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GATHERINGS:
An informed
guide to happenings throughout the region.
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Thai
senate seeks
referendum on
new constitution: Lese Majeste law
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The
Senate is seeking a referendum on the
drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives
voted for an opposition-sponsored
motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a
referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to
organise a referendum that would pave
the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be
drawn up by a charter drafting
assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has
tentatively been set for May 7 by the
Election Commission (EC).
Senators
were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum,
saying "It is a tactic to stall the
referendum"
Sen Kittisak
Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he
disagreed with organising the
referendum on the same day as the
general election,
"This could
confuse voters," he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
China calls emergency
COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From News
Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An
emergency meeting of foreign ministers
from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is
to be held in Vientiane, Laos on
Thursday and Friday to discuss the
COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The
COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN
member states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly
intended to share information and to
improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN
member states in order to combat the
COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign
Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with
focus on strengthening joint
prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of
establishing a long term and effective
collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying "
China and Asean countries have been in
close communication since the outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an
opportunity for the foreign ministers
to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting
will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will
demonstrate Cambodia’s support of
China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Vietnam opens consulate
in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau
Special Administrative Region of China
on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said
at the launching ceremony that the
office aims to better ensure the
rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the
consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost
friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate
General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship
Association in Macau.
More than
20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and
services companies.
The Southeast Asian
Times
US invites
Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in
a "landmark" visit, Rueters
reports.
General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on
Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a
senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
and the President of the United States
"would skirt protocol" because the
General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official
as saying.
Rueters also quotes the
senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong
as the visit of "the top leader
of the country".
"It's a pretty big
event," Rueters quotes the state
department official as saying.
The Southeast Asian
Times France agrees
to return Aboriginal remains home to
Australia
From News
Reports:
Canberra, November 25:
French president Francois Hollande and
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to
Australia during the first official
visit by a French head of state to
Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head
of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the
Aboriginal remains held in France.
The head of state and prime minister
said in a joint statement that the
identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider
the requests of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The
French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human
remains to their community of origin."
the statement said.
Australia
believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and
the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets
of Aboriginal skeletal remains to
Australia including the severed head
of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years.
Yagan was shot dead for his resistance
to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The Southeast Asian
Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November
10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, that national
identity cards (KTP) do not include
the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of
the card holder on national identity
cards (KTP)
contradicted the
country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state
ideology and our national identity,
then why should we be ashamed of
including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from
official government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian
citizens on national identity cards
(KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up
to the people", he said.
The Souheast Asian
Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai
monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students,
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip
Mankong, 26, were charged in the
Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in
October 2013, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The students were charged
with insulting the Royal Thai family
in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th
anniversaries of the October 6, 1976
and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's
script, a work of fiction that depicts
a fictional monarch, that allegedly
insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on
13 August, have been refused bail are
scheduled to appear in court to enter
pleas on December 29.
The Southeast Asian
Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents
to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers,
Presidents and State representatives
including US Secretary of State, John
Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on
Monday.
The speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend
the swearing in of the former governor
of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as
president of Indonesia.
"The Prime
Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He
said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's"
including former Presidents and
Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties
have also be invited,” said the
speaker.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Banned ISIS
flag found flying in Aceh
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag found
flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was
reportedly the first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said
that the flag of the nationally banned
movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh
regency in Aceh.
He said that a
bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and banned the teaching
of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of
Indonesias Independence.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Singapore
passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution
Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014
Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Act by
the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for
causing severe air pollution in
Singapore.
The Act that was first
proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze
pollution in Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan said that under the Act,
Singapore will have the legal right
under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources
in accordance with their policies they
also have a responsibility to ensure
that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze
Pollution Act gives Singapore the
legal power to serve notices on those
that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to
ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest
fires.
A bill passed in the
Indonesian House of Representatives in
July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and
illegal clearing of forests for palm
oil plantations.
The new bill,
designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force
including police to monitor the
prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th
anniversary of the Biak Massacre in
West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will be
held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley
Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in
memory of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS)
at the University of Sydney last year
on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into
the sea by Indonesian security
forces.
The tribunal heard eye
witness testimony that the West Papuan
demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian
security forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan
protesters were surrounded and shot by
Indonesian security forces and that
survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July
1998.
The Southeast Asian
Times
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More
than a million Filipino's
support PM opposition
to impeachment of
VP at peace rally
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The
Iglesia ni Cristo
(INC) organise a peace
rally at the Quirino
Grandstand in Manila
in support of Philippine
President Ferdinand
Marcos opposition
to the impeachment
of Vice President
Sara Duterte on Monday
January 13, 2025
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From
News Reports:
Manila, January 15: More than a
million Filipino's demonstrated
support for Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos opposition to the
impeachment of Vice President Sara
Duterte, at a peace rally organised
by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) at
the Quirino Grandstand in Manila
on Monday, with Philippine House
of Representatives member, Francisca
Lustina Castro, saying 'the rally
is an attempt to shield Vice President
Sara Duterte from accountability,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
House of Representatives member,
Francisca Lustina Castro, said ''while
the mega church's endorsement of
President Ferdinand Marcos and Vice
President Sara Duterte could boost
their chances as candidates in the
general elections in May, it is
not a sure way to victory.''
''The Iglesia ni Cristo endorsed
Ferdinand Marcos for the vice-presidential
race in 2016 and he lost,'' she
said.
Philippines Senator Sherwin Ting
Gatchalian said ''the Iglesia ni
Cristo (INC) rally message to set
aside politics and support the President's
opposition to the impeachment of
Vice President Sara Duterte, will
make many think twice on the impeachment.''
''Support from the Iglesia ni Cristo,
known for voting as a bloc, is important
during the May elections,'' he said.
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) said
that it was not supporting either
President Ferdinand Marcos or Vice
President Sara Duterte saying ''the
peace rally is apolitical.''
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) claim
to support President Ferdinand Marcos
call against the impeachment of
Vice President Sara Duterte, saying
the call for impeachment is supported
by President Ferdinand Marcos allies
in Congress.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered
Congress not to file an impeachment
complaints against Vice President
Sara Duterte on December 29, for
the alleged misappropriation of
US$10.3 million of confidential
and intelligence funds (CIF) of
the Office of the Vice President
for 2022, saying that an impeachment
complaint against Vice President
Sara Duterte ''would only tie down
both the House of Representatives
and the Senate.''
“It will just take up all our
time and for what? For nothing.
For nothing. None of this will help
improve a single Filipino life,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Hitman
for former PM Duterte
flees Philippines
after testimony on
extrajudicial killings
in Davao City
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Edgar
Matobato, former member
of the Davao Death
Squad (DDS) testifies
against former Philippine
President Rodrigo
Duterte at the Senate
committee on justice
and human rights on
Thursday 22 September
2016
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From
News Reports:
Manila, January 14: Self-confessed
former Davao Death Squad (DDS)
hitman, who testified against
former Philippines President Rodrigo
Duterte in alleged extrajudicial
killings has fled the Philippines,
with the Bureau of Immigration
(BI) saying ''the Bureau of Immigration
(BI) will investigate reports
that confessed hitman, Edgar Matobato,
has left the Philippines, reports
Philippine Inquirer.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson,
Dana Sandoval, said ''the Bureau
of Immigration (BI) has identified
the name used by self-confessed
former Davao Death Squad hitman,
Edgar Matobato, that enabled him
to leave the Philippines.
''The BI has obtained information
on the mode and name used by Edgar
Matobato to slip past immigration,''
she said.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson,
Dana Sandoval, said the Bureau of
Immigration (BI) is investigating
whether Edgar Matobato changed his
appearance when he left the Philippines.
In September 2016 Edgar Matobato
testified against former President
Rodrigo Duterte at the Senate
Committee on Justice and Human
Rights on the extrajudicial killings
that was led by Senator Leila
de Lima, saying that former President
Rodrigo Duterte, who was then
Mayor of Davao City, had himself
ordered the killings of crime
and drug suspects.
Edgar Matobato testified that
he was a member of the Davao Death
Squad (DDS) saying 'our job was
to kill criminals, drug pushers,
petty robbers and rapists,''
The Davao Death Squad (DDS) killed
more than 1,000 people between
1988 and 2013,'' he said at the
Senate hearing.
Edgar Matobato said in his testimony
that he was 'the triggerman of at
least 50 of the murders in Davao
City, saying that he had stabbed
one of the accused criminals and
pushed them into the sea.
In September 2016 Senator Leila
de Lima, former chair of the Senate
committee on justice and human
rights, who presented Edgar Matobato
as a witness to the hearing against
former President President Rodrigo
Duterte on extrajudicial killings
in Davao City said on Wednesday
that ''Edgar Matobato is under
International Criminal Court (ICC)
protective custody in an undisclosed
location.''
Senator Leila de Lima, former
chair of the Senate committee
on justice and human rights, who
led investigations into the Davao
Death Squad (DDS) in 2009, said
that she vetted Edgar Matobato
claims before he testified at
the Senate Committee on Justice
and Human Rights, saying that
she had attached her report that
included details of Edgar Matobato
testimony in her communication
with the International Criminal
Court (ICC).
''It’s a comprehensive presentation
of what happened during the Senate
committee hearings and the testimony
of Edgar Matobato,'' she said.
In March 2018 then President Rodrigo
Duterte withdrew Philippine membership
from the International Criminal
Court (ICC) after International
Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor,
Fatou Bensouda, announced the
opening of a preliminary examination
of the Philippines that would
look into alleged crimes against
humanity committed during Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte's war
on drugs campaign.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda,
said that she has determined that
there is reasonable basis to believe
that crimes against humanity had
been committed in the Philippines
between 1 July 2016 and 16 March
2019, saying "a preliminary
examination suggests that vigilante-style
killings were perpetrated by Philippine
police officers themselves, or
other private individuals hired
by authorities, leading to a death
toll of between 12,000 to 30,000
civilians," she said.
She said that extrajudicial killings
perpetrated across the Philippines
appear to have been committed
pursuant to an official State
policy of the Philippine government,
saying " police and other
government officials planned,
ordered, and sometimes directly
perpetrated extrajudicial killings."
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Amnesty
International Indonesia
calls for four Indonesian
military personnel
to be tried in a civilian
court
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Amnesty
International Indonesia
Executive Director
Usman Hamid calls
for trial of Indonesian
Military (TNI) and
the National Police
(Polri) personnel
involved in fatal
shooting and injury
of civilians to conducted
in civil court not
military court on
Tuesday January 7,
2025
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, January 13: Amnesty International
Indonesia has called for four Indonesian
Military (TNI) and the National
Police (Polri) personnel involved
in the fatal shooting of Ilyas Abdurrahman,
48, and critical injuries to Ramli
Abu Bakar, 59, car rental dealers
from "Makmur Jaya Rental Mobile''
in Tangerang, Banten on January
2 to be tried in a civilian court,
not a military court, reports Tempo.
''Military courts are considered
non-transparent and are closed to
the public,'' said Amnesty International
Indonesia executive director, Usman
Hamid.
He called for revision of Law Number
31 of 1997 on military justice that
would ensure that violations of
civilian criminal law committed
by military personnel can be processed
through civilian courts on January
7, saying ''the military personnel
must be tried in a civilian court
to ensure a fair and open legal
process.''
One of four unidentified Indonesian
Military (TNI) and the National
Police (Polri) personnel was arrested
for the fatal shooting of, Ilyas
Abdurrahman, 48, and critical injuries
to Ramli Abu Bakar, 59, after the
car rental dealers attempted to
retrieve a Honda Brio and a Daihatsu
Sigra that had been rented from
the "Makmur Jaya Rental Mobile''
in Tangerang, in Banten by the four
military personnel and not returned.
The four unidentified Indonesian
Military (TNI) and the National
Police (Polri) personnel allegedly
removed the GPS device from the
vehicles to avoid being tracked.
The "Makmur Jaya Rental Mobile''
car rental dealers tracked the rented
cars to Cinangka in Banten, at the
KM 45 Merak-Tangerang Toll Road
and confronted the driver of the
Daihatsu Sigra, who allegedly pulled
out a firearm and fatally shot Ilyas
Abdurrahman, 48, and critically
injured Ramli Abu Bakar, 59.
The four unidentified members of
the Indonesian Military (TNI) and
the National Police (Polri) fled
the scene in both vehicles, later
abandoning the Honda Brio on the
toll toad.
The Military Police Command of the
Indonesian National Armed Forces
has confirmed that one of four unidentified
members of the Indonesian Military
(TNI) and the National Police (Polri)
is in custody at the Joint Military
Police Center of the Indonesian
National Armed Forces (TNI)
Amnesty International Indonesia
Executive director, Usman Hamid,
criticised the use of the term 'oknum'
that refers to Indonesian Military
(TNI) and the National Police (Polri)
personnel who violate civilian criminal
law, saying ''the term 'oknum' tends
to be used to avoid institutional
responsibility.''
He said that Indonesian Military
(TNI) and the National Police (Polri)
must be held accountable for the
actions of their personnel, particularly
if firearms are used for criminal
acts or human rights violations."
''The negligence of personnel that
results in the death of civilians
must be processed in a criminal
civilian court not a military court,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Hong
Kong publisher denies
sedition
and collusion with
foreign powers charges
at West Kowloon
Court
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Former
Hong Kong Apple Daily
newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying also
known as Jimmy Lai,
75, arrested under
the Beijing new national
security law on Safeguarding
National Security
in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region
(HKSAR) on Monday
August 10, 2020
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From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, January 12: Former Hong
Kong-Apple Daily newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy
Lai, 75, who is charged with publishing
"seditious publications"
and with "collusion with foreign
powers to endanger national security"
denied that he was ''advocating
foreign countries to engage in hostile
activities against China,'' at the
West Kowloon Court on Monday, saying
that he was analysing current affairs,
reports the South China Morning
Post.
Former Hong Kong-Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai, 75, pleaded not guilty
to two counts of conspiring to collude
with foreign powers under Beijing's
national security law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
that was passed into legislature
in Beijing on June 30, 2020 and
a third count of conspiring to publish
seditious newspapers, books and
other printed materials under the
Seditious Publications Ordinance
of 1914 that was expanded in the
1938 Sedition Ordinance that included
acts and words.
Former Hong Kong-Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai, 75, is accused of
publishing seditious material in
an article in the Hong Kong-Apple
Daily on October 11, 2020 in which
he said ''Taiwan had become more
important strategically than Korea
in the 1950s and asked if the US
would be willing to show military
might to stop the brinkmanship of
China.''
''The US could prevent a war with
China by getting ready for war and
showcasing its military supremacy,''
he said.
''That’s why the Chinese Communist
Party don’t want to start a
war because the war would only cause
damaging without a chance of winning,''
he said.
“If there’s a war the
Chinese Communist Party would only
cause disaster and death without
winning,'' he said.
He said in the article that ''Taiwan
had become a priority in US international
policy because Xi Jinping had vowed
the reunification of mainland China
and Taiwan.''
''Xi is not elected, he alone controls
the whole country, what he says
goes, he is a dictator,'' he said
in the article published in the
Hong Kong-Apple Daily on October
11, 2020.
He denied that he had sought to
incite hatred against Chinese leader,
Xi Jinping, by describing him as
a dictator in the Hong Kong-Apple
Daily on October 11, 2020.
Former Hong Kong-Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai, 75, was also charged
with
"collusion with foreign powers
to endanger national security"
in the online commentary series
''Live Chat with Jimmy Lai''
on November 13, 2020.
The three Judges of the West Kowloon
Court heard the former governor
of Hong Kong under British administration,
Chris Patten, say on a recording
of the online commentary on Monday
that a possible response to Beijing’s
threat to Western democracies was
by ''continuing to stand up for
people who’ve been so brave
in Hong Kong.''
On August 11, 2020 Apple Daily newspaper
publisher Lai Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai, 74, and 10 executives,
were arrested under the new national
security law that was passed into
legislature in Beijing on June 30,
2020 for allegedly supporting rioters,
instigating hatred, spreading rumours
and slandering Hong Kong authorities
in the Apple Daily publication.
Executives, reporters and student
activists of the Hong Kong Apple
Daily newspaper were charged with
"collusion with foreign forces"
under the new law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
that was passed into legislature
in Beijing on June 30, 2020.
Beijing's new national security
law on Safeguarding National Security
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) was enforced on the
day it was passed into legislature
in Beijing on June 30, 2020 with
the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)
given the power for the first time
to make arrests on grounds of national
security.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Thai
marine arrested in
Cambodia after assassination
of Cambodian opposition
member MP in Bangkok
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From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh,
January 11:
Former Royal
Thai Marine
Corps (RTMC)
marine, Ekkalak
Pheanol, 41,
was arrested
in Cambodia's
Battambang Province
on Wednesday
for the assassination
of the dual
Cambodian-French
national, former
Cambodia opposition
member of parliament,
Lim Kimya, 74,
in Bangkok on
Tuesday, with
the Cambodia
National Police
saying ''the
suspect will
be sent back
to Thailand
as requested
by Thai authorities,''
reports the
Phnom Penh Post.
Police officers
at Cambodia's
Battambang Provincial
Police Headquarters
arrested former
Royal Thai Marine
Corps (RTMC)
marine Ekkalak
Pheanol, 41,
in Prey Svay
commune, Moung
Russey district
in Battambang
Province for
the alleged
assassination
of former Cambodia
opposition member
of parliament,
Lim Kimya, 74,
in near the
Wat Bowonniwet
Temple in Bangkok
on Tuesday.
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Former
Royal
Thai Marine
Corps
(RTMC)
marine
Ekkalak
Pheanol,
41, arrested
in Cambodia
on Wednesday
January
8, 2025
for assassination
of former
Cambodia
opposition
member
of parliament,
Lim Kimya,
74, in
Bangkok
on Tuesday
January
7, 2025
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The
arrest of former Royal Thai Marine
Corps (RTMC) marine Ekkalak Pheanol,
41, in Cambodia followed a request
for cooperation by the Bangkok Royal
Thai Police (RTP), Metropolitan
Police Bureau, (MPB) that was based
on information provided by Thailand,
with the suspect apprehended by
the Cambodian National Police on
Wednesday.
''The suspect will be sent back
to Thailand as requested by Thailand
authorities, in accordance with
the law, after Cambodian authorities
complete the necessary legal procedures,”
said officials at Cambodia's Battambang
Provincial Police Headquarters
CCTV footage capturing the lead
up to the fatal shooting show the
shooter, Ekalak Pheanol, 41, arriving
at the Bowonniwet Temple in Bangkok
on his motorbike at 5.26pm on Tuesday,
carrying a bag strapped to his chest.
The footage shows Ekalak 41, removing
his helmet, remaining on his motorcycle
for several minutes before crossing
the road
and shooting opposition Cambodia
politician, Lim Kimya, dead.
Dual Cambodian-French national,
former Cambodia opposition politician,
Lim Kimya, 74, of the Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP), that was dissolved
under the Cambodian People's Party
(CPP) ahead of the 2018 elections,
travelled by bus accompanied by
his French wife and a Cambodian
uncle from Siem Reap in Cambodia,
arriving in Bangkok on Tuesday where
he was shot dead within hours of
arrving at the Wat Bowonniwet Temple
in Bangkok.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Former
Cambodian opposition
MP assassinated in
Bangkok
|
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|
Dual
Cambodian-French national
former member of parliament
of dissolved Cambodia
opposition Cambodia
National Rescue Party
(CNRP) Lim Kimya 74
assassinated in Bangkok
Tuesday January 7,
2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, January 10: The Thailand
Criminal Court has issued an arrest
warrant for a former Royal Thai
Marine Corps (RTMC) marine for
the assassination in Bangkok of
dual Cambodian-French national,
former Cambodia opposition member
of parliament, Lim Kimya, 74,
with CCTV footage showing the
fatal shooting of the Cambodian
opposition member of parliament
who had arrived in Thailand from
Cambodia on Tuesday, hours before
the shooting, reports Bangkok
Post.
The Bangkok Royal Thai Police (RTP),
Metropolitan Police Bureau, (MPB)
commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom
said ''a preliminary investigation
indicates that the killer was a
gun for hire.''
''The Metropolitan Police Bureau,
(MPB) know who the perpetrator
is and is working to arrest him,''
he said.
Former Royal Thai Navy marine
Corps (RTMC) marine Ekalak 41,
is charged with premeditated murder,
unlawful possession of a firearm,
and discharging a weapon in a
public place.
CCTV footage shows the shooter,
Ekalak 41, arriving at the Bowonniwet
Temple in Bangkok on his motorbike
at 5.26pm on Tuesday, carrying
a bag strapped to his chest.
The footage shows Ekalak 41, removing
his helmet, remaining on his motorcycle
for several minutes before crossing
the road
and shooting opposition Cambodia
politician, Lim Kimya, dead.
Dual Cambodian-French national,
former Cambodia opposition politician,
Lim Kimya, 74, of the Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP),
that was dissolved under the Cambodian
People's Party (CPP) ahead of
the 2018 elections, travelled
by bus, accompanied by his French
wife and a Cambodian uncle from
Siem Reap in Cambodia, arriving
in Bangkok on Tuesday where he
was shot dead within hours nearr
the Bowonniwet Temple in Bangkok.
Ruling Cambodian People's Party
(CPP) spokesperson, Pen Bona,
said the killing of the former
Cambodian opposition politician
was a matter for Thailand authorities,
saying ''the Cambodian government
was often accused by opposition
extremists of being behind such
incidents.''
Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates
director, Phil Robertson, said
"this brazen shooting of
a former Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) member of parliament
on the streets of Bangkok has
all the hallmarks of a political
assassination.''
''The fatal shooting of dual Cambodian-French
national, former Cambodian member
of parliament in Thailand is a
significant escalation in the
use of transnational repressions,''
he said.
He called on the French government
to pursue justice for French citizen,
Lim Kimya, saying ''the French
government should leave no stone
unturned in pressing the Thailand
government to effectively and
thoroughly investigate this assassination,
no matter where the path leads."
In October 2022 ruling Cambodia's
People's Party (CPP) then Prime
Minister, Hun Sen, warned opposition
political parties ahead of the
7th National Assembly elections
in June 23, 2023, of associating
with founder of the opposition
Candlelight Party (CP), in exile
in France, Sam Rainsy, who is
the former president of the Supreme
Court-dissolved Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP), saying he
would dissolve political party's
that associated with Sam Rainsy.
The Candlelight Party (CP), formerly
known as the Sam Rainsy Party and
the Khmer Nation Party, was founded
in 1995 and merged with other opposition
forces to form the Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) in 2012 but
was dissolved in a Supreme court
ruling in 2017 ahead of the elections
in 2018.
Sam Rainsy, went into exile in
Paris in 2015 fearing arrest by
the Hun Sen Cambodia's People's
Party (CPP) after parliamentary
immunity was removed and he faced
multiple criminal defamation charges
for his accusation of corruption
against the Hun Sen Cambodia's
People's Party (CPP).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West
Sumatra to regulate
LGBT to eliminate
social diseases
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, January
9: The West
Sumatra Regional
House of Representatives
(DPRD) is planning
regional regulations
for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender
(LGBT) in order
to eliminate
social diseases
in Minang, with
the Minang DPRD
Deputy Speaker,
saying ''LGBT
behaviour is
closely related
to HIV/AIDS,''
reports Indoleft.
'The West Sumatra
Regional House
of Represenatives
is planning
regional regulations
for (LGBT),''
said (DPRD)
Padang deputy
speaker, Nanda
Satria.
The West Sumatra
Regional House
of Representatives
(DPRD) Padang
deputy speaker,
Nanda Satria,
said ''there
are regions
in West Sumatra
province that
have already
produced regulations
for LGBT.''
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|
West
Sumatra
Regional
House
of Representatives
(DPRD)
Padang
deputy
speaker,
Nanda
Satria,
is planning
regional
regulations
for Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender
(LGBT)
to eliminate
social
diseases
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|
He
said the West Sumatra Regional House
of Representatives believes that
the provincial government of Minang
should do the same thing, saying
''LGBT behaviour is closely related
to HIV/AIDS.''
''The regency and municipal House
of Representatives (DPRD) have urged
the government to prevent infectious
diseases through various publications
including billboards and government-owned
videotrons,'' he said.
He said that government billboards
or videotrons must contain educational
content about the dangers of social
diseases, saying ''don't just display
photos of a regional head.''
Padang City Health Office, Srikurnia
Yati, said that 166 individuals
affected by HIV/AIDS from 308 individuals
effected in Padang were from outside
the city, ''saying more than half
the individuals affected were of
productive age.''
''In the 24 to 45-year age group,''
she said.
In May, 2023 the Indonesia Ulema
Council (MUI), that incorporates
all Indonesian Muslim organisations,
called on the then Indonesia President,
Joko Widodo, to ban the planned
tour of Indonesia by Thai musicians
and actors, Putthipong Assaratanakul,
24, and Krit Amnuaydechkorn, 24,
'Billkin and PP Krit' on June 10,
2023 saying "the Thai musicians
and actors represent Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
rights,
In May, 2023 the Malaysia Islamic
Party (PAS) secretary-general, Nasrudin
Hassan, called on the British Coldplay
band to cancel the concert to be
held at Kuala Lumpur's National
Stadium Buki Jalil on 22 November,
asking the question "why does
the government want to nurture a
culture of hedonism and perversion
in this country?
Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) secretary-general,
Nasrudin Hassan advised the Malaysian
government to cancel the performance,
saying "it brings nothing good
to religion, race and country.
In December 2022 The United States
special envoy for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer and
intersex+persons (LGBTQI+ persons),
Jessica Stern, planned visit to
Indonesia was cancelled after the
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy
chairman, Anwar Abbas said "the
visit would harm Indonesia's religious
and cultural values."
"The visit was intended to
undermine Indonesia's cultural and
religious rights," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Opposition
PAS accuses PM Anwar
Ibrahim of high treason
against Malaysia monarchy
|
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|
Malaysia's
opposition Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS)
secretary-general
Hamzah Zainudin, accused
Prime Minister, Anwar
Ibrahim, of high treason
for concealment or
denial of a royal
decree that would
allowformer Prime
Minister, Najib Razak,
to serve jail sentence
under house arrest
on Monday January
6, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, January 8: Malaysia's
opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic
Party (PAS) called for the resignation
of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,
after the Court of Appeal majority
decision on Monday to grant former
Prime Minister, Najib Razak, leave
to begin judicial review proceedings
for the execution of a royal addendum
issued by former 16th King of
Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Sultan
Ahmad Shah, with Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS) saying ''any
act of defiance, concealment,
or denial of a royal decree constitutes
high treason against the monarchy
and the nation,'' reports Malaysiakini.
Malaysia's opposition Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS) secretary-general
Hamzah Zainudin, accused Prime
Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, of concealing
the royal addendum that purportedly
allows former Prime Minister,
Najib Razak, to serve his jail
sentence under house arrest, with
opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic
Party (PAS) saying ''Prime Minister
Najib Razak is bound by his oath
of loyalty to the King and the
Federal Constitution.''
Former Prime Ministers Najib Razak
began serving a 12 -year prison
sentence in 2022 for the misappropriation
of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary
SRS International Sdn Bhd funds,
with the sentence halved in February
2024 by the Federal Territories
Pardons Board, with the current
17th King of Malaysia, Sultan
Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, as
chairman.
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin
called for the resignation of
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim claiming
''the government alleged concealment
of the royal addendum represented
a serious violation of the former
Prime Minister Najib Razak right
to a fair trial.''
''Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
is bound by his oath of loyalty
to the King and the Federal Constitution,''
he said.
''Any act of defiance, concealment,
or denial of a royal decree constitutes
high treason against the monarchy
and the nation,'' he said.
Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament,
Hassan Karim, said Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim does not need to
resign over a purported addendum
order allowing for Prime Minister,
Najib Razak, to serve the remainder
of his sentence under house arrest.
''Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s
respect for judicial independence
in the matter of former prime
minister Najib Razak’s purported
addendum order should be praised,''
he said.
He said that the Court of Appeal's
ruling clearly showed that the
principle of separation of powers
is functioning well in Malaysia,
saying ''particularly as Anwar
Ibrahim has repeatedly explained
that neither the government nor
himself can interfere with court
proceedings and judges’ decisions.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysia
awaits court ruling
on purported addendum
that would allow
former PM Najib
to continue jail
sentence under house
arrest
|
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|
United
Malays National
Organisation (UMNO)
supporters from
Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan,
wear red shirts
with the words ''Solidarity
with Najib'' and
chanting ''Support
Bossku'', referring
former Prime Minister
Najib Razak at the
Kualal Lumpur Appeals
Court on Monday
January 6, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, January 7: Thousands
of supporters of former Prime
Ministers Najib Razak assembled
at the Court of Appeal on Monday
morning to await a judicial review
of a purported addendum, royal
decree issued by former 16th King
of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Sultan
Ahmad Shah, that would allow the
former Prime Minister to continue
to serve his jail sentence under
house arrest, reports the New
Straits Times.
Former Prime Ministers Najib Razak
began serving a 12 -year prison
sentence in 2022 for the misappropriation
of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary
SRS International Sdn Bhd funds,
with the sentence halved in February
2024 by the Federal Territories
Pardons Board, with the new 17th
King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim
Iskandar of Johor, as chairman.
Members and supporters of United
Malays National Organisation (UMNO),
Barisan Nasional (BN) and the
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
gathered at the Court of Appeal
to support the former Prime Ministers
Najib Razak's application to the
court for a judicial review of
a purported addendum, a royal
decree issued by the former 16th
King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah
Sultan Ahmad Shah, that would
allow the former Prime Minister
to serve the remainder of a 6
year jail sentence under house
arrest.
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
secretary-general, lawyer Takiyuddin
Hassan said he would hold a watching
brief in the former Prime Minister
Najib Razak application for a
judicial review for the purported
addendum, saying he would ''represent
Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition
leader Hamzah Zainudin, Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS), vice-president
Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and Bersatu
National (BN) vice-president Ronald
Kiandee.''
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
secretary-general, lawyer Takiyuddin
Hassan told the judges of the
Court of Appeal on Monday that
the purported addendum, the royal
decree issued by former 16th King
of Malaysis Sultan Abdullah Sultan
Ahmad Shah, that would allow the
former Prime Minister to serve
the remaining jail sentence under
house arrest, was debated in the
parliament last month, saying
''Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
sidestepped queries citing sub
judice.''
''The government suggested that
we go to court to hold a watching
brief on the proceeding,'' he
said.
He said the former Prime Minister
Najib Razak is seeking to rely
on new evidence to commence judicial
review proceedings to compel the
court to execute the purported
addendum, the royal decree issued
by former 16th King of Malaysia,
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah,
as evidence.
In July 2024 the Kuala Lumpur
High Court ruled that former Prime
Minister Najib Razak had failed
to show evidence for a full hearing
of his proposed judicial review
application of a purported addendum,
the royal decree issued by former
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan
Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, that
would allow the former Prime Minister
to serve the remaining jail sentence
under house arrest.
Kuala Lumpur High Court Justice
Amarjeet Singh said then that
the affidavits submitted by former
Prime Minister, Najib Razak, United
Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,
and vice-president Wan Rosdy Wan
Ismail, as evidence for a purported
addendum, a royal decree issued
by the 16th King of Malaysia,
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah,
that would allow the former Prime
Minister to serve the remaining
jail sentence under house arrest,
were heresay and inadmissible
as evidence.
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 |
|
|
Philippines
Vice-President excluded
from National Security
Council for threatening
assassination of
President Marcos
|
|
 |
|
Philippines
Vice-president Sara
Duterte excluded
from National Security
Council (NSC) for
alleged assassination
threat against Philippine
president, Ferdinand
Marcos Jr
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, January 6: Philippine
president, Ferdinand Marcos
Jr, has excluded vice-president,
Sara Duterte, from the national
security council (NSC), after
the vice-president allegedly
threatened the assassination
of president, Ferdinand Marcos
Jr, if she herself was killed,
with vice-president, Sara Duterte,
saying ''the assassination threat
against the president was maliciously
taken out of logical context,''
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
Vice-president Sara Duterte
questioned the National Security
Council (NSC) resolve on Sunday
November 24, 2024 ''to consider
the remarks made by the vice-president
Sara Duterte against President
Ferdinand Marcos as a national
concern.''
''The remarks were maliciously
taken out of logical context,''
she said.
Vice-president Sara Duterte
called on the National Security
Council (NSC) to provide a notice
of the meeting, photos of the
meeting and the notarised minutes
of the meeting, saying ''the
council resolved to consider
the remarks against the president
as a national security concern.''
Vice-president Sara Duterte
challenged the National Security
Council (NSC) definition of
national security saying ''national
security pertains to the protection
of our sovereignty.''
''The protection of sovereignty
is confined to the function
of National Security Council
to the formulation of policies
for the protection of national
security,'' she said.
Vice-president Sara Duterte
said that the threat on president,
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, life was
''a warning from the grave should
she
end up dead in a threat to her
life.''
She said she likened the threat
on president, Ferdinand Marcos
Jr, life to a previous threat,
saying ''I threatened to exhume
the body of former President
and dictator Ferdinand Marcos
Sr. and dump it into the West
Philippine Sea if political
attacks against me do not stop.
Philippine president, Ferdinand
Marcos Jr, issued Executive
Order 81 "Reorganizing
the National Security Council,"
on December 30, 2024, that excluded
vice-president, Sara Duterte,
from the national security council
(NSC), saying after Vice President,
Sara Duterte, had threatened
to assassinate the president,
his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos,
his cousin, the House of Representatives
Speaker Martin Romualdez, ''that
criminal plot should not be
allowed to pass.''
''I'll fight it,'' he said.
''As a democratic country, we
need to uphold the rule of law,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
military releases
population and household
census with less
than half of Myanmar's
population counted
|
|
 |
|
Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar population
and household census
collector at Naypyitaw
on Tuesday October
1, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw,
January 5: The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar that overthrew the
elected League for Democracy (NLD)
government on February 1, 2021
released the results of a nationwide
population and household census
in Naypyitaw on the last day of
2024, revealing population and
socioeconomic changes from 2014
to 2024, with the Ministry of
Immigration and Population, saying
''a population survey could only
be made in 145 of 330 townships
in Myamar,'' reports Irrawaddy.
The Armed Forces (sssTatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Ministry of Immigration
and Population, released the nationwide
population and household census,
conducted in 2024 with Immigration
and Population minister, U Myint
Khaing, saying ''more than 32
million civilians were counted
from the estimated population
of 51 million.''
''Surveys of more than 19 million
living in towns and townships
in Myanmar could not be conducted,''
he said.
He said that the Ministry of Immigration
and Population, was unable to
conduct a nationwide population
and household census in dozens
of towns and townships in northern
Shan State and Rakhine State,
Kachin, Karenni, Karen and Chin
states, and central Myanmar.
The population and household census
was rescheduled from 1 to 15 October
2024 to 1 to 15 December 2024
due to bomb attacks on ward administrative
offices and attacks on census
collectors in towns and townships
in Myanmar.
Census collectors in Yangon refused
to make door to door census collections
in fear of their safety and were
guarded by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar during the population
and household census.
The 2024 nationwide population
and household census revealed
a population of 51.3 million that
is less than the 2014 census of
a population of 51.5 million,
with the Ministry of Immigration
and Population, minister Myint
Kyaing saying ''the ministry would
determine the cause of decline
in population.''
''The Ministry of Immigration
and Population would release the
nationwide population and household
census report by the end of 2025,''
he said.
In August 2023 the ruling Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar extended
the state of emergency for a further
six months to February 2024,
for the fourth time since the
forcible takeover of the elected
League for Democracy (NLD) government
on February 1, 2021, delaying
the general elections for the
fourth time since November 8,
2020 under State Councillor, Aung
San Suu Kyi.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar arrested Myanmar's National
League for Democracy (NLD) President,
Win Myint and State Councillor,
Aung San Suu Kyi on the declaration
of the State of Emergency on February
1, 2021 ahead of the would-be
first National League for Democracy
(NLD) dominated session of the
parliament in February 2021 following
the November 8, 2020 general elections.
Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, stated
then that the National Defense
and Security Council (NDSC) would
investigate alleged voter irregularities
and suspected fraud under National
League for Democracy (NLD) November
8, 2020 elections.
The November 8, 2020 elections
under Myanmar's National League
for Democracy (NLD) President,
Win Myint and State Councillor,
Aung San Suu Kyi had left the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP) with only 21 seats
of the 440 seats in the parliament
with the commander-in-chief of
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
saying then that "the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar would
hold another general election
and transfer power to the successful
party."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
Deputy minister charged
with abuse of power
for by-passing PM
to develop solar power
plant
|
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January
4: Vietnam's
Deputy Minister
of Industry
and Trade (MoIT)
, Hoang Quac
Vuong, is charged
under Article
357 of the Penal
Code 2015 with
abuse of power
for by-passing
the Prime inister
to secure approval
for the Trung
Nam - Thuan
Nam Solar Power
Co. Ltd, inclusion
in the National
Adaptation Plan
(NAP), with
the Ministry
of Public Security
recommending
disciplinary
action against
the Department
of Electricity
and Renewable
Energy (DERA)
for involvement
in the development
of the Trung
Nam - Thuan
Nam Solar Power
Co. Ltd, project
in Vietnam,
reports the
Vietnam News.
The Ministry
of Public Security
recommended
disciplinary
action
|
|
 |
|
Deputy
Minister
of Industry
and Trade
(MoIT)
in Vietnam,
Hoang
Quac Vuong,
is charged
with abuse
of power
under
Article
357 of
the Penal
Code 2015
Wednesday
January
1, 2024
|
|
|
|
against
the drafting team in the Department
of Electricity and Renewable Energy
(DERA for the development of the
Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power
Co. Ltd, power plant in Vietnam.
Disciplinary action was also recommended
for officials at the Department
of Electricity and Renewable Energy
(DERA) for involvement in appraising
and evaluating the draft plan for
the development of the Trung Nam
- Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd,
in Vietnam.
The Ministry of Public Security
also recommended disciplinary action
against officials at the Department
of Electricity and Renewable Energy
(DERA) for granting power operation
licenses for the operation of the
Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power
Co. Ltd, that was to begin in February
2025.
Deputy Minister of Industry and
Trade (MoIT), Hoang Quac V?ong,
is charged with abuse of power as
a member of the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) causing serious
consequences to the state with a
loss of US$38 million to the Vietnam
Electricity (EVN) state-owned entity.
Deputy Minister of Industry and
Trade (MoIT), Hoang Quac Vuong,
is charged with abuse of power causing
severe consequences to the state
for bypassing the Prime Minister
Pham Minh Chinh approval to secure
approval for the Trung Nam - Thuan
Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, inclusion
in the National Adaptation Plan
(NAP).
Deputy Minister of Industry and
Trade (MoIT), Hoang Quac Vuong,
sought to implement a preferential
feed-in tariff of 9.35 US cents
per kWh, by-passing the prime minister's
authority, enabling the Trung Nam
- Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd,
to benefit..
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
members Thailand,
Malaysia, Indonesia,
Vietnam official partners
of BRICS on January
1
|
|
 |
|
Thailand
Foregn Ministry spokesman
Nikorndej Balankura
says Thailand received
invitation from Russia,
BRICS chairman for
2024 to become a BRICS
partner country on
Thursday October 31,
2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, January 4: The Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member countries Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia, Vietnam became official
partners of Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South Africa (BRICS) on
January 1, with Thailand Foreign
Ministry saying ''Thailand is ready
to collaborate with BRICS on multilateral
cooperation frameworks,'' reports
the Bangkok Post.
''Thailand is ready to collaborate
with BRICKS on multilateral cooperation
frameworks including ASEAN,'' said
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman
Nikorndej Balankura.
He said that Thailand is ready to
collaborate with BRICKS on multilateral
cooperation frameworks including
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC), Asia Cooperation Dialogue
(ACD) and Bay of Bengal Initiative
Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
ASEAN member countries Thailand,
Indonesia, and Vietnam were among
13 nations named as a new partner
country by BRICS on October 24,
2024 including Algeria, Belarus,
Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria,
Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman
Nikorndej Balankura said ''the BRICS
partner ship is expected to enhance
international
collaboration and offer opportunities
for Thailand and BRICS members,
particularly in trade, investment
and tourism,'' saying
''BRICS comprises emerging markets
and high-potential developing countries.''
''Thailand Foreign Ministry also
expects the partnership to boost
the relationship between Thailand
and BRICS members including Thailand's
role in multilateral cooperation,''
he said.
The Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) member countries
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam joined
Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa (BRICS) including Iran,
Eqypt, Ethiopia and United Arab
Emirate (UAE) on January 1, 2025,
with ASEAN member countries Thailand,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam
saying at the BRICS Summit held
in Kazan, Russia in October 2024
''joining BRICS should not harm
established United States relations.''
Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Maris Sangiampongsa, said at the
"Brics and the Global South:
Building a Better World Together"
three day summit that was attended
by 36 countries, ''Thailand believed
BRICS could be a voice for developing
and emerging economies.''
''Thailand and BRICS could collaborate
to revise the global system to work
for all nations not just the most
powerful,'' he said.
Malaysia Minister for Economics,
Rafizi Ramli, said ''we see tremendous
synergies between ASEAN and BRICS.''
''Malaysia assumes the chairmanship
of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations on January 1,'' he
said.
He said that barriers to obtaining
development finances and a growing
global debt as reasons for joining
the intergovernmental grouping BRICS,
saying ''for Malaysia, BRICS is
not just a rejection of these constraints,
but it is also a solution.''
''Malaysia’s decision to join
BRICS was not meant to reject American
currency but instead aimed at reducing
the risk of Malaysian ringgit instability,''
he said.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Sugiono
said that Indonesia's decision to
apply to join BRICS is a manifestation
of our free and active foreign policy,”
''It does not mean we align with
any specific bloc but rather that
we actively participate in all forums,''
he said.
Director General for ASEAN Cooperation,
Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro
said ASEAN members joining other
alliances would not affect or reduce
the centrality of ASEAN, saying
''ASEAN members have been free to
develop cooperation with other parties.''
He said that ASEAN has never been
monopolized by ASEAN alone, saying
''ASEAN has always facilitated various
mechanisms operating in the Southeast
Asian region.''
He said that ASEAN member countries
do not have a common foreign policy,
saying ''ASEAN has a regional mechanisms
to develop cooperation based on
common interests.''
''ASEAN is a regional institution
and not a supranational body,''
he said.
Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh
Chinh said ''Vietnam is ready to
work with BRICS,'' at the BRICS
Summit, saying
Viet Nam stands ready to work with
BRICS countries and the international
community to realise the idea of
working together to build a better
world for all.''
Vietnam is one of 30 countries that
has express interest in becoming
a BRICS partner under the ''BRICS
Partner Country Category.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Kiribati
first country to ring
in 2025 since shifting
the International
Date Line eastward
into the Pacific
|
|
 |
|
Sydney
rang in 2025 with
fireworks on the Sydney
Harbour Bridge and
Opera House at midnight
local time Wednesday,
31 January 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kiribati, January 2: , Kiribati
was the first country to ring
in 2025 since the International
Date Line (IDL) was adjusted in
1994 with 133,500 citizens of
the Micronesian island nation
in the Pacific celebrating the
new year at 5.00am Eastern Time
ET on Tuesday, December 31, 2024
reports Rueters.
Kiribati with 33 atolls spread
over 4,000km from east to west
and 2,000km from north to south
is the first country to celebrate
the new year since the International
Date Line (IDL) was shifted eastward
20 years ago to ensure the entire
country could celebrate the new
year on the same day.
The Chatham Islands in New Zealand
followed the Micronesian nation
of Kiribatiat into 2025 at 5.15am
Eastern Time ET on Tuesday, December
31, 2024.
New Zealand rang in the new year
at 6 am Eastern Time ET on Tuesday,
December 31, 2024. and was followed
by the islands of Tokelau, Samoa,
Tonga and parts of Antarctica.
Sydney on the east coast of Australia
rang in 2025 at 8.00am Eastern
Time ET December 31, 2024. with
fireworks on the Sydney Harbour
Bridge and Opera House at midnight
local time.
Hawaii, American Samoa, and other
United States territories in the
Pacific followed into the new
year 2025 in the early hours of
January 1, 2025.
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati
was the first to ring in 2025
with Samoa, the United States
territory in the Pacific, last
in the 26 hours it takes for the
New Year to encompass all time
zones.
In July 2022 the United States
assured the Pacific Islands of
increased engagement in a online
address to the Pacific Island
Forum (PIF) summit in Suva, Fiji
with the appointment of the United
States first envoy to the Pacific
and the opening of two new United
States embassies at Kiribati and
Tonga.
Kiribati, a Micronesian state
that has shifted diplomatic recognition
from Taiwan to Beijing withdrew
from the Pacific Island Forum
(PIF) in Suva, Fiji ahead of the
July 2022 summit following the
dispute between Micronesian countries
and Polynesian countries over
the decision that the next Pacific
Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary
General was from Polynesia and
not from Micronesia.
The Suva Agreement decision that
the next Pacific Islands Forum
(PIF) Secretary General would
come from Micronesia was overturned
with the appointment of former
Polynesian Cook Islands prime
minister Henry Puna as Pacific
Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary
General until 2024.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
deports Filipino commercial
surrogate mothers
with their babies
|
|
 |
|
Philippines
officials carry babies
born to 13 Philippine
women recruited to
be surrogate mothers
in Cambodia on arrival
from Cambodia to Philippines
on Sunday December
29, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh Post: Filipino commercial
surrogate mothers convicted of human
trafficking in Cambodia were deported
to Manila on Sunday, three days
after a royal pardon by Cambodian
King Sihamoni, with the Philippines
Department of Justice (DOJ) saying
''13 women and three babies were
turned over to the Philippines Department
of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''They will be provided all forms
of assistance,'' said Social Welfare
Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The 13 Filipino commercial surrogate
mothers were among 20 arrested in
Cambodia's Kandal province after
the Cambodia National Police raided
a villa near Phnom Penh on September
23, 2024 for suspected human trafficking.
The 13 Filipino commercial surrogate
mothers were convicted and sentenced
to four years in prison with the
sentence reduced to two years.for
human trafficking in Cambodia for
intending to sell the unborn babies.
Seven of the 20 Filipino women arrested
were found not to be pregnant, were
not charged and were deported to
the Philippines in October, 2024
The Philippines Inter-Agency Council
Against Trafficking (IACAT) Justice
Undersecretary, Nicholas Felix Ty,
said that the 20 Filipino women
had voluntarily agreed to become
commercial surrogate mothers, saying
''the women were promised monthly
aid during pregnancy and P500,000
each on giving birth.''
He said that the Philippines made
it clear to Cambodia that the children
of the Filipino commercial surrogate
mothers would be considered Filipinos.
'' Under Philippine law the woman
who gives birth to the child is
the child's mother and her nationality
will be followed,'' he said.
Philippine Ambassador to Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, Flerida Ann Camille Mayo,
said the 13 Filipino commercial
surrogate mothers convicted of human
trafficking in Cambodia were reportedly
recruited online
She said women were recruited by
a Philiipine-based agency offering
surrogacy services, saying ''the
agency promised the women
$10,000 for their services.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hanoi
Court sentences 17
party officials to
prison for bribery
during Covid-19 repatriation
flights
|
|
 |
|
The
Hanoi People's Court
sentenced a further
17 Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) officials
to upto 12 years in
prison for bribery
during the Covid-19
pandemic on Tuesday
December 24, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, December 30: The Hanoi People's
Court sentenced a further 17 Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials
to prison for bribery involved in
the repatriation flights for citizens
returning to Vietnam during the
Covid-19 pandemic, saying ''the
court deems these actions as severe
violations of state agency functions,
citizens rights and social order,
reports the the Vietnam News.
The Hanoi People's Court sentenced
the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)
Officials to prison for upto 12
years in prison for receiving bribes
and upto seven years in prison for
accepting bribes under Article 356
of the Criminal Code for abusing
their position and power while performing
official duties in repatriation
flights for Vietnamese returning
to Vietnam during the Covid-19 pandemic.
''Sentences were reduced for several
defendants for confessions, repentance,
voluntary compensation, cooperation
with investigators, and good work
achievements,'' said the Hanoi People's
Court.
The Hanoi People's Court identified
Tran Tung, 46, former Deputy Director
of the Thai Nguyen Department of
Foreign Affairs, who received 12
years in prison, as ''a key figure
in bribery involved in the repatriation
flights during the Covid-19 pandemic.''
The Hanoi People's Court also identified
officials at the Noibai Catering
Services Joint Stock Company (NCS)
at the Noibai International airport
in Hanoi for receiving and accepting
bribes involved in the repatriation
flights for Vietnamese citizens.
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)
officials at the Aviation Transport
Division under the Civil Aviation
Authority of Vietnam
(CAAV), and officials in Blue Sky
Trading, Services and Tourism Company
Limited and Travel Sky Joint Stock
Company also received prison sentences
for receiving and accepting bribes.
In July 2023 the Hanoi People's
Court sentences 54 Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) officials including
company directors of travel agencies
for bribery involved in repatriation
flights for citizens returning to
Vietnam during the Covid-19 pandemic,
with four officials receiving life
sentences.
Hanoi People’s Procuracy had
proposed the death sentence for
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)
official, Pham Trung Kien, former
secretary of the deputy Minister
of Health for taking the largest
amount in bribes of the 54 Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials
accused of abusing their position
and power while performing official
duties.
The Hanoi Peoples Court impossed
a lesser sentence on Pham Trung
Kien than the death sentence that
had been proposed by the Hanoi People’s
Procuracy saying "although
the Hanoi People’s Procuracy's
proposal for the death sentence
was appropriate, Pham Trung Kien
has shown repentence for his crime,
so it is unnecessary to impose the
death sentence."
"Pham Trung Kien and his family
have submitted over VND42.2 billion
($1.77 million) to the court,"
said the Hanoi Peoples Court.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
8,000
Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists
pledge loyalty to
Unitary State of the
Republic of Indonesia
|
|
 |
|
Thousands
of former members
of the Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) terrorist group,
declare the dissolution
of the former Jemaah
Islamiyah (JL) terrorist
group, pledging loyalty
to the Unitary State
of the Republic of
Indonesia, at the
Convention Hall of
the Tirtonadi Terminal,
Solo, Central Java
on Saturday December
21, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 30: Thousands
of former members of the Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group,
declared the dissolution of the
former Jemaah Islamiyah (JL) terrorist
group, pledging loyalty to the
Unitary State of the Republic
of Indonesia, the 1945 Constitution
and to Pancasila state ideology
at the Convention Hall of the
Tirtonadi Terminal, Solo, Central
Java on December 21, reports Antara.
The Chief of the Indonesian Police
(Kapolri), General Listyo Sigit
Prabowo, the National Counterterrorism
Agency (BNPT) Commissioner General,
Eddy Hartono, the Head of the Special
Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror
Police Inspector General Sentot
Prasetyo, Minister of Social Affairs
Saifullah Yusuf, other officials
and former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)
members including Alfian, Hammad
(Ma'had Aly), Qosdi (Darusy Syahadah),
Tengku Azhar, and others attended
the declaration of the dissolution
of the former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)
terrorist group.
About 1,200 in person and 6,800
online former members of the Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) terrorist group,
pledged loyalty to the Unitary
State of the Republic of Indonesia
and to Pancasila state ideology
saying ''We pledge allegiance
to NKRI (the Unitary State of
the Republic of Indonesia).''
''We distance ourselves from radical
views and extreme groups, and
obey the laws and regulations
of Indonesia,'' said the former
members of the Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) terrorist group.
National Counterterrorism Agency
(BNPT) Commissioner, General Eddy
Hartono, said ''The BNPT will
cut prison terms of former Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) members who have
declared support for the dissolution
of the former terrorist group.''
''We appeal to all ex-JI members
to become role models and live
as citizens who respect religious
tolerance,'' he said.
Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror
Police Inspector General, Sentot
Prasetyo, said that since the dissolution
of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist
group, ''Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members
have surrendered various tools and
weapons, including six firearms,
40 kg of explosives and 12 bomb
detonators.''
He said the surrender of weapons
by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist
group is not a small act, saying
''it is a concrete token of their
commitment.''
On January 8, 2021 Muslim cleric
Abu Bakar Ba`asyir, 81, the spiritual
leader of Al-Qaeda-affiliate Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI), who was found
guilty by the South Jakarta District
Court in 2011 for organising acts
of terror, including the Bali
bombings was released from Gunung
Sindur prison in Bogor, West Java
Province after pledging loyalty
to the Unitary State of the Republic
of Indonesia and to Pancasila
state ideology.
On November 2021, 122 convicted
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists
including 68 convicted Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI) terrorists at the
Gunung Sindur Prison, 13 at the
Batu Nusakambangan Prison, nine
at the Pasir Putih Nusakambangan
Correctional Institution, and
32 at other penitentiaries in
Indonesia pledged allegiance to
Pancasila ideology, with Directorate
General of Corrections Indonesia,
Rika Aprianti, saying then "In
their pledge to Pancasila ideology,
convicted Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)
terrorists swear loyalty to Pancasila
state ideology and the 1945 Constitution
and commit to protecting the nation
from all acts of terrorism that
could destroy Indonesia's unity,"
she said.
''The deradicalization of terrorism
program that includes the involvement
of the National Counter-Terrorism
Agency (BNPT), the Indonesian
National Military (TNI), Indonesian
National Police, Anti-Terror Squad
Densus 88, and the State Intelligence
Agency (BIN), has been a success,''
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Outgoing
Australian Ambassador
to Vietnam affirms
Australia's support
for directions pursued
by Vietnam
|
|
 |
|
Outgoing
Australian Ambassador
to Vi?t Nam Andrew
Goledzinowski meets
National Assembly
Chairman Tran Thanh
Man in Hà N?i
on Thursday 26 Dec
2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, December 29: Outgoing Australian
Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski,
affirmed Australia's ruling democratic
socialist party, the Australian
Labor Party (ALP) strong support
for directions pursued by Vietnam's
Socialist Republic of Vietnam's
one party state, the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV), at a farewell
meeting with Vietnam's National
Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh
Man in Hanoi on Thursday, reports
the Vietnam News Service.
Outgoing Australian Ambassador to
Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, expressed
approval of laws passed by the Vietnam
National Assembly, saying ''the
Vietnam National Assembly passed
laws that support sustainable development
and environmental protection, laws
that create a favourable legal framework
for economic growth.''
''The laws passed by the National
Assembly enhance economic cooperation
between Australia and Vietnam,''
he said.
He acknowledged Vietnam's leadership
vision, saying ''Australia and Vietnam
would adjust development cooperation
programmes to align with Vietnam's
initiatives.''
''Australia and Vietnam would adjust
development cooperation programmes
to expand trade collaboration to
assist Vietnam in its transition
process,'' he said.
Vietnam's National Assembly (NA)
Chairman, Tran Thanh Man, expressed
gratitude to Australia's ruling
democratic socialist party, the
Australian Labor Party (ALP) and
outgoing Australian Ambassador to
Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, ''for
supporting Vietnam’s efforts
to promote economic growth, for
maintaining macroeconomic stability,
controlling inflation and for ensuring
social welfare for its citizens.''
He thanked the Australia's ruling
democratic socialist party, the
Australian Labor Party (ALP) leaders,
agencies and localities for the
assistance to the Vietnamese community
in Australia, saying ''Australia's
assistance to the Vietnamese community
enables the community to integrate
well and to serve as a bridge between
Vietnam and Australia,'' he said.
''Vietnam spares no efforts to resolving
socio-economic development challenges
to attract foreign investment,''
he said.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam's
National Assembly amended Land Law,
that is to become effective on January
1, 2025, focuses on regulations
for land acquisition for socio-economic
development and land valuation to
promote a socialist-oriented market
economy.
In June 2018 the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam's National Assembly postponed
the draft Land Law on Special Administrative
and Economic Units that would allow
China a 99-year land lease in economic
zones in Vietnam's northern Quang
Ninh province, Khanh Hoa province
and southern Kien Giang province.
Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan
Phuc said then that the draft Land
Law would be reconsidered and adjustments
would be made to maintain national
security and sovereignty.
In June 2018 protesters throughout
Vietnam including in Hanoi and Ho
Chi Minh City protested against
the approval of the 99 year lease
to foreign investors reportedly
in fear that the leases would lead
to Chinese encroachment.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Proposal
to amend constitution
section by section
or by referendum to
be examined in parliament
next month
|
|
 |
|
Opposition People's
Party (PP) list Member
of Parliament, Parit
Wacharasindhu, says
two referendums are
sufficient for the
proposed charter rewrite
Friday December 27,
2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, December 28: The proposal
by the government Pheu Thai Party
(PTP) to review the 2017 Royal Thai
Armed Forces (RTAF) drafted Constitution
section by section and the proposal
by the opposition People's Party
(PP) to amend Section 256 of the
charter to pave the way for a charter-drafting
assembly (CDA) towards a second
referendum will be examined, with
parliament president, Wan Muhamad
Noor Matha, saying ''the parliament
is looking to scrutinise the proposals
on January 14 and 15, reports the
Bangkok Post.
Parliament president Wan Muhamad
Noor Matha, said that talks will
be held with the government, the
opposition and Senate on January
8 to decide which amendment proposal
would be considered first.
Parliament president Wan Muhamad
Noor Matha said that the proposal
by the government Pheu Thai Party
(PTP) to review the 2017 Royal Thai
Armed Forces (RTAF) drafted Constitution
section by section would not contradict
the Constitutional Court's 2021
ruling, saying ''the amendments
do not include the entire charter.''
The Constiutional Court ruled in
2021 that the public must approve
any move to amend the entire charter
and that if the first referendum
is approved another must be held
for approval of the new content.
Opposition People's Party (PP) list
Member of Parliament, Parit Wacharasindhu,
said amendment to Section 256 of
the Constitution would pave the
way for a charter-drafting assembly
(CDA) saying ''the move is crucial
as it would shorten the
charter-rewrite process.''
''The proposed amendment would see
two referendums instead of three
and a new charter produced before
the next general election,'' he
said.
Opposition People's Party (PP) list
Member of Parliament, Parit Wacharasindhu,
said that two referendums are sufficient
for the proposed charter rewrite,
saying ''two referendums would not
be in violation of the 2021 Consitutional
Court ruling.''
In February 2024 the Thailand parliament
announced that it would deliberate
the questions for the second referendum,
to decide amendments to the Constitution
with Constitution Drafting Assembly
(CDA) chairman, Deputy Prime Minister,
Phumtham Wechayachai, saying the
panel was studying the referendum
to pursue amendements to the 2017
Constitution drafted by the Royal
Thai Armed Forces and signed into
law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
He said then that the coalition
arty leaders have agreed with the
Constitution Drafting Agenda (CDA)
on the uncertainty of the number
of referendums to be pursued for
amendements to the 2017 Constitution,
the referendum question or questions,
and the methods involved in a Constitution
rewrite.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Amnesty
is the government’s
best gift to rebels
today ,'' says Philippines
|
|
 |
|
Office
of the Presidential
Adviser on Peace,
Reconciliation and
Unity (OPAPRU) advisor,
Carlito Galvez Jr,
said ''the government's
amnesty program is
the best policy for
dealing with enemies
of the state,'' Thursday
December 26, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, December 27: The Philippines
government has urged active and
former Communist Party of the
Philippines-New People’s
Army-National Democratic Front
(CPP-NPA-NDF) organizations to
take up the offer of the National
Amnesty Commission, with the Office
of the Presidential Adviser on
Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
(OPAPRU) saying ''Amnesty is the
government’s best gift to
rebels today,'' reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
Office of the Presidential Adviser
on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
(OPAPRU), spokesperson, Wilben
Mayor, said that amnesty for active
CPP-NPA-NDF organisations aims
for greater peace gains in 2025.
''Amnesty is today the government’s
best gift to rebels as it will
restore all your political and
civil rights,'' he said.
He said that amnesty can restore
all suspended or lost civil political
rights resulting from a criminal
conviction and eliminate all criminal
liability for offences including
rebellion or insurrection, conspiracy
to commit rebellion, sedition,
illegal possession of firearms,
ammunition, or explosives, and
relative crimes of rebellion.
''President Ferdinand Marcos has
offered amnesty resulting from
criminal conviction to ensure
the holistic transformation of
former combatants,'' he said.
Office of the Presidential Adviser
on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
(OPAPRU) advisor, Carlito Galvez
Jr, to President Ferdinand Marcos
said ''the government's amnesty
program is the best policy for
dealing with enemies of the state.''
''OPAPRU has helped the surrender
of 2000 loose firearms from Basilan,
Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, and Lanao
del Norte provinces, reducing
the threat of gun violence in
these areas,'' he said.
He said that 74 percent of the
P7 billion budget for 2025 for
the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation
and Unity (OPAPRU) would support
transformation programs and projects
for former Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) and Communist Party
of the Philippines (CPP).
n June 2017 Philippine president
Rodrigo Duterte called on the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) and the New People's Army
(NPA), the armed wing of the Communist
Party of the Philippines (CPP),
to fight alongside government
Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and Philippine National
Police (PNP) security forces against
Maute Abu Sayyaf ISIS militants
in Marawi City in Mindanao in
the Southern Philippines.
In February 2016 Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) negotiator
Mohagher Iqbal called on the Philippine
government to remain committed
to the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro (CAB) following
the failure of the Philippine
Congress to pass the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The proposed Bangsamoro Basic
Law (BBL) if enacted, would be
the legal basis for the creation
of an autonomous Bangsamoro region
to replace the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the
Southern Philippines.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) negotiator Mohagher Iqbal
said that Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL) will be refiled in the Philippine
Congress or a new basic law, faithful
to the letter and spirit of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB), will be crafted
by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission
(BTC).
Mohammad Abduljabbar Sema is also
the son of Bai Sandra Sema, congresswoman
of the first district of Maguindanao.
The Southeast
Asian Times
|
Indonesia
says celebrate Christmas
''we will protect
you''
|
|
 |
|
Christmas
Eve service at Indonesia
Arena stadium at the
Gelora Bung Karno
Sports Complex in
Jakarta, Indonesia,
completed in June
2023 with a maximum
seating capacity of
16,500, Tuesday, December
24, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 26: Brigadier
General Wahyu Yudhanana, head
of the Indonesian Army Information
Department (TNI AD), said the
TNI has deployed 58,120 soldiers
to secure the 2024 Christmas and
2025 New Year celebrations, including
at the Arena stadium in Jakarta
and the Jakarta Catholic cathedral,
saying "Please celebrate,
we will protect you," reports
Tempo.
"The focus of security is
on strategic locations such as
churches, terminals, train stations,
airports, ports, and crowded centers,"
he said.
He said that the Indonesian Army
is working in synergy with the
Indonesian National Police and
other agencies to maintain public
safety and order during Christmas
and New Year's celebrations.
''Security officials have taken
pre-emptive measures to address
potential security disturbances
during the Christmas and New Year
holidays.'' he said.
Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhanana,
called on the public to maintain
tolerance, not to spread fake
news, or provokations and to avoid
dangerous Christmas and New Year
celebrations.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Merry
Christmas and Happy
New Year from Embassy
of the Republic
of the Marshall islands
Suva, Fiji
|
|
 |
|
The
Embassy extends a
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year to
all, and special Christmas
wishes to the Republic
of Marshal Islands
(RMI) community in
the Pacific, our diplomatic
and development partners
in the region and
friends of the Embassy.
Thank you for your
friendship and support
this year.
May the blessings
and joy of Christmas
be yours and may the
coming year be filled
with happiness!
Ambassador Aini and
the Embassy Staff,
Suva Fiji.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
|
|
ICC
applies for warrant
of arrest for Myanmar
President Min Aung
Hlaing for crimes
against humanity of
Rohingya Muslims
|
|
 |
|
International
Criminal Court (ICC)
prosecutor Karim A.A.
Khan KC applies for
a warrant of arrest
for Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
President, Min Aung
Hlaing, for crimes
against humanity of
Rohingya Muslims Wednesday
November 27, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, December 24: The International
Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
has applied for a warrant of arrest
for Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
President of Myanmar, Min Aung
Hlaing, for crimes against humanity
of Rohingya Muslims, with ICC
prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan KC,
saying ''the application for a
warrant of arrest is the first
application by the ICC for the
arrest of a high-level Myanmar
government official,'' reports
Reuters.
''More warrants of arrests will
follow,'' he said.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC said
he is filing an application for
a warrant of arrest for Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, President Min Aung Hlaing,
before Pre-Trial Chamber I of the
International Criminal Court for
crimes against humanity of Rohingya
Muslims, that includes the deportation
and persecution of the Rohingya
Muslims committed in Myanmar's Rankin
State and in Bangladesh.
''The ICC claims the alleged crimes
were committed during the 2016
and 2017 waves of violence in
Myanmar's Rakhine State and the
subsequent exodus of Rohingya
muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh,''
he said.
''The International Criminal Court
(ICC) alleges that these crimes
were committed between 25 August
2017 and 31 December 2017 by the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
and were supported by the national
police, the border guard police
and non-Rohingya civilians,''
he said.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC
said that the application for
the warrant of arrest on November
27, 2024, for Commander-in-Chief
of the of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, President Min Aung
Hlaing, is the first application
for an arrest warrant for a high-level
Myanmar government official by
the International Criminal Court.
In February 2022, the Myanmar civilian
government, National Unity Government
(NUG), that was founded after the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
in February 2021 said that the NUG
would withdraw all objections in
the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) to the claim of genocide of
Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's Rakhine
state by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar that was put by the former
state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The National Unity Government
(NUG) acting president Duwa Lashi
La said that the NUG would withdraw
all preliminary objections in
the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) to the claim of genocide
of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar's
Rakhine state in 2016 and 2017,
saying "the NUG is the proper
representative of Myanmar."
“It would set a dangerous
precedent and be inconsistent
with the position of the U.N.
General Assembly for the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) to accept
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar as the representative
of Myanmar, he said.
In December 2019 the former National
League for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor of Myanmar,
Aung San Suu Kyi, refuted claims
of genocide at the two day hearing
at the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) in the Hague, saying that
"there can be no genocidal
intent on the part of a state that
actively investigates, prosecutes
and punishes soldiers and officers
who are accused of wrongdoing."
She said that the focus at the
International Court of Justice
(ICJ) hearing is on members of
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, saying that she can assure
the court that appropriate action
would also be taken against civilian
offenders.
"There will be no tolerance
of human rights violations in
Rakhine state or elsewhere in
Myanmar," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
grants Japan visitation
rights to Ream Naval
Base after US warship
USS Savannah last
week
|
|
 |
|
Japan's
National Security
Advisor, secretary-general
of Japan’s National
Security Secretariat,
Akiba Takeo, and Senate
president, former
President of Cambodia,
Hun Sen, at the Senate
Palace on Friday December
20, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, December 23: Cambodia's
senate president, Hun Sen, announced
plans to grant Japanese defence
vessels visitation rights
at Ream Naval Base during the visit
of Japan's National Security Advisor,
Akiba Takeo, at the Phnom Penh Senate
on Friday, with senate president
Hun Sen saying ''the Japan's Free
and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy
respects ASEAN centrality,'' reports
the Phnom Penh Post.
''Japan considers the benefits of
countries in the region, respects
ASEAN centrality, and serves as
a key partner for many regional
nations,'' he said.
He said that progress of bilateral
defence relations in naval and ground
forces reflect the comprehensive
strategy shared by Cambodia and
Japan, saying ''Cambodia supports
Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific
(FOIP) strategy.''
''Cambodia would support any intitiative
promoting peace, development and
cooperation, provided the FOIP does
not provoke conflict or target any
specific nation,'' he said.
The United States warship USS Savannah,
classed as a Littoral Combat Ship,
docked in Cambodia's Sihanoukville
Autonomous Port at the Ream Naval
Base on the Gulf of Thailand with
a crew of 103 for the first time
in 8 years on Monday December 16,
2024, for a five day visit with
commanding officer, Daniel A. Sledz,
saying ''It’s great to be back,
returning U.S. presence here after
eight years.''
Japan's National Security Advisor
and secretary-general of Japan’s
National Security Secretariat, Akiba
Takeo, said in Cambodia's senate
that
''Japan reaffirms its commitment
to strengthening cooperation with
Cambodia, ASEAN and other major
powers to ensure regional stability
and growth.''
He said that Japan’s National
Security Strategy is aligned with
regional developments, saying ''without
dialogue and cooperation, especially
with China, stability, resilience
and development in the region cannot
be achieved.''
Japan and ASEAN adopted a Joint
Vision for the newly launched Japan
Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)
reaffirming shared values as expoused
in the United Nations Charter and
upheld by the ASEAN Outlook on the
Indo-Pacific (AOIP), at the 26th
ASEAN-Japan Summit in Jakarta in
September 2023.
Japan and the Association South
East Asian Nation (ASEAN also recognised
that both the ASEAN Outlook on the
Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan Free
and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision
share relevant fundamental principles
in promoting peace, stability and
prosperity in the region.
The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP) aims to bridge the interests
of Indo-Pacific countries in maintaining
peace, security, and prosperity
with ASEAN's central and strategic
role.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
PM calls on UNESCO
to support repatriation
of lost artifacts
|
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh,
December 22:
Cambodia called
on the United
Nations Educational,
Scientific and
Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) to
assist the International
Coordinating
Committee (ICC)
for the Safeguarding
and Development
of the Historic
Site of Angkor
and Sambor Prei
Kuk in the repatriation
of Cambodia’s
lost artefacts,
with Prime Minister,
Hun Manet, saying
''Cambodia is
commited to
strengthening
international
partnerships
to safeguard
cultural heritage
sites for future
generations,''
reports the
Khmer Times.
Prime Minister
Hun Manet called
on the International
Coordinating
Committee (ICC)
for the Safeguarding
and Development
of the Historic
Site of Angkor
and Sambor Prei
Kuk mechanism,
that coordinates
international
assistance for
the preservation
|
|
 |
|
The
7th century
headless
Harihara
statue
in Cambodia
before
the head
was returned
from the
French
Guimet
Museum
for reattachment
to the
statue
at the
National
Museum
in Phnom
Penh on
Thursday
January
21, 2024
|
|
|
|
and development of the two World
Heritage Sites in Cambodia, to assist
Cambodia to register additional
Cambodian heritage sites on the
UNESCO World Heritage List.
He said that the International Coordinating
Committee (ICC) for the Safeguarding
and Development of the Historic
Site of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk
mechanism is essential as Cambodia
faces complex challenges, saying
climate change and population growth
requires balanced cooperation between
development and preservation.''
Cambodia Ministry of Culture and
Fine Arts, spokesman, Sum Mab, said
that the International Coordinating
Committee (ICC) for the Safeguarding
and Development of the Historic
Site of Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk
mechanism had operated for over
30 years with 15 member countries,
saying '' the member countries had
contributed $600 million toward
the preservation and sustainable
development of Angkor and Sambor
Prei Kuk.''
''Major temple restoration projects
include Baphuon, Bayon, Ta Prohm,
Banteay Srei, Preah Khan, Bakong,
Ta Keo, and Angkor Wat, among others.''
he said.
He said that a total of 1,098 Cambodian
antiquities have been returned from
countries including Australia, the
United Kingdom, France, Indonesia,
Japan, Switzerland, Thailand, the
United States, Canada, Denmark,
Germany, Hungary, Norway, and China
between 1996 and 2024.
''These artefacts were returned
through various means, including
voluntary handovers, confiscations,
negotiations, demands, and court
rulings,'' he said.
In January 2016 the Guimet Museum
in Paris, France, returned the 7th
century head of the Harihara statue
to Cambodia with the Ministry of
Culture and Fine Arts, spokesman,
Noraksathya saying ''the head of
the body of the statue had been
separated for 130 years.''
When the head is reattached to its
body, it is like we are reconnecting
the soul of our national heritage."
He said the statue's head was removed
from a temple in southern Takeo
province in Cambodia during the
French colonial period and shipped
to Europe in 1886.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
PM orders investigation
into arson attack
on karaoke bar in
Hanoi, killing 11
|
|
 |
|
Fire
trucks at the fire
at a karaoke bar that
killed 11 in Co Nhue
2 ward, Bac Tu Liem
district, Hanoi on
Wednesday December
18, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Hanoi, December 21: The Prime Minister
of Vietnam gave a directive to the
People’s Committee of Hanoi,
that is responsible for the implementation
of the Constitution, laws, government
documents and resolutions, ordering
the immediate investigation into
an arson attack that killed 11 in
a karaoke bar in a five floor building
in Hanoi on Wednesday
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered
newly appointed Minister of Public
Security, Lung Tam Quang, to coordinate
the investigation into the arson
attack that killed 11 at the karaoke
bar in Co Nhue 2 ward in Hanoi's
Bac Tu Liem district on Wednesday
with the People’s Committee
of Hanoi.
The Hanoi City Police were ordered
to implement the directives of the
Minister of Public Security, Lung
Tam Quang, with Hanoi City Police
director, Lieutenant General, Nguyen
Hai Trung, saying ''an initial investigation
into the arson attack on the karaoke
bar showed that the karaoke bar
was intentionally set on fire.
''The suspect was swiftly identified
and arrested at approximately
midnight on the night of the fire,''
he said.
Hanoi City Police director, Lieutenant
General, Nguyen Hai Trung, said
that the suspect, Cao Van Hung,
51, confessed to the arson attack
on the karaoke bar that killed 11
on Wednesday
''The suspect, Cao Van Hung, said
that he had been drinking beer at
the karaoke bar when he got into
an argument with a worker at the
karaoke bar,'' he said.
''The suspect admitted that he purchased
gasoline and poured it on the first
floor of the karaoke bar setting
fire to hundreds of parked motorbikes,''
he said.
''The accused, identified at Cao
Van Hung, 51, fled the building
as the flames spread,'' he said.
Hanoi City Police director, Lieutenant
General, Nguyen Hai Trung, said
the accused Cao Van Hung, 51,
was charged with the murder of
the 11 victims at his residence
in Dai Mach commune, Dong Anh
district, Hanoi, saying ''the
accused had two prior convictions
for robbery and theft.''
Survivor, Tuan, said ''there were
many people inside the five-story
building at the time of the fire,''
saying ''they could not escape
as the fire began at the entrance
to the building on the ground
floor.''
''The fire was fierce and burned
a number of motorbikes at the
entrance of the building before
rising to the floors above,''
he said.
''People were screaming for help,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
arrests three in entrapment
operation for possession
of uranium for
illicit
sale
|
|
 |
|
The
National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI)
Director, Jaime Santiago,
left, and Department
of Science and Technology
Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute
(DOST-PNRI) Director,
Dr. Carlo Arcilla,
right, hold press
briefing on Monday
December 9, 2024 after
arrest of three in
possession of depleted
uranium
|
|
From News Reports:
Manila, December 20: The National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and
the Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
(DOST-PNRI) arrested three Filipinos
in possession of depleted uranium
after months of covert surveillance,
with DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo
Arcilla, saying ''covert surveillance
was initiated after a crucial tipp-off
from the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) earlier this year,''
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
The National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) confiscated 80 kilos of metal
blocks, 6 kilos of powder, and 20
to 30 kilos of other radioactive
and contaminated materials of depleted
uranium with the Department of Science
and Technology Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) saying
''the depleted uranium has elevated
readings of radiation and is positive
for Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.''
DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla
said that ''the nuclear lnternational
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the
nuclear watchdog of the United Nations
(UN), has been monitoring the illegal
trafficking of radioactivematerials
in Southeast Asia.''
''The breakthrough came when a whistleblower
provided the IAEA with information
about an underground network allegedly
involved in the illicit sale of
uranium in the Philippines,'' he
said.
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) agent, Zulikha Marie Conales,
said months-long surveillance by
the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) and the Department of Science
and Technology Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) led
to the arrest of Roy Cabezas Vistal,
the alleged mastermind; Mae Vergel
Zagala, known as ''Madame Mae''
and identified as Vistal’s
partner and Arnel Gimpaya Santiago,
who served as Vistal’s agent
in facilitating transactions.
The National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) seized three kilograms of
black powder, rock, small metal
materials, and other items positive
for Uranium-235 and Uranium-238
at the residence of Roy Cabezas
Vistal the alleged mastermind on
October 18.
A separate entrapment operation
on the same day led to the arrest
of Zagala and Santiago, with National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recovering
20 kilograms of metal bars and three
kilograms of black powder containing
uranium.
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) agent, Zulikha Marie Conales
said that ''all those we arrested
did not have a license to possess,
trade, sell, or store the radioactive
materials,'' saying ''those arrested
violated Republic Act No. 5207 or
the Atomic Energy Regulatory and
Liability Act of 1968.''
The Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
(DOST-PNRI) director, Dr. Carlo
Arcilla
has called for the passing of the
PhilATOM bill saying ''the PhilATOM
bill would enhance the regulation
of nuclear energy and materials
in the philippines.
He said the PhilATOM bill would
oversee the regulation and licensing
of nuclear power plants and radioactive
materials, saying ''the PhilATOM
bill would streamline processes
and ensure compliance with updated
safety standards, addressing gaps
in the current regulatory framework.''
He said the PhilATOM bill is not
to put up a nuclear power plant,
saying ''the PhilATOM bill is to
have the institution and the right
people to be able to assess the
use of nuclear energy in the Philippines.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysia
PM names former Thailand
PM Thaksin Shinawatra
informal advisor for
Malaysia ASEAN chair
2025
|
|
 |
|
Thailand
Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, left,
and Malaysia Prime
Minister Anwar Ibrahim
in Kuala Lumpur Monday
December 16, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, December 18: Malaysian
Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, named
former Prime Minister of Thailand,
Thaksin Shinawatra, as informal
advisor to assist with Malaysia's
upcoming rotations chairmanship
of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in 2025 with the theme 'Inclusivity
and Sustainability,'' saying ''I
have agreed to appoint Thaksin Shinawatra
as my informal advisor to support
Malaysian ASEAN 2025,'' reports
Bangkok Post.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar
Ibrahim, said during the visit of
Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime
Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, to
Malaysia on Monday that he would
''appoint a team from ASEAN member
countries in an informal setup to
support ASEAN 2025.''
''Thaksin Shinawatra's extensive
experience as a statesman would
provide valuable insight for Malaysia's
leadership of ASEAN in 2025,'' he
said.
Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said
that he has also appointed former
Prime Minister of Singapore, George
Yeo, as an informal advisor to support
Malaysian ASEAN 2025.
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim
and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, agreed to link their
tourism campaigns in an effort to
strengthen border relations.
Thailand is to embark on a campaign
dubbed "Amazing Thailand Grand
Tourism Year" in 2025 and Malaysia
has designated 2026 as ''Visit Malaysia
year.''
Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim supported
the "Six Countries, One Destination"
scheme proposed by Prime Minister,
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, saying ''the
scheme would benefit the two countries.''
The "Six Countries, One Destination"
tourism scheme proposed by Prime
Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra,
is a tourism scheme similar to the
the European Union with one visa
to travel between countries.
The Six Countries, One Destination''
scheme includes Thailand, Malaysia,
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
In October 2024 Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Prime Minister,
Sonexay Siphandone, handed over
the ASEAN rotating chair to Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at
the ASEAN 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits
hosted by Laos ASEAN chair for 2024,
with Malaysia beginning the 2025
ASEAN chairmanship on January 1,
2025 with the theme 'Inclusivity
and Sustainability,''
The ASEAN chair for 2025 hand over
ceremony was attended by the leaders
and representatives of the 10 ASEAN
member states including Timor Leste
attending the ASEAN 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits as an observer, with
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
declaring his readiness to formalize
Timor Leste membership to ASEAN.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
said ''many countries and international
agencies have offered their help
for Timor Leste to fulfil the requirements
set by ASEAN.''
''There are no more excuses to delay
the entry of Timor-Leste into ASEAN,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
US
warship returns to
Cambodia's Ream Naval
Base at demolished
US funded Cambodia
Navy headquarters
|
|
 |
|
USS
Savannah Commander
Daniel A. Sledz, left,
and Cambodia Deputy
Commander of Ream
Naval Base Captain
Mean Savoeun, right,
at Sihanoukville Autonomous
Port at the Ream Naval
Base in Cambodia on
Monday December 16,
2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, December 18: The United
States warship USS Savannah docked
in Cambodia's Sihanoukville Autonomous
Port on Monday at the Ream Naval
Base where the United States funded
Cambodia Navy tactical headquarters
facility was demolished in October
2020 and where allegations that
the Ream Naval Base is used to host
a Chinese military presence was
denied by Cambodia in September
2023, reports Associated Press.
The United States warship USS Savannah,
classed as a Littoral Combat Ship,
docked in Cambodia's Sihanoukville
Autonomous Port on the Gulf of Thailand
for a five-day visit with a crew
of 103 with commanding officer,
Daniel A. Sledz, saying ''It’s
great to be back, returning U.S.
presence here after eight years.''
In September newly elected Prime
Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet,
a graduate of the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, called for
an end to allegations that Cambodia's
Ream Naval Base in Sihanouk province
on the Gulf of Thailand is being
used to host a Chinese military
presence at the 78th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New
York.
Cambodian Institute for Democracy
president Pa Chanroeun said then
that he "welcomed Prime Minister
Hun Manet's clarification of the
Ream Naval Base allegations at
the United Nations General Assembly."
He said that he urged Cambodia
to adhere to the essence of the
1991 Paris Peace Agreements, "saying
"the Paris Peace Agreement
does not permit foreign military
bases on Cambodia's soil."
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
said in April 2023 after he was
endorsed by his father Prime Minister,
Hun Sen, as the prime ministerial
candidate, "in accordance
with Article 53 that is newly
included in the Constitution,
"the policy of Cambodia is
not to cling to China, nor to
anyone else."
"Cambodia enjoys close ties
with China, the US, Japan and
many other countries, regardless
of their relations between each
other, under Cambodia's present
foreign policy," he said.
In June 2021 the United States
Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy
R Sherman, led a delegation to
Cambodia calling on Cambodia for
an explanation for the demolition
of the United States funded Cambodian
Navy tactical headquarters facility
at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base
on the Gulf of Thailand, reminding
the then Prime Minister of Cambodia,
Hun Sen, that the United States
has provided $US3 billion in assistance
to Cambodia since the 1991 Paris
Peace Agreements.
Cambodia had reportedly signed
an agreement with China that gave
China exclusive rights to the
Ream Naval Base in Sihanouk province
on the Gulf of Thailand that includes
an agreement for the construction
of a large airport.
The agreement reportedly allows
China to post military personnel,
store weapons and berth warships
at the Ream Naval Base on the
Gulf of Thailand for 30 years
with automatic renewal every ten
years.
The United States Deputy Secretary
of State, Wendy R Sherman, said
in Phnom Penh at a meeting with
then Prime Minister Hun Sen, that
the United States sought clarification
on the demolition of the United
States funded Cambodian Navy tactical
headquarters facility at Cambodia's
Ream Naval Base that was demolished
without notification or explanation
in October 2020.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
US
to implement security
in Pacific in agreement
with PNG for access
to develop and deploy
military in ports
|
|
 |
|
Papua
New Guinea Foreign
Minister, Justin Tkatchenko,
said ''the United
States has taken the
lead to deal with
the security of our
Pacific island countries,''
on Monday December
9, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, December 17: Papua
New Guinea revealed last week
that the United States will spend
more than US$864 million (3.5
billion kina) on infrastructure
and military training in Papua
New Guinea over 10 years under
an agreement between the United
States of America and Papua New
Guinea that came into force on
August 1, 2023, with Papua New
Guinea Foreign Minister saying
''the United States has taken
the lead to deal with the security
of our Pacific island countries,''
reports Radio NewZealand.
Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister,
Justin Tkatchenko, said at a meeting
in Sydney last week that the agreement
between the United States and
Papua New Guinea is an investment
in infrastructure development,
training, and equipment for the
benefit of security in our region.
''The agreement gives the US military
unimpeded access to develop and
deploy forces in six ports and
airports in Papua New Guinea including
the Lombrum Naval Base,'' he said.
"It shows that the United
States has a direct security commitment
to Papua New Guinea,'' he said.
''Previously Australia was Papua
New Guinea's leading security
partner,'' he said.
''The United States has taken
the lead to deal with the security
of Pacific island countries,''
he said.
He said Papua New Guinea is the
most populous Pacific island country,
is rich in natural resources and
strategically located with "one
foot in Southeast Asia and one
foot in the Pacific."
The Lowy Institute director of
the Pacific islands, Mihai Sora,
said the amount of US$864 million
(3.5 billion kina) was substantial,
saying ''the amount would commensurate
with Papua New Guinea's scale
as the second-largest country
after Australia in population
and land mass in the Pacific.''
''It was important not to lose
sight of the scope and scale of
Australian assistance to Papua
New Guinea over the last few decades,''
he said.
"The US's recent contributions
though laudable don't really compare,"
he said
"Australia and the US have
security agreements with Papua
New Guinea and will be coordinating
on national and regional security
very closely into the future,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Former
deputy PM under Thaksin
Shinawatra says Constitution
should be amended
by section not by
referendum
|
|
 |
|
Former
deputy prime minister,
Wissanu Krea-ngam,
says the 2017 Royal
Thai Armed Forces
(RTAF) drafted Constitution
should be amended
section by section
Friday December 15,
2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, December 16: Former deputy
prime minister under the former
Thaksin Shinawatra administration
said the 2017 Royal Thai Armed
Forces (RTAF) drafted Constitution
should be amended section by section,
with former deputy prime minister
Wissanu Krea-ngam, saying ''amendment
of the Constitution section by
section would avoid having to
conduct a referendum,'' reports
the Bankok Post.
''The focus should be on forming
an assembly to redraft the constitution,''
he said.
Former deputy prime minister and
former advisor to the National
Council for Peace and Order (NCPO),
responsible for drafting the post-coup
2014 interim constitution, Wissanu
Krea-ngam, said ''a referendum
presents insurmountable legal
and technical hurdles in passing
a wholesale constitutional amendment
within the current term of the
House of Representatives.''
''The bill to prepare the groundwork
for a referendum appears to be
giving lawmakers more trouble
than they need,'' he said.
He said 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,
saying ''the House term is set to
expire in less than three years.''
''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 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.
In February 2024 the Thailand parliament
announced that it would deliberate
the questions for the second referendum,
to decide amendments to the Constitution
with Constitution Drafting Committee
(CDC) chairman, Deputy Prime Minister,
Phumtham Wechayachai, saying the
panel was studying the referendum
to pursue amendements to the 2017
Constitution that was drafted by
the Royal Thai Armed Forces and
signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
He said then that the coalition
party leaders have agreed with
the Constitution Drafting Committee
(CDC) on the uncertainty of the
number of referendums to be pursued
for amendements to the 2017 Constitution,
the referendum question or questions,
and the methods involved in a
Constitution rewrite.
In August 2016 About 50 million
voted in the first referendum
with about 60 percent of voters
approving a new Constitution that
reportedly entrenched Royal Thai
Armed Forces (RTAF) power that
appointed legislators and selected
the Prime Minister of Thailand.
The draft constitution stipulated
that the 250-seat senate would
be fully appointed by the Royal
Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) administered
government that followed the declaration
of martial law in May 2014.
The Constitution Drafting Committee
(CDC) approved a provision that
allows military-appointed legislators
to have a decisive say in the
event that no party holds a majority
in the lower house or National
Assembly of Thailand.
Prior to the May 2014 coup and
the declaration of Martial Law
more than half of the upper house
seats were directly elected and
the remainder were appointed.
The Constitution Drafting Committee
(CDC) also approved a provision
that would open the position of
Prime Minister to both Members
of Parliament and non members
of Parliament.
Constitution Drafting Committee
(CDC) reportedly studied the previous
1997 and 2007 Constitutions when
drawing up the 2016 draft constitution
provisions on community rights.
In February 2016 the Constitution
Drafting Committee (CDC) agreed
to reinstate omitted content in
the draft 2016 Constitution on
rights and liberties of Thais
that included the protection and
managment of natural resources.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Tonga
PM's resignation before
vote of no-confidence
accepted by King Taufa’ahau
Tupou IV
|
|
 |
|
Tonga
Prime Minister Siaosi
Sovaleni resigns ahead
of motion for a vote
of no-confidence in
the Tonga Legislative
Assembly in Nuku'alofa
on Monday December
9, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Nuku'alofa, December 15: The Prime
Minister of Tonga, Siaosi Sovaleni
Hu’akavameiliku, announced
his resignation at the Tonga Legislative
Assembly on Monday ahead of a motion
for a vote of no-confidence, saying
''Tonga's nobility is fearful of
losing its sway,'' reports Reuters.
''I thought this land had been
given freedom, but there’s
still enslavement,” he said.
Speaker of the Tonga Legislative
Assembly, Fatafehi Fakaf''nua called
for recess immediately after the
announcement of resignation, saying
the Legislative Assembly would reconvene
at 2.00pm.
''King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV
has accepted the Prime Ministers
resignation.'' he said when the
Legislatve Assembly reconvened
Speaker Fatafehi Fakaf'nua announced
that under section 18 of the Tonga
Government Act, Deputy Prime Minister
Samiu Vaipulu would be Acting Prime
Minister in the interim Cabinet.
''The election of a new Prime
Minister from its existing membership
of the house will take place on
December 24,'' he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu
had attempted to declare the motion
for a vote of no-confidence invalid
at the Legislative Assembly on
Monday saying ''procedural discrepancies
concerning the signatures that
were required to initiate the
vote were invalid.''
The Tonga Police Development Program
(TPDP), that was signed by Australia,
New Zealand and Tonga at the 53rd
Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga
on August 30, 2024 was endorsed
by Pacific Island leaders of Tonga,
Fiji, Palau and Papua New Guinea,
saying ''the Australia led Pacific
Policing Initiative (PPI) under
the Tonga Police Development Program
(TPDP) would assist island states
in tackling drug trafficking,
illegal fishing and economic crimes
across a region that spans millions
of square kilometres of ocean.''
Tonga Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni
said then that forum members would
have the discretion to choose
how they would contribute to and
benefit from the Ausralian Pacific
Policing Initiative (PPI) under
the Tonga Police Development Program
(TPDP).
He said that Tonga is facing transnational
security challenges, including
an increase in drug trafficking
in the Pacific.
''I think it is important to have
a Pacific-led Pacific owned initiative
that reinforces the existing regional
security architecture,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia
to limit China's security
ambitions in the Pacific
with rugby and security
training in PNG
|
|
 |
|
Papua
New Guinea PM James
Marape, left, Australia
PM Anthony Albanese,
right, agree to Pacific
Rugby League Partnership
in Canberra Thursday
December 12, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, December 13: Australia
seeks to limit China's security
ambitions in the Pacific with
funding of A$600 million over
10 years to support Papua New
Guinea's entry to the Australian
National Rugby League (NRL) competition
and funding of A$200 million in
security support for Papua New
Guinea, reports Reuters
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese said at a joint press
conference with Prime Minister
of Papua New Guinea, James Marape,
in Canberra on Thursday "Rugby
league is the national sport of
Papua New Guinea and Papua New
Guinea deserves a national team.''
He said that the parallel agreement
to support Papua New Guinea's
entry to the Australian National
Rugby League (NRL) competition
and the bilateral security agreement
affirmed Australia was the security
partner of choice.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, said that the agreement
didn't preclude relations with
other countries, saying ''China
would remain a strong trading
partner.''
''Security arrangements needed
to be unique with countries that
shared borders with Papua New
Guinea,'' he said.
He said that training Papua New
Guinea police under the security
agreement with Australia would
make Port Moresby safer for the
increasing number of Australia
tourists travelling to Papua New
Guinea to watch rugby league games.
Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI)
under the Tonga Police Development
Program (TPDP) that was signed
by Australia, New Zealand and
Tonga in Tonga in August 2024
was endorsed by Pacific Island
leaders of Tonga, Fiji, Palau
and Papua New Guinea, with the
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
James Marape, saying ''the entire
Pacific is the biggest unpoliced
space on planet earth.''
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, said ''Papua New
Guinea with assistance from Australia
will host the first of four police
training centres to be constructed
across the Pacific region under
Australia's Pacific Policing Initiative
''
''The police training centres
will create a multinational policing
force that can be deployed to
countries in the region in the
event of major incidents or crises,''
he said.
Pacific Island leaders of Tonga,
Fiji, Palau and Papua New Guinea
said '' the Pacific Policing Initiative
(PPI) under the Tonga Police Development
Program (TPDP) would assist island
states in tackling drug trafficking,
illegal fishing and economic crimes
across a region that spans millions
of square kilometres of ocean.''
In May 2022 Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM), David Panuelo,
warned the Pacific nations of
dire consequences if any nations
endorse China's Common Development
Vision for the Pacific.
"China's Common Development
Vision for the Pacific includes
training Pacific police officers,
expanding law enforcement cooperation
and traditional and non-traditional
security," he said.
China also wants to jointly develop
a marine plan for fisheries that
would include the Pacific's tuna
catch, to increase cooperation
on running the regions internet
networks and establish cultural
Confucius Institutes and classrooms.
He said in his letter to the Pacific
nations that "China's Common
Development Vision for the Pacific
is an intent to shift those of
us with diplomatic relations with
China very close to Beijing's
orbit, intrinsically tying the
whole of our economies and societies
to them," saying "aggreement
to the plan would needlessly heighten
geopolitical tensions and threaten
regional stability."
"The Common Development Vision
was the single most game-changing
proposed agreement in the Pacific
in any of our lifetimes,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Opposition
parties reject proposal
to amend Constitution
that would allow Cabinet
to select generals
|
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, December
13: The United
Thai Nation
Party (UTNP)
and Palang Pracharat
Party (PPRP)
opposition parties
rejected the
proposed amendements
to the 2017
military Constitution
to prevent future
military coups
on Tuesday,
with Prime Minister
Paetongtarn
Shinawatra,
saying ''the
government has
no intention
of intervening
in the military,''
reports the
Bangkok Post.
Prime Minister
Paetongtarn
Shinawatra said
''the Pheu Thai
government has
no intention
of intervening
in the Royal
Thai Armed Forces
(RTAF) after
a Pheu Thai
Party (PTP)
Member of Parliament
proposed a bill
to revise the
Defence Ministry
Administration
Act.''
Pheu Thai Party
(PTP) list Member
of Parliament,
Prayuth Siripanich,
|
|
 |
|
Pheu
Thai Party
(PTP)
list Member
of Parliament,
Prayuth
Siripanich,
introduces
Bill to
amend
the 2017
military
Constitution
to deter
Thailand's
recurring
coups
Tuesday
December
10, 2024
|
|
|
|
said
he introduced the Bill to amend
the 2017 military Constitution to
deter
Thailand's
reocurring coups, saying ''the bill
would authorise the Cabinet to approve
military reshuffle selected by the
Royal Thai Armed Forces.''
''The bill would allow the prime
minister and the Cabinet to suspend
military officers as a preemptive
measure against coups.'' he said.
Opposition United Thai Nation
Party (UTNP) spokesperson and
member of parliament Akradet Wongpitakroj
reiterated the party's opposition
to any amendements to the 2017
military Constitution by the Constitutional
Court, enabling political intervention
within the Defence Ministry.
''This opposition is consistent
with the party’s stance against
a similar proposal by the now-defunct
Move Forward party,'' he said
Opposition Palang Pracharat Party
(PPRP) spokesperson, Pol Lt Gen.
Piya Tavichai, said that the proposed
bill could weaken the military
and expose it to political manipulation.
''The proposed bill’s provision
would give politicians greater
influence than military chiefs
in deciding the annual reshuffling
of generals,'' he said.
He said the proposed amendements
to the 2017 military Constitution
by the Constitutional Court would
undermine the military and lead
to the political abuse of the
armed forces, saying ''the party
is doing its best to block the
Bill.''
He said the existing laws allowed
armed forces chiefs to propose
the reshuffle of generals to His
Mjaesty the King for approval,
saying ''the king is the head
of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.''
''The 2017 military Constitution
was designed to prevent politicians
from interfering in military affairs,''
he said.
In August 2016 about 50 million
Thais voted in a referendum with
60 percent approving a Constitution
that would endorse Royal Thai
Armed Forces (RTAF) power that
appointed legislators and selected
the Prime Minister of Thailand.
The 2016 draft constitution stipulated
that the 250-seat senate would
be fully appointed by the Royal
Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) administered
government that followed the declaration
of martial law in May 2014.
In 2016 the Constitution Drafting
Committee (CDC) approved a provision
that allowed military-appointed
legislators to have a decisive
say in the event that no party
held a majority in the lower house
or National Assembly of Thailand.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Death
row Vietnamese woman
can avoid execution
by returning embezzled
funds, says HCMCity
Judge
|
|
 |
|
Van
Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings
Group chairwoman,
Truong My Lan, 68,
loses appeal against
the death sentence
at HCMCity People's
Court Tuesday December
3, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
HCMCity, December 12: Van Thinh
Phat (VTP) Holdings Group chairwoman,
Truong My Lan, 68, lost her appeal
to have the death sentence commuted
to life imprisonment for the embezzlement
of US$12.5 billion, with the HCMCity
Peoples Court, saying ''there was
no basis to reduce the death sentence.''
reports Vietnam News.
''Truong My Lan could still avoid
execution if she returns $9billion,
three-quarters of the $12billion
she embezzled,''said the Judge.
Lawyer, Nguyen Huy Thiep for Truong
My Lan, 68, argued that his client
had repaid the embezzled US$12.5
billion with the seizure of properties
by the HCMCity Investigation Police
Department for Corruption, Smuggling,
and Economic Crimes (CO3).
The HCMCity Peoples Court said that
Truong My Lan, 68, had not repaid
the embezzled US$12.5 billion with
the seizure of her properties, saying
''there were legal issues with the
seized properties.''
''The prosecution could not assess
the value of the properties,'' said
the HCMCity Peoples Court.
The HCMCity Investigation Police
Department for Corruption, Smuggling,
and Economic Crimes (CO3) under
the Ministry of Public Security
found that Truong My Lan, 68, chairwoman
of the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings
Group, and 86 others embezzled,
bribed and violated banking regulations,
claiming that Truong My Lan, 68,
used the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) for fraudulant property
development.
"Chairwoman Truong My Lan,
68, directed bank appointees to
provide loans to ghost companies
that were established to embezzle
funds from the Saigon Joint Stock
Commercial Bank (SCB) for property
development,'' claimed the Ministry
of Public Security.
The Ministry of Public Security
claimed that ghost companies were
established to embezzle funds from
the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) and that chairwoman of
Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group,
Truong My Lan, had appointed relatives
to positions on the Executive Board
of the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) in order to direct funds
to the ghost companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
| 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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