SOUTHEASTERN ASIA

Independent States

 
Last Update April 21, 2001

BRUNEI

(Negara Brunei Darussalam)

Regime :

Constitutional sultanate

His Majesty SultanHaji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah - Chief of State

Born : 15th July 1946 at the Istana (Palace) Darussalam

Education : Received his early education in the form of private tuition at the Istana Darul Hana and attended top institutions in both Brunei and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) before furthering his studies in the United Kingdom where he later qualified for admission as an officer cadet at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and was commissioned as a Captain in 1967. He left Sandhurst in October of the same year to ascend the throne.

(Sultan since 5 October 1967)

(Prime Minister since 1 Jan 1984)

The Monarch is both Chief of State and of the Government.

The monarchy is hereditary.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

CAMBODIA

(Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea)

Regime :

Multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993

KingNorodom Sihanouk - Chief of State

Born : October 31, 1922 in in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Education : Educated in Saigon and Paris and was elected king by a royal council in 1941.

(Restored since 24 September 1993 - 2nd time)

The monarchy is hereditary.

SamdechHun Sen - Head of the Government

Born : 4 April 1952 in Peam Koh Smar, district of Stueng Trang, Kompong Cham province.

Education : 1958 to 1964, he attended the primary school in the village where he was born.Attended secondary school at the Indra Devi school. PhD in Political science from the Academy Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh) -Hanoi (1991).

Party : KPK (Kanakpak Pracheachon Kâmpuchéa / Cambodian People's Party)

Political career : Joined the communist movement when he stayed in Phnom Penh- from 1965. Member of the political Bureau and of the PRPK Central Committee then of the PPC (since May 1981). Vice-president of the Council (June 1981-January 1985) and Foreign Ministre (May 1981-January 1985). President of the Council and Foreign Minister (14 janvier 1985). Prime minister of the EDC until June 1993. PPC Member of Parliament for Kompong Cham (10 June 1993). Co-president and co-minister of Defense and Home Affairs of the GNPC (July 1993). Second prime minister of the GRC (November 1994). PPC Member of Parliament for Kompong Cham. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

(Prime Minister since 30 November 1998)

Prime minister appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence by the National Assembly.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

INDONESIA

(Republik Indonesia)

Regime :

Republic

Abdurrahman Wahid - Chief of State

Born : 1940 in East Java

Education/Profession : He studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, and at the University of Baghdad in Iraq. From 1972 to 1974, he served as dean of the faculty of theology at Hasyim Asyari University in Jombang. From 1974 to 1980, he was secretary-general of an Islamic boarding school in Jombang. In 1979, Wahid was chosen as first secretary of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organization. In 1984, he became its chairman.

Party : PKB (Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa / National Awakening Party)

Political career : Elected president of Indonesia in October 1999.

(President since 20 October 1999)

The president is both chief of state and head of government.

President and vice president selected by consensus by the People's Consultative Assembly for five-year terms ; selection last held 10 October 1999 (next to be held by 10 October 2004)

Megawati Sukarnaputri - Vice-President

Born : January 23, 1947, in Jogjakarta, in west Java

Education : Studied social and political science at the university level but never completed a degree.

Party : PDIP (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan / Struggling Indonesian Democratic Party)

Political career : In 1993, was elected leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party. vice president of Indonesia in 1999.

(Vice-President since 20 October 1999)

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

LAOS

(Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao)

Regime :

Communist state

Khamtai Siphandon - Chief of State

Born : February 8, 1924 Champassak province, Laos

Party : PPPL (Phak Paxaxôn Pativat Lao / People's Party of Laos)

Political career : 1947 Took part in the revolutionary movement. 1952 Member of the Central Committee of the Lao Issara (Lao Freedom Front). 1952-54 Chairman of the Committee of the Central Region. 1954 Member of the Communist Party of Indochina. 1955-57 Chief of Staff of the Pathet Lao Forces. 1956 Member of the Lao People's Party. 1957 Member of the Central Party Committee.The 1972 Second, 1982 Third, 1986 Fourth and 1992 Fifth Congresses of the Party elected him a member of the Party Central Committee and Politburo. 1975-91: Vice Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Lao People's Army. Feb.22,1993 In the preliminary session of the Third National Assembly, he was appointed Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.      

(President since 24 February 1998)

President elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term ; election last held 21 December 1997 (next to be held NA 2002)

awaiting

vacant

(Vice-President)

Sisavat Keobounphan - Head of the Government

Born : May 1, 1928 at Houay Kaleum village, Samneua district, Houaphanh province.

Education : Graduated from a high-level school for political ideology in Vietnam

Party : PPPL (Phak Paxaxôn Pativat Lao / People's Party of Laos)

(Prime Minister since 24 February 1998)

Prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

 

MALAYSIA

(Malayan Union)

Regime :

Constitutional monarchy

SultanSalahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah - Chief of State

Born : 1926

Education : Received his early education at Pangkalan Batu Malay School I, Kelang in 1934, before pursuing his studies at the Malay College in Kuala Kangsar till December 1941 when the Second World War broke out.   In 1947, His Majesty continued his studies at the School of Oriental Studies, University of London for two years. On returning to the country, served in the Public Services Department as a trainee officer with the Selangor Survey Department.  Later was appointed as Inspector of School for eight years.

Note : Appointed Tengku Laksamana Selangor on August 1, 1946. On May 13, 1950 he was appointed the Regent of Selangor. Following the demise of late the Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Alhaj on September 1, 1960,was appointed the Sultan of Selangor on September 3, 1960. Installed as the Sultan on 1999.

(Chief of State since 23 September 1999)

Paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms ; election last held 4 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

Dato' Seri Dr.Mahatir bin Mohammad - Head of the Government

Born : 20 December 1925 in Alor Setar, the capital of the State of Kedah.

Education : Secondary education in his home town. In 1947, he gained admission into the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. Upon graduation, he joined the Malaysian government service as a Medical Officer.

Party : UMNO (Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu / United Malays National Organisation)

(Prime Minister since 16 July 1981)

Prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives ; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 MYANMAR

(Myanma Naingngandaw)

Regime :

Military regime

Gen.Than Shwe - Chief of State

Born : 1933 in Kyaukse, Myanmar

Education/Profession : He earned over sixteen decorations and medals while achieving twelve appointments including, platoon commander, company commander No.1 Burma Regiment, during the years 1953 until 1958; commander, No. 1 Burma Regiment, 1970; deputy commander, No. 88 Light Infantry Division, 1977; and vice-chief of staff (Army) in 1985.

Political career : In 1992, General Than Shwe was elected chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council and prime minister of the Government of the Union of Myanmar.

(Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council since 23 april 1992)

The President is both Chief of State and head of the Government.

Note : the prime minister is both the chief of state and head of the government.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

 PHILIPPINES

(Republika ng Pilipinas)

Regime :

Republic

Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal-Arroyo - Chief of State

Born : in 1949 in San Juan, Manila

Education : High school valedictorian in Assumption Convent, Magna cum Laude in Assumption College, and a Dean's List Student in Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She is a Doctor of Economics.

(President since 20 January 2001)

Note : President after the chief justice proclaimed the presidency vacant, following the resignation of several ministers from President Joseph Estrada's cabinet.

The President is both Chief of State and head of the Government.

President and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms ; election last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 11 May 2004)

Teofisto T. Guingona Jr. - Vice President

Born : on July 4, 1928 in San Juan, Rizal

Education : Studied at the Ateneo de Manila University and taught law, political science and history in the same school.

Political experience : Delegate, Constitutional Convention, 1971. Chairman, RP-CPP/NPA Peace Talks, 1986. Elected Senator, 1987-1992. Executive Secretary of President Ramos, 1993-1995. Secretary, Department of Justice, 1995-1998. Chairman, Presidential Anti-Crime Commission, 1997-1998.

(Vice President since 09 February 2001)

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

 SINGAPORE

(Republic of Singapore)

Regime :

Republic within Commonwealth

Sellapan Ramanathan [S.R.Nathan] - Chief of State

Born : 1924

(President since 1 September 1999)

President elected by popular vote for a six-year term ; election last held 24 August 1999 (next to be held NA August 2005)

Goh Chok Tong - Head of the Government

Born : 20 May 1941

Education : Secondary school education at Raffles Institution, Singapore's oldest school. He studied Economics at the University of Singapore where he graduated with First Class Honours.

Party : PAP (People's Action Party / Partai Tindakan Rakyat)

(Prime Minister since 28 November 1990)

Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president ; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

 THAILAND

(Kingdom of Thailand)

Regime :

Constitutional monarchy

Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) - Chief of State

Born : 5th of December 1927, at Mount Auburn Hospital, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Education : "Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande", Chailly sur Lausanne. "Gymnase Classique Cantonal "in Lausanne where he received his Baccalaureate. Chose to enter Lausanne University and studied science, but the sudden death of his elder brother, King Ananda Mahidol, in Bangkok on the 9th of June, 1946, completely changed the course of his life for the Law of Succession bestowed on him the arduous but challenging function of the Thai Crown.

(King since 9 June 1946)

The monarchy is hereditary.

Thaksin Shinawatra - Head of the Government

Born : July 26,1949 in Chiangmai, Thailand

Education/Profession : Started his career as a policeman in 1973 before receiving a government scholarship to study for a master degree in criminal justice in Eastern Kentucky University. He earned a doctorate in the same subject from Sam Houston State University in 1978 and then taught at the Thai Police Cadet Academy before resigning in 1987 to embark on a business career. In 1982, he and his wife founded a company that was to grow into Shinawatra Computer, a system integrator and reseller of IBM computers.

Party : TRT (Thai Rak Thai Pak / Thai Love Thai Party)

Politicar career : He became head of the Palang Dharma party in 1995 and was appointed deputy prime minister by then prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa. He founded the Thai Rak Thai party on July 14, 1998, pledging to inject new blood into Thai politics.

(Prime Minister since 9 Feb 2001)

Prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives ; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister.

Legislative :

SEE PARLIAMENT

 

 VIETNAM

(Cong Hoa Chu Nghia Viet Nam)

Regime :

Communist state

Tran Duc Luong - Chief of State

Born : 1937 in the Central Province of Quang Ngai.

Education : Completed primary and secondary school in his hometown before moving to Hanoi in 1955. Graduated from the College of Geology in 1958, and from the University of Mining and Geology in 1969.

Party : DCSV (Dang Cong San Viêt Nam / Communist Party of Vietnam)

(Chief of State since 24 September 1997)

President elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term ; election last held 25 September 1997 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in NA 2002)

Phan Van Khai - Head of the Government

Born : in Ho Chi Minh City in 1933

Education : 1960 studied at the National Economics University in Moscow, Russia.

Party : DCSV (Dang Cong San Viêt Nam / Communist Party of Vietnam)

(Prime Minister since 25 September 1997)

Prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly ; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister.

Legislative :

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Dependencies and Associated States

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

(Territory of Christmas Island)

(Territory of Australia)

Regime :

NA

QueenELIZABETH II - Chief of State

(Queen since 6 February 1952)

Represented by the Australian general governor.

awaiting

Bill Taylor - Head of the Government

Born : 1938

(Administrator since 4 February 1999)

Administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia.

Legislative :

Unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats ; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms) Elections : last held December 1999 (next to be held December 2000)

COCOS (Keeling) ISLANDS

(Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands)

(Territory of Australia)

Regime :

NA

QueenELIZABETH II - Chief of State

(Queen since 6 February 1952)

Represented by the Australian governor general.

awaiting

Bill Taylor - Head of the Government

Born : 1938

(Administrator since 4 February 1999)

Administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia.

Legislative :

Unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (NA seats)

TIMOR

(Timor Loro Sae)

UNTAET

Regime :

Timor will be independent soon. The country is now administered by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East-Timor. The Timor file will be updated as soon as more data are available.

Sergio Vieira de Mello - Transitional administrator

Born : on March 15, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Education : Studied philosophy in Paris, and obtained a doctorate in the Sorbonne University.

Carreer : Deputy General Secretary of the UN, Mello runs the Office for Humanitarian Relations since January 1998. He carried on his whole carreer in the UN.

(Transitional administrator since October 25, 1999)

Also : President of the Provisional Government

José Alexandre Gusmão [Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão] - President of CNRT

Born : June 20, 1946 in the small country town of Laleia, Manatuto, East Timor

Education : Completed primary and started secondary school at the Catholic mission of "Nossa Senhora de Fatima" in Dare, then went on to Dili. He started to work very early in life, mornings as a chartered surveyor and afternoons teaching at the Chinese school.

Party : Fretilin (Frente Revolucionária do Timor Leste Independente / Revolutionary Front of a Independent East Timor)

(President of CNRT since 2000)

Legislative :

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