Prime ministers and presidents may have changed in several Asian countries, but the lower-level officials charged with implementing reforms are the same old faces. And reformist heads of state and government such as Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung are finding they must compromise to get things done. Even people who agree on the need for change argue about the optimum pace, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, where political turmoil has often been an excuse for ethnic and religious conflict. That reduces pressure on Mahathir. Instead of provoking confrontation, ordinary Thais have begun to explore the power of grassroots organization.
Corruption is one of the hottest issues.
A network of rural doctors successfully campaigned for Health Minister Rakkiat Sukthana 's resignation in September following accusations that the ministry was profiteering illegally from medicine sales. Supong Limtanakool, dean of graduate studies at Bangkok University , says it's a healthy development. Some Thais fear this will allow the police to become a political tool during election campaigns. Public pressure is pushing along the reform agenda in Indonesia , too, even as Jakarta's elite scramble to form new parties or revamp old ones before next year's planned legislative elections. A public outcry forced the law to be amended so that demonstrators only have to notify police of planned protests, not get permission.