SINGAPORE -- Three major political events in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bandar Seri Begawan the past month could have profound effects on the rising power of civil society and of party and public opinion in Southeast Asia.

In Malaysia, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO)-dominated General Assembly witnessed a surprising power shift on Sept. 23 as Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi sought to consolidate his power.

In Indonesia, voters decided overwhelmingly to elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (affectionately called SBY) as Indonesia's sixth president, dealing the incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri a humiliating defeat.