the important role of the informal sector in supporting economic development is often under-recognised. Cities seeking to address the economic risks and financial costs of natural hazards have to improve the resilience of the informal sector many of whom are from the low-income groups. Commentary THE JAKARTA FLOODS in January 2013 are yet another testament of the vulnerabilities faced by Southeast Asia's megacities in recent years. Storms and deluges have destroyed infrastructure and property in centres of economic activityfrom Bangkok to Jakarta and Manilaand disrupted the livelihoods of many of their inhabitants. Such climate events pose a threat to the economies of Southeast Asia and to ASEAN-level initiatives to promote growth, given the heavy economic losses. Damage from the 2011 floods around Bangkok was estimated at US$44 billion, while the recent Jakarta floods, according to Indonesia's central bank, could potentially raise inflation by about 0.2 per cent. Challenges facing megacities The attention given to the economic ramifications of climate events has, however, not extended to the informal sector. Not only are people from the informal sector among the worst affected by floods, they also play an important role in supporting economic development and form an integral element of the economies of those cities by making up between 50 to 60 per cent of the workforce in many Southeast Asian cities.

The Australia-ASEAN Dialogue, 2014

On her visit to India in 2012, former prime minister Julia Gillard noted that Australia was exper... more On her visit to India in 2012, former prime minister Julia Gillard noted that Australia was experienced in negotiating agreements on uranium: “We’ve done it in the past, and we’ve done it on the basis that Australian uranium is only used for peaceful purposes.” 1 Her visit to India was a milestone in overturning the Labor Party’s longstanding policy that banned uranium exports to nuclear-armed India. Little has changed since then even with Australia’s new federal government taking office in September 2013. In fact, given the rising prices of Australia’s natural resources, uranium exports are likely to be further catalyzed under Tony Abbott’s prime ministership given the emphasis on economic growth in Liberal Party policy. Gillard’s reversal of the ban on uranium exports also sets the stage for potentially expanding ASEAN-Australia economic ties. This is particularly so given the increasing energy demands of Southeast Asian countries, coupled with proposed civil nuclear energy projects to meet the demand, despite the initial shocks and aversion to nuclear energy following the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March 2011.

rsis.edu.sg

... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. A small coal mine in Shanxi, China, with a sign that - given p... more ... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. A small coal mine in Shanxi, China, with a sign that - given poor safety records in the country's coal mines – ironically reads “work safely”. Credit: LHOON, flickr.com. Table 1: Top 10 hard coal producers (2009). Production (in million tons). China. ...

THE HUNGARIAN toxic red mud spill in early October was a calamity for the people in the town of A... more THE HUNGARIAN toxic red mud spill in early October was a calamity for the people in the town of Ajka. Due to the bursting of an alumina plant's waste disposal reservoir, the toxic red mud -- a by-product of bauxite refining containing lead and arsenic -- flooded six villages, ...

rsis.edu.sg

... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. ... Bob Kamandanu, chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Asso... more ... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. ... Bob Kamandanu, chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), estimated in March 2010 that Indonesian coal production would rise by up to 8 per cent, thanks to the dry weather in mid2010 (Alfian, 2010). ...

Igniting thought, unleashing youth: perspectives on …, 2009

... Islamic law regarding the environment can also be institutionalised. The concept of harim or ... more ... Islamic law regarding the environment can also be institutionalised. The concept of harim or hima, for instance, refers to the protected or restricted zones and conservation zones respectively. ... ma/english/publications/Islamtoday/20/P7. php 14 Masri,“Islam and Ecology,” p. 13. ...

This paper seeks for a holistic approach in looking at the issue of food security. Several incide... more This paper seeks for a holistic approach in looking at the issue of food security. Several incidents at different parts of the world in 2008 such as the ones in Haiti, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines, have shown that food insecurity could lead to political stability and social unrest. On the worst scale it may result in conflict and war. It brings the discussion back to the concept of human security. Recent history points to security threat if people are deprived of their basic needs. The spiking price of food, especially of rice commodity that took place in the first half of 2008 has reignited the significance of food security as a non-traditional security challenge to ASEAN states and the region as a whole. Having to generate intrastate and interstate implications, food security should be framed beyond the matter of demand and supply. It should be linked with broader human security aspects such as poverty, gender, health and environmental concerns.

Human Security Norms in East Asia

In 2014, when asked about Singapore's development plans for the next ten years, Prime Minister Le... more In 2014, when asked about Singapore's development plans for the next ten years, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong replied: "The purpose of life is not assurance and security (…but) to use that security to go and achieve something new and different and do better than the people who came before you." (Lee 2014). This remark is reflective of two things. First, it acknowledges the efforts of Singapore's pioneer generations, which set the foundations for the high living standards that most Singaporeans enjoy. Since becoming independent in 1965, the country has made impressive strides in healthcare and education, achieving a literacy rate of 100 percent, an average life expectancy of 83 years, and average schooling of 11 years B. Chng

Given the dismal results of COP15 in Copenhagen last year, there has been growing pessimism over ... more Given the dismal results of COP15 in Copenhagen last year, there has been growing pessimism over the prospects of the forthcoming COP16 meeting in Cancun. Governments and civil society organisations should push for a better outcome. Commentary THE NEXT global parley to tackle climate change is set to take place in a week's time in Cancun, Mexico from 29 November 2010. But this coming meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as the Conference of Parties (COP16), is already clouded by the failure of last year's COP15 in Copenhagen. What was to be a gallant goal-setting agenda of legally binding targets for carbon emissions in the post-2012 scenario, COP15 ended in failure, safe for a piecemeal declaration of intended future efforts and commitments called the Copenhagen Accord. Given the critical importance of addressing climate change, how can we avoid a repeat of Copenhagen in Cancun? COP 15 Failure and Feeble Follow up COP15 was marred with politicking and bad form from the very beginning, of which three major incidents stood out. Firstly, the "leaked Danish text"-a draft document formulated by developing countries to be tabled for discussion-was severely criticised by developing countries for hardly taking into account the needs and demands of the developing world. Secondly, the conference proceedings were disrupted by a staged walkout by civil society organisations (CSOs) together with simultaneous protests outside the conference venue. Thirdly, the credibility of the climate science was contested, at least by Saudi Arabia-due to reports of recent allegations against leading climate scientists at the University of East Anglia for manipulating climate data. Since the dismal developments at COP15, intergovernmental events leading up to COP16 have not been too fruitful either. During the last negotiating session before COP16 in Tianjin, China, expectations have been much lower than those preceding COP15-so low in fact that some officials have concurred that legally binding targets would not be reached at COP16. At the end of the Tianjin talks, there was no indication of bold action that would be taken in Cancun. These constant setbacks have only served to harden the sense of pessimism, exhaustion and frustration amongst those involved in the process. A participant in the Tianjin meeting noted that the constant politicking between the global North and South as well as between the two biggest polluters, the United States and China, remains a sore point in the negotiation process. It has even led some to question the viability for minor RSIS Commentaries are intended to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary developments. The views of the authors are their own and do not represent the official position of the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU.

Asia-Gulf Economic Relations in the 21st Century

In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the informal sector plays an important role in su... more In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the informal sector plays an important role in supporting economic development. Yet, in discussions of the ramifications of climaterelated natural hazards, this sector is often underrecognised. The sector, and the people working within it, is often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate hazards. As such, cities that seek to address the economic risks and financial costs of such hazards must also improve the adaptive capacity and resilience of those in the sector. With lowincome groups making up a major part of the sector, this would mean addressing issues that transect with those related to poverty. Are there any initiatives in the region that address the vulnerabilities of the urban poor? [NTS Alert]. URL:[http://www.rsis.edu.sg/nts/HTML-Newsletter/Alert/pdf/NTS-Alert-1301.pdf]

In many of Southeast Asia’s cities, critical infrastructure development is concentrated in affl... more In many of Southeast Asia’s cities, critical infrastructure development is concentrated in affluent areas; and poor communities, lacking access to basic services, often resort to alternatives that may be unsafe or more expensive. Crucially for policymakers, these options leave communities vulnerable to a range of threats that reduce not just their own long-term resilience, but also that of the city overall. An examination of the water infrastructure in Jakarta, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City amply illustrates this. The cases suggest that to bring about greater community resilience, and thus ensure security and sustainable development, governments must vigorously upgrade critical infrastructure not just to improve efficiency, but also to achieve equity among urban communities. [NTS Insight no. IN13-07].

In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the important role of the informal sector in supp... more In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the important role of the informal sector in supporting economic development is often under-recognised. Cities seeking to address the economic risks and financial costs of natural hazards have to improve the resilience of the informal sector many of whom are from the low-income groups. Commentary THE JAKARTA FLOODS in January 2013 are yet another testament of the vulnerabilities faced by Southeast Asia's megacities in recent years. Storms and deluges have destroyed infrastructure and property in centres of economic activityfrom Bangkok to Jakarta and Manilaand disrupted the livelihoods of many of their inhabitants. Such climate events pose a threat to the economies of Southeast Asia and to ASEAN-level initiatives to promote growth, given the heavy economic losses. Damage from the 2011 floods around Bangkok was estimated at US$44 billion, while the recent Jakarta floods, according to Indonesia's central bank, could potentially raise inflation by about 0.2 per cent. Challenges facing megacities The attention given to the economic ramifications of climate events has, however, not extended to the informal sector. Not only are people from the informal sector among the worst affected by floods, they also play an important role in supporting economic development and form an integral element of the economies of those cities by making up between 50 to 60 per cent of the workforce in many Southeast Asian cities.

The Australia-ASEAN Dialogue, 2014

On her visit to India in 2012, former prime minister Julia Gillard noted that Australia was exper... more On her visit to India in 2012, former prime minister Julia Gillard noted that Australia was experienced in negotiating agreements on uranium: “We’ve done it in the past, and we’ve done it on the basis that Australian uranium is only used for peaceful purposes.” 1 Her visit to India was a milestone in overturning the Labor Party’s longstanding policy that banned uranium exports to nuclear-armed India. Little has changed since then even with Australia’s new federal government taking office in September 2013. In fact, given the rising prices of Australia’s natural resources, uranium exports are likely to be further catalyzed under Tony Abbott’s prime ministership given the emphasis on economic growth in Liberal Party policy. Gillard’s reversal of the ban on uranium exports also sets the stage for potentially expanding ASEAN-Australia economic ties. This is particularly so given the increasing energy demands of Southeast Asian countries, coupled with proposed civil nuclear energy projects to meet the demand, despite the initial shocks and aversion to nuclear energy following the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March 2011.

rsis.edu.sg

... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. A small coal mine in Shanxi, China, with a sign that - given p... more ... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. A small coal mine in Shanxi, China, with a sign that - given poor safety records in the country's coal mines – ironically reads “work safely”. Credit: LHOON, flickr.com. Table 1: Top 10 hard coal producers (2009). Production (in million tons). China. ...

THE HUNGARIAN toxic red mud spill in early October was a calamity for the people in the town of A... more THE HUNGARIAN toxic red mud spill in early October was a calamity for the people in the town of Ajka. Due to the bursting of an alumina plant's waste disposal reservoir, the toxic red mud -- a by-product of bauxite refining containing lead and arsenic -- flooded six villages, ...

rsis.edu.sg

... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. ... Bob Kamandanu, chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Asso... more ... By Sofiah Jamil and Lina Gong. ... Bob Kamandanu, chairman of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), estimated in March 2010 that Indonesian coal production would rise by up to 8 per cent, thanks to the dry weather in mid2010 (Alfian, 2010). ...

Igniting thought, unleashing youth: perspectives on …, 2009

... Islamic law regarding the environment can also be institutionalised. The concept of harim or ... more ... Islamic law regarding the environment can also be institutionalised. The concept of harim or hima, for instance, refers to the protected or restricted zones and conservation zones respectively. ... ma/english/publications/Islamtoday/20/P7. php 14 Masri,“Islam and Ecology,” p. 13. ...

This paper seeks for a holistic approach in looking at the issue of food security. Several incide... more This paper seeks for a holistic approach in looking at the issue of food security. Several incidents at different parts of the world in 2008 such as the ones in Haiti, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines, have shown that food insecurity could lead to political stability and social unrest. On the worst scale it may result in conflict and war. It brings the discussion back to the concept of human security. Recent history points to security threat if people are deprived of their basic needs. The spiking price of food, especially of rice commodity that took place in the first half of 2008 has reignited the significance of food security as a non-traditional security challenge to ASEAN states and the region as a whole. Having to generate intrastate and interstate implications, food security should be framed beyond the matter of demand and supply. It should be linked with broader human security aspects such as poverty, gender, health and environmental concerns.

Human Security Norms in East Asia

In 2014, when asked about Singapore's development plans for the next ten years, Prime Minister Le... more In 2014, when asked about Singapore's development plans for the next ten years, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong replied: "The purpose of life is not assurance and security (…but) to use that security to go and achieve something new and different and do better than the people who came before you." (Lee 2014). This remark is reflective of two things. First, it acknowledges the efforts of Singapore's pioneer generations, which set the foundations for the high living standards that most Singaporeans enjoy. Since becoming independent in 1965, the country has made impressive strides in healthcare and education, achieving a literacy rate of 100 percent, an average life expectancy of 83 years, and average schooling of 11 years B. Chng

Given the dismal results of COP15 in Copenhagen last year, there has been growing pessimism over ... more Given the dismal results of COP15 in Copenhagen last year, there has been growing pessimism over the prospects of the forthcoming COP16 meeting in Cancun. Governments and civil society organisations should push for a better outcome. Commentary THE NEXT global parley to tackle climate change is set to take place in a week's time in Cancun, Mexico from 29 November 2010. But this coming meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as the Conference of Parties (COP16), is already clouded by the failure of last year's COP15 in Copenhagen. What was to be a gallant goal-setting agenda of legally binding targets for carbon emissions in the post-2012 scenario, COP15 ended in failure, safe for a piecemeal declaration of intended future efforts and commitments called the Copenhagen Accord. Given the critical importance of addressing climate change, how can we avoid a repeat of Copenhagen in Cancun? COP 15 Failure and Feeble Follow up COP15 was marred with politicking and bad form from the very beginning, of which three major incidents stood out. Firstly, the "leaked Danish text"-a draft document formulated by developing countries to be tabled for discussion-was severely criticised by developing countries for hardly taking into account the needs and demands of the developing world. Secondly, the conference proceedings were disrupted by a staged walkout by civil society organisations (CSOs) together with simultaneous protests outside the conference venue. Thirdly, the credibility of the climate science was contested, at least by Saudi Arabia-due to reports of recent allegations against leading climate scientists at the University of East Anglia for manipulating climate data. Since the dismal developments at COP15, intergovernmental events leading up to COP16 have not been too fruitful either. During the last negotiating session before COP16 in Tianjin, China, expectations have been much lower than those preceding COP15-so low in fact that some officials have concurred that legally binding targets would not be reached at COP16. At the end of the Tianjin talks, there was no indication of bold action that would be taken in Cancun. These constant setbacks have only served to harden the sense of pessimism, exhaustion and frustration amongst those involved in the process. A participant in the Tianjin meeting noted that the constant politicking between the global North and South as well as between the two biggest polluters, the United States and China, remains a sore point in the negotiation process. It has even led some to question the viability for minor RSIS Commentaries are intended to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy relevant background and analysis of contemporary developments. The views of the authors are their own and do not represent the official position of the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU.

Asia-Gulf Economic Relations in the 21st Century

In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the informal sector plays an important role in su... more In the megacities of developing Southeast Asia, the informal sector plays an important role in supporting economic development. Yet, in discussions of the ramifications of climaterelated natural hazards, this sector is often underrecognised. The sector, and the people working within it, is often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate hazards. As such, cities that seek to address the economic risks and financial costs of such hazards must also improve the adaptive capacity and resilience of those in the sector. With lowincome groups making up a major part of the sector, this would mean addressing issues that transect with those related to poverty. Are there any initiatives in the region that address the vulnerabilities of the urban poor? [NTS Alert]. URL:[http://www.rsis.edu.sg/nts/HTML-Newsletter/Alert/pdf/NTS-Alert-1301.pdf]

In many of Southeast Asia’s cities, critical infrastructure development is concentrated in affl... more In many of Southeast Asia’s cities, critical infrastructure development is concentrated in affluent areas; and poor communities, lacking access to basic services, often resort to alternatives that may be unsafe or more expensive. Crucially for policymakers, these options leave communities vulnerable to a range of threats that reduce not just their own long-term resilience, but also that of the city overall. An examination of the water infrastructure in Jakarta, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City amply illustrates this. The cases suggest that to bring about greater community resilience, and thus ensure security and sustainable development, governments must vigorously upgrade critical infrastructure not just to improve efficiency, but also to achieve equity among urban communities. [NTS Insight no. IN13-07].