|
GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout the region.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Aung
San Suu Kyi dismisses proposal
to replace Myanmar's military
|
|
|
|
|
Aung San Suu Kyi supporters
outside the International
Court of Justice, The Hague,
Netherlands, on Thursday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Myanmar, December 15: Aung San Suu Kyi,
National League for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor of Myanmar,
called on the International Court of Justice
in The Hague, to dismiss the charge of
genocide brought against Myanmar and also
to dismiss the proposal put to the court
to implement provisional measures to prevent
further alleged abuses against Muslims
in Rakhine State, reports the Myanmar
Times.
Gambia's Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou
who filed charges of genocide against
Myanmar on behalf of the Organisation
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the International
Court of Justice on November 11 rebutted
Myanmar's argument against genocide and
renewed the call for the court to implement
provisional measures that would replace
the military justice system.
State counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi warned
in Myanmar's final submission at the conclusion
of the three day hearing that the proposed
provisional measures for Muslim Rakhine
state would "undermine the ongoing
reconciliation efforts."
The state counsellor said that neutralising
the current military justice system in
Myanmar and replacing it with an external
justice system would be like “surgically
removing a functioning body part”
Lawyer for Myanmar Chris Staker that the
proposed provisional measures would also
hinder the repatriation process in place,
saying "that repatriation is supported
by the public."
"The implication could be adverse
as the situation on the ground remains
complex," he said.
The president of the International Court
of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) said the
court would reach its final decision on
provisional measures as soon as possible.
National League for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi, whose party won the popular vote
with about 97 per cent of Yangon Region
seats in the November 2015 General elections,
is subject to the conditions of the Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) military-drafted
Myanmar constitution.
The military-drafted Myanmar constitution
allows for the allocation of 25 percent
of parliamentary seats in both houses
to unelected military officers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Humanitarian
organisation denies complicity
in Myanmar genocide
|
|
|
|
|
Aung
San Suu Kyi, National League
for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor
of Myanmar and the Union Enterprise
for Humanitarian Assistance,
Resettlement and Development
(UEHRD) coordinator U Aung
Tun Thet deny allegations
of genocide in Myanmar's Rankine
State
|
|
From News Reports:
Myanmar, December 14: The Union Enterprise
for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement
and Development (UEHRD) denied allegations
made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) that the organisation is complicit
in genocide in Myanmar's Rakhine State at
the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
on Wednesday, reports the Myanmar Times.
The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance,
Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) that
organised the rehabilitation and development
of the Muslim Rakhine State denied complicity
in genocide in its seizure of Muslim land
as claimed by the Gambia's Justice Minister
Aboubacarr Tambadou on behalf of the Organisation
of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the International
Court of Justice (ICJ)
Coordinator of the Union Enterprise for
Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and
Development (UEHRD), U Aung Tun Thet, told
the International Court of Justice on Wednesday
"such action has never been taken by
UEHRD."
The Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance,
Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) coordinator
U Aung Tun Thet, told the panel of judges
at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
that the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian
Assistance, Resettlement and Development
(UEHRD) does not accept the allegations
against the organisation, saying “we
categorically deny the allegations made
at the International Court of Justice in
The Hague regarding the confiscation of
land,” he said.
"The land used for building reception
and transit centres was provided by the
Rakhine State government," he said.
He said Union Enterprise for Humanitarian
Assistance, Resettlement and Development
(UEHRD) carried out its work to help prepare
for the repatriation of refugees in line
with the instructions of State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Aung San Suu Kyi, National League for Democracy
(NLD) party leader and state counsellor
of Myanmar, refuted claims of genicide on
the first day of the two day hearing at
the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
in the Hague saying that "genocidal
intent cannot be the only hypothesis."
State counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi refuted
claims of genecide saying that Gambia Justice
Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou has placed
before the Hague Court an incomplete and
misleading factual picture of the situation
in Rakhine State in Myanmar.
"Currently, an internal armed conflict
is going on in the Rankine State –
between the Arakan Army, an organised Buddhist
armed group with more than 5000 fighters,
and the regular Myanmar Defence Services,"
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Aung
San Suu Kyi refutes Myanmar
genocide claim in the Hague
court
|
|
|
|
|
Myanmar
state counsellor Aung San
Suu Kyi refuted accusations
of genocide in Myanmar in
her address before the judges
of the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague
on Wednesday, saying that
"genocidal intent cannot
be the only hypothesis"
|
|
From
News Reports:
Yangon, December 13: Aung San Suu Kyi, National
League for Democracy (NLD) party leader
and state counsellor of Myanmar, refuted
claims of genicide at the two day hearing
at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
in the Hague on Wednesday, saying that "genocidal
intent cannot be the only hypothesis,"
reports the Myanmar Times.
Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi
said "there can be no genocidal intent
on the part of a state that actively investigates,
prosecutes and punishes soldiers and officers
who are accused of wrongdoing."
She said that although the focus at the
hearing is on members of the
military, saying that she said she can assure
the court that appropriate action would
also be taken against civilian offenders
in line with due process.
"There will be no tolerance of human
rights violations in the Rakhine or elsewhere
in Myanmar," she said.
Gambia Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou
filed a complaint at the International Court
of Justice in The Hague on November 11 on
behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) accusing the Myanmar government with
genocide of the Rakhine State's Muslim minority,
claiming that "Myanmar intended to
destroy the Rohingya group in whole or in
part."
The Gambia Justice Minister alleges that
Myanmar's campaign against Rakhin Muslims
including killing, causing serious bodily
and mental harm, inflicting conditions that
are calculated to bring about physical destruction,
imposing measures to prevent births, and
forcible transfers, saying that "the
campaign was genocidal in character."
Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi
refuted claims of genecide saying that Gambia
Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou has
placed before the Court an incomplete and
misleading factual picture of the situation
in Rakhine State in Myanmar.
"Currently, an internal armed conflict
is going on in the Rankine State –
between the Arakan Army, an organised Buddhist
armed group with more than 5000 fighters,
and the regular Myanmar Defence Services,"
she said.
She said that the Arakan Army seeks autonomy
or independence for Rakhine – or Arakan
as it was called – finding inspiration
in the memory of the historic Kingdom of
Arakan, saying "this conflict has led
to the displacement of thousands of civilians
in Rakhine."
Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi
called on the panel of judges at the hearing
in the International court of the Hague
to bear in mind the complex situation and
the challenge to sovereignty and security
in Myanmar when assessing the intent of
those who attempted to deal with the rebellion.
"Surely, under the circumstances, genocidal
intent cannot be the only hypothesis",
she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Protesters
call on Indonesia to release
West Papua's political prisoners
|
|
|
|
|
Protesters
at the South Jakarta District
Court on Tuesday call for
the release of six West Papua
political prisoners arrested
for treason in August
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 12: Protesters in support
of a referendum for independence for West
Papua, called for the release of six West
Papuan political prisoners, who were arrested
and charged with treason in August for flying
the banned Bintang Kejora, or Morning Star,
flag at the Merdeka State Palace, with their
lawyer saying at the South Jakarta District
Court on Tuesday "the law is not valid
for Papuan people" reports the Jakarta
Post.
About 20 protesters called for the release
of the West Papuan political prisoners at
a pre-trial hearing at the South Jakarta
District Court on Tuesday, blocking the
road leading to the entrance of the district
court.
Lawyer for the six West Papuans, Michael
Hilman, said that the judge denied a pre-trial
motion submitted by the six West Papuans,
saying that the charge of treason would
be pursued by police.
He claims that the judge did not consider
the statements of expert witnesses in the
submission for a pre trial motion, saying
"the law is not valid for Papuan people"
West Papuans, Surya Anta, Isay Wenda, Dano
Tabuni, Ambrose Mulait, Carles Kosay, and
Arian Lokbere are charged with treason for
flying the banned separatist flag, saying
as they called on the Indonesian government
for self-determination "Papua is not
red and white (Indonesian national flag),
Papua is the morning star (West Papuan flag)."
They demanded the withdrawal of the Indonesian
Military (TNI) from Papua and full independence
from Indonesia, rejecting the result of
the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) an election
held on August 2, 1969 in which the 1,025
voters were selected by the Indonesian Military
(TNI).
In October the National Committe of West
Papua (KNPB) condemned the alleged secretive
transfer of seven West Papuans charged with
treason from West Papua to East Kalimantan,
calling on West Papua police to return the
political prisoners.
The seven West Papuans were arrested in
Jayapura in August and September following
a series of student protests that spread
to almost all regions in West Papua including
Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai, Manokwari,
Fakfak and Sorong with West Papuans calling
on Indonesia for a referendum for independence
for West Papua.
Agus Kossay, chairman of the National Committe
of West Papua (KNPB) and Buktar Tabuni,
Fery Kombo, Alexander Gobay, Steven Itlai,
Hengku Hilapok, Irwanus Uropmabin who are
members of Free Papua Movement affilated
groups, the West Papua National Committee
(KNPB) and the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP) were reportedly transferred
without any legal basis.
The National Committee of West Papua (KNPB)
claims that "the transfer process was
secretly done, denying the prisoners' rights
to legal assistance," saying that "the
Law and Human Rights Ministry had yet to
issue a letter to justify the transfer of
the seven from West Papua to Kalimantan".
"The Papua Police chief and police
investigator are in breach of Article 85
of the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP)"
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Christmas
in Hong Kong the worst ever
for retailers
|
|
|
|
|
Shops
closed in shopping mall in
Admiralty district of Hong
Kong 5 October 2019
|
|
From News Reports:
Hong Kong, December 11: Thousands of retail
jobs could be lost and thousands of stores
could be out of business during the next
six months as pro-democracy protests in
Hong Kong continue to disrupt sales over
Christmas, with the Hong Kong Retail Management
Association saying "this will be the
worst Christmas in Hong Kong history,"
reports the Straits Times
Hong Kong Retail Management Association
chairwoman, Annie Tse, said that a survey
conducted by the association shows that
30 percent say they would cut jobs while
43 percent say they cannot continue to operate
beyond six months.
"If cash flow doesn't improve and landlords
don't help there will be a wave of layoffs
and business shutdowns," she said.
She said that the Hong Kong Retail Management
Association interviewed 176 retailers, covering
4,310 stores and 89,700 employees.
"The month of December that is typically
a busy shopping season with the Christmas
and New Year holidays is looking glum this
year," she said.
"This will be the worst Christmas in
Hong Kong history," she said.
She said that retail sales for the this
month are likely to be similar to the record-low
levels of October or less.
"We don't feel positive about the situation
in January either," she said.
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association
represents about 63,000 businesses, the
majority of which are small- and medium-sized
enterprises.
In August the Hong Kong Retail Management
Association called on Hong Kong landlords
to cut rents by half for six months to counter
slowing retail sales amid mass street protests
that contnued in the streets on Sunday with
an estimated 800,000 marching through the
streets.
Protests that began with the "pro-democracy
umbrella movement" in 2014 became a
symbol of defiance against Beijing with
the students calling on Beijing to give
Hong Kong direct elections and for the resignation
of the then Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying,
who was elected by committee in Beijing.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar's
Aung San Suu Kyi leaves for
the Hague to defend genocide
|
|
|
|
|
State
Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi prepares to leave for
the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) in The Hague
on Monday to contest the charge
of genocide against Myanmar
in Myanmar's Rakhine State
|
|
From News Reports:
Yangon, December 10: National League for
Democracy (NLD) party leader and state counsellor
of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, left for the
Hague to attend the two day hearing at the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday
to defend charges of genocide in Myanmar's
Rakhine State with the parliamentary speaker
saying "Aung San Suu Kyi is not the
president but the leader of the nation,"
reports the Myanmar Times.
State counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, is accompanied
by the minister of the State Counsellor’s
office, U Kyaw Tint Swe, and the minister
of International Cooperation, U Kyaw Tin,
and other senior Myanmar government officials
at the hearing that begins today.
Former Hluttaw parliament speaker and chair
of Union Betterment Party (UBP) said in
support of the state counsellor's defence
of charges of genocide that "Aung San
Suu Kyi is the most responsible person in
Myanmar."
“The State Counsellor is not the president
but the leader of the nation,” he said.
He said that the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) would provide an opportunity
for Myanmar to explain the real situation
in northern Rakhine including that the Arakan
Rohingya Salvation Army August 25, 2017
attacks worsened the deep-rooted problems
in Rakhine.
The exudus of up to 700,000 Rohingya Muslims
across the Mynmar border to Bangladesh reportedly
follows Myanmar's retaliation to the assualt
on police outposts and military bases by
the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA)
on August 25, 2017.
Gambia Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou
who filed a complaint at the International
Court of Justice in The Hague on November
11 on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) charging the Myanmar government
with genocide of the Rakhine State's Muslim
minority, claims that "Myanmar intended
to destroy the Rohingya group in whole or
in part."
The Gambia Justice Minister alleges that
Myanmar's campaign against Rakhin Muslims
including killing, causing serious bodily
and mental harm, inflicting conditions that
are calculated to bring about physical destruction,
imposing measures to prevent births, and
forcible transfers, claims that "the
campaign was genocidal in character."
National League for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi, whose party won the popular vote with
about 97 per cent of Yangon Region seats
in the November 2015 General elections,
is subject to the conditions of the Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) military-drafted
Myanmar constitution.
The military-drafted Myanmar constitution
allows for the allocation of 25 percent
of parliamentary seats in both houses to
unelected military officers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesian
government cannot act against
mass Islamic organisation
|
|
|
|
|
Islamic
Defenders Front (FPI) organization
charman Rizieq Shihab is charged
with alleged defamation of
the Pancasila and former president
Sukarno
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 9: The Commission for
Missing Persons and Victims of Violence
(KontraS) called on the Indonesian government
to immediately decide on the renewal of
the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) organization,
saying that the proposal by the mass organisation
for renewal "seems to have been set
aside", reports the Jakarta Post.
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims
of Violence (Kontras) coordinator, Yati
Andriyani, says that setting aside the renewal
of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) organization
by the government "deepens suspicion
that there is political colusion."
She said that the government cannot act
against the mass Islamic organisation's
encouragment of the establishment of an
Islamic caliphate while the renewal of the
mass organisation is set aside, saying that
"it is vital that government agencies
maintain a discourse with the mass organisation."
"Evidence shows that the Islamic Defenders
Front (FPI) organization encouraged the
establishment of an Islamic caliphate against
Pancasila", she said.
She said that setting aside the renewal
of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) organization
hinders the enforcement of the law.
"The government must be committed to
the implementation of Law No. 17/2013 for
the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) organization,"
she said.
In October 2019 the Commission for Missing
Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras)
spokesman Rivan Lee Ananda rebuked President
Joko Widodo's Inauguration speech, saying
that the President excluded law enforcement,
human rights and corruption eradication
from his inaugural speech at the People’s
Consultative Assembly.
In February 2017 Islamic Defenders Front
(FPI) chairman, Rizieq Shihab was questioned
by police for insulting state ideology,
the Pancasila, after failing to respond
to two summons to attend the West Java Police
headquarters in Bandung.
Rizieq Shihab said that he was questioned
on the history of Pancasila and state ideology
and the implementation of Islamic Law.
West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Yusri
Yunus said then that the questioning of
Rizieq Shihab on suspicion of alleged defamation
of state ideology the Pancasila and first
president Soekarno "is not over yet."
"The investigation is ongoing,"
he said.
In October 2015 the Islamic Defenders Front
(FPI) chairman Rizieq Shihab refused to
apologise to the victims of the 1965 communist
purge in Indonesia saying that an apology
from president Joko Widowo for the mass
killing of communists "would lead to
the rise of a communist ideology and threaten
Muslims."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
New reform party campaigns
against military conscription
in Thai schools
|
|
|
|
|
Future
Forward Party (FFP) member
for Chachoengsao, Chirat Thongsuwan,
asked students to raise their
hands if they didn't want
to become a soldier, saying
that the response encouraged
him to scale up his campaigne
and visit more schools
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, December 8: Thailand's newly established
Future Forward Party (FFP) that campained
for military reform in the March general
elections is accused of campaigning against
conscription at Thai schools to "turn
students against mandatory military conscription,
" reports Bangkok Post.
Thai Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan
accused the Future Forward Party (FFP) of
attempting to turn students against military
conscription, saying "it is not right
for a politician or a political party to
take advantage of students.
He said that it was not right that Future
Forward Party (FFP) member for Chachoengsao,
Chirat Thongsuwan, took advantage of students,
saying that the member of parliament "had
no right to lure students into believing
any specific political propaganda."
"The Education Ministry already supports
students learning about democracy in various
extracurricular activities including the
student council," he said.
He said that the Future Forward Party (FFP)
is instigating hatred against the military
among the young, saying "this is an
evil thing to do."
"Every member of Parliament should
instead contribute to promoting education,
not exploit the young for political advantage,"
he said.
Future Forward Party (FFP) member for Chachoengsao,
Chirat Thongsuwan, who campaigned for the
end of military conscription at the Phai
Kaew Witthaya school in Plaeng Yao district
in his electorate on Monday, said that he
had been given permission to speak to students
by the school executives.
He said that his speech against military
conscription was delivered in the presence
of the school director and teacher, saying
that "the young have every right to
information about conscription as it is
they who are affected, not the military,
the government or any cabinet minister."
"The military must make conscription
open to debate," he said.
Newly established Future Forward Party (FFP)
returned 244 votes, second after the pro-Royal
Thai Armed Forces ruling Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP) with 500 votes, effectively
electing Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha in as Prime
Minister of Thailand in the general elections
held in March.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesian
police accused of sexual harassment
of West Papuan student
|
|
|
|
|
Papua
Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus
Waterpauw says that an internal
investigation will be conducted
into the alleged sexual harassment
of a West Papuan female student
in police custody
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 7: Two Indonesian National
Police officers are under investigation
for the alleged sexual harassment of a
West Papuan female student at the Papua
Police headquarters in Jayapura, reports
the Jakarta Post.
The female student has been in police
custody since her arrest in October for
her alleged involvement in separatists
protests in Wamena in West Papua that
ended in the razing of government offices
and the closure of the Wamena Airport.
Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw
confirmed on Friday that two police officers
are under investigation for sexual harrasment
of the female prisoner, saying that "the
police officers are being dealt with by
police internal affairs."
"We will investigate these deplorable
human beings,” he said.
Papuan Human Rights Advocacy Association
lawyer Yohanis Mambrasar for the student
said that sexual harrasment occurred on
the morning of November 14 and on December
2, saying that "the first occurred
in the Papua Police headquarters visitors
room at about 10am as the prisoner swept
the room."
The lawyer said that police officer identified
as RO entered the room and asked the student
to have sex with him, saying that he asked
her four times but that the prisoner ignored
him.
The second police officer identifed as W
reportedly entered the students cell in
the early hours of December 2, waking the
detainee as he sat on her bed.
The student said that police officer identified
as W asked questions about her family including
personal questions that ended with him asking
the detainee to have sex with him.
The student reportedly screamed, waking
other detainees held in the Jayapura Papua
Police headquarters.
The student who was detained on October
11 for alleged involvement in protests
in Wamena West Papua on September 31 was
intitially held in police custody at the
Jayawijaya Police station in Wamena before
moved to Jayapura.
Lawyer Yohanis Mambrasar said that the
student was intimidated by the police
officers at the Wamena police station
with accusations that she had set fire
to a university building.
The lawyer said that a police officer
woke the student in the middle of the
night and accused her of setting fire
to a university building in Wamena while
pointing a weapon at her feet.
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel were reportedly
deployed to secure West Papua's provinces
including Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai,
Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong following protests
that began in August calling on Indonesia
for a referendum for independence for West
Papua that had spread to almost all regions
in West Papua.
West Papuans separatists reportedly organised
by the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB)
brandished machetes and arrows in the
streets of Wamena in September, setting
government offices ablaze and forcing
local officials to close the Wamena Airport.
The West Papua provincial administration
called on South Sulawesi migrants in Wamena,
Jayawijaya regency, West Papua not to
join the mass exodus of Indonesians following
the riots in Wamena that left 33 dead
amd more than 70 injured.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Fiji
women fly banned Morning Star
flag in solidarity with West
Papua
|
|
|
|
|
Women
at the Fiji Women’s Crisis
Centre in Suva fly the banned
West Papuan 'Bintang Kejora"
Baru or Morning Star flag
in solidarity with the West
Papuan "struggle for
independence"
|
|
From
News Reports:
Suva, December 6: Fiji's women hoisted the
banned West Papuan 'Bintang Kejora"
Baru or Morning Star flag in Suva in solidarity
with the West Papuan 58th anniversary of
the declaration of Independence and the
founding of the separatist Organisation
Papua Merdeka (OPM) or Free Papua Movement,
reports the Fiji Times.
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC)
and other civil organisations reportedly
showed solidarity for the West Papuan call
for Independence from Indonesia by flying
the banned in Indonesia West Papua 'Bintang
Kejora" Baru or Morning Star flag at
the Suva crisis centre on Sunday.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) coordinator,
Shamima Ali, said the Morning Star flag
was a symbol of West Papua’s unity
in its quest for freedom and justice, saying
"the flag is a source of inspiration
for thousands of Papuans and it has become
the main icon embodying the territory’s
struggle for independence."
She claims that reports have shown that
four out of 10 Papuan women are subjected
to violence perpretated by Indonesia state
authorities.
In May 2016 thousands held simultaneous
rallies in Merauke, Jayapura and Wamena
in Papua, Fakfak and Sorong in West Papua,
Semarang in Central Java and Makassar in
South Sulawesi to show support for the United
Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP
) in their support for full membership in
the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
In June 2015 the United Liberation Movement
for West Papua (ULMWP ) that represents
independence from Indonesia was admitted
as an observer to the Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG) while Indonesia was admitted
as a full member to the Melanesian Spearhead
Group (MSG)
Indonesia is represented in the Melanesian
Spearhead Group (MSG), that includes member
countries Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon
Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia Front
de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste
(FLNKS ), by elected officials of its "ethnic"
Melanesian provinces including West Papua,
The United Liberation Movement for West
Papua (ULMWP) failed in its bid for full
membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group
(MSG) but was instead granted observer status
on condition that the United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) only represent
West Papuans living outside West Papua.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Bomb
squad investigates explosion
at National Monument in Jakarta
|
|
|
|
|
An explosion believed
to be a smoke grenade on Jl.
Medan Merdeka on Jl. Medan
Merdeka Utara at the National
Monument in Central Jakarta
on Tuesday morning injured
two Indonesian Military (TNI)
personnel
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, December 5: Indonesia's bomb squad
are conducting an investigation into an
explosion believed to be a smoke grenade
at the National Monument in Central Jakarta
near the State Palace and government offices
on Tuesday morning that left two Indonesian
Military (TNI) personnel injured, reports
the Jakarta Post.
National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo
Yuwono said that the explosion took place
at 7.15am on the northern side of the monument
complex across from the Home Ministry on
Jl. Medan Merdeka on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara
about 400 meters from President Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo’s office at the State Palace.
“Our team at the crime scene found
that the explosion was caused by a smoke
grenade,” he said.
He said that the victims, two military garrison
personnel, Sgt. Maj. Fajar and Chief Pvt.
Gunawan, were on a regular morning exercise
with other Indonesian Military TNI personnel
when they were injured by the explosion.
"The two victims are recovering from
their injuries at the Gatot Subroto Army
Hospital," he said.
The day before the explosion took place,
the area surrounding the National Monument
in Central Jakarta was reportedly the site
of a gathering of Muslim activists commemorating
the third anniversary of a December 2, 2016
rally, held to demand the prosecution of
then-Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok”
Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy.
The National Police Gegana bomb squad and
the Indonesia Automatic Fingerprint Identification
System (Inafis) Unit, have been deployed
to investigate the site of the explosion.
Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri
Yunus said police were investigating the
explosion to determine wheter it was linked
to terrorism, saying "we are still
looking into the matter," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Students
accused of treason for refusing
to salute Indonesian flag
|
|
|
|
|
Two
junior high school students
were accused of treason for
refusing to salute the Indonessian
national flag at a ceremony
at the Batam 21 Junior High
School in the Riau Islands
last week
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 4: Two junior high school
students, expelled for refusing to salute
the Indonessian national flag at a ceremony
at the Batam 21 Junior High School in
the Riau Islands last week, are accused
of treason, reports the Jakarta Post.
The students, who were in their final
year of study at the school, were reportedly
following their religious beliefs as Jehovah
Witnesses, had refused to salute the national
flag, sing the anthem, or attend religion
classes since their enrolment at the junior
high school.
Indonesian Military (TNI) Batam Barat
02 Military Rayon commander Capt. R. Sitinjak
said that their religious beliefs barred
them from saluting the national flag and
singing the national anthem, accusing
the students of treason.
"What the two students did was treason,"
he said.
Human rights advocacy group Setara Institute
deputy head Bonar Tigor Naipospos said
that freedom of religion and belief is
indeed the right of every person and must
be respected by the state.
"But citizens must comply with state
laws and regulations in a public place,"
he said.
He said that every Indonesian citizen
must honor the national flag as the state
symbol, saying that "there is no
other option but for citizens to honour
the national flag."
Head of the Batam 21 Junior High School
committee, Dadang M.A said that the committee
had asked the students and their parents
to abide by the rules, saying that "the
school does not ban religious beliefs."
"Their parents said that saluting
the flag means they have betrayed their
God', he said.
He said that the Batam 21 Junior High
School committee meeting was attended
by represenatatives from the the Batam
Education Agency, the Ministry of Religious
affairs and Indonesian Military (TNI)
Batam Barat 02 Military Rayon
In August West Papuan students were forcibly
removed from their dormitory in Surabaya
in East Java on Indonesia's 74th Independence
Day anniversary on August 17 for alleged
vandalism of the Indonesian national flag.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West
Papuans fire on Freeport mine
vehicle ahead of OPM anniversary
|
|
|
|
|
West
Papuan gunmen fired on a PT
Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)
copper and gold mine vehicle
in the West Papua province
of Mimika near Timika at Mile
60 in Tembagapura subdistrict
on Saturday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 3: West Papuan gunmen
fired on a PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)
copper and gold mine vehicle in the West
Papua province of Mimika near Timika, a
day ahead of the separatist Free Papua Movement
(OPM) anniversary on December 1, reportedly
with no casualities, reports the Jakarta
Post.
Cenderawasih Regional Military Command Colonel,
Eko Daryanto, said that the gunmen who fired
at the escort vehicle belonged to an armed
West Papuan rebel group.
"The military and police will be on
alert for the armed Papuan criminals who
were keen to disrupt Papua's security",
he said.
The gunmen fired at a PT Freeport Indonesia
(PTFI) copper and gold mine vehicle at Mile
60 in Tembagapura subdistrict, Mimika District
at about 3.50pm on Saturday.
The driver Ramadhani and passengers Latif
and Matthew Philips were reportedly waiting
for the arrival of the
the PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) employee
shuttle bus from the Timika bus terminal
when attacked by the gunmen.
West Papua Police Chief Inspector General
Paulus Waterpauw reportedly warned of the
potential security threats posed by armed
West Papuan groups at the PT Freeport Indonesia
(PTFI) copper and gold mine sites ahead
of the commemoration of the separatist Free
Papua Movement (OPM) anniversary on Sunday
December 1
"Several groups of armed Papuan rebels
from Pegunungan Tengah in Jayawijaya District
were observed in Intan Jaya District and
were heading toward the mining areas of
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)", he said.
In February 2018 the Indonesian government
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with the West Papua provincial administration
and the Mimika regency administration, granting
the local government a 10 percent stake
in the pending divestment of gold and copper
miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), located
in Timika in the eastern region of Papua.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said
that under the MoU both the West Papua administration
and Mimika regency would jointly own a 10
percent stake of the 51 percent of divested
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) shares.
“The portion of the stake is to accommodate
the rights of indigenous people who are
affected by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)
operations,” she said.
The Independent Traditional Community spokesman,
Vinsen Oniyoma, said that "the traditional
rights of major tribal communities in Amungme
and Kamoro over land used by Freeport had
not been respected since the establishment
of the mine in 1967.
"Freeport has caused extensive damage
to the environment," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
to monitor West Papua separatist
movement commemoration
|
|
|
|
|
West
Papua Police Chief Brig. Gen.
Herry Rudolf Nahak said there
would be no additional personnel
stationed in West Papua for
the commemoration of the Free
Papua Movement (OPM) on December
1
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, December 2: National Police chief
General Idham Azis and Indonesian Armed
Forces (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshall
Hadi Tjahjanto arrived in West Papua on
Wednesday saying there would be no additional
personnel deployed to West Papua ahead of
the commemoration of the Free Papua Movement
(OPM) on December 1, reports the Jakarta
Post.
General Idham Azis and Air Chief Marshall
Hadi Tjahjanto are on a five day visit to
West Papua reportedly to monitor the banned
commemoration of the founding of the West
Papua separatist Organisation Papua Merdeka
(OPM) or Free Papua Movement that includes
the hoisting of the banned Bintang Kejora,
or Morning Star, flag, on December 1.
National Police chief insp. Gen Paulus Waterpauw
said that at least 3000 personnel would
be stationed in West Papua until the end
of the year, saying that "their assignment
was extended in order to secure the the
West Papua separatist Organisation Papua
Merdeka (OPM) or Free Papua Movement anniversary
and would include Christmas Day and New
Year.
"We have extended their duty to December
31," he said.
West Papua Police Chief Brig. Gen. Herry
Rudolf Nahak said that there would be no
additional personnel stationed in West Papua
for the commemoration of the Free Papua
Movement (OPM) on December 1.
“There will be no additional security
as the areas have already been reinforced,"
he said.
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel were reportedly
deployed to secure West Papua provinces
including Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai, Deiyai,
Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong following protests
in August and September calling on Indonesia
for a referendum for independence for West
Papua that had spread to almost all regions
in West Papua.
West Papuan human rights lawyer, Yan Christian
Warinussy called on the Indonesian government
not to stigmatize the December 1 separatist
Organisation Papua Merdeka (OPM) or Free
Papua Movement anniversary commemoration
in Papua.
“I remind the Indonesian government
and the authorities not to label December
1st in a negative light as it is a historic
day for indigenous Papuans,” he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
adds new policy to new National
Defence White Paper
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnam
Deputy Defence Minister Colonel
General, Nguyen Chi Vinh,
said on the release of Vietnam's
National Defence Paper 2019
earlier this week that Vietnam’s
previous “three no's”
defense policy has turned
to “four no's” policy
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, December1: Vietnam's National Defence
White Paper 2019, the fourth since 1998
that was released earlier this week, includes
a further commitment to the previous "three
no's" policy, reaffirming Vietnam's
policy of non-participation in military
alliances, reports the Vietnam News Service.
The National Defence White Paper 2019 reaffirms
Vietnam's commitment to the "three
no's" defence policy that was included
in the three previous National Defence White
Papers in 1998, 2004, and 2009, and that
now includes a fourth commitment to the
reaffirmaton of Vietnam's non-participation
in military alliances.
Vietnam Deputy Defence Minister Colonel
General, Nguyen Chi Vinh,, said that the
new National Defence White Paper reaffirms
that Vietnam will not join military alliances
with another country, will not align with
one country against another and will not
allow foreign military bases on Vietnamese
soil as in previous National Defence Papers
but that a "fourth no's" defence
policy was included in the National Defence
White Paper 2109.
"Vietnam has committed not use force
or threaten to use force in international
relations in the Defence White Paper 2019",
he said.
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh
said that the National Defence White Paper
2019 also includes a commitment to Vietnam's
self reliance in defence that includes the
provision of defence investment that is
in line with Vietnam's economic development.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China
rejects US human rights law
that imposes sanctions on
Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
China
Ministry of National Defense
spokesperson, Ren Guoqiang,
said on the signing of the
United States Hong Kong Human
Rights and Democracy Act of
2019 into law that the People’s
Liberation Army was determined
and ready to safeguard China’s
sovereignty and the long-term
stability of Hong Kong
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, November 30: China rejects
the United States Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act of 2019 that imposes
sanctions on Hong Kong should China not
maintain autonomy, calling the United
States law a "blatant hegemonic move,"
reports Xinhua.
The government of the People's Republic
of China warned the United States of America
in a statement issued on the signing of
the United States Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act of 2019 by President
Donald Trump on Wednesday, saying that
"China would take countermeasures
and the U.S. must bear the consequences."
"We remind the United States that
Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong
affairs are China's internal affairs and
no foreign government or force shall interfere,
" said the statement.
The government of China said in the statement
that "the United States Hong Kong
Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019
"would further expose the malicious
and hegemonic nature of United States'
intentions towards the people of China
and Hong Kong."
"We urge the United States not to
go down this path," the statement
said.
United States President Donald Trump also
signed the Protect Hong Kong Act into
law that prohibits the sale of American
munitions including tear gas and rubber
bullets to law enforcement agencies in
Hong Kong.
United States President Donald Trump said
that the United States Hong Kong Human
Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 and the
Protect Hong Kong Act were signed into
law out of respect for the President of
China President Xi Jinping, the people
of China and of Hong Kong.
“They are being enacted in the hope
that China and Hong Kong will be able
to amicably settle their differences,
leading to long-term peace and prosperity
for all," he said.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy
Act of 2019 reportedly enables the United
States to annually assess Hong Kong's
level of autonomy from Beijing and reportedly
cancel Hong Kong's trading privileges
if autonomy is compromised.
In September thousands of pro-democracy
protesters in Hong Kong marched on the
US Consulate in Hong Kong urging the United
States to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act of 2019 that was proposed
in 2017 by the US Congressional-Executive
Commission on China in order to reportedly
"renew the historical commitment
of the United States to uphold freedom
and democracy in Hong Kong at a time when
autonomy in Hong Kong is increasingly
under assault."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
West
Papuans arrested ahead of
anniversary of separatist
movement
|
|
|
|
|
West
Papuans hoist the banned symbol
of independence the 'Bintang
Kejora" Baru or Morning
Star flag at the State Palace
in Jakarta in September amid
protests across Indonesia
calling on Indonesia for a
referendum for independence
for West Papua
|
|
From News reports
Jakarta, November 29: The Indonesian Military
(TNI) and National Police in West Papua's
capital, Manokwari, arrested eight West
Papuans believed to be involved in the preparation
of the anniversay of the founding of the
separatist Organisation Papua Merdeka (OPM)
or Free Papua Movement on December 2, confiscating
29 banned Bintang Kejora, or Morning Star
flags , reports the Jakarta Post.
West Papua Police Chief Brigadier General
Herry Rudolf Nahak said that the arrest
of eight West Papuans was carried out in
an early morning raid
by the Manokwari police.
"According to the initial investigation,
the eight arrested claim they were given
flyers calling for participation in the
upcomming commemoration that is planned
to be held at the Borasi Manokwari field."
he said.
He said that the source of the flyers calling
for participation in the banned commemoration
of the founding of the separatist Organisasion
Papua Merdeka (OPM) "will be thoroughly
investigated "
"Including how innocent residents of
the West Papua mountains were used by the
separatist movement", he said.
He said that those arrested were not aware
of the legal consequences of their actions
in the illegal participation of the commemoration
of the founding of the separatist movement.
In September Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo)
member of the West Papua Sorong City office
was arrested at the Manokwari Rendani airport
in possession of 1,500 banned Bintang Kejora
or Morning star flags.
Indonesian Unity Party (Perindo) member,
Sayang Mandabayan, was to take part in a
protest in Manokwari in support of students
in Surabaya who were forcibly removed by
the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National
Police for alleged vandalism of the Indonesian
national flag on Indonesia's Independence
Day anniversay on August 17.
The West Papuan call on Indonesia for a
referendum for independence for West Papua
had spread to almost all regions in West
Papua with West Papuans setting fire to
the Manokwari West Papua Regional Legislative
Council (DPRD) building
About 6,000 joint Indonesian Military (TNI)
and National Police personnel were reportedly
deployed to secure Indonesia's most eastern
provinces including Jayapura, Nabire, Paniai,
Deiyai, Manokwari, Fakfak and Sorong.
Papuan students also protested at the United
States embassy in Jakarta against the United
Nations-brokered New York Agreement in 1963
that transferred control of western Papua
New Guinea from the Netherlands to Indonesia,
demanding the withdrawal of the Indonesian
Military (TNI) from Papua and a referendum
for independence from Indonesia.
The Papuans reject the result of the Act
of Free Choice (Pepera) an election held
on August 2, 1969 saying that the 1,025
voters were selected by the Indonesian Military
(TNI).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnamese
in Australia want PM to intervene
in HCMCity terrorist conviction
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnamese
in Australia at Parliament
House in Canberra on Monday
called on the Prime Minister
of Australia Scott Morrision
to intervene in the terrorist
conviction of Australian Vietnamese
Van Kham Chau at the Ho Chi
Minh City People's Court on
11 November
|
|
From News Reports:
Canberra, November 28: Vietnamese in Australia
called on the Australian government to intervene
in the terrorist conviction of Australian
Vietnamese Van Kham Chau at the Ho Chi Minh
City People's Court for attempting to overthrow
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with
wife of the 70 year-old found guilty of
terrorism accusing the Australian government
of discrimination.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced
Australian -Vietnamese Van Kham Chau, 70,
to 12 years imprisonment on November 11
after finding him guilty of terrorism.
His wife, Quynh Trang Truong, said in
a letter addressed to Australian Prime
Minister Scott Morrision, "one would
have to wonder if my husband were a white
Australian that the intervention might
not be so weak or reluctant to date,"
"He's just following his passion
to fight for democracy in Vietnam, his
crime is loving his country," she
said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
reportedly replied to Quynh Trang Truong,
saying "the Australian government
cannot intervene in another country's
legal matters."
Van Kham Chau, reportedly a former navy
veteran of the former US-backed state of
South Vietnam, sought asylum in Malaysia
after fleeing Vietnam in 1975, arriving
by boat as a refugee in Australia in 1982.
The Vietnam Ministry of Public Security
says that Chau Van Kham was tried for his
involvement as a member of the US-based
human rights group, Viet Tan, saying "Vietnam
regards the Viet Tan as a terrorist group".
"Chau Van Kham had raised funds for
anti-state activities, joined anti-Vietnam
protests in Australia and recruited members
to Viet Tan, says the Ministry of Public
Security.
The Ministry says that Chau Van Kham Kham
entered Vietnam from Cambodia in January
this year and provided funds of US$400
to Viet Tan operations, saying that "providing
funds for Viet Tan was an infringement
of national security."
Viet Tan, chairman, Do Hoang Diem, said
that Viet Tan will continue to support
human rights defenders, saying that Chau
Van Kham entered Vietnam to gain first-hand
insight into the human rights situation
in Vietnam, dismissing the trial at the
Ho Chi Minh City People's Court as a "sham
trial."
In June 2019 the Ho Chi Minh City People's
Court sentenced three Vietnamese nationals
and an American-Vietnamese to a total
of 30 years in prison for their involvement
in the Brotherhood for Democracy' organisation
that attempted to overthrow the Vietnamese
government.
Vietnamese Huynh Ðuc Thanh Bình,
Tran Long Phi, Huynh Ðuc Thanh Bình
and Vietnamese-American Nguyen Michael
Phuong Minh, pleaded guilty to involvement
in the activities of the 'Brotherhood
for Democracy' organisation.
The Court found that the 'Brotherhood
for Democracy' organisation was reportedly
responsible for the purchase of weapons,
for organising demonstrations including
the occupation of government offices in
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the instigation
of riots between March 2013 and July 2017.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court reportedly
found that activities carried out by the
'Brotherhood for Democracy' organisation
aimed to overthrow the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and abolish
the leadership of the Communist Party of
Viet Nam.
The 'Brotherhood for Democracy' was reportedly
a guise for its members to collaborate with
illegal organisations both in and outside
Vietnam."
The members of the organisation were accused
of seeking funds and support from "hostile
overseas forces" in order to "spread
anti-government propaganda.
The 'Brotherhood for Democracy' was reportedly
accused of formulated internal and external
policies and guidelines to recruit and
provide training programes for new member
in order to subvert the political system
of Vietnam and replace it with a pluralistic
multi-party system.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hong
Kong council elections results
hailed a democratic tsunami
|
|
|
|
|
Hong
Kong New Territories East
pro-democracy candidates Tommy
Cheung Sau-yin, Gary Fan Kwok-wai,
Steven Kwok Wing-kin and poll
organiser Andrew Chiu Ka-yin
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, November 27: Hong Kong pro-democracy
candidates won the majority of votes in
the District Council elections on Sunday
following months of violent protests in
the semi-autonomous Chinese territory, with
pro-democracy candidates hailing the results
a ‘tsunami’.
Pro-democracy candidate Cheung Sau-yin,
who defeated incumbent Wilson Wong Wai-shun
in the Yuen Lung constituency in Yuen Long,
describes Sunday's election results a “tsunami”.
He called on his allies in the pro-democracy
camp to keep up their efforts in both the
District Council and on the streets, saying
"to achieve our goal of universal suffrage."
Student protester Tommy Cheung who won the
seat in the Yuen Long district close to
China’s border, said "this is
a democratic tsunami.”
Almost three million voted for democratic
candidates on Sunday with the pro-democracy
camp securing almost 406 of the 452 District
Council seats, an overwhelming increase
over the 2015 District Council elections
in which the pro-democracy camp secured
only 100 of the 452 seats.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and
Progress pro-establishment candidate, Horace
Cheung Kwok-kwan, who held positions in
the District Council, the Legislative Council
and the Executive Council, lost his seat
in the Sai Wan constituency of Central and
Western District Council to a pro-democracty
candidate.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng
Yuet-ngor, who was selected by a nominating
committee from Beijing, said that the government
respected the results, saying that "the
government would listen to the opinions
of members of the public humbly and seriously
reflect."
“There are various analyses and interpretations
in the community in relation to the results,
and quite a few are of the view that the
results reflect people’s dissatisfaction
with the current situation and the deep-seated
problems in society,” she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Referendum
not to be rushed says Bougainville
President John Momis
|
|
|
|
|
Autonomous
Bougainville Government (ABG)
President John Momis castes
his vote in a referendum for
independence from Papua New
Guineaat the Bel Isi Peace
Park in Buka on Bougainville
on Saturday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, November 26: The referendum
that would decide whether Bougainville would
become independent from Papua New Guinea
began on Saturday with Autonomous Bougainville
Government (ABG) President John Momis saying
"we should not rush things."
"We should take our time to ensure
a good outcome" he said.
President John Momis urged patience, saying
"a final result could be five years
away."
President John Momis said ahead of the referendum
that weapons disposal was a matter to be
taken into account by the Papua New Guinea
Government and the Autonomous Bougainville
Government.
He said the United Nations-supervised weapons
disposal process was declared complete by
the UN even though it was well known that
there were weapons that had not been disposed.
"The Bougainville Peace Agreement will
not be complete until negotiations after
the referendum outcome have been completed
and implemented," he said.
The peace process began with the signing
of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001
after an estimated 15,000 people were killed
in the conflict between the former Bogainville
Revolutionary Army (BRA) and the Me’ekamui
Defence Force (MDF) over the open pit copper
mine at Panguna in the late 1980's.
President John Momis said that both the
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)
and the Papua New Guinea government must
be ready to continue their cooperation and
work to avoid any renewal of conflict.
The open pit copper mine at Panguna mine
was closed but could be reopened after the
referendum to provide a valuable source
of export revenue and make the island a
destination for resource investors.
“Just as the peace agreement was a
remarkable success, we now have the opportunity
to again develop something new and extraordinary,”
he said.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape
reportedly made a commitment to a referendum
for Bougainville when he became Prime Minister
in May.
He said that the referendum is the next
important part of the peace process, saying
that "the referendum means that the
voices of the people of Bougainville will
be heard."
"The referendum is the basis on which
the government of Bougainville and the government
of Papua New Guinea will consult after the
referendum has taken place," he said.
He said that political independence is meaningless
without economic independence, saying that
"complex discussions and negotiations
would take place after the referendum before
any proposed political settlement is reached."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Record
number of Hong Kongers
cast direct vote in council
elections
|
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong Chief Executive
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor,
who was selected by a nominating
committee from Beijing,
casts her vote in the Hong
Kong District Council elections
yesterday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, November 25: More than half the
population of Hong Kong registered to vote
in the District Council elections yesterday
with a record 4.1 million from 7 million
Hong Kong residents eligible to cast their
vote in one of most unpredictable polls
in the city’s history, reports the
South China Morning Post.
"Hong Kong is bracing for the most
unpredictable elections in recent years
as millions cast their vote amid continuing
street protests that have gripped the city
since June" reports the South China
Morning Post.
The pro-establishment camp that
supports Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie
Lam Cheng
reportedly fears
it will bear the brunt of anger from voters
who blame the government for chaos in the
city but says that the opposition, who are
in support of protesters, may pay the price
for recent escalation in violence, including
at two universities in the last week.
Pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the
Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB)
vice-chairman Chan Hok-fung said that “a
lot of people support the violence so the
situation is beyond what we can predict
and assess.”
“It will be a tough battle,” he
said.
The South China Morning Post reports that
there was little optimism in the opposition
camp saying that analysts warned that increasing
violence could sway voters away from opposition
pan-democrats.
Democratic Party vice-chairman Lo Kin-hei
said that the pan-democrats have the upper
hand but that it "isn’t one-sided",
saying that "some voters have switched
to the pro-establishment side."
"I remain cautious," he said.
Chinese University political scientist Ivan
Choy Chi-keung said that while voter turnout
could set a record, the result of the District
Council elections was unpredictable.
He said that the pan-democrats could have
won a landslide victory if the elections
had been held when the protests erupted
in June.
“But after clashes at two universities
in the last week, undecided voters may be
worried about public order and be discouraged
from voting,” he said.
“It will be difficult for the opposition
camp to win more than half the seats,"
he said.
The South China Morning Post reports that
1,090 candidates contested 452 seats across
Hong Kong, saying that "It was the
first time that no candidate was returned
uncontested in the district council polls."
Voters in Hong Kong's 18 districts will
directly elect councillors who reportedly
handle community-level affairs that include
transport and public facilities.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Court
upholds acquittal of fugitive
former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra
|
|
|
|
|
Fugitive
former prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra was tried in absentia
for malfeasance under Article
157 of the Criminal Code -
the law that governs the behaviour
of officials of State agencies;
the Commercial Banks Act;
the Securities and Exchange
Act, and the Public Companies
Act
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 24: The Thai Supreme Court
Criminal Division for Holders of Political
Positions upheld the acquittal of fugitive
former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra
on charges of malfeasance in Bangkok on
Friday, reports the Bangkok Post.
The panel of nine judges reportedly found
no evidence to support the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) allegations that former
prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his
associates profited from the Finance Ministry
rehabilitation plan for the Thai Petrochemical
Industry (TPI).
The National Anti-Corruption Commission
claimed that the Finance Ministry had no
authority to administer the rehabilitation
plan under the
law.
The panel of judges ruled on Friday that
"although there was no law allowing
the Finance Ministry to oversee the rehabilitation
plan for the financially ravaged Thai Petrochemical
Industry (TPI), the ministry was obligated
to intervene to avert a larger crisis."
In August 2018 the Thai Supreme Court Criminal
Division for Holders of Political Positions
acquitted fugitive prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra in absentia of malfeasance with
a majority vote saying that Thaksin could
not have sought personal gains from his
decision to allow the Finance Ministry to
administer the Thai Petrochemical Industry
(TPI) rehabilitation plan.
The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) charged former fugitive prime minister
Thaksin Shinawatra with malfeasance for
ordering the Finance Ministery to administer
a rehabilitation plan for the bankrupt Thai
Petrochemical Industry (TPI) private company
in 2003.
The bankrupt Thai Petrochemical Industry
(TPI), since renamed IRPC Plc, entered a
bankruptsy court-ordered rehabilitation
plan that allegedly included the nomination
of committe members by former fugitive prime
minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
The court also found that creditor banks,
debtors and the labour union of Thai Petrochemical
Industry (TPI) agreed with the role of the
Thai government Finance Ministry and that
the role was in accordance with an order
from the Central Bankruptcy Court.
The court found that Thai Petrochemical
Industry (TPI) financial troubles were the
result of the 1997 floatation of the baht
during the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government,
causing Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI),
foreign debts to double overnight from 65
billion to 130 billion.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Aung
San Suu Kyi to defend Myanmar
against genocide charge
|
|
|
|
|
National
League for Democracy (NLD)
party leader and state counsellor
of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi,
to lead legal team to International
Court of Justice in The Hague
|
|
From
News Reports:
Yangon, November 23: The State Counsellor
of Mayanmar Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is to
lead the legal team that will contest
the charge of genocide in Myanmar's Rakhine
State filed at the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague last week,
reports the Myanmar Times.
The West African country of Gambia filed
a complaint at the International Court
of Justice in The Hague on November 11
on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) charging the Myanmar
government with genocide of the Rakhine
State's Muslim minority.
Gambia Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou
alleges that Myanmar’s campaign against
Rakhine Muslims that include “killing,
causing serious bodily and mental harm,
inflicting conditions that are calculated
to bring about physical destruction, imposing
measures to prevent births, and forcible
transfers, are genocidal in character
because they are intended to destroy the
Rohingya group in whole or in part.”
The office of the State Counsellor Aung
San Suu Kyi released a statement on Wednesday
saying, "Myanmar has retained prominent
international lawyers to contest the case
submitted by Gambia."
“The State Counsellor, in her capacity
as Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, will
lead a team to The Hague, Netherlands, to
defend the national interest of Myanmar
at the International Court of Justice (ICJ),”
said the statement.
In November 2016 Human rights activists
in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta called
on the Asscociation of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) to intervene in the plight
of the stateless Rohingya Muslim refugees
in Myanmar urging the Myanmar National
League for Democracy (NLD) party leader
Aung San Suu Kyi and the ASEAN community
to take action against "the ongoing
abusive military action against Rohingyas".
National League for Democracy (NLD) party
leader and state counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi, whose party won the popular vote
with about 97 per cent of Yangon Region
seats in the November 2015 General elections,
is subject to the conditions of the Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) military-drafted
Myanmar constitution.
The military-drafted Myanmar constitution
allows for the allocation of 25 percent
of parliamentary seats in both houses
to unelected military officers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar's
armed ethnic goups to fight
genocide charges in the Hague
|
|
|
|
|
Myanmar's
10 ethnic armed groups, the
Peace Process Steering Team
(PPST), at the fourth Anniversary
of the National Cease Fire
Agreement (NCA) at Nay Pyi
Taw on 29th of October 2019
|
|
From
News Reports:
Yangon, November 22: Myanmar's ethnic armed
groups, the Peace Process Steering Team
(PPST), are to contest the charges of genocide
in Rakhine State, with Colonel Sai Nguen,
spokeman for the Restoration Council of
Shan State (RCSS), saying "Myanmar's
problems are our affair, reports the Myanmar
Times.
The West African country of Gambia filed
a complaint at the International Court of
Justice in The Hague on November 11 on behalf
of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) charging the Myanmar government with
genocide of the Myanmar's Rakhine State's
Muslim minority.
Gambia Justice Minister Aboubacarr Tambadou
alleges that Myanmar’s campaign against
Rakhine Muslims that include “killing,
causing serious bodily and mental harm,
inflicting conditions that are calculated
to bring about physical destruction, imposing
measures to prevent births, and forcible
transfers, are genocidal in character because
they are intended to destroy the Rohingya
group in whole or in part.”
Myanmar's ten ethnic armed groups, the Peace
Process Steering Team (PPST), All Burma
Students’ Democratic Front, Arakan
Liberation Party, Chin National Front, Democratic
Karen Benevolent Army, the Karen National
Union (KNU) armed wing of the Karen National
Liberation Army (KNLA), Peace Council, the
PNLO, the RCSS, New Mon State Party, and
Lahu Democratic Union, who signed a Nationwide
Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015, say that
the accussations of genocide against Myanmar
by the international community undermine
the country's transition to democracy.
"We have discussed ways to counter
the internal and external attacks that seek
to undermine the Union’s image,’’
the group said in a statement.
The United Nations fact-finding mission
warned last month that "there is a
serious risk of genocide recurring",
saying that "Myanmar should be held
responsible in international legal forums
for alleged genocide against Myanmar Rakhine
Muslims.
Myanmar's presidential office spokesman,
U Zaw Htay, said that the Myanmar government
will answer charges of genocide
brought by the Gambia government before
the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
that settles disputes between nations at
the hearing in December.
He said that Myanmar is a member of the
United Nations and will attend the first
hearing before the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) in December.
But the Myanmar's presidential office spokesman,
U Zaw Htay, said that the Myanmar government
would not respond to the complaint filed
before the International Court of Arbitration
(ICC), that seeks to convict individuals,
saying that Myanmar did not sign the statute
that established the International Court
of Arbitration (ICC).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
US
and Philippines to continue
Mutual Defence Treaty relationship
|
|
|
|
|
Philippines
Secretary of Defense Delfin
Lorenzana and United States
Secretary of Defence Mark
Esper reaffirmed their commitment
to the 70 year old Mutual
Defence Treaty in the Philippines
on Tuesday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, November 21: Visiting United States
Secretary of Defence Mark Esper called on
Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
to continue to work closely together as
they have done in the past 70 years to uphold
international law in the Pacific and in
the South China Sea, reports the Philiphine
Inquirer.
United States Secretary of Defence Mark
Esper said that the United States remains
commited to the Mutual Defence Treaty with
the Philippines, saying that "the United
States rejects attempts by any nation to
use coercion or intimidation to advance
its national interests at the expense of
others."
He said that United States commitment to
the Mutual Defence Treaty applies to the
entire Pacific region including the South
China Sea, saying that "it is crucial
that the Philippines and the United States
stand together to preserve freedom of navigation
and overflight and other lawful uses of
the sea."
The United States and Philippines defence
ministers reportedly commited to the enhancement
of joint military excercises, strengthening
of cyber security awareness and improving
defence infrastructure, with US Seceretary
of defense Mark Esper saying "overall,
I'm very pleased with the outcome of the
meeting."
"The alliance with the Philippines
is absolutely vital to the security and
stability of the Indo-Pacific," he
said.
In May 2014 the United States and the Philippines
signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement that would allow the US military
to maintain its facilities, station its
troops for rest and recreation, dock its
sea vessels, land its jetfighters, operate
spy drones and plan, prepare and lauch operations,
inluding power projection maneuvers and
wars of aggression within and outside the
Asia Pacific region.
In January 2016 the Philippines Supreme
Court declared the 10 year Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) constitutional
amid calls from members of parliament to
declare the agreement unconstitutional,
saying that the agreement "surrendered
Philippine sovereignty to a foreign power"
Supreme Court spokesman Theodore said then
that "the Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement is not constitutionally infirm."
"It remains consistent with existing
laws and treaties that it purports to implement,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Britain
two-faced about protesters
in Hong Kong, China says
|
|
|
|
|
China's
ambassador to Britian, Liu
Xiaoming, warned that if the
protesters overstepped the
mark it would be the end of
the two nations, one government
system that marks Hong Kong’s
relations with mainland China
|
|
From
News Reports
Hong Kong, November 20: China's
ambassador to Britian has accused Britian
of being two-faced about the increasingly
violent anti-China-rule protests in the
streets of Hong Kong, saying that the British
pretend to be even-handed in the face of
the violent demonstrations but in reality
support the demands of the protesters, reports
the Guardian.
China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu
Xiaoming, said that UK politicians, including
the foreign affairs select committee, were
fanning the flames of unrest by referring
to violent demonstrators as pro-democracy
protesters amid the worst scenes of violence
in Hong Kong since June with the British
calling for restraint on both sides.
"When the British government criticise
Hong Kong police and the Hong Kong government
in handling the situation, they are interfering
in China’s internal affairs,"
he said.
He said that the British government and
the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House
of Commons published Chin-related reports
making irresponsible remarks about Hong
Kong and that the US House of Representatives
had adopted the Hong Kong Democratic and
Human Rights Act, saying that Britian and
the US "blatantly interferes in Hong
Kong affairs,"
The British government and the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the House of Commons report
says that autonomy, rights and freedoms
guaranteed to Hong Kong in the Joint Declaration
and Basic Law have been gradually eroded
in recent years.
China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu
Xiaoming, said that the true agenda of the
anti-China protesters in Hong Kong was the
independence of Hong Kong from the motherland,
saying that "the demand would never
be met by China."
In September thousands of anti-China-rule
protesters marched on the US Consulate in
Hong Kong urging Washington to pass the
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
that was proposed in 2017 by the US Congressional-Executive
Commission on China in order to reportedly
"renew the historical commitment of
the United States to uphold freedom and
democracy in Hong Kong at a time when its
autonomy is increasingly under assault."
The passing of the Hong Kong Human Rights
and Democracy Act in the US Congress would
reportedly enable Washington to annually
assess Hong Kong's level of autonomy from
Beijing and reportedly cancel Hong Kong's
trading privileges if autonomy is compromised.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Has
the ancient Syrian city of
Palmyra suffered
a fatal blow, or will it rise
again? asks Australian reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page here |
|
Singapore
fumigates Australian cruise ship: 2000
passengers evacuated
From
News Reports:
Singapore, November 18: About 2000 passengers
were evacuated from the cruise ship MV
Sun Princess in Singapore on Wednesday
after 229 passengers including crew reported
symptoms synonymous with the contagious
norovirus, reports the Straits Times.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
(MPA) the Ministry of Health and Singapore
Food Agency (SFA) reportedly conducted
a joint inspection of the cruise ship
in Singapore on Wednesday in order to
ensure that proper infection prevention
proceedures that includes fumigation have
been implemented.
"The affected passengers would be
assessed by a medical practitioner upon
disembarkation to ensure that they were
fit for onward travel", said the
spokesperson.
Spokesperson for the owners of the Princess
Cruises, Carnival Australia, said that
cruise ship MV Sun Princess left Fremantle
on November 1 for a twelve day cruise
and was enroute to Phuket in Thailand
when passengers and crew reportedly fell
ill.
The spokesperson said that passengers
reported vomiting and diarrhea, saying
that the symptoms were synonymous with
the norovirus.
"A norovirus outbreak typically involves
diarrhea and vomiting and is highly contagious",
said the spokesperson
The spokesperson said that 229 of the
2000 passengers onboard the MV Sun Princess
were affected by the noroviris, saying
that "it takes relatively few reports
of diarrhea and vomiting onboard for sanitation
measures to be increased."
"Passengers suffering with the symptons
of the norovirus remain in isolation onboard
the MV Sun Princess," said the spokesperson.
In 2016 and 2017, the owners of the Princes
Cruises, Carnival Australia, reported
outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting on
eight consecutive voyages that lead to
a large scale Class Action Investigation
into Carnival Australia on behalf of the
affected passengers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| MEDIA
CHECK |
| Cambodia-China
Journalist Association
(CCJA) launched in Phnom
Penh
...open
here |
|
|
|
Darwin
reporter John Loizou asks
a survivor of the 1965 killings
in Bali "why didn't you
try to stop them" in
"Remembering the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open
page here
|
|
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A. Hamzah as he calls
for Asians to determine their
own political destiny in "Time
for Asia to set it's own course,
minus the U.S."...open
here |
|
| Is
prescribed burning of grasslands
in northern Australia out of
control? ......Chris
Ray reports ...
open page here |
|
| "Rockefeller
and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi"
by Kerry B. Collison "is
undoubtedly fictional but by
no means improbable, "
says Johannes Nugroho ....open
page here |
|
Viet
Nam is planning to go nuclear
by the year 2020.reports
John Loizou in
"Calculating
the costs of nuclear energy
in Vietnam"
...open
page here |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...Open
page here |
|
|
The
founder of the Revolutionary
Front of Independent East
Timor (Fretilin), Mari Alkatiri,
the now former Prime Minister
of Timor Leste, after losing
the May 12, 2018 election
to the National Congress for
Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
party, led by Xanana Gusmao,
has accused the opposition
of a coup attempt.
Twelve years ago Mari Alkatiri
also accused the opposition
of a coup attemp claiming
then that the crises that
led to his resignation was
the result of a conspiracy.
"I have no doubt about
that" he told Darwin
reporter John Loizou in an
interview in Dili on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
|
|
|
Cuba's
302 physicians in East Timor
work at five hospitals and
remote villages throughout
the republic...writes Darwin
reporter John Loizou ...open
page here
|
|
| Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
|
|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
|
|
| Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
| A
cartoon goes inside the tour
bus in Manila on the day that
ended with the slaying of eight
Hong Kong tourists
...Open
page here |
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
|
|
| ; |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet
Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's
erty
sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell
condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore
properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial
and industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway
Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's
railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy
Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of
public services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would
bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19: Five Penang food factories including a 100
year old soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health standards.
State health, food safety and quality division, deputy director
Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin said soya bean products were processed
in an unclean "rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found that wet products were left to dry
on "dirty" bamboo sticks along with bathing towels.
The bamboo sticks were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets" factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory
in Simpang Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department
The
Southeast Asian Times
Fuel
smugglers including military personnel under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested 30 suspects
including several Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and seized
64 cars, two boats and 106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam
last week that the seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres
of fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected of fuel smuggling
and have been handed over to the military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thai
coup blammed for fall in tourist arrivals
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the first
month after the establishment of marshal law and the military
seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10 percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all
visitors to Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent
The
Southeast Asian Times
US
Senate approves sales of nuclear equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed
legislation approving a 123 agreement on civil nuclear commerce
with Vietnam at a business meeting of the committee last week.
The 123 agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to export
nuclear reactors, research information and equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce agreement between the US and Vietnam
is "part of Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The
Southeast Asian Times
Court for construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two Construction Courts for Malaysia
were opened by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur
and Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way the construction
business in the country operates.
"The construction industry stakerholders can now have their
disputes resolved by judges with expert knowledge and experience
in construction industry disputes', he said.
The proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali community-based tourism operators have
called for amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact that
his community received only 40 percent of the total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share of the tourist revenue
to pay for operating costs", he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said that operating costs for
trekking, traditional dance, cultural shows including religious
rituals had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and community halls for tourism had
also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli community
but for tourism based communities across Bali would benefit tourism
island-wide" said the tourism manager.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Riau
forest fires force Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the Indonesian
subsidiary of US-based oil company Chevron has shut down 573 oil
wells in the Riau province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of air due to forest fires that have
been raging for the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families.
Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public
relations officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown of Rokan
block, operated by Chevron Pacific Indonesia, the country's biggest
producer of crude oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts reports that potential losses are estimated
at about 12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there was an 86 percent increase
in tourist arrivals from China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that 193,010
tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China in 2011 increasing
to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the influx of tourists
from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite foods",
he said.
Sabah and Labuan Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association
of Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort,
said that staff members are encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can converse better with guests" he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pilots
strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From
News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights to Surabaya,
Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the
airline had not paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines was
required to restructure its operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra says that Merpati
has signed a memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion (US$533 million) reports
the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or early
April, said the Merpati corporate secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board official, Erry Wardhana,
said about 200 Merpati pilots planned to strike again next Saturday
for an indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until 1,600 Merpati employees were
paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the first
time that Merpati workers have gone on strike over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for December and January reports the
Jakarta Post.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
|
