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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Indonesia
closes 1,500 illegal
mines
with instructions
to identify rare earth
minerals in mining
waste
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President
Prabowo Subianto at
the 6th National Conference
of the Prosperous
Justice Party (PKS)
in Jakarta on Monday
September 29, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, October 3: Indonesian
President Prabowo Subianto ordered
the unprecedented closure of up
to 1,500 illegal mines across
Indonesia including tin-producing
mines in Bangka Belitung Islands
off Sumatra with instructions
for metallurgists to identify
Rare earth elements (REEs) in
mining waste on Monday, reports
Antara.
President Prabowo Subianto said
that illegal mining in the Bangka
Belitung Islands is rampant and
undermines legitimate operations
and regulatory frameworks with
artisanal miners operating in
dangerous conditions.
''The extracting resources enter
global supply chains without proper
documentation or traceability,''
he said.
''The closure of illegal mines
will prevent state losses of up
to 45 trillion rupiah (US$2.8
billion) by 2026,'' he said
"About 80 percent of tin
production from Bangka Belitung
has been smuggled abroad through
various channels, from small boats
to passenger ferries," he
said
''The potential of Rare earth
elements (REEs) contained in mining
waste has long been overlooked
despite the high value of the
mineral,'' he said.
He instructed the Directorate
General of Customs and Excise
under the Ministry of Finance
to recruit metallurgists to identify
Rare earth elements (REEs) in
mining waste.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto,
a former commander in the Special
Detachment 88 anti-terror squad
in the New Order regime of former
president Suharto, revived the
authority of the New Order regime,
showing a shift in enforcement
compared to the previous administration
of President Joko Widodo.
He identified illegal mining operations
across Indonesia as both an economic
and sovereign concern including
illegal nickel mining, saying
''Indonesia possesses the world's
largest nickel reserves making
it a prime target for illegal
extraction operations.
He said that coal mining operates
illegally throughout Kalimantan
and Sumatra extracting millions
of tons without permits or environmental
safeguards.
''These operations use substandard
extraction methods that maximise
short term yields causing long-term
environmental damage,'' he said.
The widespread nature of illegal
mining operations including gold,
copper and various Rare earth
elements (REEs) present complex
enforcement challenges spanning
multiple islands and jurisdictions.
The
Southeast Asian Times
International
Criminal Court suspends
''war on drugs'' hearing
against former Philippine
President Rodrigo
Duterte
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Philippine
former president Rodrigo
Duterte on video in
background at the
International Criminal
Court (ICC) in The
Hague, Netherlands,
on Friday March 14,
2025
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From
News Reports:
Manila, October 2: Defence lawyer
for Philippine former President
Rodrigo Duterte claims that ''President
Rodrigo Duterte has shown signs
of cognitive impairment that could
affect his response to alleged murder
charges in the war on drugs campaigne,''
with the International Criminal
Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I
suspending the scheduled hearing
on September 23, reports Philippine
Inquirer.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
is in detention in The Hague, Netherlands,
after an arrest warrant was issued
by the Prosecution for the International
Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
in March, 2025, for the crimes against
humanity, of murder, torture and
rape in the ''war on drugs campaigne''
after the judges of the ICC Pre-Trial
Chamber 1 assessed the material
submitted by the Office of the Prosecutor
of the International Criminal Court
(ICC).
The International Criminal Court
(ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I postponed
the hearing that was scheduled to
start on 23 September 2025 after
defence lawyer Nicholas Kaufman
for former President Rodrigo Duterte
requested and indefinite adjournment
of the hearing, saying '' Rodrigo
Duterte is not fit to stand trial.''
Defence Lawyer Nicholas Kaufman
said that new medical records of
The International Criminal Court
(ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I have been
submitted to the International Criminal
Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I.
He said the new medical records
have been submitted in a five page
document to the International Criminal
Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I
about the former President Rodrigo
Duterte medical condition.
''Dutertes medical condition
warrants litigation of the matter
before a confirmation of murder
charges in a hearing is held,''
he said.
The International Criminal Court
(ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I suspended
the confirmation of charges after
the defence argument that former
president Rodrigo Duterte is unfit
to stand trial, saying ''former
president Rodrigo Duterte is having
difficulties recalling events. dates
and even members of his own family.''
In March 2025 the Office of the
Prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court (ICC) applied for
an arrest warrant against former
President Rodrigo Duterte for the
crimes against humanity of murder,
torture and rape after the judges
of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 assessed
the material submitted by the Prosecution.
Judges Reine Alapini-Gansou, Iulia
Antoanella Motoc and Socorro Flores
Liera of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber
1 assessed the material submitted
by the Prosecution and found reasonable
grounds to believe that former President
Rodrigo Duterte is individually
responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator
for the crime against humanity of
murder, allegedly committed in the
Philippines between 1 November 2011
and 16 March 2019.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesian
government ministers
at State Owned Enterprises
banned from moonlighting
at private enterprises
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Indonesian
Constitutional Court
bans government ministers
from holding concurrent
posts at State Owned
Enterprises (SOEs)
and private enterprises
Thurs August 28, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, October 1: The Indonesian
House of Representatives (DPR) and
the government under President Prabowo
Subianto approved the draft bill
on the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE)
Law on September 26, after a Presidential
Letter to the Indonesian House of
Representatives (DPR) dated September
19 and after the Constitutional
Court banned ministers from holding
concurrent posts in State-Owned
Enterprises (SOEs) and private enterprises
on August, 28, reports Jakarta globe.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and
Investment Commission VI chairwoman,
Anggia Ermarini, said that all eight
party factions supported the revised
84 articles of the existing SOE
Law, saying ''eight factions in
SOEs and Investment Commission VI
have agreed to bring the bill to
the 6th Plenary Session for second-level
discussions,
Justice Minister Supratman Andi
Agtas, representing the Indonesian
government under President Prabowo
Subianto said ''the revisions accommodate
legal requirements, Constitutional
Court rulings, and the demand for
modern governance.''
''It is important to ensure State-Owned
Enterprises (SOEs) are more transparent,
professional, and able to deliver
optimal benefits for the state and
society,'' he said.
The House of Representatives, speaker
Puan Maharani, read a Presidential
letter dated September 19 during
the 5th Plenary Session on September
23 that effectively began legislation
procedures for the draft bill that
bans government ministers from holding
concurrent posts in State-Owned
Enterprises (SOEs) and private enterprises.
In May 2025 Indonesia's President
Prabowo Subianto reprimanded State
Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors
at a meeting with sovereign wealth
fund, Anagata Nusantara Power Investment
Management Agency (Danantara),
that manages the State Owned Enterprise
(SOE) operations warning that State
Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors
who fail to contribute to Indonesia's
economic growth would be replaced.
He called on all State Owned Enterprise
(SOE) directors to abandon inefficient
or deviant practices, saying ''the
performance of directors must be
evaluated thoroughly including an
assessment of integrity and professionalism.''
President Prabowo Subianto called
on State Owned Enterprise (SOE)
directors to improve efficiency,
ordering Anagata Nusantara Power
Investment Management Agency (Danantara)
board of directors to evaluate the
performance of State Owned Enterprise
(SOE) directors.
We must manage Danantara properly,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Malaysia
calls for reforms
of United Nations
veto powers to give
developing global
south countries a
decisive voice
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Malaysias
Foreign Minister Mohamad
Hasan calls for reform
of United Nations
veto powers at the
United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) in
New York on Saturday
September 27, 2025
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From
News Reports:
New York, September 30: Malaysia
called for reform of United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) veto powers
to give economic developing ''global
south'' countries a decisive voice
in global governance on Saturday,
with China saying at the Global
Development Initiative (GDI) meeting
at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday ''China's
status as a developing country
is key to China's position as
leader in the ''global south'',
reports the New Straits Times.
Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad
Hasan warned at the 80th United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
in New York that developing countries
of the ''global south'' including
China, India, Brazil and South
Africa, ''will no longer tolerate
being side-lined in global governance.''
''Malaysia calls for sweeping
reforms to give the ''global south''
a decisive voice in international
finance and decision making,''
he said.
He said the ''global south'' constitutes
the majority of the world's population,
saying ''yet the ''global south''
remains under-represented in decision-making,
under-served in development financing
and side-lined in global governance.''
''These imbalances must be corrected,''
he said.
He said the voices, needs and
aspirations of the 'global south'
are not secondary, saying ''we
cannot build a fairer international
order without the 'global south'
at its centre.''
He said reform to curb or abolish
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) veto powers is no longer
a choice, saying ''it is our imperative.''
"Malaysia will continue to
advocate for dignity, equity and
opportunity for all developing
nations,'' he said.
China Ministry of Commerce International
Trade representative,
Li Chenggang, said at the Global
Development Initiative (GDI) meeting
at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday that
China's renouncement of the Special
and Differential Treatment (SDT)
in the new World Trade Organisation
(WTO) Agreement that prohibits
fishing subsidies ''did not mean
that China's self-designated status
as a developing country, that
is key to Beijings positioning
as leader in the Global South,
has changed.''
''The renouncement is an important
step for China to uphold the multilateral
trading system that is facing
serious challenges including hegemonism
and unilateralism,'' he said
He said that China remains the
world largest developing country,
saying ''China's status and identity
as a developing country have not
changed.''
''China has always been a member
of the Global South and will always
stand with developing countries,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pro-Palestine
movement hangs effigy
of US President Trump
upside down at US
embassy in Kuala Lumpur
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Boycott,
Divestment, Sanctions
(BDS) a Palestine-led
anti-Israel movement
including pro-Palestine
Anti-Imperialist Coalition
Movement (Gegar) activists
in Malaysia hang effigy
of United States President
Donald Trump upside
at United Staes embassy
in Kuala Lumpur on
Friday September 26,
2025
|
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From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 29: Boycott,
Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) a Palestine-led
anti Israel movement including pro-Palestine
Anti-Imperialist Coalition Movement
(Gegar) activists in Malaysia accused
the Malaysian government of contradicting
its pro-Palestine stance by welcoming
United States President Donald Trump
and officials to the 47th Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Summit scheduled in Kuala Lumpur
on October 26, showing their discontent
by hanging an effigy of United States
President Donald Trump upside down
at the United States embassy in
Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur on
Friday, reports Straits Times.
The Palestine-led anti Israel movement
activists in Malaysia hung an effigy
of United States President Donald
Trump upside down at the United
States Embassy, rejecting the United
States participation in the 47th
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit scheduled
in Kuala Lumpur next month, after
protesting at the Indo-Pacific Armies
Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the Indo-Pacific
Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS),
and the Senior Enlisted Leaders
Forum (SELF) 2025 co-hosted by Malaysia
and the United States at the Intercontinental
Hotel 24 on Wednesday.
The Palestine-led anti Israel
movement activists in Malaysia
also protested against the United
States participation in the 47th
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) Summit at the
office of Malaysian Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim and the Royal Malaysian
Air Force (RMAF) base in Selangor.
Activists also protested against
the participation of the United
States at Caltex petrol stations
in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and
Penang, urging motorists to boycott
the Caltex brand that operates
in Israel's offshore gas fields.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim, ASEAN chair 2025, said
on February 6, that Malaysia disagreed
with the United States proposal
to resettle Palestinians from
Gaza after the United States President
Donald Trump proposal to resettle
two million Palestinians to neighbouring
countries, with Malaysia saying
''we will issue a joint statement
after receiving consensus from
all ASEAN members,''
United States Secretary of State,
Marco Rubio, said ''U.S President
Donald Trump's proposal to help
with the reconstruction of the
enclave after 15 months of fighting
between Israel and Hamas is a
very generous offer.''
''In the interim, obviously people
are going to have to live somewhere
else,'' he said.
He said that the U.S. has the
ability to help with debris removal,
help with munitions removal, help
with reconstruction, the rebuilding
of homes and businesses so that
people can move back.
On May 14, 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 January 20, 2017
to January 20, 2021.
United States President Donald Trump
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
On October 18, 2022 the Australia's
Labor Party foreign minister,
Penny Wong, reversed the previous
Liberal government recognition
of West Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel, with foreign minister
Penny Wong, saying "the government
regrets the decision made by the
previous administration and reiterates
committment to a two-state solution,"
Australia's foreign Minister Penny
Wong said that "Australia
will no longer recognise West
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,"
reversing a decision taken by
the Liberal government of former
Prime Minister Scott Morrison
in 2018.
"Australias embassy
would remain in Tel Aviv,"
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali
hospital denies organ
theft after dead tourist
is repatriated to
Australia without
his heart
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Australian
Fly-in-Fly-Out (FIFO)
worker Byron Haddow,
23, was returned to
Australia after his
death in Bali on May
30, 2025
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From News Reports:
Bali: Denpasar public hospital,
Ngoerahi has denied organ theft
after an Australian tourist, who
was admitted on May 26 after he
was reportedly found dead in a
swimming pool at a tourist resort,
was repatriated to his family
in Queensland, Australia four
weeks later for his parents to
find that his heart had been removed
and retained in Bali, reports
Reuters.
The body of Australian Fly-in-Fly-Out
(FIFO) worker Byron Haddow, 23,
was returned to his parents, Robert
Allan Haddow and Chantal Maree
Haddow, in Noosa on the Sunshine
Coast in Queensland four weeks
after his death on May 30, but
unknown to the parents then that
their sons' heart had been removed
and retained in Bali.
Denpasar public hospital, Ngoerah,
Dr. Nola Margaret Gunawan, who
performed an autopsy on Byron
Haddow, 23, said ''for forensic
purposes, his heart was tested
and was kept behind when the family
repatriated the body home.''
Parents Robert Allan Haddow and
Chantal Maree Haddow are demanding
answers from the Denpasar public
hospital Ngoerah, asking ''why
the hospital held their sons'
heart until August 11.
The Denpasar public hospital,
Ngoerah, returned the heart to
parents Robert Allan Haddow and
Chantal Maree Haddow in Australia
on August 11, after Bali lawyers
Ni Luh Arie Ratna Sukasari had
requested the hospital provide
a legal basis for keeping the
heart.
The Bali lawyers said the hospital
did not respond to the letter
of request, saying ''instead of
responding, the Ngoerah hospital
immediately arranged for the return
of the heart to Australia without
providing proper clarification.''
''The hospital requested parents
Robert Allan Haddow and Chantal
Maree Haddow pay $700 AUD to cover
the cost of sending the organ
back to Australia,'' said the
lawyers.
The Bali lawyers said that the
Denpasar public hospital, Ngoerah,
has not replied to requests that
the hospital provide a legal basis
for keeping the heart, why the
hospital did not request consent
to retain the heart? and why the
hospital conducted a separate
autopsy on the body and the heart?
The Bali lawyers released a statement
on Wednesday maintaining that
Byron Haddow, 23, death is highly
suspicious and warrants further
investigation, saying ''while
the cause of Byron Haddow, 23,
death remains unresolved, his
parents Robert Allan Haddow and
Chantal Maree Haddow were shocked
to learn from the Queensland Coroners
Court that Byrons heart
had been removed and retained
in Bali without their knowledge
or consent, the statement
said.
The death of Byron Haddow, 23,
is now the subject of an open
coronial investigation with the
Coroners Court of Queensland in
the state of Australia.
The Coroners Court of Queensland
is conducting DNA testing to determine
whether the heart that arrived
from Bali after the body of Byron
Haddow, 23, is his, saying ''there
is still no certainty.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
China
gives up economic developing
country status with
WTO: Beijing's position
on Global South not
changed |
|
From
News Reports:
New York, September
27: China gave
up economic
developing country
status for Special
and Differential
Treatment (SDT)
in a new World
Trade Organisation
(WTO) Agreement
that prohibits
fishing subsidies,
with China saying
giving up developing
status does
not mean that
Beijing position
in the Global
South has not
changed,'' at
a meeting convened
by China on
Global Development
Initiative (GDI)
at the United
Nations General
Assembly (UNGA)
in New York
on Wednesday,
reports Associated
Press.
World Trade
Organization
(WTO), Director-General
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,
said the ''WTO
Agreement on
Fisheries Subsidies
entered into
force on September
15, 2025, after
two-thirds of
WTO members
formally accepted
the agreement.''
She said that
the WTO land
mark
|
|
 |
China
Premier
Li Qiang,
left,
World
Trade
Organization
(WTO),
Director-General
Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala,
at the
United
Nations
General
Assembly
(UNGA)
in New
York Wednesday
September
24, 2025
|
|
|
|
agreement on fisheries
subsidies was adopted in June
17, 2022, saying ''the WTO Agreement
on Fisheries Subsidies is the
first multilateral trade agreement
focused on ocean sustainability.''
''The WTO Agreement on Fisheries
Subsidies aims to curb harmful
subsidies that contribute to overfishing
and illegal fishing,'' said World
Trade Organization (WTO), Director-General
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
China Premier Li Qiang said that
China will no longer seek economic
developing country benefits in
the new World Trade Organisation
(WTO) Agreement that prohibit
fishing subsidies that entered
into force on September 15, 2025.
''China as a major responsible
developing country will not seek
access to new special and differential
treatment (SDT) in current and
future WTO negotiations,'' he
said at the Global Development
Initiative (GDI) meeting attended
by ministerial level official
from more than 30 counties and
including the United Nations Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres.
''China's vision and practices
are highly consistent with the
purposes and principles of the
United Nations Charter,'' said
United Nations Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres.
China Ministry of Commerce International
Trade representative, Li Chenggang,
said at the Global Development
Initiative (GDI)
meeting at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday
that China's renouncement of the
Special and Differential Treatment
(SDT) in the new World Trade Organisation
(WTO) Agreement that prohibits
fishing subsidies
''did not mean that China's self-designated
status as a developing country,
that is key to Beijings
positioning as leader in the Global
South, has changed.''
''The renouncement is an important
step for China to uphold the multilateral
trading system that is facing
serious challenges including hegemonism
and unilateralism,'' he said
He said that China remains the
world largest developing country,
saying ''China's status and identity
as a developing country have not
changed.''
''China has always been a member
of the Global South and will always
stand with developing countries,''
he said.
The Global Development Initiative
(GDI) meeting at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday
agreed to uphold multilateralism,
reform and improve global governance,
promote open and inclusive development
and safeguard the common interests
of the international community,
particularly economic developing,
economic less developed or economic
underdeveloped countries in the
Global South that includes Africa,
Latin America, and Asia.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam
calls for reform of
the United Nations
after endorsement
of China's global
governance
|
|

|
State
President Luong Cuong
at the 80th Session
of the United Nations
General Assembly in
New York on Tuesday
September 23, 2025
|
|
From News Reports:
New York, September 26: Vietnam
called for the reform of multilateral
institutions including the United
Nations at the 80th session of the
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, after
the United Nations endorsement of
the China proposal for global governance
and the United States saying ''the
United Nations is funding an assault
on Western countries and their border,''
reports the Vietnam News.
United Nations Secretary General,
Antonio Guterres endorsed the proposal
for Global Governance Initiative
(GGI) initiated by Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) general secretary President
of China, Xi Jinping, at the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) earlier
this month, saying ''the Global
Governance Initiative (GGI) is anchored
in multilateralism.''
''The Global Governance Initiative
(GGI) underscores the importance
of safeguarding the international
system with the United Nations
at its core and the international
order underpinned by international
law,'' he said.
Vietnam President, Luong Cuong,
called for the reform of multilateral
institutions including the United
Nations at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) including
the reform of international financial
and monetary system.
The Global Governance Initiative
(GGI) proposed by China President
XI Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) was also endorsed
by the Secretary General of the
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN), Dr Kao Kim Horne
and six of ten ASEAN member nations,
Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam and
19 Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) members, observer, and dialogue
partners including India and Russia
and including former Premier of
the state of Victoria, Australia,
Daniel Andrews, member of the
Socialist Left faction of the
Australia Labor Party (ALP).
United States President Donald
Trump said in his speech at the
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York on Tuesday,
''a dramatically better future
is within our reach, but to get
there, we must reject the failed
approaches of the past and work
together to confront some of the
greatest threats in history.''
''Not only is the United Nations
not solving the problems it should,
too often it actually creates
new problems for us to solve,''
he said.
He said the best example is the
number one political issue of
our time, the crisis of uncontrolled
migration, saying ''it's uncontrolled.''
''your countries are being ruined,''
he said.
He said the United Nations is
funding an assault on Western
countries and their border, saying
''in 2024 the United Nations budgeted
$372 million in cash assistance
to support an estimated 624,000
migrants journeying into the United
States.''
''The UN is supporting people
that are illegally coming into
the United States and then we
have to get them out,'' he said.
United States President Donald
Trump said at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New
York on Tuesday, ''
the United Nations also provides
food, shelter, transportation,
and debit cards to illegal aliens,
saying ''can you believe that,
on the way to infiltrate our southern
border.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
U.S.
questions United Nations
role in endorsement
of China's proposal
for global governance
|
|

|
United
States President Donald
Trump at the 80th
anniversary of the
establishment of the
United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) in
New York on Tuesday
September 23, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
New York, September 25: United
States President Donald Trump
asked United Nations officials
Heads of State and Governments
at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) in New York on
Tuesday ...''whether the United
Nations can manage to play a productive
role,'' said President Donald
Trump in response to the
United Nations endorsement of
the proposal by China for global
governance, reports the United
Nations General Assembly.
''I've come here today to offer
the hand of American leadership
and friendship to any nation in
this assembly that is willing
to join us in forging a safer,
more prosperous world,'' said
United States President Donald
Trump.
United Nations Secretary General,
Antonio Guterres endorsed the
proposal for Global Governance
Initiative (GGI) initiated by
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
general secretary President of
China, Xi Jinping, at the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO)
earlier this month, saying ''the
Global Governance Initiative (GGI)
is anchored in multilateralism.''
''The Global Governance Initiative
(GGI) underscores the importance
of safeguarding the international
system with the United Nations
at its core and the international
order underpinned by international
law,'' he said.
The Global Governance Initiative
(GGI) proposed by China President
XI Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) was endorsed
by the Secretary General of the
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN), Dr Kao Kim Horne
, including six of ten ASEAN member
nations, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam and
19 Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) members, observer, and dialogue
partners including India and Russia
and including former Premier of
the state of Victoria, Australia,
Daniel Andrews.
United States President Donald
Trump said in his speech at the
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York on Tuesday,
''a dramatically better future
is within our reach, but to get
there, we must reject the failed
approaches of the past and work
together to confront some of the
greatest threats in history.''
''Not only is the United Nations
not solving the problems it should,
too often it actually creates
new problems for us to solve,''
he said.
He said the best example is the
number one political issue of
our time, the crisis of uncontrolled
migration, saying ''it's uncontrolled.''
''your countries are being ruined,''
he said.
He said the United Nations is
funding an assault on Western
countries and their border, saying
''in 2024 the United Nations budgeted
$372 million in cash assistance
to support an estimated 624,000
migrants journeying into the United
States.''
''The UN is supporting people
that are illegally coming into
the United States and then we
have to get them out,'' he said.
United States President Donald
Trump said at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New
York on Tuesday, ''
the United Nations also provided
food, shelter, transportation,
and debit cards to illegal aliens,
saying ''can you believe that,
on the way to infiltrate our southern
border.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia's
Labor Party votes
for statehood for
Palestine against
United States long-standing
US policy
|
|

|
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
on Monday September
22, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
New York, September 24: Australia,
UK, Canada, France, Andorra, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and
Portugal recognised Palestine
as a sovereign state at the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on Monday, bringing member countries
for Palestine as a sovereign state
to 157 of 193 UNGA members, with
UN secretary-general António
Guterres saying "statehood
for the Palestinians is a right,
not a reward," and the United
States saying that statehood for
Palestine is against long-standing
US policy, reports Rueters.
Australian Labor Party (ALP) centre-left,
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,
said "in recognising Palestine
as a sovereign state, Australia
recognises the legitimate and
long-held aspirations of the Palestinian
people.''
'He said Palestine statehood means
more than a seat, a vote in the
United Nations Security Council
(UNSC), saying 'it means real
hope for a place they can call
home.''
"This is the same hope that
sustained generations of Jewish
people,'' he said.
Opposition Australian Liberal
Party (ALP) centre-right, leader,
Sussan Ley, assured Republican
Party United States, right, members
of congress ahead of the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on Monday ''a coalition government
would revoke Australia's formal
recognition of Palestine''.
She assured Republican Party United
States, right, members of congress
that the opposition Australian
Liberal Party (ALP) centre-right,
who had advised Australian Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese and
leaders of the UK and Canada that
their countries could be penalized
for recognizing Palestine, that
a coalition government would revoke
Australia's formal recognition
of Palestine.
"Proceeding with recognition
will put your country at odds
with long-standing US policy and
interests and may invite punitive
measures in response," said
the United States Republicans.
Australia's Labor Party (ALP)
centre-left, foreign minister,
Penny Wong, reversed the previous
Australian Liberal Party (ALP)
centre-right recognition of West
Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
in October 2022, 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
"Australias 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 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
Philippines
demand prosecution
for embezzlement of
government funds for
ghost flood control
projects
|
|

|
Thousands
of Filipino's at Rizal
Park, Luneta in Manila
in the 'Trillion Peso
March' demanding prosecution
and jail for those
involved in the embezzlement
of trillions of peso's
from government funds
for ghost flood control
projects on Sunday,
September 21, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, September 23: Thousands
of Filipino's took to the streets
in metro Manila in the 'Trillion
Peso March' on the 53rd anniversary
of the declaration of Martial
Law, demanding prosecution for
those involved in the embezzlement
of government funds for ghost
flood control projects, with Mamamayang
Liberal (ML) party-list representative,
Leila de Lima, saying ''the 'Trillion
Peso March' highlights the need
to remember Martial Law abuses,'
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''The rally highlights not only
the need to remember Martial Law
abuses but also growing outrage
over corruption,'' she said.
''The Trillion Peso March is a
peaceful rally to express anger
and demands action and is the
right process,'' she said.
''Anything less than prosecuting
and jailing the corrupt will not
satisfy the people,'' said Mamamayang
Liberal (ML) party-list representative,
Leila de Lima.
Thousands of Filipino's in the
Visayan cities of Cebu, Bacolod,
Iloilo, Tagbilaran and Tacloban,
also took to the streets in a
local version of the ''Trillion
Peso March'' demanding accountability
and punishment for those involved
in the embezzlement of three trillion
peso's in government funds for
ghost flood control projects that
have left residents stranded.
Participants in the ''Trillion
Peso March'' demanded imprisonment
and the death penalty for those
in both the government and the
private sector who have embezzled
trillions of peso's in public
funds meant for flood control
projects.
Philippines President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr, press officer, Claire
Castro, said ''the President is
not afraid that these protests
could escalate into his dismissal.''
She said that President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr is monitoring the protests
conducted nationwide, saying ''despite
calls for his resignation he is
confident of completing his term.''
''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr,
called on Filipino's to express
their anger against all those
involved in the systemic corruption
in the government,'' she said.
The Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) is investigating
the embezzlement of government
funds in ghost flood control projects
in Bulacan.
Wawao Builders Corporation is
among 15 contractors under investigation
for embezzled of about P100 billion
or 20 percent of almost 10,000
flood control projects from July
2022 to May 2025.
Wawao Builders Corporation president,
Mark Allan Villamor Arevalo, was
invited to attend a Senate Committee
inquiry, with the inquiry Senator
Rodante Marcoleta, saying "no
reply as of now.''
Wawao Builders won P9-billion
for flood control contracts nationwide
including 85 projects amounting
to P5.971 billion.
The
Southeast Asian Times
King
of Thailand endorses
convicted drug smuggler
to new Bhumjaithai
Party cabinet
|
|

|
Thamanat
Prompow, 60, was appointed
Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Agriculture
and Cooperatives in
the new pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party
cabinet Bangkok, Saturday
September 20, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 22: The appointment
of 36 new Cabinet members by the
new pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party
leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, includes
pro-monarchy Palang Pracharath party
(PPRP) former Minister of Agriculture
and Cooperatives, Thammanat Prompao,
60, who was appointed Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Agriculture
and Cooperatives, receiving Royal
endorsement despite serving a four-year
prison sentence for drug smuggling
in Australia in 1994, reports Bangkok
Post.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
endorsed 36 Cabinet members who
hold 41 seats from three coalition
parties, with 12 Bhumjaithai Party
members holding 14 seats, 7 Kla
Tham members holding 8 seats,
4 pro-monarchy, pro-Royal Thai
Armed Forces Palang Pracharath
party (PPRP) members holding 4
seats, 3 pro-monarchy, pro-Royal
Thai Armed Forces Ruam Thai Sang
Chart members holding 4 seats,
1 Pheu Thai Party member holding
1 seat, and nine with no political
party membership appointed by
Bhumjaithais quotas holding
10 seats.
Thammanat Prompao, 60, who was appointed
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Agriculture and Cooperatives
by the new Bhumjaithai Party leader,
Anutin Charnvirakul, had pleaded
guilty to heroin trafficking in
Sydney in Australia in 1991.
Thammanat Prompao, 60, also known
as Tamant Prompow, Yuthaphum Bophlom,
Manat Bophlom, and Patchara Prompao,
spent four years of a six year sentence
in a Sydney jail for trafficking
in heroin with a street value of
$4.1 million was deported on his
release on April 14, 1997.
In July 2020 the then opposition
Move Forward Party Member of Parliament,
Pita Limjaroenrat, submitted a motion
for impeachment of Member of Parliament,
Thammanat Prompao under Section
98(10) of the constitution that
prohibited anyone found guilty of
a narcotics trafficking offence
from standing for election to parliament.
On May 5, 2021 the Constitutional
Court rejected the coalition of
opposition members of parliament
lead by then Move Forward Party
(MFP), submission to expel the
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives,
Thammanat Prompao, from the Thailand
parliament, saying that the Minister
is qualified to hold a position
in the parliament despite his
conviction and imprisonment in
Australia for trafficking in heroin.
The Consititution Court ruled
that a conviction must be made
in a Thai court not a foreign
court in order for Thammanat Prompao
to be disqualified from a position
as Member of Parliament and cabinet
member.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China
stands to lose from
a Mutual Defence Treaty
between Australia
and Papua New Guinea
|
|

|
Australia
Prime Minister, Anthony
Albanese, left, and
Papua New Guinea Prime
Minister, James Marape,
right, sign a joint
communique agreeing
to the new Mutual
Defence Treaty after
the Papua New Guinea
cabinet failed to
achieve quorum on
Monday, reportedly
due to Papua New Guinea
Independence celebrations,
Wednesday September
17, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 21: Australia
and Papua New Guinea signed a joint
communique agreeing to the
the new Mutual Defence Treaty after
the Papua New Guinea cabinet failed
to achieve quorum on Monday, reportedly
due to
Papua New Guinea Independence celebrations,
with China saying, ''China expects
Papua News Guinea to work with China
to maintain strong bilateral relations,''
and with the Lowy Institute saying
''China is the only party that would
stand to lose from a Mutual Defence
Treaty between Australia and Papua
News Guinea, reports the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation.
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson,
Lin Jian said ''the Mutual Defence
Treaty should not restrict or prevent
a sovereign country from cooperation
with a third party.''
The Papua New Guinea cabinet is
yet to approve the new Mutual Defence
Treaty that ensures that any activities,
agreements or arrangements with
third parties would not compromise
the ability of either of the Parties
to implement the Treaty.
The new Mutual Defence Treaty agrees
that an armed attack on Australia
or Papua New Guinea would be a danger
to the peace and security of both
countries.
The new Mutual Defence Treaty aims
to ''strengthen and expand defence
cooperation with enhanced capability,
interoperability and integration
ensuring that any activities, agreements
or arrangements with third parties
would not compromise the ability
of either of the Parties to implement
the Treaty.''
''Papua New Guinea reaffirms absolute
respect for both countries' absolute
respect for sovereignty, independence
and territorial integrity,'' states
the new Mutual Defence Treaty.
China Foreign Ministry spokesman,
Lin Jian, said ''China respects
Papua New Guineas right to
enter a bilateral treaty with any
country voluntarily.''
''However, the Mutual Defence Treaty
should not be exclusive in nature,''
said spokesman, Lin Jian
''The Mutual Defence Treaty should
not restrict or prevent a sovereign
country from cooperating with a
third party,'' said spokesperson,
Lin Jian.
''The treaty should not target any
third party or undermine its legitimate
rights and interests,'' said spokesperson,
Lin Jian.
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson,
Lin Jian, said that the China expected
Papua New Guinea to continue to
uphold its independence and self-reliance.'
''China expects Papua News Guinea
to work with China to maintain strong
bilateral relations,'' said China
Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin
Jian,
Pacific Island Countries (PICs)
programme at the Lowy Institute
Program Director, Mihai Sora, said
in May, 2025 Papua New Guineas
50th anniversary of independence
from Australia in September 2025
offers both nations a symbolic milestone
to showcase their enduring partnership.
''It is an opportunity to cement
ties in an atmosphere of mutual
respect, helping to dispel the perceptions
of neocolonial interference that
defence negotiations may trigger,''
he said.
"China is the only party that
would stand to lose from a Mutual
Defence Treaty between Australia
and Papua New Guinea," he said.
"It would be naive to think
that China hasn't been lobbying
intensively this year against the
Mutual Defence Treaty," he
said, describing it as a "diplomatic
knife fight in the Pacific."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesian
legislators drafting
Bill for cap on share
of fares for ''Ojol''
online motorcycle
taxi drivers
|
|

|
''Ojol''
online motorcycle
taxi drivers at the
House of Representatives
in Jakarta on Wednesday
September 17, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 20: The Indonesian
House of Representatives (DPR)
is drafting a Bill to protect
informal workers including ''Ojol''
online motorcycle taxi drivers'
who called for the prosecution
for the death of an ''Ojol'' killed
during protests last month, reports
the Jakarta Post.
House of Representatives (DPR)
chairman, Bob Hasan, said on Wednesday
that the proposal for regulations
to protect ''Ojol'' online motorcycle
taxi drivers, who called for a
cap on the share of fares for
each job at 10 percent, is on
the list for deliberation in 2026.
''The proposed regulations are
aimed at protecting informal workers,''
he said.
''The House of Representatives
would begin drafting the Bill
on Thursday in a session to be
attended by Law Minister Supratman
Andi Agtas,'' he said.
Hundreds of 'Ojol'' online motorcycle
taxi drivers want legislators
to cap the share of fares for
each job at 10 percent,'' saying
''the cap at 10 percent would
allow drivers to keep 90 percent
of the fare compared with the
80 percent currently received.''
The ''Ojol'' online motorcycle
taxi drivers also demanded that
the Indonesian National Police
prosecute those responsible for
the death of ''Ojol'' online motorcycle
taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan,
21, who was killed in a protest
against economic inequality on
August 28.
''Ojol'' online motorcycle taxi
driver, Affan Kurniawan, 21, died
in Central Jakarta after he was
struck by a National Police Mobile
Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle
during protests demanding that
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
revoke the law that had allowed
580 members of the House of Representatives
a housing allowance of 50 million
rupiah ($4,739) per month since
September 2024.
Thousands of students began protesting
at Parliament House on August 25
moving on to the Jakarta Police
Headquarters on August 29 after
''Ojol'' online motorcycle taxi
driver, Affan Kurniawan, 21, was
struck by a National Police Mobile
Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle
during violent clashes between the
police and students on August 28.
Affan Kurniawan, 21, died in hospital
from his injuries, with the Indonesian
Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) deputy
chairperson for research, Arif
Maulana, urging the Indonesian
National Police to investigate
his death.
''Police had fired water canon
and tear gas to move the protesters
at Parliament House in Jakarta,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australian
flag lowered not buried
at Papua New Guinea
commemoration of 50th
anniversary of independence
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British
Prince Edward, the
Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Edward was
presented with the
Australian flag in
commemoration of the
50th anniversary of
Independence of Papua
New Guinea in Port
Moresby on Wednesday
September 16, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 19: The
Australian flag was lowered in commemoration
of the 50th anniversary of Independence
in the capital of Papua New Guinea,
Port Moresby on Tuesday with Papua
New Guinea Prime Minister, James
Marape, reaffirming the commitment
made on 16 September 1975 by the
then Papua New Guinea governor general
''we are lowering the Australian
flag, not burying it,'' reports
the National.
''At one minute past midnight
on 16 September 1975, our first
governor general, Sir John Guise,
declared to the world, Papua New
Guinea is now independent,'' said
Prime Minister James Marape.
Prime Minister James Marape, said
the first governor general of Papua
New Guinea, Sir John Guise, said
''we are lowering the Australian
flag, not burying it.''
''Out of many, we became one,
united under a single flag that
was hoisted for the first time,
said Papua New Guinea Prime Minster
James Marape.
Prime Minister James Marape said
the words of the first governor
general of Papua New Guinea, Sir
John Guise ''captured the goodwill
in which independence was born not
out of anger, but out of respect,
humility, and faith in the future
of Papua New Guinea.''
Australian Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese said both Papua New Guinea
and Australia shared a deep history,
saying ''fifty years ago, on this
very ground in Port Moresby, former
Australia Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
stood side by side with Papua New
Guineas first Prime Minister,
Sir Michael Somare to mark the birth
of Papua New Guinea as an independent
country.''
''Now, the Papua New Guinea flag
proudly flies on these grounds,''
he said.
''Today we honour the rich history
and the deep ties between our
nation built on shared history,
values and an enduring bond,''
said Australian Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese.
Papua New Guinea Governor-General,
Sir Bob Dadae, said after the Australian
flag was lowered and presented to
the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward,
''Papua New Guinea is deeply honoured
by the presence of your Royal Highness
on the 50th anniversary of Papua
New Guinea Independence.''
''His Majesty, the King has been
gracious, and as a nation, sharing
this special occasion in your
presence, is significant to our
50th Independence anniversary
celebrations,'' said Papua New
Guinea Governor-General Sir Bob
Dadae.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese, Solomon Islands Prime
Minister Jeremiah Manele, Cook Islands
prime minister Mark Brown and Palaus
president Surangel Whipps Jr. His
Royal Highness Prince Edward, the
Duke of Edinburgh, and Tongas
Crown Prince Tupoutoa Ulukalala
including Minister of State for
External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita
who represented India Prime Minister
Narendra Damodardas Modi also attended
50th anniversary of Independence
in Papua New Guinea.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia
and Papua New Guinea
agree on text of new
Bilateral Security
Treaty without the
word alliance
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Australia
Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese, left, and
Papua New Guinea Prime
Minister, James Marape,
right, at the lowering
of the Australian
flag and raising of
the Papua New Guinea
flag in Port Moresby
Tuesday September
16, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 18: Australia
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,
and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, signed a joint communique
agreeing to the text of the new
Bilateral Security Treaty (BST)
that excludes the word alliance
after approval was delayed by the
Papua New Guinea cabinet on Monday,
reportedly due to Papua New Guinea
Independence celebrations, reports
Reuters.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese said that the Papua New
Guinea's cabinet could not reach
quorum to approve the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST), that recognised
that an armed attack on Australia
or Papua New Guinea would be a danger
to the peace and security of both
countries, on Monday.
''Ministers were absent on Monday
due to the 50th anniversary commemorations,''
said Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese.
The Papua New Guinea cabinet is
yet to approve the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) that includes
''strengthening and expanding defence
cooperation through enhanced capability,
interoperability and integration,
ensuring any activities, agreements
or arrangements with third parties
would not compromise the ability
of either of the Parties to implement
the Treaty.''
''Papua New Guinea reaffirms absolute
respect for both countries' absolute
respect for sovereignty, independence
and territorial integrity,'' states
the new Bilateral Security Treaty
(BST) .
Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy
Institute Program Director, Mihai
Sora, said in May, 2025 Papua New
Guineas 50th anniversary of
independence from Australia in September
2025 offers both nations a symbolic
milestone to showcase their enduring
partnership.
''It is an opportunity to cement
ties in an atmosphere of mutual
respect, helping to dispel the perceptions
of neocolonial interference that
defence negotiations may trigger,''
he said.
"China is the only party that
would stand to lose from a mutual
defence arrangement between Australia
and Papua New Guinea," he said.
"It would be naive to think
that China hasn't been lobbying
intensively this year against the
treaty," he said, describing
it as a "diplomatic knife fight
in the Pacific."
On February 20, 2025 the new proposed
Bilateral Security Treaty (BST)
was rejected by Papua New Guinea
over sovereignty concerns over the
use of the word alliance in the
proposed treaty, with Papua New
Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape
saying then ''Papua New Guinea did
not agree on certain words used
in the revised June 10, 2023 Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST).
"Papua New Guinea felt that
the word alliance encroach on our
sovereign rights," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia
asks if new PNG Security
Treaty includes clause
against PNG security
Treaty with China
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Papua
New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, left,
Australia Prime Minister,
Anthony Albanese ,
centre and British
Prince Edward, Duke
of Edinburgh, celebrate
50th anniversary of
Papua New Guinea independence
in Port Moresby Monday
September 15, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 17: Prime
Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese,
arrived in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday
to attend celebrations for the 50th
anniversary of the independence
of Papua New Guinea from Australia
and to sign the new Bilateral Security
Treaty (BST), with the Lowy Institute
asking ''if the agreement includes
a clause that meant Papua New Guinea
could not pursue similar deals with
other countries such as China,''
reports Australian Associated Press.
''The landmark agreement will
integrate forces on either side
of the Torres Strait and could
trigger mutual support in cases
of conflict,'' said Prime Minister
of Australia Anthony Albanese.
''The new Bilateral Security Treaty
will also enable Papua New Guinea
nationals to serve in Australia's
defence force with the same pay
as other members and start a pathway
to citizenship,'' he said.
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony
Albanese said the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) is an upgrade
in our security relationship to
a treaty level, saying ''the sort
of level that we have with the
United States and our important
allies.''
Lowy Institute Research fellow,
Oliver Nobetau, said ''the new
Bilateral Security Treaty (BST)
is Papua New Guinea's first defence
agreement with another nation
and deeply significant for the
nation.''
''The world is waiting to learn
if it includes an exclusivity
clause that meant Papua New Guinea
could not pursue similar deals
with other countries such as China,''
he said.
"We can define that as a
sort of holy grail of security
partnerships in the Pacific and
if you can get that, it can signal
a return to greater regional stability,"
said Lowy Institute Research fellow
Oliver Nobetau.
He said that Papua New Guinea is
one of three nations in the Pacific
with a military alongside Fiji and
Tonga, saying ''Papua New Guinea
viewed itself as a big brother in
the Pacific and was seeking a more
dominant role as it marked 50 years
since gaining independence from
Australia,'' he said.
''We may see Papua New Guinea
play a greater role in influencing
other countries as well,"
he said.
Australia Monash University historian
of development, empire and decolonisation
on Australia's role in the Asia-Pacific
Nick Ferns, said ''the Papua New
Guinea school curriculum did not
focus on Australia as a colonial
power.''
''When I speak to Papua New Guineas
teachers and I spend time harping
about Australia governing Papua
New Guinea Im often met
with surprise,'' he said.
He said that World War II history
of Australians fighting along
the Kokoda Track and elsewhere
in Papua New Guinea all happened
on what was then deemed to be
Australian territory.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Seven
years in prison for
criticism of Myanmar
military under new
rules ahead of general
elections in December
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Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar deputy
chief Soe Win, Prime
Minister Nyo Saw,
Chief Executive Aung
Lin Dwe, and officials
and Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar chief Min
Aung Hlaing on Saturday
August 30. 2025
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, September 16: Ko Nay
Thway, 36, who was sentenced to
seven years in prison with hard
labour in the Taunggyi township
court in the Shan state of Myanmar
for allegedly criticising the
ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, is the first to be
charged under the new ''Law on
the Protection of Multiparty Democratic
Elections from Obstruction, Disruption
and Destruction,'' that was introduced
in August 2025 ahead of the Myanmar
general elections scheduled for
December 2025, reports the Associated
Press.
The ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar that forcibly took
over the elected League for Democracy
(NLD) government on February 1,
2021, charged Ko Nay Thway, 36,
for posting a video deemed critical
of the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar on his facebook account
''Lashio Baegyi'' on August 25.
Ko Nay Thway, 36, showed a video
of a car robbery that involved
an assault on a female driver
on his facebook account that has
since been removed.
He criticised the ruling Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar for
urging the people of Myanamar
to partake in the upcoming December
2025 elections without first ensuring
safety in urban areas.
''Look at it with your own eyes,''
he said.
''If you want the votes from the
people, think of serving the people,''
he said.
The ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, State Administration
Council (SAC) chairman, Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing, signed
the new ''Law on the Protection
of Multiparty Democratic Elections
from Obstruction, Disruption and
Destruction,'' in Naypyitaw on
Tuesday 29 July 2025 saying ''anyone
who orates, speaks, organizes,
incites, protests or distributes
letters to disrupt any part of
the electoral process shall be
punished with three years to 10
years in prison including a fine.''
''Anyone who threatens, obstructs,
abuses or severely hurts any personnel
of the election commission, candidates
or voters could be sentenced to
three years to life in prison,''
states the new law.
''Whoever destroys or damages
any equipment or materials used
in elections, including ballot
papers, or any related building
or structure, could get five years
to life in prison,'' states the
new law.
''If the action results in the
death of a person, each person
involved shall be sentenced to
death,'' states the new law.
''A security committees will be
formed to monitor the activities
of internal and international
organizations that may threaten
security during the election period,''
states the new law.
The Union Election Commission
(UEC) of Myanmar said on Tuesday
that the Union Election Commission
(UEC) had revoked registration
and dissolved four political parties
for failing to meet the required
number of party members and party
office.
About 60 political parties including
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP)
have registered to stand for election
in December 2025.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia
and Papua New Guinea
sign new Bilateral
Security Treaty to
protect each others
territories
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Papua
New Guinea Minister
for Defence, Billy
Joseph, said ''Australia
is secure when Papua
New Guinea is secure,
and Papua New Guinea
is secure when Australia
is secure,'' at the
Australian Strategic
Policy Institute ASPI
defence conference
in Canberra Wednesday
June 4, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 15: Australia
and Papua New Guinea will be totally
integrated in the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) to be signed
by the Australian Defence Force
(ADF) and Papua New Guinea Defence
Force (PNGDF) today, with Papua
New Guinea Defence Minister, Billy
Joseph saying ''the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) was a mutual
defence treaty that would see Australia
and Papua New Guinea together defend
each others territories,''
reports the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation.
''Were not talking about interoperability,
were talking about totally
integrated forces,'' he said.
''The new Bilateral Security Treaty
(BST) will allow the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) to recruit Papua
New Guinea citizens and the Papua
New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF)
to recruit Australian citizens.''
''Australian Defence Force (ADF)
and Papua New Guinea Defence Force
(PNGDF) will be working together,
using the same equipment, fighting
together, defending our sovereignties
as an integrated force,'' he said.
Papua New Guinea Defence Minister,
Billy Joseph, said the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) between Australia
and Papua New Guinea would contain
an article similar to Article Four
of North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) founding treaty, saying ''NATO
member countries must consult when
any of them feels their territorial
integrity, political independence
or security is threatened.''
''I expect unanimous support for
the agreement within Papua New Guineas
parliament that will need to ratify
the agreement for it to take effect,''
he said.
In February 2025 Australia's Defence
Minister, Richard Marles, and Papua
New Guinea Defence Minister, Billy
Joseph, agreed that a new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST), would build
on the Bilateral Security Treaty
(BST), that was proposed on June
10, 2023, saying that the new Bilateral
Security Treaty (BST) would enhance
strategic cooperation between Papua
New Guinea and Australia in accordance
with the August 5, 2020 Comprehensive
Strategic and Economic Partnership
(CSEP) agreement.
The proposed Bilateral Security
Treaty (BST) on June 10, 2023 was
rejected by Papua New Guinea over
sovereignty concerns in the wording
of the proposed treaty, with Papua
New Guinea Prime Minister, James
Marape saying then ''Papua New Guinea
did not agree on certain words used
in the June 10, 2023 Bilateral Security
Treaty (BST).
"Papua New Guinea felt that
the wording encroach on our sovereign
rights," he said.
"Australia's Defence Minister,
Richard Marles, acknowledged that
both Papua New Guinea and Australia
had to agree on the wording in the
Bilateral Security Treaty (BST),"
saying ''there was no timeframe
set for the signing of the Bilateral
Security Treaty
He said then that Papua New Guinea
and Australia are trying to elevate
the defence security cooperation
agreement to a Bilateral Security
Treaty (BST) level.
"Treaties have stringent requirements
and processes to be followed,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
U.S.
supports Philippines
protest against China
plan for nature reserve
in West Philippine
Sea
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Department
of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) spokesperson,
Angelica Escalona,
said the Philippine
government strongly
protests China's establishment
of the ''Huangyan
Island National Nature
Reserve'' on the Scarborough
Shoal in the West
Philippine Sea Wednesday
September 10, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Manila, September 14: The U.S.
Secretary of State supports the
Philippines protest against the
approved by the State Council
of the People's Republic of China
for a nature reserve on the disputed
Scarborough Shoal in the West
Philippine Sea, saying ''this
is yet another coercive attempt
to advance Chinas interests
at the expense of its neighbours
and regional stability,'' reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
''The U.S. stands with our Philippine
ally in rejecting Chinas
destabilizing plans to establish
a national nature reserve at Scarborough
Reef,'' said U.S. Secretary of
State, Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.
The State Council of the People's
Republic of China announced plans
for a nature reserve to maintain
diversity, stability and sustainability
of the natural ecosystem of Huangyan
Island, the China name for Scarborough
Shoal or the Panatag Shoal or
Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine
Sea on Wednesday.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson Lin Jian, said "the
establishment of a national-level
nature reserve on Huangyan Island
falls within China's sovereignty.''
"China does not accept the
Philippines unreasonable accusations
and protests, and urges the Philippine
side to cease its infringements
and provocations,'' he said.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
spokesperson, Angelica Escalona,
said the Philippine government strongly
protests the approval by the State
Council of China for the establishment
of the ''Huangyan Island National
Nature Reserve'' on the Scarborough
Shoal or the Panatag Shoal or Bajo
de Masinloc in the West Philippine
Sea.
''Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding
and integral part of the Philippines
over which it has sovereignty and
jurisdiction,'' said spokesperson,
Angelica Escalona.
''The Philippines likewise has
the exclusive authority to establish
environmental protection areas
over its territory and relevant
maritime zones, said spokesperson,
Angelica Escalona.
Spokesperson, Angelica Escalona,
said ''the Philippines will be
issuing a formal diplomatic protest
against this illegitimate and
unlawful action by China as it
clearly infringes upon the rights
and interests of the Philippines
in accordance with international
law.''
Australia's Western Sydney University
School of Law, Lowell Bautista,
said ''China's announcement for
a nature reserve on the disputed
Scarborough Shoal was less about
environmental stewardship than
power and control.''
"International law and the
2016 arbitral tribunal ruling
makes clear that Beijing has no
lawful basis to impose conservation
measures or regulate activities
in these waters," he said.
"By cloaking its actions
in the language of environmental
protection, China is entrenching
its administrative grip, marginalising
Filipino fishers who have traditionally
relied on the shoal, and reinforcing
its contested claims,'' he said.
"The result is not genuine
conservation, but the further
consolidation of China's presence
and the erosion of the rights
of other coastal states in the
South China Sea,'' said Australia's
Western Sydney University School
of Law, Lowell Bautista.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
ruled in favour of the Philippines
against China's claim of "historic
rights" over the South China
Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague decision followed
the Philippine complaint in 2013
that called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with
China over the right to exploit
natural resources inluding fish
in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled
in 2016 that China has violated
the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
by invoking "historic rights"
in its claim over the West Phillipine
Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruling
saying that "the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
New
pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
government calls for
referendum to determine
new Thailand constitution
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Newly
elected Prime Minister
Anutin Charnvirakul
pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party calls for referendum
to determine amendments
to the 2017 Royal
Thai Armed Forces
(RTAF) drafted Constitution
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 13: Pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin
Charnvirakul, who was voted the
32nd Prime Minister of Thailand
on September 5 with 311 votes, more
than double the votes received by
anti-monarchy Shinawatra Pheu Thai
Party of 152 and 27 abstentions,
called for a public referendum to
determine whether the Thai people
agree to a new constitution, reports
the Bangkok Post.
'Constitutional amendment is a core
policy of the government led by
the Bhumjaithai Party,'' said Bhumjaithai
Party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul.
''A public referendum must first
be held to determine whether the
people agree that a new constitution
should be written,'' he said.
He said the Constitutional Court
ruled on Wednesday that Parliament
has the authority to initiate a
new constitution, saying ''but this
must be preceded by a referendum.''
''The initiation of a new constitution
must be preceded by a referendum
to confirm whether the public agree
to adopt a new Constitution,'' he
said.
On Wednesday the Constitutional
Court ruled by a majority of 5 to
2 that under the 2017 Constitution,
Parliament has the authority to
initiate a new constitution, saying
that the initiation or the aspiration
for a new constitution must be followed
by a public referendum in order
to obtain public approval first.
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.''
In December 2024 the anti-monarchy
Shinawatra, Pheu Thai Party, said
the 2017 Royal Thai Armed Forces
(RTAF) drafted Constitution should
be amended section by section, saying
''amendment of the Constitution
section by section would avoid having
to conduct a referendum.''
The anti-monarchy Shinawatra Pheu
Thai Party said ''a referendum presents
insurmountable legal and technical
hurdles in passing a wholesale constitutional
amendment,''
''The bill to prepare the groundwork
for a referendum appears to be giving
lawmakers more trouble than they
need,'' he said.
Shinawatra Pheu Thai Party said
then that at least three referendums
must be organised with an approval
vote before major changes can be
made to the 2017 Royal Thai Armed
Forces (RTAF) drafted Constitution.
''Concern is growing that the process
of arranging the referendums that
mandate sweeping charter amendment
and rewriting the Constitution cannot
be completed in time,'' he said.
Former deputy prime minister Wissanu
Krea-ngam, said then that the best
option was to rewrite the Constitution
section by section, saying, ''rewriting
the Constitution does not require
a referendum.
"If we go down the path of
a referendum, we are bound to run
into a debate about how many must
conducted,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Assets
linked to Malaysia
fugitive financier
used for election
campaign to re elect
U.S. President Barack
Obama
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Former
Wall Street Journal
reporters, Bradley
Hope and Tom Wright,
who played a central
role in exposing the
misappropriation of
1Malaysia Development
Berhad (1MDB) funds,
claim that Low Taek
Jho is residing in
a mansion in Green
Hills in Shanghai
.''Low Taek Jho is
living under a fake
identity in Shanghai
using a forged Australian
passport in the name
of Constantinos Achilles
Veis,'' claimed the
former Wall Street
Journal reporters
on Saturday July 19,
2025
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From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 12: Assets
worth millions of dollars linked
to Malaysian fugitive financier,
Low Taek Jho, who was convicted
in absentia by the Kuala Lumpur
High Court in 2022 for the disposal
of assets involved in the 1Malaysia
Development Berhad (1MDB) state
subsidiary SRS International Sdn
Bhd funds that included conspiring
to make and conceal foreign and
conduit campaign contributions during
the United States former President
Barack Obama, Democratic Party,
presidential election , have been
repatriated to the 1Malaysia Development
Berhad (1MDB) Asset Recovery Trust
Account, reports the Star.
In October 2022 the Kuala Lumpur
High Court sentenced Malaysian fugitive
financiers Low Taek Jho and his
father Larry Low Hock Pen, to prison
in absentia for contempt of court
for the disposal of assets involved
in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad
(1MDB) state subsidiary SRS International
Sdn Bhd funds trial that found ousted
former Prime Minister Najib Razak
guilty of misappropriating funds.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) said in a statement on Wednesday
that the recovered assets totalling
US$8.57million (RM39.1million) are
the result of the Global Diversified
Investment (GDI) forfeiture settlement
with Malaysian fugitive financier,
Low Taek Jho, by the United States
Department of Justice (DOJ).
"Other accounts belonging to
Low Taek Jho family members are
also scheduled for repatriation
in the near future," the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
said in a statement.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) said recovered assets totalling
US$8.57million (RM39.1million) together
with the recent US$330million (RM1.4billion)
settlement with JPMorgan Chase and
Co, brings the total amount of assets
recovered by Malaysia to (RM31.19billion.)
"In total, US authorities have
secured over US$1.5billion linked
to Low Taek Jho, with a significant
portion of these funds already returned
to Malaysia," said the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
In June 2024 the United States Department
of Justice (DoJ) reached agreement
with Malaysian financier fugitive
Low Taek Jho also known as Jho Low,
members of his family, and trust
entities involved in the misappropriation
of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary
SRS International Sdn Bhd funds
under Malaysia's former ousted Prime
Minister Najib Razak.
The United States Department of
Justice (DoJ) said that Malaysian
financier fugitive Low Taek Jho
also known as Jho Low,
faces criminal charges for allegedly
conspiring to launder billions of
dollars embezzled from the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) and for conspiring
to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices
Act (FCPA) by allegedly paying bribes
to various Malaysian and Emirati
officials and for conspiring to
make and conceal foreign and conduit
campaign contributions during the
United States
Barack Obama, Democratic Party,
presidential election in the District
of Columbia in 2012.
Fugitive financiers Low Taek Jho
and his father Larry Low Hock Pen,
allegedly laundered hundreds of
millions of illicit funds in real
estate in the United States, transferring
$85 million to casinos in Las Vegas
in eight months between 2009 and
2010.
The US Justice Department claims
that more than $1.7 billion from
the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)
fund was invested in hotels, luxury
real estate in Manhattan, Beverly
Hills and London including $100
million in the 2013 film The
Wolf of Wall Street" and including
the luxury yacht 'Equanimity' valued
at US$250 million.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Former
PM Thaksin Shinawatra
returns to Thailand
after fleeing for
Dubai for second time
to face court ruling
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Former
Thailand Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinwatra
arrives at the Supreme
Court in Bangkok on
Tuesday September
9, 2025
|
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From News Reports:
Bangkok, September 11: Former Thailand
Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra,
returned to Thailand after fleeing
for Dubai for the second time on
Thursday ahead of the parliamentary
vote for the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party new president on Friday, to
face a Supreme Court Ruling on Tuesday,
reports the Bangkok Post.
Former Prime Minister of Thailand
Thaksin Shinawatra fled Thailand
for Dubai for the first time in
2008 to avoid trial
for nonfeasance and malfeasance
while holding the position of Prime
Minister.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,
returned to Thailand for the second
time to face a Supreme Court ruling
on the accommodation provided for
Thaksin Shinawatra at the Police
General Hospital in Bangkok for
one year rather than a Department
of Corrections (DoC) operated prison
on his return to Thailand from Dubai
for the first time in August 2023..
On Tuesday the Supreme Court ordered
former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
to serve one year in a Department
of Corrections (DoC) operated prison,
rejecting the former Prime Ministers'
transfer to the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok for one year.
A letter of complaint was submitted
to the Office of the Ombudsman in
Bangkok against the Thailand Department
of Corrections and the Police General
Hospital in Bangkok for not cooperating
with an investigation by the National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
and the Medical Council of Thailand
into the accommodation provided
for Thaksin Shinawatra at the Police
General Hospital in Bangkok for
one year rather than a Department
of Corrections (DoC) operated prison
on his return to Thailand for the
first time in August 2023.
Inmates at the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok are legally permitted
to receive treatment outside prison
for 120 days but the Department
of Corrections (DoC) allowed Thaksin
Shinawatra to stay at the Police
General Hospital for 180 days on
his return to Thailand, saying that
conditions in the prison could threaten
his life.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
paid all costs for his six-month
stay at the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok, including a VIP room
on the hospital's 14th floor costing
8,500 baht a night.
The
Southeast Asian Times
MP
in court for violation
of Lese Majeste Law:
Parliamentary privilege
removed after appointment
of pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party leader
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People's
Party MP Chonthicha
Jangrew, left, arrives
at the Bangkok Criminal
Court with former
dissolved Move Forward
Party leader Chaithawat
Tulathon right, on
Monday September 8,
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 10: The Bangkok
Criminal Court sentenced Peoples
Party Member of Parliament for Pathum
Thani, Chonthicha Jangrew, to prison
for violation of the Lese Majeste
law and the Computer Crime Act on
November 8, 2020 on facebook on
Monday, ahead of the appointment
of pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party
leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, as
Prime Minister, with Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, saying ''parliamentary
privilege could not be used in this
case, '' reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn
appointed pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul
as Prime Minister of Thailand and
the removal of anti-monarchy Paetongtarn
Shinawatra as Prime Minister on
Monday, with
Peoples Party Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, for Pathum Thani,
attending the Bangkok Criminal Court
for sentencing for alleged breach
of the Section 112 of the Criminal
Code Lese Majeste law and the Computer
Crime Act on Monday. Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, for Pathum Thani
attended the sentencing at the Bangkok
Criminal Court with Chaithawat Tulathon,
former leader of the dissolved Move
Forward Party.
The Move Forward Party advocated
for the decriminalisation of the
Lese Majeste law that prohibits
defaming, insulting or threatening
the Thai monarchy that was submitted
in a 10 point manifesto to the parliament
in August 2020 by the United Front
of Thammasat and Demonstration and
the Free Youth Movement.
Peoples Party Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, for Pathum Thani,
was charged for violation of the
Lese Majeste Law and the Computer
Crime Act for a facebook posting
on November 8, 2020 ahead of the
pro-democracy Free Youth Movement
protest at Parliament House that
called for members to accept deliberation
of a proposed draft amendment to
the constitution that included monarchy
reform.
The Proposed constitutional amendments
drafted by civil group Internet
Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw), included
amendments to the constitution as
submitted in a 10 point manifesto
to the parliament in August 2020
by the United Front of Thammasat
and Demonstration and the Free Youth
Movement.
On Monday Peoples Party Member
of Parliament, Chonthicha Jangrew,
for Pathum Thani attended the Bangkok
Criminal Court
to face sentencing of four years
in prison reduced to two years and
six months for violation of the
Lese Majeste law and the Computer
Crime Act on November 8, 2020, saying
her ''parliamentary privilege could
not be used in this case.''
Peoples Party Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, for Pathum Thani
referred to the 10 point manifesto
submitted to the parliament in August
2020 by the United Front of Thammasat
and Demonstration and the Free Youth
Movement on Facebook
November 8, 2020 .
The Facebook posting called for
the decriminalisation of the Lese
Majeste law that prohibits defaming,
insulting or threatening the Thai
monarchy and the submission of a
10 point manifesto to the Thai Parliament.
The 10 point manifesto called for
repeal of the criminalisation of
criticism of the Thai King under
the Lese Majeste law, repeal of
the order that transferred army
units to the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn
personal command, repeal of the
law that gave the new King full
control of the crown's reportedly
extensive property holdings and
repeal of the monarchy empowerment
to endorse a military coup.
Peoples Party Member of Parliament,
Chonthicha Jangrew, for Pathum Thani,
said that her speeches and facebook
postings were made sincerely, with
goodwill towards the Thailand monarchy
and wished to see the institution
remain strong in Thailand.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodia
congratulates new
Thailand pro-monarchy
PM for victory over
anti-monarchy Pheu
Thai Party
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Anutin
Charnvirakul accepts
a royal command appointing
him as prime minister
at the portrait of
Thailand King Maha
Vajiralongkorn Phra
ajiraklaochaoyuhua
at the headquarters
of the Bhumjaithai
Party in Bangkok on
Sunday late Sunday
7 September, 2025
|
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 9: Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated
Anutin Charnvirakul on his appointment
as Thailand Prime Minister in a
letter saying ''your resounding
victory is a reflection of the strong
confidence in your leadership,''
after Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn
Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua appointed
the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party
leader Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime
Minister of Thailand and the removal
of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime
Minister, reports the Bangkok Post.
''It is my belief that under Your
Excellencys wise and capable
leadership the Kingdom of Thailand
will achieve greater progress,''
said Cambodia Prime Minister Hun
Manet said in the congratulatory
letter.
''Therefore, it is my sincere
hope that with our shared commitment
to building cordial ties and good
cooperation, our peoples will
enjoy prosperity and thrive in
harmony and joy,'' he said.
''With this spirit, I look forward
to working closely with you to
restore the relations between
Cambodia and Thailand to normalcy,
rebuild mutual trust, and transform
the shared border between our
two Kingdoms into one of peace,
cooperation, development, and
shared prosperity,'' he said.
Cambodia and Thailand reached
a border peace agreement at the
four-day General Border Committee
(GBC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur
in August with the Interim Observer
Team (IOT) that includes the ASEAN
Defense Attaché Observer
Group (Interim) to observe the
implementation of the border ceasefire
agreement made on July 28, 2025
The border peace agreement states
that both Cambodia and Thailand
must avoid unprovoked firing towards
the position on the other side
or on the military, saying ''this
agreement must not be violated
under any circumstances.''
''Cambodia and Thailand agreed
to maintain current military deployments
without further movement as at
the time of the July 28 ceasefire.''
the agreement says.
The Thailand Constitutional Court
dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, 39, from office on August
29, ruling that the Thailand Prime
Minister had violated ethical standards
in a leaked telephone call with
Cambodia Senate President Hun Sen
on June 15.
'Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
appeared to kowtow to Senate President
Hun Sen when Thailand and Cambodia
were at the brink of armed border
conflict, '' said the nine judges
of the Constitutional Court.
'Remarks made by Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, particularly
those referring to the Second
Army Region commander and the
use of the term ''we'', suggest
a lack of unity between the government
and the military,'' said the judges
of the Constitutional Court.
''Such behaviour indicates partisanship
and exposes internal divisions,
potentially weakening Thailands
position and allowing Cambodia
to interfere in domestic affairs.''
said the Constitutional Court
judges.
The pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party
leader Anutin Charnvirakul withdrew
from the coalition government
of the Pheu Thai Party.
on the dismissal of Pheu Thai
Party leader Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, joining the opposition
Peoples Party led by Natthaphong
Ruengpanyawut.
The opposition Peoples Party
led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut
reportedly supported Bhumjaithai
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul
as the Prime Minister of Thailand
on condition that he would dissolved
the House of Representatives in
four months
after announcing a policy platform
in parliament that would pave
the way for a new charter.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Former
PM Thaksin Shinawatra
flees Thailand for
Dubai ahead of winning
vote for monarchist
Bhumjaithai Party
|
|

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Former
Prime Minister of
Thailand, Thaksin
Shinawatra, fled Thailand
for Dubai on Thursday
September 4, 2025
ahead of the parliament
announcement that
the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party had won the
vote for premiership
over the Shinawatra
Pheu Thai Party on
Friday
|
|
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, September 8: Former Prime
Minister of Thailand, Thaksin
Shinawatra, fled Thailand for
Dubai on Thursday ahead of the
parliament announcement that the
pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party
had won the vote for premiership
over the Shinawatra Pheu Thai
Party on Friday, saying he was
flying to Dubai for medical purposes,
reports Reuters.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra said that he had planned
to fly to Singapore in his private
jet but decided to divert the
flight to Dubai following delays
at Thailand immigration.
''There are bone and lung doctors
who have treated me for a long
time in Dubai and I will also
get a chance to visit friends
in Dubai who I have not seen for
over two years,'' he said.
Former Prime Minister of Thailand
Thaksin Shinawatra said he would
return to Thailand to face a Supreme
Court ruling on Tuesday September
9 on a complaint submitted to
the Office of the Ombudsman against
the Department of Corrections
and the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) and the Medical Council
of Thailand are investigating
Thaksin Shinawatra's accommodation
status at the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok for one year rather
than a Department of Corrections
(DoC) operated prison on his return
to Thailand from Dubai.
Former Prime Minister of Thailand
Thaksin Shinawatra returned to
Thailand from exile in Dubai and
Hong Kong on August 22, 2023 after
fleeing Thailand in 2008 to avoid
trial for nonfeasance and malfeasance
while holding the position of
Prime Minister.
On August 22, 2025 the Bangkok
Criminal Court dismissed charges
against former Thailand Prime
Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra,
for violation of the Lese Majeste
Law and the Computor Crime Act
allegedly committed in an interview
in South Korea in 2015, with the
Criminal Court ruling ''the charges
against Thaksin Shinawatra lacked
sufficient evidence to prove that
the former Prime Minister had
insulted the monarchy.''
In January 2025 a letter of complaint
was submitted to the Office of
the Ombudsman in Bangkok against
the Department of Corrections
Thailand and the Police General
Hospital in Bangkok for not cooperating
with an investigation by the National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
and the Medical Council of Thailand
into Thaksin Shinawatra's stay
at the Police General Hospital
in Bangkok for one year rather
than a Department of Corrections
(DoC) operated prison on his return
to Thailand
Inmates at the Police General
Hospital in Bangkok are legally
permitted to receive treatment
outside prison for 120 days but
the Department of Corrections
(DoC) allowed Thaksin Shinawatra
to stay at the Police General
Hospital for 180 days on his return
to Thailand, saying that conditions
in the prison could threaten his
life.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra paid all costs for
his six-month stay at the Police
General Hospital in Bangkok, including
a VIP room on the hospital's 14th
floor costing 8,500 baht a night.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party
wins votes for Prime
Minister over anti-
monarchy Pheu Thai
Party
|
|

|
The
pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party leader, Anutin
Charnvirakul, was
voted the 32nd Prime
Minister of Thailand
in the parliament
with 311 votes on
Friday 5 September
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok. September 7: The pro-monarchy
Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin
Charnvirakul, was voted the 32nd
Prime Minister of Thailand in the
House of Representatives on Friday
with 311 votes, more than double
the votes received by the Shinawatra
Pheu Thai Party of 152 and 27 abstentions,
reports the Bangkok Post.
"I will work my hardest,
every day, no holidays, because
there is not a lot of time,"
Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin
Charnvirakul.
"We have to erase problems
quickly," he said.
Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin
Charnvirakul, victory is the result
of a pact with the opposition People's
Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut.
Bhumjaithai Party leader, Anutin
Charnvirakul, agreed to hold a
referendum on the amendment of
the constitution and call an election
within four months.
The debate in the parliament began
at 12.30pm on Friday with Klatham
Member of Parliament from Chaiyaphum,
Akkharasaenkhiri Lohweera, saying
that the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai
Party, Anutin Charnvirakul, premiership
''would help Thailand overcome
political uncertainty, advance
constitutional reform and return
power to the people.''
The Shinawatra Pheu Thai Party
list-MP, Chaturon Chaisang, opposed
Bhumjaithai Party, Anutin Charnvirakul,
nomination saying ''the agreement
between the Bhumjaithai Party
and the opposition People's Party
would effectively place Bhumjaithai
Party, under the control of the
opposition party, undermining
democracy and risking instability
in government.''
The Shinawatra Pheu Thai Party
list-MP for Nan, Cholnan Srikaew,
said that Bhumjaithai Party, Anutin
Charnvirakul, should be disqualified
on constitutional and legal grounds.
He said the Bhumjaithai Party
and Peoples Party pact is a dangerous
compromise that would allow14
million votes to be traded away
to the Bhumjaithai Party that
won only one million votes in
the 2023 election, saying ''inviting
external influence over democratic
institutions.''
People's Party leader Natthaphong
Ruengpanyawut, the final speaker
in the parliamentary debate said
that the next four to six months
would be a turning point in Thailand
politics, saying his party is
committed to building the strongest
opposition in history if necessary.''
''I urge the Shinawatra Pheu Thai
party to join in strengthening
the opposition and moving toward
elections,'' he said.
''The People's Party made its
decision to support the Bhumjaithai
Party, Anutin Charnvirakul, to
unlock the political deadlock
and pave the way for elections
and constitutional reform,'' he
said.
He said that all political parties
must now prepare for the next
election within four to six months,
saying ''their credibility would
depend on keeping promises.''
Mr Natthaphong concluded by saying
all political parties must now
prepare for the next election
within the four- to six-month
timeframe, stressing that their
credibility would depend on keeping
promises.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Former
Premier of Australian
state of Victoria
defends attendance
at Chinese Communist
Party summit that
called for global
governance
|
|

|
Chinese
Communist Party (CCP)
general secretary,
chairman of the Central
Military Commission
(CMC), President of
China Xi Jinping,
left, and former Australian
Premier of Victoria,
Daniel Andrews, right,
at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO)
Tianjin Summit 2025
and the 2025 China
Victory Day Parade
from Sunday August
31 to Wednesday September
3, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, September 6: Former Premier
of the Australian state of Victoria,
Daniel Andrews, defended his decision
to attend the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 including the 2025 China Victory
Day Parade hosted by the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) from Sunday
August 31 to Wednesday September
3, with the former Australian Premier
of Victoria saying ''it was a chance
to meet and engage with regional
leaders,'' reports Reuters.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general
secretary, chairman of the Central
Military Commission (CMC), President
of China, Xi Jinping, invited former
Australian Premier of Victoria,
Daniel Andrews, to attend the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin
Summit 2025 where the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) called for urgent reform
of global governance structures
in a proposal titled Global Governance
Initiative (GGI), with the former
Australian premier saying he had
been invited with foreign dignitaries
including the Malaysian prime minister,
Anwar Ibrahim, and former New Zealand
leaders John Key and Helen Clark.
''Ive said for years that
a constructive relationship with
China our largest trading partner
is in Australias national
interest and hundreds of thousands
of Australian jobs depend on it.
That hasnt changed,'' he
said.
''And just so theres no
confusion I have condemned Putin
and his illegal war in Ukraine
from day one. Thats why
he banned me from Russia last
year,'' he said.
''Further, my support for Israel
and Australias Jewish community
has been outspoken and unwavering,
and I unequivocally condemn Iran
for its attacks on Australia,
Israel and elsewhere around the
world,'' he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
of the centre-left Australian
Labor Party (ALP), said it would
have been inappropriate for any
government representatives to
attend, saying ''former Australian
Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews
was there in his private capacity.''
''None of my people would have
sat in that position, as simple
as that,'' said Australia Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese.
''What individuals do, very separate
from the government, is a matter
for them,'' he said.
Former foreign minister Alexander
Downer of the centre-right Liberal
Party of Australia accused former
Australian Premier of Victoria,
Daniel Andrews of embarrassing
Australia.
''The former Premier of Victoria
had much in common with the Chinese
leader in his lockdowns of Victoria
during the COVID-19 pandemic,''
he said.
The Australian Greens political
party Senator, David Shoebridge,
said ''you would hope that you
would use your position as a former
leader to push the world closer
to peace, not join a military
parade with a bunch of dictators.''
In 2017 former Premier of the Australian
state of Victoria, Daniel Andrews,
attended a two day summit in Bejing
hosted by the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) that was attended by
28 world leaders and representatives
from 70 countries, to promote the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),
signing an Memorandum of Understanding
(Mou) with Chinese Communist Party
(CCP) in 2018.
In 2019 former Premier of the
Australian state of Victoria,
Daniel Andrews, signed a Belt
and Road Initiative (BRI)
agreement with the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) becoming the only
state in Australia to support
the program amid criticism from
the Australian Liberal National
Coalition government that accused
the Premier of Victoria, Daniel
Andrews, of failing to act in
Australia's national interest.
The Premier of Victoria said that
the agreement would allow the
state of Victoria's engineering
and design companies to bid for
contracts for the Belt and Road
Inititive (BRI) infrastructure
development investment projects
around the world, saying that
"it is an important opportunity
to showcase Victoria s massive
pipeline of infrastructure projects
and to highlight the ingenuity
and expertise of Victorian companies,"
he said.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
director, Peter Jennings, said
then that the state of Victoria
may have overstepped the mark
after the Australian federal government
declined to sign up to the China
One Belt One Road (BRI) infrastructure
program.
He said it was wrong for the state
government to sign the agreement
with the One Belt One Road (BRI)
infrastructure program, saying
that "it might have been
unconstitution."
"The agreement between the
state of Victoria and China could
be viewed as a form of inappropriate
political interference by China",
he said.
He said that China did not get
the answer that China wanted from
one jurisdiction, saying "
they went to another jurisdiction
with the effect of undermining
the federal government."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesia's
president cancels
invitation to
Chinas Global
Governance Initiative
summit
|
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Indonesia
President Prabowo
Subianto, left front
row, Russia President
Vladimir Putin, centre
front row, China President
Xi Jinping, right
front row, at 80th
anniversary of victory
over Japan and end
of World War II, in
Beijing Tiananmen
Square on Wednesday
September 3, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 5: Indonesia
President Prabowo Subianto who initially
cancelled his official visit to
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit 2025 hosted
by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
from Sunday August 31 to Wednesday
September 3, arrived in Beijing
on Tuesday 2 September, at the request
of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
to attend the China Victory Day
Parade, reports Antara.
Indonesia State Secretary Minister,
Prasetyo Hadi, said that Indonesian
President Prabowo Subianto initially
cancelled the official visit to
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit 2025 after
thousands of mostly teenage students
protested in the streets of Jakarta
against members of parliament receiving
a substantial housing allowance.
He said that Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto accepted the invitation
to attend the Victory Day Parade
in Beijing on September 3, 2025
by Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
general secretary and chairman of
the Central Military Commission
(CMC), President of China Xi Jinping
after initially cancelling the official
invitation to Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025.
''A statement cancelling the official
visit was made on Saturday August
31 explaining that the Indonesia
President would remain in Indonesia
to monitor the student riots in
Jakarta Streets,'' he said.
He said that Indonesia President
Prabowo Subianto accepted the invitation
to attend the Victory Day Parade
in Beijing on September 3, 2025
''for at least for one day at the
request of the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP)'' he said.
Indonesia State Secretary Minister,
Prasetyo Hadi, said Indonesia President
Prabowo Subianto would discuss bilateral
relations with China, saying ''the
President will return to Indonesia
the next evening on Wednesday September
3, 2025 .''
Pancasila Ideology Development Agency
(BPIP) member of the Board of Experts
for foreign relations strategy,
Darmansjah Djumala, said ''the Presidents
visit to China for the Victory Day
Parade underscores Indonesias
efforts to maintain balanced ties
amid intensifying U.S.-China rivalry
in the Indo-Pacific.''
''Indonesias presence should
not be seen as favouring China over
the United States,'' he said.
He said that engaging with all sides
without becoming entangled in great
power conflicts is an example of
Indonesia's independence, saying
''Indonesia's President attendance
may open the door to deeper defence
cooperation with China, expanding
beyond their existing economic ties.''
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
warned of multilateral system failures
at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit 2025 that was
attended by six of ten ASEAN member
nations, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam together
with 19 SCO members, observer, and
dialogue partners including India
and Russia.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
supported the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) proposal for Global
Governance Initiative saying ''China's
Global Governance Initiative is
a step toward restoring trust in
multilateralism.''
''A trust deficit in the international
system is due to failures in trade,
financial architecture, and climate
change response,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
claims that the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) agenda on economic
connectivity, public health, security,
and energy transition aligns with
Malaysias position and ASEAN
priorities.
Cambodia reaffirmed commitment to
Chinas Global Governance Initiative,
(GGI) for a new global security
and economic order at the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin
Summit 2025 hosted by China from
August 31 to September 1, with Cambodia
Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirming
Cambodias unwavering commitment
to actively participating in the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO)s endeavours, and with
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general
secretary, saying ''global governance
has reached a new crossroads,"
The
Southeast Asian Times
ASEAN
nation Cambodia committs
to Chinese Communist
Party new global security
and economic order
|
|

|
Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun
Manet at the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 Tianjin, China
on Monday
September 1, 2025
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, September 4: Cambodia
reaffirmed commitment to Chinas
Global Governance Initiative, (GGI)
for a new global security and economic
order at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 hosted by China from August
31 to September 1, with Cambodia
Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirming
Cambodias unwavering commitment
to actively participating in the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO)s endeavours, and with
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general
secretary, saying ''global governance
has reached a new crossroads,"
reports
Reuters.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general
secretary and chairman of the Central
Military Commission (CMC), President
of China Xi Jinping promoted the
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) vision
for a new global security and economic
order for 24 nation participants
including India and Russia, reportedly
in a direct challenge to the United
States.
President of China Xi Jinping urged
participants in the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 ''to continue to take a clear
stand against hegemonism and power
politics, and practise true multilateralism,"
saying "global governance has
reached a new crossroads."
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
reaffirmed Chinas Global Governance
Initiative, (GGI) for a new global
security and economic and that includes
''enhancement of a United Nations
centred and effective global order
based on sovereign equality, the
rule of law, multilateralism, a
people-centred approach, and practical
results.''
''Cambodia stands ready to work
with all partners to advance these
principles and build a community
with a shared future for humanity,''
said Cambodia Prime Minister Hun
Manet.
He said that the gathering at the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO)s stands as a resonant
call to action in the face of increasingly
complex geopolitical realities,
escalating conflicts, and pressing
economic and environmental challenges,
saying ''in this spirit, we must
choose a dialogue over onfrontation,
restraint over escalation, cooperation
over conflict, and share progress
over unilateral gain.''
He said that ensuring security remains
a paramount priority, saying ''for
Cambodia, as a peace-loving nation,
I see great synergy between the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) in advancing
peace and stability through diplomacy,
consensus, and dialogue.''
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit 2025 hosted
by China from August 31 to September
1,
was attended by six of ten Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
including Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The
Southeast Asian Times
ASEAN
nation Malaysia supports
Chinese Communist
Party proposal for
Global Governance
Initiative
|
|

|
Malaysian
Dr Wan Azizah Wan
Ismail, left, spouse
of Malaysia Prime
Minister Anwar Ibrahim,
second left, China
president Xi Jinping,
third left, spouse
China Peng Liyuan,
fourth left, at Shanghai
Cooperation Organization
(SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 on Sunday August
31, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 3: Malaysia,
Association of South East Asian
Nation (ASEAN) member nation,
attending the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit
2025 hosted by China from August
31 to September 1, declared Malaysias
support for the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) proposal for Global
Governance Initiative (GGI) calling
for urgent reform of global governance
structures, reports Reuters.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
warned of multilateral system failures
at the SCO Tianjin Summit 2025 that
was attended by six of ten ASEAN
member nations Cambodia, Myanmar,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam
together with 19 SCO members, observer,
and dialogue partners including
India and Russia.
United Nations Secretary-General,
Antonio Guterres, and Association
of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN)
Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim
Horne also attended the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Tianjin Summit 2025.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general
secretary and chairman of the Central
Military Commission (CMC), President
of China Xi Jinping proposed the
Global Governance Initiative (GGI)
saying ''the GGI adheres to sovereignty
equality.''
''All countries regardless of
size, strength and wealth, are
equal participants, decision-makers
and beneficiaries in global governance,''
he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim supported the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) proposal
for Global Governance Initiative
saying ''China's Global Governance
Initiative is a step toward restoring
trust in multilateralism.''
''A trust deficit in the international
system is due to failures in trade,
financial architecture, and climate
change response,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim claims the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) agenda on economic
connectivity, public health, security,
and energy transition aligns with
Malaysias position and ASEAN
priorities.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China
accuses Philippines
of causing trouble
in the South China
Sea in exercise with
Australia in West
Philippine Sea
|
|

|
The
Amphibious Landing
Operation, Exercise
Alon 2025, with Philippines
and Australia in the
West Philippine Sea
from August 15 to
29 ended with the
Philippines and Australia
agreement to undertaking
projects to support
the Philippines' territorial
defense, progress
in maritime security
and the defence of
infrastructure on
Friday August 29,
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, September 2: China accused
the Philippines of courting outside
powers and causing trouble in
the South China Sea at the conclusion
of the 15 day Amphibious Landing
Operation, Exercise Alon 2025
with Philippines and Australia
in the Scarborough Shoal in the
West Philippine Sea ending Monday,
with China Ministry of National
Defense spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang,
saying ''the Philippines has repeatedly
courted influence from outside
powers to make waves in the South
China Sea, reports the Philippine
Inquiry.
China Ministry of National Defense
spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang accused
the U.S. of supporting the Philippines
in the Philippines claim of sovereignty
over the West Philippine Sea including
Palawan and the Scarborough Shoal.
''At the same time, certain external
countries have instigated and
supported the Philippines to take
irresponsible actions that harm
the shared interests of regional
countries,'' said China Ministry
of National Defense spokesperson
Zhang Xiaogang.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines
Education, Training and Doctrine
Command, Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo
Jr., said the dual patrol of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and Australian Defence Force
(ADF) in the West Philippines
Sea was to exercise the interoperability
of both navies.
''Nothing wrong with that,'' said
Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr.,
Commander, Maj. Gen. Francisco
Lorenzo Jr., said in a joint press
conference after the conclusion
of the Amphibious Landing Operation
(Alon) Exercise at Camp Aguinaldo,
''the drills are backed by the
bounds of the legal framework
of both the Philippines and Australia.''
''Theres nothing wrong with
that,'' said Commander, Maj. Gen.
Francisco Lorenzo Jr.,
Deputy Theater Commander of Australian
Defence Force (ADF) Joint Operations
Command, Major General Paul Kenny,
said at the press conference ''it
is normal for allies and partners
to train together, to build interoperability
and certainly normal for allies
and partners to exercise within
each others territories.''
Department of National Defense
Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr
and Australian Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Defence
Richard Marles signed a statement
of Intent on Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between
the Philippines and Australia
during the Amphibious Landing
Operation (Alon) Exercise on August
22.
The statement of Intent on Enhanced
Defense Cooperation Agreement
(DCA) aims to increase collective
capability, enhance interoperability,
and strengthen defense ties between
the Philippines and Australia.
The Philippines and Australia
agreed to undertaking projects
to support the Philippines' territorial
defense, progress in maritime
security and defence infrastructure,
and ongoing commitment to joint
military Exercise Alon 2025.
In July 2016 the 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
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand
Constitutional Court
dismisses PM Paetongtarn
Shinawatra for lack
of unity between government
and military
|
|

|
Constitutional
Court dismisses Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra from office
on Friday August 29,
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 1: The Constitutional
Court of Thailand dismissed Prime
Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra,
39, from office on Friday, ruling
that Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra had violated ethical
standards in a leaked telephone
call with Cambodia Senate President
Hun Sen in June, reports the Bangkok
Post.
Nine judges of the Constitutional
Court ruled that Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra violated
ethical standards in a leaked telephone
call, saying ''Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra appeared to kowtow to
Senate President Hun Sen.''
''Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
kowtow to Senate President Hun Sen
occurred when Thailand and Cambodia
were at the brink of armed border
conflict, '' said the judges of
the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court judges
found that under Section 170 (1)(4)
in conjunction with Sections 106
(4) and (5) of the Constitution,
a minister must be trustworthy,
subject to scrutiny in all aspects,
and must demonstrate manifest
integrity.
''Remarks made by Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, particularly
those referring to the Second
Army Region commander and the
use of the term ''we'', suggest
a lack of unity between the government
and the military,'' said the judges
of the Constitutional Court.
''Such behaviour indicates partisanship
and exposes internal divisions,
potentially weakening Thailands
position and allowing Cambodia
to interfere in domestic affairs.''
said the Constitutional Court
judges.
On July 1, the Constitutional
Court suspended Paetongtarn Shinawatra
from duty after a petition was
submitted by 36 senators accusing
the Prime Minister of violating
ethical standards involved in
the Thailand Cambodia border dispute.
Nine Constitutional Court judges
resolved unanimously to accept
the petition from the senators
against Paetongtarn Shinawatra
continuing as Prime Minister,
temporarily suspending Paetongtarn
Shinawatra from office by seven
votes to two.
The petitioners asked the court
to investigate a phone conversation
between Thailand Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian
Senate President Hun Sen on June
15.
The petitioners claim that Prime
Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
made derogatory remarks about
the Thailand Commander of the
Second Royal Thai Armed Forces
(RTARF) Chief of Defence Forces
of the (RTARF), General Songwit
Noonpackdee.
The petitioners claim that Prime
Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
branded the Thailand Commander
of the Second Royal Thai Armed
Forces (RTARF as an adversary.
''Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
showed a submissive tone towards
Hun Sen by signalling a readiness
to comply with Cambodian Senate
President Hun Sen's demands over
the Thailand - Cambodia border,''
claim the Senators in the petition.
The Senators claim that Prime
Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
lacks qualifications and integrity
under Setion 160 (40 and (5) of
the Constitution, saying ''the
Prime Minister lacked honesty
and engagement in conduct that
constitutes a grave breach of
ethical standards.''
Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she
had phoned Cambodian Senate President
Hun Sen after the Constitutional
Court order to prevent more clashes
with Cambodia saying ''I was thinking
only about a way to prevent clashes
and casualties.''
'' I insist that I had no ill
intentions,'' she said.
"I apologise if the approach
I took was unsatisfactory,'' said
Paetongtarn Shinawatrath.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thousands
of teenage Indonesian
students demand revokation
of housing allowance
for MP's
|
|

|
Thousands
of teenage students
set fire to the Jakarta
police headquarters
on Friday August 29,
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, August 31: Thousands of
teenage students demanding Indonesian
President Prabowo Subianto revoke
the law that allows Members of Parliament
an extravagant housing allowance,
have protested at Parliament House
in Jakarta since Monday, continuing
at the Jakarta Police Headquarters
on Friday after the death of a taxi
driver, reports Reuters.
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, 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 protest at Parliament House
on Monday moved on to the Jakarta
Police Headquarters on Friday after
Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle
taxi driver was struck by an armoured
Indonesian National Police vehicle
during violent clashes between the
police and students on Thursday.
The motorcycle taxi driver died
in hospital from his injuries, with
the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation
(YLBHI) deputy chairperson for research,
Arif Maulana, urging the Indonesian
National Police to investigate his
death.
''Police had fired water canon
and tear gas to move the protesters
at Parliament House in Jakarta,''
he said.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation
(YLBHI) accused the Indonesian
National Police of deploying the
Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob)
security personnel, saying ''their
job is to address terrorism.''
''The protesters who are mosty
teenagers were supposed to be
protected,'' he said.
He said the young protesters are
vulnerable and should be protected
instead of intimidated by uniforms
and weapons, saying ''but instead
they were chased, hit and had
their heads shaved.''
''171 students from Bogor, Depok,
and Tangerang cities who were
on their way to Jakarta to participate
in the Thursday protest were arrested,''
he said.
Indonesian National Police senior
commissioner, Ade Ary, accused
protesters of burning flags damaging
the parliament building fence,
vandalising CCTV cameras and defacing
busway dividers, saying that ''351
protesters had been detained for
damaging public facilities.''
''Students are urged not to be
easily provoked by calls on social
media to participate in risky
activities, and those spreading
such calls were urged to desist,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand
House Armed Forces
Committee summons
Royal Thai Army to
explain disappearance
of diesel fuel
|
|

|
The
Thailand House Armed
Forces Committee has
called on representatives
from the 18th Military
Circle and the Army
Quartermaster Department
after an internal
army investigation
into unexplained missing
diesel fuel Wednesday
August 27, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, August 30: The Thailand
House Armed Forces Committee has
summoned representatives from the
Royal Thai Army (RTA) to explain
the disappearance of hundreds of
thousands of litres of diesel fuel
from the 18th Military Circle in
Saraburi Province and the Army Quartermaster
Department in Nonthaburi, with the
Pheu Thai Party (PP) representative
for Pathum Thani, saying ''the committee
is investigating at least two incidents
of missing diesel fuel,'' reports
the Bangkok Post.
''The investigation into the disappearance
of diesel fuel reveals a idespread
failure to uphold ethical standards,''
said Pheu Thai Party Member of Parliament,
Chetawan Thuaprakhon.
''The first case of missing diesel
fuel from the 18th Military Circle
in Saraburi province dates back
to 2022 involved 215,000 litres
of diesel,'' he said.
''The Royal Thai Army (RTA) said
that an investigation into the disappearance
of diesel fuel from 18th Military
Circle in 2022 would be conducted
on October 1, 2023,'' he said
''The Royal Thai Army (RTA) extended
the investigation to November 29,
2023,'' he said.
He said that despite repeated requests
by the Thailand House Armed Forces
Committee to the Royal Thai Army
(RTA) to investigate the disappearance
of the diesel fuel, no response
was received.
He said the second case of missing
diesel fuel was reported last year
in 2024, saying ''about 10,000 litres
of diesel went missing from Army
Quartermaster Department in Nonthaburi,''
Member of Parliament, Chetawan Thuaprakhon,
said that Royal Thai Army (RTA)
regulations require losses of fuel
to be investigated and reported
to the Royal Thai Army (RTA) army
chief, saying '' Isn't that misconduct?"
''It could amount to dereliction
of duty under Section 157 of the
Criminal Code,'' he said.
'The Parliamentary committee on
military affairs petitioned the
Defence Ministry, the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) and the Office
of the Ombudsman to investigate
the Royal Thai Army (RTA) lack of
cooperation on March 27, 2024,''
he said.
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 |
|
|
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
| |
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
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