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GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout the region.
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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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| Has
the ancient Syrian city of
Palmyra suffered
a fatal blow, or will it rise
again? asks Australian reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
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Amendments
to KPK include removal of
ant-corruption investigators
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Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK)
investigator, Novel Baswedan,
was conducting an investigation
into a $US440million nationwide
electronic ID embezzlement
scam in April 2017 when he
was seriously injured in a
drive-by acid attack
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 19, The Indonesian House
of Representatives passed the proposed amendments
to the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) into law on Tuesday with Indonesia
Corruption Watch (ICW) reportedly saying
that one of the four amendments was included
in order to remove KPK senior investigator
Novel Baswedan, reports the Jakarta Post.
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) official,
Wana Alamsyah, said that ICW suspects that
the amendment that would remove the KPK
ability to recruit its own investigators
was included in order to remove KPK senior
investigator Novel Baswedan.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
investigator Novel Baswedan was reportedly
conducting an investigation into a nationwide
electronic ID embezzlement scam in April
2017 that allegedly incurred Rp 5.0 trillion
($US440million) in state losses when he
was seriously injured in a drive-by acid
attack, suffering severe burns to his face
which have left him with impaired eyesight.
His investigation into the embezzlement
scam led to the naming by the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) in July 2017
of the then Golkar Party chairman and the
then House of Representatives Speaker, Setya
Novanto as suspects in the e-ID procurement
investigation, with Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) then chairman, Agus Rahardjo,
saying then that the KPK had found sufficient
preliminary evidence to charge Setya Novanto.
House of Representatives speaker, Setya
Novanto, denied any wrong doing in the
nationwide electronic ID embezzlement
scam that reportedly included the division
of money generated from the scam among
at least 37 parliamentarians.
The House of Represenataives reportedly
retaliated to the KPK charges in July 2017
by launching an inquiry into the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK).
Former Constitutional Court chief justice
said then that the launch of an enquiry
into KPK by the House of Representatives
was "not only unconstitutional but
pointless".
"the Commission was not an executive
body but a judicial body," he said.
In October 2017 the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) announced that it had
uncovered the largest corruption case
in the commmission's history, with allegations
of abuse of power against former Southeast
Sulawesi regent, Aswad Sulaiman.
The Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) accused former North Konawe regent,
Aswad Sulaiman, of receiving bribes from
eight mining companies for the issuance
of unlawful mining permits in the regency
between 2007 and 2014.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
then deputy chairman, Saut Situmorang,
said that the total loss to the state
from the sale of nickel produced by miners
who had been issued with unlawful mining
permits is estimated at Rp 2.7 trillion
(US$200 million).
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) was established on 29 December 2003
with the swearing in of five commissioners
by President Megawatti.
The People’s Consultative Assembly
said in 1998, the same year that Soeharto
resigned, that they wanted "a clean
state administration free from corruption,
collusion and nepotism".
Indonesia established - anti-corruption
courts in 33 provinces in 2011 each with
six judges with two of the judges attached
to the higher court.
The corruption courts reportedly hold
trial hearings with their secretariats
at existing district courts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Singapore
University cancels course
with documentary on HK student
activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung
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President
of Yale-NUS College in Singapore
professor Tan Tai Yong claims
that the proposed activities
and the selection of some
speakers in the course 'modes
of dissent and resistance
in Singapore' would not advance
partisan political interests
on the National University
of Singapore campus
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From
News Reports:
Singapore, September 18: Yale-NUS College
in Singapore, a collaboration between
Yale University in the US and the National
University of Singapore, cancelled its
course 'modes of dissent and resistance
in Singapore' on Friday two weeks before
the course was scheduled to begin, with
course organisor,, Alfian bin Sa'at saying
in its defence, "the course was not
designed to train students to stage protests,
reports Agence France Presse.
Course organisor and also writer, poet
and playwright Alfian bin Sa'at, who is
known for his provocative works and is
often referred to as Singapore's enfant
terrible claims that the course was not
designed to train students to stage protests
but rather to guide them in thinking about
dissent and allow them to ask questions
of people deemed dissidents.
The course was reportedly designed for
students to learn about democratic dissent
from interations with Singapore artists,
filmakers and journalists and would include
a visit to Speakers Corner that allowed
demonstrations without a police permit
but with the proviso that Singaporeans
stay clear of race, language and religious
issues.
The course also included a documentary
on Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong
Chi-fung, 21, who was one of thousands
of students who supported the student-led
protests in central Hong Kong that began
in 2014 with the "Occupy Central
With Love and Peace" movement that
opposed the 2017 Hong Kong elections that
would allow Beijing to nominate candidates
for Hong Kong Chief Executive.
In October 2016 Hong Kong student activist
Joshua Wong Chi-fung, was detained by
Thai tourist police on arrival at Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi airport before he was to
give a speech at the faculty of political
science at the Chulalongkorn University
in Bangkok on his experience of the 74
day Hong Kong street protests in 2014.
Thai Immigration officials denied the
student entry into Thailand under the
1979 Immigration Act's Article 12(7) which
deemed the student to be "a nuisance
or pose a threat of violence to the peace,
safety or security of the public or to
the security of the nation."
Yale-NUS College in Singapore president
Tan Tai Yong claims that the proposed
course itinerary did not align with learning
objectivesthat had been earlier approved
by the curriculum committee, saying that
the proposed activities included "elements
that may subject students to the risk
of breaking the law, and incurring legal
liabilities".
"The activities proposed and the
selection of some of the speakers for
the course “wouldt not advance partisan
political interests on our campus,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Indonesia
approves review of KPK despite
accusations of weakening
anti-corruption law
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Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK)
deputy chairman Saut Situmorang,
right, is one of three senior
Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) officials, who said
on Friday that they would
return their mandates to president
Joko Widodo following the
presidents approval of the
proposed review of the 2002
Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) Law in the House of
Representatives
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, September, 17: Indonesian President
Joko Widodo has approved the House of Represenatives
proposed review of the 2002 Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) Law, amid concern that
the proposed amendements would weaken the
commission and despite the withdrawal of
the tabled review of the proposed amendments
in the House of Representatives three years
before, reports the Jakarta Post.
Indonesia State Secretary Pratikno said
that a presidential letter approving the
House of Representatives review of the 2002
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
Law was signed by President Joko Widodo
and returned to the House of Representatives
on Wednesday.
President Joko Widodo approved the review
of four amendments to the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) Law in the belief that
"the four proposed amendments are crucial
to the governments effort to strengthen
the KPK."
The proposed amendments to the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) Law include
the establishment of a supervisory council
that would monitor the KPK, KPK authority
to terminate investigation warrants in corruption
cases, the requirement by the KPK to obtain
permits to conduct wiretaps and remove KPK
ability to recruit its own investigators.
Opposition to the proposed amendments includes
more than a thousand academics who reportedly
agree that "the House of Representatives
is
opening a door to cripple the anti-graft
agency that managed to arrest dozens of
corruptors in the past year alone.
In February 2016 the House of Representatives
postponed the tabled review of the proposed
amendements of the 2002 Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) draft Law but it was withdrawn
from the House of Representatives following
a meeting with President Joko Widodo who
said that the review was postponed “to
better inform the public of the benefits
of the amendments to the law".
Jakarta' Trisakti University, Abdul Hadjar
Fickar said then that the president should
annul the proposed plan to amend the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) Law instead
of postponing it.
"The public can see that the proposed
amendments are a blatant attempt to undermine
the Corruption Eradication Commission KPK,”
he said.
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) was established in 2003 with the swearing
in of five commissioners by President Megawatti
on 29 December 2003.
The People’s Consultative Assembly
said in 1998, the same year that Soeharto
resigned, that they wanted " a clean
state administration free from corruption,
collusion and nepotism".
Indonesia established - anti-corruption
courts in 33 provinces in 2011 each with
six judges with two of the judges attached
to the higher court.
The corruption courts reportedly hold trial
hearings with their secretariats at existing
district courts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Asean
countries, Cambodian and Laos
agree to extradition cooperation
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Laos
Prime MinisterThongloun Sisoulith
and Camodia Prime Minister
Hun Sen at a joint press conference
at the Peace Palace in Phnom
Penh on Thursday agree to
extradition cooperation
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From
New Reports:
Phnom Penh, September 16: Cambodia Prime
Minister Hun Sen said that all 10 Asean
countries would receve warrants for the
arrest of Sam Rainsy, former president of
dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP), who lives in exile in Paris
and who has reportedly promised to return
to Cambodia on November 9, with Lao Prime
Minister Thongloun Sisoulith agreeing to
extradition cooperation, reports the Phnom
Penh Post.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said at a joint press
conference at the Peace Palace in Phnom
Penh with visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongloun
Sisoulith that warrants for the arrest of
former president and eight former high ranking
members of the dissolved Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) "have already been
sent to Laos and Thailand"
Sam Rainsy, former president of dissolved
opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
(CNRP) and eight former high ranking members
are charged with plotting against the Hun
Sen government and incitement under articles
453, 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code that
include meetings in the United States on
January 20 where the former members reportedly
planned the return of the former president
of the disolved party to Cambodia.
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith who
is in Cambodia on a two day visit said at
the joint press conference that "Laos
would not allow the former president of
dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy to use Laos to enter
Cambodia, " saying that "the conjecture
that Sam Rainsy could use Laos territory
to cross into Cambodia is untrue."
Cambodia Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin
Malin said Cambodia has sent arrest warrants
for Sam Rainsy, former president of dissolved
opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
(CNRP), to Asean countries that share regional
law enforcement and extradition cooperation.
Former president and co-founder of the Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP) party, Sam
Rainsy, said that he was determined to return
to Cambodia and called on all Cambodians
in South Korea in April where he was awarded
the “Champion of Democracy in the Kingdom
of Cambodia” to return with him, saying
that he and the Cambodian people would arrest
Hun Sen on his return.
He claimed that Prime Minister Hun Sen and
his family have 'robbed' Cambodia.
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) former
president and co-founder of the party, Sam
Rainsy, went into exile in 2015 fearing
arrest after parliamentary immunity was
removed and he faced multiple criminal defamation
charges in his accusation of corruption
against the Hun Sen Cambodia's People's
Party (CPP).
The
Southeast Asian Times
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West
Papua human rights lawyer
in Australia wanted by Indonesian
police
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Indonesia's
East Java regional Police
have charged Veronica Koman,
former Jakarta Legal Aid Institute
(LBH Jakarta) human rights
lawyer and West Papuan human
rights advocate, who is reportedly
in Australia, with incitement
and spreading fake news
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Indonesia's East
Java regional Police have issued a second
summons ordering former Jakarta Legal
Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) human rights
lawyer and West Papuan human rights advocate,
Veronica Koman, to present herself at
the Indonesian embassy in Australia before
September 18.
East Java regional Police chief Luki Hermawan,
who said that police believe that Indonesian
national, Veronica Koman, is in Australia,
said that Veronica Koman was first summoned
on September 10, saying that "she
did not show up."
"Veronica Koman was not in Papua
during the protests but proactively provoked
the public through her Twitter account,"
he said
Human rights lawyer, Veronica Koman, was
charged on September 4 with incitement
under Article 160 of the Indonesian Criminal
Code, for spreading fake news under Article
15 of Law number 1 of 1949 concerning
criminal law and procedure, displaying
race-based hatred under Article 16 of
Law number 40 of 2008 concerning the Elimination
of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and
disseminating information aimed at inflicting
ethnic hatred under Law number 19 of 2016
concerning Electronic Information and
Transactions.
East Java regional Police chief Luki Hermawan
said that Veronica Koman will be put on
the Indonesian National Police wanted list
for allegedly spreading false information
about the detainment of West Papuan students
in Surabaya last month, saying that "police
will issue an Interpol red notice should
Veronica Koman fail to comply with the summons."
The Indonesian Military (TNI) and National
Police, armed with riot shields, reportedly
fired tear gas at the dormitory on Jl
Kalasan in Surabaya, forcing their way
into the dormitory and detaining 43 West
Papuan students for alleged vandalism
of the Indonesian national flag on Indonesia's
74th Independence Day anniversay, reportedly
thrown in a sewerage drain.
Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members and
youth organization Pemuda Pancasila (PP)
and members and youth organization Pemuda
Pancasila (PP), who reportedly launched
physical attacks and verbal abuse at the
Papuan students were shown on social media
together with Indonesian Military (TNI)
personnel, throwing stones while shouting
“kick out the Papuans!” and
“slaughter the Papuans."
In November 2007 the Indonesian House
of Representatives ratified a security
treaty with Australia – the so-called
Lombok Treaty that formally acknowledges
Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua.
Former Indonesia Golkar Party Vice President
Theo L Sambuaga said then that “we
all feel relief because Australia has
formally acknowledged our territorial
integration, including Papua."
“The treaty also requires Australia
to prohibit its territory from being used
by separatist movements against us. It
means that we have less pressure from
separatism,” he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Australian
PM defends MP against links
with Communist Party of China
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Prime
Minister of Australia, leader
of the Liberal Party (LP),
Scott Morrision and
Liberal Party (LP)
Member of Parliament for Chisholm
in the state of Victoria,
Gladys Liu in the Australian
Parliament in Canberra on
Tuesday
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From
New Reports:
Sydney, September 14: Prime Minister of
Australia, leader of the Liberal Party (LP),
Scott Morrision, has defended
Liberal Party (LP)
Member
of Parliament for Chisholm in the state
of Victoria, Gladys Liu, against accusations
that the Chinese born Australian Member
of Parliament has links with the Communist
Party of China (CPC), saying he is satisfied
with her explanation.
Liberal Party (LP) member of parliament
for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, was reportedly
accused of alleged links to the Communist
Party of China (CPC) on the grounds that
her name was listed as a council member
of the China Guangdong provincial chapter
of the China Overseas Exchange Association,
with South Australian independent member
of parliament, Senator Rex Patrick, saying
that the member of parliament for Chisholm,
Gladys Liu's, links with the Communist Party
of China (CPC) "is a national security
issue."
"She must consider her tenure,"
he said.
The association that was reportedly an arm
of the Chinese government’s central
political and administrative body has since
merged with the United Front Work Department
of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee.
Member for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, explained
that she had cut ties with various Chinese
institution with links to the Communist
Communist Party of China (CPC), saying that
she was conducting an audit to make sure
that no organisations had made her an honorary
member without her knowledge.
“I am a proud Australian, passionately
committed to serving the people of Chisholm,
and any suggestion contrary to this is deeply
offensive,” she said.
“As a proud Hong Kong-born Australian
I do not underestimate the enormity of being
the first Chinese-born member of the Australian
Parliament," she said.
Member for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, was reporteldy
accused of repeatedly refusing to criticise
Xi jinping, President of the People's Republic
of China (PRC), and General Secretary of
the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the
South China Sea in a media interview.
The member for Chisholm was asked if she
believed China's actions in the South China
Sea amounted to theft and were unlawful.
The member for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, said
that China's actions in the South China
Sea was a matter for the Australian foreign
minister, Marise Payne, saying, "I
definetly put Australia's interest first."
"My understanding is that a lot of
countries are trying to claim sovereignty
in the South China Sea for various reasons
and my position is with the Australian government,"
she said.
In July 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruled against the China claim
of sovereignty over the South China Sea
in favour of the Philippines.
The court ruled that China has violated
the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking “historic
rights” in its claim over the West
Phillipine Sea.
President of the People's Republic of China
Xi Jinping said following the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling
that China's territorial sovereignty and
maritime rights and interests in the South
China Sea "shall under no circumstances
be affected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague awards, " calling on the
European Union to maintain an objective
stance and neutrality on the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague decision.
In June 2019 Australia and Vietnam agreed
to the settlement of disputes in the South
China Sea to be conducted in line with international
law,
during Australia's Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Maris Payne, visit to Vietnam.
Vietnam argues in its claim of sovereignty
over the Hoang Sa or Paracel islands and
Truong Sa or Spratly archipelago in Vietnam's
East Sea, that China's claim of sovereignty
over the South China Sea should be settled
under the 1982 United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Maris Payne, and Vietnam's Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister, Pham Binh
Minh agreed to the settlement of disputes
in the South China Sea under the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS)
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West
Papuans are not Indonesians,
says Papua New Guinea MP
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Papua
New Guinea National Capital
District Governor Powes Parkop
is one of the few vocal members
of the Papua New Guinea Parliament
in support of independence
for West Papua from Indonesia
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From News Reports:
Port
Moresby, September 13: Papua New Guinea
National Capital District Governor Powes
Parkop who is one of the few vocal members
of Parliament in support of independence
for West Papua from Indonesia, has called
on Papua New Guinea and West Papua to speak
the truth, saying that Papua New Guineans
and West Papuans are one people, reports
the National.
"West Papuans are not Indonesians,"
he said.
Papua New Guinea National Capital District
Governor Powes Parkop, who together with
Oro province governor, Gary Juffa led the
march in support of West Papuan independence
and Melanesian solidatrity in Port Moresby
on Monday, said that Papua New Guinea and
West Papua should tell the truth about how
West papuans came to be under the Indonesian
government.
“It's time Papua New Guinea and West
Papua speak the truth and not approach each
other with the false impression that West
Papuans are Indonesians", he said.
He said that Papua New Guineans must know
the truth, saying that "West Papuans
and Papua New Guineans are one people who
have lived on the island of New Guinea for
thousands of years."
Oro province governor, Gary Juffa said at
the march in support of West Papuan independence
and Melanesian solidarity in Port Moresby
on Monday that Papua New Guineans should
celebrate the 44th independence anniversary
with guilt, saying that “our fellow
Melanesians brothers and sisters in West
Papua are suppressed by the Indonesian government."
"West Papuans are suffering and the
world is watching and doing nothing."
he said.
He said that Melanesians must not keep quite,
saying that "we have to rise up and
let the world know about their sufferings."
“The Western world like the United
States, Australia, New Zealand, Britain
and France will not go against Indonesia
because they have multibillion dollar project
investments like the giant Freeport copper
mine in West Papua," he said.
Last week the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP), chairman Benny Wenda,
who has claimed political asylum in the
UK said in a statement addressed to President
of Indonesia Joko Widodo, and Coordinating
Minister of Politics, Legal, and Security
Affairs, Wiranto, that “Thousands of
West Papuans are rising to fight for a referendum
for independence,”
"The escalating conflict in the easternmost
province of Indonesia is not necessarily
about racism, but injustice," he said
in the statement.
He claims that Indonesia illegally occupies
West Papua, saying that "West Papuans
were promised a referendum for independence
under the 1962 New York Agreement."
Last week Indonesia's Coordinating Minister
for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs,
Wiranto, dismissed calls for a Papuan referendum
on self determination, saying “demands
for a referendum are inappropriate.”
“NKRI the Unitary State of the Republic
of Indonesia is final, ” he said at
the Coordinating Ministry for Political,
Legal, and Security Affairs office in Jakarta..
He said the New York Agreement, signed in
1962 by the Netherlands and Indonesia, had
officially made Papua and West Papua legitimate
territories of Indonesia.
“That means NKRI is final, NKRI is
non-negotiable, including Papua and West
Papua,” he said.
"Referendums are for occupied countries
that are given the choice to be independent
or to join with the occupying country",
he said.
"But Papua and West Papua are legitimate
territories of the Republic of Indonesia,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Papua
New Guinea marches
on Port Moresby in
support of West Papua
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About
2000 Papua New Guineans marched
on the capital Port Moresby
on Monday 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
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From News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 12: Papua New Guineans
marched through the streets of Port Moresby
by the thousands in support of the West
Papuan call for a referendum for Independence
from Indonesia and in support of Melanesian
solidarity, reports the Post Courier.
About 2000 Papua New Guineans marched on
the capital Post Moresby under the banner
"we are not free when out brothers
and sisters are dying"
reportedly to draw international attention
to the West Papuan demand for separation
from Indonesia and to allegations of unlawful
killings by the
Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police.
Papua New Guinea's Member of Parliament,
national capital governor, Powes Parkop,
and Oro province governor, Gary Juffa lead
the march
in support of West Papuan independence and
Melanesian solidatrity with national capital
governor, Powes Parkop, saying "today
we have to start mobilising, Port Moresby
is starting now."
He said that West Papua is where it is now
because Papua New Guinea has been silent,
saying "we have feared Indonesia for
57 years."
"Now is the time to stand up,”
he said.
The five mile march ended with speeches
made by West Papuan representatives, church
representatives and included Oro province
governor, Gary Juffa, who said "the
region is not free."
"We are not free when our brothers
and sisters are dying on the other side,”
he said.
In June 2017 Indonesia was admitted as a
full member to 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) with
Indonesia representing West Papua in the
inter-governmental regional group of Melanesian
states.
The United Liberation Movement for West
Papua (ULMWP) that represents West Papua
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.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh
Sogavare and chair of the Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG) said that the admittance of
Indonesia that includes the province of
West Papua and the admittance of the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)
to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
as an observer "will test our commitment
to the basic principles of human rights
and the rule-of-law."
In May 2016 Thousands of West Papua supporters
held simultaneous rallies in seven cities
in four provinces including Merauke, Jayapura
and Wamena in Papua, Fakfak and Sorong in
West Papua, Semarang in Central Java and
Makassar in South Sulawesi to show support
for the United Liberation Movement for West
Papua ULMWP ) application for full membership
in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)
inter-governmental regional group of Melanesian
states.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Biak Papuans
reject separatism from Indonesia
in Biak Peace Declaration
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Biak
Numfor District Regent, Herry
Ario Naap, Biak Police Chief
Adjunct Senior Commissioner,
Mada Indra Laksanta, and Biak
Traditional Council (DAB)
members sign the Biak Peace
Declaration at Biak Police
Headquarters on Monday
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 11: The Biak Numfor Regency
that includes the islands of Biak and Numfor
located at the entrance to Cenderawasih
Bay in northern Papua have rejected separatism
from Indonesia in the Biak Peace Declaration
that was signed on Biak Island on Monday,
reports the Jakarta Post.
Biak Numfor Regent, Herry Ario Naap, Biak
Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner
Mada Indra Laksanta and Biak Traditional
Council (DAB) members signed the Biak Peace
Declaration that reportedly reitorates peace,
rejects radicalism and separatism from Indonesia.
The Biak Peace Declaration, reportedly initiated
by Biak Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner
Mada Indra Laksanta, was signed at the Biak
Police Headquarters.
Biak Numfor Regent, Herry Ario Naap, said
that he was optimistic that "the Biak
Peace Declaration would uphold public order
and security."
He reportedly urged the Biak people not
to be incited by social media messages
influencing them into staging protests.
The Biak Peace Declaration reportedly includes
agreement to unity in Papua, agreement to
lead a harmonious and peaceful existence,
agreement to the commitment to reject hoaxes
and agreement to the rejection of separatist
and radical groups in Papua.
In August 2017 Biak Island was mooted
as a possible satelite-launch station
with Indonesia's National Institute of
Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) chairman
Thomas Djamaluddin saying that Indonesia
was looking for possible cooperation with
China and Russia.
He said Indonesia would also talk with
other countries with vast experience in
aeronautics such as Japan, South Korea
and India to support the project.
In Oct 2007 about 300 Biak Traditional Council
(DAB) members reportedly protested at the
Biak Numfor regency legislative council
against the Indonesian government decision
to permit the launch of a Russian satelite
in the area in 2010, saying that the agreement
that was signed in Jakarta was unlawful
because it failed to involve the Biak traditional
community in the agreement talks.
On July 6, 1998, 40 Papuans on Biak Island
were killed and more than 100 arrested
and reportedly tortured by Indonesian
military (TNI) for hoisting the banned
West Papua independence Bintang Kejora
or Morning Star separatist flag.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS) at
the University of Sydney on the 15th anniversary
of the Biak massacre heared 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.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Protesters
call on US President to liberate
Hong Kong from China
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Hong
Kong protesters marched on
the US Consulate in Hong Kong
on Sunday calling on US President
Donald Trump to liberate Hong
Kong from China
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From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, September 10: Thousands marched
on the US Consulate in Hong Kong on Sunday
calling on US President Donald Trump to
liberate Hong Kong from China, urging the
US congress to pass the Hong Kong Democratic
and Human Rights Act this week, reports
Associated Press.
Hong Kong protesters wearing black shirts
and masks, waved the American flag and carried
posters that read, “President Trump,
please liberate Hong Kong” as they
marched on the US Consulate.
An organiser of the march, Panzer Chan,
said that Hong Kong is at the forefront
of the battle against "the totalitarian
regime of China."
“Please support us in our fight, ”
he said.
Protesters urged Washington to pass the
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
that was proposed in 2017 by the US Congressional-Executive
Commission on China in order to "to
renew the historical commitment of the United
States to uphold freedom and democracy in
Hong Kong at a time when its autonomy is
increasingly under assault."
The proposed Hong Kong Human Rights and
Democracy Act would reportedly "establish
punitive measures against government officials
in Hong Kong or mainland China who are responsible
for suppressing basic freedoms in Hong Kong."
The passing of the Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act would reportedly require
Washington to annually assess Hong Kong's
level of autonomy from Beijing and reportedly
cancel Hong Kong's trading privileges if
autonomy is compromised.
Last week Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam
Cheng Yuet-ngor, who was elected by a nominating
committee in Beijing, withdrew the ammended
Fugitive Offenders Ordinance or extradition
bill that was to be passed by the Hong Kong
Legislative Council in June.
In June Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng
Yuet-ngor, said in response to the call
for the withdrawal of the proposed ammendments
to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinanace or
extradition bill and the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters Ordinance extradition
bill by the US Congressional-Executive Commission
on China , that "worries about undermining
the rule of law and effecting business in
Hong Kong were unfounded."
The US Congressional-Executive Commission
on China reportedly feared that the amended
extradition bill would lead to the rendition
of foreign business represenatives and activists
to the mainlandm and would worsen US-Hong
Kong relations.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
suspended the passing of the Fugitive Offenders
Ordinanace and the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters Ordinance or extradition
bill amid protests in the streets of Hong
kong that included about 3000 lawyers.
The Hong Kong Law Society called on extensive
consultations on the amended Fugitive Offenders
Ordinanace and the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters Ordinance that was to
be passed in June amid fears that political
opponents and disidents would be extradited
to face trial on mainland China under the
proposed law.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
May election of Papua New
Guinea PM to be questioned
in court
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Opposition
National Alliance Party (NAP)
leader Patrick Pruaitch is
to question the legality of
the election of Prime Minister
James Marape in court
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From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, September 9: The Papua New
Guinea Supreme Court has allowed opposition
National Alliance Party (NAP) leader Patrick
Pruaitch to question the election in May
of James Marape as prime minister and
Peoples National Congress (PNC) party
leader, reports the National.
Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice
Ellenas Batari and Justice Oagile Bethuel
Dingake have allowed the application submitted
by lawyers Greg Sheppard and Philip Tabuchi
of Young and Williams Lawyers, to question
the election of James Marape as prime minister,
The judges ruled that Patrick Pruaitch
as the opposition leader had standing
and sufficient interest in pursuing the
questioning of the election in order to
determine whether the election of James
Marape as prime minister in Parliament
on May 30 was legal.
Lawyer Greg Sheppard argued that Patrick
Pruaitch had standing and sufficient interest
in pursuing the legality of the election
because it was a legitimate role of the
opposition leader to hold government accountable.
He said that by virtue of the office held
by Patrick Pruaitch and the functions
of that office the opposition party leader
is entitled to raise significant Constitutional
legalities.
"Patrick Pruaitch had satisfied every
prerequisite to file the reference under
Section 18(1) of the Constitution"
he said.
Justice Minister and Attorney-General representative,
Davis Steven, told the court that Patrick
Pruaitch did not have any standing and sufficient
interest in pursuing the legality of the
election because he had nominated former
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to hold
the position of prime minister.
He said that when former Prime Minister
Peter O’Neill did not accept the
nomination, Patrick Pruaitch joined others
in electing James Marape as prime minister.
"This is not genuine”, he said.
On May 30 the Papua New Guinea parliament
elected former Finance Minister James Marape
the new Prime Minister in an overwhelming
vote of 101 to eight.
On May 26 former Peoples National Congress
(PNC) leader and former Prime Minister Peter
O'Neil announced his resignation at a press
conference after weeks of resisting calls
for his resignation from opposition National
Alliance Party (NAP) members and after adjourning
the parliament for three weeks in an attempt
avoid a vote of no confidence
In April Peoples National Congress (PNC)
party member and former Finance Minister,
James Marape, member for Tari-Pori in
New Hela province resigned his position
as Finance minister citing "lack
of trust in Prime Minister Peter O'Neil."
His resignation was followed by defections
from the Peoples National Congress (PNC)
ruling party to opposition National Alliance
Party (NAP) party including the resignation
of Peoples National Congress (PNC) party
member, the Attorney General and Justice
Minister, Davis Steven, who said that
his resignation had nothing to do with
"personal differences", saying
that "Papua New Guinea's political
leadership is weakening state institutions."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Witness
in PM Najib trial shocked
to find $800,000 in Swiss
bank account
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Witness
for the prosecution Amhari
Efendi Nazaruddin, 43, in
the trial of former ousted
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Najib Razak, at the Kuala
Lumpur Supreme Court on Thursday
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From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 8: Witness for
the prosecution in the trial of former
ousted Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib
Razak, who is accused of using his position
as finance minister and chairman of 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) in the misappropriation
of RM42 million, told the Kuala Lumpur
Supreme Court on Thursday that he was
"shocked to find he had RM3.36mil
in his Swiss bank account," reports
the Star.
Witness for the prosecution, Amhari Efendi
Nazaruddin, 43, a former advisor to former
ousted Prime Minister, Najib, told the
court that he received a phone call in
2016 from Swiss Bank BSI AG informing
him that there was a balance of $800,000
(RM3.36mil) in his Swiss bank account.
"I was so shocked," he told
the court.
He said that the Swiss bank officer had
asked him if he knew that he had $800,000
(RM3.36mil) in his Swiss bank account
in Singapore.
"I had no clue about the money, ”
he told the court.
He said that the Swiss Bank BSI AG contacted
him again in 2016 to inform him that his
relationship with the bank was terminated.
He said that the Swiss Bank BSI AG advised
him to move the money from his account
to either a company in his name or to
another bank account.
He told the court that he was instructed
to open the Swiss Bank BSI AG in Singapore
by fugitive Low Taek Jho, who is reportedly
wanted for money laundering of the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.
He said he was instructed to open an overseas
bank account in his name for Prime Minister
Najib's "political purposes"
by fugitive Low Taek Jho.
In May 2016 Singapore authorities reportedly
closed Swiss bank BSI AG operations in
Singapore following criminal proceedings
in Switzerland against the private bank
in its transactions with 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB).
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory
Authority or Finma said in Zurich that
Swiss-based BSI AG had committed serious
breaches of money laundering regulations
through business relationships and transactions
with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The arrest of former ousted Prime Minister
Najib Razak in July 2018 followed the
declassification of the 1MDB audit report
that had been marked secret under the
Official Secrets Act (OSA). The audit
report was declassified less than a week
after the May 9 Malaysian general elections
that saw the defeat of the ruling Barisan
National (BN) party, lead by former ousted
Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad said after he was
sworn in that he would appoint a finance
ministry advisor to oversee efforts to
recover US$700mil (RM2.6bil) that was
allegedly transferred from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) to Malaysia Prime Minister
Najib Razak private bank accounts.
In August 2014 the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC), Bank Negara and Malaysian
police began investigation of allegations
that funds that had allegedly been donated
by a son of the late Saudi King Abdullah,
were transferred from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) and its subsidiary SRC International
Sdn Bhd to Malaysia Prime Minister Najib
Tun Razak private bank accounts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West Papuans
call on Indonesia for referendum
from exile in London
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In
January United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP),
chairman Benny Wenda, submitted
a petition
from exile in London
to the United
Nations Human Rights High
Commissioner (UNHRC) with
about 1.8 million West Papuans
or 70 percent of the population
calling for an internationally
supervised vote on self-determination
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 7: Chairman of the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP),
Benny Wenda, called on Indonesia from exile
in the UK, for a referendum for independence
for Papua and West Papua, under the threat
of arrest should he return to Indonesia,
reports the Jakarta Post.
The United Liberation Movement for West
Papua (ULMWP), chairman Benny Wenda, who
has claimed political asylum in the UK,
said in a
statement addressed to President Joko Widodo,
and Coordinating Minister of Politics, Legal,
and Security Affairs, Wiranto, on Thursday
that “Thousands of West Papuans are
rising to fight for a referendum for independence,”
"The escalating conflict in the easternmost
province of Indonesia is not necessarily
about racism, but injustice," he said
in the statement.
He claims that Indonesia illegally occupies
West Papua, saying that "West Papuans
were promised a referendum for independence
under the 1962 New York Agreement."
"West Papuans have never had their
rights mentioned in the agreement,"
he said.
He claims that the agreement was initiated
by the United States in order to allow Indonesian
occupation and administration of the region
from the Netherlands, saying that "this
agreement was backed by Indonesia’s
efforts to seize West Papua from the Netherlands."
“For 57 years, we fight for our rights
to decide our own fate. Our right to decide
our future,” he said.
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Politics,
Law, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, said
at a press conference held in Jakarta this
week, following the spread of protests in
Papua and West Papua, that he would personally
arrest the chairman of the United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda,
should he return to Indonesia.
The Coordinating Minister for Politics,
Law, and Security Affairs, Wiranto claims
that the chairman of the United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda,
is the instigator of the widespread protests
held across Papua and West Papua in the
past three weeks.
He claims that the chairman of the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP),
Benny Wenda conspired with the National
Committee of West Papua (KNPB) to organise
protests in Papua and West Papua provinces
including Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai,
Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong.
In April the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP) chairman Benny Wenda
called on West Papuans and those sympathetic
to the West Papuan cause, to boycott the
Indonesian April 2019 elections, saying
that West Papuans respect Indonesia’s
right to hold elections in its own territory
but that West Papua will oppose Indonesian
elections when the elections are forced
on West Papua.
"I’m calling on all of my people,
whether rich or poor, civil servant or worker,
military or civilian, from village or city,
to peacefully boycott the Indonesian elections
on April 17", he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hong
Kong lays down the law on
extradition to China mainland
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Hong
Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor
said in a televised speech
on Wednesday that discontent
in Hong Kong extends far beyond
the extradition bill and reflects
the public desire to become
more engaged in government
decision making
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From News Reports:
Hong Kong, September 6: Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has withdrawn
the ammended Fugitive Offenders Ordinance
or extradition bill that was to be passed
by the Hong Kong Legislative Council in
June, saying that discontent in Hong Kong
extends far beyond the extradition bill.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor
officially announced the withdrawal of the
extradition bill, that saw millions including
lawyers take to Hong Kong streets in reocurring
mass protests over the last three months,
saying "a motion to officially withdraw
the bill would be submitted when the Legislative
Council resumes."
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
who was elected by a nominating committe
in Beijing, also announced the appointment
of Barrister Paul Lam Ting-kwok, former
chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association,
and Helen Yu Lai Ching-ping, a senior civil
servant, to the Independent Police Complaints
Council (IPCC).
Millions have taken to the streets in recurring
protests against the proposed ammendments
to the extradition bill that would see those
charged with a criminal offence in Hong
Kong sent to the China mainland to face
trial.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
said after more than a million took to the
streets against the proposed passing of
the extradition bill in June that "I
will not simply follow orders from Beijing
on extradition requests".
"No surrender will be considered for
a political offence or if the purported
charges are in fact on account of race,
religion, nationality or political opinions,"
she said.
The reocurring protests from June began
with the march of about 3000 Hong Kong lawyers
and was followed by mass protests that included
business representatives, foreign diplomats,
academics, public servants and thousands
of students.
The Hong Kong Law Society called on extensive
consultations on the amended Fugitive Offenders
Ordinanace and the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters Ordinance that was to
be passed in June amid fears that political
opponents and disidents would be extradited
under the proposed law.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
said in June in response to the US Congressional-Executive
Commission's call for the withdrawal of
the proposed ammendments to the Fugitive
Offenders Ordinanace or extradition bill
and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
Matters Ordinance extradition bill, that
"worries about undermining the rule
of law and effecting business in Hong Kong
were unfounded."
The US Congressional-Executive Commission
on China reportedly feared that the amended
extradition bill would lead to the rendition
of foreign business represenatives and activists
to the mainland and would worsen US-Hong
Kong relations.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Politician
arrested with 1,500 banned
West Papuan separatist flags
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Sayang
Mandabayan, Indonesian Unity
Party (Perindo) member of
the West Papua Sorong City
office, was arrested at the
Rendani Airport in West Papua's
captal, Manokwari, for possession
of 1,500 of the banned Bintang
Kejora or Morning star flags
|
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From
News Report:
Jakarta, September 5: A Indonesian Unity
Party (Perindo) member of the West Papua
Sorong City office was arrested at the airport
in West Papua's captal, Manokwari, for possession
of 1,500 of the banned Bintang Kejora or
Morning star flags, reports the Jakarta
Post.
Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) member,
Sayang Mandabayan, was arrested at the Rendani
Airport in Manokwari on Tuesday as she claimed
her luggage that reportedly contained the
banned West Papuan separatists flags, the
symbol of the Free Papua Movement (OPM)
Rendani Airport Aviation Security (Avsec)
officers discovered the 1500 banned Bintang
Kejora or Morning star flags in a pink suitcase
owned by Sayang Mandabayan.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi
Prasetyo said on Tuesday that Sayang Mandabayan
was undergoing questioning by the Manokwari
police.
He said that Sayang Mandabayan boarded Wings
Air at the Domine Eduard Osok Airport in
Sonrong City in West Papua on Tuesday with
the suitcase containing the banned West
Papua separatist flags.
"Sayang Mandabayan was intending to
take part in a rally to be held in Manokwari
on the same day," he said.
Last month West Papuans set fire to the
Manokwari West Papua Regional Legislative
Council (DPRD) building in protest against
the detention of 43 Papuan students in Surabaya
in East Java amid alleged racist remarks.
Papuan students were called "monkeys"
reportedly by Islam Defenders Front (FPI)
members and youth organization Pemuda Pancasila
(PP) who reportedly launched physical attacks
and verbal abuse at the Papuan students.
Protests calling on Indonesia for a referendum
for independence for West Papua have spread
to almost all regions in Papua since the
students were forcibly removed from their
dormitory in Surabaya in East Java on Indonesia's
Independence Day anniversary on August 17,
for alleged vandalism of the Indonesian
national flag, reportedly thrown in a sewerage
drain.
Papuan students also protested at the United
States embassy in Jakarta against the United
Nations-brokered New York Agreement in 1963
that transferred control of western Papua
New Guinea from the Netherlands to Indonesia,
demanding the withdrawal of the Indonesian
Military (TNI) from Papua and a referendum
for independence from Indonesia.
The Papuans reject the result of the Act
of Free Choice (Pepera) an election held
on August 2, 1969 saying that the 1,025
voters were selected by the Indonesian Military
(TNI).
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel have reportedly
been deployed to secure Indonesia's most
eastern provinces including Jayapura, Nabire,
Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
deports Australians from West
Papua for taking part in Papua
protests
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Australians,
Cheryl Melinda Davidson, 36,
Ruth Irene Cobbold, 25, Joy
Danielle Hellyer, 31, Tom
Baxter, 37, were deported
from the Domine Eduard Osok
Airport in Sorong City West
Papua on Tuesday for their
involvement in Papua pro-independent
protests in Sorong City
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 4: The deportation of
four Australian nationals from Sarong City
in West Papua on Tuesday for taking part
in protests calling on Indonesia for a referendum
for independence, follows Indonesian orders
to restrict foreign national access to Papua,
reports the Jakarta Post.
Indonesia Bureau of the Directorate General
of Immigration, Sam Fernando, has confirmed
that four Australians, were deported on
Tuesday, saying "It is true that four
Australian nationals have been deported
for allegedly joining the rally."
"The rally was organised to demand
Papuan independence", he said.
The Australians were reportedly monitored
by the Indonesian military, police intelligence
and immigration agents before they were
arrested by Sorong City police and taken
to the police station for questioning on
August 27.
Immigration and police intelligence officers
arrested one of the Australians onboard
a yacht named 'Valkyrie' in Port Sorong,
claiming that the four Australians entered
Indonesia onboard the yacht.
Protests calling on Indonesia for a referendum
for independence for West Papua have spread
to almost all regions in Papua over the
last two weeks since West Papuan students
were forcibly removed from their dormitory
in Surabaya in East Java on Indonesia's
74th Independence Day anniversary on August
17, for alleged vandalism of the Indonesian
national flag, reportedly thrown in a sewerage
drain.
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel have reportedly
been deployed to secure Indonesia's most
eastern provinces including Jayapura, Nabire,
Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong.
Coordinating Minister for Political Legal
and Security Affairs, Wiranto, said in Jakarta
on Monday that the Indonesian government
wouldl restrict foreign national access
to Papua and West Papua.
He said that Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
agreed to restrict access to foreign nationals
in Papua and West Papua, saying that "transparent
and non-restrictive access would be reinstated
after the government quelled several elements
that had exacerbated the situation in Papua."
We will allow access to Papua and West Papua
again after conditions improve,” said
Wiranto.
In November 2007 the Indonesian House of
Representatives ratified a security treaty
with Australia – the so-called Lombok
Treaty that formally acknowledges Indonesia's
sovereignty over West Papua.
Former Indonesia Golkar Party Vice President
Theo L Sambuaga said then that “we
all feel relief because Australia has formally
acknowledged our territorial integration,
including Papua."
“The treaty also requires Australia
to prohibit its territory from being used
by separatist movements against us. It means
that we have less pressure from separatism,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
police claim Papua riots linked
to international organisations
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Indonesia's
National Police Chief General
Tito Karnavian claims that
rioters and anarchists in
Papua and West Papua have
links to foreign organisations
|
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 3: Indonesia's National
Police Chief General Tito Karnavian claimed
on Sunday that those identified as rioters
and anarchists in Papua and West Papua have
links to foreign organisations, saying that
"we know that these groups have links
to international networks."
"The National Police is coordinating
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
the State Intelligence Agency to deal with
the problem," he said.
He said that police have identified the
provocateurs who ignited unrest in Papua,
saying "those responsible for provoking
unrest in Papua and West Papua have been
identified and are being investigated."
"They will be prosecuted if proven
to be involved in the riots," he said.
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel have reportedly
been deployed to secure Indonesia's most
eastern provinces including Jayapura, Nabire,
Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari, Sorong and Fakfak.
The Indonesian Police earlier deployed 300
Mobile Brigade Unit (Brimob) personnel to
Deiyai, Paniai, and Jayapura following unrest
in Deiyai District that left two civilians
and a soldier dead.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo's ordered
law enforcement agencies to take firm action
against provocateurs, saying "I order
you to protect and restore law and order
to Papua and West Papua at a cabinet meeting
on Friday.
"We will not tolerate rioters and anarchists",
he said.
In November 2007 the Indonesian House of
Representatives ratified a security treaty
with Australia – the so-called Lombok
Treaty that formally acknowledges Indonesia's
sovereignty over West Papua.
Former Indonesia Golkar Party Vice President
Theo L Sambuaga said then that “we
all feel relief because Australia has formally
acknowledged our territorial integration,
including Papua."
“The treaty also requires Australia
to prohibit its territory from being used
by separatist movements against us. It means
that we have less pressure from separatism,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Bangkok
Post columinist, Kavi Chongkittavorn,
writes "Asean does not
have to choose sides if its
leaders are all on the same
page" ahead of the
34th
ASEAN
Summit held in Thailand this
weekend
...Open
page here |
|
| MEDIA
CHECK |
| Cambodia-China
Journalist Association
(CCJA) launched in Phnom
Penh
...open
here |
|
|
|
Darwin
reporter John Loizou asks
a survivor of the 1965 killings
in Bali "why didn't you
try to stop them" in
"Remembering the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open
page here
|
|
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A. Hamzah as he calls
for Asians to determine their
own political destiny in "Time
for Asia to set it's own course,
minus the U.S."...open
here |
|
| Is
prescribed burning of grasslands
in northern Australia out of
control? ......Chris
Ray reports ...
open page here |
|
| "Rockefeller
and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi"
by Kerry B. Collison "is
undoubtedly fictional but by
no means improbable, "
says Johannes Nugroho ....open
page here |
|
Viet
Nam is planning to go nuclear
by the year 2020.reports
John Loizou in
"Calculating
the costs of nuclear energy
in Vietnam"
...open
page here |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...Open
page here |
|
|
The
founder of the Revolutionary
Front of Independent East
Timor (Fretilin), Mari Alkatiri,
the now former Prime Minister
of Timor Leste, after losing
the May 12, 2018 election
to the National Congress for
Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
party, led by Xanana Gusmao,
has accused the opposition
of a coup attempt.
Twelve years ago Mari Alkatiri
also accused the opposition
of a coup attemp claiming
then that the crises that
led to his resignation was
the result of a conspiracy.
"I have no doubt about
that" he told Darwin
reporter John Loizou in an
interview in Dili on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
|
|
|
Cuba's
302 physicians in East Timor
work at five hospitals and
remote villages throughout
the republic...writes Darwin
reporter John Loizou ...open
page here
|
|
| Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
|
|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
|
|
| Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
| A
cartoon goes inside the tour
bus in Manila on the day that
ended with the slaying of eight
Hong Kong tourists
...Open
page here |
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
|
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| ; |
|
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|
| |
|
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|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet
Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's
erty
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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