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GATHERINGS:
An informed guidexto happenings throughout the region.
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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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Myanmar
envoy to UN calls for non-fly
zone and arms embargo
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Myanmar
envoy to the United Nations,
Kyaw Moe Tun, at the United
Nations General Assembly Special
Session on Myanmar February
27, 2021 announced that he
represents the elected National
League of Democracy (NLD)
government not the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
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From
News Reports:
Naypyidaw, April 12:
Myanmar envoy to the United Nations called
on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
on Friday to immediately impose a non-fly
zone and an arms embargo over Myanmar, following
reports that Chinese-made drones are monitoring
Myanmar protests against the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the elected
National League of Democracy (NLD) government,
reports Irrawaddy.
Myanmar envoy to the United Nations, Kyaw
Moe Tun, who said at the United Nations
General Assembly Special Session held in
February that he represents the elected
National League of Democracy (NLD) government
not the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
called on the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) on Friday to immediately impose a
non-fly zone and an arms embargo over Myanmar,
saying "your urgent and strongest action
is needed now,"
He called on the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) to impose a non-fly zone
and an arms embargo over Myanmar following
reports that the China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corporation (CASC) has provided
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar with
drones.
Reports reportedly cited images captured
in March showing low-flying drones over
Mandalay, where protests began following
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover
of the elected National League of Democracy
(NLD) government February 1, 2021.
The Images showed two types of drones flying
at altitudes low enough to be seen and heard
by residents of Myanmar’s second-largest
city, Mandalay.
He called for the Security Council to take
the strongest possible action, saying "the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar will
kill and torture more innocent civilians
if the Security Council waits a day longer."
The
Southeast Asian Times
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United Nations
call for face to face meeting
with Myanmar military rejected
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United
Nations Special Envoy of the
Secretary-General (SESC),
Christine Schraner Burgener,
reitorated the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC), condemnation
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar for disruption
of democratic reforms, saying
violence never leads to peaceful
sustainable solutions
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From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 11: The Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar has rejected the
call by United Nations Special Envoy of
the Secretary-General (SESC) for a face
to face meeting with commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
with spokesman for the Myanmar military
forces saying "we have no plan to
meet with the United nations at this time,"
reports Rueters.
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar spokesman,
Zaw Min Tun, said on Friday that the commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, has no plan to
meet with the United Nations, saying "the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar have
not agreed to a face to face meeting with
the United Nations."
"We have no plan to meet with the
United Nations at this time," he
said.
United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
(SESC), Christine Schraner Burgener, said
after calling on the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar for a face to face meeting with
commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, that
she regrets that the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar are not ready to meet with the
United Nations.
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
(SESC), Christine Schraner Burgener said
that she regrets the Tatmadaw decision
not to meet her, saying "I am ready
for dialogue."
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESC)
Christine Schraner Burgener called out the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar for defying
calls for dialogue, full respect for human
rights, fundamental freedoms including calls
from the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC), who condemned the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar for disruption of democratic
reforms, saying "violence never leads
to peaceful sustainable solutions,”
she said.
On February 1, 2021 the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar declared a state of emergency
at the newly established National Defense
and Security Council, arresting Myanmar's
National League for Democracy (NLD) President,
Win Myint and State Councillor, Aung San
Suu Kyi and transferring full authority
of the National League for Democracy (NLD)
government administration to commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmars
largest political party calls
for federation and a federal
army
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Shan
Nationalities League for Democracy
(SNLD) spokesman, Sai Leik,
called on the Committee Representing
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH)
to work together with a broad
coalition representing Myanmar’s
many ethnic groups to achieve
federalism
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 10: Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy (SNLD), the larget
political party in Myanmar, has called on
Myanmar's political parties, ethnic armed
organisations and the Committee Representing
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), for federation,
a federal army and a federal constitution,
saying that the time was right for a federal
constitution, reports Rueters.
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
(CRPH) that was established by the elected
National League for Democracy (NLD) government
members of parliament after the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of government
and the closure of parliament on February
1, 2021, proposed a new coalition government
under a Federal Democracy Charter last week.
The 10 ethnic armed organisations, including
Shan State Army - South, (SSA-S), the armed
wing of the Restoration Council of Shan
State (RCSS) that is the largest ethnic
armed organisation in Myanmar, support the
Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
(CRPH) plan to form a new coalition government
of democtaric forces under the terms of
a Federal Democracy Charter.
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
(SNLD) spokesman, Sai Leik, called on the
Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
(CRPH) to work together with a broad coalition
representing Myanmar’s ethnic groups
to achieve federalism, saying "the
time was right for a federal constitution."
"Public acceptance for a federal system
is at an all time high in the wake of the
military coup in February," he said.
He said that the Shan Nationalities League
for Democracy (SNLD) party would push the
concept of federalism when the people of
Myanmar understand that federalism is not
separatism and that federalism would lead
to greater unity.
"We should focus on a federal constitution,"
he said.
In July 2020 the United Nationalities Alliance
(UNA) a coalition of ethnic political parties
in Myanmar, including the Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy (SNLD) said ahead of
the November 8, 2020 elections said that
it would support any organisation that would
back enforcement of the 1947 Panglong Agreement
that includes full autonomy for ethnic groups,
saying it would vote as a single bloc.
The United Nationalities Alliance (UNA)
secretariat, U Myo Kyaw said that Myanmar
was born of the 1947 Panglong Agreement,
saying "the agreement brought Myanmar's
ethnic groups together."
He said the failure of the government to
implement the 1947 Panglong guarantee of
independence for ethnic groups has resulted
in armed conflicts.
"Stunting the development of the country,"
he said.
He said that the United Nationalities Alliance
(UNA) will cooperate with any organisation
that shares and holds the policy of autonomy,
saying
"the United Nationalities Alliance
(UNA) was established as a democratic force,
saying "the goals of the alliance are
to establish a federation that guarantees
equality for national ethnic groups."
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmar
refugees denied access to
UNHCR on Thai border
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Karen
villagers on the Salween River
on the Thailand-Myanmar border
March 29, 2021 after fleeing
air strikes in Myanmar's Kaying
State
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, April 9: Thousands of Keran villagers
who fled air strikes in Myanmar's Kaying
State last week were blocked from crossing
the border on the Salween River by Thai
government policy, with Royal Thai Armed
Forces soldiers ordered to deny Keran refugees
access to the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), reports Rueters.
Thailand border town Mae Sariang District
official, Sangkhom Khadchiangsaen, said
Keran villagers who are fleeing Myanmar's
Kaying State should be blocked from crossing
the border into Thailand.
"All agencies should follow the policy
of the National Security Council,"
he said.
He said that the National Security Council
requires those that fled Myanmar to be held
at the border, saying that the Thai military
has the responsibility of managing border
security.
He said the Thai military must not allow
officials from United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR), None Government Organisations
(NGO) or other international organisations
to have direct contact and communication
with the fleeing Keran villagers.
"This is absolutely forbidden,"
he said.
About 3,000 Keran villagers fled Kayen State
last week to escape airstrikes by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar who had attacked
territory controlled by the the Karen National
Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of
the Karen National Union (KNU) that is one
of ten ethnic armed groups in Myanmar that
has have pledged support for the Committee
Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).
The Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw (CRPH) was established by the National
League for Democracy (NLD) elected Members
of Parliament after the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar cancelled the opening session
of parliament February 1, 2021.
The Karen National Union (KNU) and its armed
wing the Karen National Liberation Army
(KNLA), supports the Committee Representing
the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) in its plan
to form a coalition government of democtaric
forces under the terms of a Federal Democracy
Charter in order to eliminate the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar drafted 2008
constitution and dictatorship.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Shan
State refugees want to cross
border to safety in Thailand
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Shan
State refugees build makeshift
bunkers for reportedly imminent
attack by the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar on the
Shan State Army-South (SSA-S)
military bases on the Myanmar
Thailand border
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 6: Shan State Refugee Committee
in northern Myanmar has called on Thailand
to allow thousands of internally displaced
people (IDPs) to cross the Myanmar border
into Thailand to safety to avoid the reportedly
imminent attack by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar on the Shan State Army-South
(SSA-S) military bases on the Myanmar Thai
border, with the Shan State Refugee Committee
saying the refugees have no safe place to
go, reports Irrawaddy.
Shan State Refugee Committee-Thai Border
(SSRC-TB) repesentative, Sai Leng, said
that about 6,000 refugees on the Myanmar
Thailand border including a camp in Thailand
are in "grave danger" of the
reportedly imminent attack by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, saying that
military aircraft have been flying over
the refugee camps.
"Refugees are building makeshift
bunkers," he said.
He said that internally displaced people
(IDPs) in camps at Gawng Murng Murng,
Loi Tai Leng, Loi Lam, Loi Sarm Sip, and
Loi Kaw Wan in Shan State on the Myanmar
Thailand border are the victims of the
scorched earth campaign conducted by the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar in
the 1990's
"The refugees have no safe place
to go if the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar launches an attack on the Shan
State Army-South (SSA-S) border military
bases," he said.
Shan State Army-South, (SSA-S), that is
the armed wing of the Restoration Council
of Shan State (RCSS) and the largest armed
organisation in Myanmar has military bases
on the border with three northern Thai provinces,
Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son.
Mynamar's 10 ethnic armed organisation
that includes the Shan State Army - South
(SSA-S), have pledged support for the
Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw (CRPH), that was established by
the National League for Democracy (NLD)
elected Members of Parliament after the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar cancelled
the opening session of parliament February
1, 2021.
The Shan State Army - South (SSA -S) supports
the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu
Hluttaw (CRPH) in its plan to form a coalition
government of democtaric forces under
the terms of a Federal Democracy Charter
in order to eliminate the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar drafted 2008 constitution
and dictatorship.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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China
deploys military to Myanmar
border to protect oil and
gas pipelines
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Protesters
against the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar takeover of the
elected National League for
Democracy (NLD) government
call out China for its support
of the Myanmar military
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 6: The People's Republic
of China (PRC) has reportedly deployed
the People's Liberation Army (PLA) military
forces to the Mynamar border in order
to protect oil and gas pipelines from
attack by
protesters against the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government,
with China saying that damage to the pipelines
would undermine confidence in foreign
investors, reports Rueters.
China reportedly deployed military forces
to the border town of Jiegao in Ruili
city in China's Yunnan Province that faces
the border town of Muse in Myanmar's Shan
State officially closing the 170-kilometer-long
China Myanmar border last week.
China has reportedly called on the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to secure
its oil and natural gas twin pipe lines
in Myanmar's Shan State, saying "the
oil and gas project is a cruicial part
of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) in Myanmar."
China has warned Myanmar that damage to
the pipelines that run in parallel from
the port of Kyaukphyu in Myanmar's Rakhine
State on the Bay of Bengal through to
Myanmar's Magwe and Mandalay regions and
Myanmar's northern Shan State before entering
China would cause huge losses to both
China and Myanmar.
Last month the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar left at least 39 protesters dead
in Hlaing Tharya township in Yangon in Myanmar
after Chinese factories in the industrial
zone were set ablaze in protest, with the
Chinese Embassy in Yangon calling on the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to protect
Chinese property and its citizens.
The Chinese embassy in Myanmar released
a security warning to Chinese textile
factories in Hlaingthaya industrial zone
after the attack, saying that more that
10 factories in the Hlaingthay industrial
zone had been destroyed in arson attacks.
“China urges Myanmar to take effective
measures to stop all acts of violence,
punish the perpetrators in accordance
with the law and ensure the safety of
life and property of Chinese companies
and personnel in Myanmar,” said a
spokesman for the Chinese embassy.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmar's
ethnic armed organisations
support new coalition government
under Federal Democracy Charter
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Myanmar's
10 ethnic armed organisations
represented by the Peace Process
Steering Team (PPST) said
the ethnic armed organisations
stand with the people of Mynamr
at a video conference on Saturday
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 6: Myanmar's 10 ethnic
armed organisations represented by the Peace
Process Steering Team (PPST) announced their
support for the Committee Representing the
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) proposed new coalition
government under a Federal Democracy Charter,
at a video conference on Saturday, with
chairman of the ethnic armed organisations
saying "the Peace Process Steering
Team (PPST) stands with the people of Myanmar
who oppose the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government, reports
the Irrawaddy.
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw
(CRPH), that was established by the National
League for Democracy (NLD) elected Members
of Parliament after the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar cancelled the opening session
of parliament, anounced plans to form a
new coalition government of democtaric forces
under the terms of a Federal Democracy Charter
in order to eliminate the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar 2008 drafted 2008 constitution
and dictatorship last week.
The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) of
10 ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar,
interim head, General Yawd Serk, said that
10 ethnic armed organisations in Myanmar
stand with the people of Myanmar who oppose
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizure
of power, saying "we demand the end
of dictatorship, the abolition of the military
drafted 2008 Constitution, full democracy
and the establishment of a federal union."
"We demand the immediate release of
all those who have been detained,"
he said.
In August 2020 the Fourth Meeting of the
21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference
that aimed to bring an end to seven decades
of civil war in Myanmar, ended with the
signing of the Union Peace Accord 111 that
included agreement on military deployments
and movements, demarcation of territories,
procedures on dealing with skirmishes between
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar and
the 10 ethnic armed organizations, but did
not reach agreement for the right of the
10 Ethnic Armed Organizations represented
by the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST)
to draft their own constitutions.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thai
court revokes ousted fugitive
PM Yingluck Shinawatra order
to pay compensation for scam
rice deals
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Ousted
fugitive Thai Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra at the
Supreme Court in Bangkok,
Thailand July 7, 2017
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, April 5: The Thai Finance Ministry
is to appeal the ruling that revoked the
Central Administrative Court (CAC) order
requiring ousted fugitive prime minister
Yingluck Shinawatra to pay compensation
for loss to the state in the national rice
pledging program, reports the Bangkok Post.
The order that required ousted prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra to pay a compensation
of 35.7 billion for loss to the state for
her role in the national rice pledging program
that stipulated government-to-government
(G2G) rice purchase agreements, was revoked
by the Central Administrative Court (CAC)
on Friday.
Ousted fugitive prime minister Yingluck
Shinawatra was charged under the Corruption
Prevention and Suppression Act for alleged
derelection of duty and abuse of authority
in the national rice pledging program that
stipulated government-to-government (G2G)
rice purchase agreements but instead rice
in the national rice pledging program was
sold to private companies that sold the
rice to a third party including China's
state-owned trading house (COFCO).
The Central Administrative Court (CAC) ruled
on Friday that ousted prime minister Yingluck
Shinawatra, in her capacity as prime minister,
was involved only in the memorandum of understanding
(MoU) signing to initiate government-to-government
rice deals, saying that "ousted prime
minister Yingluck Shinawatra was not involved
in rice sales themselves."
In September 2017 ousted fugitive prime
minister Yingluck Shinawatra was sentenced
to five years in prison in absentia for
dereliction of duty in the national rice
pledging programme.
Prosecutors alleged that Yingluck Shinawatra
government officials colluded to help two
Chinese companies that were not authorised
by the Chinese government to undertake government-to-government
(G2G) deals with the Thai government to
buy rice from stockpiles generated by the
government rice pledging scheme.
The Supreme Court Criminal Division for
Political Office Holders was told that the
government rice-subsidy programme went against
the main objective of a state subsidy programme
which was to help Thai farmers.
Ousted fugitive former prime minister Yingluck
Shinawatra fled Thailand in August 2107
ahead of the Supreme Court Criminal Division
for Political Office Holders ruling that
found the prime minister guilty of inaction
in the loss of Bhart 518 billion to the
state.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thai
officials in ousted Yingluck
Shinawatra government to pay
for losses in rice sales to
China
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Former
commerce minister, Boonsong
Teriyapirom, at the Supreme
Court in October 2017, was
sentenced to 42 years in jail
for malfeasance in the national
rice pledging program
|
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From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 4: The Central Administrative
Court (CAC) rejected a petition to nullify
a state order that requires four government
officials, in the former Yingluck Shinawatra
government, who were found guilty of malfeasance
in the national rice pledging program, to
pay compensation for losses to the state
in the sale of rice to private companies
acting for China, reports the Bangkok Post.
Former commerce minister, Boonsong Teriyapirom,
former director-general of the Foreign Trade
Department (FTD) Manas Soiploy, former director
of the Bureau of Rice Trade Administration,
Tikhumporn Natvaratat, former secretary
of the FTD, Akharapong Theepwatchara, and
former deputy commerce minister, Poom Sarapol,
were convicted by the the Supreme Court
Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political
Positions in 2017 for their involvement
in the national rice pledging program that
incurred B14.5 billion in losses to the
state under the Yingluck Shinawatra government
in 2014.
The Supreme Court Criminal Division for
Persons Holding Political Positions found
that rice-purchase agreements were not government-to-government
(G2G) contracts but instead involved sales
of rice under the national rice pledging
program to private companies that sold the
rice to a third party including China's
state-owned trading house (COFCO).
In March 2014 the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) summoned six government
officials including the former commerce
minister, Boonsong Teriyapirom to answer
alleged malfeasance charges in the government
to government rice sales under the national
rice pledging program.
In February 2014 Rice farmers in Thailands
western provinces demanded that the Yingluck
Shinawatra government payup or give back
their stockpiled rice giving the government
7 days notice to pay the farmers with president
of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, Prasit
Booncheuy,
saying "rice farmers have not been
paid since China's state-owned trading house
(COFCO) cancelled an agreement with Thailand
to buy 1.2 milllion tonnes of rice a year
over five years."
Natonal Anti-Corruption Commission, commissioner,
Vicha Mahakun, said in May 2014 that the
commission had formally warned then Prime
minister Yingluck Shinawatra that the national
rice pledging programme could create problems
and incurr great losses.
"The programme allows corruption to
take place at all stages of its implementation",
he said.
He said that 'loopholes' in the rice programme
left it open to corruption.
In February 2015 the office of the Attorney
General filed charges with the Supreme Court
under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and
Section 123/1 of the Corruption Prevention
and Suppression Act against former Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged
derelection of duty and abuse of authority
in the national rice pledging programme.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Beijing
summons ASEAN foreign ministers
to China to reaffirm ASEAN
non-interference in Myanmar
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ASEAN
member country, Singapore,
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Vivian Balakrishnan, left,
and China Foreign Minister,
Wang Yi, met in China's southern
province Fujan on Wednesday
|
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From
News Reports:
Darwin, April 3: Beijings Ministry of
Foreign Affairs invited four of ten Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign
Ministers from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia
and the Phillipines to China for bilateral
meetings to reaffirm ASEAN non-interference
in Myanmar, begining with Singapore Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan,
on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.
China Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, said
at the meeting with Singapore Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan,
in Fujian that China supports the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) principle
of non-interference in ASEAN member country
internal affairs.
"China wants to play a positive role
in promoting peace and stability in Myanmar
in the ASEAN way," he said.
China Foreign Minister, Wang Yi and Singapore
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan,
reportedly called for cessation of violence
and the commencement of constructive dialogue
between the National League for Democracy
(NLD) government and the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Pham Bình Minh,
called on the ASEAN bloc last month to
cooperate with the United Nations in order
to effect a peaceful solution to the political
crisis in Myanmar at the Informal Meeting
of ASEAN Foreign Ministers hosted by ASEAN
rotating chair for 2021, Brunei.
He said that ASEAN cooperation with the
United Nations in order to effect a peaceful
solution to the political crisis in Myanmar
would not only show ASEAN solidarity and
promote ASEAN centrality but also give
the ASEAN bloc credibility.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called
on the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
at an emergency meeting in February to
reverse the takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
and adhere to the results of the November
8, 2020 elections.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Secretary-General called for the return
to democracy, respect for the results
of the elections and the release of all
detained by the military.
"The Security Council calls on the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar for
the continued support of the democratic
transition in Myanmar," he said.
All 15 members of the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) including five permanent
members, China, France, Russia, UK and
the United States and 10 non permanent
members including the only ASEAN member,
Vietnam, called for reversal of the military
coup in Myanmar.
But United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
members China, Russia, India and Vietnam
reportedly objected to possible sanctions
under the United Nations Charter as proposed
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Kachin
ethnic army attacks village
police station to stop police
from killing civilians in
Myanmar cities
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The
Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
attacked the police station
in Kyaukgyi village in Shwegu
Township, Kachin State on
March 31, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 2: The Kachin Independence
Army (KIA), that is a partner organisation
of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA),
coalition of ethnic political parties in
Myanmar, attacked a police station in Kyaukgyi
village in Shwegu Township, Kachin State
in the early hours of Wednesday morning,
with spokesman for the KIA saying that police
from village police stations are sent to
the city to kill civilians, reports Irrawaddy.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), that
is one of about 70 partner organisation
in the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA),
coalition of ethnic political parties that
was established as a democratic force to
work towards a federation that guarantees
equality for national ethnic groups, has
reportedly refused to recognise the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of
the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government on February 1. 2021.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), spokesman,
Naw Bu, said the attack on the Myanmar Police
Force (MPF) station in Kyaukgyi village
in Shwegu Township that is under the command
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
was carried out because police are involved
in lethal attacks on civilians protesting
against the military takeover of the elected
government.
He said that the KIA has attacked police
stations and outposts of people militia
groups in the Kyaukgyi village area, saying
"police and people militia groups are
sent to cities to kill civilians who are
protesting against the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
"The Myanmar Police Force (MPF) and
people militia groups in Kyaukgyi village
in Shwegu Township support the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar," he said.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has reportedly
carried out attacks on Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar military outposts in Kachin State
since March 11 with the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar
retaliating with artillery fire and airstrikes
on Kachin Independence Army (KIA) battalions.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Ethnic
armed organisations join hands
to protect civilians against
Myanmar military
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The
United Nationalities Alliance
(UNA), coalition of ethnic
political parties in Myanmar,
in July 2020 pledged to support
any organisation that would
back enforcement of the 1947
Panglong Agreement that includes
full autonomy for ethnic groups
ahead of the November 8, 2020
elections
|
|
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 1: The Rakhine State ethnic
Arakan Army (AA), that was designated a
terrorist organisation under the National
League for Democracy (NLD) government, condemned
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar for
killing innocent civilians, despite the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar removal
of the ethnic Arakan Army (AA) from the
terrorist list, warning that the Arakan
Army (AA) would collaborate with other ethnic
armed organizations and pro-democracy supporters,
reports Rueters.
Spokesman for the United League of Arakan
(ULA) in Rakhine state and its militant
wing the Arakan Army (AA), Khaing Thukha,
condemned the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar on Monday, saying "the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar are killing
innocent civilians."
"It's time for ethnic armed organisations
to join hands to protect civilians from
the military regime," he said.
He said that innocent civilians are being
brutally shot and killed by the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, saying, "Arbitrary
arrests and looting of people’s property
are on the rise."
We strongly condemn the inhumane acts of
the Burmese army and police,” he said.
The Arakan Army (AA) and its two partner
armed ethnic organisations in the tripartite
Brotherhood Alliance, the National Democratic
Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang
National Liberation Army (TNLA), warned
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar that
they would collaborate with other ethnic
armed organizations and pro-democracy supporters
to defend civilians from the brutality of
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
Spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA), in Rakhine
State, Khaing Thukha, urged the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to enter a dialogue
to solve the crisis by political means.
In July 2020 the United Nationalities Alliance
(UNA), coalition of ethnic political parties
in Myanmar, pledged to support any organisation
that would back enforcement of the 1947
Panglong Agreement that includes full autonomy
for ethnic groups ahead of the general elections
on November, 8, 2020 saying it will vote
as a single bloc.
"Myanmar was born of the 1947 Panglong
Agreement," said United Nationalities
Alliance (UNA) secretariat, U Myo Kyaw.
"The 1947 Panglong agreement brought
Myanmar's ethnic groups together,"
he said.
He said the failure to implement the Panglong
guarantee of independence has resulted in
armed conflicts.
"Stunting the development of the country,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
military accused of using
excessive force in air strikes
on villages in Karen State
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The
Karen National Union (KNU)
claims that about 10,000 villagers
were forced to flee Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
airstrikes on villages in
Day Pu No in Papun in Karen
State on March 27, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, March 31: The Karen National
Union (KNU), has accused the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar of using excessive
force in retaliative air strikes on villages
in Karen State on the eastern side of the
Yunzalin River on Myanmar's border with
Thailand, saying that children have been
killed and thousands forced to flee, reports
Reuters.
The Karen National Union (KNU) claims that
about 10,000 villagers at Day Pu No in Papun
in Karen State were forced to flee the airstrikes
with about 3,000 fleeing across the border
into Thailand to avoid attacks, saying that
more that 2000 were forced back by Thai
authorities.
The Karen National Union (KNU) and its armed
wing, Karen National Liberation Army, that
is one of 10 ethnic armed organisations
in Myanmar, says that Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar fighter jets began air strike
attacks at Day Pu No in Papun on Saturday.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar fighter
jets attacks on villages at Day Pu No in
Papun followed the Karen National Liberation
Army Brigade 5 forces, attack of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of a Myanmar base in Day
Pu No in Papun district on Saturday.
The Karen National Liberation Army, reportedly
killed 10 Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) soldiers
including a lieutenant-colonel at Day Pu
No in Papun on Saturday as the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar celebrated the annual
Armed Forces Day with a parade in the capital,
Naypyitaw.
In August 2020 the Karen National Union
(KNU) that campaigns for self-determination,
and its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation
Army, one of 10 Ethnic Armed Organisations
in Myanmar, that are signatories to the
Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), agreed
to the separation of powers, resource allocation,
tax sharing, self governance laws that would
guarantee the rights of States to self determination
and the sharing of state powers iin the
Union Peace Accord 111 but failed to reach
agreement on allowing the 10 Ethnic Armed
Organizations to draft their own constitutions.
"The five agreements signed in the
Union Peace Accord 111 would pave the way
towards the establishment of a federal democratic
union and for continued discussion on a
constitution, said U Zaw Htay the then Presidential
office spokesman for the National League
for Democracy (NLD) State Councillor, Aung
San Suu Kyi.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Suicide
bombers detonate bomb at Makassar
Cathedral at Sunday mass
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Two
suicide bombers were killed
and about 20 parishioners
were injured including guards
in a bomb blast at the Sacred
Heart of Jesus Cathedral in
Makassar, in South Sulawesi,
Indonesia on Sunday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, March 30: Two suicide bombers,
believed to be members of a militant Muslim
group that has pledged allegiance to the
establishment of an Islamic State under
Shariah law in Indonesia, left parishioners
and guards injured in a bomb blast at the
gates of the Makassar Cathedral in South
Sulawesi on Sunday, with police saying that
the suicide bombers were members of the
militant Muslim group, Jemaah Anshorut Daulah,
reports Jakarta Post.
National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit
Prabowo, who visited the Sacred Heart of
Jesus Cathedral in Makassar after the attack,
said that both suicide bombers were killed
instantly, saying that one of the suicide
bombers was a woman.
"The militant Muslim group, Jemaah
Anshorut Daulah, was responsible for suicide
bombings resulting in the deaths of parishioners
at Catholic churches in Surabaya in 2018,"
he said.
In May 2018 Police were deployed to guard
three Catholic churches in Surabaya following
the suicide bombing at the Santa Maria Tak
Bercela (SMTB) Catholic Church that left
two suicide bombers, believed to be members
of the militant Muslim group, Jemaah Anshorut
Daulah, dead and more that 14 parishioners
injured.
Indonesia President Joko Widodo condemned
the attack on the Catholic church in Makassar
in a televised address on Sunday, saying
he had ordered National Police Chief Gen.
Listyo Sigit Prabowo to find and arrest
the militant Muslim group involved.
He said that the attack on the Catholic
church has nothing to do with any religion,
saying "no religion would tolerate
terrorism."
Vice chairman K.H. Anwar Abbas, of the Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI), that incorporates all
Indonesian Muslim organisations, also condemned
the attack on the Catholic Cathedral in
Makassar on Sunday, saying "the bomb
attack cannot be tolerated as it is inhuman
and against the values of any religion."
He urged the National police to take swift
action to arrest the perpetrator of the
bomb blast, saying "MUI urges security
agencies to find and arrest the perpetrator
and reveal the motive behind the dishonorable
act," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
rejects OHCHR claim that human
rights have deteriorated
|
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An
Sokkhoeurn, Cambodia's Ambassador
and permanent representative
to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) rejected the claim
that human rights in Cambodia
have deteriorated at the High
Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) Council General Debate
on March 23, 2021
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 29: Cambodia's Ambassador
and permanent representative to the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) rejected the claim by the delegate
from Finland that human rights in Cambodia
have deteriorated, saying "Finland
refuses to review Cambodia through an open-minded
and depoliticised lens," reports the
Phnom Penh Post.
Finland High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) delegate, Kirsti Kauppi, was reportedly
highly critical of Cambodia's human rights
record at the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) Council General Debate last
week, saying "human rights in Cambodia
had deteriorated under the Law on National
Administration in the State of Emergency."
"We call for the government of Cambodia
to cooperate with the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) in order to ensure full respect
for all political and civil rights under
the Law on National Administration in the
State of Emergency that was implemented
in response to the Covid-19 crisis,"
she said.
Cambodian Ambassador and permanent representative
to OHCHR, An Sokkhoeurn, rejected the claim
that human rights in Cambodia have deteriorated
saying "Finland refuses to review Cambodia
through an open-minded and depoliticised
lens."
He said that the Law on National Administration
in the State of Emergency that was implemented
in response to the Covid-19 crisis adheres
to the principles of the rule of law.
"The Law on National Administration
in the State of Emergency has taken into
consideration both the necessity and the
proportion of the measures implemented in
response to the Covid-19 crisis," he
said.
He said that only the Cambodian people would
have the final word in assessing the state
of democracy and human rights within the
Kingdom, saying "their voices would
be reflected through electoral outcomes
that the international community should
endeavour to respect."
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) Special Rapporteur for Cambodia
, Rhona Smith, said that "emergency
measures must be necessary and proportiante
to the crisis they seek to address."
She said that the broadly worded language
on the protection of national security and
public order, that aimed at addressing Covid-19,
can potentially be used to infringe on the
right to privacy and unnecessarily restrict
freedoms of expression, association and
peaceful assembly.
"A state of emergency should be guided
by human rights principles and should not,
in any circumstances, be an excuse to quash
dissent or disproportionately and negatively
impact any other group," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Singapore
opposition party member to
pay PM compensation for defamatory
Facebook posting
|
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Singapore
opposition Peoples Voice party
member, Leong Sze Hian, 66,
found guilty of posting a
defamatory article on Facebook
|
|
From News Reports:
Singapore, March 28: The Singapore high
court has ordered Singapore opposition Peoples
Voice party member, Leong Sze Hian, to pay
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong
compensation for a Facebook posting that
linked the Singapore Prime Minister to former
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak,
who was found guilty of misappropiating
state funds, reports the Straits Times.
Singapore Justice Aedit Abdullah ordered
Singapore opposition Peoples Voice party
member Leong Sze Hian, 66, to pay Singapore
Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong compensation
of $99,000, for a defamatory Facebook posting
that was read by about 400 Singaporeans
between November 7 and November 10, 2018
before the posting was ordered removed.
Leong Sze Hian was found guilty of posting
a defamatory article published by the Malaysian
publication "The Coverage" on
Facebook that the high court deemed involved
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong
in cross-border misappropriation 1Malaysia
Development Berhad (1MDB) state funds in
cooperation with the former Prime Minister
of Malaysia, Najib Razak.
Singapore Justice Aedit Abdullah said on
Wednesday that opposition party member,
Leong Sze Hian, posted the article that
had been published in a Malaysian publication
on Facebook "without making any enquiries
as to its truth whatsoever" saying
"Leong Sze Hian had displayed reckless
disregard of whether the article was true
or not".
"There did not appear to be any other
plausible interpretation of the link to
the article apart from Mr Leong supporting
or endorsing the content in the link in
some way, he said.
In July 2020 former Malaysia Prime Minister
Najib Razak, 67, was found guilty of all
charges involving Criminal Breach of Trust
(CBT) in the misappropriation of RM42 million
from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) state
funds.
In August 2014 the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission, Bank Negara and Malaysian police
began an investigation into allegations
that funds were transferred from 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state funds to Malaysia
Prime Minister Najib Razak private bank
accounts including Swiss bank BSI AG.
Singapore closed Swiss bank BSI AG operations
in Singapore following criminal proceedings
in Switzerland against the Swiss bank BSI
AG transactions with 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB).
In February 2015 Singaporean Roy Ngerng,
33, who regularly posted commentaries on
Facebook that were critical of Singapore's
ruling Peoples's Action Party (PAP) and
who was found guilty of defaming Singapore
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, was ordered
by the high court to pay compensation of
$29.000.
Roy Ngerng was ordered to remove the commentaries
that alleged that Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong who was also the chairman of the Government
of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte
Ltd, (GIC) was guilty of criminal misappropriation
of the monies paid by Singaporeans into
the Central Provident Fund (CPF).
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation
Pte Ltd, (GIC) is a sovereign wealth fund
that manages more than $100 billion of the
Singapore's foreign reserves.
Lawyer, Davinder Singh, for Prime Minister
Lee said then that the Facebook comments
"disparages the Singapore Prime Minister
and impugns his character, credit and integrity."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
ready to support Myanmar within
ASEAN and UN framework
|
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Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Department of International
Organisations, Director-General,
Do Hung Viet, said at a press
conference in Hanoi on Thursday
that Vietnam supports Myanmar
within the ASEAN and United
Nations Security Council (UNSC)
framework
|
|
From News Reports:
Hanoi, March 27: Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Department of International Organisations,
said in Hanoi on Thursday that Vietnam,
as the serving President of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) for the month of
April, "stands ready to support Myanmar"
within the ASEAN and United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) framework, reports the Vietnam
News Service.
Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department
of International Organisations, Director-General,
Do Hung Viet, said that Vietnam supports
Myanmar within the ASEAN and United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) framework, that
upholds the security and safety of the people
of Myanmar, following the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, takeover of the elected National
League of Democracy (NLD) government last
month.
He said that Vietnam as a neighbouring country
to Myanmar and the only ASEAN member country
on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),
"stands ready to serve as a bridge
between ASEAN and the UN Security Council
(UNSC) in order to promote peace and stability
in Myanmar."
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President
for the month of March, United States Ambassador
to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield,
said the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) unanimously called for a reversal
of the military coup in Myanmar, saying
"all council members spoke with one
voice to condemn the ongoing violence against
peaceful protesters in Myanmar.
The presidential statement proposed by permanent
member of the United Nations Security Council
(UNSC), UK, Ambassador to the United Nations,
Barbara Woodward, said that the UK proposal
calling for the reversal of the military
coup in Myanmar, is due to the "deteriorating
situation in Myanmar'.
The Presidential statement that was signed
by all 15 members of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) on March 10 did
not condemn the military coup in Myanmar
or propose sanctions under the United Nations
Charter as proposed the initial UK draft
proposal.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members
China, Russia, India and Vietnam reportedly
objected to proposed sanctions under the
United Nations Charter as proposed in the
intial UK, draft proposal.
The
Southeast Asian Tiimes
| Kang-Fu
the Red Kangaroo is relentless
in his fight to protect Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page 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
|
|
| 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 |
|
| MEDIA
CHECK |
| Cambodia-China
Journalist Association
(CCJA) launched in Phnom
Penh
...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
|
|
| 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 |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...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 |
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
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| ; |
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|
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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