GATHERINGS: An informed
guide to happenings throughout the region.
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Thai
senate seeks referendum on
new constitution: Lese Majeste law From News
Reports: Bangkok, February 12: The
Senate is seeking a referendum on the
drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives
voted for an opposition-sponsored
motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a
referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to
organise a referendum that would pave
the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be
drawn up by a charter drafting
assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has
tentatively been set for May 7 by the
Election Commission (EC). Senators
were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum,
saying "It is a tactic to stall the
referendum" Sen Kittisak
Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he
disagreed with organising the
referendum on the same day as the
general election, "This could
confuse voters," he said. The Southeast Asian
Times
China calls emergency
COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos From News
Reports: Beijing, February 19: An
emergency meeting of foreign ministers
from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is
to be held in Vientiane, Laos on
Thursday and Friday to discuss the
COVID-19 virus epidemic. The
COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN
member states. The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly
intended to share information and to
improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN
member states in order to combat the
COVID-19 virus. China Foreign
Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with
focus on strengthening joint
prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of
establishing a long term and effective
collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying "
China and Asean countries have been in
close communication since the outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus. Cambodia's
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an
opportunity for the foreign ministers
to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus. "The meeting
will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will
demonstrate Cambodia’s support of
China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus
outbreak. The Southeast Asian
Times
Vietnam opens consulate
in Macau From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau
Special Administrative Region of China
on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said
at the launching ceremony that the
office aims to better ensure the
rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region. He said that the
consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost
friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau. The Consulate
General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship
Association in Macau. More than
20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and
services companies.
The Southeast Asian
Times
US invites
Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in
a "landmark" visit, Rueters
reports. General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on
Tuesday. Rueters quotes a
senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
and the President of the United States
"would skirt protocol" because the
General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official
as saying. Rueters also quotes the
senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong
as the visit of "the top leader
of the country". "It's a pretty big
event," Rueters quotes the state
department official as saying. The Southeast Asian
Times France agrees
to return Aboriginal remains home to
Australia From News
Reports: Canberra, November 25:
French president Francois Hollande and
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to
Australia during the first official
visit by a French head of state to
Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press. The French head
of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the
Aboriginal remains held in France.
The head of state and prime minister
said in a joint statement that the
identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider
the requests of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system. "The
French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human
remains to their community of origin."
the statement said. Australia
believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and
the United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets
of Aboriginal skeletal remains to
Australia including the severed head
of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years.
Yagan was shot dead for his resistance
to British settlement on the Swan
river. The Southeast Asian
Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card From
News Reports: Jakarta, November
10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, that national
identity cards (KTP) do not include
the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of
the card holder on national identity
cards (KTP) contradicted the
country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila “If we believe that Pancasila is our state
ideology and our national identity,
then why should we be ashamed of
including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from
official government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian
citizens on national identity cards
(KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed. "It's up
to the people", he said. The Souheast Asian
Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai
monarchy From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students,
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip
Mankong, 26, were charged in the
Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in
October 2013, reports the Bangkok
Post. The students were charged
with insulting the Royal Thai family
in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th
anniversaries of the October 6, 1976
and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's
script, a work of fiction that depicts
a fictional monarch, that allegedly
insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on
13 August, have been refused bail are
scheduled to appear in court to enter
pleas on December 29. The Southeast Asian
Times
World
including Asean PM's and Presidents
to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers,
Presidents and State representatives
including US Secretary of State, John
Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on
Monday. The speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend
the swearing in of the former governor
of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as
president of Indonesia. "The Prime
Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said. He
said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's"
including former Presidents and
Vice-Presidents. “All chairpersons of political parties
have also be invited,” said the
speaker. The Southeast Asian
Times
Banned ISIS
flag found flying in Aceh From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag found
flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was
reportedly the first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said
that the flag of the nationally banned
movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh
regency in Aceh. He said that a
bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and banned the teaching
of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of
Indonesias Independence.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Singapore
passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution
Act From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014
Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Act by
the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for
causing severe air pollution in
Singapore. The Act that was first
proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze
pollution in Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan said that under the Act,
Singapore will have the legal right
under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources
in accordance with their policies they
also have a responsibility to ensure
that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze
Pollution Act gives Singapore the
legal power to serve notices on those
that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to
ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest
fires. A bill passed in the
Indonesian House of Representatives in
July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and
illegal clearing of forests for palm
oil plantations. The new bill,
designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force
including police to monitor the
prevention and eradication of deforestation. The Southeast Asian
Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations From News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th
anniversary of the Biak Massacre in
West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will be
held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley
Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in
memory of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS)
at the University of Sydney last year
on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into
the sea by Indonesian security
forces. The tribunal heard eye
witness testimony that the West Papuan
demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian
security forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan
protesters were surrounded and shot by
Indonesian security forces and that
survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July
1998. The Southeast Asian
Times
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New
Indonesian Human Rights
Ministry seeks Catholic
Church support for
human rights programs
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Indonesia's
newly inaugurated
Human Rights Minister,
Natalius Pigai, and
former National Commission
on Human Rights (Komnas
HAM) commissioner
says ''there must
be a distinction between
the Ministry of Human
Rights and National
Commission on Human
Rights (Komnas HAM)''
at East Nusa Tenggara
(NTT) on Saturday
November 2, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Indonesia, November 4, Indonesia's
newly inaugurated Human Rights Minister
said that newly inaugurated President
Prabowo Subianto seeks Catholic
Church support through strategic
partnerships to support human rights
programs, saying at the ordination
of the Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Monsignor
Maximilianus Rex, in Labuan Bajo,
West Manggarai district, East Nusa
Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, ''the
Ministry of Human Rights will develop
human rights,'' reports Antara.
Indonesia's new Human Rights Minister,
Natalius Pigai, who is also the
former commissioner of the National
Commission on Human Rights (Komnas
HAM) said there is no overlap of
duties and authorities between his
new ministry and the National Commission
on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), saying
that his new Human Rights Ministry
has different functions and roles
than the National Commission on
Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Newly inugurated Human Rights Minister,
Natalius Pigai, said ''support of
the Catholic Church is needed so
that the implementation of government
programs and policies under the
leadership of President Prabowo
Subianto and vice-president Gibran
Rakabuming Raka can reach the community.''
"It is impossible to reach
the people who need help without
the church's support," he said.
He said that President Prabowo Subianto
has expressed his gratitude to Catholics
who always maintain security conduciveness
and always respect the government
work programs.
West Manggarai acting district head,
Ondy Christian Saigian said that
he expects the partnership between
the government and the Catholic
church will continue to run well
with the ordination of the first
Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Monsignor
Maximilianus Rex, in Labuan Bajo,
West Manggarai district, East Nusa
Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday.
"We know that development must
be carried out together, both by
the government, the community, and
religious elements, in this case,
the diocese," he said.
He said that the existence of a
diocese will maintain tolerance
and diversity in Labuan Bajo, saying
''we know that Labuan Bajo is an
international and national tourist
destination in Indonesia.''
Newly inaugurated President Prabowo
Subianto established the new ministry
of Human Rights, inaugurating, Natalius
Pigai,
Minister of Human Rights on October
22 with new ministry of Human Rights,
Natalius Piga, saying ''the Ministry
of Human Rights is tasked with drafting
and issuing human rights policies.''
''We aim to build a human rights-based
Indonesia, human rights-based policies,
and human rights-based developments,
hence the creation of the Ministry
of Human Rights,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Home
of Singapore's Lee
Kuan Yew to be assessed
for historical significance
after calls for demolition
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Lee
Hsien Yang, youngest
son of late former
Prime Minister of
Singapore, Lee Kuan
Yew, submitted applicatiojn
for demolition of
family home 38 Oxley
Road Singapore Friday
October 15, 2024
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From News Reports:
Singapore, October 5: The Singapore
National Heritage Board (NHB)
is to assess the historical significance
of the former home of Singapore's
late founding Prime Minister Lee
Kuan Yew, after the death of his
daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, who
has resided at the family home
in Singapore since the death of
her father on March 23, 2015.
Daughter of Singapore's late founding
Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew,
resided at the family home on
38 Oxley Road until her death
on October 9, 2024 despite calls
by her brother former Prime Minister
of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong,
and brother Lee Hsien Yang to
demolish the property.
The late Dr Lee Wei Ling alleged
that her brother's actions contradicted
their father's wishes, a claim
she reiterated until she died
on October 9, 2024, referring
to her elder brother former Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong as a
dishonourable son, arguing that
he had failed to honour the late
former Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yews explicit instructions
for 38 Oxley Road.
Singapore's late founding Prime
Minister Lee Kuan Yew had written
a letter to the Singapore Cabinet
on December 27, 2011
acknowledging that Cabinet members
had unanimously agreed that the
house on 38 Oxley Road should
not be demolished.
"I have reflected on this
and decided that if 38 Oxley Road
is to be preserved its foundation
must be reinforced and the entire
building refurbished. It should
then be leased out for people
to live in, as an empty building
will soon deteriorate," he
wrote.
In March 2012 L he submitted renovation
and redevelopment plans for the
property and received approval
from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The Singapore National Heritage
Board (NHB) is to assess the historical
significance of the home of Singapore's
late founding Prime Minister Lee
Kuan after a formal application
for demolition of the property
was submitted by the youngest
of his three children, Lee Hsien
Yang after the passing of his
sister Dr Lee Wei Ling last month.
Lee Hsien Yang reiterated his
commitment to his fathers
last will a week after the passing
of his sister saying that he had
a
''legal and moral duty as the
sole living executor to carry
out Lee Kuan Yews wish to
demolish the house on 38 Oxley
Road once Dr Lee Wei Ling vacated
it.''
In July 2017 about 300 family
members of the late and former
Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee
Kuan Yew,
called for an independent inquiry
into the family dispute over plans
to block the demolition of the
home of their father
who had stated in his will "that
the house was to be torn down
in order to avoid the building
of a personality cult."
The family has accused the then
current Prime Minister of Singapore,
Lee Hsien Loong, and son of the
late former Prime Minister of
Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew of "capitalising
on their father's legacy for his
own political agenda including
grooming his son as a future leader."
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has
denied the allegations, saying
that he was "deeply saddened"
by the claims and called them
"completely untrue".
He said that he would not sue
his siblings.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesian
Sea and Coast Guard
expell China Coast
Guard ship from North
Natuna Sea in Riau
Islands
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Indonesian
Sea and Coast Guard
unit onboard KN Pulau
Dana-323 expell China
Coast Guard ship CCG-5402
from the North Natuna
Sea in the Riau Islands
on Thursday October
24, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 4: The Indonesian
Sea and Coast Guard unit expelled
China Coast Guard ship CCG-5402
from the North Natuna Sea in the
Riau Islands, claimed by China
to be part of the South China
Sea on October 24, with Indonesian
Coast Guard
spokesperson, saying ''this is
not the first time the CCG-5402
has attempted to enter Indonesian
waters,'' reports Antara.
Indonesian Coast Guard spokesperson,
Captain Yuhanes Antara, said that
Chinese coast guard ship CCG-5402
has made several attempts to enter
the North Natuna Sea in October,
saying ''the Indonesian Coast
Guard will continue to demonstrate
its commitment to maintaining
security and enforcing the law
in Indonesian waters and jurisdiction.''
''The Indonesian Coast Guard is
ready to secure the Indonesian
sea for the future of the nation,"
he said.
Indonesian Coast Guard spokesperson,
Captain Yuhanes Antara, said ''the
Chinese coast guard ship CCG-5402
had not only entered the jurisdiction
of Indonesian waters but had also
disrupted the Arwana 3D Seismic
survey and data processing activities.''
''Indonesian Coast Guard ship
(KN) Pulau Dana-323 approached
and shadowed the China coast guard
ship CCG-5402 that had entered
North Natuna Sea on Friday,''
he said
He said that the China coast guard
ship CCG-5402 had said during
communication with (KN) Pulau
Dana-323 that '' China coast guard
ship CCG-5402 was patrolling in
Chinese jurisdiction.''
''The China coast guard ship CCG-5402
warned the Indonesian vessel not
to get to close,'' he said.
He said Indonesian vessel (KN)
Pulau Dana-323 ignored the warning,
saying ''the (KN) Pulau Dana-323
and Indonesian Navy patrol ship
KRI Sutedi Senaputra-378 and KRI
Bontang-907 prevented the China
coast guard ship CCG-5402 from
entering the North Natuna Sea.''
He said the action taken by KN
Pulau Dana-323 was appropriate,
saying ''the North Natuna Sea
in the Riau Islands is not under
China's jurisdiction.''
''Indonesia has sovereign rights
under UNCLOS 1982 to exploit and
explore natural resources in the
Norther Natuna Sea without being
disturbed by other countries,"
he said.
In June 2020 Indonesia became
the fifth Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member
state after the Philippines, Vietnam,
Brunei and Malaysia, to challenge
China's claim of sovereignty over
the South China Sea with Indonesias
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno
Marsudi rejecting Chinas
historical claim to the North
Natuna Sea in he Riau Islands
on the grounds that China's fishing
fleet has been historically active
in the Natuna Sea.
''We urge China to explain the
legal basis and provide a clear
definition for its claim over
the Natuna Sea," said Indonesias
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesias Minister of Foreign
Affairs said that Indonesia's
rights over the Natuna Sea region
have been confirmed under the
1982 United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China's Foreign Ministery spokesman,
Geng Shuang, rejected the Indonesian
claim over the North Natuna Sea,
saying ''the North Natuna Sea
is not under Indonesian sovereignty.''
''The Natuna Sea is a high sea
where coastal countries have sovereign
rights over natural resources,"
he said.
"So whether Indonesia accepts
it or not, nothing will change
the objective fact that China
has rights and interests over
Natuna waters, he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand
opposition calls for
annulment of 2001
MoU with Cambodia
in oil and gas development
in Gulf of Thailand
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Members
of opposition Palang
Pracharath Party (PPRP)
including Thirachai
Phuvanatnaranubala,
third from right,
ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri,
second from left,
called for annulment
of 2001 MoU with Cambodia
on joint development
of Gulf oil and gas
resources in disputed
territorial waters
in the Gulf of Thailand
at a press conference
at the Thailand Parliament
on Wednesday October
30, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 3: Opposition
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) that
lost the May 2023 general election
winning only 40 seats of 500 seats
in the House of representatives,
has called on new Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra to revoke
a 2001 memorandum of understanding
(MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia
on joint development of oil and
gas resources in a disputed area
of the Gulf of Thailand before gas
exploration talks with Cambodia,
with PPRP executive member, saying
''Revoke the 2001 MoU and do it
swiftly,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
The opposition Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) academic committee
Member of Parliament, Thirachai
Phuvanatnaranubala said at a press
conference at the Thailand Parliament
on Wedneday that ''the 2001 MoU
indicated that Thailand and Cambodia
acknowledged an area in the Gulf
of Thailand for joint development.''
''The MoU also accepted Cambodia's
territorial claim made in 1972
to half of Koh Kut island in Trat
province,'' he said.
Member of Parliament, Thirachai
Phuvanatnaranubala, who is also
a former finance minister said
''I have no problem with the governments
intention to discuss joint investment
with Cambodia.''
''But I will object if the government
uses the 2001 MoU as a famework
for the discussions,'' he said.
He said that the government use
of the 2001 MoU for discussion
of joint investment with Cambodia
is not only illegal but would
also result in territorial loss
for Thailand.
The opposition Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) executive member
ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri also called
on Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra to revoke the 2001
MoU as soon as possible, saying
''a Cambodian map attached to
the 2001 MoU includes the sea
off Trat Province and Koh Kut
island and Thailand territory.''
''The Cambodian map claims over
26,000 square kilometers that
are not legally acknowledged,''
he said.
He said that that the Cambodian
map attached to the 2001 MoU shows
an unfair division of sea territory
off Trat, Koh Kut, and Thailand
territory.
''Revoke the 2001 MoU and do it
swiftly,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bangkok
Criminal Court dismisses
Lese Majeste Law charges:
Princess Chulabhorn
not an heir to throne
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Bangkok
Criminal Court dismissed
Lese Majeste Law charges
against Thidaporn
Chaokuwiang on Wednesday
October 30, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok November 2: The Bangkok
Criminal Court dismissed Lese Majeste
Law charges against Thidaporn Chaokuwiang,
for defaming Princess Chulabhorn
in two video advertising campaigns
for Lazada, owned by the China Alibaba
Group in May 5, 2022, with the Court
ruling that ''Princess Chulabhorn
is not an heir to the throne,''
reports the Bangkok Post.
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang was charged
under Lese Majeste Law, Articles
112 and 116 of the Criminal Code
and Computor Crimes Act for defaming
the Thailand monarchy and violation
of the Computer Crimes Act with
two others involved in the video
advertising campaigne for Lazada,
owned by the China Alibaba Group.
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, Aniwat Prathumthin
and Kittikhun Thamakitirat were
accused of defaming Queen Sirikit
and Princess Chulabhorn in two video
advertising campaignes for Lazada,
owned by China's Alibaba Group tha
was released on TikTok on May 5,
2022.
The first video features Thidaporn
Chaokuwiang, wearing tradition Thai
dress resembling Princess Chulabhorn,
sitting in a wheelchair, with Kittikhun
Thamakitirat also wearing tradition
Thai dress resembling Queen Sirikit,
standing next to the wheelchair,
as Aniwat Prathumthin gives her
a whitening skincare product from
Lazada owned by China's Alibaba
Group.
The second video features Thidaporn
Chaokuwiang, again wearing traditional
Thai dress and resembling Princess
Chulabhorn and again sitting in
a wheelchair, with Aniwat Prathumthin
accusing Thidaporn Chaokuwiang of
stealing her clothes and recommending
that Aniwat Prathumthin purchase
clothing from Lazada, owned by China's
Alibaba Group during the May 5,
2022 advertising campaign.
The promotional video ends with
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang getting up
from her wheelchair in shock.
Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed
Lese Majeste Law charges against
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, for an advertisement
that defamed Princess Chulabhorn
on grounds that Princess Chulabhorn
is not an heir to the throne, ruling
that ''under the Palace Law of Succession
an heir must be appointed by King
Vajiralongkorn.''
''Princess Chulabhorn is not an
heir to the throne and therefore
not covered by the Lese Majeste
Law,'' the Criminal Court ruled
In December 2023 the Bangkok Criminal
Court dismissed Lese Majeste Law
charges against Aniwat Prathumthin
on grounds that the content of the
two videos did not constitute an
offence, with the Criminal Court
ruling that ''the videos were produced
as a marketing campaign and did
not contain anti monarchy symbols.
The Bangkok Criminal Court ruled
that the two videos use normal speech,
saying ''the videos did not contain
the coat of arms of a member of
the royal family and anyone can
wear traditional Thai dress .''
''The two videos were deemed not
defamatory against Thailand royalty
because those involved only playing
a role to promote their products,''
the Criminal Court ruled.
The Bangkok Criminal Court has issued
an arrest warrant for Kittikhun
Thamakitirat who has fled Thailand
and is seeking asylum
abroad.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indonesia
gives amnesty to Papua
New Guinea protesters
contesting Indonesian
sovereignty over West
Papua
|
|
|
Papua
New Guinea Prime Minister
James Marape, left,
and newly inaugurated
Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto,
right,
in Jakarta on Sunday
October 20, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 1: Indonesia offered
amnesty to Papua New Guinea protesters
against Indonesia's sovereignty
over West Papua with Papua New Guinea
Prime Minister James Marape, saying
''Papua New Guinea will continue
to respect Indonesian sovereignty
over West Papua, reports the National.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, said that he commended
the offer made by Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto, for amnesty for
Papua New Guinea protesters who
contested Indonesian sovereignty
over West Papua, saying ''this is
the first time for me to see openness
on West Papua."
Papua New Guinea was among the nations
allocated time for a bilateral discussion
with Indonesian President Prabowo
Subianto after the inauguration
in Jakarta on October 20.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, said that bilateral
discussion on Indonesian sovereignty
over West Papua ''were frank and
open.''
''This is the first time I have
seen openness on West Papua,'' he
said.
Prime Minister, James Marape said
that Papua New Guinea had no right
to debate Indonesias internal
sovereignty over West Papua, saying
his advice to new Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto, was to ''give
respect to West Papuan land and
cultural heritage.''
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister,
James Marape, reaffirmed his intention
to work with new Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto, in expanding trade
and investment in business-to-business
and people-to-people relations with
Indonesia.
Indonesia was admitted as a full
member to the Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG) in Honiara in the Solomon
Islands in June 2015, with the admittance
of the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP) that represents
independence from Indonesia as an
observer.
The United Liberation Movement for
West Papua (ULMWP) that represents
independence from Indonesia failed
in its bid for full membership to
the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
and was instead granted observer
status on condition that the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua
(ULMWP) only represent West Papuans
living outside West Papua.
Indonesia is represented in the
Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
that includes member countries Papua
New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands,
Vanuatu and New Caledonia Front
de Liberation Nationale Kanak et
Socialiste (FLNKS) by elected officials
of its Melanesian provinces including
West Province.
In Septembet 2019 thousands of Papua
New Guinea protesters marched on
the capital Port Moresby in support
of the West Papuan call for a referendum
for Independence from Indonesia
and in support of the inclusion
of West Papua as a full member in
the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
inter-governmental regional group
of Melanesian states under the banner
"we are not free when out brothers
and sisters are dying"
Indonesia prevented the Melanesian
Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
from the accepting West Papua's
proposal for full membership in
the West Papua in the Melanesian
Spearhead Group (MSG) from succeeding.
Indonesia's Security Minister, Djoko
Suyanto reportedly said in October
2011 that West Papua will remain
part of Indonesia with special autonomy
its only option for those who want
independence.
Any party proclaiming a new
state, a new cabinet, a new president,
a new government must be dealt with
according to the law, he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Kamisan
call on new Indonesian
President to investigate
abduction of pro-democracy
activists in 1998
|
|
|
Maria
Catarina Sumarsih
at he 837th Kamisan
(Thursday) at the
Presidential Palace
in Central Jakarta
urged the government
to investigate the
1998 abduction of
pro-democracy activists
on Thursday October
24, 2024
|
|
From
News Report:
Jakarta, October 31: National Human
Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) activists
held the 837th Kamisan (Thursday)
against the violation of human rights
at the Presidential Palace in Central
Jakarta on Thursday October 24,
with Kamisan (Thursday) Maria Catarina
Sumarsih, saying ''the 837th Kamisan
(Thursday) is the first held since
Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto,
73, former commander in the Special
Detachment 88 anti-terror squad
in the New Order regime of former
president Suharto was inaugurated
the 8th president of Indonesia on
October 21, reports Reuters.
Kamisan, Thursday) Maria Catarina
Sumarsih, urged the Indonesian government
to investigate all cases of past
human rights violations, including
the abduction of pro-democracy activists
and students in 1998.
''Indonesia is now led by President
Prabowo Subianto, the mastermind
of the abduction of the '98 activists,''
she said.
She said that President Prabowo
Subianto had formed the Rose Team
to abduct the pro-democracy activists
in 1998 , saying ''the Rose Team
was created by the Indonesian Army
special forces (Kopassus) that conducted
special operation missions for the
Indonesian government.''
She said that the Kamisan (Thursday)
will not tire of voicing demands
so that the perpetrators of past
human rights violations are brought
to trial, saying ''we'll see what
kind of development there are under
new President Prabowo Subianto.''
She said that new President Prabowo
Subianto formed the new Human Rights
Ministry (HAM), saying the formation
of the new Human Rights Ministry
(HAM) is a waste of state budget,
saying ''gross human rights violations
can only be resolved through
the National Human Rights Commission
(Komnas HAM), an independent institution.
"The new Human Rights Ministry
(HAM) that was formed by President
Prabowo Subianto is not necessary,''
she said.
Kamisan (Thursday) Maria Catarina
Sumarsih, called on Indonesia Coordinating
Minister for Legal Affairs, Human
Rights, Immigration and Correctional
Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to
provide clarification of his statement
that the abductions in 1998 were
not a gross human rights violation.
The Kamisan (Thursday) called on
Indonesia Coordinating Minister
for Legal Affairs, Human Rights,
Immigration and Correctional Affairs,
Yusril Ihza Mahendra to immediately
provide a clarification of his statement
in the form of an official statement
that is complete, comprehensive
and clear.
The Kamisan also called on the Attorney
General to form an ad hoc Investigation
team into the 1998 events that have
been investigated by Komnas HAM
as regulated in Article 21 Paragraph
(3) of Law Number 26/2000 on Human
Rights Courts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Charges
against seven involved
in
Tak Bai massacre dismissed
on expiration 20 year
statute of limitations
|
|
|
Tak
Bai community members
call for justice at
the mass grave for
victims of the October
25, 2004 Tak Bai massacre
in Narathiwat province
Thailand, Friday October
25, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 30: The Narathiwat
provincial court in Southern Thailand
dismissed all charges against seven
defendants involved in the Tak Bai
massacre on October 25, 2024 after
the defendants failed to appear
at the court for trial before the
expiration of the 20-year statute
of limitations on Friday October
25, 2024, reports Reuters.
All charges against the seven
defendants including murder, attempted
murder and the unlawful detention
of Malay-Muslims.
at the Tak Bai Massacre on October
25, 2004 were dismissed after
the former Royal Thai Armed Forces,
Royal Thai Police and Interior
Ministry officials failed to attend
the Narathiwat provincial court
in Southern Thailand on Friday.
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra issued a public apology
on Thursday on behalf of the government
to the victims and their families
for their loss.
''The Thailand Constitution did
not allow the government to extend
the statute of limitations to
give the police more time to arrest
the accused,'' she said.
Cross Cultural Foundation, co-founder
and senior advisor Somchai Homlaor
said that the Royal Thai Police
claimed that they had done everything
possible to find the seven former
Royal Thai Armed Forces, Royal Thai
Police and Interior Ministry officials,
saying ''the failure to find the
defendants will add to the impression
of racial and religious bias and
impunity for the well-connected.''
''That confirms the belief of
the people in the south that the
criminal justice system in Thailand
is still under military influence,
especially if the wrongdoers are
high-ranking government officials
or influential people, he
said.
On October 25, 2004 more than
1,500 Malay-Muslims protested
outside the Tak Bai Police Station
in Narathiwat Province in southern
Thailand demanding the release
of six village defence volunteers
that police had accused of providing
insurgents government-issued shotguns.
About 1,000 members of the Royal
Thai Armed Forces and Royal Thai
Police surrounded the Tak Bai
police station responding to the
protesters with water canon, tear
gas, batons and with live ammunition
that killed seven.
At least 78 of the 85 protesters
who died on October 25, 2004 died
from suffocation after they were
stacked one atop the other in
military trucks for about six
hours for transportation to the
Ingkhayutthaborihan army camp
in the Nong Chik district of Pattani
province, 140 kilometres away.
The
Southeast Asian Times
ASEAN
members Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand
and Vietnam partnership
with BRICS will not
effect US relationship
|
|
|
Brazil,
Russia, India, China
and South Africa (BRICS)
Summit in Kazan, Russia
Oct 22 to 24, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 29: Association
of South East Asian (ASEAN) members
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam say partnership with Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa
(BRICS) with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia,
and the The United Arab Emirates
(UAE) joining in January should
not effect their established United
States relations at the BRICS Summit
held in Kazan, Russia on Thursday
with the foreign minister of Thailand
saying ''Thailand hoped to join
BRICS in August next year,'' reports
Reuters.
Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Maris Sangiampongsa, said at the
"Brics and the Global South:
Building a Better World Together"
three day summit that was attended
by 36 countries, ''Thailand believed
Brics could be a voice for developing
and emerging economies.''
''Thailand and Brics could collaborate
to revise the global system to work
for all nations not just the most
powerful,'' he said.
Malaysia Minister for Economics,
Rafizi Ramli, said ''we see tremendous
synergies between ASEAN and BRICS.''
''Malaysia assumes the chairmanship
of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations on January 1,'' he
said.
He said that barriers to obtaining
development finances and a growing
global debt as reasons for joining
the intergovernmental grouping BRICS,
saying ''for Malaysia, BRICS is
not just a rejection of these constraints,
but it is also a solution.''
''Malaysias decision to join
BRICS was not meant to reject American
currency but instead aimed at reducing
the risk of Malaysian ringgit instability,''
he said.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Sugiono
said that Indonesia's decision to
apply to join BRICS is a manifestation
of our free and active foreign policy,
''It does not mean we align with
any specific bloc but rather that
we actively participate in all forums,''
he said.
Director General for ASEAN Cooperation,
Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro
said ASEAN members joining other
alliances would not affect or reduce
the centrality of ASEAN, saying
''ASEAN members have been free to
develop cooperation with other parties.''
He said that ASEAN has never been
monopolized by ASEAN alone, saying
''ASEAN has always facilitated various
mechanisms operating in the Southeast
Asian region.''
He said that ASEAN member countries
do not have a common foreign policy,
saying ''ASEAN has a regional mechanisms
to develop cooperation based on
common interests.''
''ASEAN is a regional institution
and not a supranational body,''
he said.
Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh
Chinh said ''Vietnam is ready to
work with BRICS,'' at the BRICS
Summit, saying
Viet Nam stands ready to work with
BRICS countries and the international
community to realise the idea of
working together to build a better
world for all.''
Vietnam is one of 30 countries that
has express interest in becoming
a BRICS partner under the ''BRICS
Partner Country Category.''
In September 2023 the United States
and Vietnam signed a Comprehensive
Stategic Partnership agreement at
the headquarters of the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee
in Hanoi that committed Vietnam
to 'four no's'' in Vietnam's National
Defence White Paper.
The National Defence White Paper
2019 reaffirms Vietnam's commitment
to the "three no's" defence
policy that were included in the
three previous National Defence
White Papers in 1998, 2004, and
2009, and that the National Defence
White Paper 2019 includes a fourth
commitment to the reaffirmaton of
Vietnam's non-participation in military
alliances.
The new National Defence White Paper
2019 reaffirms that Vietnam will
not join military alliances with
another country, will not align
with one country against another
and will not allow foreign military
bases on Vietnamese soil and also
the fourth commitment that Vietnam
will not use force or threaten to
use force in international relations.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Commonwealth
member nations adopt
Commonwealth Ocean
Declaration in the
Pacific
|
|
|
Commonwealth
nations adopted the
first Commonwealth
Ocean Declaration
in the Pacific at
the closing of the
27th Commonwealth
Heads of Government
Meeting in Apia, Samoa
on Saturday October
26, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Samoa, October 28: Commonwealth
member nations adopted the first
Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in
the Pacific at the closing of the
27th Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting in Apia, Samoa on Saturday
calling on all 56 Commonwealth nations
to protect the ocean in he face
of severe climate, pollution and
over exploitation, with the Prime
Minister of Samoa saying ''it was
fitting for our first ocean declaration
to be adopted in the Blue Pacific,''
report Associated Press.
Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi
Mata'afa, said that ''climate change
has been recognised as the single
greatest threat to the security
and well-beling of out people.''
''The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration
in the Pacific must become a line
in the sand for the world to collectively
transform ocean exploitation into
protection and sustainable stewardship,''
he said.
The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration
recognises maritime boundaries amid
the rise in sea-level, the proection
of 30 percent of oceans and restoring
degraded marine ecosystems by 2030
and the urgent finalization of the
United Nations Global Plastics Treaty
for the elimination of plastic pollution.
The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration
calls for the ratification of the
high-seas biodiversity treaty, the
development of coastal climate adaption
plans and strengthening support
for sustainable blue economies.
Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General,
Patricia Scotland said that the
Commonwealth was immensely proud
of the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration,
saying the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration,
sets the standard for forthcoming
international meetings.''
''The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration
generates momentum for ocean protection
as we head towards COP29 in Azerbaijan
in November, and next year's UN
Ocean Conference,'' she said.
She said that more than half of
the 59 Commonwealth's members are
small nations, many of them low-lying
islands at risk from rising sea
levels caused by climate change,
saying "what the Ocean Declaration
seeks to do and to say is that once
your marine boundaries are fixed,
theyre fixed in perpetuity."
"This is incredibly important
because it will give real hope to
many who are frightened and are
feeling no ones watching,
no one's listening, no ones
caring and thats not
true,'' she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
King
Charles III falls
short of an apology
for Britian's role
in slavery
at CHOGM in Samoa
|
|
|
Britain's
King Charles III at
the opening ceremony
for the Commonwealth
Heads of Government
Meeting CHOGM in his
new role as Head of
the Commonwealth in
Apia, Samoa on Friday
October 25, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Samoa, October 27: Britain's King
Charles III, said at the 27th Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting in Apia,
Samoa on Friday, in his new role
as Head of the Commonwealth, ''I
understand, from listening to people
across the Commonwealth, how the
most painful aspects of our past
continue to resonate,'' with British
Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejecting
calls for repatriation and an apology
for Britain's role in transatlantic
slavery, reports Reuters.
King Charles III said at the opening
ceremony of the Commonwealth at
the 27th Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting CHOGM attended
56 Commonwealth nations ''none
of us can change the past,'' saying
''but we can commit with all our
hearts to learning its lessons
and to finding creative ways to
right inequalities that endure.''
''It is vital, therefore, that
we understand our history,'' he
said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
rejected calls for repatriation
and an apology for Britain's role
in transatlantic slavery, at the
27th Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting CHOGM on Friday, saying
he wanted ''to look forward rather
than look backward.''
The British Prime Minister rejected
calls for repatriation for Britain's
historic role in transatlantic slavery
and ruled out an apology, saying
at the CHOGM leaders meeting that
he was aware that there were some
calls for reparations.
''In my view countries should work
together to ensure the future was
not in the shadow of the past but
is illuminated by it,'' he said.
Bahamas, one of 15 member states
of the Caribbean Community and Common
Market (CARICOM) Foreign Minister,
Frederick Mitchell, said on Thursday
that a CHOGM draft conclusion has
called for a discussion on an apology
and on reparations for Britains
role in transatlantic slavery.
''The Caribbean Community want
the conversation to start,'' he
said.
Caribbean Community and Common Market
(CARICOM) slavery repatriation commission
vice chair, Eric Phillips, who is
seeking reparations from former
colonial powers, Britian, France
and Portugal, said that he did not
understand the relevance of the
Commonwealth if British Prime Minister
Keir Starmer rejects calls for repatriation
and an apology.
The
Southeast Asian Times
CHOGM
secretary-general
candidate warns against
Commonwealth containing
China in the Pacific
|
|
|
Patricia
Scotland, outgoing
Secretary General
of Commonwealth Heads
of Government Meeting
CHOCM at CHOGM Samoa
2024 in Apia Samoa
on Wednesday October
23, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Samoa, October 26: The 27th Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM
Samoa 2024 on the South Pacific
Island of Samoa includes the election
of a new Commonwealth Secretary-General,
with secretary-general candidate,
Shirley Botchwey, warning against
the Commonwealth attempting to
contain China in the Pacific,
saying ''the Commonwealth shouldn't
be involved in countering China,''
reports Reuters.
Ghana former foreign minister, secretary
general candidate, Shirley Botchwey,
is one of three contenders vying
to replace Patricia Scotland as
secretary-general of the London-based
Commonwealth Secretariat at CHOGM
Samoa 2024 from 21 to 26 October.
Secretary general candidate, Shirley
Botchwey, said that some Commonwealth
members had decided to engage
with China, saying ''and they
have very good reason why they
do that.''
''I believe the best that the
Commonwealth can do is to give
the Commonwealth members the tools
to be able to negotiate very well,''
she said.
''But apart from that, I do not
see how the Commonwealth can influence
a countrys relationship
with China, because these are
sovereign countries,'' she said.
Gambia former foreign minister,
secretary-general contender, Mamadou
Tangara, said it was for individual
countries to choose how they dealt
with China, saying ''I dont
think the Commonwealth should
be thinking of trying to counter
the influence of a country or
an organisation.''
''The Commonwealth should make
sure that it has more influence
before it competes with another
country or another organisation.
Lesotho, former trade minister,
secretary-general contender, Joseph
Setipa, said that sovereign independent
states have the liberty to decide
their bilateral relations, saying
''it becomes a Commonwealth issue
if those relationships begin to
undermine the Commonwealth.''
''As Secretary-General, I would
stay away from that, unless it
creates a direct challenge to
the implementation of the Commonwealth
Charter,'' he said.
''Then it becomes a Commonwealth
issue,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pastor
of Kingdom of Jesus
Christ church in Philippines
denies sexual abuse
at Senate Committee
hearing
|
|
|
Kingdom
of Jesus Christ (KJC)
founder Pastor, Apollo
Quiboloy, at Senate
Committee on Women,
Children, Family Relations
and Gender Equality
hearing in Manila
Wednesday October
23, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, October 25: The Kingdom
of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Pastor
Apollo Quiboloy, who was arrested
on September 8 for money laundering,
child sexual abuse and human trafficking,
denied sexual abuse accusations
made by Teresita Valdehueza, 48,
at the Senate Committee on Women,
Children, Family Relations and Gender
Equality hearing, saying ''there
is no truth to what they are saying,''
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''Did you sexually abuse the women
and minors and did you use religion
as a ploy to sexually abuse them?''
asked Senator Risa Hontiveros
at the Committee on Women, Children,
Family Relations and Gender Equality
hearing on Wednesday.
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy claimed
there was no truth in the accusations
saying, ''if they have criminal
charges against me, they are free
to file charges and I will face
them in a proper forum just like
Im doing right now.''
Teresita Valdehueza, 48, said
at the hearing on Wednesday that
she was just 17 when she joined
the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC),
saying ''I revered Apollo Quiboloy.''
''Apollo Quiboloy was considered
as God's anointed and his words
held absolute authority,'' she
said.
''I respected him deeply, viewing
him as truly a man of God.'' she
said.
''Apollo Quiboloy had explained
that God had revealed to him that
I was to partake in Gods
life by surrendering my body,
soul and spirit to him,'' she
said.
She said it was out of fear that
she obeyed Apollo Quiboloy, saying
''a fear that he might know that
I pretended to be extremely grateful
that I was allowed to be part of
his life.''
Teresita Valdehueza, 48 told the
hearing that other girls had surrendered
their body, soul and spirit to Pastor
Apollo Quiboloy.
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was arrested
by the Philippine National Police
(PNP) for money laundering, child
sexual abuse and human trafficking
on Sunday, 8 September ending
a 16-day siege at the Kingdom
of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound
in Davao City, Mindanao in the
southern Philippines.
He faces charges under Section
5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic
Act 7610 or the Special Protection
of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation,
and Discrimination Act and a non-bailable
human trafficking charge under
Section 4(a) of Republic Act No.
9208.
On August 7, 2024 the Philippine
Court of Appeals issued a freeze
order on bank accounts and assets
of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ
(KJC), including 10 bank accounts,
seven properties and five vehicles
and an aircraft in the name of
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
The freeze order also includes
47 bank accounts, 16 real properties
and 16 motor vehicles in the name
of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ
(KOJC), 17 bank accounts, five
real properties and 28 motor vehicles
in the name of Swara Sug Media
Corporation (SSMC), and 23 bank
accounts, one property and four
motor vehicles in the name of
Childrens Joy Foundation,
Inc. (CJFI)
The freeze order also includes
76 bank accounts in the name of
nine Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC)
patrons.
The Philippine Court of Appeals
said that allegations verified
by the Anti-Money Laundering Council
(AMLC) with supporting documents
give ''reasonable ground to believe
that the bank accounts are linked
to the crimes under the Philippines
and the United States laws.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
Opposition
MP calls for privatisation
of businesses run
by the Royal Thai
Armed Forces
|
|
|
People's
Party Member of Parliament
for Chachoengsao,
Jirat Thongsuwan,
demands reform of
business operated
by the Royal Thai
Armed Forces at a
seminar conducted
by the Parliamentary
Committee on Military
Affairs ''In search
of Thai military's
gigantic treasures''
at the Thammasat University
Bangkok on Saturday
October 12, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, Thursday 24: Thailand
opposition People's Party, formally
the Move Forward Party, demands
reform of business operated by
the Royal Thai Armed Forces, calling
for insolvency, privatisation,
restructuring and transfer to
other agencies, with People's
Party Member of Parliament for
Chachoengsao, saying ''the Thai
military is engaged in a range
of businesses from A to Z,'' reports
Thai PBS World.
People's Party Member of Parliament
for Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan,
said ''the Thai military is engaged
in business from toothpicks to
warships both known and unknown.''
''The military also operates public
transportation services and offers
cremation-at-sea services through
the Navy at the Sattahip Naval
Base, he said.
A seminar conducted by the Parliamentary
Committee on Military Affairs
titled ''In search of Thai military's
gigantic treasures'' at the Thammasat
University on October 12, revealed
that the Royal Thai Armed Forces
and agencies under the jurisdiction
of the Defense Ministry owned
6.5 million rai (2.56 million
acres) of land, 200 licenses of
radio, television, digital TV
transmission, and telecommunication
networks, 61 golf courses, more
than 20 hotels, and resorts, 371
attractive sites, oil wells and
a refinery facility, a pharmaceutical
factory, more than 200 retail
shops and gas stations, and stakes
in the aviation industry and portfolio
investment in many sectors including
banking and insurance.
People's Party Member of Parliament
for Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan,
said that the Royal Thai Armed
Forces runs agricultural businesses,
ranging from cricket farms and
organic rice cultivation to food
processing, saying ''numerous
other investments fall outside
the militarys core responsibilities.''
''Investments outside the military
highlight the military's extensive
involvement in commercial activities
beyond its primary defence role,''
he said.
Bangkok Chulalongkorn University,
Associate Professor at the Department
of International Relations, Faculty
of Political Science, Puangthong
R. Pawakapan said ''the main concern
was that the Royal Thai Armed
Forces operated these businesses
without legitimacy, efficiency,
transparency and accountability.''
She said that utilising national
resources such as land, property,
budget, and manpower, the military
often claims that these revenues
are used to support their personnel,
and sometimes they argue that
certain operations enable the
military to be self-sufficient.
''Yet, we often hear reports that
lower-ranking soldiers are heavily
exploited. So, where does this
income disappear ? she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Senator
calls on visiting
British monarchs to
give indigenous Australians
a treaty
|
|
|
Australian
Indigenous Senator,
Lidia Thorp escorted
from the Australian
parliament by security
guards shouting ''you
are not our king''
at visiting British
King Charles 111 and
Queen Camilla on Monday
October 21, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, October 22: Australian
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp,
disrupted a welcome ceremony for
British King Charles 111 and Queen
Camilla at the Australian Parliament
in Canberra on Monday shouting,
''Give us a treaty,'' reports the
Associated Press.
'You committed genocide against
our people,'' she shouted
''Give us our land back. Give
us what you stole from us, our
bones, our skulls, our babies,
our people," Senator Lidia
Thorp shouted.
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp,
shouted at British King Charles
111 and Queen Camilla in Parliament
House after
King Charles III delivered a speech
that included his time as a student
in Australia and Australia's vulnerability
to the climate crisis.
''This is not your country,''
shouted Senator, Lidia Thorp,
''You destroyed our land. Give
us a treaty. We want a treaty
in this country. You are a genocidalist,''
she shouted.
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp
was escorted from the parliament
by security guards shouting ''this
is not your land. You are not
my king. You are not our king.''
''Fuck the colony'' she shouted.
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp,
turned her back on a large video
screen that showed the British
King Charles 111 standing at attention
to the playing of the national
anthem
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp,
released a statement on Monday
saying ''Australia should become
a republic and establish a treaty
with first nations people as part
of that process.''
''There was unfinished business
that we need to resolve before
this country can become a republic,''
she said.
''As First Peoples, we never ceded
our sovereignty over this land,''
she said.
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp,
said ''the crown invaded this
country, has not sought a treaty
with First Peoples, and committed
a genocide of our people.''
'' King Charles is not the legitimate
sovereign of these lands'' she
said.
Indigenous Senator, Lidia Thorp
said in the statement that ''sovereignty
has never been ceded or extinguished,
and coexists with the sovereignty
of the Crown.''
The Southeast Asian Times
Former
commander in Suharto's
New Order regime inaugurated
8th president of Indonesia
on Sunday
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Prabowo
Subianto, 73, sworn
in as the 8th president
of Indonesia for 2024
to 2029 under the
Quran with Islamic
witnesses on Sunday
October 20, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, October 22: Indonesian
Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto,
73, a former commander in the Special
Detachment 88 anti-terror squad
in the New Order regime of former
president Suharto, was inaugurated
the 8th president of Indonesia,
with son of former President Joko
Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka,
37, inaugurated the Vice President
of Indonesia on Sunday from 2024
to 2029, reports Reuters.
Prabowo Subianto took the oath
under the Quran witnessed by Islamic
clerics saying "In the name
of Allah, I swear to fulfill the
duties of the President of the
Republic of Indonesia to the best
of my abilities and as justly
as possible, uphold the Constitution
and execute all laws and regulations
with the utmost integrity while
serving the Country and the Nation.''
Gibran Rakabuming Raka, whose father
former President Joko Widodo a Christian
and mother former first lady Iriana
Widodo a Muslim, said on taking
the oath of office "In the
name of Allah, I swear to fulfill
the duties of the Vice President
of the Republic of Indonesia to
the best of my abilities and as
justly as possible, uphold the Constitution
and execute all laws and regulations
with the utmost integrity while
serving the Country and the Nation.''
President of Indonesia Minister
Prabowo Subianto, a former commander
in the Special Detachment 88 anti-terror
squad in the New Order regime
of former president Suharto, revived
the authoritarianism of the New
Order regime of President Suharto
under the former President Joko
Widodo administration.
Prabowo Subianto, as a former
commander in the Special Detachment
88 anti-terror squad proposed
that Indonesian National Armed
Forces (TNI) officers hold positions
in state ministries and institutions
under the Reserve Component (Komcad)
program for state civil servants
(ASN).
In December 2023 University of
Indonesia (Puskapol UI) Deputy
Executive Director Hurriyah of
the Center for Political Studies,
warned that "the New Order
regime of government by President
Suharto was "mono-loyalty"
in character with the weapon being
the mobilisation of the state
apparatus," saying "the
mobilisation of the state apparatus
does not just include the security
forces."
Puskapol UI Director, Hurriyah,
said that the Reserve Component
(Komcad) program for state civil
servants (ASN) that was practiced
by the New Order regime of former
president Suharto includes the
mobilisation of village officials
for political support in the 2024
presidential elections
"The biggest loss in efforts
to mobilise village officials
for political support in general
elections is the erosion of our
democracy," she said.
I October 2023 the Indonesian
Constitutional Court panel of
nine judges, led by Chief Justice,
Anwar Usman, who is the brother-in-law
of President Joko Widodo, amended
the Election Law that made President
Joko Widodo s eldest son eligible
to register at the General Elections
Commission of Indonesia as a candidate
in the legislative and presidential
elections in February 2024.
The Constitutional Court panel
of nine judges voted five in favour
and four against to amend the
Law on General Elections that
would allow President Joko Widodo
s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming
Raka, 36, who is the Mayor of
Surakarta city in Central Java,
to register at the General Elections
Commission of Indonesia as a candidate
in the legislative and presidential
elections in the February 2024
elections.
The Constitutional Court amended
the the Law on General Elections
with Chief Justice, Anwar Usman,
saying "Article 169 Letter
Q of Law No.7/2017 on General
Elections will now read as follows:
a minimum age of 40 years or having
held an elected position through
general elections, including regional
leaders."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodian
political activist
apologises to Cambodian
PM from exile in Japan
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Cambodian
dispora in South Korea
demand the cancelation
of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam
development Triangle
Area (CLV-DTA) project
on Sunday August 11,
2024
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From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, October 21: Cambodian
political activist, Hay Vanna,
apologised to Cambodian Senate
President, Hun Sen, and Cambodian
Prime Minister, Hun Manet, via
video from exile in Japan on Friday
for organising protests involving
the Cambodian diaspora in Japan,
South Korea, Canada and Australia
on August 11, 2024, saying ''I
declare that I am parting from
Sam Rainsy,'' reports Reuters.
Hay Vann said in his apology from
exile in Japan via video that
the protests against the CambodiaLaosVietnam
Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA)
''were provoked by opposition
leader Sam Rainsy in exile in
France.''
''I declare that I am parting
from Sam Rainsy,'' he said.
''I want to use my knowledge to
serve Cambodia and I ask Samdech
Hun Sen to forgive me so I can
join the Cambodian People's Party
(CPP).''
The Cambodian People's Party (CPP)
reportedly ordered the arrest
of at least 94 Cambodians including
environmental, human rights activists
for protesting against the Laos-Vietnam
development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA)
over land concessions to foreign
interests and agreements that
were to benefit the economies,
infrastructure, healthcare, education
and security of the countries
within the triangle.
National Institute of Public Health
(NIPH) public servant, Hay Vannith,
who is the brother of Cambodian
political activist in exile in
Japan, Hay Vanna, was among those
arrested and charged with plotting
and incitement under articles
453 plotting), 494, and 495 incitement
to commit a felony of the Cambodian
criminal code.
On Friday Phnom Penh Municipal
Court Judge Yi Sokvouch ordered
the release Hay Vannith, from
the Phnom Penh Sar prison on bail
pending his trial.
Cambodian political activist,
Hay Vanna, said that his brother
Hay Vannith has nothing to do
with his political advocacy, saying
''Hay Vannith is a public servant
with the National Institute of
Public Health.''
In July 2024 Former Prime Minister
of Cambodia, President of ruling
Cambodia Peoples Party (CPP) and
Senate Presidents, Hun Sen, warned
that ''an extremist group is in
the process of attempting to form
an illegal government-in-exile,''
saying ''stern action will be
taken to stop the threat.''
Former Prime Minister of Cambodia
called on the ruling Cambodia
Peoples Party (CPP) led by his
son Prime Minister, Hun Manet,
''to amend the law on political
parties or other relevant laws
to severely punish the extremists
who join in the formation of the
an illegal government-in-exile.''
In June 2022 the Phnom Penh Municipal
Court sentenced 42 former members
and supporters of the Court-dissolved
opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) to six years in prison
for treason for plotting to overthrow
the ruling Hun Sen government.
Former Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) president Sam Rainsy
was sentenced to eight years in
prison in absentia for treason
for plotting to overthrow the
Hun Sen government, incitement
to committ a felony and inciting
military disobedience under Articles
453, 471, 494 and 495 of the Criminal
Code.
The
Southeast Asian Times
No
Amnesty Bill for Lese
Majeste Law offenders
in Parliamentary report
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The
Special Committee
to Study Proposal
for Enacting Amnesty
Law chairman, Chusak
Sirinil, party-list
Member of Parliament
of the Pheu Thai Party
and the Prime Minister's
Office Minister says
''the committee's
report does not constitute
an Amnesty Bill' on
Thursday October 17,
2024
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From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 20: The Special
Committee to Study Proposal for
Enacting Amnesty Law told the House
of Represenatives on Thursday ''that
an amnesty does not erase wrongdoing
and that a wrongful action remains
an offence,'' as the House of Representaives
began reviewing the report that
remains inconclusive on whether
offeners of the Lese Majeste Law
under Section 112 of the Criminal
Code of the Constitution should
be covered by the Amnesty Bill,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The Special Committee to Study Proposal
for Enacting Amnesty Law chairman,
Chusak Sirinil, party-list Member
of Parliament of the Pheu Thai Party(PTP)
and the Prime Minister's Office
Minister, said ''the committee's
report does not constitute an Amnesty
Bill.''
''The objective is to provide comprehensive
input for the House of Representatives
to consider.''
He said the report suggests other
possible solutions, including seeking
a royal pardon for amnesty offenders,
delaying prosecution, and dropping
charges in cases that are not in
the public interest.
Opposition People's Party (PP),
formally the Move Forward Party
(MFP), support an Amnesty Bill that
would give amnesty to all political
prisoners, with People's Party (PP)
Member of Parliament for Khon Kaen,
Weeranan Huadsr, saying ''the lack
of conclusion in the report would
result in Lese Majeste Law offences
being excluded from the Amnesty
Bill.''
'Inclusion of Lese Majeste Law offenders
in the Amnesty Bill would ensure
that Thailand can move forward and
achieve national reconciliation,''
he said.
On October 3, 2024 discussion by
the Special Committee to Study Proposal
for Enacting Amnesty Law in the
House of Representative was postponed,
with secretary-general, Nikorn Chamnong,
saying the report was inconclusive
about whether the Amnesty Bill report
should include amnesty for offenders
of the Lese Majeste Law under Section
112 of the Criminal Code ,'' he
said.
He said that there are three opinions
on whether Lese Majeste Law offenders
should be covered by the amnesty,
saying ''those who want Lese Majeste
Law offences excluded from the Amnesty
Bill, those who favour the inclusion
of the Lese Majeste Law offences
and those who want Lese Majeste
Law offences to be included under
special conditions.''
In October 5, 2023 opposition Move
Forward Party (MFP) then led by
Pita Limjaroenrat submitted a draft
Amnesty Law to the parliament of
Thailand that would give amnesty
to all political protesters since
February 11, 2006 , saying "2006
was the year the Peoples Alliance
for Democracy (PAD) started its
protests against the Pheu Thai Party
(PTP) that was then administered
by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra."
"The proposed Amnesty Bill
would cover thousands of political
demonstrators who have faced punishment
for violating various laws including
the Lese Majeste Law under Section
112 of the Criminal Code in the
Constitution that makes it illegal
to defame, insult, or threaten the
monarch of Thailand," he said.
He said that the Move Forward Party
(MFP) also proposed then that the
President of the National Assembly
of Thailand, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha,
form a committee to identify the
offences that would qualify for
amnesty.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Petition
lodged with Election
Commission against
new Thailand PM for
trampling on media
freedom
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A
petition was lodged
against Thailand PM
Paetongtarn Shinawatra
with the Election
Commission ''for trampled
on media freedom,''
on Monday October
14, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 19: A petition
was lodged at the Election Commission
(EC) against new leader of the
ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Prime
Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
on Monday, with the petitioner
saying ''the Prime Minister trampled
on media freedom, '' reports the
Bangkok Post.
Petitioner, political activist,
Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former
member of the pro-Royal Thai Armed
Forces (RTAF), Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) and former member
of the ruling Pheu Thai Party
(PTP), lodged a petition against
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
with the Election Commission saying
''the Prime Minister has trampled
on media freedom, an offence that
could lead to her removal from
office,''
''I have formally requested the
Election Commission to investigate
the Prime Minister's reply to
a press member during a recent
media interview,'' he said.
He said the Prime Minister's response
was not in keeping with how a
public official holder should
treat media practiioners who are
doing their jobs, saying ''the
prime minister may have breached
Section 184 of the Constitution.''
''If the Prime Minister is found
guilty she could lose her job
under Section 170 of the Constitution,''
he said.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
said, ''I would rather reporters
not ask questions on the government's
position on Constitutional amendements''
to a reporters question over disagreement
with coalition parties over Constitutional
amendments.
The reporter claimed the disagreement
with coalition parties marked
a U-turn on the government's previous
position, with Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra saying
''amendements to the Constitution
were not a priority at the time
because manpower and resources
were being diverted to help flood
victims.''
''A robust and united government
was good for the people's interest
and reporters should not direct
questions that may provoke disunity,''
said Prime Minister Shinawatra.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Arrest
warrants outstanding
for Mylah Roque and
husband former Philippines
presidential spokesman
Harry Roque Jr in
POGO investigation
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Arrest
warrant for former
presidential spokesperson
Harry Roque Jr, left,
issued Friday September
13, 2024 and for his
wife Mylah Roque on
Friday October 11,
2024
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From
News Reports:
Manila, October 18: An arrest warrant
was ordered by the House of Representatives
Quad Committee for Mylah Roque,
wife of former presidential spokesperson
Harry Roque Jr., for ignoring the
third summons to attend the investigation
on crimes related to Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO),
reports Philippine Inquirer.
The arrest warrant for Mylah Roque
follows the arrest warrant issued
by the Philippines House Quad Committee
for her husband, former presidential
spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., on
Friday September 13, 2024, issued
for also ignoring the third summons
to attend the investigation on crimes
related to Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO).
Former presidential spokesperson
Harry Roque Jr., failed to submit
subpoenaed documents to the House
of Representatives Quad Committee
hearing on his involvement in Philippine
offshore gaming operators (POGOs),
with the Department of Justice (DOJ)
placing Harry Roque Jr. on the Philippines
Bureau of Immigration watch list.
An arrest warrant was ordered for
Mylah Roque on Friday October 11,
2024 after she ignored a show cause
order for the third time issued
by the House of Representatives
Quad Committee hearing that compelled
her to appear at the hearing and
submit subpoenaed Statements of
Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth
requested by the Quad Committee.
The subpoenaed documents include
financial records for properties
owned by Mylah Roque and Harry Roque
in the name of Biancham Holdings
and Trading, a subsidiary in Benguet
called PH2, and the deed of sale
of a 1.8 hectare Paranaque property.
Mylah Roque ignoring three summonses
to attend the investigation on crimes
related to Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO), that included
signing a lease agreement with Chinese
nationals associated with the illegal
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator
in the municipality of Bamban, Tarlac
Province.
House of Representatives Quad Committee
chairman, Surigao del Norte Representative,
Robert Ace Barber, said that Harry
Roque Jr is tied to the Lucky South
99 Philippine offshore gaming operators
(POGOs) hub in the municipality
of Porac, in Pampanga province saying
''his signature on documents were
found in a police raid on the POGO
hub.''
''Harry Roque has repeatedly denied
having any ties with the POGO hub,''
he said.
He said that Harry Roque Jr has
refused to submit copies of his
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
and Net Worth, saying ''Harry Roque
has refused to submit documents
related to his family business Biancham
Holdings and Trading a subsidiary
in Benguet called PH2, and the deed
of sale of a 1.8 hectare Paranaque
property.''
The Philippine National Police found
295 foreign workers at the Philippine
offshore gaming operator (POGO)
location in Bamban in Tarlac Province
in the raid including computor workstations,
instructional guides and scripts
used to conduct love scams and crypto
schemes, rows of iPhones and Android
smartphones and numerous SIM cards,
used by the illegal Philippine offshore
gaming operator (POGO) to execute
fraudulent transactions.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Malaysia
to leverage 2025 ASEAN
chair with Gulf Cooperation
Council and China
after Laos ASEAN Summit
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Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim at the 44th
ASEAN Summit Plenary
Session at Vientiane
National Convention
Centre in Laos on
Wednesday October
8, 2024
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From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, October 17: The Prime
Minister of Malaysia said in Parliament
on Tuesday after the handover of
the ASEAN chair 2025 to Malaysia
by Laos ASEAN chair for 2024 at
the ASEAN 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits
in Vientiane that ''Malaysia is
set to leverage its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship,''
reports the Star.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar
Ibrahim said that Malaysia is set
to position itself as the region's
premier investment destination,
in response to a question from the
United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO) party in Tampin, Member of
Parliament, Isam Mohd Isa.
''How would Malaysia leverage its
chairmanship of ASEAN to benefit
Malaysia and the region,'' asked
the Tampin Member of Parliament.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar
Ibrahim, said in response ''Malaysia's
'ASEAN leadership is as an opportunity
to attract greater economic partnerships
and to showcase Malaysia to global
investors.''
He said the 2025 ASEAN Summit to
be held in Malaysia will mark a
historic moment as ASEAN engages
with key economic partners, including
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
and China
''The 2025 ASEAN Summit will be
the first time ASEAN will formally
engage economically with the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC),'' he
said.
He said that formal economic engagement
with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
that includes Saudi Arabia, the
UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait
and China ''will help expand ASEAN
economic reach and strengthen partnerships
moving forward.''
''Malaysias plans to involve
all states in Malaysia in various
ministerial meetings, ensuring that
the economic benefits are felt nationwide,''
he said.
He said that private sector-led
events in collaboration with international
organisations including the World
Economic Forum annual meeting in
2025 will further amplify Malaysias
investment potential without relying
on government funding
The
Southeast Asian Timesoutheast
Asian Times
Malaysia
ASEAN chair for 2025
ready to admit Timor
Leste to ASEAN
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Prime Minister of
Laos, Sonexay Siphandone,
left, hands the ASEAN
Chairmanship gavel
to Prime Minister
of Malaysia, Anwar
Ibrahim, right, who
will serve as ASEAN
Chair in 2025, at
the closing ceremony
of the ASEAN 44th
and 45th ASEAN summits
in Vientiane on Friday
October 11, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Vientiane, October 16: Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic Prime Minister,
Sonexay Siphandone, handed over
the ASEAN rotating chair to Malaysi
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at
the ASEAN 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits
hosted by Laos ASEAN chair for 2024
on Friday, with Malaysia beginning
the 2025 ASEAN chairmanship on January
1, 2025 with the
theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,''
reports Reuters.
The ASEAN chair for 2025 hand over
ceremony was attended by the leaders
and representatives of the 10 ASEAN
member states including Timor Leste
attending the ASEAN 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits as an observer, with
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
declaring his readiness to formalize
Timor Leste membership to ASEAN.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
said ''many countries and international
agencies have offered their help
for Timor Leste to fulfil the requirements
set by ASEAN.''
''There are no more excuses to delay
the entry of Timor-Leste into ASEAN,''
he said.
In November 2022 the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
granted observer status to Timor
Leste in support of Timor Leste
application for ASEAN membership
at the 40th and 41st ASEAN summits
in Phnom Penh saying "ASEAN
will grant Timor-Leste observer
status and allow Timor-Leste participation
at all ASEAN meetings."
The ASEAN statement said that "ASEAN
agreed to formalize an objective
criteria-based roadmap for Timor-Leste's
full membership", saying "the
roadmap will be based on the milestones
identified in the reports of ASEAN
Co-coordinating Council Working
Group (ACCWG) fact-finding teams."
In October 2021 Cambodia stated
support for Timor Leste's application
for ASEAN membership at the 30th
ASEAN Co-coordinating Council (ACC)
meeting chaired by Brunei ASEAN
Chair for 2021, with Cambodia's
ministry of foreign affairs Prak
Sokhonn, saying "Timor Leste
membership would benefit Asean."
Cambodia's Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Prak Sokhonn, called on the ASEAN
Co-coordinating Council Working
Group (ACCWG) fact-finding teams
to expediate the evaluation, capability
and readiness of Timor Leste to
join ASEAN in the context of the
three pillars of ASEAN, being 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
Chair of 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."
"Reports from the ASEAN Co-coordinating
Council Working Group Meeting (ACCWG)
fact finding teams on the capability
and readiness of Timor Leste for
ASEAN membership would be submitted
to the ASEAN Co-ordinating Council
(ACC) for approval by the end of
the year," he said,
The
Southeast Asian Times
Russia
and China block ASEAN
consensus statement
for 19th East Asia
Summit in Laos
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Russia
and China block ASEAN
consensus statement
for the 19th East
Asia Summit (EAS)
at the 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits hosted
by Laos ASEAN chair
2024 in Vientiane
on Friday October
11, 2024
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From News Reports:
Vientiane, October 15: Russia and
China blocked the ASEAN consensus
statement for the 19th East Asia
Summit (EAS) at the 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits hosted by Laos ASEAN
chair 2024 in Vientiane on Friday
with the Russian foreign minister
saying ''the final declaration was
not adopted because US, Japan, South
Korea, Australia and NZ attempted
to turn it into a purely political
statement,'' reports Rueters.
19h East Asia Summit (EAS) official
said that ''a draft proposed consensus
statement was arrived at by the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) including observer East
Timore on Friday'' saying the consensus
statement was put to the 18-nation
19th East Asia Summit (EAS) meeting
in Laos on Thursday evening.''
''Asean presented a final draft
and said that, essentially, this
was a take-it-or-leave-it draft,
said the official.
The official said that the United
States, Japan, Australia, South
Korea and India said they would
support it, saying ''the Russians
and the Chinese said that they could
not and would not proceed with the
statement.''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov said in Vientiane on Friday
that the final declaration had not
been adopted because of "persistent
attempts by the United States, Japan,
South Korea, Australia and New Zealand
to turn it into a purely political
statement."
He said in response to the Prime
Minister of Japan's proposal to
form an Asian North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) for north and
South-East Asian countries in Japan
to discourage or defend themselves
against Chinese aggression.
''Any form of militarisation and
any proposals regarding new military
blocs come laden with the risk of
confrontation.''
''The United States and its allies
decided to draw the Asia-Pacific
Region into NATOs sphere of
interests by creating all these
narrow and exclusive US-led military
and political associations,'' he
said.
He said that US-led military and
political associations includes
the troika formed by the United
States, Japan and South Korea, ''There
is also the United States, Japan
and the Philippines trio,'' he said.
He said that for the Indo-Pacific
the United States and its allies
have created the Quad that includes
Australia, New Zealand, South Korea
and Japan, saying ''all this does
nothing to promote collective efforts.''
''US-led military and political
associations are fragmenting this
common space by dividing it into
friends and foes,'' he said.
China premier, Li Qiang, said that
Beijing was committed to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) and was striving
for conclusion of a Code of Conduct
(CoC) for the South China Sea within
three years, saying ''China does
but does not recognise the July
2016 Arbitration Court in the Hague
ruling in favour of the Philippines
against China's claim of historic
rights over the South China Sea.''
''The Arbitration Court ruling has
no basis under the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS),'' he said.
China claims that the Arbitration
tribunal made an illegal and invalid
final verdict on the South China
Sea dispute, saying that the dispute
was not covered by United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) because it was ultimately
a matter of sovereignty not exploitation
rights.
''Relevant countries outside the
region should respect and support
the joint efforts of China and regional
countries to maintain peace and
stability in the South China Sea,
and truly play a constructive role
for peace and stability in the region,''
said China premier, Li Qiang.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia
dismisses Japan's
proposal of Asian
NATO in Tokyo for
defence against China's
aggression
|
|
|
Australia
PM Anthony Albanese
and Laos PM Sonexay
Siphandone at 4th
ASEAN-Australia Summit
hosted by Laos, ASEAN
chair for 2024 in
Laos, Vientiane Thursday
October 10, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Vientiane, Monday 14: Australia
reaffirmed commitment to ASEAN centrality
and to building Australia's links
with Southeast Asia at the 4th ASEAN-Australia
Summit hosted by Laos ASEAN chair
for 2024, in Vientiane on Thursday,
with Australia's dismissal of Japan's
proposal to form an Asian North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
reports Reuters.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese dismissed Japan's proposal
to form an Asian North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) that
would involve more formal military
and strategic cooperation between
north and South-East Asian countries
to discourage or defend themselves
against Chinese aggression.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese said in response to the
proposal for an Asian NATO, ''We
have our own arrangements, and it's
not a matter of containing China,''
saying ''It's making sure that we
have peace and security in the region.''
"Australia has defence relationships,
including the Quad of which Japan,
India and the United States are
our partners.
Japan Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba,
said that a current deterrence in
the region is insufficient, saying
that the north and South-East Asian
countries lacked obligation for
mutual defence.''
''The creation of an Asian Nato
is essential to deter China,'' he
said.
In May 2023 Japan and (NATO) claimed
that the opening of the first NATO
office in the Indo Pacific in Tokyo
in 2024 "would enable consultations
with Japan and partners, South Korea,
Australia and New Zealand"
with China saying "the planned
NATO office in the Indo-Pacific
is a dangerous sign,
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Mao Ning said then that the planned
opening of a NATO office in Tokyo
in 2024 "is a dangerous sign,"
saying "the violent multilateral
organisation will take its first
aggressive step in the Indo-Pacific,
actively pushed by Japan."
"NATO's continued eastward
expansion into the Indo-Pacific
and interference in regional affairs
and push for bloc confrontation
will undermine regional peace and
stability " he said.
He said that a military alliance
including the US, European countries
and Japan could be formed what would
target China, saying "Japan
joining NATO cannot be ruled out."
Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi ,Yoshimasa
Hayashi, said then that Tokyo welcomes
the increased involvement of NATO
member states in the Indo-Pacific
region, saying "China has become
increasingly assertive militarily."
NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu
said that NATO has offices and liaison
arrangements with a number of international
organisation and partner countries,
saying "allies regularly assess
those liaison arrangements to ensure
that they best serve the needs of
both NATO and our partners."
"Practical cooperation between
NATO and partners includes cyber
defence, maritime security, humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief,
non-proliferation, science and technology,
and human security," she said.
She said that Japan and NATO are
seeking to cooperate on cyber threats,
disruptive technologies and disinformation,
aiming to sign an individually partnership
programme ahead of the NATO summit
in July, 2023.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand
offers to host ASEAN
consultation for political
solution in Myanmar
at ASEAN summit in
Laos
|
|
|
Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, representative
Foreign Ministry permanent
secretary Aung Kyaw
Moe 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits hosted
by Laos ASEAN chair
2024 in Vientiane
on Thursday October
10, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Vientiane, October 13: Thailand
offered to host an ASEAN internal
consultation to end the crisis in
Myanmar that began in February 2021
with the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar seizure of the elected
National League of Democracy (NLD),
witsh the Thailand Ministry of Foreign
Affairs saying at the 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits hosted by Laos , "We
want to see a political solution,''
reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura,
said ''Thailand is ready to coordinate
with all other ASEAN member countries
for an ASEAN internal consultation
in December.''
''A concerted ASEAN effort could
lead to peace in Myanmar,'' he said.
''Thailand's initiative would complement
existing ASEAN peace efforts by
not involving countries beyond the
region,'' he said.
''Our proposal is backed by Laos
the current Asean chair and Malaysia
the incoming chair, so we believe
this informal consultation will
take place,'' he said.
''Thailand has previously suggested
that Myanmar's influential neighbours
China and India play a role in the
peace effort but the informal consultation
planned for December is limited
to the ASEAN bloc,'' he said.
He said that any decision on whether
the generals of the ruling Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar or
their opponents would be invited
to the informal consultation ''would
be up to the ASEAN chair Laos and
other ASEAN member states.''
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura,
said that there has been no progress
on the Myanmar Point Consensus (5PC)
introduced after the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizure of
the elected government, saying ''or
progress on the drive by Indonesia
to persuade the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar to start dialogue.''
On September 4, 2024 at the 43rd
ASEAN Summit leaders meeting held
in Jakarta ASEAN secretary general
Kao Kim Hourn announced that Myanmar
had ceded the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) rotating
chair 2026 to ASEAN member Philippines
following the ASEAN Leaders review
and decision on the implementation
of the Myanmar Point Consensus (5PC)
plan.
The ASEAN leaders said in a statement
"we were gravely concerned
by the lack of substantial progress
on the implementation by the authority
in Myanmar, despite their commitment
to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC)
plan in April 2021."
"We strongly condemned the
continued acts of violence in Myanmar,"
said the ASEAN leaders.
The ASEAN leaders said that they
reaffirmed ASEANs commitment
to assisting Myanmar in finding
a peaceful and durable solution
to the ongoing crisis, saying "Myanmar
remains an integral part of ASEAN."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Philippines
calls on China for
swift progress on
draft Code of Conduct
in South China Sea
|
|
|
Association
of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) leaders,
including East Timore
ASEAN member and China
foreign minister at
27th ASEAN-China Summit
in Laos, Vientiane
on Thursday October
10, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Vientiane, October 12: The 27th
ASEAN-China Summit promoted political
stability and economic cooperation
at the ''ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity
and Resilience'' 44th and 45th ASEAN
Summits hosted by Laos, ASEAN chair
for 2024, in Vientiane from October
8 to 11, with the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member the Philippines calling for
''swift progress in negotiating
the ASEAN-China draft Code of Conduct
(CoC) in the South China Sea,''
reports Reuters
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr., said ''weve seen meaningful
progress in ASEAN-China relations,''
saying ''but we must also confront
the ongoing challenges in the South
China Sea.''
He said that China's incursions
in the West Philippine Sea require
more than just dialogue, saying
''substantive progress was necessary.''
''There should be more urgency in
the pace of the negotiations of
the ASEAN-China draft Code of Conduct
(CoC) in the South China Sea,''
he said.
"It is regretable that the
overall situation in the South China
Sea remains tense and unchanged,''
he said.
'' We continue to be subjected to
harassment and intimidation,'' he
said.
China foreign ministry spokesperson,
Mao Ning, said at the 27th ASEAN-China
Summit that China was committed
to promoting consultations on the
ASEAN-China draft Code of Conduct
(CoC) in the South China Sea, saying
''China has always insisted on handling
disputes through dialogue and consultation.
"At the same time, China firmly
opposes any infringement and provocation,
and firmly safeguards its territorial
sovereignty and maritime rights
and interests," he said.
In September 2023 the Association
of South East Asean (ASEAN) member
countries and China agreed to complete
negotiations on the maritime draft
Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South
China Sea within three years, with
the guidelines on the maritime Code
of Conduct (CoC) in the ASEAN Maritime
Outlook (AMO) endorced by ASEAN
and China at the 26th China-ASEAN
Summit at the 43rd ASEAN Summit
in Jakarta.
Indonesia ASEAN Chair for 2023 said
at the 26th China-ASEAN Summit in
Jakarta that Indonesia had taken
the initiative to accelerate the
maritime Code of Conduct (CoC) negotiations
on the disputed South China Sea,''
saying ''the Code of Conduct (CoC)
negotiations were adopted at the
ASEAN Defence Senior Officials
Meeting (ADSOM) and ADSOM-Plus held
in Jakarta in August 2023.
In July 2016 the Arbitration Court
in the Hague ruled in favour of
the Philippines against China's
claim of historic rights over the
South China Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruling,
saying that "the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
China reportedly claims that the
Arbitration tribunal made an illegal
and invalid final verdict on the
South China Sea dispute.
China Foreign Ministry spokesman,
Lu Kang said ahead of the ruling
in 2016 that the dispute was not
covered by U.N. Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because
it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty
not exploitation rights.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thousands
line streets for funeral
of vice chair National
League for Democracy
arrested by Myanmar
military in coup
|
|
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Funeral
procession for Dr
Zaw Myint Maung, 73,
to Taung Inn Myauk
cemetery in Mandaly,
Myanmar for cremation
on Tuesday October
8, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, October 11: Tens of thousands
of Mandalay residents in Myanmar
lined the streets on Tuesday for
the funeral procession of Dr Zaw
Myint Maung, former chief minister
of Mandalay Region, vice-chairman
of the National League for Democracy
(NLD) before the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar's military declared martial
law in February 2021, arresting
former State councillor, Aung San
Suu Kyi, former President Dr Zaw
Myint Maung and former Naypyitaw
Mayor U Myo Aung, reports Irrawaddy.
Dr Zaw Myint Maung died at age 73
on Monday at 4.am at the Mandalay
General Hospital while receiving
treatment for leukemia.
Dr Zaw Myint Maung, who was serving
a 29-year prison sentence for charges
brought by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar's military after the
military takeover of the elected
National League for Democracy (NLD)
in February 2021, was granted amnesty
under a decree from the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's State Administration
Council, (SAC) on October 6, 2024,
under letter no. 102(1)/8/Council
(2024).
The procession route to the Taung
Inn Myauk cemetery where Dr Zaw
Myint Maung was cremated was reportedly
''thronged by members of the public
paying their final farewell to man
affectionately known as Doc Zaw
since the mass anti-coup protests
in mid-2021.''
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar's military deployed armed
security forces led by lieutenant
colonels along the entire funeral
route.'' said a National League
for Democracy (NLD) supporter.
''Motorbikes and vehicles were barred
from entering the cemetery where
Dr Zaw Myint Maung was cremated,''
said the supporter..
State councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi,
President Dr Zaw Myint Maung and
Naypyitaw Mayor, U Myo Aung, who
were arrested in February 2021 after
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
and the declaration of martial law,
were sentenced to two years in prison
in December 2021 for incitement
under Section 505(b) that criminalizes
speech deemed by the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, State Administration
Council (SAC) to incite public unrest.
State councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi,
President Dr Zaw Myint Maung and
Naypyitaw Mayor U Myo Aung, were
also charged with violating Covid-19
restrictions during the November
8, 2020 election campaign under
Section 25 of the state of emergency
Natural Disaster Management Law
under the command of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, State Administration
Council (SAC).
Former State Counciller, Aung San
Suu Kyi, who was tried for incitement
and corruption by the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar military court
at the Naypyidaw prison, is serving
a combined prison term of 33 years
for charges brought by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar that
include a sentence of seven years
for corruption relating to the rental
of a helicopter to a government
minister during her term as State
Councillor of the National League
for Democracy (NLD).
On February 1, 2021, three months
after the elections, the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar declared a
state of emergency cancelling the
League for Democracy (NLD) dominated
session of the parliament, in an
address broadcast on the Myanmar
military-owned television network
based in Yangon and Naypyiday, saying
that power had been handed to the
commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Myanmar
attends second ASEAN
meeting after coup
hosted by
Laos ASEAN chair 2024
|
|
|
Myanmar
Foreign Ministry permanent
secretary, Aung Kyaw
Moe, left, Philippines
Foreign Undersecretary,
Theresa Lazaro, centre,
Singapore Foreign
Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan,
at the 44th and 45th
ASEAN Summits in Vientiane,
Laos on Tuesday October
8, 2024
|
|
From News Reports:
Vientiane, October 10: Laos, the
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) chair for 2024 is
holding the 44th and 45th ASEAN
Summits and related meeting in Vientiane
from October 8 to 11 attended by
the 10 ASEAN member states including
a representative from the ruling
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
that seized the elected National
League of Democracy (NLD) government
of Myanmar in February 2021, reports
Reuters.
Myanmar representative from the
ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Foreign Ministry permanent
secretary Aung Kyaw Moe, is the
second representative from Myanmar
who has attended an Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
summit hosted by Laos (ASEAN) chair
for 2024 after the attendendance
of Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marlar
Than Htike, who attended the ASEAN
Foreign Ministers Retreat
(AMM Retreat) also hosted by Laos
in January 2024.
The Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) prohibited the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, from
sending a representaive to ASEAN
meetings since the special ASEAN
Leaders Meeting (ALM), that introduced
the ASEAN Five Point Concensus (5PC),
in Jakarta in April 2021 that followed
the coup in February 2021.
In April 2021 the commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing
attended the special ASEAN Leaders
Meeting in Jakarta that ended with
consensus on a five point plan including
cessation of violence.
On January 31, 2024 the ruling Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, sent
a representative for the first time
since the coup to attend the ASEAN
Foreign Ministers Retreat
(AMM Retreat) chaired by Laos in
Luang Prabang, with the Laos ASEAN
chair for 2024 saying "the
developments were seen as an encouraging
sign,"
''A representative from Myanmar
attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers
Retreat (AMM Retreat) was seen as
an encouraging sign that the engagement
with Myanmar could be effective,"
saying "a resolution to the
Myanmar crisis remained a distant
prospect."
On September 4, 2024 at the 43rd
ASEAN Summit leaders meeting held
in Jakarta ASEAN secretary general
Kao Kim Hourn announced that Myanmar
had ceded the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) rotating
chair 2026 to ASEAN member Philippines
following the ASEAN Leaders review
and decision on the implementation
of the Myanmar Point Consensus (5PC)
plan.
The ASEAN leaders said in a statement
"we were gravely concerned
by the lack of substantial progress
on the implementation by the Authority
in Myanmar, despite their commitment
to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC)
plan in April 2021."
"We strongly condemned the
continued acts of violence in Myanmar,"
said the ASEAN leaders
The ASEAN leaders said that they
reaffirmed ASEANs commitment
to assisting Myanmar in finding
a peaceful and durable solution
to the ongoing crisis, saying "Myanmar
remains an integral part of ASEAN."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thammasat
University massacre
1976 historical precedence
for amnesty for Lese
Majeste Law convictions
|
|
|
People's
Party (PP) member,
Chaithawat Tulathon,
at the 48th anniversary
of the October 6,
1976 massacre at Thammasat
University in Bangkok
on Sunday October
6, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 3: Former leader
of the disbanded Move Forward Party
(MFP), Chaithawat Tulathon, and
now member of the replacement People's
Party (PP), said at the 48th anniversary
of the October 6, 1976 massacre
of up to 100 students at the Thammasat
University in Bangkok on Sunday
after discussion of the Lese Majeste
Law was postponed on Thursday at
the House of Representative special
sub-committee that ''granting amnesty
to those convicted under the Lese
Majeste Law has historical precedence,''
reports the Bangkok Post.
People's Party (PP) member, Chaithawat
Tulathon, said at the Thammasat
University that ''a law was passed
in 1978 to grant amnesty to lese
majeste offenders,'' saying "It
goes to show an amnesty for such
an offence is nothing new and there's
nothing odd about it.''
He said at the Thammasat University
that 3,100 students arrested at
the Thammasat University massacre
in 1978 in the confrontation with
the Royal Thai Police (RTP) faced
a variety of charges including violation
of the Lese Majeste Law of Section
112 of the Criminal Code.
He said that granting amnesty to
those convicted under the Lese Majeste
Law has historical precedent and
should not be a cause for political
anxiety, saying ''I am eager to
find out when the House of Representative
special committee's Amnesty report
will be brought up for discussion
in parliament.''
People's Party (PP) member, Chaithawat
Tulathon, said that the Amnesty
report was a House of Representative
special sub-committee Amnesty report
not an Amnesty Bill, saying discussion
by the House of Representative special
sub-committee Amnesty report was
postponed.
Discussion by the House of Representative
special sub-committee on the Amnesty
report was postponed on Thursday
October 3, with House of Representatives
special sub-committee secretary,
Nikorn Chamnong, saying 'the special
sub-committee Amnesty report was
inconclusive about whether the Amnesty
report should include amnesty for
offenders of Lese Majeste Law under
Section 112 of the Criminal Code
,'' he said.
He said that there are three opinions
on the passing of the Amnesty Bill
including the Lese Majeste Law under
Section 112 of the Criminal Code
in the Constitution, saying ''those
who want Lese Majeste Law offences
excluded from the Amnesty Bill,
those who favour the inclusion of
the Lese Majeste Law offences and
those who want Majeste Law offences
to be included under special conditions.''
''The Lese Majeste Law under Section
112 of the Criminal Code in the
Constitution is a delicate issue
that requires more discussion,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand
approves extradition
of Vietnamese human
rights activist: UN
says Thailand not
fit to be elected
to UNHRC
|
|
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Vietnamese
Y Quynh Bdap, 32,
Montagnard and Ede
Indigenous human rights
activist speaks on
video from Bangkok
remand prison to the
Bangkok court hearing
for overstaying visa
on Friday June 7 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Vietnam: October 8: The Bangkok
Criminal Court has approved extradition
of Vietnamese, Y Quynh Bdap, 32,
Montagnard and Ede Indigenous human
rights activist, co-founder of the
Montagnards Stand for Justice (MSFJ),
with the court ruling that there
was sufficient grounds to approve
the Vietnamese governments
extradition request, reports the
Bangkok Post.
The Bangkok Crimninal Court said
Thailand will have the final say
on the fate of the Vietnamese human
rights activist, saying ''Vietnamese,
Y Quynh Bdap, 32, said he fears
he will be tortured or even killed
if sent back to Vietnam.''
''It is up to the Thailand government
to execute the extradition in 90
days regardless of the court ruling,''
said the Bangkok Crimninal Court
judge.
Y Quynh Bdap, 32, is one of six
Montagnards found guilty in absentia
by the Dak Lak Peoples Court
in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
on January 20, 2024.
Y Quynh Bdap, 32,and 92 Montagnards
were found guilty for their involvment
in "terrorism against the government
of the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV), engaging in terrorist activities,
illegal immigration, and concealing
criminals on 11 June 2023.''
Vietnam Ministry of Public Security
spokeman, Lieutenant General To
An Xo, said that "a group of
motorcyclists with guns and other
dangerous weapons attacked spolice
stations in the communes of Ea Tieu
and Ea Ktur in Cu Kuin district
in Dak Lak province on the morning
of Sunday 11 June 2023."
Five Vietnamese were sentenced to
20 years in prison, two to 19 years
in prison and the remaining 75 including
six in absential recieved 9 months
to 18 years for involvement in "terrorism
against the government of the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) , engaging
in terrorist activities, illegal
immigration, and concealing criminals."
The Dak Lak Peoples Court
ordered all 92 charged to pay compensation
to agencies, organisations and individuals
suffering material and psychological
damage.
Montagnards Stand for Justice (MSFJ
co-founder, Y Quynh Bdap, 32, who
claims he has been in Thailand since
2018, was arrested in Bangkok on
June 11, 2024 for overstaying his
visa.
He denied the charges brought against
him by the Vietnam Ministry of Public
Security from the Bangkok remand
prison by video to the court hearing.
Amnesty International Thailand Researcher,
Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, said
''the Vietnamese authorities have
a long history of violent and racist
persecution against Montagnard Indigenous
peoples.''
''Thailand would be in breach of
its non-refoulement obligations
if it were to accept the Vietname
farcical extradition request,''
he said
He said that Viet Nams courts
are not independent, saying ''Bdap
was tried and found guilty of terrorism
charges in absentia in a clear violation
of his right to a fair trial.''
The National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) urged the Thailand government
not to deport Y Quynh Bdap, 32,
out of fear for his safety, with
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also demanding
that Thailand not deport the human
rights activist, saying ''Thailand
is currently bidding for the third
time for a seat on the UN Human
Rights Council.''
''The election for a three-year
term for 2025-27 will be held at
United Nations headquarters in New
York this month,'' said Human Rights
Watch (HRW)
United Nations Special Rapporteur
on Human Rights Defenders, Mary
Lawlor, said '' if Y Quynh Bdap,
32 is deported, Thailand would not
be fit to be elected to the UN Human
Rights Council.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
Arrest
warrant issued for
Thailand MP in Tak
Bai massacre despite
parliamentary immunity
|
|
|
Arrest
warrant for Pheu Thai
Party list-Member
of Parliament former
fourth Army Region
Commander Lt Gen Pisan
Wattanawongkiri for
is involvement in
Tak Bai massacre issued
on Tuesday October
1, 2024
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 7: The Narathiwat
provincial court issued an arrest
warrant for Pheu Thai Party list-Member
of Parliament, former fourth Army
Region Commander Lt Gen, Pisan Wattanawongkiri,
on Tuesday, one of seven defendants
under arrest for involvement in
the deaths of 85 Malay-Muslims in
the Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat
Province on October 25, 2004, reports
the Bangkok Post.
The Narathiwat provincial court
issued an arrest warrant for Theu
Thai Party list-Member of Parliament
Pisan Wattanawongkiri on suspicion
that the former fourth Army Region
Commander Lt Gen Pisan may attempt
to flee Thailand before he is to
stand trial on October 15 and before
the expiration of the 20-year statute
of limitations on October 25.
An arrest warrant for Gen Pisal
Wattanawongkiri was issued by the
Narathiwat provincial court on Tuesday
despite the Pheu Thai Party list-Member
of Parliament claim of parliamentary
immunity with House Speaker Wan
Muhamad Noor Matha saying ''the
2017 constitution contains a provision
which allows the judiciary to prosecute
Gen Pisal as long as the legal prosecution
does not interfere with the Member
of Parliament's parliamentary duties.''
''Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri is to
stand trial on October 15, on a
day when there will be no parliamentary
sitting,'' he said.
He said that if Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri
is found he can be detained, saying
''however due to his Member of Parliament
status that grants him immunity
while parliament is in session he
must be allowed to attend parliamentary
meetings.''
He urged Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri
to engage with the legal system,
saying ''accusations do not mean
he will automatically be assumed
guilty before going through the
court process.''
''No one has been able to reach
Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri,'' he
said.
Arrest warrants were issued for
six defendants, Maj Gen Chaloemchai
Wirunpetch, a former 5th Infantry
Division commander; Pol Gen Wongkot
Maneejan, a former director of the
operations centre of the Royal Thai
Police front office; Pol Lt Gen
Manoj Kraiwong, a former chief of
Provincial Police Region 9; Pol
Maj Gen Saksommai Phutthakul, a
former superintendent of the Tak
Bai police station; Siwa Saengmanee,
a former deputy director of the
Southern Border Provinces Peace
Centre; and Wichom Thongsong, a
former Narathiwat governor after
they failed to appear in court on
September 12.
On October 25, 2004 more than 1,500
Malay-Muslims protested outside
the Tak Bai Police Station in Narathiwat
Province in southern Thailand demanding
the release of six village defence
volunteers that police had accused
of providing insurgents government-issued
shotguns.
About 1,000 members of the Royal
Thai Armed Forces and Royal Thai
Police surrounded the Tak Bai police
station responding to the protesters
with water canon, tear gas, batons
and with live ammunition that killed
seven.
At least 78 of the 85 protesters
who died on October 25, 2004 died
from suffocation after they were
stacked one atop the other in military
trucks for about six hours for transportation
to the Ingkhayutthaborihan army
camp in the Nong Chik district of
Pattani province, 140 kilometres
away.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Additional
gas cylinders illegally
installed in school
bus engulfed in flames
on Tuesday
|
|
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Department
of Land Transport
(Thailand) officials
inspect gas cylinders
installed by Chinnaboot
Engineering (Thailand)
Co.,Ltd. at the Department
of Land Transport
after seizing five
buses from a garage
in Muang district
in Nakhon Ratchasima
province on Thursday
October 3, 2024
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 6: Chinnaboot
Engineering (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.
that installed the gas cylinders
in the school bus that was engulfed
in flames on Tuesday in Pathum
Thani Province leaving 20 students
and three teachers dead attempted
to conceal the illegal installation
of additional gas cylinder in
a fleet of 6 buses, reports the
Bangkok Post.
Department of Land Transport director-general
Jirut Wisanjit said that Chinnaboot
Engineering (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.
failed to produce the remaining
five buses of the fleet of six
for inspection as ordered by the
Department of Land Transport (Thailand).
He said that officials of the
Department of Land Transport found
the buses via GPS at a garage
in tambon Khok Kruad of Muang
district in Nakhon Ratchasima,
saying ''Department of Land Transport
inspectors seized the buses while
Chinnaboot Engineering (Thailand)
Co.,Ltd. workers attempted to
remove gas cylinders from the
buses.''
He said the additional gas cylinders
that had been illegally installed
on the buses were being removed
at the garage, saying ''the removal
of the gas cylinders indicates
an intention to conceal the wrongdoing
of the illegal modification of
the vehicles.''
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Forensic
Commissioner Lt Gen, Trairong
Phewphan, said ''the five buses
found at a garage in tambon Khok
Kruad of Muang district in Nakhon
Ratchasima and the bus that was
engulfed in flames had more cylinders
than permitted and there was clear
evidence of wrongdoing.''
''Investigators found 11 gas cylinders
in each bus but only six had been
legally installed and certified
by the Department of Land and
Transport,'' he said.
He said that forensic police have
determined that gas had leaked
from the gas cylinders before
the fire, saying ''forensic police
have yet to determine conclusively
how the fire was started.''
The school bus that was engulfed
in flames in Pathum Thani Province
on Tuesday was carrying 38 students
from Kindergarten 2 to Mathayom
3 and 6 teachers from Wat Khao
Praya Sangkharam school in Lan
Sak district of Uthai Thani province
on a field trip when the bus was
engulfed in flames killing 20
students and three teachers.
The surviving 15 students and
teachers were rushed to hospitals
with three students in critical
condition, two students aged 7
and nine were transferred to Thammasat
University Hospital, and a student
aged 14 is being treated at Rangsit
Hospital for serious burns.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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MEDIA CHECK |
Cambodia-China Journalist Association
(CCJA)
launched
in
Phnom
Penh ...open
here |
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Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
asks a
survivor
of the
1965 killings
in Bali
"why didn't
you try
to stop
them"
in "Remembering
the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open page here
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Kang-Fu
the Red
Kangaroo
is relentless
in his fight
to
protect
Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page
here | |
Bombed
by
the Americans
for Christmas
in 1972,
Ha Noi Bach
Mai hospital
is still
a war zone...Christina
Pas
reports...Open
page
here | |
Indigenous
Australians
in the northern
Queensland
town of
East Trinity
aim for
economic
independence
from
eco-cultural
tourism,
reports
Christine
Howes in
"Australian
indigenous
eco-cultural
tourism
venture
wins best
small project
national
award
"
...open
here
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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
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Esther
Samboh talks
about
the
choise between
thousands
dying
of
Covid-19
or from
hunger in
densely
populated
Jakarta
in the new
normal in
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dying, infections
soaring
- it's still
the economy"
...open
page
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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
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"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
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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
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Viet
Nam is
planning
to go nuclear
by the year
2020.reports
John
Loizou
in
"Calculating
the costs
of nuclear
energy in
Vietnam"
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The
founder
of the
Revolutionary
Front
of Independent
East Timor
(Fretilin),
Mari
Alkatiri,
the now
former
Prime
Minister
of Timor
Leste,
after
losing
the May
12, 2018
election
to the
National
Congress
for Timorese
Reconstruction
(CNRT)
party,
led by
Xanana
Gusmao,
has accused
the opposition
of a coup
attempt.
Twelve
years
ago Mari
Alkatiri
also accused
the opposition
of a coup
attemp
claiming
then that
the
crises
that led
to his
resignation
was the
result
of a conspiracy.
"I
have no
doubt
about
that"
he told
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
in an
interview
in Dili
on 6 November
2006 ......open
page here
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Cuba's
302
physicians
in East
Timor
work at
five hospitals
and remote
villages
throughout
the republic...writes
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
...open
page here
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Benedict
Anderson,
a man
without
a country,
dies in
Indonesia
Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page
here | |
Thousands
of Northern
Australia's
indigenous
rock art
sites
are under
threat
from buffalo,
fire and
feral
animals.
Tim Lee
reports
........open
page here
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Copy
of
letter
29 May 2012
from Vietnam
Womens Union
to
International
Olympic
Committee...open
here | |
The
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Asian Times
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New Year
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The
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Asian
Times
wishes
its readers
a happy
Christmas
and all
the best
for the
New Year
with a
special
thankyou
to its
treasured
letter
writers
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Singapore properties listed for sale in
Myanmar From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer,
the Far East Organization, is to partner with
Myanmar's property sales and marketing company, Min
Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell condos in
Singapore. Managing director of the Min Zin
Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min Zin, said that
Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded its
sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar. “The Far East
Organisation has been selling their Singapore
properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail,
commercial and industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon. The
Southeast Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's
Railway Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction
company PT Jasa Marga signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with China Investment Fund
(CIF) to develop indonesia's railway services and
toll road construction. Witness to the signing,
coordinating Minister for the Economy Sofyan Djalil,
said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF). "The MoU is the
first step towards further development of public
services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and
would bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory From News Reports: Penang, October 19:
Five Penang food factories including a 100 year old
soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health
standards. State health, food safety and quality
division, deputy director Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin
said soya bean products were processed in an unclean
"rusty and moldy kitchen". "Our inspectors found
that wet products were left to dry on "dirty" bamboo
sticks along with bathing towels. The bamboo sticks
were also dirty and dusty," she said. A "sweets"
factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory in Simpang
Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department The Southeast Asian
Times
Fuel smugglers including military personnel
under arrest From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested
30 suspects including several Indonesian Military
(TNI) personnel and seized 64 cars, two boats and
106 tons of fuel. Riau Islands Police chief Brig.
Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam last week that the
seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres of
fuel. "The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected
of fuel smuggling and have been handed over to the
military base", he said. TNI Commander Gen.
Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel. The Southeast Asian
Times
Thai coup blammed for fall in tourist
arrivals From News Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the
first month after the establishment of marshal law
and the military seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra
government. Tourism reportedly accounts for 10
percent of the Thai economy. Data from the Thai
Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013. Arrivals
from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent. Arrivals from the United
Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all visitors to
Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent The Southeast Asian
Times
US Senate approves sales of nuclear
equipment to Vietnam From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
passed legislation approving a 123 agreement on
civil nuclear commerce with Vietnam at a business
meeting of the committee last week. The 123
agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to
export nuclear reactors, research information and
equipment to Vietnam. The civil nuclear commerce
agreement between the US and Vietnam is "part of
Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service The Southeast Asian
Times
Court for
construction Industry
established in Malaysia From
News Reports: Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two
Construction Courts for Malaysia were opened by
Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur and
Shah Alam last week, reports the Star. The courts
will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way
the construction business in the country
operates. "The construction industry
stakerholders can now have their disputes resolved
by judges with expert knowledge and experience in
construction industry disputes', he said. The
proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013. Britain
is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports: Denpasar, April 14: Bali
community-based tourism operators have called for
amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact
that his community received only 40 percent of the
total revenue. "We want to have 60 percent share
of the tourist revenue to pay for operating costs",
he said. The Penglipuran tourism manager said
that operating costs for trekking, traditional
dance, cultural shows including religious rituals
had increased. The cost of operating lodges and
community halls for tourism had also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli
community but for tourism based communities across
Bali would benefit tourism island-wide" said the
tourism manager. The Southeast Asian
Times
Riau forest fires force
Chevron to shut down oil wells From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the
Indonesian subsidiary of US-based oil company
Chevron has shut down 573 oil wells in the Riau
province of Sumatra. The deteriorating quality of
air due to forest fires that have been raging for
the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families. Indonesia's upstream oil
and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public relations
officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown
of Rokan block, operated by Chevron Pacific
Indonesia, the country's biggest producer of crude
oil production", he said The Jakarta Posts
reports that potential losses are estimated at about
12,000 barrels of oil a day. The Southeast Asian
Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports: Kuala Lumpur,
March 5: The New Straits Times reports that there
was an 86 percent increase in tourist arrivals from
China to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that
193,010 tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China
in 2011 increasing to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the
influx of tourists from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite
foods", he said. Sabah and Labuan
Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association of
Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort, said that staff members are
encouraged to learn Mandarin. "So that they can
converse better with guests" he said. The Southeast Asian
Times
Pilots strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights From News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights
to Surabaya, Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports
The Jakarta Post. Merpati corporate secretary
Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the airline had not
paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months. The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines was required to restructure its
operations. Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto
Chendra Putra says that Merpati has signed a
memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the
company. The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion
(US$533 million) reports the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or
early April, said the Merpati corporate
secretary. Merpati’s workers union advisory board
official, Erry Wardhana, said about 200 Merpati
pilots planned to strike again next Saturday for an
indefinite period. "The pilots would strike until
1,600 Merpati employees were paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the
first time that Merpati workers have gone on strike
over unpaid wages. The pilots are owed wages for
December and January reports the Jakarta
Post. The
Southeast Asian Times
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