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GATHERINGS:
An informed guidexto happenings throughout the region.
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China
calls emergency COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From
News Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An emergency meeting of foreign
ministers from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is to
be held in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday and Friday to discuss
the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN member
states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly intended
to share information and to improve coordination between
China and the 10 ASEAN member states in order to combat
the COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with focus on strengthening
joint prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of establishing
a long term and effective collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying " China and
Asean countries have been in close communication since
the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the foreign
ministers to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will demonstrate Cambodia’s
support of China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus outbreak.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam opens consulate in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau Special Administrative
Region of China on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said at
the launching ceremony that the office aims to better
ensure the rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association in Macau.
More than 20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and services companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News
Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in a "landmark"
visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the
President of the United States "would skirt protocol"
because the General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official as saying.
Rueters also quotes the senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
Nguyen Phu Trong as the visit of "the top
leader of the country".
"It's a pretty big event," Rueters quotes the
state department official as saying.
The
Southeast Asian Times
France
agrees to return Aboriginal remains home to Australia
From
News Reports:
Canberra, November 25: French president Francois Hollande
and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to Australia
during the first official visit by a French head of state
to Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the Aboriginal remains
held in France.
The head of state and prime minister said in a joint statement
that the identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider the requests
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human remains to
their community of origin." the statement said.
Australia believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets of
Aboriginal skeletal remains to Australia including the
severed head of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years. Yagan was shot
dead for his resistance to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The
Southeast Asian Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home Minister
Tjahjo Kumolo, that national identity cards (KTP) do not
include the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of the card
holder on national identity cards (KTP)
contradicted the country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state ideology
and our national identity, then why should we be ashamed
of including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from official
government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian citizens on national
identity cards (KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up to the people", he said.
The
Souheast Asian Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students, Patiwat
Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip Mankong, 26, were charged
in the Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in October 2013,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The students were charged with insulting the Royal Thai
family in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th anniversaries
of the October 6, 1976 and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's script,
a work of fiction that depicts a fictional monarch, that
allegedly insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on 13 August,
have been refused bail are scheduled to appear in court
to enter pleas on December 29.
The
Southeast Asian Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers, Presidents
and State representatives including US Secretary of State,
John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on Monday.
The speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Zulkifli Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend the swearing
in of the former governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo as president of Indonesia.
"The Prime Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's" including
former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties have also
be invited,” said the speaker.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Banned ISIS flag found flying in Aceh
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) flag found flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was reportedly the
first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said that the flag
of the nationally banned movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh regency in Aceh.
He said that a bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and
banned the teaching of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of Indonesias Independence.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Singapore passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary
Haze Pollution Act by the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for causing severe
air pollution in Singapore.
The Act that was first proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze pollution in
Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
said that under the Act, Singapore will have the legal
right under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources in accordance
with their policies they also have a responsibility to
ensure that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze Pollution
Act gives Singapore the legal power to serve notices on
those that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest fires.
A bill passed in the Indonesian House of Representatives
in July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and illegal
clearing of forests for palm oil plantations.
The new bill, designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force including police to
monitor the prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From
News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary
of the Biak Massacre in West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will
be held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in memory
of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre for Peace and
Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney last
year on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into the sea
by Indonesian security forces.
The tribunal heard eye witness testimony that the West
Papuan demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian security
forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan protesters were
surrounded and shot by Indonesian security forces and
that survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July 1998.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Thai
royalists and militarists
want Amnesty International
out of Thailand
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Citizens’
Network to Protect the Monarchy,
the People’s Centre to
Protect the Monarchy and the
Thai Raksa group claim that
Amnesty International Thailand
is a threat to national security
that the monarchy
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From News Reports:
Bangkok, December 3: The Royal Thai Police
(RTP) are conducting an investigation into
Human Rights non-government organisation,
Amnesty International Thailand, following
a petition submitted to Prime Minister Chan-o-cha
last week by organisations opposed to amendments
to the 2017 Royal Thai Armed Forces drafted
constitution that maintains absolute rule
of the monarchy, claiming that support of
pro-democracy activists by Amnesty International
poses a threat to national security and
the monarchy, reports the Bangkok Post.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman Pol Col
Krissana Pattanacharoen said that Prime
Minister Chan-o-cha has assigned the Ministry
of Interior and the Royal Thai Police (RTP)
to conduct an investigation into claims
by the Citizens’ Network to Protect
the Monarchy, the People’s Centre to
Protect the Monarchy and the Thai Raksa
group that Amnesty International Thailand's
support of pro-democracy activists is a
threat to national security and the King
as head of state.
Noppadol Phrompasit spokesperson for the
about 50 pro-monarchy petitioners said the
"Write for Rights" campaign, organised
by Amnesty International Thailand, poses
a threat to national security and the King
as head of state as stipulated in the Royal
Thai Armed Forces drafted 2017 constitution.
"Amnesty International Thailand invites
members from around the world to write to
the government asking for lese majeste charges
against Panussaya Sitthijirawattanakul to
be dropped," he said
He said that Amnesty International Thailand
invitation to its members to write to the
government asking for Lese Majeste charges
to be dropped, ignores the Constutional
Court ruling that found Panussaya Sitthijirawattanakul
guilty of violation of the lese majeste
law and "may be considered as interference
in Thailand’s domestic affairs by a
foreign entity."
The Constitutiinal Court ruled last month
that mass protests calling for monarchy
reform at the Thammasat University in Bangkok
last year aimed to overthrow the "democratuc
institution with the King as head of state."
The Constitutiinal Court ruled that Panusaya
Sithijirawattanakul, 23, Arnon Nampa, 37,
Panupong Jadnok, 24, attempted to overthrow
the "democratic institution with the
King as head of state" in their demands
in a 10 point manifesto at mass protests
at the Thammasat University on August 10,
2020.
Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, 23, maintains
that the demands in the 10 point manifesto
that were submitted to the Parliament on
August 26, 2020 were not a proposal to abolish
the monarchy but a proposal for the monarchy
to continue in a democracy."
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Papua
churches call on United Nations
to visit Papua to see human
suffering for themselves
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West
Papua Council of Churches
(WPCC) spokesperson, Dr. Benny
Giay, who supports the active
involvement of the church
in human rights, called on
the United Nations Human Rights
Council (Unhr) to visit Papua
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 2: West Papua Council
of Churches (WPCC) has called on the United
Nations Human Rights Council (Unhr) to
visit Papua to see the prolonged human
suffering of Papuans for themselves, saying
"more than 60,000 God's people have
been displaced in six Papua regions,"
reports Indoleft.
West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC)
spokesperson, Dr. Benny Giay called on
the United Nations Human Rights Council
(Unhr) to visit Papua to see the prolonged
suffering of Papuans for themselves, saying
"at least 60,000 Papuans have sought
shelter in forests or neighboring regencies
as a consequence of the armed conflict
between the Indonesian National Military
(TNI), the Indonesian National Police
(POLRI) and the West Papua National Liberation
Army (TPNPB), the armed wing of the Free
Papua Movement (OPM).
"More than 60,000 God's people have
been displaced," he said.
He said that armed conflict in Intan Jaya,
the Bintang Mountains, Nduga, Yahukimo,
Maybrat and Puncak Papua has resulted
in the killing of civilians, violence
and the displacement of thousands of Papuans.
More than 45,000 Papuans were displaced
by the contruction of the 4,600-kilometer
Trans-Papua highway in Nduga Regency with
thousands placed in the Jayawijaya regency
town of Wemena.
Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian
Police (Polri) have deployed personnel
to secure the construction of the Trans-Papua
road project following resumption of construction
of the Yigi River bridge in Nduga district
in West Papua that was suspended following
the attack on construction workers by
the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB)
the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement
(OPM) on December 2, 2018.
Dr. Benny Giay, said that Indonesia's
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal,
and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has promoted
the remilitarization of Papua under Daerah
Operasi Militer (DOM) to combat the armed
West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) opposition
to Indonesian rule of Papua and West Papua.
He said that security operations in many
Papua regions aim to support investors
in a hidden agenda that includes the seizure
of land, customery forests and natural
resourses belonging to the Papuan people,
saying "Papuans in Intan Jaya regency
object to the control of gold mining in
the regency by Indonesian mining company,
PT Antam."
He said that Papuans fled Intan Jaya following
the Indonesian Military (TNI) operation
in the area, saying "it was an attempt
to suppress the Free Papua Movement (OPM)
and the armed West Papua Liberation Army
(TPNPB) opposition to Indonesian rule
of Papua and West Papua.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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HCMCity
People's Committee vice chairman
appeals jail sentence for
transfer of state owned land
to private ownership
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HCMCity
People's Committee vice chairman,
Nguyen Thanh Tai, 69, right,
at the HCMCity People's Court
on Monday November 29, 2021
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From
News Reports:
HCMCity, December 1: A Former HCMCity People's
Committee vice chairman, sentenced to eight
years in prison for violation of state land
lease rights regulations in September last
year, is appealing his conviction saying
that he did not act out of self interest
in the transfer of state owned land in HCMCity
to private ownership, saying "I only
implement policy."
The HCMCity People's Court found former
HCMCity People's Committee vice chairman,
Nguyen Thanh Tai, 69, and 3 others guilty
of violation of state land lease rights
regulations in the transfer of prime state
owned land in district 1 HCMCity to private
ownership that was faciliated by the establishment
of a joint stock company.
The HCMCity People's Court found former
HCMCity People's Committee vice chairman,
Nguyen Thanh Tai, guilty of violating
the state land lease use rights in the
tranfer of 4,896sq.m of prime state owned
land at lot 8-12 Le Duan Street in District
1 HCMCity to private ownership, faciliated
by the establishement of a joint stock
company resulting in a loss of VND1.927
trillion to the state.
Le Thi Thanh Thuy, president of Mayflower
Investment Company Ltd and also chairwoman
of Lavenue Investment JSC, recieved a five
year prison sentence, Nguyen Hoai Nam, former
secretary of the District 2 Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) recieved four years in
prison, and Truong Van Ut, former deputy
head of the HCMCity Housing Management Company
received three years in prison for violation
of the state land lease use rights in the
tranfer of prime state owned land to private
ownership, faciliated by the establishment
of a joint stock company.
Le Thi Thanh Thuy, president of Mayflower
Investment Company Ltd, who is also chairwoman
of Lavenue Investment JSC, established the
joint stock company to develop a proposed
five-star hotel and shopping mall on the
4,896sq.m of prime state owned land in central
HCMCity.
Former HCMCity People's Committee vice chairman,
Nguyen Thanh Tai, is appealing his sentence
on grounds that he did not act out of self
interest in the transfer of prime state
owned land to private ownership and that
he approved the establishment of a joint
stock company that would share in the profits
of the proposed development under the guidelines
and directions of the Standing Committee
of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh
City, saying "I only implement policy."
Former HCMCity People's Committee vice chairman,
Nguyen Thanh Tai, told the HCMCity People's
Court on Monday that he approved the HCMCity
Housing Management Company proposal to establish
a joint stock company that included four
companies operated by the Ministry of Industry
and Trade to develop the proposed five-star
hotel and shopping mall on state owned land
in Central HCMCity after the proposal to
establish a joint stock company had been
approved by the HCMCity People's Committee.
He told the court that as the HCMCity People's
Committee vice chairman, he approved the
HCMCity Housing Management Company proposal
to establish a joint stock company under
the guidelines and directions of the Standing
Committee of the People's Committee of Ho
Chi Minh City.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Papua
Human Rights call on President
Joko Widodo to withdraw security
forces from Papua
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Papua Institute for Human
Rights Studies and Advocacy
(ELSHAM Papua) sent an open
letter signed by 26 civil
society organisations to President
Joko Widodo on Monday November
15, 2021
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From News Reports:
Jayapura, November 30: The Papua Institute
for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (ELSHAM
Papua) has sent an open letter to President
Joko Widodo signed by civil society organisations
calling for the withdrawal of Indonesian
National Military (TNI) and Indonesian National
Police (POLRI) from Papua and West Papua,
saying "the armed conflict between
West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB)
and Indonesian joint security forces shows
no sign of abating." reports Indoleft.
The open letter to President Joko Widodo.
that was signed by 26 civil society organisations
including Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation
(JATAM ) Mining Advocacy Network, (Indonesian
Corruption Watch (ICW), Commission for Missing
Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
the Indonesian Forum for the Environment
(Walhi ) the Indonesian People's Fraction,
Greenpeace Indonesia and the Sajogja Institute,
claimed that "Papuans are the victims
of the exploitation of natural resources."
The civil societies accused Indonesia of
negligence in the protection of its citizens
in Papua and West Papua, saying "the
responsiblility of the Unitary State of
the Republic of Indonesias to protect its
citizens is mandated by the preamble to
the 1945 Indonesian Constitution."
"The state is obliged to protect every
citizen regardless of their place of birth
in Indonesia," the civil societies
said.
The civil societies said that the armed
conflict between the West Papua National
Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian
National Military (TNI) and Indonesian National
Police (POLRI) in Papua and West Papua shows
no sign of abating.
The Papua Institute for Human Rights Studies
and Advocacy (ELSHAM Papua) called on both
warring parties to respect Human Rights,
saying that the first casualities of the
armed conflict between the West Papua National
Liberation Army (TPNPB) and the Indonesian
National Military (TNI) and Indonesian National
Police (POLRI) in Papua and West Papua are
women, children and the elderly, who are
forced to flee their homes.
In May 2021 President Joko Widodo declared
the West Papua National Liberation Army
(TPNPB), the armed wing of the Organisasi
Papua Merdeka (OPM) Free Papua Movement,
a terrorist group following the fatal shooting
of the head of the Papua Regional State
Intelligence Agency (BIN) Brigadier General
TNI I Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha Karya on
April 25, 2021, ordering the Indonesian
Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National
Police (POLRI) to huntdown all armed separatists
and terrorists groups in Papua.
The West Papua National Liberation Army
(TBNPB) claimed responsibility for the fatal
shooting of Brigadier General TNI I Gusti
Putu Danny Nugraha Karya in Beoga district
in Puncak regency, in Papua Province, saying
that the head of the Papua Regional State
Intelligence Agency (BIN) had launched counter
- insurgency operations in Beoga district
in Puncak regency in Papua Province.
In December 2019 about 6,000 joint Indonesian
Military (TNI) and National Police personnel
were deployed to secure Papua and West Papua
provinces including the city of Jayapura,
Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari, Fakfak
and Sorong following mass protests in August
and September 2019 that called on Indonesia
for a referendum for independence for Papua
and West Papua that had spread to almost
all regions.
The West Papua National Liberation Army
(TBNPB) the armed wing of the Organisasi
Papua Merdeka (OPM) Free Papua Movement,
calls for a referendum and self determination
were dismissed in August 2019 by Indonesia's
former Coordinating Minister for Political,
Legal, and Security Affairs, Wiranto, who
said then “NKRI the Unitary State of
the Republic of Indonesia is final.”
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.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Indonesia's
legal aid lawyers call on
Constitutional Court to revoke
Omnibus Law on Job Creation
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Indonesis'a
Coordinating Minister for
Economic Affairs, Airlangga
Hartarto, said the government
respected the Constitutional
Court's ruling that allowed
amendments to the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation Law
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 29: The Indonesian Legal
Aid Foundation (YLBHI) called on the Constitutional
Court to revoke the Omnibus Law on Job Creation,
saying that the Constitutional Court ruling
on Thursday, did not revoke the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation Law as demanded by the
Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) but ruled
that amendments to the Omnibus Law on Job
Creation be allowed, saying the ruling "is
vague and indecisive", reports Tempo.
Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that
the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, that was
passed into law earlier this month "
is contrary to the 1945 Constitution of
the Republic of Indonesia," with the
Constitutional Court chief judge, Anwar
Usman, saying that "amendments to the
Omnibus Job Creation Law must be completed
within two years or the Omnibus Law on Job
Creation would be deemed permanently unconstitutional."
"The Omnibus Job Creation Law will
remain in effect until the amendments are
made," he said.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI)
that includes 17 legal aid foundations in
Indonesia said that the Constitutional Court
ruling that the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Law is contrary to the 1945 Constitution
of the Republic of Indonesia, "is vague
and indecisive."
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI)
said that the Constitutional Court's decision
is a compromise, saying "the Constitutional
Court's ruling on the Omnibus Law on Job
Creation Law was not made on constitutional
provisions that include the Manpower Act
2003 that protects workers’ rights"
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI)
called on the government to revoke the implementation
the Omnibus Law on Job Creation Law, and
all its derivatives that includes the minimum
wage for 2022 that was rejected by the Trade
Union Confederation (KSPI) and Confederation
of All Indonesian Workers' Union (KSPSI
AGN) of 32 federations last week.
Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) filed a
challenge to the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
the day after it was passed into law on
November 2, 2021, with President Joko Widodo
saying "the revision of over 70 existing
laws is vital to investment and to labour
market competitiveness."
Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) president,
Said Iqbal, called for a full repeal of
the Omnibus Law on Job Creation or annulments
of provisions the unions consider a violation
of workers constitution rights, saying
"the Omnibus Law on Job Creation allows
companies to arbitralily determine labor's
working hours and salary."
"The removal of the sectoral minimum
wage will lead to a low-wage regime as district
governments or city councils are no longer
dutybound to set a minimum wage for workers,"
he said.
He said that if the new provision on outsourcing
comes into force, Indonesian workers could
be made life-long contract workers as contract
periods can be extended indefinitely and
the scope is no longer restricted to five
types of jobs.
"In short, this is modern slavery,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Indonesian
Constitutional Court orders
amendments to Omnibus Law
on Job Creation in favour
of workers
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Constitutional
Court chief judge, Anwar Usman,
ruled that the Omnibus Law
on Job Creation is contrary
to the 1945 Constitution of
the Republic of Indonesia
on Thursday November 25, 2021
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 28: Indonesia's Constitutional
Court ruled on Thursday that the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation that was passed earlier
this month and immediately challenged by
the Trade Union Confederation (KSPI), is
contrary to the 1945 Constitution of the
Republic of Indonesia, with President Joko
Widodo, who signed the Omnibus Job Creation
Law into law, said that the passing of the
law was vital to investment and to labour
market competitiveness," reports the
Jakarta Post.
Constitutional Court chief judge, Anwar
Usman, ruled that the Omnibus Law on Job
Creation is a non-legally bindng policy,
saying "amendments to the Omnibus Job
Creation Law must be completed within two
years or the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
would be deemed permanently unconstitutional."
"The Omnibus Job Creation Law will
remain in effect until the amendments
are made within two years," he said.
The Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and
Confederation of All Indonesian Workers'
Union (KSPSI AGN) that includes 32 federations
filed a challenge to the Joko Widodo government
Omnibus Law on Job Creation the day after
it was passed on November 2, 2021, saying
"the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
is clearly violating constitutional provisions
and the Manpower Act 2003 that protect
workers’ rights"
The Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) sought
a full repeal of the Omnibus Law on Job
Creation or annulments of some provisions
the unions considered a violation of workers
constitution rights on various grounds,
claiming that job security and a range
of workers benefits have been comprised
in the Omnibus Law on Job Creation.
Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) president,
Said Iqbal said that the Omnibus Law on
Job Creation allows companies to arbitralily
determine labor's working hours and salary,
saying "the removal of the sectoral
minimum wage will lead to a low-wage regime
as district governments or city councils
are no longer dutybound to set a minimum
wage for workers."
He said that if the new provision on outsourcing
comes into force, Indonesian workers could
be made life-long contract workers as
contract periods can be extended indefinitely
and the scope is no longer restricted
to five types of jobs.
"In short, this is modern slavery,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia
deploys peacekeeping force
to Solomon Islands after attack
on Chinatown
|
|
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About
1000 Malaita Province protesters
demanded the resignation of
Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare at the National
Parliament in Honiara on Wednesday,
November 24, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Honiara, November 27: Australia has deployed
Defence Force and Federal Police personnel
to the Solomon Islands, northeast of Australia
in the Pacific, to restore law and order
after demands for the resignation of Solomon
Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare,
by protesters, who travelled from Malaita
Province to the capital Honiara, lead
to riots, arson and looting in the Chinatown
district, with China's Foreign Ministry
saying "any attempts to undermine
the normal development of China-Solomon
relations are futile, reports Associated
Press.
Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison
committed the Australian Defence Force
(ADF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP),
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) patrol boats
and diplomats from the Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs (ADFA) to the Solomon
Islands on Thursday, saying "the
Solomon Islands reached out to Australia
for help."
He said that the Solomon Islands trust
Australia and that Australia has worked
hard for that trust in the Pacific, saying
"the Pacific is our region and we’re
standing up to secure our region with
our partners, our friends, our family
and allies."
About 1000 people from Malaita Province
protested outside the National Parliament
in Honiara on Wednesday, demanding the resignation
of Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh
Sogavare, who had severed diplomatic ties
with Taiwan and established official diplomatic
relations with China in 2017, and had refused
to respond to a petition that the Malaita
Province people had filed in August that
called for the right to self determination.
Malaita Province Premier, Danien Suidani,
demanded that the Solomon Island government
respect the right to self-determination
of the Malaita people, to limit ties with
China and to resume development projects
in Malaita Province, saying that he was
not responsible for the violence in Honiara
in the Chinatown district but that he agreed
with the protesters that Solomon Islands
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, should
resign.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh
Sogavare, ordered the capital locked down
on Wednesday after two days of riots,
arson and looting in the Chinatown district
of Honiara, saying that his government
stood by the decision to established official
diplomatic relations with China.
He said that government decision to "embrace"
Beijing was the only reason for the violence
in Honiara, saying "the violence was
influenced and encouranged by other powers,"
he sad.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson,
Zhao Lijian, said on Thursday that Beijing
had expressed serious concern about the
attacks on Chinese citizens, business
and institutions in Honiara, saying that
"we believe that under the leadership
of Prime Minister Sogavare, the Solomon
Islands government can restore social
order and stability as soon as possible,"
He said that economic cooperation since
the establishment of diplomatic ties between
the Solomon Island government and China
has benefited both sides.
"Any attempts to undermine the normal
development of China-Solomon relations
are futile," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Kang-Fu
the Red Kangaroo is relentless
in his fight to protect Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page here |
|
|
People's bill
submitted to parliament to
eliminate discrimination in
Thailand
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Move
Forward Party (MFP) Member
of Parliament, Thanyawat Kamolwongwat,
centre, submitts a people's
bill on the elimination of
discrimination in Thailand
to Parliament President Chuan
Leekpai on Wednesday November
24, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 26: The Move Forward Party
(MFP) has submitted a people's bill that
would eliminate discrimination in Thailand
to the House of Represenatatives for deliberation,
with Move Forward Party (MFP) Member of
Parliament saying that the proposed bill
would enable society to operate on the principles
of equity and justice, reports the Bangkok
Post.
Move Forward Party (MFP) Member of Parliament
Thanyawat Kamolwongwat said that the proposed
peoples bill was submitted to Parliament
President .Chuan Leekpai, on Wednesday with
the support of 12,116 signatures, saying
"the Move Forward Party want the peoples
bill placed on the House agenda and deliberated
in a parliamentary process."
Move Forward Party (MFP) Member of Parliament
Thanyawat Kamolwongwat, who is a member
of the group of the House of Representatives
for legislation on the elimination of discrimination,
said that "the Move Forward Party is
pushing for passage of the bill for the
equal treatment of all people and respect
for human dignity."
"We have to admit that in Thai society
there are still people being discriminated
against because of their place of birth,
gender or physical appearance," he
said.
He said that discrimination was caused by
ingrained attitudes or behaviour firmly
established in the education system and
therefore difficult to change, saying "this
leads to people being subject to discrimination
in work, education and access to services."
"People from Northeast Thailand being
insulted on social media is an example of
discrimination," he said.
Last week the Thai Parliament rejected a
"people's constitution" that would
seek to abolish the Royal Thai Armed Forces
appointed 250 seat Senate, submitted by
three political parties including the Move
Forward Party (MFP),
The Thai parliament rejected the "peoples
constitution" that seeks to amend the
2017 Constitution, drafted by the Royal
Thai Armed Forces and signed into law by
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, including the
section of the Constitution that allows
the Royal Thai Armed Forces to appoint the
Senate that nominates and elects the Prime
Minister Proposed amendments to the 2017
the Royal Thai Armed Forces drafted constitution
including the section that states "changing
the democratic regime of government with
the King as Head of State or changing the
form of the State shall be prohibited"
and the section that states "the Prime
Minister may not present such a draft Constitution
Amendment to the King for signature"
was rejected by 473 Senators and Members
of Parliament with 206 in favour of the
amendments and six absentions.
Move Forward Party (MFP) secretary general,
Pita Limjaroenrat said that "Thailand
missed a golden opportunity to move out
of the political quagmire, saying "proposed
amendments to the constitution will be on
the party platform in the next general election."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN recognises
Myanmar's civilian government
in invitation to international
conference
|
|
 |
|
National
Unity Government (NUG) minister
of natural resources and environmental
conservation, Dr. Tu Hkawng,
invited by ASEAN to attend the
Third Climate Smart and Disaster
Resilient ASEAN international
conference (CSDRA) on Tuesday,
November 23, 2021 |
|
From News Reports:
Nepoypyitaw, November 25: National Unity
Government (NUG) that was founded in Myanmar
following the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar takeover of the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government in
February, was invited by the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to attend
the three-day Third Climate Smart and Disaster
Resilient ASEAN international conference
(CSDRA) on Tuesday, with National Unity
Government (NUG) saying that the invitation
shows ASEAN’s recognition of the Myanmar's
civilian government, reports Irrawaddy.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
State Administrative Council (SAC) was reportedly
not represented at the Third Climate Smart
and Disaster Resilient ASEAN international
conference (CSDRA) on Tuesday.
National Unity Government (NUG) minister
of natural resources and environmental conservation,
Dr. Tu Hkawng, who attended the ASEAN conference
said that he took the invitation as ASEAN’s
recognition of the National Unity Government
(NUG) as the rightful government of Myanmar.
"I will have a chance to participate
as a minister from Myanmar along with others
from ASEAN member states," he said
ahead of the conference.
The National Unity Government (NUG) that
was founded by the National League for Democracy
(NLD) members of parliament after the takeover
of the elected government by the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar has been excluded
from ASEAN meetings including the urgently
called ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta
in April that was attended by the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr Gen Min
Aung Hlaing at the exclusion of the National
Unity Government (NUG).
The ASEAN Leaders Meeting that was held
to address the political crisis in Myanmar
reached concensus on a five point plan that
called for a commitment from the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar to restrain security
forces, commencement of dialogue, that a
special envoy of the ASEAN Chair with assistance
from the Secretary General of ASEAN would
facilitate mediation, that ASEAN would provide
humanitarian assistance and that the special
ASEAN envoy and delegation would visit Myanmar
to meet with all parties, without a represenatative
of the National Unity Government (NUG) in
attendence.
National Unity Government (NUG) Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Moe Zaw Oo, said then
"it's imperative that the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, State Administrative
Council (SAC) is not recognised as the legitimate
government of Myanmar."
"ASEAN will not achieve anything without
consulting and negotiating with the National
Unity Government (NUG),"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China would
not bully ASEAN neighbours
says President Xi Jinping
|
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Chinese
President Xi Jinping told
the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations ASEAN member
states at the ASEAN-China
Special Summit to Commemorate
the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China
Dialogue Relations on Monday
November 22, 2021 that “China
was, is and will always be
a good neighbor, good friend
and good partner of Asean,”
|
|
From
News Reports:
Beijing, November 24: President Xi Jinping
reportedly told the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states at the
ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate
the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue
Relations via video on Monday that "Beijing
would not bully its smaller regional neighbours"
with the Philippines saying "the South
China Sea is a strategic challenge that
cannot be solved by force, reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
President Xi Jinping who co-chaired the
ASEAN-China Special Summit with outgoing
ASEAN chair for 2021 Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
of Brunei, said that "China would never
seek hegemony nor take advantage of its
size to coerce smaller countries,"
saying "China would work with Asean
to eliminate interference."
"China was, is and will always be a
good neighbor, good friend and good partner
of Asean,," he said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly
told President Xi Jinping and the ASEAN
member states at the ASEAN-China Special
Summit that "the Philippines abhors
the recent altercation with Chinese ships
in the West Philippine Sea, "saying
"the rule of law was the only way out
of the problem."
He said that the Chinese coast guard that
blocked and used water cannon on Philippine
boats that were delivering food supplies
to Filipino soldiers stationed at Ayungin
Shoal last week "does not speak well
of the relations between ASEAN and China."
Ayungin Shoal that is located in the Spratly
Islands in the South China Sea is claimed
by ASEAN member states Brunei, Malaysia,
Vietnam and the Philippines with the Phillipines
maintaining a Second World War US-built
Philippine Navy landing craft on the shoal
that the Philippines claim is located in
the West Philippine Sea.
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 that included the
Ayungin Shoal also known as the Second Thomas
Shoal.
China rejected the Hague ruling, claiming
that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague has no jurisdiction on the
matter" with the then China Foreign
Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying that
the Arbitration tribunal made an illegal
and invalid final verdict on the South China
Sea dispute.
President Rodrigo Duterte said that the
2016 Arbitration Court in the Hague ruling
and the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), should be used
as the legal tool to resolve the conflicting
and overlapping maritime claims in the South
China Sea.
"We must fully utilize these legal
tools to ensure that the South China Sea
remains a sea of peace, stability and prosperity,"
he said.
Philippines House Deputy Minority Leader
and Bayan Muna Representative, Carlos Isabani
Zarate, said that "China's aggressiveness
in the West Philippine Sea is largely a
product of the so called ‘pivot to
China’ foreign policies of the Duterte
administration since 2016."
The renewed friendship between the Philippines
and China followed the election of President
Rodrigo Duterte in June, 2016 with the signing
of a $13.5 billion package agreement including
private sector memorandums of understanding
with China during the Philippine presidential
state visit to China in the week after his
inauguration.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived
in Beijing at the invitation of President
Xi Jinping with an entourage of about 200
delegates representing Philippine business
that included signing agreements for the
development of the 214-hectare coastline
from Davao City to Agdao and Poblacion in
the southern Philippines with the construction
of ports and the establishment of port cities
with the cooperation of the local government
of Davao City in Muslim Mindanao in the
southern Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte said in his speech
to the Filipino community during the four
day official vistit to Beijing after his
inauguration that he was "fed up with
the Philippines’ foreign policy being
dictated by a Western agenda".
Foreign policy under Rodrigo Duterte who
is the former Mayor of Davao City in Muslim
Mindanao in the southern Philippines, reportedly
"dramatically shifted from that pursued
under predecessor Benigno Aquino III.
The Aquino government took Beijing to the
Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague
in 2013 asking the court to intervene in
the Philippine dispute with China over the
right to exploit natural resources inluding
fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Lightening
strike dismissed as cause
of fire at PT Pertamina oil
refinery in Central Java
|
|
|
|
|
Investigation
underway into the fire at
the PT Pertamina International
oil refinery in Cilacap Regency,
Central Java on Saturday,
November 13, 2021
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 23: Central Java Police
are conducting an investigation into the
outbreak of fire at PT Refinery Pertamina
International (KPI) in Cilacap Regency,
Central Java last week, after the House
of Representatives Commission V11 special
parliamentary committee on energy and mining
rejected the claim that the fire was caused
by a lightening strike, saying "sabotage
should be considered a possible cause of
the fire," reports Tempo.
Central Java Police’s spokesman Senior
Commissioner, Iqbal Alqudusy, said that
an investigation will be carried out by
a joint team from National Police Headquarters,
the Central Java Police and the Cilacap
Resort Police, saying "witnesses including
electrical engineers will be questioned."
"The National Police Central Forensics
Laboratory is still at the scene,"
he said.
He called on the public not to speculate
on the cause of the fire, saying "we
ask the public to be patient and wait for
the result of the investigation."
House of Representatives Commission V11
special parliamentary committee on energy
and mining, Nasyirul Falah Amru, who called
for an investigation into the outbreak of
fire at the PT Pertamina Refinery in Cilacap
Regency, Central Java on November 13 said
that he could not believe that the fire
was caused by a lightening strike.
He said that the PT Pertamina International
oil refinery claim that the fire was caused
by a lightening strike is unacceptable,
saying that "sabotage should be considered
a possible cause of the fire."
He said that a lightening strike as a possible
cause for the outbreak of fires at PT Pertamina's
oil refineries is a reaccuring problem,
saying "the Pertamina’s Balongan
refinery that caught fire in June was allegedly
caused by lightning."
"A full investigation report into the
fire at the PT Pertamina’s Balongan
refinery is still pending," he said.
He said that there are 16 PT Pertamina oil
refinery fires under investigation, saying
it is irrational for all the fires at the
refineries to have been caused by a lightening
strike, saying "sabotage is suspected
as the likely cause.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cleric
in Indonesia's largest Muslim
organisation arrested for
involvement in Jemaah Islamiyah
|
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|
Senior
Muslim cleric, Ahmad Zain
An-Najah, arrested for alleged
involvment in regional terrorist
group Jemaah Islmiyah (JL)
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 22: A senior Muslim
cleric of the largest Muslim organisation
in Indonesia, the Indonesian Ulema Council
(MUI), was arrested by Indonesia's Special
Detachment Densus 88 anti-terror squad
at his home in Bekasi on Tuesday for his
alleged involvment in the regional terrorist
group, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) that is responsible
for the Bali bombings, reports the Jakarta
Post.
Senior Muslim cleric, Ahmad Zain An-Najah,
who is on the Shura Advisory Council of
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), that aims to establish
a caliphate in Southeast Asia, and two associates
are charged with setting up a charity organisation
that diverted money to terrorist group Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI).
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rusdi
Hartono, said at a press conference on Wednesday
that the charity organisation was created
to obtain funding under the cover of social
and educational purposes, saying "part
of the funds collected were used to mobilise
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)."
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman
Miftachul Akhyar and secretary-general,
Amirsyah Tambunan issued a statement on
Thursday, saying "the MUI is committed
to supporting the rule of law against
violent acts of terrorism in accordance
with the 2004 MUI Fatwa on terrorism."
"Involvement in a terrorist network
is a matter of personal responsibility
for Senior Muslim cleric, Ahmad Zain An-Najah,
that has nothing to do with the MUI,"
the statement said.
The arrest by Indonesia's Special Detachment
Densus 88 anti-terror squad of three suspected
Jamaah Islamiya (JI) terrorists, in September
2021 followed the arrest of 53 suspected
terrorists in August, 2021 with Insp.
Gen. Martinus Hukom saying "the 53
suspected terrorists were arrested over
11 provinces in the week before Indonesian
Independence Day on August, 17."
He said that the Special Detachment Densus
88 anti-terror squad conducted massive
and continuous operations against the
Jamaah Islamiya (JI) group, saying that
the 53 terrorist suspects were making
bombs in Brebes, Kendal and Ambon.
"Three of the 53 arrested were from
the new Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terror
group and 50 were from the Jamaah Islamiya
(JI) terrorist group," he said.
In December 2020 Indonesia's Special Detachment
Densus 88 anti-terror squad arrested Aris
Sumarsono known as Daud, Zaenal Arifin
or Abdulrahman Zulkarnaen in Sumatra for
his involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings,
with police saying that Aris Sumarsono
conducted special training courses in
bomb making for Jemaah Islamiyah (JL)
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesian
workers to strike in protest
of low minimum wage, saying
it's inhumane
|
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|
Indonesian
Workers Union (Aspec Indonesia)
president, Mirah Sumirat,
says Indonesia's minimum wage
for 2022 is inhumane
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 21: Indonesian Workers
Union (Aspec Indonesia) rejected the low
Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP) rise for 2022
that was derived from the Joko Widodo government
introduced Omnibus Law on Job Creation,
saying "the low minimum wage for 2022
is inhumane" and "workers support
a national strike plan to protest the low
minimum wage," reports Tempo.
Indonesian Workers Union (Aspec Indonesia)
president, Mirah Sumirat, said that the
Joko Widodo government increase of the minimum
wage for 2022, derived from the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation that was passed into
law this month, was very low saying "it
is embarrassing"
She said that workers in Jakarta received
the highest Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP)
increase in Indonesia of only Rp37,538,
increasing the minumum wage per month to
Rp4,453,724 for 2022 in the city.
She said that workers in Central Java received
the lowest increase in the Provincial Minimum
Wage (UMP) in Indonesia of Rp14,032, increasing
the minimum wage per month to Rp1,813,011
in Central Java.
"Workers purchasing power is weak,"
she said.
She said that the application of the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation to determine the minimum
wage for 2022 proved that President Joko
Widodo favoured investors rather than workers,
saying that "people will be pushed
into poverty."
She said that the Indonesian Workers Union
(Aspec Indonesia) fully supported the Trade
Union Confederation (KSPI) plan for a national
strike to reject the Provincial Minimum
Wage (UMP) determined by the Omnibus Law
on Job Creation.
"The minimum wage for 2022 is inhumane
and proves that the government is unable
to provide a decent life for its people,"
she said.
The Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) and
Confederation of All Indonesian Workers'
Union (KSPSI AGN) that includes 32 federations
filed a challenge to the Joko Widodo government
Omnibus Law on Job Creation the day after
it was passed on November 2, 2021, saying
"the Omnibus Law on Job Creation is
clearly violating constitutional provisions
and the Manpower Act 2003 that protect workers’
rights"
The unions seek a full repeal of the Omnibus
Law on Job Creation or annulments of some
provisions the unions consider a violation
of workers constitution rights on various
grounds, claiming that job security and
a range of workers benefits have been comprised
in the Omnibus Law on Job Creation that
was signed into law by President Joko Widodo
with the President saying "the revision
of over 70 existing laws is vital to investment
and to labour market competitiveness."
Trade Union Confederation (KSPI) president,
Said Iqbal said that the Omnibus Law on
Job Creation allows companies to arbitralily
determine labor's working hours and salary,
saying "the removal of the sectoral
minimum wage will lead to a low-wage regime
as district governments or city councils
are no longer dutybound to set a minimum
wage for workers."
He said that if the new provision on outsourcing
comes into force, Indonesian workers could
be made life-long contract workers as contract
periods can be extended indefinitely and
the scope is no longer restricted to five
types of jobs.
"In short, this is modern slavery,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Sam Rainsy
headquarters confiscated to
pay PM Hun Sen compensation
for defamation
|
|
|
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|
Sam
Rainsy, former president of
the dissolved opposition Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP)
ordered to pay compensation
for defamation charges against
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun
Sen
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnm Penh, November 20: Phnom Penh Municiple
Court confiscated the court-dissolved opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) headquarters
on Monday, ordering the premises to be sold
to secure funds to compensate Prime Minister
Hun Sen, President of the National Assembly,
Heng Samrin, and Minister of the Interior,
Sar Kheng, for defamation, won in civil
law suits against Sam Rainsy, reports the
Phnom Penh Post
Sam Rainsy, who co-founded the now dissolved
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in
2012, fled Cambodia for Paris in 2015 fearing
arrest after parliamentary immunity was
removed and he faced multiple criminal defamation
charges in accusations of corruption against
the Hun Sen ruling Cambodia's People's Party
(CPP),
Phnom Penh Municiple Court ordered the sale
of the headquarters of the dissolved Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP) after ordering
Sam Rainsy to compensate Prime Minister
Hun Sen $984,009.84 for publicly defaming
the Prime Minister in January 2017.
Sam Rainsy was charged with defamation for
public accusations that the Prime Minister
of Cambodia had bribed former opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) member,
Thy Sovantha, to campaign against the opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
The Phnom Penh Municiple Court ordered Sam
Rainsy, to compensate the President of the
National Assembly, Heng Samrin, $984,009.84.
for defamation for public accusations that
the Samrin regime (1979-1991) had charged
the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk with
treason.
Sam Rainsy was ordered to pay Interior Minister
Sar Kheng $492,004.92 for defamatory public
accusations that the Interior Minister supported
revenge against Prime Minister Hun Sen,
who had allegedly ordered the 2008 death
of the Interior Ministers' father, former
National Police chief General Hok Lundy.
In March 2021 Sam Rainsy was found guilty
of plotting to overthrow the Hun Sen government
and was sentenced to 25 years in prison
in absentia.
Sam Rainsy was charged with treason for
plotting to overthrow the Hun Sen government
from exile in France under the new Cambodia
National Rescue Movement (CNRM), founded
in Paris in 2018.
The Phnom Penh Municiple Court accused Sam
Rainsy and supporters of the Cambodia National
Rescue Movement (CNRM), of inciting the
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to revolt against
the Hun Sen government in the plan for Sam
Rainsy's return to Cambodia.
Sam Rainsy, his wife Tioulong Saumura, former
legislators, Mu Sochua and Eng Chhai Eang,
Ou Chanrith, Ho Vann, Long Ry, Top Vanghan
and activists Long Phary and Ngin Kheang
were among 22 charged with three counts
of “plotting to overthrow the 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
|
Thai
parliament rejects proposal
to abolish right of Royal
Thai Armed Forces to appoint
250 seat senate
|
|
|
|
|
Re-Solution
group, secretary general,
Parit Wacharasindhu, right,
seeks to abolish the Royal
Thai Armed Forces right to
appoint the 250 seat Senate
in the parliament
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 19: The Thai parliament
rejected the "Peoples Constitution"
that seeks to amend the 2017 Constitution,
drafted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and
signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn,
including the section of the Constitution
that allows the Royal Thai Armed Forces
to appoint the Senate that nominates and
elects the Prime Minister, reports the Bangkok
Post.
Proposed amendments to the 2017 Constitution
including the section that states "changing
the democratic regime of government with
the King as Head of State or changing the
form of the State shall be prohibited"
and the section that states "the Prime
Minister may not present such a draft ConstitutionAmendment
to the King for signature" was rejected
by 473 Senators and Members of Parliament
with 206 in favour of the amendments and
six absentions.
The "peoples Constitution" that
was submitted to the parliament by the Internet
Law Reform Dialogue, Re-Solution group,
the Progressive Movement and the Move Forward
Party with the support of more than 130,000
petitioners, seeks to abolish the right
of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to appoint
the 250 seat Senate.
Re-Solution group, secretary general, Parit
Wacharasindhu, said the 2017 Royal Thai
Armed Forces drafted Constitution provides
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who is the current
Prime Minister of Thailand with extended
power through the Royal Thai Armed Forces
appointed 250 seat Senate.
Progressive Movement secretary-general Piyabutr
Saengkanokkul urged the petitioners not
to give up and to continue the campaign
to amend the 2017 Constitution designed
by the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
Move Forward, secretary general, Pita Limjaroenrat
said the vote missed a golden opportunity
to move Thailand out of the political quagmire,
saying "the proposed amendments to
the Constitution will be on the party platform
in the next general election."
Martial law commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha
and current Prime Minister of Thailand took
control of all security operations including
the Internal Security Operations Command
(Isoc), Royal Thai Police Office army, navy,
air force, Interior Ministry and relevant
government agencies on the declaration of
martial law in 2014, replacing the Upper
and Lower House
of Parliament with a unicameral National
Legislative Assembly of 250 members.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Jakarta
police stop investigation
into Greenpeace for alleged
false data on deforestation
|
|
|
|
|
Director
of General Criminal Investigation
of the Metro Jakarta Police,
Kombes Tubagus Ade Hidayat,
stopped the investigation
into Greenpeace on Monday
November 15, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 18: Indonesia Cyber Security
Forum (ICSF) has withdrawn a police report
filed against Greenpeace Indonesia forest
campaign for allegedly committing a criminal
act under the Electronic Information and
Transactions or ITE Law, for submitting
false and misleading data on deforestation
in Indonesia with the Director of General
Criminal Investigation of the Metro Jakarta
Police, saying "the Metro Jakarta Police
have stopped the investigation into Greenpeace,
reports Tempo.
Director of General Criminal Investigation
of the Metro Jakarta Police, Kombes Tubagus
Ade Hidayat, said that the Metro Jakarta
Police have stopped the investigation into
Greenpeace submitted by Indonesia Cyber
Security Forum (ICSF) chairman, Husin Shahab
last week.
He said that Indonesia Cyber Security Forum
(ICSF) chairman, Husin Shahab, withdrew
the police report filed against Greenpeace
Indonesia Country Director, Leonard Simanjuntak
and Greenpeace Forest Project Manager, Kiki
Taufik on Monday.
He said the reason for the withdrawal of
the report that was given by Indonesia Cyber
Security Forum (ICSF) chairman, Husin Shahab,
was that he does not want the investigation
to be politicised, saying "this case
will no longer be legally processed."
Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF) chairman,
Husin Shahab, accused Greenpeace of submitting
false and misleading data on deforestation
following the claim made at the World Leaders
Summit at the United Nations Climate Change
Summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland earlier
this month by President Joko Widodo that
deforestation in Indonesia is in decline.
Greenpeace rebutted President Joko Widodo's
claim of success in the reduction of forest
and land fires, the plan to rehabilitate
600,000 hectares of mangrove forest by 2024
and the phasing out of coal fired power
plants by 2040 for transition to renewable
energy.
Greenpeace Indonesia Country Director, Leonard
Simanjuntak said that Greenpeace stood by
the rebuttal of President Joko Widodo's
claim that deforestation in Indonesia is
in decline, saying that Greenpeace denied
the claim made by Indonesia Cyber Security
Forum (ICSF) that Greenpeace provided false
and misleading data on deforestation in
Indonesia.
"The data came from the Ministry of
Environment and Forestry itself," he
said.
He said that from 2003 to 2011 deforestation
had increased to about 2.4 million hectares,
saying that from 2011 to 2019 deforestation
increased to about 4.8 million hectres.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Greenpeace
accused of false and misleading
data on deforestation in Indonesia
|
|
|
|
|
Greenpeace
Indonesia Country Director,
Leonard Simanjuntak, accused
of submitting false and misleading
data on deforestation in Indonesia
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 17: Indonesia Cyber Security
Forum (ICSF) has filed a police report against
Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaign for
submitting false and misleading data on
deforestation in Indonesia following Greenpeace
Indonesia's rebuttal of President Joko Widodo's
claim that deforestation in Indonesia is
in decline, reports the Jakarta Post.
Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF)
chairman, Husin Shahab, said that Indonesia
Cyber Security Forum have filed a report
against Greenpeace for committing a criminal
act under the Electronic Information and
Transactions or ITE Law, saying "Greenpeace
submitted false and misleading data on
deforestation."
Greenpeace Indonesia Country Director,
Leonard Simanjuntak and Greenpeace Forest
Project Manager, Kiki Taufik, are accused
of submitting false and misleading data
on deforestation following the claim made
at the World Leaders Summit at the United
Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26)
in Glasgow, Scotland earlier this month
by President Joko Widodo that deforestation
in Indonesia is in decline.
Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaign spokesperson,
Asep Komarudin, said that "Greenpeace
provides valid, accurate data to the public,
saying Greenpeace is ready to have an
open debate with the Indonesian Environment
and Forestry Ministry regarding how we
analyze data scientifically and intellectually,"
he said.
Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaign spokesperson,
M Iqbal Damanik, said that Greenpeace
rejected President Joko Widodo's claim
of success in the reduction of forest
and land fires, the plan to rehabilitate
600,000 hectares of mangrove forest by
2024 and the phasing out of coal fired
power plants by 2040 for transition to
renewable energy," saying at a press
conference, titled "Responding to
President Jokowi's Speech at COP26"
that "Jakowi's claims are empy talk."
He rebutted President Jokowi's claim that
forest and land fires were in decline
by 82 percent between 2020-2021 and that
the decline was the result of government
policies, saying that the decline in deforestatiion
was influenced by natural factors.
"deforestation declined in the wet
season," he said.
He said that the claim by President Joko
Widodo that deforestation in Indonesia is
in decline was made from selected data or
"cherry picking" and does not
represent the condition or situation of
deforestation in Indonesia as a whole.
"President Jokowi has not yet shown
any seriousness in Indonesia for energy
transition to renewable transition, saying
that the Energy and Mineral Resources
Ministry (ESDM) and the State Electricity
Company (PLN) plans to build 13.8 Giga
Watts of coal fired power plants,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Letter
delivered to German Embassy
in Bangkok warns of return
of absolute monarchy to Thailand
|
|
|
|
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Students and supporters
of the United Front for Thammasat
and Demonstration, organisation
at the German Embassy in Bangkok
Sunday 14, November 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 16: A letter delivered
to the German Embassy in Bangkok on Sunday
opposing the Constitutiinal Court ruling
last week in Bangkok that mass protests
at the Thammasat University in Bangkok last
year aimed to overthrow the "democratuc
institution with the King as head of state",
warning "the Constitutional Court ruling
would bring about the return of absolute
monarchy to Thailand," report the Bangkok
Post.
United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration,
student spokeswoman, Thatchapong Kaedam,
said outside the German Embassy in Bangkok
on Sunday, that student organisations
rejected the Constituional Court ruling
that Arnon Nampa, 37, Panupong Jadnok,
24, and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul,
23, attempted to overthrow the "democratic
institution with the King as head of state"
in their demands in a 10 point manifesto
at mass protests at the Thammasat University
on August 10, 2020, saying "demands
in the 10 point manifesto were not a proposal
to abolish the monarchy but a proposal
for the monarchy to continue in a democracy."
"The Constitutional Court's ruling
is bringing Thailand back to an absolute
monarchy," she said.
The letter delivered to the German Embassy
in Bangkok on Sunday said that demands made
in the 10 point manifesto, that called for
the repeal of the criminalisation of the
Lese Majeste law, repeal of the order that
transferred army units to new King Maha
Vajiralongkorn personal command, repeal
of the law that gave new King Maha Vajiralongkorn
full control of the crown's reportedly extensive
property holdings and repeal of the monarchy
empowerment to endorse a military coup,
are not intended to overthrow the monarchy
but to reform the monarchy.
In October 2020 Thousands of students
marched on the German Embassy in Bangkok
calling on Berlin to investigate the reportedly
considerable time Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn
spent in Germany, saying that the Thai
King's exercise of power over Thailand
from Germany violates German sovereignity.
German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said
that it would be unacceptable for the
Thai King to conduct Thai politics in
Germany, saying "Germany would continue
to look into the Thai King's visits to
the German state of Bavaria."
"The German government has taken
the view that it is not yet of the opinion
that the Thai King has continuously conducted
Thai state business in Germany,"
he said.
He said that the Thai King was permitted
to make occasional decisions while in
Germany provided he did not continuously
conduct political business from Germany,
saying the "Thai King had a visa
that allowed him stay in Germany for several
years as a private person and that the
Thai King also enjoyed diplomatic immunity
as a Head of State."
Germany's Foreign Ministry has since cleared
the King of Thailand of breaching German
sovereignty.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
News
Zealand hands APEC 2022 chair
to Thailand with Maori traditional
Waka canoe paddle
|
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Prime Minister of Thailand
Prayut Chan-o-cha accepts
a traditional Maori, indigenous
to New Zealand, hand crafted
Waka canoe paddle, saying
"Thailand will move the
APEC ship forward"
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 15: The Asia Pacific Economic
Community (APEC) rotating chair, held by
New Zealand in 2021, was handed to Thailand
for 2022 at the APEC Economic Leaders’
Week (AELW) video conference hosted by New
Zealand, with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha calling on APEC leaders to synergise
their strength in creating an open, dynamic,
resilient, and peaceful APEC community,
reports Bangkok Post.
Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
declared the theme for APEC in 2022 "Open.
Connect. Balance," saying "APEC
is open to all oportunities, connected in
every dimension and balanced in all aspects."
Thailand government spokesman, Thanakorn
Wangboonkongchana said that the Prime Minister
of New Zealand handed the 2022 APEC chair
to Prime Minister Prime Prayut Chan-o-cha
who is also the Defence Minister, on Friday,
saying "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
joined in talks with APEC economic leaders
and representatives of the APEC Business
Advisory Council (ABAC) on November 11 and
the 28th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week
(AELW) on November 12."
"Thailand will push forward towards
inclusive and sustainable growth in the
Asia Pacific region under the Bio, Circular,
and Green (BCG) economic model," he
said.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jucinda Adhern,
handed over a traditional Maori, who are
indigenous to New Zealand, Waka canoe paddle
to Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha
as a symbol of the handover of the Asia
Pacific Economic Community (APEC) chair.
Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha
said that Thailand's acceptance of the Waka
canoe paddle symobolises the handover of
the APEC chair for 2022, saying "Thailand
will move the APEC ship forward."
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jucinda Adhern
said the 2021 APEC theme, "Join. Work
Grow Together," was inspired by the
Maori who are indigenous to New Zealand.
She said that building a traditional Waka
Maori canoe involved the entire Maori community
working in harmony toward a common goal,
saying "the Waka canoe enabled Maori's
to traverse vast expanses of ocean."
"Building Apec prosperity requires
a collaborative effort from all APEC economies
to reach a common goal," she said.
APEC's 21 member economies are Australia;
Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's
Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia;
Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico;
New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The
Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore;
Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States
of America;
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Greenpeace
claims tax on carbon emmisions
in Indonesia no solution
to climate crisis
|
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|
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Greenpeace
Indonesia protest against
tax on carbon dioxide emmission
at the United Nations Climate
Change Conference (COP26)
in Jakarta, Indonesia, November
5, 2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 14: Greenpeace Indonesia
claims that the new Law on the Harmonization
of Tax Regulations (UU HPP), that stipulates
a tax on carbon emissions, signed by President
Joko Widodo at the 2021 United Nations Climate
Change conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland
earlier this month "is not a solution
to the climate crisis," reports the
Jakarta Post.
Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaign spokesperson
M Iqbal Damanik said companies will take
advantage of the new Harmonization of Tax
Regulations (UU HPP) law that allows carbon
emmission trading with carbon tax offset
schemes in activities ranging from clearing
forests to land concessions, saying "carbon
tax offset schemes are a mechanism for polluters
to legitimise pollution in existing forests."
"The new Harmonization of Tax Regulations
(UU HPP) law negates carbon dioxide emmisions
produced at one location with carbon tax
offset schemes to reduce carbon dioxide
emmisions at another location," he
said.
"Companies can cut down trees in Sumatra
and plant trees in Jakarta," he said.
He claims that the Indonesian government
has no desire to reduce emissions, saying
"instead President Joko Widodo wants
to give companies the right to produce carbon
emissions through carbon credits."
Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of
Finance, Febrio Kacaribu, said that the
implementation of a carbon tax as stipulated
in the Law on the Harmonization of Tax Regulations
(UU HPP) has made Indonesia equal with developed
countries that have implemented a carbon
tax on dioxide emmisions including the UK,
Japan and Singapore.
"A tax on carbon dioxide emmission
will be carried out in stages taking into
account the development of the carbon market."
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand's
students don't want to abolish
monarchy, reject Constitutional
Court ruling
|
|
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|
|
Protesters
set fire to a model of the
Democracy Monument at the
Constitutional Court on Wednesday
November 10, 2021 in protest
against the Court ruling that
the 10 point manifesto aims
to overthrow the monarchy
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 13: Student organisations
at Thailands major universities including
the Thammasat university Rangsit campus
in Bangkok rejected the Constitutiinal Court
ruling on Wednesday that mass protests held
at the Thammasat University last year aimed
to overthrow the "democratic institution
with the King as head of state", with
students saying "demands in a 10 point
manifesto at the mass protests were not
a proposal to abolish the monarchy, reports
the Bangkok Post.
Student organisations from the Thammasat
university, Chulalongkorn, Maejo, Prince
of Songkla, Pattani and Hatyai campuses,
Chiang Mai, Naresuan, Mahasarakham and
Kasetsart universities issued a statement
saying they rejected the Constituional
Court ruling that Arnon Nampa, 37, Panupong
Jadnok, 24, and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul,
23, attempted to overthrow the democratic
institution with the King as head of state
in demands made in the 10 point manifesto
at the mass protests at Thammasat University
on August 10, 2020.
The statement said that students were
excercising their right to freedom of
expression and protest that was protected
by the Constitution saying "if the
blood of pro-democracy protesters touches
the ground, the fire of the people's fight
will grow uncontrollably."
The Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday
that demands made in a 10 point manifesto
that was submitted to the parliament following
the mass protests at the Thammasat university
in Bangkok in August last year were in
violation of Section 49 of the Constitution
that states "No person shall exercise
the rights or liberties to overthrow the
democratic regime of government with the
King as Head of State."
Arnon Nampa, 37, Panupong Jadnok, 24,
and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, 23,
who are accused of attempting to overthrow
the democratic institution with the King
as head of state said that they had no
intention of overthrowing the constitutional
monarchy, saying "the demands in
the 10 point manifesto are not intended
to overthrow but reform the monarchy,
saying that proposed amendments to Section
112 of the Criminal Code would decriminalise
the Lese Majeste law and are not an attempt
to abolish the comonarchy."
The 10 point manifesto calls for the repeal
of the criminalisation of the Lese Majeste
law, repeal of the order that transferred
army units to new King Maha Vajiralongkorn
personal command, repeal of the law that
gave the new King full control of the
crown's reportedly extensive property
holdings and repeal of the monarchy empowerment
to endorse a military coup.
In May 2021 the ruling Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) lead by Prime Minister Prayut
Cha-o-cha, listed 10 sections of the 2017
constitution for amendment, saying "none
of the 10 sections are determined by Section
256 of the Constitution".
Section 256 of the 2017 Constitution stipulates
that if the draft Constitution amendment
is contrary to Section 255 that states
"changing the democratic regime of
government with the King as Head of State
or changing the form of the State shall
be prohibited" then "the Prime
Minister may not present such a draft
Constitution Amendment to the King for
signature."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thai Constitutional
Court rules Thammasat University
mass protests aimed to overthrow
King
|
|
|
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|
Panasaya
Sitthijirawattanakul, 23,
United Front of Thammasat
and Demonstration student
union representative, at the
Constitutional Court on Wednesday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 12: The Constitutional
Court ruled on Wednesday that mass protests
held at the Thammasat University Rangsit
campus in Bangkok last year aimed to overthrow
the "democratic institution with
the King as head of state", despite
protesters saying that demands made in
a 10 point manifesto were not a proposal
to abolish the monarchy, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Arnon
Nampa, 37, Panupong Jadnok, 24, and Panusaya
Sithijirawattanakul, 23, attempted to
overthrow the democratic institution with
the King as head of state in demands made
in the 10 point manifesto at Thammasat
University Rangsit campus mass protests
on August 10, 2020.
The Constitutional Court ordered protesters
calling for reform of the monarchy to
end all moves against the constitutional
monarchy, saying "Arnon Nampa, Panupong
Jadnok and Panusaya and their organisations
and networks must cease their effort to
overthrow the King as head of state."
The Constitutional Court ruled that demands
made in a 10 point manifesto that was
submitted to the parliament by the United
Front of Thammasat and Demonstration student
union representative, Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul,
were in violation of Section 49 of the
Constitution that states "No person
shall exercise the rights or liberties
to overthrow the democratic regime of
government with the King as Head of State."
Arnon Nampa, Panupong Jadnok and Panusaya
Sithijirawattanakul who are accused of
attempting to overthrow the democratic
institution with the King as head of state
said that they had no intention of overthrowing
the constitutional monarchy, saying "the
demands in the 10 point manifesto are
intended to strengthen the constitutional
monarchy."
Panasaya Sitthijirawattanakul, said that
the 10 point manifesto that calls for
reform of the monarchy states that the
demands made in the manifesto are not
a proposal to abolish the monarchy.
She said that the 10 demands were not
intended to overthrow but reform the monarchy,
saying that proposed amendments to Section
112 of the Criminal Code that would decriminalise
the lese majeste law are not an attempt
to overthrow the constitutional monarchy."
"We will go ahead with the push for
the 10 demands,'' she said.
The ten point manifesto includes demands
that the government revoke Article 112
of the Criminal Code, that would decriminalise
the Lese Majeste law and allow the exercise
of freedom of expression and includes
demands that the monarchy give amnesty
to those prosecuted for criticizing the
monarchy.
The 10 point manifesto also called for the
government to revoke the Crown Property
Act of 2018 and make a clear division between
the kings assets under the control of the
Ministry of Finance and his personal assets.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Daughter
of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra
to be investigated for violation
of ethical code of conduct
|
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A
petition for an investigation
into Paetongtarn Shinawatra,
35, daughter of fugitive ousted
former prime minister, Thaksin
Shinawatra, founder of the
Pheu Thai Party, was submitted
to the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) on Tuesday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, November 11: The National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) has been petitioned to
investigate the youngest daughter of fugitive
ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra,
after she was appointed participation and
innovation advisor to the opposition Pheu
Thai Party, the largest opposition party
in Thailand, last week, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The petition for the investigation into
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 35, daughter of
fugitive ousted former prime minister, Thaksin
Shinawatra, founder of the Pheu Thai Party,
was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) by adviser to the House
committee on law, justice and human rights
and former ruling party Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) member, Sonthiya Sawasdee.
The former member of ruling party Palang
Pracharath Party (PPRP) claimed in the petition
submitted to the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) on Tuesday that Paetongtarn
Shinawatra, has "violated the ethical
code of conduct for a holding a political
position on at least four occasions."
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who became a political
position holder on October 28, 2021 when
appointed participation and innovation advisor
to the Pheu Thai Party, is accused of cheating,
during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration,
in a 2004 entrance examination that gained
her a place in the Political Science Faculty
at Chulalongkorn University.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the newly appointed
participation and innovation advisor to
the Pheu Thai Party, is also accused of
involvement in the illegal transfer of forrestry
land in the Alpine golf course case that
involved Pheu Thai Party leader, former
deputy prime minister Yongyuth Wichaidit,
who was sentenced to prison last year by
the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct
for malfeasance in office.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is also accused of
supporting the call by the Pheu Thai Party
to amend the 2017 Constitution, drafted
by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and signed
into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, saying
that the party is seeking to amend the section
of the Constitution that deals with the
Royal Thai Armed Forces appointed Senate
that nominates and elects a prime minister.
The 2017 Constitution states that "changing
the democratic regime of government with
the King as Head of State or changing the
form of the State shall be prohibited"
and that "the Prime Minister may not
present such a draft Constitution Amendment
to the King for signature."
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is also accused of
a political connection with fugitive ousted
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who fled
to Dubai in 2008 to avoid facing trial for
malfeasance.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West
Jakarta home of Papua Human
Rights advocate, Veronica
Koman, firebombed
|
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|
Jakarta
Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta)
Human Rghts lawyer and West
Papua Human Rghts advocate,
Veronica Koman, is on the
Indonesian National Police
wanted list
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Amnesty International
Indonesia called for the protection of Human
Rights activists in Indonesia after the
home in West Jakarta of former Jakarta Legal
Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) Human Rights
lawyer and Papuan Human Rights advocate,
Veronica Koman, who is believed to be residing
in Australia, was firebombed, reports Tempo.
West Jakarta police chief, Kompol Joko Dwi
Harsono, said that parents of Papua Human
Rights advocate were not injured in the
attack on their home in Jelambar Baru, West
Java, saying that the premises have been
declared a crime scene.
He said that the attack was captured on
CCTV, saying "footage shows that
explosives and red paint was thrown at
the house from a drive-by mortorcycle."
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive
Director, Usman Hamid, said at a press
conference on Monday, "the state
is obliged to protect everyone in its
territory including the parents of Papuan
Human Rights lawyer Veronica Koman whose
home was firebombed on Sunday."
He said that Amnesty International Indonesia
considers Human Rights advocacy in Papua
legitimate, saying "Veronica Koman's
action, expression and opinion on Human
Rights in Papua was justified and guaranteed
by the Indonesian Constitution."
“Of course she must get protection
from the state,” he said.
Papuan Human Rights advocate, Veronica Koman
is critical of the Special Autonomy (Otsus)
Law on Papua that was introduced in 2001
and revised in July 2021 to include the
division of Papua into three provinces,
saying that regional decentralisation will
make it easier for the Indonesian central
government to create new administrative
regions in Papua.
"Regional decentralisation in Papua
is one of the tactics of divide et impera
which has been effective in marginalising
Papuans," she said.
She said that the revised law was rejected
by Papuans who say there is no good intent
in the Indonesian central government development
of Papua as a unit within the Unitary
State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Papuan Human Rights activist, Veronica Koman,
who is believed to be residing in Australia,
is also critical of the revised Special
Autonomy (Otsus) Law on Papua that has removed
the Papuan people's right to establish local
political parties.
"It is impossible for Papuans to
establish local political parties,"
she said.
In February 2020 Papuan Human Rights activist,
Veronica Koman, called on the Australian
government to raise human rights violations
in Papua during Indonesian President Joko
Widodo official visit to Australia that
included an address to the Australian Federal
parliament in Canberra and the signing of
a free trade agreement.
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 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
|
Vietnam's
Public Security Minister eats
steak at $1000 a bite at a
London restuarant
|
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Chef,
Nusret Gokce, serves steak
coated with edible 24 carat
gold to Vietnam Security Minister
General To Lam and spokeman
To An XO at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse
in London on Thursday 4 November
2021
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, November 8: Communist Party of
Vietnam (CPV) officials including the
Minister of Public Security of Vietnam
were posted on facebook dining on steak
coated with edible 24 carat gold that
cost more than $1,000 a bite at a London
restuarant on Thursday, with facebook
postings in Vietnam showing Vietnamese
children living in poverty in response
to the extravagance, reports Reuters.
The facebook posting showed Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials including
the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam,
General To Lam, who is a member Politburo
and a Member of Council for National Defense
and Security, and spokeman, To An XO,
dining on steak that cost more than a
$1,000 a bite at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse
in Knightsbridge, London on Thursday after
attending the United Nations Climate Change
conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
The Facebook posting showing the Minister
of Public Security of Vietnam, General
To Lam and spokesman, To An XO, dining
on steak coated with gold that was posted
by chef of the Nusr-Et Steakhouse, Nusret
Gokce, and that went viral, has since
been removed.
Vietnamese, Pham Viet Duc, responded to
the posting of the Minister of Public Security
of Vietnam dining at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse
in London that is frequented by celebrities
including David Beckham and Leonardo DiCaprio,
saying "Vietnamese are experiencing
extreme hardship due to COVID-19, but officials
are enjoying themselves like world-class
celebrities.”
Vietnamese, Tommy Lee, said that the face
book posting showing the Minister of Public
Security of Vietnam General To Lam and
officials enjoying themselves at a luxury
restuarant is not unususal, saying "they’ve
always spent their money this way."
"My taxes are used for such luxury,
Vietnam is still poor, but the minister
is enjoying such luxury," he said.
Vietnamese Nguyen Huu Truong said in response
to the Facebook posting showing the Minister
of Public Security of Vietnam, General
To Lam, dining at the London restuarant
"his annual salary can’t afford
that meal."
'Where did he get the money? " he
asks.
Human Rights Activist, Hoang Dung , who
posted the Minister of Public Security
of Vietnam dining on steak coated with
edible 24 carat gold on his face book,
questioned the claim that Vietnamese officials
were entitled to a spending allowance
while on a business trip.
Minister of Public Security of Vietnam
General To Lam's monthly wage is between
$600 to $800 per month before any allowances.
The price of gold coated steaks at the
Nusr-Et Steakhouse in London range from
$1,140 to $2,015 a serve.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Victims
of 1965 genocide in Indonesia
call on Britain to reveal
the truth
|
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The
Murder Victims’ Research
Foundation (YPKP 65) chairman
Bedjo Untung, 73, demands
an apology and a full explanation
from the British government
for the 1965 mass killings
in Indonesia
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 2: Murder Victims’
Research Foundation (YPKP 65) who represents
the survivors of the 1965 mass killings
of suspected Communist Party, Partai Komunis
Indonesia (PKI) members and supporters,
have called on the British government to
reveal the truth in its role in the killing
of about two million Indonesians and the
imprisonment of more than a million without
trial, in the years following the abortive
coup of September 30, 1965, against Indonesia’s
first president, Soekarno, that was blamed
on the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI),
reports the Jakarta Post.
The names of the suspected Communist Party,
Partai Komunis Indonesia (PKI) members and
supporters were reportedly supplied by United
States, British or Australian diplomats
or intelligence officers, including the
CIA.
Those who were linked to the Indonesian
Communist Party (PKI) were not allowed to
become civil servants, military or police
officers, teachers or members of the clergy
and were subject to surveillance and their
ID cards labelled "ET" for ex-political
prisoner.
Murder Victims’ Research Foundation
(YPKP 65) chairman, Bedjo Untung, 73, demanded
an apology and a full explanation from the
British government saying, "we the
victims are angry."
"Reconciliation is impossible without
truth, so please reveal the truth,"
he said.
The declassification of British documents
earlier this month showed that the British
Foreign Office Information Research Department
(IRD) launched a propaganda campaign calling
for "the Indonesian Communist Party
(PKI) and all communist organizations"
to "be eliminated " with a campaign
warning that Indonesia would be in danger
"as long as the communist leaders are
at large and their rank and file are allowed
to go unpunished."
The documents showed that the British Foreign
Affairs Information Research Department
(IRD) blamed the Indonesian Communist party
(PKI) and ethnic Chinese for the abortive
coup of September 30, 1965, with British
operatives in Singapore conducting a newsletter
and radio broadcast campaign, purportedly
by exiled Indonesian patriots in Singapore,
against the Indonesian Communist party (PKI)
and ethnic Chinese.
In October 2017 the declassification of
of United States documents showed that the
United States Government had knowledge of
and supported the Indonesian military killings
of suspected Communist Party (PKI) members
and supporters in 1965, revealing that the
killing of about two million suspected Communist
Party (PKI) members and supporters in 1965
"shifted Indonesia's political orientation
to the United States and opened its huge
market to American companies"
The United States declassification reveals
that the late Indonesia president Suharto
ordered the mass killings of suspected members
and supporters of the Indonesian Communist
Party (PKI) and that the mass killings were
carried out by Indonesia's largest Muslim
organisation.
The declassified United States documents
show that about 10,000 Balinese including
the Bali governor and his relatives had
been killed on the island of Bali by mid-December
1965 and that two months later a further
embassy cable from Jakarta to the US estimated
that the killings in Bali had reached 80,000.
The United States documents show that by
April 1966 the US embassy in Jakarta was
"staggered by the scale of the murders",
saying "we frankly do not know whether
the real figure is closer to 100,000 or
1,000,000."
In July 2016 the International People’s
Tribunal (IPT) in the Hague found Indonesia
guilty of genocide for the mass killings
of suspected communists with spokeswoman,
Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, saying "althought
it is not legally binding since it is not
a criminal court, the finding serves as
a political action aimed at making the Indonesian
government accountable for crimes against
humanity."
The International People’s Tribunal
(IPT) in the Hague also found that the United
States, Britian and Australia were directly
involved in the 1965 killings of suspected
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members
and supporters.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Darwin
reporter John Loizou asks
a survivor of the 1965 killings
in Bali "why didn't you
try to stop them" in
"Remembering the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open
page here
|
|
| Kang-Fu
the Red Kangaroo is relentless
in his fight to protect Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page here |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...Open
page here |
|
| MEDIA
CHECK |
| Cambodia-China
Journalist Association
(CCJA) launched in Phnom
Penh
...open
here |
|
|
| Indigenous
Australians in the northern
Queensland town of East Trinity
aim for economic independence
from eco-cultural tourism, reports
Christine Howes in "Australian
indigenous eco-cultural tourism
venture wins best small project
national award "
...open
here |
|
| Kavi
Chongkittavorn talks about the
UK application to become an
ASEAN dialogue partner in "New
dynamics of Aseans external
ties," with consensus yet
to be reached on admitting a
former colonial master of four
ASEAN member countries into
the Southeast Asian bloc....open
|
|
| Esther
Samboh talks about the choise
between thousands dying of Covid-19
or from hunger in densely populated
Jakarta in the new normal in
"Medics dying, infections
soaring - it's still the economy"
...open
page here |
|
| Australian
reporter, Chris Ray, investigates
why Australia dropped five spots
in the World Press Freedom Index...open |
|
| Read
what Son Nguyen has to say about
the impact of China's virus
on Vietnam's economy in "When
the economy gets sick"
open
here |
|
| The
Southeast Asian Times wishes
its readers a happy Christmas
and all the best for the New
Year with a special thankyou
to its treasured letter writers
|
|
| Has
the ancient Syrian city of
Palmyra suffered
a fatal blow, or will it rise
again? asks Australian reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page here |
|
|
Darwin
reporter John Loizou asks
a survivor of the 1965 killings
in Bali "why didn't you
try to stop them" in
"Remembering the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open
page here
|
|
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A. Hamzah as he calls
for Asians to determine their
own political destiny in "Time
for Asia to set it's own course,
minus the U.S."...open
here |
|
| Is
prescribed burning of grasslands
in northern Australia out of
control? ......Chris
Ray reports ...
open page here |
|
| "Rockefeller
and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi"
by Kerry B. Collison "is
undoubtedly fictional but by
no means improbable, "
says Johannes Nugroho ....open
page here |
|
Viet
Nam is planning to go nuclear
by the year 2020.reports
John Loizou in
"Calculating
the costs of nuclear energy
in Vietnam"
...open
page here |
|
|
The
founder of the Revolutionary
Front of Independent East
Timor (Fretilin), Mari Alkatiri,
the now former Prime Minister
of Timor Leste, after losing
the May 12, 2018 election
to the National Congress for
Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
party, led by Xanana Gusmao,
has accused the opposition
of a coup attempt.
Twelve years ago Mari Alkatiri
also accused the opposition
of a coup attemp claiming
then that the crises that
led to his resignation was
the result of a conspiracy.
"I have no doubt about
that" he told Darwin
reporter John Loizou in an
interview in Dili on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
|
|
|
Cuba's
302 physicians in East Timor
work at five hospitals and
remote villages throughout
the republic...writes Darwin
reporter John Loizou ...open
page here
|
|
| Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
|
|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
|
|
| Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
| The
Southeast Asian Times wishes
its readers a happy Christmas
and all the best for the New
Year with a special thankyou
to its treasured letter writers
|
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
|
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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 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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