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GATHERINGS:
An informed
guide to happenings throughout the region.
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Thai
senate seeks
referendum on
new constitution: Lese Majeste law
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The
Senate is seeking a referendum on the
drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives
voted for an opposition-sponsored
motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a
referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to
organise a referendum that would pave
the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be
drawn up by a charter drafting
assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has
tentatively been set for May 7 by the
Election Commission (EC).
Senators
were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum,
saying "It is a tactic to stall the
referendum"
Sen Kittisak
Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he
disagreed with organising the
referendum on the same day as the
general election,
"This could
confuse voters," he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
China calls emergency
COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From News
Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An
emergency meeting of foreign ministers
from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is
to be held in Vientiane, Laos on
Thursday and Friday to discuss the
COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The
COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN
member states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly
intended to share information and to
improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN
member states in order to combat the
COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign
Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with
focus on strengthening joint
prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of
establishing a long term and effective
collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying "
China and Asean countries have been in
close communication since the outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an
opportunity for the foreign ministers
to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting
will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will
demonstrate Cambodia’s support of
China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Vietnam opens consulate
in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau
Special Administrative Region of China
on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said
at the launching ceremony that the
office aims to better ensure the
rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the
consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost
friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate
General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship
Association in Macau.
More than
20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and
services companies.
The Southeast Asian
Times
US invites
Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in
a "landmark" visit, Rueters
reports.
General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on
Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a
senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
and the President of the United States
"would skirt protocol" because the
General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official
as saying.
Rueters also quotes the
senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong
as the visit of "the top leader
of the country".
"It's a pretty big
event," Rueters quotes the state
department official as saying.
The Southeast Asian
Times France agrees
to return Aboriginal remains home to
Australia
From News
Reports:
Canberra, November 25:
French president Francois Hollande and
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to
Australia during the first official
visit by a French head of state to
Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head
of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the
Aboriginal remains held in France.
The head of state and prime minister
said in a joint statement that the
identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider
the requests of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The
French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human
remains to their community of origin."
the statement said.
Australia
believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and
the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets
of Aboriginal skeletal remains to
Australia including the severed head
of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years.
Yagan was shot dead for his resistance
to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The Southeast Asian
Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November
10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, that national
identity cards (KTP) do not include
the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of
the card holder on national identity
cards (KTP)
contradicted the
country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state
ideology and our national identity,
then why should we be ashamed of
including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from
official government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian
citizens on national identity cards
(KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up
to the people", he said.
The Souheast Asian
Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai
monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students,
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip
Mankong, 26, were charged in the
Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in
October 2013, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The students were charged
with insulting the Royal Thai family
in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th
anniversaries of the October 6, 1976
and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's
script, a work of fiction that depicts
a fictional monarch, that allegedly
insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on
13 August, have been refused bail are
scheduled to appear in court to enter
pleas on December 29.
The Southeast Asian
Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents
to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers,
Presidents and State representatives
including US Secretary of State, John
Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on
Monday.
The speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend
the swearing in of the former governor
of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as
president of Indonesia.
"The Prime
Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He
said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's"
including former Presidents and
Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties
have also be invited,” said the
speaker.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Banned ISIS
flag found flying in Aceh
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag found
flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was
reportedly the first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said
that the flag of the nationally banned
movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh
regency in Aceh.
He said that a
bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and banned the teaching
of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of
Indonesias Independence.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Singapore
passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution
Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014
Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Act by
the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for
causing severe air pollution in
Singapore.
The Act that was first
proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze
pollution in Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan said that under the Act,
Singapore will have the legal right
under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources
in accordance with their policies they
also have a responsibility to ensure
that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze
Pollution Act gives Singapore the
legal power to serve notices on those
that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to
ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest
fires.
A bill passed in the
Indonesian House of Representatives in
July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and
illegal clearing of forests for palm
oil plantations.
The new bill,
designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force
including police to monitor the
prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th
anniversary of the Biak Massacre in
West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will be
held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley
Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in
memory of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS)
at the University of Sydney last year
on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into
the sea by Indonesian security
forces.
The tribunal heard eye
witness testimony that the West Papuan
demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian
security forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan
protesters were surrounded and shot by
Indonesian security forces and that
survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July
1998.
The Southeast Asian
Times
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Civil
Society investigation
into 2025 Indonesian
mass riots find alleged
agent provocateurs
in detention
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%20Mon%2015%20Sept%202026.jpg) |
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National
Commission on Human
Rights (Komnas HAM)
commissioner Abdul
Haris Semendawai,
fourth from left at
the establishment
of an independent
fact-finding commission
on Thursday September
12, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, February 23: The Indonesia
Civil Society independent Fact-Finding
Commission (KPF) investigation into
the nationwide arrest of thousands
of protesters in August and September
2025, that began as a peaceful student
protest at Parliament House in Jakarta
and transitioned into nationwide
riots, was released with the Attorney
General's Office (AGO) saying that
up to a thousand alleged agent provocateurs
were still in detention, reports
the Jakarta Post.
Attorney General's Office (AGO)
prosecutor, Sanitiar Burhanuddin,
said that up to a thousand agent
provocateurs are in Indonesian National
Police (POLRI) custody for allegedly
spreading social media content deemed
to incite hostility toward the government
and encourage students in the August
and September 2025 protest to participate
in the riots.''
Coordinating Minister for Law and
Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra,
said that a large number of the
about 1,000 agent provocateurs that
are still in custody face allegations
under the Information and Electronic
Transactions Law (ITE Law) for disseminating
hoax or incitement news.
''The total number of Indonesians
that were apprehended by police
during the August and September
2025 nationwide protest was approximately
7,000, though many were quickly
released,'' he said.
Indonesian National Police senior
commissioner, Ade Ary, urged students
protesters during the August and
September 2025 protests that had
transitioned to nationwide riots
''not to be easily provoked by calls
on social media to participate in
risky activities.''
National Police senior commissioner,
Ade Ary, urged agent provocateurs
spreading calls to participate in
risky activities to desist after
the mass protests had spread from
Jakarta to Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta,
Medan, Makassar, Manado, Manokwari,
Bogor and Bali.
Indonesian National Police senior
commissioner, Ade Ary, accused agent
provocateurs of inciting student
protesters to burn flags damage
the Parliament House building fence,
vandalise CCTV cameras and of defacing
street dividers.
The independent fact find Commission
including the National Commission
on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Commission
for the Disappeared and Victims
of Violence (KontraS), the Indonesian
Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and
Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH
Jakarta) examined 115 Indonesian
National Police interrogation reports,
interviewed 63 informants and concluded
field visits across eight provinces,
18 cities and three overseas locations
since September 2025.
In September 2025 Indonesian National
Police confirmed the arrest of 3,195
Indonesians across 15 regional police
offices, with a further 959 including
295 minors named suspects by the
end of September 2025.
The independent Fact-Finding Commission
(KPF) estimated a much higher total
of 6,719 Indonesians arrested during
the August series of protests.
In August 2025 thousands of teenage
students protested at Parliament
House in Jakarta demanded that Indonesian
President Prabowo Subianto revoke
the law that allows Members of Parliament
an extravagant housing allowance.
Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), security
personnel of the Indonesian National
Police fired tear gas at thousands
of stone throwing teenage students
on their way to Parliament House
in Jakarta who were protesting against
reports that 580 members of the
House of Representatives had received
a housing allowance of 50 million
rupiah ($4,739) per month since
September 2024.
House of Representatives Deputy
Speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said
the housing allowance was for Members
of Parliament to rent a property
in Jakarta after the government
discontinued its house program.
''The amount had been thoroughly
considered and adjusted to current
prices in Jakarta,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Catholic
majority Philippines
approves Multi-Faith
Prayer and Quiet Rooms
Act for Muslims
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Philippine
Senator Robinhood
Padilla, a former
Catholic, who converted
to Islam while serving
a 21 year prison sentence
for illegal possession
of firearms, said
''the passing of the
Multi-Faith Prayer
and Quiet Rooms Act
is a victory for all
believers, regardless
of their religion"
on Wednesday February
18, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Manila, February 22: The Philippines,
a predominantly Christian country
with over 90 percent of its population
identifying as Christian, approved
the Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet
Rooms Act on its third and final
reading on Wednesday, reportedly
for Muslims who observe scheduled
daily prayers, reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
Senate approved the Multi-Faith
Prayer and Quiet Rooms Act with
18 in favour, 0 against and 0
abstentions for a multi-faith
prayer and quite room to be established
in all public offices and selected
public establishments including
airports, hospitals, and ports,
with Senator Mark Villar, a Catholic,
saying ''the Senate Bill is a
landmark step towards promoting
religious inclusivity, respect,
and harmony.''
''The Bill ensures that Filipino
Muslims, who observe scheduled
daily prayers, have access to
dedicated spaces for prayer and
quite reflection,'' said Senator
Mark Villar.
Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet Rooms
Act stipulates that Multi-Faith
Prayer and Quiet Rooms must be
neutral and inclusive, specifically
remaining free from permanent
religious symbols that favour
any single faith.
''The Multi-Faith Prayer and Quiet
Rooms are designated for prayer,
meditation, and quiet reflection,
catering to individuals of all
faiths or those seeking a space
for spiritual observance,'' said
Senator Mark Villar.
Philippine Senator Robinhood Padilla,
a former Catholic, who converted
to Islam while serving a 21 year
prison sentence at the New Bilibid
Prison for illegal possession
of firearms, said ''the passing
of the Multi-Faith Prayer and
Quiet Rooms Act
is a victory for all believers,
regardless of their religion."
Philippine Senator Robinhood Padilla
who was sentenced to prison in
1994 for illegal possession of
firearms, received a conditional
pardon from former Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte in 1998.
The legislative process for the
passing of the Multi-Faith Prayer
and Quiet Rooms Act, Senate Bill
1629, reportedly includes
possible bicameral conference
proceedings and concurrence with
the House of Representatives,
before transmitted to current
Philippine President Ferdinand
Romualdez Marcos Jr. for signature.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Nations
that declined to join
the Board of Peace
claim the United States
aims to bypass the
United Nations
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U.S.
President Donald Trump
convened the inaugural
meeting of the Board
of Peace at the U.S.
Institute of Peace
renamed the Donald
J. Trump Institute
of Peace in Washington,
D.C. on Thursday February
19, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Washington, February 21: More than
40 nations from 60 nations invited
to join the Board of Peace for Gaza
reconstruction and peacekeeping,
attended the inaugural meeting in
Washington, DC, on Thursday, with
nations that declined to join the
Board of Peace claiming that the
Board of Peace is the United States
effort to replace or bypass the
United Nations Security Council
(UNSC), reports Reuters.
The Board of Peace, launched by
United States President Donald Trump
at the 56th World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland, 19-23 January
2026, was authorised by the United
Nations Security Council Resolution
2803 in October 2025 specifically
for Gaza reconstruction and peacekeeping
until 2027.
United States President Donald J.
Trump formally ratified the Charter
of the Board of Peace on January
22, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland,
at the 56th World Economic Forum,
establishing the Board of Peace
as a permanent independent international
body.
The Board of Peace charter designates
United States President Donald Trump
as chairman for life with the United
States President saying at the launching
of the Board of Peace that ''the
Board of Peace might replace the
United Nations.''
''The United Nations has not lived
up to its potential,'' said United
States President Donald Trump.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
said that he rejected the invitation
to join the Board of Peace because
it goes way beyond the U.N. Security
Council mandate.
''I think we have to recognize that
moving forward from what has been
established is something most European
countries can’t do,'' he said.
Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert
Golob said the Board of Peace dangerously
interferes with the broader international
order.
European Policy Centre, Chris Kremidas-Courtney
warned that United Stated Donald
Trump ''is advancing a parallel
forum that bypasses the United Nations
rules, universality and legal foundations".
Former New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark warned that the Board
of Peace structure, the pay-for-access
model, is not a legitimate way to
run international affairs and risks
eroding respect for international
law.''
Nations that have joined the Board
of Peace include Hungary, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Bahrain,
Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the
Republic of Kosovo, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Nations that have declined to join
the Board of Peace include the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy,
Canada Australia, Brazil, India,
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand,
Ukraine, Iran and Association of
Soth East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines,
Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Myanmar,
Brunei, and Laos.
Italy, Romania, and Cyprus, are
among nations that have opted for
observer status rather than full
membership of the Board of Peace.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Hong
Kong publisher sentenced
to
20 years in prison
for sedition and collusion
with foreign powers
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Former
Hong Kong Apple Daily
newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying also
known as Jimmy Lai,
75, arrested under
the Beijing new national
security law on Safeguarding
National Security
in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
(HKSAR) on Monday
August 10, 2020
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From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, February 20: Former Hong
Kong-Apple Daily newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying, known as Jimmy Lai,
75, charged with publishing "seditious
publications" and "collusion
with foreign powers to endanger
national security" was sentenced
to prison for 20 years in the harshest
sentence since Beijing imposed the
national security law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR
in 2020, with Hong Kong’s Chief
Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, saying
''the newspaper publisher Lai deserved
the long sentence,'' reports
Hong Kong Free Press.
Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR), chief executive,
John Lee Ka-chiu, who was appointed
Hong Kong Chief Secretary of the
vetting committee to screen out
candidates deemed unpatriotic to
China or a threat to national security
in the Hong Kong District Councillor
elections in November, 2021, was
selected by the 1,461 member election
committee to be the next Chief Executive
of Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) on May 8, 2022.
Hong Kong chief executive, John
Lee Ka-chiu, said that ''Lai's newspaper
had poisoned Hong Kong citizens
and encouraged them to break the
law and become radical and violent
during mass Hong Kong demonstrations
in 2019.''
''The severe sentence imposed on
Lai upholds the rule of law and
shows that justice has been done,''
he said.
Former Hong Kong-Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai, 75, pleaded not guilty
to two counts of conspiring to collude
with foreign powers to endanger
national security" in the commentary
series ''Live Chat with Jimmy Lai''
published in the Hong Kong-Apple
Daily newspaper on November 13,
2020.
''Taiwan had become a priority in
US international policy because
Xi Jinping had vowed the reunification
of mainland China and Taiwan'' he
said in the November 13, 2020 commentary
series ''Live Chat with Jimmy Lai.''
''Xi is not elected, he alone controls
the whole country, what he says
goes, he is a dictator,'' he said
in the November 13, 2020 commentary
series ''Live Chat with Jimmy Lai.''
He denied that he had sought to
incite hatred against Chinese leader,
Xi Jinping, by describing him as
a dictator in the commentary series
''Live Chat with Jimmy Lai,'' published
in the former Hong Kong-Apple Daily
newspaper November 13, 2020.
Former Hong Kong-Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying known as
Jimmy Lai, 75, also pleaded not
guilty to a third count of conspiring
to publish seditious material in
the commentary series ''Live Chat
with Jimmy Lai'' Hong Kong-Apple
Daily on October 11, 2020, saying
"If we have the courage to
take up the fight, Taiwan's future
is looking up."
''Taiwan had become more important
strategically than Korea in the
1950s and asked if the US would
be willing to show military might
to stop the brinkmanship of China,''
he said on October 11, 2020.
''The US could prevent a war with
China by getting ready for war and
showcasing its military supremacy,''
he said on Oct0ber 11, 2020
''That’s why the Chinese Communist
Party don’t want to start a
war because the war would only cause
damaging without a chance of winning,''
he said on October 11, 2020
“If there’s a war the
Chinese Communist Party would only
cause disaster and death without
winning,'' he said on October 2020.
''Taiwan had become a priority in
US international policy because
Xi Jinping had vowed the reunification
of mainland China and Taiwan,''
he said on October 11, 2020.
''Xi is not elected, he alone controls
the whole country, what he says
goes, he is a dictator,'' he said
on October 11, 2020.
He denied that he had sought to
incite hatred against Chinese leader,
Xi Jinping, by describing him as
a dictator in the Hong Kong-Apple
Daily on October 11, 2020.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
attends Board of Peace
in Washington in lieu
of the United Nations
to achieve peace in
Gaza
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Indonesia
President Prabowo
Subianto greeted by
Indonesian students
in Washington DC for
the Board of Peace
Summit Tues 17 Feb
2026
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From
News Reports:
Indonesia, February 19: Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto arrived
in Washington on Tuesday to attend
the first Summit of the Board of
Peace as an alternative to the United
Nations (UN), saying ''the Board
of Peace is an historic opportunity
to achieve lasting peace in Gaza,''
reports Tempo.
Indonesian is among 60 nations invited
to joint the Board of Peace launched
by the United States President Donald
Trump at the World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland, on January
22.
Nations that have joined the Board
of Peace include Hungary, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Bahrain,
Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the
Republic of Kosovo, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Paraguay and Uzbekistan.
Nations that have declined to join
the Board of Peace include the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy,
Canada Australia, Brazil, India,
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand,
Ukraine and Iran.
Italy, Romania, and Cyprus, are
among nations that have opted for
observer status rather than full
membership of the Board of Peace.
Nations that have declined to join
the Board of Peace claiming that
the Board of Peace is the United
States effort to replace or bypass
the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC).
Nations claim that the designation
of President Donald Trump as chairman
for life of the Board of Peace gives
him veto power over all decisions
Nations claim that the ''Pay-to-Play
structure of the Board of Peace
that requires a $1 billion donation
for permanent membership is transactional
and exclusionary.
Nations claim that unlike the United
Nations the Board of Peace makes
no mention of human rights or Unlike
the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) the BoP charter reportedly
makes no mention of fundamental
principles like human rights or
non-aggression.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
is scheduled to attend the Board
of Peace Summit in Washington to
promote a second phase of the ceasefire
in Gaza saying ''Indonesia is ready
to contribute'' at the invitation
to join the Board of Peace at the
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
on January 22.
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono,
said then ''Indonesia's participation
in the Charter of the Board of Peace
represents a strategic, constructive,
and concrete step to oversee post-conflict
stabilization and rehabilitation
in Gaza.''
"This Board of Peace is a concrete
alternative to the United Nations,''
he said.
''The Board of Peace would function
as a transitional administrative
body in Gaza as originally endorsed
by the UN Security Council in November
2025,'' he said.
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono,
said that Indonesia's participation
in the Charter of the Board of Peace
means that the world recognizes
Indonesia's diplomacy, saying ''the
world also recognises Indonesia's
vision and views for world peace
and in particular regional peace."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Reporter
charged with incitement
to cause social unrest
for demoralising the
Royal Cambodian Armed
Forces
|
|
 |
|
Reporter,
Luoth Sophal, 38,
was arrested after
a warrant was issued
by the Oddar Meanchey
provincial prosecutor
in northwest Cambodia
on Saturday February
14, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, February 18: The Oddar
Meanchey provincial court in northwest
Cambodia charged and detained
Luoth Sophal, 38, for reporting
that the Royal Cambodian Armed
Forces on the Cambodia-Thailand
border lacked basic supplies including
drinking water, reports the Phnom
Penh Post.
Luoth Sophal, 38, reporter for
the ''Sratab Yuvavey'' or ''The
Youth Layer'' newspaper, was arrested
on February 14 after a warrant
was issued by the Oddar Meanchey
provincial prosecutor.
He was charged with ''demoralising
the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces''
and ''incitement to cause social
unrest'' under Articles 472 and
495 of the Criminal Code.
If convicted, Luoth Sophal, 38,
faces up to five years in prison.
Provincial Cybercrimes Deputy
Chief Major Hem Bunroeun said
Luoth Sophal, 38, claimed that
soldiers could access only one
bottle of water every two days
during recent Cambodia-Thailand
border tensions.
''What the reporter said in the
''Sratab Yuvavey'' was not true
but an act of incitement,'' he
said.
Cambodian Human Rights and Development
Association (ADHOC) Senior Monitor
and Investigator, Yi Soksan, said
the arrest of reporter Luoth Sophal,
38, indicates a decline in press
freedom.
''ADHOC’s own observations
in the region confirmed that many
areas lack clean water infrastructure,
forcing residents to buy water
from distant towns,'' he said.
He called for the charges against
the reporter to be dropped, saying
''as a democratic country, the
Cambodian government should accept
criticism from reporters and the
public.''
In May 2025 Cambodia reporter, Ouk
Mao, 49, who reported on illegal
deforestation at the Prey Lang Wildlife
Sanctuary in Stung Treng province,
has been charged with alleged incitement
and defamation ''against the honour
and reputation of the Ministry of
Environment of Cambodia officials.
Stung Treng City Provincial Court
spokesman, Lao Leangheng, said
that reporter Ouk Mao, 49, from
the Phalitakam Mohahang Co., Ltd
news service in Stung Treng City
was charged with incitement to
commit a felony or cause social
unrest and public defamation under
Articles 494, 495 and 305 of the
Criminal Code.
Reporter Uk Mao, 49, claimed that
Stung Treng provincial Environmental
Department ministry officials
were corrupt and had colluded
will illegal loggers and timber
traders to cut down forests in
the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary
in exchange for bribes.
''Uk Mao was arrested by the Stung
Treng provincial military police
on May 16 in accordance with the
Stung Treng Provincial Court's
arrest warrant,'' said Stung Treng
City Provincial Court spokesman,
Lao Leangheng,
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Timor-Leste
Charge d’Affaires
expelled from Myanmar
after opening war
crimes proceedings
against Myanmar military
|
|
 |
|
Timor-Leste
Charge d’Affaires
Elisio do Rosario
de Sousa, left, and
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Solidarity
and Development Party
(USDP), Minister of
Foreign Affairs, U
Than Swe, in Yangon,
Myanmar on Friday
February 13, 2026
|
|
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, February 17: The Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, that
seized the elected League for Democracy
(NLD) government in February 2021,
ordered the expulsion of the Timor-Leste
Charge d’Affaires from Myanmar
on February13, after Timor-Leste
began war crimes and crimes against
humanity proceedings against the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
reports Agence France Presse.
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP), Minister of Foreign Affairs,
U Than Swe, ordered Timor-Leste
charge d'affaires, Elisio do Rosario
de Sousa, to depart Myanmar by February
20.
Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP) of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, that claimed victory
in the three-phase general elections
that ended on January 28, accused
Timor-Leste of violating the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
charter and the Treaty of Amity
and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
accused Timor-Leste of "blatant
violation" of the ASEAN Charter
and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
in Southeast Asia, specifically
regarding sovereignty and non-interference,''
after Timor-Leste began an investigation
into alleged war crimes and crimes
against humanity allegedly committed
by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar against the Chin ethnic
minority in Myanmar's Chin State.
Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO)
executive director, Salai Za Uk
Lingthat, who represents the Chin
ethnic minority in Myanmar's China
State said that Timor-Leste opened
war crimes and crimes against humanity
proceedings against the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
''A senior Timorese prosecutor has
been appointed to investigate allegations
of war crimes and crimes against
humanity,'' he said.
He said war crimes and crimes against
humanity allegations against the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
includes ''irrefutable evidence
of gang rape, the massacre of 10
people, the slaughter of religious
officials and a hospital airstrike.''
War crimes and crimes against humanity
proceedings against the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar by Timore-Leste
under the principle of universal
jurisdiction is the first time a
member of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pursued
legal action against another member
state.
Timor-Leste was formally admitted
as the 11th member of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
on October 26, 2025 with Myanmar
objecting, saying ''Timor-Leste
does not adhere to the principle
of non-interference in internal
affairs as enshrined in the ASEAN
Charter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
International
Criminal Court names
co-perpetrators in
Philippine President
Duterte's war on drugs
|
|
 |
|
Former
Philippine Nation
Police chief, Senator
Ronald dela Rosa,
left and Senatoe Christopher
Go, right named as
''co-perpetrators''
in crimes involving
former Philippine
President Rodrigo
's war on drugs by
the International
Criminal Court
on Saturday February
14, 2026
|
|
From News Reports:
Manila, February 16: The International
Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague,
Pre-Trial Chamber 1 Office of the
Prosecution has released documents
naming eight current and former
Philippines officials as ''co-perpetrators''
in crimes innitiated by former Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte's war
on drugs, with ICC saying ''the
drug war killings became widespread'',
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Deputy Prosecutor, Mame Mandiaye
Niang, said the drug war killings
became widespread when Philippine
President Rodrigo came into office
in 2016, saying ''President Rodrigo
Duterte appointed top police officials
to implement ''Project Double Barrel''
directed by Senators Ronald dela
Rosa.''
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, and Senator
Christopher Go were named two of
eight former and current officials
by the Office of the Prosecution
as part of the ''hierarchy'' in
the former President Rodrigo Duterte
war on drugs.
''The eight ''co-perpetrators''
wielded ''de facto authority'' over
those who pulled the trigger,''
said the Deputy Prosecutor, Mame
Mandiaye Niang.
''Local police and other gunmen
were at the bottom of the chain
of command of assassins that originated
from the Davao Death Squad (DDS)
when Rodrigo Duterte was Davao city
mayor in Mindanao,'' he said.
Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano
Aguirre II, two former Davao City
police chiefs, Vicente Danao Jr.
who later became the Philippine
National Police counterintelligence
commander and Isidro Lapeña,
who became the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) chief were named by
the Office of the Prosecution as
part of the ''hierarchy'' in the
former President Rodrigo Duterte
war on drugs.
Oscar Albayalde, former National
Capital Region police commander
who succeeded Ronald dela Rosa as
Philippine Nation Police commander,
Camilo Cascolan, a former Philippine
Nation Police chief, Dante Gierran,
former National Bureau of Investigation
chief in the National Bureau of
Investigation in the Davao region
in Mindanao.
Lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, said on
Saturday that the defense will prove
that allegations against the ''co-perpetrators'
were ''completely lacking in truth,''
saying ''none of these co-perpetrators
are, in my opinion, currently subject
to arrest warrants.''
“It flies in the face of prosecutorial
logic to seek further warrants in
the Philippines situation before
the decision of the Appeals Chamber
on the former Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte jurisdictional challenge,''
he said.
''Former President Rodrigo Duterte
was aware of the identities of the
eight alleged co-perpetrators for
almost a year now and had kept them
in confidence as required by the
court,'' said Lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman.
On November 28, 2025 the Appeals
Chamber of the International Criminal
Court (ICC) in The Hague upheld
the Pre-Trial Chamber 1 decision
of September 26, 2025 that denied
the request by former President
Rodrigo Duterte's defence lawyer,
Nicholas Kaufman, for interim release
from detention in The Hague, saying
''former President Rodrigo Duterte
continued detention was necessary.''
In March 2018 International Criminal
Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Fatou
Bensouda, said that she has determined
that there is reasonable basis to
believe that crimes against humanity
had been committed in the Philippines
between 1 July 2016 and 16 March
2019, saying "a preliminary
examination suggests that vigilante-style
killings were perpetrated by Philippine
National Police (PNP) officers themselves,
or other private individuals hired
by authorities, leading to a death
toll of between 12,000 to 30,000
civilians," she said.
She said that extrajudicial killings
perpetrated across the Philippines
appear to have been committed pursuant
to an official State policy of the
Philippine government, saying "
police and other government officials
planned, ordered, and sometimes
directly perpetrated extrajudicial
killings."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australian
tourists arrested
for graffiti
on Buddhist Temple
in Chiang Mai
|
|
 |
|
Royal
Thai Police (RTP)
arrest Australian
tourists for defacing
Buddhist Temple in
Chiang Mai after Monk
lodges complaint on
Tuesday February 10,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, February 15: The Royal
Thai Police (RTP) arrested two Australian
tourists caught on CCTV spray-painting
the wall of a 400-year old Buddhist
Temple in Chiang Mai on January
30, after the abbot lodged a complaint
with police on February 10, saying
''the temple has spent tens of thousands
of baht repainting the wall,'' reports
the Bangkok Post.
Wat Dok Euang temple in the Sri
Phum, Muang district in Chiang Mai
abbot, Phra Kru Palad Preeda Jaiboon,
lodged a complaint with the Royal
Thai Police (RTP) police on Tuesday,
submitting a video showing the two
Australian tourists spray-painting
the outer wall at about 1am on January
30.
''The temple has spent tens of thousands
of baht repainting the wall only
for new graffiti to appear soon
after,'' he said.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) Pol
Col Prachya said the two Australian
tourists identified as Joshua, 32,
and Gabrielle, 27, were intercepted
on a bus parked under the Pa Khoi
Tai Bridge in the San Phi Suea sub-district
Muang district in Chiang Mai after
they had left their hotel on Chaiyaphum
Road Soi 1 in the Sri Phum, Muang
district in Chiang Mai.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Pol Col
Prachya said the Australian tourists
confessed to spray-painting the
wall of the 400-year-old Buddhist
temple in Chiang Mai on January
30.
He said the Australian tourists
were handed over to investigators
and would face fines under the Public
Cleanliness Act, saying ''The two
Australians would pay compensation
for the damage to the temple.''
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) Pol
Col Prachya said that patrol officers
across the province have been instructed
to increase awareness and arrest
vandals.
Abbot, Phra Kru Palad Preeda Jaiboon,
said their is a growing number of
complaints from monks and residents
in Chiang Mai about foreign tourists
vandalising temple walls, shop doors
and private property with spray
paint, saying ''the foreign tourists
create an unsightly mess and damage
Chiang Mai's image.
He said that the Wat Dok Euang temple
wall had been vandalised several
times in the past, saying ''the
temple has spent tens of thousands
of baht repainting the wall and
installing security cameras.''
''But the problem persists,'' he
said.
He urged the Royal Thai Police (RTP)
to severely punish the offenders
to deter future vandals.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
Election Commission
rejects submission
for recount of votes
by winning Bhumjaithai
candidate
|
|
 |
|
Bhumjaithai’s
candidate for Chonburi’s
Constituency 1, Suchat
Chomklin, submitted
a petition to the
Election Commission
(EC) for a recount
of votes on Wednesday
11 February 2026
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, February 14: The Thailand
Election Commission has rejected
a petition for a recount of votes
submitted by the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party candidate for Chonburi Constituency
1, Suchat Chomklin, who received
the majority of votes on Sunday,
with Suchat Chomklin, one of ten
petitioners saying on Wednesday
''a recount of the vote would ensure
transparency and fairness,'' reports
Thailand Public Broadcasting Service.
The Election Commission (EC) chairman
Narong Klanwarin, secretary-general
Sawaeng Boonmee and deputy secretaries
Khanchit Charoen and acting Sub
Lt Phasakorn Siriphakayaporn said
they had reviewed all complaints,
witness statements and evidence,
saying ''the Election Commission
has rejected ten petitions for a
recount in Chon Buri constituency
1.''
''The Election Commission has found
no credible evidence of electoral
misconduct or errors in the vote
count,'' said the Election Commission
(EC) chairman Narong Klanwarin.
The Election Commission (EC) dismissed
the petitions submitted by the pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party candidate for
Chon Buri Constituency 1, Suchat
Chomklin, saying ''there is no evidence
to show that the election in Chon
Buri constituency 1 was conducted
dishonestly or that the tally was
flawed.''
''The Election Commission dismissed
the petition for a recount under
Section 124 of the 2018 Organic
Act on the Election of Members of
the House of Representatives and
Article 223 of the Election Commission
regulations,'' said the Election
Commission (EC) chairman Narong
Klanwarin.
The Election Commission chairman
Narong Klanwarin, urged the public
to have confidence that the election
was conducted fairly and transparently.
Pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai candidate
for Chonburi Constituency 1, Suchat
Chomklin, the incumbent Minister
of Natural Resources and Environment,
received 43,703, followed by the
People's party candidate with 39,920
votes and the
the Democrat party candidate with
2,791 votes, claims that his ''votes
were organically earned and gathered
with full transparency.''
"As a representative who has
earned the highest degree of trust
from the people in Constituency
1, Chonburi, I am fully committed
to cooperating in every legal way
to ensure that the recount is conducted
fairly, in accordance with the law
and in the best interests of the
people," he said.
The Election Commission (EC) deputy
secretary, Khanchit Charoen, said
that several allegations submitted
by the ten petitioners demanding
a recount of votes in the eight
sub-districts in Chonburi Constituency
1, lacked substance
He said that six complainants admitted
that they had not witness the power
outages reported in Chonburi 1 Constituency
1 during the ballot count, saying
''a video showed lights out but
fans still spinning was verified
as taken in Nonthaburi province,
not Chon Buri Constituency 1.''
He said complainants could not identify
any specific polling stations affected
by alleged mismatch between voter
turnout and ballot counts, saying
''checks of more that 160 polling
stations found no objections from
party representatives or the voters.''
He said that some observers misunderstood
what they say in the transfer of
ballot boxes and official documents,
saying ''complainants said that
ballot boxes lacked cable ties and
document were found in a bin.''
He said that the transfer of election
materials over a 500 metre distance
had followed established procedures,
saying ''there was no basis for
a recount.''
''There were no rubbished bins,
the election materials were awaiting
organised storage, and the cable
straps found in a box were spare
straps kept for emergency use,''
he said.
The Election Commission concluded
that there was no reliable basis
to believe the election or the vote
count in constituency 1 had been
compromised. The commission therefore
resolved that no recount would take
place, with the Election Commission
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Claim
of voter irregularities
in Thailand elections
submitted to Election
Commission
|
|
 |
|
The
United Front of Thammasat
organisation student
and civil society
representatives, hold
placards saying ''Recount
the Entire Country''
and ''Beware of New
Ballots'' in protest
against alleged irregularities
in the Sunday election
on Wednesday February
11, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, February 13: The United
Front of Thammasat organisation
submitted a petition to the Election
Commission (EC) in Bangkok on Wednesday
saying they had found irregularities
with vote counts after the general
election on Sunday, and that protests
would not return to the mass street
protests of 2020 ''if Election Commission
(EC) officials do their job well,''
reports the Bangkok Post.
The United Front of Thammasat organisation
including students and civil society
representatives claim that irregularities
in vote counting occurred in multiple
constituencies, with civil society
representative, Teerapop Tengprava,
saying ''the United Front of Thammasat
organisation stands in solidarity
with voters in the provinces.''
He said that voters in the provinces
seek clarification of irregularities
in vote counting from local Election
Commission (EC) offices, saying
''we will not allow the seven central
commissioners to hide behind the
Election Commission system.''
United Front of Thammasat organisation
protesters including students and
civil society representatives submitted
five demands to the Election Commission
(EC) including a transparent nationwide
recount open to public scrutiny;
immediate disciplinary and criminal
investigations against officials
involved; prompt disclosure of polling
station-level results; annulment
and re-election in constituencies
where recounts reveal discrepancies
between ballots and voter turnout;
and the resignation of all seven
EC commissioners to take responsibility
for alleged failures.
The United Front of Thammasat organisation
representative Nopphasin Treelayapewat,
also known as Sainam said the United
Front of Thammasat organisation
would set up a complaints centre
for the public who believed vote
counting in their constituencies
lacked transparency, saying ''the
immediate priority was the full
release of polling station results.''
''Any constituency with excessive
vote totals should undergo a recount,''
he said.
''We cannot accept an unjust electoral
system,'' he said
He rejected accusations that the
United Front of Thammasat organisation
was supported by political parties
saying, the submission of the petition
to the Election Commission (EC)
has noting to do with any political
party.
''Everyone here voted differently,''
he said.
The United Front of Thammasat organisation
representative, Nopphasin Treelayapewat,
who participated in mass street
protests in Bangkok in 2020 that
called for reform of Section 112
of the Lese Majeste Law that criminalises
criticism of the monarchy, said
that protests would not return to
mass street protests of 2020 ''if
Election Commission officials do
their job well,''
On August 10, 2020 The United Front
of Thammasat Demonstration student
organisation and the Free Youth
Movement
submitted a 10 point manifesto to
the Thailand parliament calling
for the reform of Section 112 of
the Lese Majeste Law.
The 10 point manifesto stated that
reform of the Lest Majeste law did
not include a proposal to abolish
the monarchy but a proposal for
the monarchy to continue in a democracy.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australian
Police stop thousands
of Palestine Action
Group protesters from
marching on Sydney
Town Hall
|
|
 |
|
Australian
Federal Police (AFP)
at the Palestine Action
Group protest against
Israeli President
Isaac Herzog visit
to Australia in Sydney,
on Monday February
9, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Sydney, February 12: The Australian
Federal Police (AFP), who were authorised
to use extra powers under the Major
Events Act 2009 during protests
against the visit of the Israeli
President Isaac Herzog to Australia,
prevented thousands of Palestine
Action Group Sydney protesters from
protesting at the Sydney Town Hall,
with Palestine Action Group Sydney
spokesperson, Josh Lees, saying
''protesters were surrounded by
police on all sides,'' reports Reuters.
''Police began charging the crowd
with horses, indiscriminately pepper
spraying the crowd, punching and
arresting people,'' said Palestine
Action Group Sydney spokesperson,
Josh Lees.
The Major Events Act 2009 grants
Australian Federal Police (AFP)
enhanced powers to search, move
people on, and manage crowd safety
in the Sydney Central Business District
CBD and eastern suburbs, effective
to February 12, 2026
Violence erupted in the heart of
Sydney on Monday after the Australian
Federal Police (AFP) prevented about
5,000 Palestine Action Group Sydney
protesters from protesting at the
Sydney Town Hall that had been designated
off-limits.
Palestine Action Group Sydney spokesperson
Josh Lees said that the Australian
Federal Police (AFP) had pepper-sprayed
and assaulted protesters.
Premier Chris Minns of the Australian
State of New South Wales, who authorised
the use of extra powers under the
Major Events Act 2009 defended the
Australian Federal Police (AFP)
action, saying officers were required
to make rapid decisions in tense
and volatile situations.
''I understand there’s criticisms
of New South Wales Police, I just
want to make it clear they were
caught in an impossible situation,''
he said.
Australia's New South Wales Police
Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said the
Australian Federal Police (AFP)
actions were justified and that
the police showed restraint, saying
''police did what they needed to
do.''
''Police held the line and then
formed and moved the protesters
back with a view to dispersing them,''
he said.
''Having an angry and violent mob
marching on police is not a situation
that I want our officers in,'' he
said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was
invited by Australian Governor-General
Samantha Mostyn and Australian Prime
Minister, Anthony Albanese to join
the Jewish community grieving the
loss of life in the December 14
massacre of mostly Jewish Australians
at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach
in Sydney.
In December 2025 Israeli Prime Minister,
Benjamin Netanyahu, said after the
massacre of Jewish Australians on
Bondi Beach that the decision by
Australian Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese in August 2025 to recognise
Palestinian statehood ''poured fuel
on the antisemitic fire.''
Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin
Netanyahu, accused the Australian
government of ''doing nothing to
stop the spread of antisemitism
in Australia,'' saying "you
took no action.''
On September 22, 2025 Australian
Labor Party (ALP) centre-left, Prime
Minister, Anthony Albanese, recognized
Palestine as a sovereign state at
the 80th session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New York,
saying "in recognising Palestine
as a sovereign state, Australia
recognises the legitimate and long-held
aspirations of the Palestinian people.''
In October 2022 Australia's Labor
Party, foreign minister, Penny Wong,
reversed the previous Australian
Liberal Party of Australia centre-right
recognition in December 2018 of
West Jerusalem as the capital of
Israel with the foreign minister,
saying "the government regrets
the decision made by the previous
administration and reiterates commitment
to two-state solution."
She said that Australia would no
longer recognise West Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel, saying
"Australia’s embassy would
remain in Tel Aviv.
In May 2018 United States President
Donald Trump recognize Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel and relocated
the US embassy to Jerusalem from
Tel Aviv during the first term of
his presidency from January 20,
2017 to January 20, 2021
United States President acted under
the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995
that accepts Jerusalem as the Israeli
capital and requires the United
States to relocate its embassy from
Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the United
States decision to relocate the
embassy
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Palestine
Action Group loses
challenge to stop
extra powers to police
for Israeli President
visit to Australia
|
|
 |
|
Protesters
against Israeli
President Isaac Herzog's
visit to Australia
at Flinders Street
Station in Melbourne,
Australia, Monday
February 9, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Sydney, February 11: The Palestine
Action Group lost its legal challenge
against extra powers granted to
the Australian Federal Police (AFP)
by the Australian state government
of New South Wales during the visit
of Israeli President Isaac Herzog
to Australia declaring the visit
a ''major event'', with Justice
Robertson Wright dismissing the
challenge under the Major Events
Act 2009, reports Reuters.
Justice Robertson Wright dismissed
the challenge by the Palestine Action
Group against extra powers granted
to the Australian Federal Police
(AFP) under the Major Events Act
2009 after the Australian state
government of New South Wales had
declared the visit of Israeli President
Isaac Herzog a ''major event.''
The Major Events Act 2009 grants
police enhanced powers to search,
move people on, and manage crowd
safety in the Sydney Central Business
District CBD and eastern suburbs,
effective to February 12, 2026
Israeli President Isaac Herzog was
invited by Australian Governor-General
Samantha Mostyn and Australian Prime
Minister, Anthony Albanese to join
the Jewish community grieving the
loss of life in the December 14
massacre of mostly Jewish Australians
at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach
in Sydney.
Counsel for the State of New South
Wales, Brendan Lim SC, said that
the ''major event'' declaration
made by the Australian Federal Police
(AFP) during the visit of Israeli
President Isaac Herzog ''was made
in a broader context including the
national terrorism threat, heightened
community tensions and the need
to safely manage potentially large
crowds.''
He said that the purpose of declaring
the visit of Israeli President Isaac
Herzog a ''major event'' under the
Major Events Act 2009 was not to
suppress a protest, saying ''the
purpose is to secure safety.''
"If the purpose of declaring
the Israeli President Isaac Herzog
visit a ''major event'' in order
to prevent a protest the police
would not be inviting the Palestine
Action Group to conduct a protest
in Hyde Park and to march to Belmore
Park,'' he said.
Barrister Peter Lange SC representing
the Palestine Action Group said
the description of the visit of
Israeli President Isaac Herzog to
Australia as a ''major event'' was
not sufficient to amount to a ''major
event'' for the purposes of the
Major Events Act 2009".
''An event is something which is
"limited geographically, temporally
and with regard to a group of participants,
whether they be participants within
the event itself or spectators".
He said that there was an unreasonable
lack of specificity in the ''major
event'' declaration, saying ''the
major event declaration did not
identify a group of participants.''
''The consequenes include an infringement
on freedom of speech and freedom
of assembly,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
votes for pro monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party
and a referendum for
a new constitution
|
|
 |
|
Thailand
Prime Minister and
Bhumjaithai Party
leader, Anutin Charnvirakul,
center, speaks during
a press conference
at the party headquarters
after the general
election in Bangkok,
Sunday, February 8,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, February 10: Thailand voted
for the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party and agreed to a Referendum
to decide on a new constitution
that proposes "changing the
democratic regime of government
with the King as Head of State,''
in the elections on Sunday, with
Bhumjaithai Party leader, Prime
Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, saying
''We think Thailand is now in a
steady state,'' reports the Bangkok
Post.
'We look forward to moving on with
an even stronger cabinet and government,
said Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Election Commission (EC) chairman
Narong Klanwarin said the pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party secured 178 seats
in the 500 member House of Representatives
as of 9.54pm on Sunday with votes
from about 31 percent of the polling
stations counted.
''The Peoples Party won 70 seats,
the Pheu Thai Party 67 seats and
the Klatham Party 59 seats after
31 percent of the votes were counted
on Sunday night,'' said the Election
Commissio (EC).
''Participation in the election
could rise to 80 percent or even
reach 90 percent higher that the
projected turnout of about 75 percent,''
he said.
The Election Commission reported
ahead of the election on Sunday
that 52.9 million of Thailand's
71.56 million population are eligible
to vote including 25.3 million males
and 27.6 million females.
About 60 percent of Thailand's 52.9
million eligible voters voted for
a Referendum to decide on a new
constitution, answering ''Agree''
to the Referendum question: ''Do
you agree that a new constitution
shall be written?'' with voters
given three choices: ''Agree”,
''Disagree'', or ''No Answer ''
Pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party Prime
Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul, who
was voted the 32nd Prime Minister
of Thailand on September 5, 2025
called for a referendum to determine
whether the Thai people agree to
a new constitution.
''A public referendum must first
be held to determine whether the
people agree that a new constitution
should be written,'' he said.
The Constitutional Court ruled that
the drafting of a new constitution
must adhere to the provisions outlined
in Chapter 15 of the Constitution
on constitutional amendments, saying
''Parliament has the power to amend
the constitution, but it cannot
allow the public to directly elect
the drafters of the constitution.''
Chapter 15 of the 2017 the Royal
Thai Armed Forces drafted Constitution
titled "Amendment to the Constitution"
includes Section 255 and Section
256.
Section 256 stipulates that if the
draft Amendment to the Constitution
is contrary to Section 255 which
states that "changing the democratic
regime of government with the King
as Head of State or changing the
form of the State shall be prohibited"
that "the Prime Minister may
not present such a draft Amendment
to the Constitution to the King
for signature."
Both Section 256 and 255 are tied
to Section 272 of the 2017 Royal
Thai Armed Forces drafted Constitution
that deals with the Royal Thai Armed
Forces appointed Senate to nominate
and elect a Prime Minister.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
votes in historical
two poll election
for members of parliament
and referendum for
new constitution
|
|
 |
|
Pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party
Prime Ministers Anutin
Charnvirakul, right,
declared the end his
election campaign
urging voters to cast
their ballots on Sunday
February 8, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, February 9: Two polls opened
in Thailand on Sunday, the election
of Members of Parliament and a Referendum
to decide on a new constitution,
with the battle for votes defined
by the conservative Bhumjaithai
Party, the progressive People's
Party and the populist Pheu Thai
Party, reports Bangkok Post.
The Election Commission (EC) reports
that each voter received three ballot
papers, a pink ballot listing political
parties, a green ballot listing
constituency candidates and a yellow
ballot listing the referendum question.
The referendum question: ''Do you
agree that a new constitution shall
be written?'' with voter answers
to three choices: ''Agree”,
''Disagree'', or ''No Answer.''
The Election Commission (EC) reports
that 60 political parties fielded
3,526 candidates to contest parliament
seats in 400 constituencies, with
43 political parties nominating
94 prime ministerial candidates.
The Election Commission reports
that 52.9 million of Thailand's
71.56 million population are eligible
to vote including 25.3 million males
and 27.6 million.
The Election Commission forecasts
a high voter turn out of over 75
percent.
National Institute of Development
Administration (NIDA) director,
Suvicha Pouaree, placed the conservative
Bhumjaithai Party, at 140-150 Member
of Parliament seats, the progressive
People's Party second with 125-135
seats and the populist Pheu Thai
Party third with 80-90.
Pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party Prime
Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul, who
was voted the 32nd Prime Minister
of Thailand on September 5, 2025
called for a referendum to determine
whether the Thai people agree to
a new constitution.
''A public referendum must first
be held to determine whether the
people agree that a new constitution
should be written,'' he said.
The Constitutional Court ruled that
the drafting of a new constitution
must adhere to the provisions outlined
in Chapter 15 of the Constitution
on constitutional amendments, saying
''Parliament has the power to amend
the constitution, but it cannot
allow the public to directly elect
the drafters of the constitution.''
Section 256 of the 2017 Constitution
stipulates that if the draft Constitution
Amendment is contrary to Section
255 which states that "changing
the democratic regime of government
with the King as Head of State or
changing the form of the State shall
be prohibited" that "the
Prime Minister may not present such
a draft Constitution Amendment to
the King for signature."
Both Section 256 and 255 are tied
to Section 272 of the 2017 Constitution
that deals with the Royal Thai Armed
Forces appointed Senate to nominate
and elect a Prime Minister
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia
and Indonesia sign
new Treaty on Common
Security
|
|
 |
|
Australian
Prime Minister, Anthony
Albanese, left, and
Indonesia President
Subianto, right, sign
the Treaty on Common
Security in Jakarta
Friday February 6,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, February 8: Australia and
Indonesia signed the new Treaty
on Common Security in Jakarta on
Friday that includes the operation
of the Australian Defence Force
(ADF) and the Indonesian National
Armed Forces ( Army (TNI-AD) in
each other countries, with Australian
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,
saying ''the best way to secure
peace and stability in our region
is by acting together, reports the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
''The signing of this treaty today
is testament to President Prabowo’s
strong leadership and his personal
commitment to promoting security
in our region ,'' he said.
Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto,
said the Treaty on Common Security
commits Indonesia and Australia
to strengthening cooperation to
maintain respective national security
and to contribute to the peace and
stability in the region".
"Indonesia and Australia are
destined to live side by side and
we've chosen to establish that relationship
founded on mutual trust and goodwill,''
he said.
On August 22, 2024 Australia and
Indonesia agreed to a new bilateral
defence agreement during the visit
of the then Indonesian president-elect
and Minister of Defense, Prabowo
Subianto, to Canberra Australia
that allowed the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) and the Indonesian National
Armed Forces ( Army (TNI-AD) to
operate from each other countries
with then Indonesian president-elect
Prabowo Subianto, saying ''Indonesia
would remain non-aligned under his
presidency.'''
Indonesian president-elect and Minister
of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, said
Indonesia doesn't share the same
threat perception as Australia towards
China,'' saying “we have had
our ups and downs as the geopolitical
situation has evolved.''
He said Australia and Indonesia
have had several decades of very
close cooperation, saying ''Indonesia
is determined to continue a good
neighbour relationship.''
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese said then that the new
bilateral defence cooperation agreement
will be a vital plank for Indonesia
and Australia to support each others'
security, saying ''the agreement
is vital to both countries and also
vital to the stability of the region
that we share.''
Australian Defense Minister, Richard
Marles, said then ''the defence
cooperation agreement will be the
deepest, the most significant agreement
that Indonesia and Australia have
ever made,'' saying ''the agreement
will provide for much greater interoperability
between our defense forces.''
The Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
calls on former French
Protectorate for access
to historical maps
of Cambodia and Thailand
border
|
|
 |
|
Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun
Manet, left, and French
President, Emmanuel
Macron, right, at
the Élysée
Palace in Paris
Thursday, January
18, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, February 7: Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Manet has called
on French President, Emmanuel Macron,
for access to historical maps of
the Cambodia and Thailand border
drawn during the 90 year French
Protectorate era that ended in 1953,
with the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation
(MFAIC) saying ''France is ready
to provide relevant historical and
technical documents related to the
boundary between Cambodia and Thailand,''
reports the Khmer Times.
Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation (MFAIC),
Prak Sokhonn, said ''Cambodia maintains
its position in safeguarding the
Cambodia-Thailand international
boundary as inherited from the Commission
of Delimitation of the Boundary
between Indo-China and Siam, 1904-1909
that was a joint French-Thailand)
body.''
''The joint body was established
to map and mark the border between
Laos and Cambodia and Thailand,''
He said the maps were central to
the 1962 International Court of
Justice (ICJ) decision on the Preah
Vihear Temple.
Cambodian Ambassador to France,
Luy David, said that French President,
Emmanuel Macron, is ready to provide
documents and maps to help resolve
the border dispute between Cambodia
and Thailand.''
''Cambodia is right to seek assistance
from France in dealing with its
border conflict with Thailand,''
he said.
He said that France is willing to
provide historical records and officials
maps that could serve as evidence
or reference to support a legal
process or negotiations to settle
the border dispute with Thailand.
Former secretary of the State at
Cambodia Foreign Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Pou Sothirak, said ''France
holds a moral responsibility to
help Cambodia and Thailand resolve
their year-long border dispute given
its historical role.''
''French administration played a
central role in defining Cambodia’s
territorial boundaries, including
areas bordering Thailand, he said.
''Thailand claims the old French
maps are out-of-date, but according
to international laws, as long as
there is no new treaty the old maps
and agreement remain effective,''
he said.
In November 2013 the United Nations
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
in the Hague, in an unanimous decision,
ruled that the immediate area surrounding
the 11th century Preah Vihear Hindu
temple on the Thailand Cambodia
border belongs to Cambodia.
"Cambodia holds sovereignty
over the whole territory of the
promontory of Preah Vihear,"
said the International Court of
Justice,
International Court of Justice said
that as a consequence of the decision
Thailand was now under obligation
to withdraw Thailand military or
police forces or other guards or
keepers who were stationed in the
immediate area surrounding the temple.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
could not reach consensus
on endorcement of
Myanmar elections
|
|
 |
|
ASEAN
Chair 2026 Philippine
Foreign Affairs Secretary,
Theresa P. Lazaro,
at the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers' Retreat
in Cebu City, Philippines,
January 29-29, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, February 6: The Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Foreign Ministers could not reach
consensus on the endorsement of
the results of Myanmar's elections,
with ASEAN chair for 2026, Philippines
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa
P. Lazaro , saying ''as far as ASEAN’s
view is concerned there is no endorsement
at this point in time,'' reports
Irrawaddy.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), claimed victory in
the three-phase general elections,
securing 739 of 1,025 contesting
seats including seats appointed
by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar.
Myanmar's representative at the
ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM)
Retreat, Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Myanmar, U Hau Khan Sum, described
the three phases of the Myanmar
general election as ''very peaceful,''
claiming ''high voter participation.''
ASEAN chair for 2026 Philippines
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa
P. Lazaro, said at the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers' (AMM) Retreat on January
26-29 in Cebu City, Philippines
that ''the 11-member regional bloc
has not endorsed the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar three phase
election between December 28, and
January 26.''
''As of now, ASEAN does not recognize
the recently held elections,”
she said.
She said that some ASEAN member
nations viewed the election as
potentially positive, saying ''this
did not amount to a formal endorsement
of the elections.''
''ASEAN continues to withhold
recognition of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizure
of power from the elected civilian
National League for Democracy
Party (NLD) government in 2021,''
she said.
''We do not recognize the military
administration,'' said Philippines
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa
P. Lazaro
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar's sponsored Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) elections
held in three phases on December
28, 2025, January 11, 2026, and
January 25, 2026, are the first
elections held in Myanmar since
November 8, 2020.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar seized the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
lead by Aung San Suu Kyi on February
1, 2020 after the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) won
the general elections on November
8, 2020.
The now dissolved National League
for Democracy (NLD) led by former
State Councillor, Aung San Suu
Kyi, won the majority
399 of the 440 contesting seats
in the Union Parliament with the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
sponsored Union Solidarity and
Development Party (USDP), winning
only 21 seats in the general elections
on November 8, 2020.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Petition
submitted to reopen
inquiry into dismissal
of Dr Supat Hasuwannaki
over Covid-19 procurement
procedures
|
|
 |
|
A
petition to reopen
reopen the inquiry
into the dismissal
of Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
was submitted by The
People’s Health
Promotion Movement
(PHM) to the Public
Sector Development
Commission (OPDC)
in the Office of the
Prime Minister, Prime
Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul,
on Monday February
2, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok Post, February 5: The People’s
Health Promotion Movement (PHM)
submitted a petition to the Thailand
Office of the Prime Minister calling
on Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul,
to reopen the inquiry into the dismissal
of Dr Supat Hasuwannakit by the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) on
January 22, with the People’s
Health Promotion Movement (PHM)
representative, Naiyana Yonjohor,
saying ''the dismissal is politically
motivated to disrupt Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
candidacy in the February 8, elections,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC)
vote to dismiss Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
on January 22 was reportedly deadlocked
before the panel’s chairman,
Public Health Minister, Pattana
Promphat, of the Bhumjaithai Party
lead by Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul,
voted for dismissal in a 4 -3 decision.
Representative, Naiyana Yonjohor,
for the People’s Health Promotion
Movement (PHM), a global network
of health activists, civil society
organizations including Covid-19
victims networks and Friends of
Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, called on
the Office of the Public Sector
Development Commission (OPDC) in
the Office of Prime Minister, Anutin
Charnvirakul, to reopen the inquiry
into the dismissal of Dr Supat Hasuwannaki
saying ''Dr Supat Hasuwannakit was
dismissed over procurement procedures
in the purchase of vaccines and
COVID-19 rapid Antigen Test Kits
(ATKs) in the 2020 pandemic.''
Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, chairman
of the Rural Doctors Society and
former director of the Sabayoi Hospital
in Songkhla said he was able to
purchase test kits and vaccines
at lower prices than the Ministry
of Health paid through the Comptroller
General's Department (CGD) that
operates under the Ministry of Finance.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC)
dismissed Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
on January 22, for allegedly breaching
the law by purchasing COVID-19 rapid
Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) in four
batches instead of single batches
at the height of the pandemic in
2021, accusing Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
of ''ensured each batch was valued
at less than 2 million baht so that
he could approve it himself.''
The People’s Health Promotion
Movement (PHM) representative, Naiyana
Yonjohor, said that Dr Supat Hasuwannakit
was dismissed without being given
an opportunity to provide testimony
as required under Civil Service
Commission (CSC) disciplinary procedures,
saying Dr Supat Hasuwannaki was
not given an opportunity to raise
questions over the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) decision.''
Public Health Minister, Pattana
Promphat, of the Bhumjaithai Party
lead by Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul,
has reportedly denied accusations
that Dr Supat Hasuwannakit is a
politically targeted, saying Dr
Supat Hasuwannakit had been under
investigation for several years.''
''The dismissal order was just one
of many disciplinary actions against
him considered at the recent Civil
Service Commission (CSC) meeting,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodians
denied bail for criticism
of Laos-Vietnam Development
Triangle Area agreement
|
|
 |
|
Em
Chantha, lawyer for
accused Srun Srorn,
San Sith, and Pheung
Sophea at Phnom Penh
Supreme Court on Monday
February 2, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, February 4: The Phnom
Penh Supreme Court denied three
protesters appeal for bail in
pre-trial detention for criticism
of the Laos-Vietnam Development
Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement
on Facebook, reports the Khmer
Times.
Srun Srorn, San Sith, and Pheung
Sophea, have been in pre-trial
detention since their arrest in
Siem Reap on July 23, 2024 for
incitement to commit a felony
or cause social unrest under Articles
494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.
Phnom Penh Supreme Court presiding
judge, Seng Neang denied the three
protesters bail saying ''an appeal
against a detention order must
be filed by the prosecutor within
48 hours and by the accused within
five days from the date of detention.''
''The three accused filed their
appeal for bail with the Phnom
Penh Municipal Court about one
month after their detention, which
is contrary to Article 384,”
he said.
''The Supreme Court rejects the
appeal for bail because it did not
comply with court procedures,''
said Judge Neang,
Srun Srorn, San Sith, and Pheung
Sophea, for claiming on Facebook
that land concessions were to
be granted to Vietnam under the
Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle
Area (CLV-DTA) agreement, saying
that former Cambodian Prime Minister
Hun Sen had ceded four north east
Cambodian provinces to Vietnam.
Former Cambodian Prime Minister
Hun Sen ordered the arrest of
94 Khmers including environmental,
human rights and other activists
on August 11, 2024 for protesting
against the Laos-Vietnam Development
Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement.
On November 26, 2025 Cambodia withdrew
from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development
Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) with former
Prime Minister Hun Sen, who established
(CLV-DTA) in 1999, acknowledging
that the demands by the Khmer community
and the Cambodian diaspora in Japan,
South Korea, Canada and Australia
for Cambodia's withdrawal from the
Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam development
Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) in mass
protests on August 11, 2024 were
valid and just.
But Khmers claims that the official
withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam
Development Triangle Plan (CLV-DTA)
does not end land evictions and
forest land grab concessions,
saying ''land evictions and forest
land grab concessions continue
on a massive scale associated
with other development plans not
necessarily associated with the
Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development
Triangle Plan (CLV-DTA) activities,''
''Cambodia continues to grant
forest land and territorial control
to China for the construction
and maintainance of a major naval
military base in Sihanoukville
province and continues to grant
land concessions to Vietnam and
Malaysia in Kratie, Stung Treng,
Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri provinces,''
Khmers said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Sultan
of Selangor warns
Muslim mosques against
involvement Malaysia's
party politics
|
|
 |
|
Sultan
of Selangor, Sharafuddin
Idris Shah, the constitutional
head of the Islamic
religion in the state
of Selangor, at the
at the Istana Alam
Shah palace in southern
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
on January 28
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, February 3: The Sultan
of Selangor, warned Imams at Muslim
mosques and Muslim council members,
against direct involvement in Malaysian
civil party politics, in an address
to newly appointed and reappointed
Imams and council members at the
Istana Alam Shah palace in southern
Klang, Selangor, Malaysia on January
28, reports the Star.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin
Idris Shah, the constitutional head
of the Islamic religion in the state
of Selangor, said ''Imams and council
members must remain completely free
from partisan politics,'' in his
address to 850 newly appointed and
reappointed mosque leaders and council
members to mosques at Balairong
Seri, Istana Alam Shah, Klang in
Selangor state.
'The position of mosque leaders
and council members are not political
positions to be used for personal
gain, but instead a trust bestowed
upon them,'' he said.
The Sultan of Selangor also warned
politicians from using mosques and
councils to advance political interests,
saying "I will not tolerate
politicians who attempt to hide
behind religious talks and use mosques
and councils to serve their respective
political agendas,'' he said.
He said mosques are not political
arenas, nor are they places to sow
hatred or division among Muslims,
saying ''instead, they should function
as centres of worship including
teachings of the Quran and unity
for the Muslim community.''
He said mosque and council funds
must be administered in strict accordance
with regulations set by the Selangor
Islamic Religious Department (JAIS)
and the Selangor Islamic Religious
Council (MAIS), saying "I will
not tolerate any form of misappropriation
of mosque and council funds.''
''These funds come from public donations
and belong to Muslims,'' he said.
"I do not want Islam to be
viewed negatively by followers of
other religions,'' he said.
He said the sanctity of Islam must
not be tarnished by cases of misappropriation
involving Malay Muslims, saying
''some have been brought to court
for corruption, misuse of funds
and abuse of power."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Aceh
muslims caned for
violation of Sharia
law after new Indonesia
civil law implements
jail time
|
|
 |
|
A
Muslim woman accused
of sex outside marriage
is publicly caned
by the Sharia police
in Banda Aceh, Indonesia,
on January 29, 2026.
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, February 2: Sharia Law
police caned a male and female 140
times each in Indonesia's Banda
Aceh province on Thursday for sex
outside marriage, same sex marriage
and alcohol consumption, the highest
number of lashes imposed under Muslim
Sharia Law after Banda Aceh was
granted special autonomy in 2001,
and after the new Criminal Code
(KUHP) that criminalises sex outside
marriage and same sex marriage was
implemented under Indonesian civil
law on January 2, 2026, reports
Agence France Presse.
Banda Aceh, Sharia police head,
Muhammad Rizal, said the offending
male and female received 100 lashes
each for sex outside marriage
and 40 each for consuming alcohol.
He said that other Banda Aceh
couples were also canned for breaking
Muslim Sharia Law, saying ''a
Sharia police officer and his
female partner were given 23 lashes
each for being in close proximity
in a private place.''
He said that Sharia Law applies
to all regardless of position
or status, saying ''as promised
we make no exceptions, especially
not for our Sharia police officers,
this certainly tarnishes our name."
Canning is implemented in Banda
Aceh to punish offenses, including
gambling, drinking alcohol, having
consensual same-sex relations,
having sexual relations outside
marriage and for missing Friday
prayers.
Two males, who were among 10 Banda
Aceh residents canned on August
26, 2025, received 76 lashes after
they were convicted for consensual
same-sex relations by the Banda
Aceh Sharia Court.
The two men, who were arrested
on June 16, 2025 after found in
a public restroom at Taman Sari
Park, had their original sentence
of 80 lashes reduced due to time
spent in detention.
Indonesia's new Criminal Code (KUHP)
that came into force on January
2, 2026 includes the criminalisation
of same sex and sex outside marriage
in an attempt to update the Sharia
Law in Indonesia, with the Coordinating
Minister for Law, Human Rights,
Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril
Ihza Mahendra, saying ''this is
a historic moment for the Indonesian
nation,"
''The enforcement of the new Criminal
Code (KUHP) that attempts to update
Muslim Sharia Law in Indonesia
is the beginning of a more humane,
modern and just legal system rooted
in Indonesian culture, saying
''the old Sharia Law is no longer
relevant to the dynamics of modern
Indonesian society."
The new Criminal Code (KUHP) includes
the criminalization of sex outside
marriage with up to a year in
prison and cohabitation with up
to 6 months in prison with the
proviso that the offence be reported
by a spouse, parent or child.
''The criminalization of sex outside
marriage aims to protect privacy
while reflecting conservative
values,'' states the new Criminal
Code (KUHP).
The new Criminal Code (KUHP) criminalises
same sex conduct in the new Criminal
Code KUHP) that criminalises sex
outside marriage with up to a
year in prison and cohabitation
with up to 6 months in prison
with the proviso that the offence
be reported by a spouse, parent
or child.
''Same sex relations are not recognised
since same-sex marriage is not
recognised,'' states the new Criminal
Code (KUHP).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China
warns Australia against
forcibly taking back
Port Darwin in Australia's
Northern Territory
|
|
 |
|
Ye
Cheng, chairman Shandong
Landbridge Group Co.,
Ltd. Shandong province
China, left, and Adam
Giles, former Chief
Minister of the Australia's
Northern Territory,
right, after the signing
of the 99-year lease
of the East Arm Wharf
in Darwin harbour
on Tuesday October
13, 2015
|
|
From
News Reports:
Darwin, February 1: China’s
Aambassador to Australia warned
on Wednesday that Beijing would
be obligated to respond if the Australian
government forcibly terminates the
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd.
99-year lease of Port Darwin in
Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern
Territory after the Australian Prime
Minister said ''Australia is committed
to making sure that Port Darwin
goes back to Australian hands,''
reports the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation.
China's Ambassador to Australia,
Xiao Qian, refused Australia's offer
to buy back Port Darwin after the
Northern Territory granted Shandong
Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. a 99
year lease in 2015, with the Ambassador
warning Australia that termination
of the lease could undermine Australia's
reputation as a stable and predictable
country for foreign investment.
''Plans by the Australian federal
government to take back Port Darwin
is ethically questionable,'' he
said.
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd.
secured the lease in Darwin harbour
through an open and transparent
bidding process fully compliant
with Australian laws and market
principles,'' he said.
''He said the original agreement
between the Northern Territory government
and Landbridge was fully above board
and should be respected,'' saying
''Shandong Landbridge Group Co.,
Ltd secured the lease for the port
in Darwin through an open and transparent
bidding process.''
The lease agreement in 2015 between
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd.
chairman, Ye Cheng, who was the
winning bidder for the Darwin harbour
land deal worth A$506 million, and
the then leader of the Country Liberal
Party of the Northern Territory,
chief minister, Adam Giles gave
the Shandong Landbridge Group Co.,
Ltd. operational control of the
East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour
in Australia's Northern Territory
including 80 percent ownership of
the land and facilities.
In 2020 Amendments to the Foreign
investment laws, that were made
by the Australian Parliament under
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, gave
the Australian Federal Government
the power to impose conditions that
include forced divestment of previously
approved foreign investment deals,
with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison
saying "the new foreign investment
laws focus on protecting Australia's
national security."
"The new foreign investment
laws give the Australian Federal
Government the retrospective power
to review the port lease agreement
between the Northern Territory government
and China's Landbridge Group Co.,
Ltd. in northern Australia from
a national security perspective,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Trial
of Vietnamese for
violation of regulations
on management and
use of state assets
begins in Hanoi
|
|
 |
|
The
trial of 14 defendants
involved in violation
of regulation in the
construction ofthe
Vicem Operations and
Transaction Center
project in Hanoi began
at the Hanoi Peoples
Court on Monday January
26, 2026
|
|
From
News reports:
Hanoi, January 28: The trial of
14 Vietnamese for ''Violating regulations
on the management and use of state
assets causing losses and waste"
and "Violating regulations
on bidding causing serious consequences"
in the construction of the Vicem
Operations and Trading Center project
in Cau Giay, Hanoi by the Vietnam
Cement Industrial Corporation (Vicem)
began at the Hanoi Peoples Court
on Monday, reports the Vietnam News.
Those on trial include the Vietnam
Cement Industrial Corporation (Vicem)
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Le Van Chung, for ''intentionally
falsifying financial indicators
and inaccurately calculating the
economic efficiency of the project
in order to establish and approve
a total investment cost for the
project exceeding the amount stated
in the investment certificate.''
Construction of the Vicem Operations
and Trading Center project in Cau
Giay, Hanoi that began in May 2011
was halted in August 2015 after
a total investment of VND 1,245
billion,'' said the prosecution.
The prosecution claims defendant,
Le Van Chung, Chairman of the Board
of Directors Board of Trustees of
the Vietnam Cement Industrial Corporation
(Vicem) from 2006 to 2012 ''bore
primary responsibility for the decision
to construct the Vicem Operations
and Trading Center project, a combined
office and rental office building
in Cau Giay, Hanoi.''
''Defendant Le Van Chung failed
to properly supervise the appraisal
process and directly signed decisions
approving a total investment for
the project that exceeded the approved
investment level,'' claims the prosecutor.
Prosecutors claim that decisions
made by Le Van Chung resulted in
the Vicem Operations and Trading
Center project remaining unutilized
to this day, saying ''Le Van Chung
caused a total loss and waste to
the state of over VND 381.6 billion.
Prosecutors claim that those charged
with ''Violating regulations on
the management and use of state
assets causing losses and waste"
and "Violating regulations
on bidding causing serious consequences"
in the construction of the Vicem
Operations and Trading Center project,
''deliberately inflated financial
indicators and overstated the project’s
economic efficiency to secure approval
for a total investment exceeding
the amount stated in the investment
certificate.''
''The inflated financial indicators
resulted in an investment plan detached
from reality,'' claim the prosecutors.
The trial is expected to last seven
days.
Defendant, Nguyen Bich Thuy, former
member of the Vicem Operations and
Trading Center Chairman of the Board
of Directors died on January 8,
2025.
The court has suspended criminal
proceedings against her, while civil
issues and related evidence will
continue to be addressed.
Seven of the 13 defendants are in
custody with the remaining six on
bail.
Thirty lawyers have registered to
represent the defendants at the
trial
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Timor
Leste and Australia
sign New Partnership
for a New Era without
decision on site for
LNG processing
|
|
 |
|
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese, left, Timor
Leste Prime Minister
Xanana Gusmao, right,
sign joint declaration
on the establishment
of a New Partnership
for a New Era in Dili,
Timor Leste on Wednesday
January 28, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Timor Leste, January 29: Timor Leste
Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, and
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albany signed a joint declaration
on the establishment of a New Partnership
for a New Era in Dili, with Timor
Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao
saying ''the natural gas from Greater
Sunrise must be processed onshore
in Timor Leste,'' after the agreement
had not decided on either Timor-Leste
or Australia as the site for Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) processing, reports
Reuters.
Australia's public listed company
Woodside Energy Group Ltd and East
Timor's state owned oil and gas
company Timor Gap, agreed on November
25, 2025 to study a 5 million metric
ton project at the Greater Sunrise
fields that contains an estimated
5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas.
East Timor state owned oil and gas
company, Timor Gap, holds more than
56 percent of the Greater Sunrise
field located 140 km south of East
Timor and more than 400 km from
Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory.
Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana
Gusmao reiterated that Timor-Leste's
position has always been clear saying
''natural gas from Greater Sunrise
must be processed onshore in Timor
Leste.''
''Timor-Leste is committed to moving
forward with the Greater Sunrise
oil and gas project in a commercially
sound, technically robust and aligned
with the interests of our people,''
said Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
He said Australia and Timor-Leste
reaffirmed the importance of international
law including the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS), saying ''the 2018 Maritime
Boundary Treaty remains a powerful
example of how disputes can be resolved
peacefully and fairly through dialogue
and law.''
In July 2019 the Timor-Leste parliament
and the Australian parliament ratification
the maritime boundary treaty under
the
United Nations Convention on the
law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ending
the sea border dispute over revenue
from the Greater Sunrise oil and
gas field in the Timor Sea, providing
Australia and Timor Lese with a
legal framework for sharing the
revenue from the offshore Greater
Sunrise natural oil and gas field,
believed then to contain deposits
worth an estimated $50 billion.
Australia had sought a sea boundary
aligned with its continental shelf
placing much of the Greater Sunrise
oil and gas fields under Australia's
control.
But East Timor argued the border
should lie half way between Timor
Leste and Australia in the Arafura
and Timor seas.
The 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty
signed by East Timor and Australia
at the United Nations headquarters
in New York in March 2018 followed
the Permanent Court of Arbritration
in The Hague ruling that the border
dispute be settled under the United
Nations Convention on the law of
the Sea (UNCLOS).
Australia claimed that the The Permanent
Court of Arbritration in The Hague
had no jurisdiction in the maritime
boundary dispute, saying ''the Australian
government had signed an agreement
with East Timor in the Certain Maritime
Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS)
2006 that ruled out any recourse
to the court.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hearings
on measures for proposed
Anti-Political Dynasty
Law begin in the Philippines
|
|
 |
|
Akbayan
Youth, the youth wing
of the Akbayan Citizens'
Action Party, a democratic
socialist and progressive
political party in
the Philippines, protests
at the House of Representatives
in Quezon City on
Tuesday January 27,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, January 29: The Philippines
House of Representatives Committee
on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
began hearings on measures for the
proposed Anti-Political Dynasty
Law on Tuesday with at least 20
proposals including from House Speaker
Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader
Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, with
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong,
saying '' ''the hearings were not
intended to single out individuals
or families but to fulfil a mandate
of the 1987 Constitution.'' reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong,
said at the opening speech of the
Anti-Political Dynasty Law hearing
that the 1987 Constitution Article
11 Section 26 prohibiting political
dynasties as may be defined by law.
''Legislation is required to enforce
it,'' he said.
He said the proposed Anti-Political
Dynasty Law is not an indictment
of families, saying ''the proposed
law is an affirmation of principles,
equal access, fair competition,
Accountability, renewal of leadership.''
''Renewal of the idea that public
office is a public trust not a hereditary
entitlement,'' he said.
On December 10, 2025 House Speaker
Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader
Ferdinand Alexander Marcos introduced
House Bill No. 6771 to the House
of Representatives seeking to prohibit
political dynasties.
The Bill was introduced to define
and prohibit the concentration of
elective power among relatives within
the fourth civil degree of consanguinity
that includes relatives who share
a common ancestor and are separated
by four generations.
On December 10, 2025 Caloocan 2nd
District Rep. Edgar Erice criticized
House Bill No. 6771 introduced by
House Speaker Faustino Dy III and
Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander
Marcos saying the bill was unconstitutional
and ineffective, saying that his
proposal allows two members of a
political clan to hold elective
posts.''
''My proposal permits other relatives
outside the second degree of consanguinity
including aunts uncles, nieces,
great-grandparents, fist counsins
to also run for public office,''
he said.
He said that President Ferdinand
Marcos and his sister Senator Imee
Marcos, ''would still be considered
related even if they are on opposing
political fences.''
''Both fall within the second degree
of consanguinity if they would not
include their children, Majority
Leader Marcos and Senator Marcos’
son, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew
Joseph Manotoc,'' he said.
Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar
Erice, said that the cousin of President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez,
can run for office even if he is
related as he is only their cousin.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
Member Cambodia joins
United States launched
Board of Peace as
a founding member
|
|
 |
|
United
States President Donald
Trump launched the
Board of Peace at
the World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
on Thursday January
22, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, January 28: The Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
11 member countries, including Cambodia
is among 60 countries that have
been invited to join the Board of
Peace launched by United States
President Donald Trump at the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
on January 22, with Cambodia Prime
Minister Hun Manet saying ''joining
the Board of Peace as a founding
member for a three-year term does
not require any financial contribution,''
reports Phnom Penh Post.
“The US$1 billion contribution
applies to permanent members,''
he said..
He said Cambodia has consistently
upheld principles of goodwill, a
love of peace, and peacebuilding,
particularly through its participation
in United Nations peacekeeping missions,
saying ''Cambodian forces have been
deployed to countries affected by
war.''
Cambodia's decision to join the
Board of Peace coincides with the
United States Navy littoral combat
ship, USS Cincinnati's, port call
at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf
of Thailand in Sihanoukville Province,
southern Cambodia on January 24.
''Cincinnati’s visit is an
expression of our confidence in
Cambodia’s own sovereignty
and a good-faith expression of our
partnership moving forward,'' said
United States Indo-Pacific Commander
Navy admiral, Samuel John Paparo
Jr.
''There is deep respect for our
mutual relationship with Cambodia
that now spans 76 years,'' he said.
In September 2024 newly elected
Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun
Manet, a graduate of the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, called for
an end to allegations that Cambodia's
Ream Naval Base in Sihanouk province
on the Gulf of Thailand was being
used to host a Chinese military
presence at the 78th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New
York.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy
president Pa Chanroeun said then
that he "welcomed Prime Minister
Hun Manet's clarification of the
Ream Naval Base allegations at the
United Nations General Assembly."
In June 2021 the United States Deputy
Secretary of State, Wendy R Sherman,
led a delegation to Cambodia calling
on Cambodia for an explanation for
the demolition of the United States
funded Cambodian Navy tactical headquarters
facility at Cambodia's Ream Naval
Base on the Gulf of Thailand, reminding
the then Prime Minister of Cambodia,
Hun Sen, that the United States
had provided $US3 billion in assistance
to Cambodia since the 1991 Paris
Peace Agreements.
Cambodia had reportedly signed an
agreement with China that gave China
exclusive rights to the Ream Naval
Base in Sihanouk province on the
Gulf of Thailand that includes an
agreement for the construction of
a large airport.
The agreement reportedly allows
China to post military personnel,
store weapons and berth warships
at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf
of Thailand for 30 years with automatic
renewal every ten years.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
member Indonesia signs
Board of Peace charter
launched by United
States for peace in
Gaza
|
|
 |
|
Hungary
Prime Minister, Viktor
Orban, left, United
States President Donald
Trump, centre, Indonesia
President Prabowo
Subianto, at the signing
of the Charter of
theBoard of Peace
at the World Economic
Forum 2026 in Davos,
Switzerland, Thursday
January 22, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Indonesia, January 27: The Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
11 member countries, including Indonesia,
are among 60 countries that have
received an invitation to join the
Charter of the Board of Peace launched
by United States President Donald
Trump at the World Economic Forum
in Davos, Switzerland, on January
22, with Indonesian President Prabowo
Subianto saying ''the Board of Peace
Charter is an historic opportunity
to achieve lasting peace in Gaza,''
on signing the Charter of the Board
of Peace, reports Antara.
''Indonesia is ready to contribute,''
he said.
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono,
said ''Indonesia's participation
in the Charter of the Board of Peace
represents a strategic, constructive,
and concrete step to oversee post-conflict
stabilization and rehabilitation
in Gaza.''
"This Board of Peace is a concrete
alternative that we can currently
hope to achieve,'' he said.
''The Charter of the Board of Peace
would function as a transitional
administrative body in Gaza as originally
endorsed by the UN Security Council
in November 2025,'' he said.
Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono,
said that Indonesia's participation
in the Charter of the Board of Peace
means that the world recognizes
Indonesia's diplomacy, saying ''the
world also recognises Indonesia's
vision and views for world peace
and in particular regional peace."
Hungary, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,
the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, the Republic of Kosovo,
Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay, and
Uzbekistan are among the 60 countries
who attended the signing ceremony
of the Charter of the Board of Peace
at the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland, on January 22, 2026
with China, France, Russia, and
the United Kingdom absent from the
signing ceremony, and other countries
rejecting the United States President
Donald Trump's invitation to join
the Board of Peace.
The United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) adopted the United States-drafted
resolution that established the
Charter of the Board of Peace, on
November 17, 2025 saying ''the resolution
will set the framework and coordinate
funding for the redevelopment of
Gaza."
The resolution was approved with
13 in favour of the establishment
of the Charter of the Board of Peace,
none against
with China and Russia abstaining
from the vote.
The United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) authorised the Charter of
the Board of Peace to deploy a temporary
International Stabilization Force
(ISF) in Gaza and to report to the
15 member United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) every six months
on its progress.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
USS
Cincinnati berths
at Chinese built pier
at Ream Naval Base
in Cambodia 150 metres
from Chinese war ships
|
|
 |
|
The
US Navy littoral combat
ship USS Cincinnati
makes a port call
at the Ream Naval
Base, on the Gulf
of Thailand in Sihanoukville
Province in southern
Cambodia on Saturday
24 January 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, January 26: The United
States Navy littoral combat ship,
USS Cincinnati, made a port call
at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf
of Thailand in Sihanoukville Province,
southern Cambodia, docking 150 metres
from two Chinese warships berthed
at the Chinese built pier on Saturday,
with commanding officer of the USS
Cincinnati saying, ''it is our privilege
and our honour to be here as the
first US naval vessel to moor pier
side at Ream Naval Base,'' reports
Khmer Times.
''We hope this is the beginning
of a longstanding tradition and
friendship,'' said USS Cincinnati
Commaning Officer, Lieut Cmdr Andrew
J Recame.
Cambodia Rear Admiral, Sokhemra,
deputy Commander of Ream Naval Base,
said ''the USS Cincinnati port call
at the Ream Naval Base reflects
growing trust and cooperation between
the two navies,'' saying ''the purpose
of this visit is to expand cooperation
and further strengthen relations
between the two navies.''
''Previously, because of ongoing
modernisation, the port could not
receive large warships,” he
said.
''Now, thanks to the government’s
efforts to expand the port and deepen
the sea area, medium-sized warships
can dock here,'' he said.
In September 2024 newly elected
Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun
Manet, a graduate of the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, called for
an end to allegations that Cambodia's
Ream Naval Base in Sihanouk province
on the Gulf of Thailand was being
used to host a Chinese military
presence at the 78th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New
York.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy
president Pa Chanroeun said then
that he "welcomed Prime Minister
Hun Manet's clarification of the
Ream Naval Base allegations at the
United Nations General Assembly."
He said that he urged Cambodia to
adhere to the essence of the 1991
Paris Peace Agreements, "saying
"the Paris Peace Agreement
does not permit foreign military
bases on Cambodia's soil."
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
said in April 2023 after he was
endorsed by his father Prime Minister,
Hun Sen, as the prime ministerial
candidate, "in accordance with
Article 53 that is newly included
in the Constitution, "the policy
of Cambodia is not to cling to China,
nor to anyone else."
"Cambodia enjoys close ties
with China, the US, Japan and many
other countries, regardless of their
relations between each other, under
Cambodia's present foreign policy,"
he said.
In June 2021 the United States Deputy
Secretary of State, Wendy R Sherman,
led a delegation to Cambodia calling
on Cambodia for an explanation for
the demolition of the United States
funded Cambodian Navy tactical headquarters
facility at Cambodia's Ream Naval
Base on the Gulf of Thailand, reminding
the then Prime Minister of Cambodia,
Hun Sen, that the United States
has provided $US3 billion in assistance
to Cambodia since the 1991 Paris
Peace Agreements.
Cambodia had reportedly signed an
agreement with China that gave China
exclusive rights to the Ream Naval
Base in Sihanouk province on the
Gulf of Thailand that includes an
agreement for the construction of
a large airport.
The agreement reportedly allows
China to post military personnel,
store weapons and berth warships
at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf
of Thailand for 30 years with automatic
renewal every ten years.
The United States Deputy Secretary
of State, Wendy R Sherman, said
in Phnom Penh at a meeting with
then Prime Minister Hun Sen, that
the United States sought clarification
on the demolition of the United
States funded Cambodian Navy tactical
headquarters facility at Cambodia's
Ream Naval Base that was demolished
without notification or explanation
in October 2020.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Beijing
accuses Philippines
of turning a blind
eye on banner asking
why China is a bully
in West Philippine
Sea
|
|
 |
|
Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG)
Commodore, Jay Tarriela,
at the De La Salle-College
of Saint Benilde School
of Diplomacy and Governance
Dialogue Series on
the West Philippine
Sea on Wednesday January
14, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, January 25: China's Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in Beijing summoned
the Philippines Ambassador to China,
over cartoon images of China President
Xi Jinping with a banner saying
''why China remains to be a bully,''
posted on Facebook on January 14
with China saying ''the Philippines
has turned a blind eye,' and the
Philippine Coast Guard saying 'the
Chinese Embassy protest against
the cartoons and banner are an attempt
to deflect from China's repeated
aggressive and illegal actions in
the West Philippine Sea, reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
in Beijing spokesman, Guo Jiakun,
said ''the Philippines has turned
a blind eye on Philippine Coast
Guard (PCG) Commodore, Jay Tarriela's
inflammatory, confrontational, misleading
and baseless remarks against China.''
"China does not accept that,''
he said.
''Time for the Philippines to undo
the negative impact as soon as possible
and stop the smear campaign and
provocations, lest they disrupt
normal diplomatic communication
or further harm bilateral relations,"
said China's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in Beijing spokesman, Guo
Jiakun.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore,
Jay Tarriela, said "threatening
a public servant for telling the
truth will not intimidate us,''
saying ''it only proves that transparency
is working and that China fears
an informed world more than it fears
international law,” he said.
''Transparency in the West Philippine
Sea is not provocation. It is merely
exposing the bully aggressor and
the real victim,'' he said.
''If China truly wanted to reverse
any negative impact it should start
by respecting the 2016 Arbitral
Award, withdrawing from its illegally
occupied reclaimed islands and ending
the harassment of Filipino fishermen,''
he said.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines
demanded an explanation for the
banner ''why China remains to be
a bully,'' together with cartoons
on display at the De La Salle-College
of Saint Benilde School of Diplomacy
and Governance Dialogue Series on
the West Philippine Sea on January
14, with Philippine Coast Guard
(PCG) Commodore, Jay Tarriela, saying
''the Chinese Embassy protest against
the cartoons and banner are an attempt
to deflect from China's repeated
aggressive and illegal actions in
the West Philippine Sea.''
''The Chinese Embassy objection
to images or expression of violations
in the West Philippine Sea shows
China's discomfort with the truth,''
he said Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Commodore, Jay Tarriela.
In July 2016 the Permanent Court
of Arbitration Court in the Hague
Arbitration Court in the Hague ruled
in favour of the Philippines against
China's claim of historic rights
over the South China Sea that includes
the West Philippine Sea.
China reportedly claimed that the
Arbitration tribunal made an illegal
and invalid final verdict on the
South China Sea dispute, with China
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang
saying then that the dispute was
not covered by U.N. Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because
it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty
not exploitation rights.
The China Foreign Ministry spokesman
said then that "China's position
of neither accepting nor participating
in the arbitration unilaterally
initiated by the Philippines remains
unchanged".
The Philippines first filed against
China's claim of sovereignty over
the West Philippine Sea in the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
court in January 2013, seeking to
enforce the Philippines right to
exploit waters within a 370-kilometer
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off
its coast, as defined under United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australian
academic apologises
for criticism of Malaysian
Communications and
Multimedia Commission
|
|
 |
|
Australian,
Murray Hunter, former
associate professor
at Universiti Malaysia
in Perlis state, Malaysia,
arrested at Thailand's
Suvarnabhumi airport
for ''criminal defamation
by publication'' before
departing for Hong
Kong on Monday September
29, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, Saturday 24: Australian,
Murray Hunter, former associate
professor at Universiti Malaysia
in Perlis state, who was arrested
in Thailand September 29, 2025 for
his criticism of the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC),
has apologised for criticism deemed
criminal defamation by publication,
with Thailand saying the charges
are "an act of transnational
repression in the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),''
reports the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation.
"I acknowledge that my comments
and articles about MCMC and its
related persons can be read to be
inaccurate, misleading and have
led to misunderstandings,"
said Murray Hunter.
Thailand's Office of the Attorney
General (OAG) charged Murray Hunter
for alleged criminal defamation
by publication under section 328
of the Thailand criminal code for
his criticism of the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
published on Substack in April 2024
and that Thailand Senator Pornchai
Witayalerdpan, says are "an
act of transnational repression
in the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).''
Thailand Lawyers for Human Rights
(TLHR)?? Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate
said that Thailand's criminal defamation
by publication allowed complainants
including from outside Thailand
''to commence a criminal process.''
''Once a complaint is filed including
from Malaysia, Thailand authorities
commence legal process,'' he said.
Murray Hunter posted four articles
on Substack accusing the Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission
(MCMC) of abusing its power, censoring
and blocking websites critical of
the Malaysian government, and alleged
the chair of the Malaysian Communications
and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
held a conflict of interest.
Murray Hunter was reportedly known
in Malaysia as a critic of the Anwar
Ibrahim government.
In September 2025 Human Rights Watch
(HRW) Australia director, Daniela
Gavshon, called on Thailand ''to
immediately drop the charges against
Murray Hunter,'' saying Thailand's
arrest of Murray Hunter demonstrates
how the Malaysian government can
extent its transnational repression
beyond its own borders.
''The arrest of Murray Hunter for
''criminal defamation by publication''
is an alarming example of cross
border efforts to suppress critical
voices and media freedoms,'' said
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Australia
director, Daniela Gavshon,
''The Murray Hunter arrest for ''criminal
defamation by publication'' underscores
the Thailand government willingness
to violate free expression rights
on behalf of a foreign government,''
she said .
Thailand Senator Pornchai Witayalerdpan,
said that Thailand courts are being
weaponised for foreign political
agendas, saying
Murray Hunter's case appeared to
be "an act of transnational
repression in the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).''
''An act of transnational repression
in ASEAN is where a foreign state
agency uses a justice system to
silence a critic that
that they perhaps could not silence
by criminal means in their own jurisdiction,''
he said.
"Thai taxpayers are essentially
paying the financial cost for the
police and prosecutors to pursue
a case that serves the political
interests of a foreign agency rather
than the Thai public," he said.
"We should not allow our courts
to be weaponised for political censorship,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodian
National Assembly
legislators ratify
UNCLOS
|
|
 |
|
All
114 legislators of
the fifth plenary
session of the National
Assembly seventh legislature
voted to ratify the
United Nations Convention
on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) on Friday
January 16, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, January 23: The Cambodia
National Assembly unanimously ratified
the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with
the Secretary-General of the International
Seabed Authority (ISA) saying ''the
ratification will provide Cambodia
with a complete legal framework
to govern maritime affairs in line
with international law,'' reports
Phnom Penh Post.
All 114 legislators of the fifth
plenary session of the National
Assembly seventh legislature voted
to ratify the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on
January 16.
The International Seabed Authority
(ISA) Secretary-General, Michael
W. Lodge, said ''the International
Seabed Authority (ISA)
was established under the United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) to regulate mining
and related activities in the deep
seabed area.''
''The ratification of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) will strengthen
legal protection for Cambodia's
management of its maritime zones,
including environmental conservation,
exploitation of marine resources,
and scientific research at sea,''
said Secretary-General, Michael
W. Lodge.
He said that joining the United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) will enhance Cambodia's
international standing by enabling
greater cooperation on maritime
governance and dispute resolution
with other countries.
''Joining the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) grants
Cambodia the right to participate
in elections for key international
bodies established under the convention,
including the International Seabed
Authority and the International
Tribunal for the Law of the Sea,''
he said.
On December 21, 2020 the then 110
National Assembly members reviewed
and unanimously approved the proposed
draft law that would ratify the
United Nations Convention on the
law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with the
Committee on Investment Plan, Agriculture,
Rural and Environmental Development
and Water Resources acting chair,
Hou Sry, saying "the ratification
would contribute to cooperation
at sub-regional, regional and international
levels between the coastal nations
and states that use their waters
to fish."
He said that the ratification would
ensure the conservation of medium
- and long-range migratory fish
stock, saying that Cambodia would
benefit from ratifying UNCLOS because
it commits Cambodia to resolving
disputes responsibly."
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries Veng Sakhon said that
the ministry would excercise its
rights under the United Nations
Convention on the law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).
"The ministry is committed
to promoting the UNCLOS spirit with
relevant government institutions
including internationally,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| United
States suspends immigration
visa's for 75 countries including
four ASEAN countries |
 |
| Thailand
Minister of Foreign
Affairs Sihasak
Phuangketkeow
in Bangkok Thursday
January 15, 2026 |
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, January 22:
The United Sates Department
of State has suspended
immigration visa's for
75 countries including
Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member country Thailand,
with Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow,
against the United States
decision to lump all
75 countries together,
reports the Nation.
Thailand Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Sihasak
Phuangketkeow, said
''a blanket approach
was inappropriate and
failed to consider Thailand’s
unique circumstances.''
Countries with potentially
more serious issues
were left off the list
while Thailand a long-standing
US ally was included,''
he said.
Thailand Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Sihasak
Phuangketkeow, said
most Thai's living in
the United States are
working legally in restuarants
and
other small businesses,
saying ''Thai's contribute
to the American economy.
''Thai companies invest
in the United States,
generating tens of thousands
|
|
of jobs for American citizens,''
he said.
United States embassies in 75 countries
including four Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member
countries including Thailand, Cambodia,
Laos and Mynamar were instructed
in November 2025 to enforce stricter
screening rules under the public
charge provision of United States
immigration law.
''The State Department will use
its long-standing authority to deem
ineligible potential immigrants
who would become a public charge
on the United States and exploit
the generosity of the American people,''
said State Department spokesperson
Tommy Piggott.
The United Sates Department of State
directed consular officers to deny
visas to applicants deemed likely
to depend on public assistance based
on factors such as health, age,
English-language proficiency, financial
status and the potential for long-term
medical care.
State Department spokesperson Tommy
Piggott said stricter screening
rules under the public charge provision
of immigration law could see denial
of application for immigration to
the United States from older and
overweight applicants.
''Application from immigrants with
any prior use of government cash
assistance or a history of institutionalisation
could also face denial,'' he said.
Effective January 21, 2026, the
Department of State is pausing all
visa issuances to immigrant visa
applicants who are nationals of
the following countries: Afghanistan,
Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh,
Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil,
Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape
Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire,
Cuba, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia,
Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,
Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz
Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia,
Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro,
Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria,
North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic
of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan,
Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand,
Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay,
Uzbekistan, and Yemen
The
Southeast Asian Times
| The
Southeast Asian Times
wishes its readers
a happy Christmas
and all the best for
the New Year with
a special thankyou
to its treasured letter
writers
|
|
| The
Southeast Asian Times
wishes its readers
a happy Christmas
and all the best for
the New Year with
a special thankyou
to its treasured letter
writers |
|
|
| MEDIA CHECK |
| Cambodia-China Journalist Association
(CCJA)
launched
in
Phnom
Penh ...open
here |
|
|
|
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
asks a
survivor
of the
1965 killings
in Bali
"why didn't
you try
to stop
them"
in "Remembering
the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open page here
|
|
| Kang-Fu
the Red
Kangaroo
is relentless
in his fight
to
protect
Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page
here | |
| Bombed
by
the Americans
for Christmas
in 1972,
Ha Noi Bach
Mai hospital
is still
a war zone...Christina
Pas
reports...Open
page
here | |
| Indigenous
Australians
in the northern
Queensland
town of
East Trinity
aim for
economic
independence
from
eco-cultural
tourism,
reports
Christine
Howes in
"Australian
indigenous
eco-cultural
tourism
venture
wins best
small project
national
award
"
...open
here
| |
| Kavi
Chongkittavorn
talks about
the UK
application
to become
an ASEAN
dialogue
partner
in "New
dynamics
of Aseans
external
ties,"
with consensus
yet to be
reached
on admitting
a
former
colonial
master of
four
ASEAN
member countries
into the
Southeast
Asian bloc....open
| |
| Esther
Samboh talks
about
the
choise between
thousands
dying
of
Covid-19
or from
hunger in
densely
populated
Jakarta
in the new
normal in
"Medics
dying, infections
soaring
- it's still
the economy"
...open
page
here | |
| Australian
reporter,
Chris Ray,
investigates
why Australia
dropped
five spots
in the World
Press Freedom
Index...open | |
| Read
what Son
Nguyen has
to say about
the impact
of China's
virus on
Vietnam's
economy
in
"When
the
economy
gets sick"
open
here | |
| Has
the ancient
Syrian city
of
Palmyra
suffered
a fatal
blow, or
will it
rise again?
asks Australian
reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page
here | |
|
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
asks a
survivor
of the
1965 killings
in Bali
"why
didn't
you try
to
stop
them"
in "Remembering
the slaughter
in
Paradise"
........open
page here
| |
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A.
Hamzah as
he calls
for Asians
to determine
their own
political
destiny
in "Time
for Asia
to
set it's
own course,
minus the
U.S."...open
here | |
| Is
prescribed
burning
of
grasslands
in northern
Australia
out of control?
......Chris
Ray reports
...
open page
here | |
| "Rockefeller
and the
Demise of
Ibu
Pertiwi"
by Kerry
B. Collison
"is
undoubtedly
fictional
but by no
means improbable,
"
says Johannes
Nugroho
....open
page
here | |
Viet
Nam is
planning
to go nuclear
by the year
2020.reports
John
Loizou
in
"Calculating
the costs
of nuclear
energy in
Vietnam"
...open
page here
| |
|
The
founder
of the
Revolutionary
Front
of Independent
East Timor
(Fretilin),
Mari
Alkatiri,
the now
former
Prime
Minister
of Timor
Leste,
after
losing
the May
12, 2018
election
to the
National
Congress
for Timorese
Reconstruction
(CNRT)
party,
led by
Xanana
Gusmao,
has accused
the opposition
of a coup
attempt.
Twelve
years
ago Mari
Alkatiri
also accused
the opposition
of a coup
attemp
claiming
then that
the
crises
that led
to his
resignation
was the
result
of a conspiracy.
"I
have no
doubt
about
that"
he told
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
in an
interview
in Dili
on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
| |
|
Cuba's
302
physicians
in East
Timor
work at
five hospitals
and remote
villages
throughout
the republic...writes
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
...open
page here
| |
| Benedict
Anderson,
a man
without
a country,
dies in
Indonesia
Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page
here | |
|
Thousands
of Northern
Australia's
indigenous
rock art
sites
are under
threat
from buffalo,
fire and
feral
animals.
Tim Lee
reports
........open
page here
| |
| Copy
of
letter
29 May 2012
from Vietnam
Womens Union
to
International
Olympic
Committee...open
here | |
| The
Southeast
Asian Times
wishes its
readers
a
happy
Christmas
and all
the best
for the
New Year
with a special
thankyou
to its treasured
letter
writers
| |
Published
by Pas Loizou Press
Darwin Northern
Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast
Asian
Times cannot
be
bought
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated
daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in
Yangon to sell condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore properties
to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and
industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The Southeast
Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway
Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's
railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy
Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of public
services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would
bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19:
Five Penang food factories including a 100 year old
soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health
standards.
State health, food safety and quality
division, deputy director Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin
said soya bean products were processed in an unclean
"rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found
that wet products were left to dry on "dirty" bamboo
sticks along with bathing towels. The bamboo sticks
were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets"
factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory in Simpang
Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department
The Southeast Asian
Times
Fuel smugglers including military personnel
under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested
30 suspects including several Indonesian Military
(TNI) personnel and seized 64 cars, two boats and
106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig.
Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam last week that the
seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres of
fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected
of fuel smuggling and have been handed over to the
military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen.
Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Thai coup blammed for fall in tourist
arrivals
From News Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the
first month after the establishment of marshal law
and the military seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra
government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10
percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai
Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals
from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United
Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all visitors to
Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent
The Southeast Asian
Times
US Senate approves sales of nuclear
equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
passed legislation approving a 123 agreement on
civil nuclear commerce with Vietnam at a business
meeting of the committee last week.
The 123
agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to
export nuclear reactors, research information and
equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce
agreement between the US and Vietnam is "part of
Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The Southeast Asian
Times
Court for
construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two
Construction Courts for Malaysia were opened by
Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur and
Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts
will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way
the construction business in the country
operates.
"The construction industry
stakerholders can now have their disputes resolved
by judges with expert knowledge and experience in
construction industry disputes', he said.
The
proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain
is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali
community-based tourism operators have called for
amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact
that his community received only 40 percent of the
total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share
of the tourist revenue to pay for operating costs",
he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said
that operating costs for trekking, traditional
dance, cultural shows including religious rituals
had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and
community halls for tourism had also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli
community but for tourism based communities across
Bali would benefit tourism island-wide" said the
tourism manager.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Riau forest fires force
Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the
Indonesian subsidiary of US-based oil company
Chevron has shut down 573 oil wells in the Riau
province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of
air due to forest fires that have been raging for
the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families.
Indonesia's upstream oil
and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public relations
officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown
of Rokan block, operated by Chevron Pacific
Indonesia, the country's biggest producer of crude
oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts
reports that potential losses are estimated at about
12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur,
March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there
was an 86 percent increase in tourist arrivals from
China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that
193,010 tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China
in 2011 increasing to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the
influx of tourists from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite
foods", he said.
Sabah and Labuan
Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association of
Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort,
said that staff members are
encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can
converse better with guests" he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Pilots strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights
to Surabaya, Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports
The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary
Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the airline had not
paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines was required to restructure its
operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto
Chendra Putra says that Merpati has signed a
memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the
company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion
(US$533 million) reports the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or
early April, said the Merpati corporate
secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board
official, Erry Wardhana, said about 200 Merpati
pilots planned to strike again next Saturday for an
indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until
1,600 Merpati employees were paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the
first time that Merpati workers have gone on strike
over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for
December and January reports the Jakarta
Post.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| |
