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 Cambodias
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 countrys 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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Indonesian
palm oil farmers want ban
on export of crude palm oil
lifted
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President
Joko Widodo, bans the export
of crude palm oil (CPO) and
its derivatives on Thursday
April 27, 2022, effective
the next day
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, May 19: The Indonesian Palm Oil
Farmers Association (Apkasindo) demanded
that the government revoke the crude palm
oil (CPO) export ban that was imposed by
President Joko Widodo who said "the
purpose of the ban is to meet and to supply
the domestic market."
President Joko Widodo, banned the export
of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives
including refined palm oil (RPO), Refined,
Bleached, Deodorized Palm Olein (RBD Palm
Olein), Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME),
and used cooking oil, starting April 28,
2022, to reduce the price of bulk cooking
oil to Rp14 thousand per liter.
He said that the volume of crude palm
oil (CPO) that is produced and exported
is much greater than domestic needs, saying
" I ask the palm oil industry to
meet domestic needs and prioritise the
domestic market first."
"Meet the needs of the people first,
he said.
The Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association
(Apkasindo), that represents about ten million
family members of palm oil farmers and 14
million family members of palm plantation
workers from 146 districts and cities, called
on the governmentto revoke the crude palm
oil (CPO) ban at the Coordinating Minister
for the Economy in Jakarta, saying "the
high price of palm oil before the ban meant
that the palm oil industry was on a honeymoon
until the government banned the export of
crude palm oil (CPO)."
The Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers Association
(Apkasindo) representative for East Kalimantan,
Fitriansyah, said that the export ban
on April 28, had caused the price of palm
fresh fruit bunches (FFB) to drop by 58.87
percent, saying "the drop in price
puts palm oil farmers household economy
under great pressure."
The ban on the export of cooking oil and
crude palm oil (CPO) followed the arrest
of four suspects including Director-General
of Foreign Trade of the Trade Ministry
Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana; commissioner
of PT Wilmar Nabati Indonesia Master Parulian
Tumanggor; senior manager of corporate
affairs of PT Pelita Agung Agrindustri/Permata
Hijau Group Stanley MA; and general affairs
manager of PT Musim Mas Picare Tagore
Sitanggang on April 22 with corruption
in the alleged collusion in the issuance
of export permits in the provision of
crude palm oil (CPO).
Attorney General Office (AGO) Deputy for
Special Crimes, Febriansyah, said that
the four suspects had allegedly colluded
in the issuance of export permits for
the provision of crude palm oil (CPO)
saying "the export of crude palm
oil (CPO) caused a shortage of cooking
oil on the domestic market.
He said the suspects did not comply with
requirements under the Domestic Market
Obligation (DMO) for exporters that raised
export levies on crude palm oil (CPO)
to subsidise domestic vegetable oil prices,
saying "palm oil sellers must sell
30 percent of crude palm oil (CPO) locally
from a previous 20 percent before exporting."
The
Southeast Asia Times
ASEAN
fails to raise human rights
and democracy at U.S-ASEAN
Special Summit in Washington
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Prime
Minister of Cambodia, Hun
Sen, and President of the
United States at the U.S-ASEAN
Special Summit in Washington
Thursday May 12, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, May 18: ASEAN member countries
including Cambodia agreed to increase cooperation
with the United States from a "strategic
partnership" to a "comprehensive
strategic partnership" in a communique,
"ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement "
at the U.S-ASEAN Special Summit hosted by
U.S. President Joe Biden that ended on Friday,
with Cambodia saying "ASEAN failed
to raise human rights and democracy in the
region," reports Phnom Penh Post.
ASEAN is to grant the United States "comprehensive
strategic partnership" status in November
at the 10th ASEAN-US summit to be held in
Phnom Penh, with Prime Minister of Cambodia,
Hun Sen, saying "ASEAN is committed
to working closely with the United States
to ensure that cooperation in all priority
fields identified during the two day U.S-ASEAN
Special Summit will bring tangible mutual
benefit to the peoples of ASEAN and the
US."
"Increased ASEAN and U.S. cooperation
will contribute to regional peace, stability
and properity," he said.
The "ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement
" includes commitment to strengthening
cooperation for pandemic recovery and health
security to strengthen regional health resilience
under the ASEAN-US Health Future Initiative
program that will strengthen sustainable
manufacturing capacity for medical device
and drug products and joint research.
ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement commits
to increasing economic cooperation and connectivity
to strengthen the supply chain and regional
connectivity for medical equipment, medicines,
vaccines, and agricultural commodities.
It would encourage the promotion of sustainable
transportation, including electric vehicles,
strengthening cyber security capacity and
promote inclusive digital literacy.
ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement commits
to Cooperation in climate change through
the US-ASEAN Climate Future program.
ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement commits
to increasing educational cooperation, including
strengthening collaboration between universities
and companies under the Billion Future program
to enhance education development, teacher
training, and promotion of gender mainstreaming.
ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement under the
Maritime cooperation through the ASEAN-led
mechanism would increase collaboration awareness
of the maritime domain, search and rescue,
maritime security, and prevent illegal,
unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Cambodia's Peoples Centre for Development
and Peace president Yong Kim Eng, said that
the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
was necessary, saying "ASEAN did not
talk much about human rights and democracy
at the two day U.S-ASEAN Special Summit
held in Washington."
He said that the ASEAN failure to raise
human rights issues and democracy in the
region may hinder positive change on these
issues, saying "this failure makes
the region remain weak and fragile in matters
of human rights and democracy." he
said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam
calls on USAID for continued
support for consequenses of
Agent Orange at U.S.-ASEAN
Summit
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Administrator
of the United States Agency
for International Development
(USAID) Samantha Power and
Prime Minister of Vietnam,
Ph?m Minh Chinh, at U.S.-ASEAN
Summit in Washington Thursday
May 14, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Hanoi, May 17: Prime Minister of Vietnam,
Pham Minh Chinh, met with United States
Agency for International Development (USAID)
in Washington at the two day U.S-ASEAN Special
Summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden
at the White House that ended on Friday,
with the Prime Minister of Vietnam calling
for USAID to continue support to overcome
the consequuences of the American war in
Vietnam between 1961 and 1971, reports the
Vietnam News Service.
Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh,
called on the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development
(USAID), Samantha Power to increase support
to overcome the consequuences of the American
war in Vietnam, focusing on Post-war Unexploded
Ordinance and defoilent Agent Orange Toxic
Chemical consequences in seven provinces
including Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF)
military airfield, Bien Hoa Air Base, outside
Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam.
He also called on the USAID administrator
to continue to provide health care, medical
treatment and physical rehabilitation
to Vietnamese affected by the defoilant
Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin that was supplied
by multinational chemical companies to
US military forces during the American
war in Vietnam.
He also called for continued support from
USAID in the search for the remains of
Vietnamese including support of Vietnamese
scientists in DNA assessment with the
construction of a technical centre.
Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID)
Samantha Power, reaffirmed the USAID commitment
to work with Vietnam in a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) that formalises the
USAID partnership with the Vietnamese
Government on combating climate change
and environmental pollution with ocean
plastics as a key area of collaboration.
"USAID would continue to focus on
supporting Vietnam in Post-war Unexploded
Ordinance clearance and defoilent Agent
Orange Toxic Chemical consequences,"
she said.
She said that the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between USAID and the Vietnam Ministry
of Planning and Investment (MPI) in Hanoi
would end in 2028 with official development
assistance of US$100 million, saying "USAID
is committed to an open, prosperous, and
secure Vietnam that is effective and inclusive
in tackling its development challenges."
United States President Joe Biden opened
the two day U.S-ASEAN Special Summit at
the White House in Washington from Thursday
12 May to Saturday 14 May 2022, promising
the 10 Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) that the U.S. would spend
$150 million on infrastructure, security,
pandemic preparedness and other efforts,
with the U.S. State Department saying
that the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) trade pact that is to be launched
in Japan this week is aimed at countering
the influence of China in the Indo-Pacific.
The Vietnam Association for Victims of
Agent Orange (AO) (AVAO) first lodged
a lawsuit against chemical companies,
that manufactured the toxic defoiliant
Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin for use by the
U.S. military forces in Vietnam, after
the launch of the association in Hanoi
in 2004 in an effort to obtain justice
for the Vietnamese civilian victims of
the toxic defoilant.
The multinational chemical companies including
Dow Chemical, Monsanto, Harcros Chemical,
Uniroyal Chemical and Thompson Hayward
Chemical that manufactured the toxic defoiliant
Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin argue that the
manufacturing companies of the toxic defoilant
cannot be held responsible for the use
that US military forces made of their
product.
The International People's Tribunal of
Conscience in Paris found that the United
States militarys use of dioxins,
including Agent Orange, in Viet Nam between
1961 and 1971 was a crime against humanity.
Tribunal President Jitendra Sharma delivered
the finding of gencocide made
by seven international judges after two
days of hearing expert evidence including
the testimony of three victims.
The
Southeast Asian Times
President
Joko Widodo sells Indonesia's
rivers to American business
at
U.S-ASEAN summit in Washington
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U.S
President Joe Biden and Indonesia
President Joko Widodo at the
two day U.S-ASEAN Special
Summit in Washington on Thursday
May 12, 2022
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 16: Indonesia's President Joko
Widodo met with the US-ASEAN Business Council
ahead of the two day U.S-ASEAN Special Summit
hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden at the
White House in Washington that ended on
Friday, saying Indonesia possesses a vast
wealth of green energy in rivers, reports
Tempo.
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, who met
with US-ASEAN Business Council Ted Osius,
Special Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry
and Google, Chevron, Boeing, Qualcomm, ConocoPhillips,
and Marriot InternationalCEO's, said "Indonesia
is very rich in green energy potential."
"There are 4,400 rivers in Indonesia,
he said.
He said that the development of the energy
sector including power plants in Indonesia
would be developed in accordance with environmentally-friendly
principles, saying "we ensure that
essential goods are produced from environmentally-friendly
power plants."
He said that the new and renewable energy
potential in Indonesia is at least 29,000
megawatts, saying "we invite US businesses
to invest in Indonesia," he said.
United States President Joe Biden opened
the two day U.S-ASEAN Special Summit in
Washington on Thursday with a promise to
the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to spend $150 million on infrastructure,
security, pandemic preparedness and other
efforts, with the U.S. State Department
saying that the new Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade pact that will be
launched in Japan next week "is aimed
at countering the influence of 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.
Earlier this month Japan and Indonesia confirmed
cooperation towards realizing a free and
open Indo-Pacific as outlined in the ASEAN
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with
Indonesia President Joko Widodo saying "Indonesia
and ASEAN stand ready to build cooperation
with Indo-Pacific partners."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Interim
President of West Papua
calls for release of protesters
against Jakarta division of
Papua
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Jeffry
Wenda, spokesperson for the
Papua People's Petition (PRP)
at the Commission for Missing
Persons and Victims of Violence
(KontraS) office secretariat,
arrested in Jayapura on Tuesday
May 10, 2022
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 15: United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP) interim President
Benny Wenda, who seeks Papua independence
from Indonesia, has called for the release
of six members who were arrested in Jayapura
on Tuesday protesting against the revised
2001 Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law on Papua
that includes the division of Papua and
West Papua into six new provinces, reports
Tempo.
United Liberation Movement for West Papua
(ULMWP) interim President Benny Wenda, who
declared himself the interim president of
the provincial government of Papua and West
Papua in 2020, then calling on Indonesia's
President Jokowi Widodo to end martial law
in Papua, said on Tuesday "the protesters
had committed no crime. "
"We demand that the Indonesian government
immediately release Jeffry Wenda, Ones Suhuniap,
Omizon Balingg, Imam Kogoya, Esther Haluk,
and Marthen Manggaprouw," he said.
He said the protestors gathered peacefully
and had notified police of their intention
to gather, saying "their treatment
is further proof that there is no democracy
and no freedom of expression in West Papua."
Jeffry Wenda, spokesperson for the Papua
People's Petition (PRP) at the Commission
for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence
(KontraS) office secretariat in Jayapura,
was arrested for alleged violation of the
Information and Electronic Transaction (ITE)
Law.
KontraS Deputy Coordinator, Rivanlee Anandar,
said "the rejection of the division
of Papua and West Papua into five new provinces
is a legitimate and constitutional expression
as regulated in Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution."
"Actions by the Indonesian National
Military (TNI)-Indonesian National Police
(POLRI) joint forces such as forced dispersal,
beatings, pursuits, shootings, and arbitrary
arrests during the disbandment of protestors
against the revised 2001 Special Autonomy
(Otsus) Law on Papua showed that the state
was discriminatory and prioritized a security
approach in response to the voices of the
Papuan people, instead of using a humanitarian
approach," he said.
In April 2022 the Papua People's Council
(MRP) Manokwari chairman, Timotius Murib,
said "the House of Representatives
(DPR) legislative body (Baleg) approved
the establishment of three of six provinces
in Papua without adequate consultations."
He warned that new administrative units
in Papua could eliminate the Papua Peoples
Council (MRP) cultural territories, saying
"the Papua Peoples Council (MRP)
consists of customery leaders."
"Jakarta should not be hasty about
carving up Papua," he said.
"These bills ignore the rules stipulated
in the 2001 Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law
on Papua that requires consultations with
the people of Papua," he said
He said that the under the 2001 Special
Autonomy (Otsus) Law on Papua the establishment
of new administrative units must be consulted
with and approved by the Papua Peoples
Council (MRP).
West Papua People's Council (MRP) Manokwari
chairman, Timotius Murib, said ahead of
the passing of the revised 2001 Special
Autonomy (Otsus) Law on Papua in July 2021
that the council was "silenced",
saying the Papua Peoples Council (MRP)
was not involved in the revision process
of the 2001 Special Autonomy (Otsus) Law
on Papua that now includes the division
of Papua into six provinces.
The
Southeast Asian Times
U.S. to
spend $150 million on ASEAN
in new trade pact to counter
China in the Indo-Pacific
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U.S.
President Joe Biden, centre,
with leaders from the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) at the special U.S.-ASEAN
summit at the White House
in Washington Thursday May
12, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Washington, May 14: United States President
Joe Biden opened the two day U.S-ASEAN Special
Summit at the White House in Washington
on Thursday promising the 10 Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that
the U.S. would spend $150 million on infrastructure,
security, pandemic preparedness and other
efforts, with the U.S. State Department
saying that the new Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade pact is aimed at
countering the influence of China in the
Indo-Pacific," reports Reuters.
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 that is to be launched
by President Joe Biden in Tokyo next week.
Were quite confident that
were going to be able to have a
substantial launch with a very broad range
of potential players, he said.
He said he expected substantial interest
from the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) in the new Indo-Pacific
Economic Framework (IPEF) trade pact that
includes a $40 million investment in infrastructure
intended to help deccarbonize the regions
power supply, $60 million in maritime
security and about $15 million in health
funding to aid in early detection of COVID-19
and other respiratory pandemics.
"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."
He said that President Joe Biden knew that
the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
initiative "needed to be fundamentally
based on the needs and desires of the people
of Southeast Asia."
I think we recognize quite clearly
that any initiative that is simply designed
for competition is likely to have difficulty
gaining altitude in Southeast Asia,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Hong
Kong Bishop arrested for colluding
with foreign forces
|
|
 |
Cardinal
of the Catholic Church and
former Bishop of Hong Kong,
Joseph Zen, 90, Cantopop singer
and actor Denise Ho, former
legislator Margaret Ng, and
academic Dr Hui Po Keung trustees
of the defunct 612 Humanitarian
Relief Fund were arrested
on Wednesday, accused of colluding
with foreign forces
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, May 13: Cardinal of the Catholic
Church and former Bishop of Hong Kong, Joseph
Zen, 90, was among four trustees of the
defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund who
were arrested on Wednesday under the new
law on Safeguarding National Security in
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) accused of colluding with foreign
forces.
Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) said that
Cardinal Joseph Zen, Cantopop singer and
actor Denise Ho, former legislator Margaret
Ng, and academic Dr Hui Po Keung would be
released on bail, saying that under the
new law on Safeguarding National Security
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) "they must hand over
their passports."
Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) said that
the former trustees of the 612 Humanitarian
Relief Fund are suspected of appealing to
foreign countries or organisations to impose
sanctions on Hong Kong, saying under the
new law on Safeguarding National Security
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) "they are a threat to
the People's Republic of China's national
security."
The 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund that provided
funds to pro-democracy protesters to pay
legal and medical fees, was disbanded in
2021 after the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF)
demanded under the new law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) that "the
organisation hand over sensitive information
including details about its members and
donors."
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) exercised
new powers, arresting protesters for taking
part in the 2019 protests that were deemed
an illegal assembly under the new law on
Safeguarding National Security in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
that was adopted by the National People's
Congress and passed into legislature in
Beijing in May 2020.
In July 2019 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the People's Republic of China condemned
the United States and United Kingdom for
their alleged interference in the ongoing
mass protests in Hong Kong that included
the storming of the Hong Kong Legislative
Council, saying that "the Chinese government
does not allow any external forces to interfere
in Hong Kong's affairs,
Millions of Hong Kong residents took to
the streets in recurring protests against
China rule over Hong Kong that began in
June 2019
with the march of about 3000 Hong Kong lawyers
and was followed by mass protests that included
business representatives, foreign diplomats,
academics, public servants and thousands
of students.
The Hong Kong Law Society called on extensive
consultations on the amended Fugitive Offenders
Ordinanace and the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters Ordinance that was to
be passed in June amid fears that political
opponents and disidents in Hong Kong would
be extradited to China under the proposed
law.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman,
Hua Chunying cited the U.S. Department of
State call on the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) government to respect freedom
of speech and assembly in Hong Kong as an
example of interference in the Hong Kong's
affairs.
"I remind the US that Hong Kong belongs
to China and that the Chinese government
absolutely does not allow any foreign interference
in Hong Kong's affairs, she said.
She said that the policy of "one country,
two systems" has been smoothly implemented
since Hong Kong's return to the motherland",
saying that "Hong Kong residents now
enjoy unprecedented rights and freedoms.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thai
PM will not take sides at
US-ASEAN Special Summit in
Washington
|
|
 |
Members
of the Khana Ratsadon or Peoples
Party called for the repeal
of Section 112 of the Thai
constitution that would abolish
the lese majeste law on Tuesday
May 10, 2022 at the US embassy
in Bangkok for submission
to US President Joe Biden
and ASEAN leaders at the US-ASEAN
Special Summit in Washington
on Thursday and Friday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, May 12: Thailand's Prime Minister
Prayuth Chan-o-cha said he would not take
sides in the war between Ukraine and Russia
at the US-ASEAN Special Summit hosted
by the United States President Joe Biden
in Washington on Thursday and Friday,
with Chiang Mai University political scientist,
saying "The United States is trying
to make Thailand choose the United States
side," reports Bangkok Post.
Chiang Mai University, political scientist,
Naing Lin, said that "Thailand is
one of the ASEAN countries that the United
States is trying to make choose the U.S.
side."
"The United States is trying to make
Thailand choose the United States side
not only on the current Ukraine crisis
but also on China," he said.
He said that he did not think that Thai's
would care which side Prime Minister Prayuth
Chan-o-cha may support, saying "it's
all about what Thailand would get or lose
from siding with the United States or
remaining neutral."
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said
that the US-ASEAN Special Summit is a
typical meeting, saying "the meeting
is like the
ASEAN-Japan, or ASEAN-China meetings,
ASEAN members will discuss many topics
and will not focus on just one dominant
issue."
He said that Thailand was attending the
US-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington
as an ASEAN member to discuss the economy,
trade, investment and the regional situation,
saying "the ASEAN-U.S. meeting is
just another ASEAN meeting but it coincides
with the war in Ukraine."
In March Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
said following calls from more than twenty
Ambassadors in Bangkok to condemn Russia's
invasion of Ukraine "that Thailand
must maintain a neutral stance,"
saying "we support the peace process
to end the conflict and war."
"We should tread carefully and act
through ASEAN's mechanisms," he said.
ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement
demanding immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
following the special emergency session
of the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) on March 4, 2022 that voted in
favour of the resolution that condemned
Russia's invasion of Ukraine with abstentions
from two of ten ASEAN member countries,
Laos and Vietnam.
In April seven of ten ASEAN member countries
abstained from voting in the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) resolution to
suspend Russia from the United Nations
Human Rights Council (UNHRC), with Vietnam
voting against the suspension and the
Philippines and Myanmar government-in-exile,
the National Unity Government of the Republic
of the Union of Myanmar (NUG) voting in
favour of the suspension.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Son
of former President Ferdinand
E. Marcos elected 17th President
|
|
 |
Presidential
candidate, former Senator
Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr., 69, son of former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos, beat
rival Vice-President Leni
Robredo in the Philippine
Presidential elections on
Monday May 9, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Manila, May 11: Presidential candidate,
former Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr., 69, son of former President Ferdinand
E. Marcos, has defeated rival Vice-President
Leni Robredo in the Philippines Presidential
elections on Monday to become the 17th President
and the first candidate to win a Philippines
presidential election majority, reports
Reuters.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec)
reports that Presidential candidate, former
Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.,
received 30,395,246 votes from 96 percent
of 65.7 million election returns on Tuesday
morning.
Former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr. received almost twice as many votes
as incumbant President Rodrigo Dutere
received in the 2016 Presidential elections
in the count on Tuesday.
Incumbant President Rodrigo Dutere received
16,601,997 votes in the 2016 Presidential
elections.
Presidential candidate, former Senator
Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., running
mate, Davao mayor in Muslim Mindanao,
Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is the daughter
of former Davao mayor in Muslim Mindanao,
the incumbant President Rodrigo Dutere,
received 30,735,256 votes.
Vice President Leni Robredo was defeated
by former Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr., in the Presidential elections on Monday,
received 14,478,817 votes.
In 2017 former Senator Ferdinand Bongbong
Marcos Jr. ran for vice president but
was defeated by Vice President Leni Robredo
by more than 260,000 votes.
Former Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr. protested the results of the election
calling on the Presidential Electoral
Tribunal (PET) to recount the ballots
in three provinces of his choosing and
to nullify the results in Lanao Dev Lanao
Del Sur, Basilan, and Maguindanao.
The Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET)
released a report in October 2019 showing
that Vice President Leni Robredo had increased
her lead over Marcos by 15,093 votes after
the recount, revision and re-appreciation
of ballots from Camarines Sur, Iloilo
and Negros Oriental.
In July 2010, the then newly-elected Nacionalista
Party Senator for Ilcocos Norte Province,
northwest Luzon, Ferdinand Bong Bong Marcos
Jr, son of former first lady Imelda Marcas
and former president Ferdinand Marcos,
revealed that an estimated US$658 million
that his father amassed before it was
frozen in Swiss bank deposits had disappeared.
The Swiss government froze the money after
Ferdinand Marcos was toppled in a popular
revolt in 1986 and transferred it to an
escrow account in 1998.
In 1995 the Philippine government and representatives
of more than 1,000 Filipinos - or their
descendants - arrested, tortured and executed
during the 13 years from 1972 in which Ferdinand
Marcos ruled by decree and martial law,
won US$2.7-billion in exemplary damages
against the former presidents estate
at a hearing in the United States federal
court, Hawaii.
The Federal Court of Hawaii found Marcos
guilty of grave human-rights violations.
A "people power" revolt ousted
Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986, forcing
him and his family to flee to Hawaii,
where he died in exile in 1989.
His body was returned to the Philippines
in 1993 and is preserved in a refrigerated
crypt at his Batac hometown in Ilocos
Norte.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Presidential
candidate Ferdinand Bongbong
Marcos Jr., set to replace
President Rodrigo Duterte
|
|
 |
Presidential
candidate Ferdinand Marcos
Jr., set to replace President
Rodrigo Duterte at the Presidential
elections on Monday May 9,
2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Manila May 10: Presidential candidate, former
Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., son
of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos,
who announced that he would run for president
rather than vice president at the Filipino-Chinese
business club in Manila, is set for victory
over ten competing Presidential candidates
to succeed incumbant President Rodrigo Duterte
at the elections held on Monday, reports
Philippine Inquirer.
"Many of my supporters prefer me to
run for president rather than running as
vice president, " he said at the Filipino-Chinese
business club in September 2021.
He said that there were political parties
willing to back him if he would run for
president but would withdraw support if
he would run for vice president.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed a Philippines
and China agreement on the "Build,
Build, Build" (BBB) infrastructure
programme and Chinas Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI) during his six year term
giving assurance that the infrastructure
development agreement made in October 2019
would continue.
China Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said then
that "China is ready to work with the
Philippines to implement the agreements
on infrastructure developent including a
feasibility study for the Davao City Expressway
Project in Mindanao in the southern Philippines
and for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island
Bridge Project conducted by Construction
Communication Corp. Highway Consultants
Co., Ltd., (CCCC) and funded by a grant
from the China government.
In January 2022 Presidential candidate former
Senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., said
that the Philippines should continue to
engage with China, saying he would dismiss
any help from the United States in negotiations
with China over the South China Sea if elected
president.
"If Americans are involved in negotiations
in the West Philippine Sea with China, it
is bound to fail, he said ahead of
the Presidential elections .
He said that is was not feasible to seek
to enforce the 2016 International Arbitration
Court in the Hague ruling in favour of the
Philippines against China's claim of historic
rights over the South China Sea " saying
that China has rejected the verdict that
the Philippines has sovereignty over the
West Philippine Sea."
He said that the Philippines was not strong
enough to engage in a defensive war with
China, saying "China's incursions in
the West Philippine Sea is a problem between
the Philippines and China.
"Going to war with China over the South
China Sea would not be an option and should
be considered a ludicrous idea," he
said.
Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos
Jr. campaigned for the 2022 presidential
election following the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) dismissal of petitions for his
disqualification to run for President on
grounds of a tax evasion conviction in 1995.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Beijing
selects National Security
chief for chief Executive
of Hong Kong
|
|
 |
John
Lee Ka-chiu, 64, centre, at
polling station at the Hong
Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre in Wan Chai on Sunday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, May 9: John Lee Ka-chiu, 64,
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),
reports the Associated Press.
John Lee, 64, is to replace incumbant Hong
Kong Chief Executve Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
65, who ends her five year term on July
1.
Incumbant Hong Kong Chief Executve Carrie
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that she
would not seek another term in April,
saying
"I will complete my five-year term
as chief executive on June 30 and officially
conclude my 42-year career in government."
Incumbant Hong Kong Chief Executve Carrie
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor appointed pro-Beijing
officials including John Lee Ka-chiu,
Chief Secretary of the vetting committee
that would screen out candidates deemed
unpatriotic or a threat to national security
ahead of the oath-taking ceremony for
the November 2021 Hong Kong District Councillor
elections.
The Hong Kong District Councillor elections
required candidates to pledge allegiance
to the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) that upholds the one country
two system Beijing policy and to the ruling
that allows only candidates deemed patriots
to stand for election.
John Lee Ka-chiu said ahead of the 1,461
member election committee selection on
Sunday that Hong Kong has deep-rooted
problems and reiterated his intention
to bring a results-oriented approach,
saying Hong Kong has to seize its opportunity,
we cannot afford to wait, we cannot be
late."
"We will have to consolidate Hong
Kong as an international city, to develop
Hong Kongs potential as a free and
open society, to connect the mainland
of China to the world," he said.
In May 2020 the new law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) was adopted
by the National People's Congress and
passed into legislature in Beijing with
the police in Hong Kong exercising their
new powers for the first time, arresting
protesters under the new National Security
law for taking part in protests that were
deemed an illegal assembly.
In July 2020 the Japan Communist Party
(JCP) Chair Shii Kazuo said that the central
government of the People's Republic of
China under the exclusive political leadership
of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
unilaterally imposed the new law without
consultation with the Hong Kong Legislative
Council, saying "thereby ignoring
the democratic process."
He said that the new law on Safeguarding
National Security in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) would further
strengthen the forces of suppression of
human rights in Hong Kong, saying "the
new law enables direct intervention and
suppression of individuals and movements
of those working for civil and political
freedom in Hong Kong."
He said the new law is in direct contradiction
to China's international commitment to
recognise Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy,
saying
"the new law is also contrary to
a series of international human rights
laws and the International Human Rights
Covenants enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic
Law."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Singaporeans
convicted of largest share
market manipulation in Singapore's
history
|
|
 |
Soh
Chee Wen also known as John
Soh and Ms Quah Su-Ling were
convicted by the Singapore
High Court for share market
manipulation and cheating
on Thursday May 5, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Singapore, May 8: The Singapore High Court
convicted two Singaporeans for share market
manipulation and cheating offences involving
a scheme to manipulate the value of shares
in trading accounts with n key accomplice
pleading guilty in 2019 and the Singapore
Police Force (SPF) and Monetary Authority
of Singapore (MAS) saying "this is
the largest manipulation case in Singapore
history, wiping out $8 billion from the
Singapore stock market," reports Straits
Times.
Soh Chee Wen also known as John Soh and
Ms Quah Su-Ling were convicted by the Singapore
High Court on Thursday after a 200 day trial,
for share market manipulation and cheating
offences involving a scheme to manipulate
shares in Blumont Group Ltd (Blumont), Asiasons
Capital Ltd (Asiasons) and LionGold Corp
Ltd (LionGold).
Soh Chee Wen also known as John Soh and
Ms Quah Su-Ling, who were convicted of 180
and 169 charges respectively, were charged
on 25 November 2016 under the Securities
and Futures Act (SFA) and the Penal Code
(PC), with Soh Chee Wen also known as John
Soh also charged under the Companies Act
(CA).
High Court judge Hoo Sheau Peng who said
that participation in criminal conspiracy
itself is an offence, said in her verdict
on Thursday that Soh Chee Wen also known
as John Soh and Ms Quah Su-Ling had carried
out the scheme to manipulate the value of
shares by controlling and using 187 trading
accounts that belonged to 58 share holders,
saying "trading between the controlled
accounts were conducted to generate artificial
liquidity and a demand for the shares."
"The trading accounts retained control
of large amounts of shares without disclosure
to the market," said High Court judge
Hoo Sheau Peng.
Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that the
conviction of the two Singaporeans was the
largest manipulation case in Singapore history,
saying "the scheme to manipulate the
value of shares in trading accounts had
wiped out more than $8 billion from the
stock market in October 2013."
Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that the
Commercial Affairs Department (CAD and Monetary
Authority of Singapore (MAS) raided over
50 locations and interviewed more than 70
persons, saying "the investigations
covered extensive documentary evidence comprising
over two million emails, half a million
trade orders, and thousands of telephone
records and financial statements, said the
Singapore Police Forces (SPF).
Key accomplice, Goh Hin Calm, who pleaded
guilty on March 18, 2019 to two charges
under Section 197 of the Securities and
Futures Act (SFA) for intentionally aiding
Soh Chee Wen also known as John Soh and
Ms Quah Su-Ling in the manipulation of shares
in Blumont Group Ltd (Blumont), Asiasons
Capital Ltd (Asiasons) and LionGold Corp
Ltd (LionGold) between March 18, 2013 and
October 3, 2013, was sentenced to three
years imprisonment.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodia's
Ministry of Justice rejects
Candlelight Party call to
drop charges against party
members
|
|
 |
Opposition
Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president
Son Chhay, centre, at a meeting
with Ministry of Justice officials
on Tuesday April 3, 2022 |
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, May 6: Cambodia's Ministry of
Justice has rejected the revived opposition
Candlelight Party (CP) call to drop all
charges against party members, including
treason against the ruling Cambodia People's
Party (CPP) for their involvement with founder
of the opposition Candlelight Party (CP),
Sam Rainsy, who attempted to overthrow the
Hun Sen government, reports the Phnom Penh
Post.
Cambodia's Ministry of Justice spokesman,
Chin Malin, said that the Ministry of Justice
has no lawful power to interfere with the
proceedings, saying "the decision to
drop charges or grant bail to members of
the opposition Candlelight Party (CP), who
are charged with treason for involvement
with Sam Rainsy, is under the jurisdiction
of the judiciary."
He said that the judiciary is an independent
institution that must base its ruling on
facts and the law, saying "this means
that the Ministry of Justice has no lawful
power to interfere with the proceedings."
He said that the accused opposition Candlelight
Party (CP) members should find defence lawyers
who can make arguments on their behalf and
explain the legal procedures to them, saying
"only by participating in the court
proceedings can the defendants help themselves."
Opposition Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president,
Son Chhay, called on the Ministry of Justice
to drop all charges against party members
for involvement with founder of the Candlelight
Party (CP), Sam Rainsy, who was found guilty
of treason in absentia and who announced
his return to Cambodia from exile in France
should the oppositio Candlelight Party (CP)
win in the upcoming Commune Elections on
June 5.
He called on the Ministry of Justice to
delay proceedings such as the issuance of
summonses for hearings until after the Commune
Elections on June 5, saying "summonses
and court proceedings were open threats
that could have a chilling effect on Cambodia's
political climate in the lead-up to the
elections.
"The issue of summonses before the
elections would undermine the very principle
of holding a free and fair election,"
he said.
Ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPP) spokesman
Sok Eysan said that Sam Rainsy's prediction
that the opposition Candlelight Party (CP)
would defeat the ruling Cambodia People's
Party (CPP) in the Commune elections showed
that "Sam Rainsys announced return
after the commune election on June 5 revealed
he has had an indisputable connection with
the Candlelight Party (CP)."
"The Law on Political Parties oulaws
anyone convicted of a crime from becoming
a leader of a political party," he
said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Southeast
Asian Parliamentarians for
Human Rights call on Myanmar
military to implement Five
Point Consensus
|
|
 |
Association
of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR), chairman
and Member of the Malaysian
Parliament, Charles Santiago,
issued an open letter on the
first anniversary of the introduction
of the Five Point Consensus
(5PCs) for implementation by
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Commander-in-Chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing |
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 6: The Association of
Southeast Asian Parliamentarians for Human
Rights (APHR), who promote democracy and
human rights in Southeast Asia, issued
an open letter on the first anniversary
of the introduction of the Five Point
Consensus (5PCs) at ASEAN Leaders Meeting
(ALM) in Jakarta on 24 April 2021 calling
for the implementation of the Five Point
Consensus (5PCs) by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Commander-in-Chief Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing, reports the Star.
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR), chairman and
Member of the Malaysian Parliament, Charles
Santiago, addressed the letter to ASEAN
member countries and ASEAN dialogue partners,
drawing their attention to the failure
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing, to implement the Five Point
Consensus (5PCs).
The Five Point Consensus plan that includes
a commitment from Commander-in-Chief Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing, who attended the
ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta on
24 April 2021, to restrain security forces,
commencement of dialogue, a special envoy
of the ASEAN Chair with assistance from
the Secretary General of ASEAN to facilitate
mediation, that ASEAN would provide humanitarian
assistance, and that a special ASEAN envoy
and delegation would visit Myanmar to meet
with all parties including the National
Unity Government (NUG).
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR), chairman and
Member of the Malaysian Parliament, Charles
Santiago, said in the open letter that
Asean should now accept the fact, repeatedly
demonstrated over the last months, that
Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min
Aung Hlaing has no intention whatsoever
of abiding by the Five Point Consensus
(5PCs) unless he feels strong pressure
to do so, saying "it is imperative
that the member states escalate measures
to put real pressure on the military."
"It is time for ASEAN to move on
to sanction Commander-in-Chief Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing for the continued
suffereing he is inflicting on the people
of Myanmar and his blatant disregard for
his regional partners," he said.
He called for on ASEAN to apply pressure
on the the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar to stop it from brutalising its
own population and turning the country
into a failed state, saying "ASEAN
should do all they can to work towards
the fulfillment of the Myanmar peoples
aspirations for peace and democracy."
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR) proposed three
steps in the open letter to ASEAN member
countries and ASEAN dialogue partners
"in order to stop the Myanmar militarys
atrocities, hold the perpetrators accountable,
and initiate a real process towards peace
and democratization."
"First make the position of the Special
Envoy to Myanmar more effective by ensuring
the appointee is exclusively dedicated
to this mission, appointed on a long-term
basis, and respond to Asean as a whole,
rather than based on the rotating Asean
Chair position."
"Second, there has to be a timeframe
and enforcement mechanisms if not the
Five Point Consensus (5PCs) will be rendered
virtually toothless."
"Third, Asen should immediately and
publicly meet with the National Unity
Government (NUG) as well as representatives
of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) in
dialogue to ensure that all voices are
heard."
T he National Unity Government (NUG) that
was formed on April 16, 2021 following the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover
of the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government on February, 1, 2021 was
excluded from ASEAN meetings including the
ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta on
23 April 2021 that was attended by Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Commander-in-Chief
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
National Unity Government (NUG) deputy
foreign minister Moe Zaw Oo, said then
"we have little confidence in ASEAN's
efforts."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Japan,
Indonesia confirm cooperation
in realising free and open
Indo-Pacific
|
|
 |
Japan
Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida
and Indonesia President, Joko
Widodo, at the Bogor Presidential
Palace on Friday, April 29,
2022 |
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, May 5: Japan and Indonesia confirmed
cooperation towards realizing a free and
open Indo-Pacific as outlined in the ASEAN
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) on
Friday with Indonesia President Joko Widodo
saying "Indonesia and ASEAN stand
ready to build cooperation with Indo-Pacific
partners, reports Jakarta Post.
Newly elected Japan Prime Minister, Fumio
Kishida, who visited Indonesia during an
eight day tour of ASEAN member countries
Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and ASEAN
dialogue partner Britian and European dialogue
member partner, Italy, said in Jakarta on
Friday that "Japan has been pushing
forward on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP).
"A free and open Indo-Pacific as
outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP) was spearheaded by Indonesia,"
he said.
Japan Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, who
was elected Prime Minister in November
2021, affirmed predecessor Prime Minister
Yoshihide Suga's support of Indonesia's
adoption of the 'ASEAN Outlook on Indopacific'
(AOIP) initiative, saying "maintaining
and strengthening the rules-based, free
and open Indo-Pacific international order
has become more important."
"We are facing many challenges, including
the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the
South China Sea territorial disputes including
Vietnam's East Sea and nuclear arsenal
in North Korea," he said.
He said that he would respond to Russia's
continued aggression in Ukraine with British
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italian
Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
In October 2020 then Prime Minister of
Japan, Yoshihide Suga, said at a meeting
with Indonesia President Joko Widodo at
the Bogor Presidential Palace in West
Java that Japan fully supports Indonesia's
adoption of the 'ASEAN Outlook on Indopacific'
initiative.
He said that Japan's determination to contribute
to peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia
is evident by Japan's recognition that ASEAN
plays an important role in realizing a free
and open Indo-pacific, saying "Japan
and Indonesia are maritime countries located
in the Indo-pacific region."
"Japan and Indonesia are strategic
partners," he said.
In Novemebr 2020 Indonesia Foreign Affairs
Minister, Retno LP Marsudi, called for
a strong ASEAN-US partnership at the online
meeting held at the 8th ASEAN-US Summit
in Hanoi, attended by US National Security
Advisor, Robert C.O'Brien, and representatives
from ASEAN member countries, with Minister,
Retno LP Marsudi saying that Indonesia
wants the United States to be a strong
strategic partner with ASEAN in the region
including the Indo-Pacific.
"Indonesia expects the ASEAN-US strategic
partnership to be a positive force for
peace, stability and prosperity in the
ASEAN and US committment to a free and
open ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP) ," she said.
In September 2020 the U.S. State Department
reitorated the U.S. support for the ASEAN
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) at
the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting at
the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting
(AMM) online in Hanoi with emphasis on
the role of ASEAN in the U.S. vision for
the Indo-Pacific, with the then U.S. Secretary
of State, Mike Pompeo, saying that ASEAN
centrality is fundamental to the U.S.vision
for the Indo-Pacific.
The US Secretary of State said then that
the U.S.-ASEAN Strategic Partnership is
built on shared principals as outlined
in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and
the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP) including ASEAN centrality, respect
for sovereignty and rule of law, good
governance, transparency, inclusivity,
rules-based frameworks and openness.
"The US Government works alongside
the private sector to improve the lives
and well-being of people across the Indo-Pacific,
" said the US Secretary of State.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Prosecution
star witness withdraws drug
trafficking accusations against
Philippine Senator Leila de
Lima
|
|
 |
Sen. Leila de Lima, who has
been in detention without trial
at the Philippine National Police
Custodial Center in Camp Crame,
Quezon City since her arrest
on 24 February 2017 |
|
From News Reports:
Manila, May 4: The prosecution star witness
who gave evidence against Senator Leila
de Lima, that brought her arrest in 2017
for involvement in drug trafficking at
the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) under the
Rodrigo Duterte administration, was withdrawn
on Monday with the senator's lawyer saying
"the greatest frame-up in Philippine
history is unraveling," reports the
Philippine Inquirer.
Sen. Leila de Lima, who has been in detention
without trial at the Philippine National
Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame,
Quezon City since her arrest on 24 February
2017 is a former Justice Secretary and
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair.
Sen. Leila de Lima has denied charges of
alleged involvement in the illegal drug
trade at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP),
accusing President Duterte of political
persecution.
Lawyer, De Leon said that the prosecution
star witness, Rafael Ragos, a former Bureau
of Corrections officer, has withdrwan
statements accusing Senator Leila de Lima
of invovlement in drug trafficking at
the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during the
Senator's term as Justice Secretary.
"The withdrawal by the former Bureau
of Corrections officer of the accusations
against Senator Leila de Lima in an affidavit
should compel the Department of Justice
(DOJ) to drop all charges against Senator
Leila de Lima," he said.
He said that former Bureau of Corrections
officer, Rafael Ragos, said in the affidavit
that was notarized on April 30 in Pasig
City and that was made public on Monday
that the then Justice Secretary, Vitaliano
Aguirre II, had coerced him into testifying
against Sen Leile De Lima.
Lawyer, De Leon said that the Rafael Ragos
retraction followed the retraction of
key witness Rolan Kerwin Espinosa, who
said he had been misled by the police
into signing his affidavit against the
senator in exchange for the dropping charges
against him.
In April 2009 Senator De Lima in her role
as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
chair, said that the Commission would
prove there is a Davao Death Squad (DDS)
in Mindanao in the southern Phillipines
following a statement made by the then
Mayor of Davao City Rodrigo Duterte, at
the opening of the public inquiry into
the Davao Death Squad March 30, 2009
The former Mayor of Davao City, Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte, said that he
would submit his resignation to the chair
of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
Leila De Lima "if here is an iota
of evidence that he, the military or police
are behind the killings."
Senator De Lima said at the public hearing
that the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report
had "found evidence of complicity
and at times direct involvement of government
officials and members of the police in
killings by the so-called Davao Death
Squad (DDS)."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodia
PM accepts invitation from
US President Biden to ASEAN-US
Special Summit
|
|
 |
Cambodia
Prime Minister Hun Sen said
that "Cambodia fully supports
the UN's global leadership and
commits to Implementing our
shared responsibility"
at the 73rd session of the United
Nations in September 2018 |
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, May 3: Cambodia Prime Minister
Hun Sen has accepted the invitation from
United States President Joe Biden to the
ASEAN-US Special Summit that will commemorate
45 years of partnership to be held in Washington
on May 12 to 13 with President Joe Biden
saying "ASEAN and the United states
have advanced a shared vision for a free
and open region in the Indo-Pacific,"
reports the Phnom Penh Post.
United States President Joe Biden expressed
"gratitude to ASEAN and its member
states for more than four decades of enduring
partnership," in the invitation to
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen on April
20, 2022, saying "US and ASEAN have
accelerated innovation and deepened ties
between their combined one billion people."
He said that innovation and ties between
the US and ASEAN have advanced a shared
vision for a free and open region as outlined
in both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP) and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy.
He said that in the face of unprecedented
challenges and new opportunities, the US
and ASEAN have joined together to combat
the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen regional
health systems, increase climate change
awareness and promote supply chain resilience.
"At the summit, we will commemorate
45 years of enduring partnership and raise
our collective ambition for a new age of
US-ASEAN relations. I look forward to welcoming
you and the other ASEAN leaders to the White
House, he said.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen said that
the United States President Joe Biden's
reaffirmation of commitment to further strengthening
relations between the United States and
ASEAN will be a stepping stone towards elevating
the US- ASEAN partnership to new heights.
He said that Cambodia is strongly supportive
of elevating ASEAN-US relations to Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership, saying
that as ASEAN chair for 2022 he wished to
reiterate "Cambodias strong desire
to explore more opportunities to expand
ASEAN-US cooperation on all possible fronts."
"I am confident that the ASEAN-US Special
Summit will serve as an excellent opportunity
for us to discuss opportunities that would
further enhance our cooperation, and exchange
views on issues of common concern and interest
to both ASEAN and the US, he said.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy reportedly
aims to assert the US as a Pacific power
with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacific
conducting maritime security missions with
regional partners that have limited offshore
surveillance and enforcement capacity, ensuring
that the US will remain the maritime partner
of choice in the region.
In October 2020 former United States National
Security advisor, Robert O'Brien, said that
new-generation Coast Guard vessels would
conduct maritime security missions including
fishing patrols in the western Pacific,
saying "the presence of the United
States Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacifc ensures
that the United States will remain the maritime
partner of choice in the region."
"China's illegal, unreported and unregulated
fishing and harassment of vessels operating
in the exclusive economic zones of countries
in the Indo-Pacific threatens United States
sovereignty and the sovereignty of our Pacific
neighbors, endangering regional stability,"
he said.
To that end the United States Coast
Guard is strategically homeporting significantly
enhanced Fast Response Cutters in the western
Pacific, he said.
The Australia, India, Japan and the United
States, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
(Quad) foreign ministers press conference
in Melbourne, Australia, February 11, 2022
reaffirmed support for countries in the
Indo Pacific in their effort to advance
a free and open Indo-Pacific, with Australian
Foreign Minister Marise Ann Payne, saying
"we continue to support ASEAN partners
to advance the practical implementation
of ASEANs Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
(AOIP).
She said that the four Quad countries are
focused on working closely with Indo-Pacific
partners to address the regions most
important challenges, saying "working
together as the Quad, we are more effective
in delivering practical support to the region."
"The Outlooks principles are
fundamental to regional stability and prosperity
and will be key to guiding the regions
economic and political future," she
said.
The Quad countries Australia, India, Japan
and the United States are reportedly "shaping
the contours of a new techno-democratic
statecraft" that includes "effective
collaboration and co-ordination on space
launch technology, the deployment of 5G
wirleless technology, cyber security and
semiconductors and other areas that would
strengthen each country in the Indo-Pacifics
economic competitiveness and national security."
The
Southeast Asian Times
US-ASEAN
Special Summit in May hosted
with non-politicaal representatives
from Myanmar
|
|
 |
United
States President Joe Biden at
the US-ASEAN Summit October
26-28, 2021. |
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta May 2: The United States is to host
the US-ASEAN Special Summit on May 12 and
13 to reaffirm the United States continued
committment to ASEAN Centrality under President
Joe Biden with the summit to go ahead without
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing, showing that the
United States supports the ASEAN decision
to invite non-political representatives
from Myanmar to ASEAN summits, reports Reuters.
The US-ASEAN Special Summit, that was scheduled
for March 28 and 29 but postphoned, will
reportedly show that the meeting between
United States President Joe Biden and ASEAN
leaders will demonstrate the enduring commitment
of the Joe Biden administration to ASEAN
centrality.
United States Department spokesperson said
that the United States supports the Brunei
ASEAN chair for 2021 decision ahead of the
October 26-28 ASEAN summit in 2021 to invite
non-political representatives from Myanmar
to future ASEAN summits, with ASEAN chair
Brunei saying "a non-political representative
would be invited to the next summit."
The Brunei ASEAN chair for 2021 said ahead
of the October 26-28 ASEAN summit in 2021
that "no consensus was reached for
a political representative from the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to attend ASEAN
summits," with the commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, saying that "ASEAN's
decision went against the ASEAN longtime
central principle of consensus."
As we plan for the US-ASEAN Special
Summit, we will continue to follow ASEANs
standard," said the United States Department
spokesperson.
The United States Department spokesperson
said that the United States supports the
Brunei ASEAN chair for 2021 decision that
there was a lack of progress by the commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing towards the implemenation
of the Five-Point Consensus Plan, including
the cessasion of violence in a commitment
to restrain security forces from the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar at the ASEAN
Leaders Meeting (ALM) held in Jakarta on
April 24, 2021.
"The regime has failed to make progress
on ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus Plan and
continues to escalate violence against the
people of Burma, said the United States
Department spokesperson.
The ASEAN chair for 2021, Brunei, said then
that ASEAN member states had received requests
from the National Unity Government (NUG)
in Myanmar to attend the October 26-28 ASEAN
summit in 2021.
The National Unity Government (NUG) in Myanmar
that was founded by the Committee Representing
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) after the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of
the elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government, has been excluded from
ASEAN meetings since the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government in
February 2021.
"We will also continue to support the
National Unity Government (NUG) in Myanmar
and all those working peacefully to restore
Burmas path to democracy," said
the United States Department spokesperson.
In May 2021 the United States called on
ASEAN to hold the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar accountable at the 34th U.S-ASEAN
Dialogue video conference that was co-chaired
by US Acting Assistant Secretary for East
Asian and Pacific Affairs Ambassador Atul
Keshap and Laos Deputy Foreign Minister
Bounleua Phandanouvong, was attended by
Foreign Ministers from the 10 ASEAN member
states including the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar Permanent Secretary of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Chan Aye who attended
as a non-political representatives from
Myanmar.
US Ambassador Atul Keshap said that the
US supported the ASEAN role in returning
Myanmar to a path to democracy, calling
on Foreign Ministers of the 10 ASEAN member
states to hold the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar accountable to the fFve-Point
Consensus Plan endorsed by ASEAN at the
ASEAN Leaders Meeting held on April 24,
2021.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesia's
Kartina Day celebrations are
meaningless if women's rights
are ignored
|
|
 |
Sunarti,
the 1992 All Indonesia Trade
Union (SBSI 92) former chairperson
of the Womens' Bureau, called
for the implementation of women's
rights guaranteed by the 1951
Labour Law at the House of Representatives
(DPR) protest in Jakarta on
Kartini Day, April 21, 2022 |
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, May 1: Women wearing traditional
Javanese dress to comemorate Kartini Day
on April 21 joined workers protesting at
the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta,
saying "Kartini Day celebrations are
meaningless if women's rights are ignored."
Workers and student protesting at the House
of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta, last
week, organised by the Trade Union Congress
Alliance Confederation (KASBI), called for
the Joko Widodo government to implement
the November 2021 Constitutional Court ruling
that declared the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Law unconstitutional.
Sunarti, the 1992 All Indonesia Trade Union
(SBSI 92) former chairperson of the Womens'
Bureau, who called for the implementation
of women's rights guaranteed by the 1951
Labour Law that included rights to maternity
leave at the workplace, said she intentionally
wore traditional Javanese clothing at the
workers protest to commemorate Raden Ajeng
Kartini.
"Today I'm wearing traditional clothing
to show respect for, Raden Ajeng Kartini,
a hero who liberated Indonesian women,"
she said.
She said that women, who joined the protest
at the House of Representatives (DPR) against
the passing of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Law November 2, 2021 that workers argue
fails to bring prosperity to ordinary people,
have come from outside Jakarta.
"Thousands of women who joined the
protest have come from outside Jakarta including
from Solo in Central Java, Garut and Bandung
in West Java and Surabaya in East Java ,"
she said.
She said that demands by workers at the
House of Representatives in Jakarta are
the same as the women, saying "there
is no difference."
"We want to abolish the Omnibus Law
on Job Creation." she said.
President Joko Widodo who signed the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation Law that determined
the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) for 2022
in October 2021 said "the revision
of over 70 existing laws is vital to investment
and to labour market competitiveness in
the plan to develop at least 27 industrial
parks in regions across Indonesia."
Confederation of Indonesian Labor Unions
(KSPI), president, Said Iqba, warned of
escalating protests against the Provincial
Minimum Wage (UMP) for 2022, saying that
if the Joko Widodo government fails to implement
the Constitutional Courts ruling that
deemed the Omnibus Law on Job Creation Law
unconstitutional "a nationwide strike
of two million workers from 60 federations
of national labor unions will paralize the
economy."
The Omnibus Law on Job Creation Law proposes
that the minimum wage be determined by the
regional governor of each region, based
on the inflation rate and economic growth
in the region, with the increase of the
minimum wage that was derived from the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation in Jakarta only Rp37,538,
per month, increasing the minumum wage per
month to Rp4,453,724.
Workers in Central Java received the lowest
Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) increase of
Rp14,032, per month, increasing the minimum
wage per month to Rp1,813,011.
Raden Ajeng Kartini was the daughter of
an Indonesian regent when Java was part
of the Dutch colony of the Dutch East Indies.
She outlined her dreams of a better life
for Indonesian women in her letters .
In 1964, President Sukarno declared Raden
Ajeng Kartini birth date, 21 April, Kartini
Day, an Indonesian national holiday.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Kick
boxer new candidate for Thai
ruling party in May elections
|
|
 |
Olympic
gold medal-winning amateu
Thai kickboxer, Somrak Kamsing,
was asked by Prime Minister
Prayut Chan-o-cha to become
a candidate for the northeastern
region of Thailand in the elections
on May 22, 2022 |
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 30: The ruling Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) announced 22 new candidates
for the upper Northeastern region of Thailand
for the next general elections on May 22,
2022, including Olympic Thai kick boxing
gold medallist, Somrak Kamsing, who said
he "was asked by Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha to help the party's efforts to
inform the public about the work and policies
of the party," reports the Bangkok
Post.
Olympic Thai kick boxing gold medallist,
Somrak Kamsing, said that he "decided
to become a candidate for Khon Kaen Constituency
3 in order to help change the political
arena that is currently plagued by conflict."
He said the popularity of Prime Minister
Prayut Chan-o-cha is very high in the Northeast
region of Thailand, saying he was "confident
the party could compete with rival parties
in the upcoming election."
"The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP)
is a popular party for low-income earners
with one concrete result being its state
welfare card," he said.
He said that sport is important in building
people and nations, saying "boxing
is an important soft power that can create
identity and fame while generating income
for Thailand."
"I would become a voice for the people
and will focus on important policies to
make the country strong," he said.
Newly appointed secretary-general of the
ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). who
said earlier this month at the general-assembly
that was attended by party executives and
about 500 party members from across Thailand
that "the goal has been set for least
150 Members of Parliament for the next general
election."
He said that Prime Minister General Prayut
Chan-o-cha Prawit had set a goal that the
party emerge with at least 150 Members of
Parliament in the 400-seat House of Representatives
after the next general elections, saying
"the party would regularly organise
seminars in all 400 constituencies and the
heads of all 10 regional offices in an effort
to convey the party's policies to the people
and to generate confidence."
He said following the defeat of the ruling
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) in the Bangkok
by-election on January 30, 2022 by the Pheu
Thai Party, (PTP), that advocates reform
of the Royal Thai Armed Forces 2017 drafted
constitution, that "the Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) needs to reinvent itself after
its fourth-place finish in the by-elections."
In November 2021 Prime Minister Prayuth
Chan-ocha said that the ruling Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) would not support any moves
to amend the 2017 Constitution that would
change the regime of government with the
King as Head of State, saying "the
royal institution must continue and be protected."
He said that the government would oppose
any proposed amendements to the 2017 Constitution
that was drafted by the Royal Thai Armed
Forces and signed into law by King Maha
Vajiralongkorn, saying "Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) remains opposed to any changes
to the law that would change the regime
of government with the King as Head of State."
"All Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP)
coalition parties must work together to
prevent the moves to amend the 2017 Constitution,
" he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Malaysian
executed in Singapore
despite United Nations call
to halt on grounds of intellectual
disability
|
|
 |
Malaysian,
Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam,
34, is to be buried at the Hindu
cemetery in Buntong, Malaysia
on Friday April 29, 2022 |
|
From
News Reports:
Singapore, April 29: Malaysian, Nagaenthran
K. Dharmalingam, 34, was executed in Singapore
on Wednesday for drug trafficking, despite
calls by the United Nations to halt the
imminent execution on grounds that he had
an intellectual disability, reports the
Star.
Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, was hanged
at Changi Prison following the Singapore
Court of Appeal dismissal on Tuesday of
the challenge on grounds that he had an
intellectual disability.
Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, was found with
43g (1.5oz) heroin strapped to his left
thigh as he crossed into Singapore from
Malaysia in 2009, saying at the trial that
he was coerced into carrying the drugs.
He said later that he had committed the
offence because he needed money.
The court ruled that Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam's
initial defence was "fabricated",
sentencing him to death by hanging.
He appealed to have the death sentence communted
to life in prison on grounds that he suffered
from an intellectual disability, with his
lawyers saying "the execution of a
intellectual disabled person is prohibited
under International Human Rights Law (OHCHR)."
The court found that Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam
was not intellectually disabled, saying
that "crossing into Singapore from
Malaysia with heroin strapped to his thigh
was the working of a criminal mind."
"He weighed the risks and countervailing
benefits associated with the criminal conduct."
Lawyers for Malaysian, Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam,
argued that he should not have received
the death penalty, saying "he was incapable
of understanding his actions."
During the trial it was revealed that Nagaenthran
K. Dharmalingam had an IQ of 69, with the
United Nations saying that the IQ of 69
was recognised as representing an intellectual
disability.
"Death sentences must not be carried
out on persons with serious psychosocial
and intellectual disabilities," said
the United Nations.
The United Nations Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) said that Singapore had amended
its drugs legislation in 2012, allowing
drug raffickers to be sentenced to life
in prison if they assist the Public Prosecutor,
or in cases of intellectual disability,
with the death penalty remaining mandatory
in other cases.
We urge Singapore to further reform
its legislation to ensure the death penalty
is never compulsory, as mandatory death
sentences are inherently over-inclusive
and unavoidably violate human rights law,
said the United Nations.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam
and Laos to make effort to
enhance central role of ASEAN
|
|
 |
Vietnam
Vice President Vo Th? nh Xuan
and Lao Vice President Pany
Yathotou at the Presidential
Palace in Hanoi on Tuesday April
26, 2022 reportedly to discuss
a number of unidentified international
and regional issues of mutual
concern |
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, April 28: Vietnam and Laos agreed
to promote coordination and mutual support
at multilateral forums including the United
Nations, ASEAN and the Mekong sub-regional
cooperation mechanisms in Hanoi on Tuesday,
saying "Vietnam and Laos would make
efforts together to enhance the central
role of ASEAN," reports the Vietnam
News Service.
Vietnam Vice President Vo Thi nh Xuan and
Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou reportedly
discussed a number of unidentified international
and regional issues of mutual concern, at
the Presidential Palace in Hanoi in celebration
of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations
and the 45th anniversary of the Laos-VietNam
Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
Vietnam Vice President Vo Thi nh Xuan, said
at the meeting with Lao Vice President Pany
Yathotou that the official visit would "consolidate
great friendship, solidarity, and cooperation
between Vietnam and Laos."
Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou congratulated
Vietnam on the results achieved from the
reform policies of Doi Moi that began in
1986 and that had introduced the market
economy, saying "national development
and international integration in Vietnam
is a source of encouragement, inspiration
and lessons for Laos."
The Vietnam and Laos Vice Presidents agreed
to promote coordination and mutual support
at multilateral forums including the United
Nations and ASEAN, saying they "would
continue to make efforts together with ASEAN
member countries to enhance solidarity,
unity and the central role of ASEAN."
The Vietnam and Laos Vice Presidents agreed
to uphold ASEAN principles, values and stance
on issues that are related to regional peace
and security, saying they "would strive
to settle disputes in the region and the
world by peaceful means and the international
law."
Last month Vietnam Ambassador Ðang Hoang
Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet
Nam to the United Nations (UN), said that
Vietnam supports and is willing to contribute
to the United Nations humanitarian relief
for Ukraine but fell short of reitoriating
the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights direct appeal to the Russian
Federation to withdraw its military from
Ukraine.
Ambassador Ðang Hoang Giang, Permanent
Representative of Viet Nam to the United
Nations (UN), reitorated Vietnam's stance
at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
on solving international disputes.
He said that international disputes should
be solved by peaceful measures based on
respecting international law, the United
Nations Charter and the principle of respecting
independence, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of other countries, and not interfering
in their internal affairs or to use force.
Vietnam and Laos abstained from voting in
the special emergency session of the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on March
4, 2022 that voted in favour of the resolution
"Aggression against Ukraine",
condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement
demanding immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
following the special emergency session
of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
that voted in favour of the resolution that
condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
with abstentions from two of eight ASEAN
states, Laos and Vietnam.
Of the 193 United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) members, 141 voted in favour of the
resolution, with 5 against including Belarus,
North Korea, Eritrea, Russia and Syria and
with 35 abstentions including ASEAN member
states Laos and Vietnam and including China
and India.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Ousted
former PM Najib Rajak appeals
High Court embezzlement conviction
and sentence
|
|
 |
Ousted
former Prime Minister Najib
Razak cited 94 grounds on why
the Court of Appeal had erred
in its decision to uphold the
High Courts conviction
and sentence on Monday April
25, 2022 |
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, April 27: Ousted former Prime
Minister Najib Razak, who was found guilty
of Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in the
misappropriation of RM42 million from 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) and subsiduary SRS
International Sdn Bhd funds and sentenced
to 12 years in prison appealed the High
Court conviction and sentence on Monday
as ordered by the Court of Appeal, reports
the Star.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, cited
94 grounds on why the Court of Appeal had
erred in its decision to uphold the High
Courts conviction and sentence including
that he does not have any personal interest
in subsiduary SRS International Sdn Bhd
funds or that the court rejected his belief
that the funds in his account were donations
from the Saudi Royal family.
He said that his interest in the subsiduary
is purely official or professional, saying
that his interest came from his position
as advisor emeritus, finance minister and
prime minister.
"The Court of Appeal erred in fact
and in law in rejecting the contention that
the RM42mil that flows into the appellants
accounts is not subsiduary SRS International
Sdn Bhd funds," he said.
He said the Court of Appeal and the High
Court had erred in fact and in law in rejecting
that he was of the belief that the funds
in his account were donations from the Saudi
Royal family.
"The Court of Appeal further erred
in holding that the Saudi Royal family defence
was not borne out by any hard evidence before
the court," he said.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was
to file an appeal against the Court of Appeal
decision to uphold the High Court Verdict
on April 11, said the judgement prepared
by the judges of the Appeals Court contained
176 volumes, saying "it was not received
by the defence until March 31."
It is impossible for my defence team
to study all the records of appeals and
prepare a complete appeal petition in such
a short time to address all issues raised
by the Court of Appeal judges," he
said.
The High Court three-member panel led by
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abang Iskandar
Abang Hashim allowed former Prime Minister
Najib Razak an extention to file an appeal
against the December 2021 Malaysian Court
of Appeal decision to uphold the High Court
Verdict in July 2020.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak will remain
Member of Parliament for Pekan despite the
High Court verdict that found the former
Prime Minister guilty of Criminal Breach
of Trust (CBT) in the misappropriation of
RM42 million from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) and subsiduary SRS International
Sdn Bhd funds in July 2020, and the Malaysian
Court of Appeal in December 2021 that upheld
the verdict.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak can attend
parliamentary sessions, debate and vote
in any motions and carry out his duties
as a Member of Parliament under Article
48(4)(b) of the Federal Constitution that
states that his disqualification as Member
of parliament for Pekan takes effect from
the final decision made by the Federal Court.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Jose Ramos
Horta expects Timor Leste
to become 11th member of ASEAN
by next year
|
|
 |
Jose
Ramos Horta has declared victory
in Timor Leste presidential
election, saying he has secured
"overwhelming support and
would now work to foster dialogue
and unity" |
|
From
News Reports:
Dili, April 26: Jose Ramos Horta, who has
previously served as Timor Leste foreign
minister, prime minister and president,
has declared victory in the Timor Leste
presidential election over incumbant President,
Francisco Guterres, saying that he expected
Timor Leste to become the 11th member of
ASEAN, reports Reuters.
National Election Commission of Timor
Leste reports that Jose Ramos Horta received
62 percent of the votes with incumbant
President, Francisco Guterres 37 percent
after 100 percent of the votes were counted.
"I have received this mandate from
our people, from the nation, in an overwhelming
demonstration of our people's commitment
to democracy," he said.
He said he expected Timor-Leste to become
the 11th member of the regional bloc, the
Association of South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN), "within this year or next
year at the latest."
He said that Timor Leste first applied for
Asean membership when he was the President
in 2011, saying "while I feel that
we were not ready to join ASEAN at the time,
things have changed since then. ".
He said that services and the security
situation have improved and that Timor
Leste is now a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), saying that the WTO
has the same rules and criteria for admission
as that of Asean."
He said that Timor Leste has had more
than 10 years to prepare and address ASEAN
application issues, saying "I feel
we are now ready."
In February 2022 ASEAN chair for 2022, Cambodia,
and the ASEAN secretary-general announced
the launch of a fact-finding mission to
evaluate Timor Leste eligibiliy for ASEAN
membership, with ASEAN Secretary-general
Lim Jock Hoi saying "ASEAN is launching
a fact-finding mission to accelerate East
Timors accession to the regional bloc,"
He said that the ASEAN Co-coordinating
Council Working Group (ACCWG) fact-finding
teams are to expediate the evaluation,
capability and readiness of Timor Leste
to join ASEAN under the three pillars
of ASEAN that include the ASEAN Political-Security
Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
(ASCC).
"The findings of the fact-finding
mission would enable Timor Leste to put
forward a roadmap and timeline for accession
to ASEAN," he said.
In March 2020 the ten Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries
reached consensus in support of Timor
Leste's application for ASEAN membership,
at the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN Co-coordinating
Council Working Group (ACCWG) with chairman
for ASEAN 2020, Vietnam Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Quoc Dung,
saying "the major task of the ACCWG
was to focus on Timor Leste's application
for ASEAN membership."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesia's
government officials face
death penalty for corruption
in export of crude palm oil
|
|
 |
Director-General
of Foreign Trade of the Trade
Ministry Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana;
commissioner of PT Wilmar Nabati
Indonesia Master Parulian Tumanggor;
senior manager of corporate
affairs of PT Pelita Agung Agrindustri/Permata
Hijau Group Stanley MA; and
general affairs manager of PT
Musim Mas Picare Tagore Sitanggang
are charged under Articles 2
and 3 of the 2001 Anticorruption
law that allows the death penalty. |
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, April 25: Indonesia's Attorney
General's Office (AGO) has charged four
suspects with corruption in the alleged
collusion of the issuance of export permits
in the provision of crude palm oil (CPO),
saying the suspects including the Director-General
of Domestic Trade of the Trade Ministry,
Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana, who had caused
a shortage of domestic cooking oil, were
liable for the death penalty, reports Tempo.
Attorney General Office (AGO) Deputy for
Special Crimes, Febriansyah, said on Friday
that the four suspects who had allegedly
colluded in the issuance of export permits
for the provision of crude palm oil (CPO),
who had caused a shortage of cooking oil
on the domestic market, did not comply with
requirements under the Domestic Market Obligation
(DMO)."
He said that the four suspects including
Director-General of Foreign Trade of the
Trade Ministry Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana;
commissioner of PT Wilmar Nabati Indonesia
Master Parulian Tumanggor; senior manager
of corporate affairs of PT Pelita Agung
Agrindustri/Permata Hijau Group Stanley
MA; and general affairs manager of PT Musim
Mas Picare Tagore Sitanggang are charged
under Articles 2 and 3 of the 2001 Anticorruption
law that allows the death penalty.
"The AGO has adopted the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) practice under
the 2001 Anticorruption law," he said.
He said that the Attorney General Office
(AGO) is to give severe pubishment to perpetrators
under certain criteria such as when the
crime is committed in a national disaster
as in the Covid-19 pandemic.
"If the crime affects large communities
and is detrimental to Indonesia's development
strict action will be taken, we will definitely
take firm action," he said.
In May 2020 Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) warned Indonesians that they face
the death penalty if found guilty of corruption
related to Covid-19 government relief funds
under the 2001 Anticorruption law, with
the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
saying "we have no choice but to hand
down the death penalty if found guilty of
corruption during a national disaster."
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
chairman, Firli Bahuri, said that the 2001
Anticoruption Law stipulates that those
found guilty of corruption or self-enrichment
offenses that cause state losses during
a national disaster may be sentenced to
death, saying that "the safety of the
people shall be the highest law."
He said that the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) has identified four areas
of the government Covid-19 response that
are prone to corruption, saying goods and
services procurement, third party donations,
budget reallocation and aid distribution
are prone to corruption.
"The KPK has formed a task force to
oversee these sectors," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Workers
union warns Indonesian President
Widodo that protesters will
return to streets
|
|
 |
Workers
and students represented by
Trade Union Congress Alliance
Confederation (KASBI) protest
at the House of Representatives
(DPR) Jakarta on Thursday April
19, 2022 |
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, April 24: The Indonesian Trade
Union Congress Alliance Confederation (KASBI)
who represented workers and students protesting
at the House of Representatives (DPR) on
Thursday, warned that "the people would
return to the streets if the government
did not take the protesters seriously,"
after claims that President Joko Widodo
has failed to bring prosperity to ordinary
people with the introduction of the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation Law, reports the Jakarta
Post.
Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation
(KASBI) representative Ninin Elitos said
after a meeting with House of Representatives
(DPR) Deputy Speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad
and lawmaker, Rachmat Gobel, on Thursday
that "the Indonesian state under
the leadership of President Joko Widodo
and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has failed
to bring prosperity to the ordinary people
under the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Law that was passed into law in November
2, 2021, saying "this has been proven
by the state's failure to deal with the
economic crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic."
"Data from the Ministry of Labour
shows that at least 29.4 million people
were sacked during the Covid-19 pandemic,"
she said.
She said that village communities are confronted
by the monopolisation of the land by oligarchs
and the increasing price of fertilizer and
backward agricultural technology, saying
that "this situation is caused by the
weak control of prices by President Joko
Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin administration
."
She said that the government has failed
to respond to the high cost of education
and an education system that is backward,
anti-scientific and undemocratic, saying
"this situation has resulted in a
decline in the quality of life and economic
disparity has become even wider."
She said that the government should be
providing subsidies to the ordinary people,
saying "instead the government has
increased the price of basic commodities
without considering how the people will
suffer."
"The high price of cooking oil, fuel,
drinking water, electricity, fertilizer,
toll roads and value added tax means that
the burden of the economic and health
crisis are falling on the ordinary people",
she said.
Trade Union Congress Alliance Confederation
(KASBI) representative, Ninin Elitos,
said that workers and students protesting
at the House of Representatives (DPR)
on Thursday gave the House of Representatives
(DPR) an ultimatum, saying "they
would return to the streets if the protest
was not taken seriously."
In December 2021 the Confederation of
Indonesian Labor Unions (KSPI) threatens
nationwide strikes if the Joko Widodo
government does not implement November
2021 Constitutional Court ruling that
declared the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Law unconstitutional, ordering the House
of Representatives to amend the law in
the Omnibus Law on Job Creation Law that
allows employers to arbitralily determine
employees working hours and salary.
President Joko Widodo signed the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation Law that determined
the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) for
2022 last month saying "the revision
of over 70 existing laws is vital to investment
and to labour market competitiveness."
Confederation of Indonesian Labor Unions
(KSPI), president, Said Iqba, warned of
escalating protests against the Provincial
Minimum Wage (UMP) for 2022, saying that
if the Joko Widodo government fails to
implement the Constitutional Courts
ruling, "a nationwide strike against
the Provinvial Minimum Wage (UMP) for
2022 of two million workers from 60 federations
of national labor unions will paralize
the economy."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Myanmar
military sends physician to
three years in prison with
hard labour
|
|
 |
Dr.
Htar Htar Lin, Director and
Program Manager of the Covid-19
Expanded Program on Immunization
(EPI), was arrested with husband
and seven-year-old son together
with 26 Mynamar doctors in Yangon
in June 10, 2021 |
|
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 23: Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, that seized the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government in
February, 2021 has sentenced Dr. Htar Htar
Lin, former Director and Program Manager
of the Covid-19 Expanded Program on Immunization
(EPI), to three years in prison with hard
labour for corruption, for withholding a
grant from Unicef and the World Health Organization
from the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
reports Irrawaddy.
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar said
that Dr. Htar Htar Lin, the Director and
Program Manager of the Covid-19 Expanded
Program on Immunization (EPI) had defied
orders to handover 168 million kyats (US$91,000)
from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and
Immunizations Health System Strengthening
grant from Unicef and the World Health Organization
(WHO) in the week after the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizured the elected
government.
Dr. Htar Htar Lin reportedly emailed colleagues
after the seizure of the elected government
to say that the dictatorship would try to
steal from the vaccination program, saying
that she would probably face accusations
that she had misused the funds by defying
orders to handover the funds.
"We cant let military dictators
use COVID vaccinations as a weapon. I may
still be free or detained by the military
when you read this. But I will never surrender,"
she said in an email to colleagues after
the seizure of the elected government.
Dr. Htar Htar Lin has been charged with
three further offences since her arrest
on June 10, 2021 including high treason
and incitement under the Unlawful Association
Act (1908).
Dr. Htar Htar Lin, who was arrested with
her husband and seven-year-old son together
with 26 Mynamar doctors in Yangon in June
2021, had joined the the Civil Disobedience
Movement (CDM) and supported the newly formed
National Unity Government (NUG) that the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar had declared
"terrorist" groups.
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, said
that Dr. Htar Htar Lin has confessed to
communicating with National Unity Government
(NUG) health minister, Dr. Zaw Wai Soe,
that she helped write speeches and National
Unity Government (NUG) health-care policy
documents and helped prepare meetings and
plan to implement health-care programs including
estimating the required drugs and costs.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Arrest
warrant issued for exiled
former PM Yingluck Shinawatra
|
|
 |
An
arrest warrant has been issued
for exiled former Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra for wasting
240 million baht on the "Building
the Future of Thailand 2020"
campaigne in 2013 |
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, April 22: The Supreme Court's Criminal
Division for Holders of Political Positions
have issued an arrest warrant for exiled
former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra,
sister of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra, for failing to appear in court
for the first hearing for spending 240 million
baht on the "Building the Future of
Thailand 2020" infrastructure development
project campaigne that was launched in 2013,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) charged exiled former Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra together with former
Deputy Prime Minister, Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan,
secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva and
private parties including Matichon Public
Company Limited and Siam Sport Syndicate
Public Company Limited and its director
Ravi Lohtong, who appeared in court on April,
19 pleading not guilty to the charges.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for
Holders of Political Positions issued a
warrant for former Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra under Section 28 of the law of
the Supreme Court Criminal Division for
Political Office Holders for alleged violations
of Section 157 of the Anti-Corruption Act
of 1999 and Sections 12 and 13 of the law
against price collusion law of 1999, saying
that the court had not received a request
to postpone the hearing.
The "Building the Future of Thailand
2020" infrastructure development projects
campaigne was launched by the Secretariat
of the Prime Minister on the instruction
of then-prime minister Yingluck in 2013
with proposed legislation passed to allow
the government to borrow 2 trillion baht
to finance the projects.
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol
said the "Building the Future of Thailand
2020" campaigne included exhibitions,
seminars and other public relations activities
to promote the project,"
In March 2014 the Constitutional Court ruled
the bill sponsored by the Yingluck government
to authorise the Finance Ministry to seek
2 trillion baht in loans for infrastructure
development projects was unconstitutional,
rendering the "Building the Future
of Thailand 2020" campaign null and
void.
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol
said that 240-million baht had by then been
spent on the campaigne, saying "it
had been wasted."
In August 2017 former prime minister Yingluck
Shinawatra fled Thailand ahead of the Supreme
Court Criminal Division for Political Office
Holders ruling in September 2017 that sentenced
her to five years in prison in absentia
for dereliction of duty in the national
rice subsidy programme.
The prosecution argued that "inaction"
by the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
allegedly caused 518 billion baht in loss
to the state.
Prosecutors alleged that Yingluck Shinawatra
government officials colluded to help two
Chinese firms that were not authorised by
the Chinese government to undertake G2G
deals with the Thai government to buy rice
from stockpiles generated by the government
rice pledging scheme.
The court was told that the state subsidy
set aside for the rice-pledging programme
during the Yingluck Shinawatra government
was higher than the amount allowed by the
World Trade Organisation.
The Supreme Court Criminal Division for
Political Office Holders was told that the
government rice-subsidy programme went against
the main objective of a state subsidy programme
which was to help Thai farmers.
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
|
|
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 |
|
The
founder of the Revolutionary
Front of Independent East
Timor (Fretilin), Mari Alkatiri,
the now former Prime Minister
of Timor Leste, after losing
the May 12, 2018 election
to the National Congress for
Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
party, led by Xanana Gusmao,
has accused the opposition
of a coup attempt.
Twelve years ago Mari Alkatiri
also accused the opposition
of a coup attemp claiming
then that the crises that
led to his resignation was
the result of a conspiracy.
"I have no doubt about
that" he told Darwin
reporter John Loizou in an
interview in Dili on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
|
|
Cuba's
302 physicians in East Timor
work at five hospitals and
remote villages throughout
the republic...writes Darwin
reporter John Loizou ...open
page here
|
|
Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
|
|
Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
The
Southeast Asian Times wishes
its readers a happy Christmas
and all the best for the New
Year with a special thankyou
to its treasured letter writers
|
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
|
|
; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
Updated daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet
Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property
sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell
condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore
properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009, he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapores 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.
Merpatis 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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