Erin Cook
@erincook.bsky.social
Following Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste, mostly elections, FP and Instagram posts. Don't complain to me that I don't cover business enough, I do not know of such things.
Read my newsletter 🤓 https://darimulut.substack.com
Read my newsletter 🤓 https://darimulut.substack.com
Pinned
🇹🇭 Allegations of dodgy polls won't stop the blue wave
Malaysia's new monster corruption scandal, a third impeachment complaint for Duterte
darimulut.substack.com
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
Reposted by Erin Cook
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
It notes that several points remain perplexing and require further explanation.
dlvr.it
February 18, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
I have never in my whoooole Canberra life heard of something like this happening. What a stupid bloody outrage. There is a third image with Netanyahu depicted as a Nazi which I think Dissent should've posted. But still!! Stinks!
February 18, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I have never in my whoooole Canberra life heard of something like this happening. What a stupid bloody outrage. There is a third image with Netanyahu depicted as a Nazi which I think Dissent should've posted. But still!! Stinks!
'The US needs to return to the region'
February 18, 2026 at 9:44 AM
'The US needs to return to the region'
Prabowo has arrived in the US. He's had a darned tricky time trying to sell why Indonesia would participate in the Board of Peace, and he still needs to sort out this tariffs mess. The trip is overdue - was meant to be there earlier, but that fell through for reasons unknown
Presiden Prabowo Tiba di Washington DC, Siap Hadiri Pertemuan Perdana Board of Peace - https://visual.republika.co.id/berita/tan8yq375/presiden-prabowo-tiba-di-washington-dc-siap-hadiri-pertemuan-perdana-board-of-peace
Presiden Prabowo Tiba di Washington DC, Siap Hadiri Pertemuan Perdana Board of Peace |Republika Online
Presiden Prabowo juga dijadwalkan bertemu dengan Donald Trump
republika.co.id
February 18, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Prabowo has arrived in the US. He's had a darned tricky time trying to sell why Indonesia would participate in the Board of Peace, and he still needs to sort out this tariffs mess. The trip is overdue - was meant to be there earlier, but that fell through for reasons unknown
Oh she meant 'announce a bid for 2028' not like a wink wink to the DDS
February 18, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Oh she meant 'announce a bid for 2028' not like a wink wink to the DDS
I can't prove it but some sort of perverse incentive has happened, it is the only thing that can account for how many people own rescued greyhounds and whippets in inner Canberra
February 18, 2026 at 6:14 AM
I can't prove it but some sort of perverse incentive has happened, it is the only thing that can account for how many people own rescued greyhounds and whippets in inner Canberra
Some confusion on Pinoy social media why a 'liberal' party would suggest a Muslim immigration ban. Putting myself to work 🫡
February 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Some confusion on Pinoy social media why a 'liberal' party would suggest a Muslim immigration ban. Putting myself to work 🫡
Told ya! Antara photogs are so good
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
February 18, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Told ya! Antara photogs are so good
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
Tomorrow it is!
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
February 18, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Tomorrow it is!
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
Lunar New Year (Imlek) celebrations have coincided with the start of Ramadan and tell you what, Indonesia nails it
February 17, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Lunar New Year (Imlek) celebrations have coincided with the start of Ramadan and tell you what, Indonesia nails it
How Indonesia's Islamic authorities determine when Ramadan begins is so so fascinating to me. This is a very handy explainer from Tempo and, assuming this year is the same is every other, Antara will have a really cool post on Instagram in the morning.
Indonesia to Hold Isbat Session This Afternoon to Determine Ramadan - https://en.tempo.co/read/2087631/indonesia-to-hold-isbat-session-this-afternoon-to-determine-ramadan
Indonesia to Hold Isbat Session This Afternoon to Determine Ramadan
The Indonesian government holds an isbat session to determine the beginning of Ramadan 1447 H tonight.
en.tempo.co
February 17, 2026 at 10:13 AM
How Indonesia's Islamic authorities determine when Ramadan begins is so so fascinating to me. This is a very handy explainer from Tempo and, assuming this year is the same is every other, Antara will have a really cool post on Instagram in the morning.
Reposted by Erin Cook
“We were like cattle. If you have many visible whip marks on your body, you won’t be sold for a higher price because they’ll know you aren’t an earner.” @zekuzelalem.bsky.social hears from African survivors of Southeast Asian scam centres: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Africans are being confined and beaten in scam camps in Myanmar
Migrants toil for long hours on social-media platforms, targeting people with crypto and romance scams
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:36 AM
“We were like cattle. If you have many visible whip marks on your body, you won’t be sold for a higher price because they’ll know you aren’t an earner.” @zekuzelalem.bsky.social hears from African survivors of Southeast Asian scam centres: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Excellent set up,I'm sure this will be valuable
February 17, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Excellent set up,I'm sure this will be valuable
Reposted by Erin Cook
While there's still controversy over election irregularities, the Bhumjaithai margin of victory was big enough that it's highly unlikely to be overturned. I take a look here at why Bhumjaithai won: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/diplomacy/in...
Why Bhumjaithai won
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul enjoyed the power of incumbency in Thailand’s elections. And Mathis Lohatepanont argues he used that advantage wisely—combining appeals to populism, nationalism and ...
asialink.unimelb.edu.au
February 17, 2026 at 8:16 AM
While there's still controversy over election irregularities, the Bhumjaithai margin of victory was big enough that it's highly unlikely to be overturned. I take a look here at why Bhumjaithai won: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/diplomacy/in...
Ted O'Brien for shadow foreign affairs. I only heard of him for the first time a few weeks ago but his Wikipedia says time spent in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan which seems a bit more than Michaelia Cash? Idk probably not worth thinking about too hard either way
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Angus Taylor unveils Coalition frontbench with Tim Wilson as shadow treasurer and Nationals returned
Liberal leader also promotes Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Andrew Hastie to shadow cabinet
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Ted O'Brien for shadow foreign affairs. I only heard of him for the first time a few weeks ago but his Wikipedia says time spent in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan which seems a bit more than Michaelia Cash? Idk probably not worth thinking about too hard either way
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
tomorrow's the day, act accordingly 🙏
February 17, 2026 at 2:41 AM
tomorrow's the day, act accordingly 🙏
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
🇹🇭 Allegations of dodgy polls won't stop the blue wave
Malaysia's new monster corruption scandal, a third impeachment complaint for Duterte
darimulut.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:10 AM
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
Reposted by Erin Cook
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.
Myanmar without a path to recovery
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.
eastasiaforum.org
February 16, 2026 at 11:23 PM
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.
hmmm what does she mean by this www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstor...
VP Sara urges Filipinos to ‘take bold action’ this Chinese New Year
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday urged Filipinos to face fear and embrace bold actions amid this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
www.gmanetwork.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:56 PM
hmmm what does she mean by this www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstor...
I'm not like other American commentators on national politics. I cuss 😏
February 16, 2026 at 9:44 PM
I'm not like other American commentators on national politics. I cuss 😏
Connections, do you think I'm special?
February 16, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Connections, do you think I'm special?
when will Chan bless me with true originals again
February 16, 2026 at 10:11 AM
when will Chan bless me with true originals again
President Marcos was extremely unhappy with the way Australian media reported on the Bondi attackers' connection to Mindanao. I wonder if he's seen this news!
February 16, 2026 at 4:25 AM
President Marcos was extremely unhappy with the way Australian media reported on the Bondi attackers' connection to Mindanao. I wonder if he's seen this news!
Bebot bebot be bebot bebot be bebot bebot be. help me. it won't get out of my brain.
February 15, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Bebot bebot be bebot bebot be bebot bebot be. help me. it won't get out of my brain.