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GATHERINGS:
An informed guidexto happenings throughout the region.
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China
calls emergency COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From
News Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An emergency meeting of foreign
ministers from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is to
be held in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday and Friday to discuss
the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN member
states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly intended
to share information and to improve coordination between
China and the 10 ASEAN member states in order to combat
the COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with focus on strengthening
joint prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of establishing
a long term and effective collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying " China and
Asean countries have been in close communication since
the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the foreign
ministers to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will demonstrate Cambodia’s
support of China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus outbreak.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam opens consulate in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau Special Administrative
Region of China on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said at
the launching ceremony that the office aims to better
ensure the rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association in Macau.
More than 20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and services companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News
Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in a "landmark"
visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the
President of the United States "would skirt protocol"
because the General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official as saying.
Rueters also quotes the senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
Nguyen Phu Trong as the visit of "the top
leader of the country".
"It's a pretty big event," Rueters quotes the
state department official as saying.
The
Southeast Asian Times
France
agrees to return Aboriginal remains home to Australia
From
News Reports:
Canberra, November 25: French president Francois Hollande
and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to Australia
during the first official visit by a French head of state
to Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the Aboriginal remains
held in France.
The head of state and prime minister said in a joint statement
that the identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider the requests
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human remains to
their community of origin." the statement said.
Australia believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets of
Aboriginal skeletal remains to Australia including the
severed head of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years. Yagan was shot
dead for his resistance to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The
Southeast Asian Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home Minister
Tjahjo Kumolo, that national identity cards (KTP) do not
include the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of the card
holder on national identity cards (KTP)
contradicted the country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state ideology
and our national identity, then why should we be ashamed
of including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from official
government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian citizens on national
identity cards (KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up to the people", he said.
The
Souheast Asian Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students, Patiwat
Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip Mankong, 26, were charged
in the Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in October 2013,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The students were charged with insulting the Royal Thai
family in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th anniversaries
of the October 6, 1976 and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's script,
a work of fiction that depicts a fictional monarch, that
allegedly insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on 13 August,
have been refused bail are scheduled to appear in court
to enter pleas on December 29.
The
Southeast Asian Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers, Presidents
and State representatives including US Secretary of State,
John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on Monday.
The speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Zulkifli Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend the swearing
in of the former governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo as president of Indonesia.
"The Prime Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's" including
former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties have also
be invited,” said the speaker.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Banned ISIS flag found flying in Aceh
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) flag found flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was reportedly the
first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said that the flag
of the nationally banned movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh regency in Aceh.
He said that a bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and
banned the teaching of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of Indonesias Independence.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Singapore passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary
Haze Pollution Act by the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for causing severe
air pollution in Singapore.
The Act that was first proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze pollution in
Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
said that under the Act, Singapore will have the legal
right under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources in accordance
with their policies they also have a responsibility to
ensure that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze Pollution
Act gives Singapore the legal power to serve notices on
those that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest fires.
A bill passed in the Indonesian House of Representatives
in July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and illegal
clearing of forests for palm oil plantations.
The new bill, designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force including police to
monitor the prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From
News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary
of the Biak Massacre in West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will
be held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in memory
of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre for Peace and
Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney last
year on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into the sea
by Indonesian security forces.
The tribunal heard eye witness testimony that the West
Papuan demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian security
forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan protesters were
surrounded and shot by Indonesian security forces and
that survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July 1998.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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| 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
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Maluku
activists arrested for commemorating
West Papua's Independence
Day
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Activists
of the People’s Front
for West Papua (FRI-WP), the
Papuan Student Alliance (AMP),
and the Indonesian Student
League for Democracy (LMID)
outside the Ternate Resort
Police Headquarters, North
Maluku, on Thursday December
1, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 10: Activists from the
People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-WP),
the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP), and
the Indonesian Student League for Democracy
(LMID) are demanding the release of eight
activists in detention at the Ternate
Resort Police Headquarters, North Maluku,
saying "they were arrested while
commemorating West Papua's Independence
Day on December 1, reports Agence France
Press.
People’s Front for West Papua (FRI-WP)
Unification Department Anton Trisno, said
that activists are demanding the release
of Jack (FRI-WP activist), Hengky (AMP
activist), Dino (AMP activist), Susan
(AMP activist), Malo (LMID activist),
Kama (LMID activist), and individuals
Rino and Gelombang from the Ternate Resort
Police Headquarters.
He said that the eight activists were arrested
on Thursday December 1, 2022 "during
the commemoration of the raising of the
Morning Star flag at the Nieuw-Guinea Raad
(NGR) office or the Dutch New Guinea Council
in Holandia office on December 1, 1961."
He said that Indonesia Military (TNI)
and National Police dispersed the activists
at the raising of the banned Morning Star
flag ceremony, with the Indonesia Military
(TNI) and National Police saying "if
you want to speak out for an independent
Papua find another country."
"Clashes between the activists and
the Indonesia Military (TNI) and National
Police took place as the activists moved
towards the
Jatiland Mall Ternate area with a number
of activists injured," he said.
He said that eight activists were arrested
and taken to the Ternate Resort Police
Headquarters for questioning, saying "we
demand that the police release them unconditionally."
In December 2020 Indonesia rejected the
proclamation of West Papuan independence
from Indonesia by West Papua New Guinea
National Congress (WPNGNC) founder, Benny
Wenda, who is in exile in London, saying
the declaration of Papua independence is
illusionary.
Indonesia's coordinating Minister for Political,
Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD,
rejected the declaration of West Papuan
independence follwing the commemoration
of its establishment by hundreds of thousands
of Papuans in the streets of Manokwari and
Sonrong City on December 1, 2020.
He said that Benny Wenda is creating an
illusory state, saying "he is creating
a country that does not in fact exist."
He said that recognition by other countries
of a Benny Wenda government would be required,
saying that Vanuatu in the Pacific is
the only country that recognises the Benny
Wenda proclamation of West Papuan independence
from Indonesia.
"Benny Wenda is stateless,"
he said.
He said that Benny Wenda has been deprived
of Indonesian citizenship, saying "he
cannot govern Papua".
"Benny Wenda builds an illusory country,"
he said.
He said that Papua was made a legal part
of the Unitary State of the Republic of
Indonesia (NKRI) in a referendum in 1969,
saying that sovereignity over Papua was
endorsed by the United Nations General
Assembly.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Bali
bomber pledges allegiance
to the Republic of Indonesia
and Pancasila before release
from prison on parole
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Hisyam
bin Alizein known as Umar
Patek, 55, second from left,
commemorating the 72nd Anniversary
of the Republic of Indonesia
at Porong Prison, Sidoarjo,
East Java, on Thursday Thursday
August 8, 2017
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From
News Reports:
Denpassar, December 9: Hisyam bin Alizein
known as Umar Patek, 55, a former member
of the Al-Qaeda-affiliate Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) terrorist organisation, convicted of
making a car bomb that detonated outside
the Sari Club in Kuta on Bali two decades
ago, was released from prison on parol on
Wednesday, with the Ministry of Law and
Human Rights Directorate General of Corrections
Indonesia, saying "most importantly,
he has pledged allegiance to the unitary
state of the Republic of Indonesia and to
Pancasila state ideology.
Hisyam bin Alizein known as Umar Patek was
found guilty by the West Jakarta District
Court on June 21, 2012 for acts of terror
related to the bombings in Bali at the Sari
Club and Paddy's nightclub that killed 202
including 88 Australians on October 12,
2002.
Ministry of Law and Human Rights Directorate
General of Corrections Indonesia, Rika Aprianti,
said that Umar Patek was released from the
Surabaya penitentiary in East Java on condition
that he participates in a mentoring program
under the supervision of the Surabaya penitentiary
until his parole ends on 29 April, 2030,
saying "his parole will be revoked
if he commits a violation."
She said that authorities at the Surabaya
penitentiary believe that Umar Patek has
shown changes after undergoing a deradicalisation
programme, saying "most importantly,
he has pledged allegiance to the unitary
state of the Republic of Indonesia and
to Pancasila state ideology."
"The deradicalisation of terrorism
program teaches the convicted terrorists
to understand that Pancasila idology is
not just the foundation of the nation
but also acts as a national ideology that
unites the people of Indoneisa,"
she said.
She said that convicted Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) terrorists swear loyalty to Pancasila
state ideology and the 1945 Constitution
and committ to protecting the nation from
all acts of terrorism that could destroy
Indonesia's unity, saying "they are
expected to exhibit proper conduct and
act faithfully in accordance with their
respective religions."
In January 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.
Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba`asyir's arrest
in 2012 was the third effort since 2000
to have the spiritual leader of Al-Qaeda-affiliate
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) convicted for terrorism.
He served almost 26 months in jail before
he won his appeal in 2006 against his
conviction for conspiracy following the
Bali bombings of 2002 in which more than
200 people, most of them Australians,
were killed.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Indonesian's
largest Muslim Organisation
warns US special envoy of
LGBTQI+ rights from visit
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Jessica
Stern, the United states special
envoy for LGBTQI+ rights,
at the 2022 World Conference
of the International Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex
Association in Long Beach,
California, Sunday May 2,
2022.
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 8: The United States special
envoy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer and intersex - rights
(LGBTQI+ rights)
planned visit to Indonesia this week was
cancelled after the Indonesian Ulema Council
(MUI) said "the visit would harm Indonesia's
religious and cultural values," reports
Associated Press.
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) vice chairman,
Anwar Abbas, said "as a religious and
civilized nation we are told to respect
guests."
"But we cannot accept guests whose
purpose of coming to Indonesia is to damage
the noble values of our nation’s religion
and culture," he said.
He said that the visit of the United States
special envoy for LGBTQI+ persons, Jessica
Stern to Indonesia "was intended to
undermine Indonesia's cultural and religious
rights."
"If this behavior is tolerated, it
will lead to humanity’s extinction,
because if men marry men and women marry
women, they will not reproduce," he
said.
United States Ambassador to Indonesia Sung
Kim announced ahead of the planned three
day visit to Indonesia this week and after
the visit to Vietnam and the Philippines,
that the United States special envoy for
LGBTQI+ rights , Jessica Stern, "would
no longer travel to Indonesia."
"After discussions with our counterparts
in the Indonesian government, we have decided
to cancel Special Envoy Stern’s visit
to Indonesia," he said.
United States Ambassador to Indonesia said
that "LGBTQI+ rights experience disproportionate
levels of violence and discrimination around
the world, saying "it is important
to continue the dialogue and ensure mutual
respect for one another, rather than pretending
that the issues do not exist."
In February 2016 the Indonesian Ulema Council
(MUI), that incorporates all Indonesian
Muslim organisations, called for legislation
to ban Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
(LGBT) activities in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) that
was founded by the Indonesian New Order
under the Suharto administration in 1975
as a body to advise the Muslim community
on contemporary issues said then that the
promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) activities was against
Islam as stipulated in the 2014 Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman
Maruf Amin said then that the MUI wants
prohibition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender (LGBT) activities including
legislation that categorizes (LGBT) as criminals.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Cambodian
unionist arrested on return
from Australia after attending
Trade Union World Congress
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Labour
Rights Supported Union of
Khmer Employees of NagaWorld
(LRSU), Chhim Sithar, 35,
attended the 5th International
Trade Union Confederation
World Congress in Melbourne,
Ausralia from 17-22 November,
2022
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From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, December 7: The Phnom Penh Municipal
Court ordered the arrest of Chhim Sithar,
35, president of the Labour Rights Supported
Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU)
representing 3,000 hotel and casino workers
who stopped work at the five star NagaWorld
hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh in
January 2020, on her return to Cambodia
from Australia where she had attended the
5th International Trade Union Confederation
World Congress (ITUC) from 17 to 22 November,
reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge Im Vannak
said that president of the Labour Rights
Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld
(LRSU), Chhim Sithar, left Cambodia for
Australia without permission while on bail,"
Phnom Penh Police spokesperson San Sokseyha
said the immigration police had arrested
Chhim Sithar at the Phnom Penh airport on
November 26, 2022 on orders from the Phnom
Penh Municipal Court, saying "Chhim
Sithar had traveled overseas" and that
"travel overseas was against her bail
conditions."
"Chhim Sithar doesn’t have a right
to leave Cambodia unless the court decides
for her," he said.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ordered the
arrest of Chhim Sithar on her return to
Camboida after twelve days in Australia
for failing to comply with bail conditions
on her release from the Prey Sar Prison
on March 14, 2022.
Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights
(CENTRAL) program coordinator, Khun Tharo,
said "the center was not aware or informed
of any judicial supervision or probation
conditions", saying "the center
was not aware of travel restrictions on
the president of the Labour Rights Supported
Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU),
Chhim Sithar."
In January 2020 about 3,000 hotel and casino
workers went on strike at the five star
NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom
Penh for higher wages, improved working
conditions and the reinstatement of their
union Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer
Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) president,Chhim
Sithar.
Chhim Sithar, was suspended for allegedly
breaching company rules, for supporting
a union member who was harassed by security
guards for wearing a union-T-shirt.
Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees
of NagaWorld (LRSU) president Chhim Sithar
and up to 3000 former workers at the five
star 1658 luxurious room NagaWorld hotel
and casino complex workers are seeking to
return to work, with NagaCorp Ltd maintianing
that the proposed number of employees would
exceed operational requirements.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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United
Nations condemns death sentence
handed down by Myanmar military
to seven students
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Dagon
University Students, Ko Khant
Zin Win, Ko Thura Maung Maung,
Ko Zaw Lin Naing, Ko Thiha
Htet Zaw, Ko Hein Htet, Ko
Thet Paing Oo and Ko Khant
Linn Maung Maung were sentenced
to death by hanging by the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmarat in a military court
in the the Insein Prison
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, December 6: The United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned
the death sentence handed down by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to seven Dagon
University students last week, with High
Commissioner Volker Türk, saying "the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar has resorted
to using the death sentences as a political
tool to crush opposition," reports
Irrawaddy.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights,Volker Türk, said "the
Myanmar military confirms its disdain for
the efforts made by ASEAN and the international
community to end the violence."
"The Myanmar military continues to
hold proceedings in secretive courts in
violation of basic principles of fair trial
and contrary to core judicial guarantees
of independence and impartiality,"
he said.
Dagon University Students Union Alumni Force
has confirmed that students, Ko Khant Zin
Win, Ko Thura Maung Maung, Ko Zaw Lin Naing,
Ko Thiha Htet Zaw, Ko Hein Htet, Ko Thet
Paing Oo and Ko Khant Linn Maung Maung were
sentenced to death by hanging at the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar military court
inside the Insein Prison in Yangon on Thursday.
Dagon University Students' Union Alumni
Force, Ko Nan Lin, said that the seven students
were arrested in April, 2022 for alleged
involvement in the fatal shooting of Saw
Moe Win, an Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
military officer and branch manager of the
South Dagon, Global Treasure Bank (GTB).
ASEAN Chair for 2022, Cambodia, declared
the execution of four Myanmar political
activists in July 2022 , Kyaw Min Yu, 52,
Hla Myo Aung, Aung Thura Zaw and opposition
legislator Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41 by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar as highly reprehensible,
saying that the execution represented a
lack of will by Myanmar to support the ASEAN
implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus
(5PC).
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen said that
"the execution represented a gross
lack of will to support the ASEAN chair
effort to expedite progress on the implementation
of ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC) that
was introduced at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting
(ALM) held in Jakarta in April 2021 after
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover
of the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government in February 2021.
The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC) includes
restrain of security forces, commencement
of dialogue with ASEAN, facilitation of
mediation with Secretary General of ASEAN,
Special ASEAN envoy and delegation to visit
Myanmar and the ASEAN provision of humanitarian
assistance.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Vietnam
calls for Palestine right
to independence at United
Nations General Assembly
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Ambassador,
Dang Hoang Giang of the Permanent
Representative of Viet Nam
to the United Nations,calls
for Palestine right to independence
at United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) Wednesday
November 30, 2022
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From News Reports:
Hanoi, December 5: ASEAN member state, Vietnam,
has called on the international community
to support Palestine in gaining independence
at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on Wednesday, with the Permanent Representative
of Viet Nam to the United Nations, calling
for "the Palestine right to establish
an independent and sovereign Paletinian
State with East Jerusalem as its capital,"
reports the Vietnam News Service.
The Permanent Representative of Viet Nam
to the United Nations, Ambassador, Dang
Hoang Giang, said that "the peaceful
coexistance of Palestine alongside the State
of Israel with internationally recognised
pre-1967 borders must be addressed based
on international law and relevant United
Nations resolutions," he said.
He said that the legitimate interests of
all parties in particular the inalienable
rights of Palistinians must be ensured,
saying "this includes the right to
establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian
State with East Jerusalem as its capital."
He said that Vietnam supports the international
community's promotion of the peace process
to find a lasting solution to the Palestinian
and Jerusalem conflict, saying "the
two-state solution is the only way to reach
sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine."
In October 2022 Australia's Labor Party
foreign minister reversed the previous Liberal
government recognition of West Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel, with foreign minister
Penny Wong, saying "the government
regrets the decision made by the previous
administration and reiterates committment
to two-state solution."
She said that Australia would no longer
recognise West Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel, saying "Australia’s
embassy would remain in Tel Aviv."
In October 2022 Indonesia Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Retno Marsudi, called on the 120
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM ) member countries
that includes the ten ASEAN member countries
of which Indonesia is a member "to
work together and end the occupation of
Palestine once and for all," at the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM ) Committee for
Palestine meeting held
on the sideline of the 77th Session of the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in
New York last week, reports Antara.
She said that the Non-Aligned Movement should
consolidate its position on Palestine, saying
"Indonesia is proud to be able to stand
at the forefront of fighting for Palestinian
independence."
"Indonesia supports the two-state solution,"
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Santos
losses appeal for gas project
off Tiwi Islands in northern
Australia
|
|
 |
|
Environmental
Defenders Office (EDO) Senior
Lawman and Tiwi Traditional
Owner, Dennis Tipakalippa,
claims that Santos Ltd. did
not consult the Drilling Environment
Plan with Tiwi Islanders
|
|
From News Reports:
Melbourne, December 4: The Australian Federal
Court has rejected an appeal by Santos Ltd,
for approval of its Barossa Gas Project
in the Timor Sea, 140 kilometres north of
the Tiwi Islands in northern Australia,
with Tiwi Island traditional owners saying
"Santos and every other gas company
must take note that this is our country
and we must be consulted," reports
Reuters.
Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) Senior
Lawyer and Tiwi Traditional Owner, Dennis
Tipakalippa, said "we have fought to
protect our sea country from the beginning
to the end and we will never stop fighting."
"Our sea is like our mother, we are
part of the sea and the sea is part of us,"
he said.
The Australian Federal Court justices Susan
Kenny, Debra Mortimer and Michael Lee said
in rejecting the Santos Ltd appeal on Friday
"We reject the submission by Santos
Ltd that it is just too hard to consult
with traditional owners as was required
in this case."
Santos Ltd argued for approval of the Barossa
Gas Project off the Tiwi Islands for export
to South Korea and Japan from Port Darwin
in Australia's Northern territory, saying
"that it was unreasonable to expect
the company to consult with each and every
individual Tiwi Islander."
Santos Ltd argued that it had engaged in
the Drilling Environment Plan with the Tiwi
Land Council, a representative body with
statutory authority under the Aboriginal
Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976,
saying "Santos Ltd had also engaged
with the Northern Land Council, the Native
Title representative body for the Tiwi Islands."
"The National Offshore Petroleum Safety
and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
had accepted our efforts to consult with
Tiwi Islanders in accordance with the Regulations
when it accepted the Drilling Environment
Plan," said Santos Ltd.
Santos Ltd, lost its appeal on Friday against
the September, 2022 Federal Court decision
by Justice Mordy Bromberg on the Barossa
Gas Project in the Timor Sea, 140 kilometres
north of the Tiwi Islands, that was based
on the National Offshore Petroleum Safety
and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
Drilling Environment Plan.
"The National Offshore Petroleum Safety
and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)
could not be lawfully satisfied that the
Drilling Environment Plan had demostrated
that Santos had consulted with each person
that it was required by regulation to consult
with," said Justice Mordy Bromberg.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand's
Attorney General wants prosecution
of dissolved Future Forward
Party politicians to go ahead
|
|
 |
|
Member
of parliament Pannika Wanich
apologises in the Thai Parliament
on Wednesday June 19, 2019
for a 2010 photograph
in which she is shown gesturing
towards a portrait of the
late Thai King Rama 1X and
that was deemed disrespectful
to the monarchy
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 3: The Office of the Attorney-General
(OAG) wants the prosecution of three former
member of the dissolved opposition Future
Forward Party (FFP) to go ahead, with the
Attorney General approving the prosecution
after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) had dismissed
charges including sedition and violation
of the Lese Majeste law against the three
former politicians, reports the Bangkok
Post.
Attorny General, Naree Tantasathien, ordered
the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to proceed with
the arraignment of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit,
former chairman of the Progressive Movement
that was formed after the dissolution of
the Future Forward Party (FFP) by Thai Constitutional
Court, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, former secretary-general,
and Pannikar Wanich, former member of parliament.
"The three former politicians have
a case to answer for allegedly violating
the Lese Majeste law and the crime of sedition,"
she said.
The dissolved former Future Forward Party
(FFP) and now the Progressive Movement agenda
inlcudes amendments to the constitution
that would end military power and amendment
of the 2017 constitution that would add
a clause that enables establishment of an
elected council to draft a new constitution,
put to a referendum before coming into effect.
The agenda also includes amendment to Section
279 of the 2017 constitution that legitimises
all orders and announcements of the commander
of the National Council for Peace (NCPO)
and the current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
and officials, giving them immunity in order
to do away with the legacy of the 2014 coup.
The agenda also includes amendments that
would move military reform in line with
democratic principles in order to prevent
future coups.
In February 2020 the Thai Constitutional
Court dissolved the opposition Future Forward
Party (FFP), political party, founded by
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who campaigned
for military reform, and for providing a
loan of 91million-baht to the Future Forward
Party (FFP) for the election campaign of
March 2019.
The Thai Constitutional Court concluded
then that the Future Forward Party (FFP)
had violated election laws that set strict
limits on the amount an individual can donate
to a political party, saying that the Thai
Electection Commission could now proceed
with criminal action against the founder
of the party, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit,
and 15 party executives.
In January 2021 Progressive Movement secretary-general
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul called on members
of the Thai Parliament to decriminalise
the Lese Majeste law, saying that defamation
should be a civil offence, saying "defamation
should be a civil offence rather than a
criminal offence for royalty, foreign leaders,
ambassadors, or ordinary people."
In June 2019 the Royal Thai Police (RTP)
ordered an investigation into member of
parliament, Pannika Wanich, for alleged
violation of the Lese Majeste law, accusing
the member of parliament, who campained
for military reform, of posting a photo
on social media including Facebook and Instagram
of herself gesturing towards a portrait
of the late Thai King Rama 1X that was deemed
disrespectful to the monarchy.
Member of Parliament, Pannika Wanich claims
that the 2010 photo was "taken for
fun on graduation day at Chulalongkorn University",
saying that she "believed in the constitutional
monarchy."
Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen
Piya Uthayo said then that an investigation
would determine whether Member of parliament
Pannika Wanich posts on social media including
Facebook and Instagram violated computer
crime and Section 112 of the Criminal Code
Lese Majeste law and if the posts affected
national security.
Founder of the dissolved Future Forward
Party (FFP) Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit,
said that he and his supporters are ready
to fight the charges in court, saying "they
just want us to stop our political activities."
"Instead, this will drive us to fight
and continue doing what we believe in,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Former
PM censured by Australian
parliament for appointing
himself to
five ministeries
|
|
 |
|
Former
Prime Minister of Australia,
Scott Morrison, was sensored
by the Australian parliament
on Wednesday November 30,
2022 for appointing himself
to five ministerial roles
without the knowledge of his
ministers, the parliament
or the public
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, November 2: Former Prime Minister
of Australia, Scott Morrison, who was censured
by the parliament for appointing himself
to five ministerial roles without the knowledge
of his ministers, the parliament or the
public, said that he gave himself additional
ministerial powers "at a time when
Australia was dealing with extreme uncertainty
and unpredictability," reports Associated
Press.
The House of Representatives passed a censor-motion,
86 to 50, against former Prime Minister
Scott Morrison for appointing himself ministerial
roles in the Department of Industry, Science,
Energy and Resources, the Department of
the Treasury and the Department of Home
Affairs, saying ahead of the vote "criticisms
had been made from the safety and relative
calm of hindsight."
"I am proud that at a time of extreme
trial, my government stood up and faced
the abyss of uncertainty that our country
looked into and the coercion of a regional
bully and saw Australia through the storm,"
he said.
He said that his achievements in government
included standing up to a "bullying
China" in his argument against the
censor-motion passed by the parliament on
Wednesday for ammassing ministerial powers
without the knowledge of his ministers.
"Australia faced a rising and assertive
China seeking to coerce Australia into submission,"
he said.
A report by former chief justice Virginia
Bell found that former Prime Minister Scott
Morrison had undermined public trust in
democracy and enabled a culture of secrecy
and cover-up, saying "former Prime
Minister Scott Morrison had failed to inform
his Cabinet, the Parliament and the Australian
people of his additional ministerial powers."
"The secrecy with which the appointments
had been surrounded was corrosive of trust
in government," she said.
Chief justice Virginia Bell said that former
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s appointment
to the Department of Industry, Science,
Energy and Resources, the Department of
the Treasury and the Department of Home
Affairs "had little if any connection
to the Covid-19 pandemic."
"Rather, former Prime Minister Scott
Morrison was appointed to administer these
departments to give himself the capacity
to exercise particular statutory powers,"
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Phnom
Penh Court seizes opposition
Candlelight Party property
in lieu of compensation for
defamation
|
|
 |
|
Opposition
Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president
Son Chhay, 66, was found guilty
in absentia by the Phnom Penh
Municiple Court for defamation
of ruling Cambodian People’s
Party (CPP) and the National
Election Committees (NEC)
after the Commune elections
on June 5
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 31: The Phnom Penh
Municiple Court has ordered the siezure
of two propertes belonging to opposition
Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president Son
Chhay, 66, in compensation for defaming
the ruling Cambodian People’s Party
(CPP) and the National Election Committees
(NEC) after the Commune elections on June
5, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Opposition Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president
Son Chhay was found guilty in absentia by
the Phnom Penh Municiple Court for defamation
for saying in an interview with the Cambodia
Daily on June 7 that the
the preliminarily 2022 Commune election
administered by the National Election Committees
(NEC) "was not independent and did
not reflect the true will of the people
and that there was ballot theft."
The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP)
won the Commune elections on June 5 with
80 percent of the 11,622 commune councillor
positions with opposition Candlelight Party
(CP) winning 18 percent of the commune councillor
positions dispite the National Election
Committee (NEC) disqualification of Candlelight
Party (CP) candidates in 11 communes.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Uong Vuthea,
said that the Phnom Penh Municiple Court
ordered the seizure of the two properties
in accordance with the request of the ruling
Cambodian People's Party (CPP) lawyers.
He said the opposition Candlelight Party
(CP) vice-president Son Chhay had ignored
the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruling on
October 7, 2022 to pay 3,000 million Riel
($750,000) in compensation to the ruling
Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
He said the opposition Candlelight Party
(CP) vice-president Son Chhay had also ignored
the order to pay 17 million Riels ($4, 250)
in a fine that would be deposited in the
ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) state
budget.
"The court also ordered him to publish
a written apology to both National Election
Committee (NEC) and the ruling Cambodian
People's Party (CPP) in newspapers for eight
days and bear the costs," he said.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Uong Vuthea,
said that opposition Candlelight Party (CP)
vice-president Son Chhay had indicated in
an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA)
that he would not pay compensation to the
ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) for
defamation.
The founder of the opposition Candlelight
Party (CP), Sam Rainsy, said from exile
in France following the June, 5 elections
that "the results showed the Candlelight
Party had successfully revived democracy
in what has effectively been a one-party
state in recent years."
Sam Rainsy, former secretary-general of
the now defunct Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) was sentenced by the Phnom
Penh Municipal Court in June, 2022 to eight
years in prison in absentia for treason
for plotting to overthrow the Hun Sen government,
incitement to committ a felony and inciting
military disobedience under Articles 453,
471, 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.
The opposition 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.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hong
Kong judges rule in favour
British lawyer to defend Hong
Kong publisher on trial under
Beijing security laws
|
|
 |
|
Judges
of the Hong Kong Court of
Final Appeal ruled that British
King's Council, Timothy Owen,
right, can defend Hong Kong-listed
Apple Daily newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying also known as
Jimmy Lai, on charges of "seditious
publications" and "collusion
with foreign powers to endanger
national security."
|
|
From News Reports:
Hong Kong, November 30: Judges of the Hong
Kong Court of Final Appeal ruled that British
King's Council, Timothy Owen, can defend,
Hong Kong-listed Apple Daily newspaper publisher,
Lai Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy Lai, 74,
who is on trial for breach of the National
Security Law (NSL) that is to begin on Thursday,
despite the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) seeking to ban foreign national
lawyers handling the Beijing National Security
Law (NSL) cases, reports Reuters.
Judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal,
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, Roberto Ribeiro
and Joseph Fok, ruled that British King's
Council, Timothy Owen, can defend Hong Kong-listed
Apple Daily newspaper publisher, Lai Chee-Ying
also known as Jimmy Lai, on charges of "seditious
publications" and "collusion with
foreign powers to endanger national security"
under the Bejing National Security Law (NSL)
on Safeguarding National Security in the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR).
The judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final
Appeal criticised the Department of Justice
(DoJ) that upholds the Bejing National Security
Law (NSL) on Safeguarding National Security
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR), for "raising undefined
and unsubstantiated issues said to involve
national security which were not mentioned
or explored in the Courts."
"Accordingly, we dismiss the application,"
said the judges.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) lawyer, Rimsky Yuen, told the Court
of Final Appeal that the government of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) seeks "to ban foreign national
lawyers from handling Beijing National Security
Law (NSL) cases, except in exceptional circumstances."
"Beijing National Security Law (NSL)
cases involved a unique piece of legislation,"
he said.
He told the Court of Final Appeal that the
Beijing National Security Law (NSL) on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) required a
lawyer who was familiar with the national
security of China, saying "a foreign
national lawyer would not be in a position
to do so."
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR), chief executive, John Lee Ka-chiu,
who was appointed Hong Kong Chief Secretary
of the vetting committee to screen out candidates
deemed unpatriotice to China or a threat
to national security in the Hong Kong District
Councillor elections in November, 2021,
was selected by the 1,461 member election
committee to be the next Chief Executive
of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR).
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu
said after the Court of Final Appeal ruling
infavour of British King's Council, Timothy
Owen, defence of newspaper publisher, Lai
Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy Lai, that
the Department of Justice (DoJ) secretary,
Paul T K Lam, would seek an adjournment
of the trial that is scheduled to begin
on Thursday.
Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu
said he is seeking an interpretation of
the National Security Law (NSL) on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) from Beijing,
saying he will seek an interpretation of
Article 65 with the
Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress of the People's Republic of China
(NPCSC) at the next meeting on December
31, 2022.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China's
largest cities call for democracy
and for President Xi Jinping
to step down
|
|
 |
|
Shanghai
protesters hold blank sheets
of white paper, a traditional
symbol of protest against
censorship in Shanghai Saturday
November 26, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Beijing, November 29: Mass demonstrations
in China' largest cities including in Shanghai
and Beijing began on Saturday with residents
shouting "step down Xi Jinping"
and calling on the ruling Communist Party
of China's (CPC) for "political freedoms"
and an end to Covid-19 restrictions, reports
Reuters.
By Sunday mass demostrations against China's
President for life, Xi Jinping, had spread
to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan,
where thousands of residents called for
political freedoms and an end to Covid-19
restrictions, shouting "We don’t
want dictatorship, we want democracy!. "
A fire in an apartment block in Urumqi,
in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
in northwest China that killed 10 tenants
and injured nine on Thursday reportedly
"acted as a catalyst for searing public
anger."
"Video's emerged that suggested Covid-19
lockdown measures delayed firefighters from
reaching the victims in the burning apartments,"
reports Reuters.
Shanghai residents shouted "step down
Xi Jinping" and called for "political
freedoms" and "democrcy"
in protest against the ruling Communist
Party of China's (CPC) Covid -19 restirctions.
Shanghai residents held a candlelight vigil
in Shanghai's "Urumqi road" that
was named after Urumqi, in the Xinjiang
Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China,
holding blank sheets of white paper, reportedly
a traditional symbol of protest against
censorship.
In Beijing, protesters in the commercial
centre of the city protested into the early
hours of Monday morning, shouting "We
want freedom! We want freedom, "
The protesters first called on the ruling
Communist Party of China's (CPC) for "political
freedoms" along the Liangma River for
a vigil for the victims of the fire in Urumqi,
in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
in northwest China, before marching to Beijing's
Third Ring Road.
The protesters held blank white papers,
reportedly a traditional symbol of protest
against censorship, as they shouted "opposition
to dictatorship” "We don’t
want lifelong rulers," "We don’t
want emperors"
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Beijing disapproves
British lawyer hired to defend
Hong Kong publisher on trial
under Beijing national security
law
|
|
 |
|
Hong
Kong-listed Apple Daily newspaper
publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also
known as Jimmy Lai, 75, was
denied bail at the Court of
Final Appeal in Hong Kong
on February 9, 2021
|
|
From News Reports:
Hong Kong, November 28: Hong Kong pro-Beijing
political party vice-chairman, lawyer, Holden
Chow, has disapproved the hiring of a British
lawyer to defend Hong Kong-listed Apple
Daily newspaper publisher, Lai Chee-Ying
also known as Jimmy Lai, 75, who is charges
under the Beijing national security law
in Hong Kong, saying "the publisher
could face trial in a mainland China court,"
reports Reuters.
Hong Kong vice-chairman Holden Chow of the
pro-Bejing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment
and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the largest
pro-Beijing party in Hong Kong, said ahead
of the trial that begins on Thursday, December
1, 2022 "the British lawyer was hired
to challenge the Bejing national security
law in Hong Kong."
He said that British lawyer, King's Council,
Timothy Owen, was hired by Hong Kong listed
Apple Daily newspaper publisher, Lai Chee-Ying
also known as Jimmy Lai, "to challenge
Beijing's Hong Kong national security law
from a Western human rights perspective
to whip up Western public opinion and to
put pressure on Hong Kong and China governments."
Hong Kong-listed media Next Digital and
Apple Daily newspaper Lai Chee-Ying also
known as Jimmy Lai, who is to be tried under
the Bejing national security law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) that came
into effect in June 2020, has hired British
King's Counsel, Timothy Owen to defend charges
including "seditious publications"
and "collusion with foreign powers
to endanger national security" in Hong
Kong.
Hong Kong pro-Beijing political party vice-chairman,
lawyer, Holden Chow, said that a final appeal
against the hiring of British lawyer, King's
Council, Timothy Owen to defend publisher
Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy Lai, is before
the Hong Kong Court of final Appeal, saying
the publisher Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy
Lai, could face trial in a mainland China
court."
The Court of Appeal ruled on Monday November
21, 2022 that publisher Chee-Ying also known
as Jimmy Lai,Lai should be allowed to hire
King's Council Tim Owen to defend the Hong
Kong publisher on charges under the Bejing
national security law on Safeguarding National
Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) .
On August 11, 2020 Apple Daily newspaper
publisher Lai Chee-Ying also known as Jimmy
Lai, 74, and 10 executives, were arrested
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 upholds
the institutional system of one country,
two systems and the Beijing ruling that
Hong Kong use the "one man one vote"
system to elect the Chief Executive of Hong
Kong from two or three candidates that are
elected by a nominating committee from Beijing.
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
|
China
wants to participate in ASEAN
Parliamentary Friendship Group
|
|
 |
|
The
43rd General Assembly of the
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA) "Advancing
Together for Sustainable,
Inclusive and Resilient ASEAN"
in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from
November 21 to November 25,
2022 promotes its role in
legislation
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 27: The People's Republic
of China (PRC) wants to participate in a
Parliamentary Friendship Group with the
parliaments of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) "in an effort
to build a closer China-ASEAN community
with a shared future," reports the
Khmer Times.
Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress of China , speaker Li Zhanshu,
said at the 43rd General Assembly of the
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
in Cambodia that "legislative exchanges
mark an important part of China-ASEAN relations,"
saying "the National People's Congress
of China will continue to carry out friendly
exchanges with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA) and the parliaments of ASEAN
member countries."
He said at the 43rd General Assembly of
the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
that "China is pleased with the achievements
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) community building and the development
of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
(AIPA)."
"China-ASEAN relations are moving at
a fast pace," he said.
He said that the China-ASEAN comprehensive
strategic partnership "got off to a
good start under the guidance of the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress
of China and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"China is committed to pursuing friendship
and partnership with ASEAN neighbours in
the formation of a Parliamentary Friendship
Group with the parliaments of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),"
he said.
Vietnam, Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) member National Assembly
Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said at the 43rd
General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA) in Phnom Penh that "ASEAN
Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) is a
model for regional inter-parliamentary cooperation
that contributes to the coordination between
agencies representing the will of the peoples
of ASEAN countries."
He called for the promotion of AIPA and
ASEAN to the people, saying "in 2023
Vietnam will host the Forum of Young Parliamentarians
of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)."
"AIPA works with ASEAN parliaments
to address challenges by promoting its role
in legislation," he said.
He said at the opening of the 43rd General
Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA) in Phnom Penh on Monday
that Vietnam is committed to participating
in a Parliamentary Friendship Group with
the parliaments of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
New Prime
Minister of Malaysia keeps
promise not to accept salary
|
|
 |
|
New
Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Anwar Ibrahim, 75, was appointed
the 10th Prime Minister of
Malaysia by the constitutional
monarch King Al-Sultan Abdullah
Sultan Ahmad Shah and head
of state on Thursday November
24, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, November 26: The New Prime
Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, 75,
was appointed the 10th Prime Minister
of Malaysia by the constitutional monarch
and head of state, King Al-Sultan Abdullah
Sultan Ahmad Shah, on Thursday after votes
from 117 members of parliament, with the
new Prime Minister, saying he would keep
his election pledge and not receive a
salary for his position as prime minister,
reports the Star.
New Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar
Ibrahim, said that he would keep his election
pledges made in the 15th General Election
(GE15) campaign in order to restore the
people's confidence in the new administration."
He said that he has announced that the
first step is to restore the people's
confidence, saying "so that the people
will not see that the ministers and leaders
of government only think about their salary."
"Therefore, I decided not to accept
my salary as prime minister," he
said.
He said he felt ashamed of the RM80,000
awarded as salary for a prime minister,
saying "the salary for a Malaysian
prime minister was in stark contrast to
the salary of the indigenous Orang Asli
who he has visited."
The indigenous Orange Asli struggled to
even make RM400 as did the minimum wage
earner of RM1,500," he said.
He said that votes from the 117 members
of parliament was not enough seats to
form a federal government, saying he would
form a "national unity government"
with the Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan
Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak
(GPS).
He said the "national unity government"
has pledged to build a clean and trustworthy
system of governance by strengthening
the integrity of institutions, safeguarding
parliamentary sovereignty as the core
pillar of democracy and guarantees media
freedom together with the people's freedom
of expression.
In October 2018 Anwar Ibrahim, was sworn
in as Port Dickson Member of Parliament
on the re-convening of the Parliament
after securing a mandate with a 23,560-vote
majority at the by-election, with the
Election Commission (EC) saying then the
majority secured by People's Justice Party
(PJP) president-elect, Anwar Ibrahim,
was higher than the three previous by-elections.
He said then that the majority secured
by Anwar was the largest in the history
of the constituency despite a low voter
turnout of only 58.25 percent of the 68,317
eligible to cast their ballots in Friday's
by-election.
Anwar Ibrahim, described his victory then
as a political milestone and a vote of
confidence for the Pakatan Harapan (PH)
Alliance of Hope government and its reform
agenda.
“What is astounding to me is that
we have managed to garner favourable support
from all indigenous groups,” he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Muhyiddin
rejects Kings proposal to
form government with Anwar
Ibrahim
|
|
 |
|
King
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad
Shah meets the media outside
the National Palace in Kuala
Lumpur on Monday November
21, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, November 25: Perikatan Nasional
(PN) chairman, former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin who stood for election for the 10th
Prime Minister of Malaysia on Saturday and
claims that he has enough members of parliament
to form the next federal government, has
rejected the King's proposal that he form
the next federal government with the Pakatan
Harapan (PH) party led by Anwar Ibrahim,
reports the Star.
The proposal for the Perikatan Nasional
(PN) party to form the next federal government
with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) party follows
information provided to the Malay Royal
Institution that no single party had successfully
obtained a parliamentary majority.
United Malays National Organisation (UMNO),
council member, Dr Paud Zarkashi, whose
defence of the Malay Royal Institution is
enshrined in the UMNO Constitution, described
the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, former
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as 'arrogant',
saying the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman
"clearly does not respect the King."
He said that former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin claims he has submitted 115 statutory
declarations to the Malay Royal Institution
that name the Members of Parliament who
would support him to become Prime Minister,
saying "who knows, there might be Barisan
Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament on the
list."
He called on former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin to reveal the names of the 115 Members
of Parliament who would support him to form
the next federal government, saying "any
Members of Parliament who violate Article
49(A) of the Federal Constitution that bars
Members of Parliament from switching parties
will have their membership revoked"
Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, former
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that
Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution
does not prevent any party from offering
their support for me to become the Prime
mMnister, saying "the Federal Constitution
states that a prime minister candidate requires
support from the majority of the Members
of Parliament not the parties."
He said that Members of Parliament do not
leave their party but offer their support
as individuals as Members of Parliement,
saying "that is not wrong according
to Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution
Act."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
US - Philippines
reitorate committment to Defence
agreement, "we are both
proud members of the Indo-Pacific"
|
|
 |
|
Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr. and United States Vice
President Kamala Harris at
the Malacanang Palace
in Manila Monday November
21, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, November 24: The United States Vice
President Kamala Harris visit to the Philippines
on Monday reiterates the United States committment
to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement
(EDCA), with the United States Vice President
saying at a meeting with President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. at Malacanang Palace on Monday
"We are both proud members of the Indo-Pacific,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris
said at the meeting with President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr, that "an armed attack on
the Philippines armed forces, public vessels,
or aircraft in the South China Sea would
invoke United States mutual defense commitments.
"I reiterate that the United States
stands with the Philippines in defence of
the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS) as it relates to the
South China Sea.
The United States and the Philippines reitorated
committment to the 2014 Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that was signed
under the United States President Barack
Obama administration, follows the 1998 Visiting
Forces Agreement (VFA) and the 1951 Philippine-US
Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), with President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saying that he did
not see a future for the Philippines that
does not include the United States.
"The Philippine and United States partnership
has become more important", he said.
The signing of the 2014 Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the
United States and the Philippines authorizes
United States forces access to agreed locations
in the Philippines on a rotational basis,
security cooperation exercises, joint and
combined military training activities, and
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
activities.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favour
of the Philippines against China's claim
of "historic rights" over the
South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the
Hague decision followed the Philippine complaint
in 2013 that called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with China over
the right to exploit natural resources inluding
fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China has
violated the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking
"historic rights" in its claim
over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruling saying that "the
Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Mynamar declines
invitation to send non-political
representative to 17th ASEAN
Defence meeting in Cambodia
|
|
 |
|
Malaysia's
Defense Minister Hishammuddin
Hussein, Myanmar's Defense
Minister Mya Tun Oo, Cambodia's
Deputy Prime Minister and
Defense Minister Tea Banh,
Philippine's Defense Minister
Jose Faustino, at the 16th
ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting
(ADMM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 24: The Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar has declined invitation
to send a non-political representative to
the 17th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting
(ADMM) Retreat and the 9th ADMM-Plus1 meeting
held in Canbodia this week, with Cambodia,
Minister General Tea Banh, saying "ASEAN
will keep the seat and the Mynamar flag
in place," reports the Khmer Times.
Cambodia, Minister General Tea Banh, said
the Ministry of Defence has invited a non-political
representative from Myanmar, saying "the
Myanmar delegation has not confirmed attendance
at the 17th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting
(ADMM) Retreat here but ASEAN will keep
the seat and the Mynamar flag in place."
"Myanmar is still a member of ASEAN,"
he said.
ASEAN rotating chair for 2022, Cambodia,
called on State Administration Council (SAC)
for the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
to send a non-political representative to
the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)
Retreat and the 9th ADMM-Plus1 at the exclusion
of Myanmar Defence Minister General Mya
Tun Oo.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar Defence
Minister General Mya Tun Oo, has attended
all ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)
Retreat including the 16the ASEAN Defence
Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Phnom
Penh in June, 22, 2022, since the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of
the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government in February 2021, was not
invited by ASEAN to attend the 17th ASEAN
Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat
held in Cambodia's Siem Reap City on Tuesday
and Wednesday.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar Defence
Minister General Mya Tun O was also not
invited by ASEAN to attend the 9th ADMM-Plus1
meeting that includes ASEAN member countries
and its eight dialogue partners, Australia,
China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South
Korea, Russia and the United States.
Asian Vision Institute’s (AVI) Centre
for Strategic Studies in Cambodia, researcher,
Thong Mengdavid, said that "the exclusion
of Defence Minister General Mya Tun Oo,
by ASEAN puts pressure on Myanmar's State
Administration Council (SAC) ."
"Mynamar General Tun Oo was excluded
from the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting
to pressure the State Administration Council
(SAC) to release Aung San Suu Kyi and her
political allies from prison," he said.
He said that ASEAN cannot expel Myanmar
but it can put pressure on the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to accept the full
implementation of 5PC, saying "the
State Administration Council (SAC) could
face more severe consequences in the future."
He said the ASEAN Chair for 2023, Indonesia,
will impose tougher measures and could shift
the political and economic support from
Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC)
to the National Unity Government (NUG) in
exile.
"The State Administration Council (SAC)
can only choose the stick or the carrot
from ASEAN," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| UMNO supports
Muhyiddin as 10th PM of Malaysia
after withdrawal of support
for disobediance to the King
|
|
 |
|
Malaysia's
largest political party, United
Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), President Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi agreed to support Perikatan
Nasional (PN) chairman, Muhyiddin
Yassin, as 10th Prime Minister
of Malaysia on Monday November
21, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, November 22: Malaysia's largests
political party the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO), whose defence of the
the Malay Royal Institution is enshrined
in the UMNO Constitution and who withdrew
support for former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin in his first term as Prime Minister
in July 2021, pledged support for former
Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin as the 10th Prime Minister
of Malaysia on Tuesday, reports Reuters.
The United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), said in defence of the the Malay
Royal Institution in July 2021 after former
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin failed to
obey calls from the King and the Malay Rulers
to reconvene Parliament that was closed
due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying then
"UMNO cannot compromise with the Muhyiddin
Yassin government attitude towards the monarchy."
On Tuesday United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said
that UMNO has agreed to support the Perikatan
Nasional (PN) government led by Muhyiddin
Yassin government, saying "UMNO supports
the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led
by Muhyiddin Yassin in its effort to fight
the Covid-19 virus and to strengthen the
pandemic-battered economy."
“The cooperation of all parties in
the government must be strengthened in order
to ensure political stability at a time
when Malaysia is facing the threat of COVID-19
and economic uncertainty." he said.
On Monday United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO) President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said
that "UMNO had not had any negotiations
with Perikatan Nasional (PN)," saying
"it cannot be assumed that there is
an understanding to form government with
the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition."
"Therefore, any Members of Parliament
who violate Article 49(A) of the Federal
Constitution that bars Members of Parliament
from switching parties will have their membership
revoked," he said.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, former
Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, said that
he will present a statutory declarations
from Members of Parliament to the King to
show that he has the support to be appointed
the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
“The Federal Constitution states that
prime minister candidate require support
from the majority of the Members of Parliament
not the parties," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Malaysia's
former PM Muhyiddin
to form government after conditions
made by King fulfilled |
|
 |
|
Perikatan
Nasional (PN) chairman, former
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin,
claims he has secured enough
seats in the 15th general
elections held on Saturday
November 19, 2022 to form
a government
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, November 21: Former Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, leader of the
Perikatan Nasional (PN) party, claims he
has secured enough seats in the 15th general
elections held on Saturday to form government,
saying "Perikatan Nasional (PN) has
received conditions to form government from
the Malay Royal Institution," reports
the Star.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) leader former Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said "Perikatan
Nasional (PN) coalition party leaders had
agreed to form government by Wednesday."
He said the Perikatan National would form
government with any party which would accept
its principles, saying ,"Perikatan
National has enough seats to form a federal
government."
He said that the Perikatan Nasional (PN)
coalition had received a letter from the
Royal Palace that had laid out conditions
to be fulfilled before the Perikatan Nasional
(PN) could form government.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) leader former Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, replaces Perikatan
Nasional (PN) leader former Prime Minister
Sabri Yaakob, who was appointed by the King
in August 2021 and who dissolved parliament
with the concent of King, Sultan Abdullah
Ahmad Shah on October 10.
Last month the United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), upheld consent by King Sultan Abdullah
Ahmad Shahfor the dissolution of Parliament
ahead of the 15th general elections on Saturday,
saying "representatives of the parties
that formed the ruling coalition government
were increasingly showing lack of solidarity
with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government
led by Prime Minister Sabri Yaakob."
In July 2021 support for former Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin, who was appointed by King
Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shahin March 2020,
was withdrawn by Malaysia's largests political
party the United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), in defence of the the Malay Royal
Institution as enshrined in Article 3 of
the UMNO Constitution.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said then
"UMNO cannot compromise with the Muhyiddin
Yassin government's attitude towards the
monarchy."
He said that the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) could not support the
Muhyiddin Yassin government, saying the
failure of the Muhyiddin Yassin government
to immediately abide by calls from the King
and the Malay Rulers to reconvene Parliament
that was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
was reason for the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) not to support the Perikatan
Nasional (PN) government.
He said the Muhyiddin Yassin government
had also failed to fulfill the Malaysian
people's aspiration in managing the Covid-19
pandemic, saying "inconsistent policies
had led to the inefective implementation
of lockdowns and misuse of the Emergency
Ordinance."
The
Southeast Asian Times
APEC
to adopt "Bangkok Goals"
for sustainable economic growth
for
Asia-Pacific |
|
 |
|
Greenpeace
activists stand in the Benjakitti
Park lake in Bangkok holding
placards saying "climate
pollutors pay up for loss
and damage" and "APEC
stop greenwashing" on
Friday November 11, 2022 ahead
of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Leaders'
Meeting (AELM) in Bangok 18-19
November, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 20: Thailand Prime Minister
Prayuth Chan-ocha called on the 21 member
economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) "to focus on sustainable economic
growth in the Asia-Pacific" ahead of
the adoption of the "Bangkok Goals"
for a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy for
the Asia Pacific, reports the Bangkok Post.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called
on the members of the 29th Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting
(AELM) held in Bangkok on Saturday to focus
on sustainable economic growth to overcome
the challenges of the pandemic, climate
change and geopolitical division.
He called on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) leaders to break with past practices
and adopt the "Bangkok goals"
for a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy for
the Asia Pacific.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
member economies are reportedly expected
to adopt the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy
concept for the Asia Pacific with a focus
on sustainable economic growth that adresses
environmental and climate change.
The "Bangkok goals" for a Bio-Circular-Green
(BCG) Economy for the Asia Pacific aims
to promote balanced and sustainable economic
growth that is reportedly envisaged in the
intergration of the Bio-Economy model, the
Circular Economy model and the Green Economy
model.
The 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC), Australia,
Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan,
Thailand, the US and Vietnam represent about
half of the global trade and 60 percent
of the world economy
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Myanmar
military releases political
prisoners including foreign
nationals on Mynamar National
Day |
|
 |
|
Australia
Department of Foreign Affairs
an Trade (DFAT), Head of Mission
in Myanmar and former economic
policy advisor to State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar,
Australian, Professor Sean
Turnell, on his return to
Australia on Thursday November
18, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, November 19: The Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar that has arrested
thousands of National League for Democracy
(NLD) government members including State
Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and supporters
in the February, 2021 takeover of the
elected government, released almost 2,000
prisoners including foreign national political
prisoners on Thursday in commemoration
of Myanmar National Day, November 17,
reports Reuters.
Australian economist policy advisor, Sean
Turnell, who served as conomic policy
advisor to imprisoned former Mynamar State
Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, and who
was sentenced to three years in prison
at the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
military court last month for violation
of the Burma Official Secrets Act 1923
was released from prison on Thursday.
Australian economist policy advisor, Sean
Turnell, former British envoy to Myanmar,
Vicky Bowman and Japanese journalist Toru
Kubota were among four foreign nationals
released from prison on Thursday with
Assistance Association of Political Prisoners-Burma
(AAPP), saying "52 political prisoners
were released from the Yangon, Bago and
Mandalay region prisons on Thursday."
Assistance Association of Political Prisoners-Burma
(AAPP) Joint Secretary Ko Bo Kyi said
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
has arrested 16,232 since the takeover
of the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government including National League
for Democracy (NLD) President, Win Myint
and State Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi.
On February 1, 2021 the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar cancelled the National League
for Democracy (NLD) dominated session
of the parliament, saying that power had
been handed to the commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
Assistance Association of Political Prisoners-Burma
(AAPP) Joint Secretary Ko Bo Kyi said
that 13,015 political prisoners were in
detention at the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar prisons on Wednesday, saying
"the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
has killed more than 2,400 people since
the takeover."
"The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
is under pressure not only from Western
democracies but from regional groups like
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) of which Myanmar is a member,
he said.
He said that the international community
should be aware that Thursday's amnesty
was not enough, saying "the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar has to release
all political prisoners unconditionally,
including President U Win Myint and Stae
Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Former National League for Democracy (NLD),
state councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, who
was arrested by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar in February 2021 on the declaration
of martial law, faces a combined prison
term of 164 years if found guilty of 20
charges including 13 corruption charges.
In March 2022 National League for Democracy
(NLD) State councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi,
denied accepting bribes at the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar military court in
Naypyitaw, saying "the allegations
are completely false."
Former National League for Democracy (NLD),
state councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, denied
allegations of corruption for reciving
$600,000 and more that 10kg of gold in
bribes from the National League for Democracy
(NLD) Yangon Region chief minister, U
Phyo Min Thein.
“The allegations are completely false.
I had no reason to take it, no reason
to accept it," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Bali
police to investigate raid on
Legal Aid Foundation meeting
in Bali ahead of C20 Summit |
|
 |
|
A
meeting of the Legal Aid Foundation
(YLBHI) and Legal Aid Foundation
(LBH) office administrators
was raided on Saturday November
12, 2022 in Sanur, Bali by
Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang) and the
Bali Regional Police ahead
of the G20 Summit in Nusa
Dua, Bali
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 18: The Bali Regional
Police are investigating a raid by Balinese
Traditional Security Officers (Pecalang)
and the Bali Regional Police on a meeting
held by Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and
Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) office administrators
in Bali on Saturday ahead of the G20 Summit,
with the Bali Police Chief Senior Commissioner,
saying "the Bali Regional Police had
not issued an order to disband the meeting."
reports Tempo.
Bali Police Chief Senior Commissioner, Stefanus
Satake Bayu ,said the Bali Regional Police
are investigating the claim made by the
Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) that the meeting
held at a Sanur villa in Bali on Saturday
was raided by Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang) and the Bali Regional
Police .
He said that the Bali Regional Police had
never issued an order to disband the Legal
Aid Foundation (YLBHI) meeting, saying "the
Bali Regional Police were not involved in
the raid on the meeting in Sanur."
He said that Bali Regional Police were at
the villa in Sanur when the meeting was
disbanded, saying "the police were
outside the villa during a search of the
premises by the Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang)."
"The Bali Regional Police were at the
Sanur villa becasue people called them."
he said.
Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Chairperson,
Muhammad Isnur, said that the meeting held
in Sanur was raided by people who claimed
they were Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang), saying "I suspect
that some were police officers in plain
clothes."
He said that the purpose of the Legal Aid
Foundation (YLBHI) meeting in Sanur "was
aimed at giving a response to the G20 Summit."
He said the Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang) and the Bali Regional
Police restricted public assess to the villa,
saying "the restriction effectively
banned YLBHI activities ahead of the G20
summit."
He said that the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI)
was told by the Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang) and the Bali Regional
Police to make a statement that the meeting
had nothing to do with the G20 Summit.
"They then forcefully searched our
laptops and cellphones," he said.
He condemned all acts of terror, intimidation
and arbitrary detention, and deprivation
of liberty in accordance with Article 333
Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code that were
committed by the Balinese Traditional Security
Officers (Pecalang) and the Bali Regional
Police police at the Sanur villa in Bali
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Australia
and China revive trade talks
at G20 in Bali |
|
 |
|
Prime
Minister of Australia Anthony
Albanese held talks with President
of China, Xi Jinping, in Bali
on Tueday on the sidelines
of the two day 17th Group
of Twenty (G20) Heads of State
and Government Summit.
|
|
From News Reports:
Bali, November 17: Prime Minister of Australia
Anthony Albanese held talks with the President
of China, Xi Jinping, in Bali on Tueday
on the sidelines of the two day 17th Group
of Twenty (G20) Heads of State and Government
Summit, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,
saying "we know that China is Australia's
largest trading partner," reports Reuters.
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese,
said that "Australia's trade with China
is worth more than Japan, the United States,
and the Repubic of Korea combined."
"So Australia-China relations are important
to Australia."
President of China, Xi Jinping, said at
the talks that "China-Australia relations
have long been at the forefront of China's
relations with developed countries, saying
"China and Australia have encounterd
some difficulties in the past few years."
"Since Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
took office he has dealt with China- Australia
relations in line with the fundamental interests
of the two countries," he said.
In July 2022 Foreign Minister of Australia,
Penny Wong, called on Foreign Minister of
China, Wang Yi, at the G20 Foreign Ministers
Meeting held in Bali, to remove trade bans,
saying "the G20 meeting is an important
step towards stabalising relations between
Australia and China,"
China imposed trade sanctions on Australian
products including coal, seafood and wine
following Australia's policies and decisions
including the Australian government's call
for an investigation into the origins of
Covid-19 and Australia's 5G network ban
on China's Huawei, with the Australian Foreign
Minister saying then, "we won't be
resiling from those policies and decisions."
"We are a government that has made
certain decisions on the basis of our national
interests and our national security and
our sovereignty," she said.
China Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, said after
the G20 meeting in Bali in July, 2022 that
"Australia and China both recognised
the meeting is a first step," saying
"we spoke frankly and listened to each
others priorities and concerns."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Xi
and Biden agree on fundamental
differences between China and
U.S.
at G20 summit in Bali |
|
 |
|
China
President Xi Jinping and United
States President Joe Biden
hold talks in Bali on sidelines
of the two day 17th Group
of Twenty (G20) Heads of State
and Government Summit on Monday,
November 14, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Denpasar, November 16: China President
Xi Jinping and United States President
Joe Biden held talks in Bali on the sidelines
of the two day 17th Group of Twenty (G20)
Heads of State and Government Summit on
Monday with United States President Biden
saying "there was no hiding of fundamental
differences between China and the United
States" and President Xi Jinping
saying "the U.S. is engaged in capitalism
and China is engaged in socialism,"
reports Reuters.
United States President Joe Biden said
at the three hour talks with President
Xi Jinping that "the United United
States will continue to compete vigorously
with China," saying "but this
competition should not veer into conflict."
He said that the United States and China
must manage competition responsibly and
maintain open lines of communication,
saying "United Staes and China must
work together to address transnational
challenges."
"There was no hiding of fundamental
differences," he said.
United States President Joe Biden raised
U.S. objections "to China's coercive
increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan,"
saying "China's actions towards Taiwain
undermine peace and stability across the
Taiwan Strait and in the broader region
and jeopardize global prosperity."
United States President Joe Biden raised
concerns over China’s conduct in
Hong Kong, against minorities in Xinjiang
and Tibet, and more broadly on human rights.
China President Xi Jinping said at the talks
with U.S. President Joe Biden that "Taiwan
is at the core of China’s interests,"
saying "Taiwan is the first insurmountable
red line in U.S.-China relations."
China President Xi Jinping drew upon the
differences between the political and
economic systems of China and the United
States, saying "the United States
is engaged in capitalism and China is
engaged in socialism."
"It is important for China and the
United States to get along with each other
by recognizing this difference and respecting
it, he said.
China President Xi Jinping and United
States President Joe Biden agreed to empower
senior officials to communicate on issues
and challenges including "climate
change, global macroeconomic stability
including debt relief, health security,
and global food security."
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Australia
commits to development funding
in Indo-Pacific at ASEAN-Australia
summit in Cambodia |
|
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Australia
PM Anthony Albanese, centre,
commits to developmen funding
in Indo-Pacfic at ASEAN-Australia
summit in Phnom Penh Saturday,
November 12, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 15: The Prime Minister
of Australia, Anthony Albanese, committed
to development funding in the Indo-Pacific
at the ASEAN-Australia summit included
in the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) 40th and 41st summits
that ended in Phnom Penh on Sunday, reports
Rueters.
"Australia would advance economic
growth in the Indo-Pacific," he said.
He said that Australia would advance economic
growth under the Australia for ASEAN Futures
Initiative (Aus4 ASEAN Futures Initiative)
in the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook
on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiative
He said that Australia has committed AUS$470
million in development finding to support
the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook
on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiative
that would enable support for three ASEAN
Community councils.
The Australian support for the implementation
of the Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
initiative would enable support for theASEAN
Political - Security Community (APSC),
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and
the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
In May 2022 United States President Joe
Biden launched the Indo Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) in Washington with an
investment of $150 million on infrastructure,
security, pandemic preparedness and other
efforts in the 10 Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).
U.S. State Department said then that the
new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
trade pact is aimed at countering the
influence of rival China in the Indo-Pacific."
Deputy Assistant to United States President
Joe Biden and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific
Affairs on the United States National
Security Council, Kurt Campbell, said
"Washington remains focused on the
Indo-Pacific and the long-term challenge
of China," saying "We need to
step up our game in Southeast Asia."
"We are not asking countries to make
a choice between the United States and
China. We want to make clear, though,
that the United States seeks stronger
relationships," he said.
He said that the United States would raise
areas of cooperation with ASEAN leaders
in the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) trade pact launched by President
Joe Biden.
"The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) commits the United States to work
with partners on key economic priorities
including ensuring smooth supply chains,
fighting corruption and promoting green
energy," he said.
He said that unlike traditional trade
pacts the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) would not guarantee market access
to the United States, saying "the
United States is the usual sweetner to
persuade nations to make concessions."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
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
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| Kang-Fu
the Red Kangaroo is relentless
in his fight to protect Australia's
sovereignity...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 |
|
| MEDIA
CHECK |
| Cambodia-China
Journalist Association
(CCJA) launched in Phnom
Penh
...open
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 |
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|
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
|
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|
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
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| Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
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|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
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|
| Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
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| 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
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|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
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Oz $ buys
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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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