Malaysia is gearing up for a national election in the coming weeks in an apparently upbeat mood that, barring some surprise upset, should usher in a period of transition into a new generation of leadership bent on consolidating the gains of the Mahatir era.

In the face of considerable scepticism or outright disbelief in the outside world about its sketchy “road map,” some in Myanmar feel the troubled country may be embarked on a process that could lead to a new constitution or even elections before the end of the year.

Indonesia has been preparing for watershed elections for the Parliament and Presidency in April, July and September this year that could either solidify the huge country’s evolution toward democratic stability or increase the continuing sense of instability and conflict within its divided political and public interests.

East Timor, once the centre of considerable international preoccupation and support as the symbol of a small country struggling for freedom, faces an uncertain political, economic and social destiny that could even go as far as threats on its territory and resources by outside forces, according to informed parties there.