|
GATHERINGS:
An informed
guide to happenings throughout the region.
|
|
Thai
senate seeks
referendum on
new constitution: Lese Majeste law
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The
Senate is seeking a referendum on the
drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives
voted for an opposition-sponsored
motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a
referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to
organise a referendum that would pave
the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be
drawn up by a charter drafting
assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has
tentatively been set for May 7 by the
Election Commission (EC).
Senators
were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum,
saying "It is a tactic to stall the
referendum"
Sen Kittisak
Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he
disagreed with organising the
referendum on the same day as the
general election,
"This could
confuse voters," he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
China calls emergency
COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From News
Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An
emergency meeting of foreign ministers
from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is
to be held in Vientiane, Laos on
Thursday and Friday to discuss the
COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The
COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN
member states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly
intended to share information and to
improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN
member states in order to combat the
COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign
Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with
focus on strengthening joint
prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of
establishing a long term and effective
collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying "
China and Asean countries have been in
close communication since the outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an
opportunity for the foreign ministers
to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting
will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will
demonstrate Cambodia’s support of
China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Vietnam opens consulate
in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau
Special Administrative Region of China
on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said
at the launching ceremony that the
office aims to better ensure the
rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the
consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost
friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate
General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship
Association in Macau.
More than
20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and
services companies.
The Southeast Asian
Times
US invites
Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in
a "landmark" visit, Rueters
reports.
General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on
Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a
senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
and the President of the United States
"would skirt protocol" because the
General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official
as saying.
Rueters also quotes the
senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong
as the visit of "the top leader
of the country".
"It's a pretty big
event," Rueters quotes the state
department official as saying.
The Southeast Asian
Times France agrees
to return Aboriginal remains home to
Australia
From News
Reports:
Canberra, November 25:
French president Francois Hollande and
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to
Australia during the first official
visit by a French head of state to
Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head
of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the
Aboriginal remains held in France.
The head of state and prime minister
said in a joint statement that the
identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider
the requests of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The
French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human
remains to their community of origin."
the statement said.
Australia
believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and
the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets
of Aboriginal skeletal remains to
Australia including the severed head
of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years.
Yagan was shot dead for his resistance
to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The Southeast Asian
Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November
10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, that national
identity cards (KTP) do not include
the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of
the card holder on national identity
cards (KTP)
contradicted the
country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state
ideology and our national identity,
then why should we be ashamed of
including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from
official government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian
citizens on national identity cards
(KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up
to the people", he said.
The Souheast Asian
Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai
monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students,
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip
Mankong, 26, were charged in the
Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in
October 2013, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The students were charged
with insulting the Royal Thai family
in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th
anniversaries of the October 6, 1976
and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's
script, a work of fiction that depicts
a fictional monarch, that allegedly
insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on
13 August, have been refused bail are
scheduled to appear in court to enter
pleas on December 29.
The Southeast Asian
Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents
to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers,
Presidents and State representatives
including US Secretary of State, John
Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on
Monday.
The speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend
the swearing in of the former governor
of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as
president of Indonesia.
"The Prime
Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He
said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's"
including former Presidents and
Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties
have also be invited,” said the
speaker.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Banned ISIS
flag found flying in Aceh
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag found
flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was
reportedly the first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said
that the flag of the nationally banned
movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh
regency in Aceh.
He said that a
bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and banned the teaching
of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of
Indonesias Independence.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Singapore
passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution
Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014
Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Act by
the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for
causing severe air pollution in
Singapore.
The Act that was first
proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze
pollution in Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan said that under the Act,
Singapore will have the legal right
under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources
in accordance with their policies they
also have a responsibility to ensure
that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze
Pollution Act gives Singapore the
legal power to serve notices on those
that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to
ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest
fires.
A bill passed in the
Indonesian House of Representatives in
July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and
illegal clearing of forests for palm
oil plantations.
The new bill,
designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force
including police to monitor the
prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th
anniversary of the Biak Massacre in
West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will be
held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley
Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in
memory of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS)
at the University of Sydney last year
on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into
the sea by Indonesian security
forces.
The tribunal heard eye
witness testimony that the West Papuan
demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian
security forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan
protesters were surrounded and shot by
Indonesian security forces and that
survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July
1998.
The Southeast Asian
Times
| | |
|
Two
Vietnamese women charged
with smuggling chicken
feet from countries
with active avian
influenza outbreaks
|
|
 |
|
Nguyen
Thi To Loan, 47, director
of ABF Food Import-Export
JSC confesses to smuggling
chicken feet charges
to the People's Public
Security of Vietnam
in Hanoi on Friday
June 19, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, June 24: The People's Public
Security of Vietnam charged two
Vietnamese women with smuggling
chicken feet after an investigation
found that their company imported
hundreds of containers of frozen
chicken feet from countries with
active avian influenza outbreaks
or those not listed as eligible
to export poultry to Vietnam, with
both women confessing to the charges,
reports the Vietnam News.
ABF Food Import-Export JSC in
Ninh Binh Province, director Nguyen
Thi To Loan, 47, and An Binh director,
Trang Tuyet Ngoc, 45, imported
the frozen chicken feet from countries
with active avian influenza outbreaks,
selling the chicken feet across
Vietnam rather than re-exporting
the produce as required by law.
The People’s
Public Security of Vietnam investigation
found that ABF Food Import-Export
JSC imported 339 containers of
frozen chicken feet between 2023
and 2026,
''ABF Food Import-Export JSC declared
the import of frozen chicken feet
with General Department of Vietnam
Customs as goods imported solelyfor
processing and re-export,'' said
the People's Public Security of
Vietnam
The People's Public Security of
Vietnam said that poultry products
originating in countries with avian
influenza outbreaks or those not
listed as eligible to export poultry
to Vietnam, can only enter Vietnam
for processing and re-export and
cannot be sold domestically.
ABF Food Import-Export JSC in
Ninh Binh Province, director Nguyen
Thi To Loan, 47 directed An Binh
director, Trang Tuyet Ngoc, 45,
to distribute the chicken feet
on the domestic market.
The People's Public Security of
Vietnam investigators said that
more then 10,000 metric tonnes of
Chicken feet were sold to food-service
businesses in Hanoi, Cao Bang, Ninh
Banh, Quang Ninh and other provinces.
The total value of the imported
chicken feet was estimated at
more than VNÄ347 billion
(US$13 million) with nil import
duty paid.
The People's Public Security of
Vietnam raid at the An Viet 2 freezer
facility in Hanoi's Quang Minh Industrial
Zone found more than 1,000 metric
tonnes of chicken feet including
260 metric tonnes that had expred
and showed signs of mold and foul
odour ready for distribution.
A second raid at the THL Warehousing
Import Export Joint Stock Company
(JSC) cold-storage warehouse in
the northern province of Lang
Son on Vietnam China border found
1,030-plus metric tonnes of chicken
feet.
The People's Public Security of
Vietnam have charged Nguyen Thi
To Loan, 47, and Trang Tuyet Ngoc,
45,with smuggling under Article
188 of the 2015 Penal Code.
The People's Public Security of
Vietnam investigation is ongoing,
with authorities working to determine
the roles of other individuals and
organisations potentially involved
in the smuggling network.
The
Souhtheast Asian Times
|
Royal
Thai Police Captain
fires on Thailand
Surat Thani Province
Bhumjaithai Party
office
|
|
 |
|
CCTV
footage shows Royal
Thai Police (RTP)
Captain Ekachai Supitak,
37, fleeing the Surat
Thani Province Bhumjaithai
Party office after
shooting at the sign
and building on Saturday
June 20, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, June 23: Royal Thai Police
(RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37,
who fired multiple gunshots at the
Surat Thani Province Bhumjaithai
Party office on Saturday morning,
was arrested on Saturday afternoon,
reports the Bangkok Post.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Captain
Ekachai Supitak, 37, a legal affairs
officer at the Provincial Police
Region 8 training centre in Surat
Thani Province, was arrested at
the Central Suratthani shopping
complex in the Muang district in
Surat Thani Province on Saturday
afternoon.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Captain
Ekachai Supitak, 37 opened fire
on the Surat Thani Province Bhumjaithai
Party office after he had asked
for the Surat Thani Member of Parliament
Pichai Chomphuphon and was told
the Member of Parliament was not
at the office.
CCTV footage shows Royal Thai Police
(RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37,
outside the Bhumjaithai Party office
at 8.20am shooting at the office
sign and building before fleeing.
Surat Thani Provincial Police Commander
Maj-General said that thirteen spent
9mm cartridge shells were found
at the Bhumjaithai Party office,
saying ''no-one was injured.''
He said that Captain Ekachai Supitak,
37, was carrying two weapons when
he was arrested at the Central department
store at 1.10pm on Saturday afternoon.
''The suspect was taken to the Surat
Thani Provincial Police Investigation
Division for questioning,'' he said.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Captain
Ekachai Supitak, 37 said that his
elder brother had been threatened
by the Surat Thani Member of Parliament,
Pichai Chomphuphon, at the Bhumjaithai
Party office.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Captain
Ekachai Supitak, 37, admitted that
he took revenge and opened fire
on the Bhumjaithai Party sign on
the office building before fleeing
to Central Suratthani shopping complex.
The Surat Thani Member of Parliament,
Pichai Chomphuphon, claimed that
he did not know Royal Thai Police
(RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37,
personally and denied the claim
that he had threatened his sibling.
He said he works to help constituents
as a representative and normally
arrives at the Bhumjaithai Party
office between 8.30am and 9.00am,
saying ''Royal Thai Police (RTP)
Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37, came
earlier that day.''
"I definitely have never threatened
anyone,'' he said.
Surat Thani Police Deputy Commander
Pol Col Natchanon Kerdkor said the
elder brother of Royal Thai Police
(RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37,
denied he was threatened by the
Member of Parliament, Pichai Chomphuphon.
''My younger brother might have
suppered a misunderstanding,'' said
the elder brother of Royal Thai
Police (RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak,
37,
Surat Thani Police Deputy Commander
Pol Col Natchanon Kerdk said that
the mother and elder sister of Royal
Thai Police (RTP) Captain Ekachai
Supitak, 37, confirmed that he suffered
from stress and had a problem controlling
his temper.
''He was undergoing treatment at
Chaiya Hospital,'' said mother and
elder sister of Royal Thai Police
(RTP) Captain Ekachai Supitak, 37.
Royal Thai Police (RTP) Captain
Ekachai Supitak, 37, faces criminal
prosecution and disciplinary investigation.
His firearm licence was revoked.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
initiates UNCLOS at
UN after Thailand
terminates 2001 MoU
on Gulf of Thailand
claim
|
|
 |
|
Cambodia's
Representative of
the Permanent Mission
of Cambodia to the
United Nations, Ambassador,
Keo Chhea, at the
36th Meeting of States
Parties to the United
Nations Convention
on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) New York
from 15 to 18 June,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 22: Cambodia has
initiated compulsory conciliation
proceedings under the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) headquarters in
New York on Wednesday after Thailand
unilaterally terminated the 2001
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU
44) on May 5, 2026, reports the
Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia's Representative of the
Permanent Mission of Cambodia to
the United Nations, Ambassador,
Keo Chhea, informed the 36th Meeting
of States Parties to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) that Cambodia has
initiated compulsory conciliation
proceedings under the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS) after Thailand terminated
the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU 44).
The 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU 44) between Cambodia and Thailand
provided a bilateral mechanism to
resolve overlapping maritime territorial
claims and to jointly manage underwater
energy resources in a 26,000-square-kilometre
Overlapping Claims Area in the Gulf
of Thailand.
Cambodia's Permanent Representative
to the United Nations, Ambassador,
Keo Chhea, said ''Thailand has repeatedly
rejected Cambodia's calls for bilateral
negotiations under the framework
of the existing 2001 memorandum
of Understanding (MoU 44).''
''Thailand has unilaterally terminated
the 2001 MoU 44 and used military
force in violation of Cambodia's
sovereignty,'' he said.
''Cambodia has chosen compulsory
conciliation proceedings under the
United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to protect
and uphold its sovereignty and maritime
rights,'' he said.
In December 2024, Thailand's Sondhi
Limthongkul, who co-lead the 2005
- 2006 and 2008-2009 mass protests
in Bangkok against former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, claimed
that the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU 44) signed during former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra administration,
did not receive approval from the
Thailand parliament.
''King Rama IX had declared Thailand's
marine territory based on international
law in 1973'' he said.
He said the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU 44) created an overlapping
claims area covering about 26,000
square kilometres in the Gulf of
Thailand that benefits Cambodia.
Sondhi Limthongkul, called on the
then Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra in December 2024 to submit
the Thailand-Cambodia 2001 Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU44), that includes
Cambodia's territorial claim to
half of Koh Kut Island off Thailand's
Trat Province in the Gulf of Thailand,
for Thailand constitution review.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
calls on Thailand
to appoint chair for
Joint Boundary Commission
|
|
 |
|
Thailand
Prime Minister Anutin
Charnvirakul, left,
and Cambodia Prime
Minister Hun Manet,
right, at the ASEAN-Russia
Summit in Kazan, Russia
from 17 - 19 June,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 21: Cambodia Prime
Minister Hun Manet called on Thailand
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
to appoint a Joint Boundary Commission
(JBC) chair for Thailand, at the
two day ASEAN-Russia Summit in Kazan,
Russia beginning on Wednesday, calling
on Thailand to resume joint survey
and demarcation work on the disputed
Cambodia Thailand border, reports
the Phnom Penh Post.
''The Joint Boundary Commission
(JBC) is tasked with technical
surveys and border demarcation
operations and Thailand's appointment
of a Joint Boundary Commission
(JBC) chair would resume joint
survey and demarcation work on
the disputed Cambodia Thailand
border,'' said Cambodia Prime
Minister Hun Manet.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
said that Cambodia and Thailand
should continue towards the reconciliation
of the border dispute under the
United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
''Cambodia continues to favour
bilateral negotiations through
the Joint Boundary Commission
(JBC) to settle the land border
dispute,'' he said.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet
urged Thailand Prime Minister
Anutin Charnvirakul to appoint
a Joint Boundary Commission (JBC)
chair to accelerate the reconciliation
of the border dispute.
Thailand Prime Minister, Anutin
Charnvirakul, said he exchanged
views with Cambodia Prime Minister
Hun Manet on the mechanisms available
to address the Thailand Cambodia
border conflict at the ASEAN-Russia
Summit in Kazan, Russia.
''Thailand remained committed
to international and bilateral
frameworks, including the United
Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Joint
Boundary Commission (JBC) and
the General Border Committee (GBC),''
said Thailand Prime Minister,
Anutin Charnvirakul.
The General Border Committee (GBC)
was included in the Thailand and
Cambodia border agreements in
the 2000
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
on border survey and demarcation.
It was designed to bypasses standard
political bureaucracy and directly
connect the military commanders
of Thailand and Cambodia.
The General Border Committee (GBC)
mandates that regional commanders
from Thailand and Cambodia meet
to halt localized skirmishes before
they transform into large-scale
warfare, managing practical border
conflicts including landmine clearance,
humanitarian coordination, and
preventing arbitrary troop movements
at the frontier line.
On June 14, 2025 Thailand Ambassador
to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai,
rejected Cambodia's proposal for
the Thailand Cambodia border dispute
to be settled by the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) in The
Hague at the 6th Cambodia - Thailand
Joint Boundary Commission (JBC.)
Thailand Thailand Ambassador to
Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai,
and co-chair of the 6th Cambodia
- Thailand Joint Boundary Commission
(JBC) and Cambodia Minister in
charge of the State Secretariat
of Border Affairs and co-chair
of the
6th Cambodia - Thailand Joint
Boundary Commission (JBC) signed
the formal agreed minutes to move
forward with the joint implementaton
of the Cambodia - Thailand Joint
Boundary Commission (JBC)
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysia
investigates companies
for fraud for hiring
ghost citizens under
government financial
incentive
|
|
 |
|
Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) commissioner,
Abd Halim, launches
''Operation Daya''
to investigate abuse
of the Daya Kerjaya
2.0 programme on Tuesday
June 9, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, June 20: The Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
is investigating 1,638 companies
for alleged fraudulent claims amounting
to RM45mil under the Daya Kerjaya
2.0 programme, a government initiative
that provides financial incentives
to employers to hire the disabled,
parolees and senior citizens, reports
the Star.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) commissioner
Abd Halim, said that the MACC
launched ''Operation Daya'' on
June 9 to investigate abuse of
the Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme.
The abuse of the Daya Kerjaya
2.0 programme includes the creation
of ghost workers who did not exist,
using personal data of disabled
individuals without their consent,
and firing workers immediately
after the 6-month incentive period
ended.
The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 programme provides
a hiring incentive of RM1,500 per
month for up to six months for each
worker hired by private sector employers
and government-linked companies.
The Daya Kerjaya 2.0 program provides
government financial incentives
to employers to hire vulnerable
groups, including disabled people,
parolees and senior citizens aged
above 60.
"At present, we are focusing
on the 143 companies linked to
claims amounting to RM9mil,''
said MACC chief commissioner Abd
Halim.
He said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) uncovered a
syndicate believed to have submitted
fraudulent claims involving 143
companies and claims worth about
RM9mil under the Daya Kerjaya
2.0 programme.
He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) has opened 63
investigations and arrested 97
individuals suspected of involvement
in the fraudulent Daya Kerjaya
2.0 programme claims, saying ''77
individuals have been remanded
to assist in investigations.''
'The MACC has recorded statements
from 577 witnesses, seized movable
assets worth RM74,198 and frozen
36 company accounts involving
a total of RM463,076.92,'' he
said.
The irregularities were found by
Social Security Organisation (SOCSO)
under the Malaysian Ministry of
Human Resources that provides social
security safety net to Malaysian
workforces, domestic workers, self-employed
individuals, and foreign workers.
The Anti-Fraud division of the Social
Security Organisation (SOCSO) uses
Artificial Intelligence (AI) data
tools to track suspicious claiming
patterns before the case was is
handed to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC).
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
arrests Malaysians
for using telecommunication
fraud to intimidate
victims in Malaysia
|
|
 |
|
Vietnam's
Criminal Police Division,
the Drug Crime Investigation
Division, the Immigration
Management Division,
the Economic Security
Division, and the
Cyber Security and
High-Tech Crime Prevention
Division. arrested
Malaysian nationals
for drug use and telecommunication
fraud in HCMCity on
Wednesday June 3,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
HCMCity, June 19: HCMCity Police
raided hotel rooms in Thu Duc and
Hiep Binh wards in HCMCity in southern
Vietnam arresting 26 Malaysian nationals
for drug use and online telecommunication
fraud to intimidate victims in Malaysia,
reports the Vietnam News.
The HCMCity Police seized narcotics,
drug use items and equipment used
in online telecommunication fraud
to intimidate victims including
digital backdrop images of the Kangar
District Police Headquarters in
Malaysia and fraudulent drafted
scripts used to target victims in
Malaysia.
The HCMCity Police acted on information
received from the public on the
activities of Malaysian nationals
who had rented long-term rooms at
Hotel Nguyen 1 at 68 on Road 18
in Hiep Binh Ward and Hotel Nguyen
2 at 51B Road 18 in Hiep Binh Ward.
HCMCity Hiep Binh Police Station
Commander, Senior Lieutenant Colonel
Nguyen Mai Chuc instructed the Criminal
Police Department to begin surveillance
of the Malaysian Nations after a
tip-off from the public.
The Criminal Police Department determined
that the Malaysian nationals regularly
used narcotics in their rooms at
the hotels in Hiep Binh Ward.
On June 3, the Thu Duc Ward Police
working with the Criminal Police
Department, Task Force No 8 of the
HCMCity Police conducted a surprise
raid on the Hotel Nguyen 1, finding
five Malaysian nationals on the
premises.
Police recovered plastic bags containing
white crystals suspected to be narcotics
in the shared living area and seized
items used for drug consumption
including glass pipes, blowtorch
lighters, ceramic dishes and precision
scales.
Rapid drug testing showed four of
the five individuals tested positive
for narcotics.
HCMCity Police found documents,
items and equipment consistent with
a online telecommunications fraud
operation including digital backdrops
including the Kangar District Police
Headquarters in Malaysia.
A number of drafted fraudulent scripts
used to targeting victims contained
content relating to the Kangar District
Police Headquarters in Malaysia.
Areas at the hotel were equipped
with a sophisticated system of electronic
devices connected to the internet.
The perpetrators created digital
backdrop images of official agencies
including the Kangar District Police
Headquarters in Malaysia to carry
out their fraudulent activities.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia's
new Law on Combating
Technology-Enabled
Scams deports 2,278
in ten days
|
|
 |
|
Cambodia
Nation Police raid
Chinese-owned-villas
in Banteay Timuoy
village in Tuol Pongror
commune, in Banteay
Meanchey Province
in north-western Cambodia,
on Wednesday March
11, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh June 16: Cambodia' new
Law on Combating Technology-Enabled
Scams, that took effect on April
7 by Acting Head of State and former
Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun
Sen, has effected the deportation
of 2,278 foreign nationals from
28 countries from June 1 to June
10 bringing the total of foreign
nationals deported for scam operations
from Cambodia so far in 2026 to
at least 40,000, reports the Khmer
Times.
The General Department of Immigration
(GDI), spokesman Lieutenant General
Sok Someakhea, said the deportees
committed a range of immigration
and criminal offences including
illegal border crossings, using
forged documents, residing in Cambodia
without valid passports, extortion,
using fraudulent visas, online fraud,
and illegal employment.
The group of 2,278 foreign nations
deported in June included 227 women.
The deportees are from Nigeria,
Cameroon, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya,
Uganda, the Philippines, Taiwan,
Indonesia, Pakistan, Ghana, Myanmar,
South Korea, Russia, China, Vietnam,
Sudan, the Central African Republic,
Liberia, Togo, Japan, Brazil, Rwanda,
Namibia, Burundi, Sri Lanka, Tunisia,
and Malawi.
Deportees in June included 635 Chinese
nationals involved in online scam
operations who were deported via
special flights from Techo International
Airport in Kandal Province Cambodia
A further 10 Vietnamese nationals
involved in cybercrime were deported
through the Prek Chak International
Border Checkpoint in Kampot province,
Cambodia.
''The deportations reflects the
enforcement of the law and its commitment
to combating cybercrime and transnational
criminal networks,'' said the General
Department of Immigration (GDI)
spokesman, Lieutenant General Sok
Someakhea.
He said the deportation operations
are part of broader efforts by the
government under Prime Minister
Hun Manet to eliminate online scam
activities, protect public safety,
and strengthen law enforcement cooperation
regionally and internationally.
''The General Department of Immigration
(GDI) will continue to pursue the
criminal masterminds behind scam
networks while identifying and assisting
victims trafficked into participating
in online fraud operations,'' he
said.
The new Law on Combating Technology-Enabled
Scams establishes five criminal
offences including technology-based
fraud, operating an online scam
centre, recruiting or training fraudsters;
maliciously collecting personal
data, and money laundering.
Convictions under the new law carry
penalties of up to life imprisonment,
asset seizure and fines of up to
1 billion Riel ($250,000).
On March 11, 2026 Lieutenant Colonel
Keo Sampong, a Deputy Chief of the
Provincial Internal Security Police
Department in Cambodia's Banteay
Meanchey Province, said scam suspects
were apprehended after law enforcement
raided Chinese-owned-villas in Banteay
Timuoy village in Tuol Pongror commune
in Banteay Meanchey Province in
north-western Cambodia, saying ''security
police had watched the compound
for a week before surrounding the
property.''
''Investigations showed most of
the suspects were involved in online
scams, illegal entry and unauthorised
employment,'' he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Keo Sampong,
said Cambodian National Police confiscated
hundreds of computers, mobile phones
and related equipment during the
raid.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia's
Civil Society Coalition
against deployment
of 500 military reservists
at student protests
in Jakarta
|
|
 |
|
The
Komcad, the Reserve
Component, of the
Indonesian National
Armed Forces (TNI)
block Indonesian students
protesting under the
banner 'Towards Bankrupt
Indonesia'' in Jakarta
on Friday June 12,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, June 17: The Civil Society
Coalition for Security Sector Reform
claim that the deployment of the
Komcad, the Reserve Component, of
the Indonesian National Armed Forces
(TNI) to block students protesting
under the banner of ''Towards Bankrupt
Indonesia'' in the streets of Jakarta
on June 12 is a flawed policy, reports
Tempo.
Civil Society Coalition for Security
Sector Reform including members
of the University of Indonesia Student
Executive Board claim that the deployment
of 500 Komcad, Reserve Component,
a voluntary part-time civilian reserve
force of the Indonesian National
Armed Forces (TNI), to block protesters
in Jakarta on June 12 is a flawed
policy.
Student protesters from the University
of Indonesia under the banner ''Towards
Bankrupt Indonesia'' demand that
President Prabowo Subianto stop
wasting the state budget, lower
the price of basic necessities including
fuel, stop the Free Nutritious Meals
program and the development of Red
and White Village Cooperatives and
stop militarism in the civil sphere,
in protests in the streets of Jakarta
on June 12.
''President Prabowo stop dodging
and admit to government mistakes,''
demanded the students.
Civil Society Coalition for Security
Sector Reform spokesperson, Bhatara
Ibnu Reza, said that the mobilisation
of the Indonesian National Armed
Forces (TNI) including the deployment
of the Komcad, Reserve Component
in a democratic country should
be a last resort, saying ''the
military should only be deployed
when the National Police is unable
to control the situation.''
'' Komcad, Reserve Component was
established as a resource to face
threats to national defence,''
said spokesperson, Bhatara Ibnu
Reza.
''Indonesia is not at war with
another country or facing a situation
that clearly meets the threat
parameters on the Management of
National Resources for National
Defence law,'' said spokesperson,
Bhatara Ibnu Reza.
''The 2019 law on the Management
of National Resources for National
Defense expressly states that President
Prabowo Subianto may declare mobilisation
only if all or part of the territory
of the Unitary State of the Republic
of Indonesia is in a state of military
emergency or war."
Civil Society Coalition for Security
Sector Reform spokesperson, Bhatara
Ibnu Reza, warned that the Indonesian
National Armed Forces (TNI) is
the primary component of national
defence, saying the National Police
is the institution responsible
for maintianing public order and
security
''What threat is the country facing
that necessitates the deployment
of the Reserve Component?'' asks
spokesperson, Bhatara Ibnu Reza.
Are the Indonesian National Armed
Forces (TNI) as the primary component
of national defence and the National
Police as the apparatus for maintaining
public order and security deemed
incapable of carrying out their
functions and authorities so that
it necessitates the deployment
of the Komkad?" asks spokesperson,
Bhatara Ibnu Reza.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
accuses Timor-Lest
President of undermining
ASEAN principle of
non-interference
|
|
 |
|
Timor-Leste
President José
Ramos-Horta delivers
a Special Address
at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La
Dialogue Defence and
Security Forum in
Singapore on Saturday
May 30, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, June 16: Myanmar's
former Ambassador to China, U
Tin Maung Swe, who was appointed
Mynamar's Minister of Foreign
affairs after the inauguration
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar's former Commander-in-chief
Senior General, Min Aung Hlaing
as President of Mynamar on April
1, accused Timor-Lest President
Jose Ramos‑Horta,
of undermining ASEAN’s
principle of non‑interference,
reports the Irrawaddy.
Newly appointed Mynamar's Minister
of Foreign affairs, U Tin Maung
Swe, accused Timore-Lest President
Jose Ramos Horta of spreading ''false
narratives that distort Myanmar's
image and undermine ASEAN's principle
of non-interference.''
Mynamar's Minister of Foreign affairs,
U Tin Maung Swe, claims that remarks
made by Timor-Lest President Jose
Ramos Horta in a Special Address
at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
Singapore on May 30 interfered in
Myanmar's domestic affairs.
''The Myanmar civil war is a stain
on ASEAN's otherwise impressive
catalogue of successes,'' said Timor-Lest
President Jose Ramos Horta in a
Special Address at the 23rd IISS
Shangri-La Dialogue Singapore.
'The war is going on.'' he said
''It is a war of exhaustion, of
ruining the whole country, the
economy and the people, the simple
people, the farmers, the students,
the youth are the ones suffering,''
he said.
''Could they come together, all
of them, the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar and all the leaders of
the ethnic armies and the democratic
opposition, under a tent, no pre-conditions,
no agenda, just meet as human beings
?'' asked Timor-Lest President Jose
Ramos Horta at the Special Address
at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
Singapore.
Mynamar's Minister of Foreign affairs,
U Tin Maung Swe, dismissed Timor-Lest
President Jose Ramos Horta remarks
as interference in Myanmar's domestic
affairs, saying ''most of Mynamr
is peaceful and stable.''
Mynamar's Minister of Foreign affairs,
U Tin Maung Swe, warned that Timor-Lest
President Jose Ramos‑Horta's
remarks at his Special Address 23rd
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Singapore
damage bilateral ties and undermine
the spirit of the ASEAN family.
On February 13, 2026 the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP), then
Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than
Swe, ordered the expulsion of the
Timor-Leste Charge d'Affaires from
Myanmar after Timor-Leste began
war crimes and crimes against humanity
proceedings against the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
ordered Timor-Leste Charge d'Affaires
Elisio do Rosario de Sousa to depart
Myanmar within a week accuing after
accusing Timor-Leste of violating
the Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) charter and the
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
in Southeast Asia.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar accused Timor-Leste of
"blatant violation"
of the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty
of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast
Asia, specifically regarding sovereignty
and non-interference,'' after
Timor-Leste began an investigation
into alleged war crimes and crimes
against humanity allegedly committed
by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar against the Chin ethnic
minority in Myanmar's Chin State.
War crimes and crimes against humanity
proceedings against the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar by Timor-Leste
under the principle of universal
jurisdiction is the first time a
member of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) has pursued
legal action against another member
state.
Timor-Leste was formally admitted
as the 11th member of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
on October 26, 2025 with Myanmar
objecting, saying ''Timor-Leste
does not adhere to the principle
of non-interference in internal
affairs as enshrined in the ASEAN
Charter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysian
Male Nurses Association
opposes proposal to
recruit nurses from
Indonesia
|
|
 |
|
Malaysia's
Minister of Health,
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad,
said ''Malaysia is
facing a shortage
of up to 15,000 nurses''
on Friday June 12,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, June 15: The Malaysian
Male Nurses Association (MMN)
opposed Malaysia's Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mohamad Hasan's,
proposal on Friday to recruit
nurses from Indonesia in order
to address Malaysia's healthcare
shortage, with the Malaysian Health
Ministry saying ''Malaysia is
facing a shortage of up to 15,000
nurses. reports the Star.
Malaysia's Minister of Health,
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the vacancy
rate of health care workers of
about 18 percent is driven by
migration of nurses to Singapore,
workload pressures and an ageing
population.
Malaysian Male Nurses Association
(MMN) Chairman, Muhammad Julihan
Kamari, said on Friday ''we believe
there needs to be a detailed and
thorough study if the recruitment
of nurses from Indonesia is implemented.''
He called on the Malaysian Health
Ministry, Immigration Department,
Public Service Commission and
other relevant agencies ''to carefully
examine the legal, professional,
socioeconomic and patient safety
implications before any decision
is made.''
"We urge the authorities
to conduct a comprehensive impact
assessment, carry out transparent
competency comparisons and implement
strict monitoring and evaluation
mechanisms prior to any recruitment.''
he said.
''The Malaysian Male Nurses Association
(MMN) stand is not rooted in prejudice
against the professionalism of
Indonesian healthcare workers,''
he said.
"Our key concerns are the
differences in nursing training
standards, academic qualifications,
clinical procedures and protocols,
as well as the ability to communicate
effectively in Bahasa Melayu and
local dialects," it said.
"There are many locally trained
nursing graduates who have yet
to secure permanent placements
in government and private hospitals,''
he said.
''The Malaysian Male Nurses Association
(MMN) Chairman, Muhammad Julihan
Kamari said "a large-scale
intake of foreign nurses without
careful planning could affect
employment opportunities for Malaysians,
saying ''the recruitment of 15,000
nurses could place additional
strain on local adaptation and
training systems."
Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia
Iman Hascarya Kusumo said Indonesia
is prepared to supply up to 15,000
nurses to Malaysia to address
a critical shortage of healthcare
workers.
''Indonesia produces about 65,000
nurses annually, providing sufficient
manpower to meet Malaysia's needs,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China
bans Philippine Secretary
of National Defence
from entering China,
Hong Kong or Macau
|
|
 |
|
Philippines
Secretary of National
Defense Gilberto Teodoro
delivers a speech
as the 23rd Shangri-La
Dialogue summit in
Singapore on May 31,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, June 14: China has banned
the Philippines Secretary of National
Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, his
spouse and child from entering
China's mainland, Hong Kong and
Macau, with China's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, saying
on Thursday ''the Philippines
Secretary of National Defence
has repeatedly made erroneous
remarks concerning China'', with
the Philippines saying ''the ban
further complicates the bilateral
relations'', reports Reuters.
Philippines Secretary of National
Defence Teodoro Jr, has undermined
China's legitimate interests and
bilateral ties,'' said China Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, spokeswoman
Mao Ning.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
spokeswoman Mao Ning, said the ban
on Philippine Secretary of National
Defence Teodoro Jr was imposed to
safeguard China's national sovereignty,
security, and development interests.
''China is barred from executing
transactions, joint ventures, business
partnerships, or any other cooperatives
with Philippines Secretary of National
Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, and
his family,'' said the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman,
Mao Ning.
''Philippines Secretary of National
Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, remarks
undermine China's legitimate interests
and sabotages China-Philippines
relations,'' said the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman,
Mao Ning.
China accused the Philippines
Secretary of National Defence
Gilberto Teodoro Jr, of ''having
no gratitude for China's supply
of commodities to the Philippines''
after remarks made by the Philippines
Secretary of National Defence
''about China being a threat to
the Philippines'' at the 23rd
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Asia
Security Summit held in Singapore
from 29 to 31 May 2026.
"For countries like the Philippines,
which is under severe ​threat
by China, we have no choice but
to stand up against Chinese aggression,"
said Philippines Defence Secretary
Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Philippines Secretary of National
Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr, said
in response to the ban issued by
the by China Ministry of Foreign
Affairs that ''the Philippines views
the ban as an unfriendly act that
further complicates the bilateral
relations.
''This is what China does to those
who speak the truth against their
deception,'' he said.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
ruled in favour of the Philippines
against China's claim of "historic
rights" over the South China
Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague decision followed
the Philippine complaint in 2013
that called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with
China over the right to exploit
natural resources including fish
in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled
in 2016 that China has violated
the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
by invoking "historic rights"
in its claim over the West Phillipine
Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruling
saying that "the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
military orders around
the clock production
of
money at kyat
printing
factory in Mandalay
|
|
 |
|
The
Central Bank of Myanmar
(CBM) released the
20,000 kyat banknote,
the highest denomination
bill in Myanmar, under
the ruling Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
on Monday July 31,
2023 to celebrate
the completion of
the Maravijaya Buddha
marble statue in Nay
Pyi Taw and the first
birthday of a rare
royal white elephant
named Rattha Nandaka
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, June 13: The Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's former Commander-in-chief
Senior General, Min Aung Hlaing
who was inaugurated the 11th President
of Mynamar on April 10, is has ordered
the printing of money to finance
the increasing budget deficit, with
workers at the Wazi Printing Factory
in Mandalay, complaining of exhaustion
as production runs around the clock,
reports the Irrawaddy.
''The two departments printing currency
are being forced to work nonstop,''
said an unidentified worker.
''Workers are exhausted,'' said
the worker.
The Wazi Printing Factory in Mandalay,
Kyaukse Township, is operated by
the Mynamar Ministry of Defence,
General Tun Aung, who was appointed
by the newly inaugurated President
Min Aung Hlaing on
April 10.
The unidentified worker at the Wazi
Printing Factory said that ''production
lines run around the clock on the
orders of Mynamar Ministry of Defence,
General Tun Aung.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
fiscal policy statement for 2024-2025,
that was published by the Ministry
of Planning and Finance, projected
a deficit of 7.879 trillion kyats,
equal to 5.07 percent of GDP.
The Minister of Planning and Finance,
U Win Shein, also the Deputy Prime
Minister, said in 2025 that ''financing
would rely heavily on domestic borrowing
and Central Bank of Myanamar credit.''
The Myanmar Ministry of Defence
budget expanded after the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover
of the elected civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
on February 1, 2021, with military
spending at 7 trillion kyats (USD$3.33
billion) from 2021 to 2022.
Military spending rose to 5.6 trillion
kyats (USD$2.67 billion) from 2014
to 2025.
Australian economist, Professor,
Sean Turnell, who served as adviser
to former Myanmar State Councillor,
Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced
to three years in prison on September
29, 2022 for violation of the Burma
Official Secrets Act 1923 at the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
military court, claims that over
70 percent of the deficit is now
financed by printing money.
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar is actively using the Central
Bank of Myanmar (CBM) as a printing
press to fund its expanding budget
deficits,'' he said.
He said the expanding budget deficits
are required to fund the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's widespread
civil conflict and mass conscription
drives against its own population.
He said in 2016 to 2017, under the
civilian National League for Democracy
(NLD) government, the Central Bank
of Myanmar (CBM) had successfully
stopped the practice of printing
money to cover budget deficits.
''The injecting of newly printed
notes into the economy without any
increase in production has crashed
the value of the Myanmar kyat and
triggered runaway hyperinflation,''
he said.
He said the Myanmar economy has
only avoided total collapse because
widespread bartering and severe
economic inequality are mechanically
keeping hyperinflation at bay for
now.
''Vital financial policy institutions
under the military have essentially
locked themselves away and converted
into non-transparent hermit caves,''
he said,
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
claims China conducts
unauthorised marine
scientific research
in West Philippine
Sea
|
|
 |
|
The
National Task Force
for the West Philippine
Sea (NTF-WPS) present
updates and display
images of the Chinese
floating platform
structure detected
at Scarborough Shoal,
named Panatag Shoal
or Bajo de Masinloc
by the Philippines
and Huangyan Island
by China on Wednesday
June 10, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, June 12: The National Task
Force for the West Philippine Sea
(NTF-WPS) claimed on Wednesday that
China's ''Huangyan Island National
Nature Reserve'' on Scarborough
Shoal in the West Philippine Sea
is conducting unauthorised marine
scientific research, with the Department
of Foreign Affairs saying ''floating
platform structures were installed
by China without Philippine authorization,''
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
National Task Force for the West
Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) officials
presented observations from a commercial
satellite imagery on the Scarborough
Shoal that show that the first appearance
of a floating platform structure
was in late May, saying ''the appearance
of the floating platform was shown
with two Chinese research vessels
operating on the Scarborough Shoal.
''The National Task Force for the
West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) are
validating the floating platform's
exact purpose,'' said Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for
West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay
Tarriela.
He said that commercial satellite
imagery taken on May 20 showed a
floating platform structure at the
entrance of the Scarborough Shoal,
saying ''a day later the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) observed two Chinese
research vessels in the area.''
''We can say that the Chinese are
conducting illegal scientific research
on the Scarborough Shoal,'' he said.
He said on May 25 satellite imagery
showed the floating platform structure
at the south eastern entrance of
the Scarborough Shoal, saying ''this
satellite imagery marked the first
indication of the platform's presence.
''Six Chinese nationals were observed
on the platform on May 30,'' he
said.
He said that satellite imagery showed
that the floating platform structure
was moved from the Scarborough Shoal's
entrance into the lagoon by Chinese
research vessels carrying 12 to
15 personnel.
The Department of Foreign Affairs
spokesman Rogelio Villanueva Jr.
said the floating platform structure
was installed without Philippine
authorization, saying ''is inconsistent
with international law.''
''The installation of the floating
platform structure is not only a
violation of the sovereignty and
jurisdiction of the Philippines,
but is inconsistent with international
law,'' he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs
spokesman Rogelio Villanueva Jr.
urged China to remove the floating
platform structures and refrain
from similar activities in and around
the shoal.
On September 10, 2025 the State
Council of the People's Republic
of China announced plans for a nature
reserve to maintain diversity, stability
and sustainability of the natural
ecosystem at Huangyan Island, the
China name for Scarborough Shoal
or the Panatag Shoal or Bajo de
Masinloc in the West Philippine
Sea on Wednesday.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson Lin Jian, said "the
establishment of a national-level
nature reserve on Huangyan Island
falls within China's sovereignty.''
"China does not accept the
Philippines unreasonable accusations
and protests, and urges the Philippine
side to cease its infringements
and provocations,'' he said.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
ruled in favour of the Philippines
against China's claim of "historic
rights" over the South China
Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague decision followed the
Philippine complaint in 2013 that
called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with China
over the right to exploit natural
resources inluding fish in the West
Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled
in 2016 that China has violated
the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking
"historic rights" in its
claim over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruling
saying that "the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
Secretary-General
calls for action at
ASEAN Future Forum
2026 in Vietnam
|
|
 |
|
The
Association of South
East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Secretary-General,
Kao Kim Hourn, calls
for action at ASEAN
Future Forum 2026
in Hanoi, VietnamTuesday
Jun 9, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, June 11: The Secretary-General
of the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn,
said at the opening session of the
ASEAN Future Forum 2026: ''Shaping
Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity,
People Centered'' in Hanoi on Tuesday
.''to consider a simple question
throughout these discussions,''
reports the Vietnam News.
''How can the insights generated
here contribute meaningfully to
implement the four Strategic Plans
under ASEAN 2045? he asked.
He said that the true value of the
ASEAN Future Forum 2026 lies not
only in the exchange of perspectives,
but also in its ability to translate
them into practical action.
He said at the ASEAN Community Vision
2045: 'Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic,
and People Centred ASEAN,'' session
on Monday included in the ASEAN
Future Forum 2026: ''Shaping Our
Future Together: Peace, Prosperity,
People Centered'' that he was confident
that the participants ''will find
common ground in advancing innovative
and actionable proposals that help
ensure ASEAN remains resilient,
dynamic, relevant, and future-ready.''
The four Strategic Plans under the
ASEAN Community Vision 2045 framework
are operational through four strategic
plans including the ASEAN Political-Security
Community (APSC) Strategic Plan,
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic
Plan, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
(ASCC) Strategic Plan and the ASEAN
Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The ASEAN Political-Security Community
(APSC) Strategic Plan focuses on
maintaining peace, security, and
stability across the region while
reinforcing ASEAN centrality in
the broader Indo-Pacific architecture.
It contains 9 strategic goals.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
Strategic Plan is designed to drive
deep economic integration, boost
supply chain resilience, and facilitate
foreign investment to help ASEAN
become the world's fourth-largest
economy. It contains 6 strategic
goals.
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
Strategic Plan targets human security,
youth and women empowerment, digital
healthcare, and sustainable community
growth to foster an equitable, shared
prosperity. It contains 12 strategic
goals.
ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan
addresses sustainable infrastructure,
smart city development, digital
innovation, seamless logistics,
regulatory excellence, and people-to-people
connections. It contains 6 strategic
goals.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
Strategic Plan 2026–2030
that serves as the operational roadmap
to transition the ASEAN region into
a single market economy and integrated
production base will implement the
economic aspects of the ASEAN Community
Vision 2045: Resilient, Innovative,
Dynamic, and People Centred ASEAN.
The AEC Economic Community (AEC)
Strategic Plan 2026–2030
outlines six Strategic Goals, 44
Objectives and 192 Strategic Measures
in the first five-year cycle.
''I am confident that the diverse
participants gathered here today
will find common ground in advancing
innovative and actionable proposals
that help ensure ASEAN remains resilient,
dynamic, relevant, and future-ready,
said ASEAN Secretary-Kao Kim Hourn.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
ASEAN
to report on role
of political parties
in ASEAN Community
Vision 2045
|
|
 |
|
Delegates
from the Association
of South East Asian
Nations including
Communist Party of
Vietnam (CPV) Central
Committee’s
Secretariat Tran Cam
Tu, fifth from left,
at the ASEAN Future
Forum 2026, ''Shaping
Our Future Together:
Peace, Prosperity,
People-Centered''
in Hanoi on Monday
June 8, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, June 10: The ASEAN Future
Forum 2026, ''Shaping Our Future
Together: Peace, Prosperity, People
- Centered'' began in Hanoi on
Monday, to promote the role of
political parties in advancing
ASEAN cooperation and in realizing
the ASEAN Community Vision 2045
"Resilient, Innovative, Dynamic
and People-Centred" held
in Hanoi from 8 to 10 June 2026,
reports the Vietnam News.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN,
Kao Kim Hourn, is to report on
the progress of the Kuala Lumpur
Declaration on ASEAN Community
Vision 2045: ''Our Shared Future''
that was adopted at the 27th ASEAN
Summit on May 25, 2025.
Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN
Community Vision 2045: ''Our Shared
Future'' succeeds the ASEAN Community
Vision 2025: ''Forging Ahead Together''
that was adopted in Malaysia at
the 27th ASEAN Summit on November
22, 2015.
The ASEAN Community Vision 2025:
''Forging Ahead Together'' adopted
in Malaysia at the 27th ASEAN
Summit on November 22, 2015 introduced
the blueprint for the ASEAN Economic
Community (AEC).
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
aims to achieve and integrated
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
that includes a single market
and integrated production base.
ASEAN Chair 2025 Malaysia Prime
Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said
at the Declaration of ASEAN Community
Vision 2045: Our Shared Future''
at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala
Lumpur on May 26, 2025, ''Today,
we renew that solemn promise not
as a tribute to the past, but
as a living covenant with the
future.''
The Declaration on ASEAN Community
Vision 2045: ''Our Shared Future,''
that was signed by the 10 Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
includes a task that assigns responsibility
for funding the ASEAN Community
Vision 2045: Our Shared Future,
to various entities within ASEAN.
The task directs ASEAN Ministers
and respective ASEAN Organisations
and Bodies, supported by the Secretary-General
of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat,
Kao Kim Hourn, ''to mobilise resources
from ASEAN Member States and external
sources to implement the ASEAN
Community Vision 2045: Our Shared
Future'' declaration.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN,
Kao Kim Hourn, is to report on
the progress of the implementation
of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration
on Community Vision 2045: ''Our
Shared Future'' in 2025 at the
ASEAN Future Forum 2026, ''Shaping
Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity,
People-Centered'' in Hanoi from
8-10 June 2026
The
Southeast Asian Times
~
|
Cambodia
condemns Thailand's
military for setting
fire to staircase
leading to Khnar Temple
|
|
 |
|
Cambodia's
Minister of Culture
and Fine Arts, Phoeurng
Sackona, condemns
the Royal Thai Armed
Forces for setting
fire to the wooden
staircase leading
to the Khnar Temple
on Friday June 5,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 9: Cambodia's Ministry
of Culture and Fine Arts condemned
the Royal Thai Armed Forces for
setting fire to the wooden staircase
leading to the Khnar Temple near
the Ta Krabey Temple on the disputed
Cambodia-Thailand border, with the
Minister saying ''the intended destruction
of the staircase is a grave violation
of national sovereignty,'' and condemned
Thailand's tourism activities at
Ta Krabey Temple, reports the Khmer
Times.
''The intended destruction of the
staircase leading to the Khnar Temple
is a serious violation of cultural
heritage,'' said the Cambodian Minister
of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng
Sackona in a statement.
''The Royal Thai Armed Forces were
observed pouring petrol on the wooden
walkway before setting it on fire
on June 5,'' said the statement.
The 325-metre long wooden staircase
leading to the Khnar Temple was
built by Cambodia's Ministry of
Culture and Fine Arts in 2017 for
visitors, researchers, and local
communities to access the heritage
site from the Cambodian side of
the Cambodia -Thailand border.
''The deliberate destruction of
this structure constitutes a serious
act of damage to cultural heritage
and to the conservation efforts
undertaken by Cambodia over many
years,'' said the statement.
“Such actions
are contrary to the fundamental
principles governing the protection
of cultural heritage and are incompatible
with the obligations of States to
safeguard cultural property for
present and future generations.''
said the statement.
Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and
Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona rejected
Thailand's plan to stage public
events, religious ceremonies, tourism
activities and the sale of tickets
at the Ta Krabei Temple to the public
on the weekend of June 6 and 7,
2026.
The Ta Krabei Temple is located
about 30 kilometres from the Khmer
temple along the contested Thailand
Cambodia border in the Dangrek Mountains
with both temples sitting on the
ridge line that separates Cambodia's
Oddar Meanchey Province from Thailand's
Surin Province.
''The ministry firmly rejects any
attempt to legitimise or normalise
the unlawful occupation of Cambodian
territory through tourism, cultural,
religious or administrative activities,''
said the statement.
''Thailand's plan to stage public
events, religious ceremonies, tourism
activities and the sale of tickets
at the Ta Krabei Temple
are null and void and cannot affect
Cambodia’s lawful
sovereignty over Ta Krabei Temple,''
said the statement.
Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and
Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona called
on Thailand to cease tourism operations,
ticketing practices and any other
action that damage, alter or interfere
with cultural heritiage sites located
within Cambodian territory.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
rejects United States
finding that Vietnam
fails to prohibit
goods produced by
forced labour
|
|
 |
|
United
States Trade Representative
(USTR) Jamieson Greer
found in an investigation
of 60 economies that
''Vietnam does not
appear to have a measure
that forbids the importation
of goods produced
with forced labor''
|
|
From News Reports:
Hanoi, Monday 8: Vietnam rejected
the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) finding that Vietnam has
not implemented measures to prevent,
detect, and eliminate forced labour
for goods placed on its market,
with Vietnam Ministry of Foreign
Affairs spokeswoman, saying ''the
findings do not accurately reflect
Vietnam's effort to prevent and
mitigate forced labour,'' reports
the Vietnam News.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, said that
the failure of trading partners
to address the importation of goods
made with forced labor ''creates
a dynamic where American workers
are forced to compete globally on
an unlevel playing field.''
''We will no longer tolerate this
disparity,'' he said.
Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokeswoman, Pham Thu Hang said
that the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) do not accurately reflect
Vietnam's efforts to prevent and
mitigate forced labour, saying ''Vietnam
prohibits all forms of forced labour.
''Vietnam strictly complies with
the regulation of international
Labour Organisation and Free Trade
Agreements,'' said the spokewoman.
Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokeswoman, Pham Thu Hang said
that the International Labour Organisation
(ILO) and 17 Free Trade Agreements
(FTA's) that span over 60 countries
are stipulated in legal documents
and Vietnam's action plans and programmes,
saying '' the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) and Free Trade
Agreements (FTA's) are consistently
upheld in practice.''
Vietnam is one of 60 United States
partner economies that were investigated
by the United States Trade Representative
(USTR)
related to the failure to impose
or enforce a prohibition on the
importation of goods produced with
forced labour, with the
The United States Trade Representative
(USTR) finding that ''Vietnam does
not appear to have a measure that
forbids the importation of goods
produced with forced labor.''
The United States Trade Representative
(USTR) found that Vietnam has not
implemented measures to prevent,
detect, and eliminate forced labour
for goods placed on its market.
The United States Trade Representative
(USTR) found that the results of
the investigation indicate that
the acts, policies and
practices of Vietnam related to
the failure to impose and effectively
enforce a forced labor import prohibition
burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, proposed
additional tariffs on all products
of the 60 investigated economies
except for economies that impose
a forced labour import prohibition.
''The USTR proposes an additional
10 percent tariffs for economies
that have imposed a partial regime
with the effect of preventing the
importation of certain forced labour
goods,'' he said.
''The USTR proposes a 12.5 percent
additional tariff for all other
economies,'' he said.
He said the United States Trade
Representative (USTR) also proposes
a textile mechanism that would allow
for a certain voume of Apparel and
textile imports from certain economies
to enter the United States at a
reduced tariff rate.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australian
fugitives sentenced
by South Papua court
for entering Indonesia
without passport or
visa
|
|
 |
|
Australian
pilot Jay Victor David,
32, left, Duong Tan
Le, 35, centre and
Zulfukar Aljubouri,
34, right, at the
District Court in
Merauke, in South
Papua province, Indonesia
Monday June 1, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, June 7: District Court
in Merauke, in South Papua province,
Indonesia, sentenced three Australian
males to prison and a fine for entering
Indonesia without a passport or
visa in an unauthorised ''black
flight'' or flying with deactivated
transponders from the state of Queensland
in Australia to South Papua province
Indonesia on November 17, 2025,
reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The three males including pilot
Jay Victor David, 32, and two undeclared
passengers, Zulfukar Aljubouri,
34, and Duong Tan Le, 35, were each
sentenced to seven months in prison
and each fined 100 million Rupiah
(AUD$7,800)
Zulfukar Aljubouri (34) and Duong
Tan Le (35), who jointly operated
a tobacco business in the Australian
state of New South Wales, are wanted
fugitives in Australia.
Zulfukar Aljubouri (34) is on bail
in New South Wales for kidnapping
charges and Duong Tan Le (35) has
multiple outstanding warrants, including
for large-scale drug supply.
Zulfukar Aljubouri, 34, and Duong
Tan Le (35) testified at the Merauke
District Court that they had paid
AUD$100,000 to Stirling Helicopters
in Rockhamption to charter a Piper
PA-23-250 Aztec aircraft to flee
Australia.
The Australian fugitives told the
court that they had intended to
use Indonesia as a transit point
to reach their respective countries
of birth, Iran and Vietnam.
The Australian fugitives were transported
via a coordinated network of charter
flights organised by the owner of
Stirling Helicopters, Grant Schultz,
43, to fly from the Australian state
of New South Wales to a remote airstrip
in Cape York in the Australian state
of Queensland.
The fugitives boarded the chartered
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec aircraft at
Cape York in northern Queensland
to cross international borders to
Merauke, in South Papua province,
Indonesia without passports or visas.
The fugitives flew in a chartered
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec aircraft that
was an unauthorised ''black flight''
or flying with deactivated transponders.
Zulfukar Aljubouri (34) and Duong
Tan Le (35) testified at the trial
at the District Court in Merauke
that they fled Australia because
their lives were threatened by a
rival tobacco competitor, claiming
that their homes had been shot at.
Queensland based pilot Jay Victor
Davis, 32, was found guilty of aiding
and abetting the two undeclared
passengers, maintaining in court
that he did not know his passengers
lacked a passport and visa.
The three Australian males are to
be released from detention in Merauke,
in South Papua province and deported
back to Australia after time served
since their arrest on November17,
2025 is deducted from the sentence.
The PA-23-250 Aztec aircraft charted
to the undeclared passengers, Zulfukar
Aljubouri, 34, and Duong Tan Le,
35, by Stirling Helicopters in Rockhampton
Queensland, owned by Grant Schultz,43,
was confiscated by Indonesian authorities.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP)
have arrested Grant Schultz, 43,
owner of Stirling Helicopters for
people smuggling and for allegedly
masterminding the multi-leg transport
network to help the fugitives escape.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar's
military elected civilian
president appoints
a military wife as
presidential spokesperson
|
|
 |
|
Khaing
Khaing Soe in her
new role as spokes
person for Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
elected president
at Naypyitaw Airport
in Myanmar on Wednesday
June 3, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, June 6: Former Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
who was inaugurated the civilian
president of Myanmar on April 10
after claiming victory in the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's sponsored
Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP) general elections, has appoints
the wife of military colonel as
his new spokesperson, with Independent
Myanmar Election Analyst, saying
''in essence nothing will change,''
reports the Irrawaddy.
New civilian President of Myanmar,
Aung Hlaing, announced the appointment
of Khaing Khaing Soe, who is the
current Deputy Minister of Immigration
and is married to Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Colonel Aung Ko Myint,
as the new civilian Presidential
spokeswoman after a four day official
visit to India that ended on Wednesday.
New Presidential spokeswoman, Khaing
Khaing Soe, addressed the media
for the first time in her new role
as Presidential spokesperson at
the Naypyitaw Airport on arrival
from India on Wednesday.
''President Min Aung Hlaing's India
visit was a success with notable
achievements in diplomatic and economic
areas,'' said the new civilian Presidential
spokeswoman.
The new civilian Presidential spokeswoman
urged ''the public to obey the President's
policies and directives'' with Independent
Myanmar Election Analyst Ko Htin
Kyaw Aye, saying ''the new Presidential
spokeswoman echoed the rhetoric
of her predecessor, Major General
Zaw Min Tun.''
''Former spokesman Major General
Zaw Min Tun spent the last five
years shielding the former Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing
with relentless propaganda,'' said
Independent Myanmar Election Analyst
Ko Htin Kyaw Aye.
''The former spokeman Major General
Zaw Min Tun shielded the former
Commander-in-chief as his takeover
of the elected civilian National
League for Democracy Party (NLD)
government in February 2021 plunged
Myanmar into a bloody civil war,''
said Independent Myanmar Election
Analyst Ko Htin Kyaw Aye.
''The appointment of Khaing Khaing
Soe as the new civilian Presidential
spokeswoman reflects continuity
rather than change,'' said Independent
Myanmar Election Analyst Ko Htin
Kyaw Aye.
He said that the new civilian President
Min Aung Hlaing has selected a female
spokesperson to project a fake image
of female empowerment by the new
civilian government, saying ''the
new civilian government has also
installed a female vice-president.''
He said the appointment of Khaing
Khaing is a PR stunt, saying ''ultimately
she will only say what the dictator
wants.''
''In essence, nothing will change,''
said Independent Myanmar Election
Analyst Ko Htin Kyaw Aye.
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human
Rights (APHR) spokesman Charles
Santiago called on the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
including the Philippines ASEAN
Chair for 2026, the United Nations
and the international community,
to take urgent and decisive action
and condemn the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar's consolidation of power.
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar's installation of Min Aung
Hlaing as president is a well-orchestrated
manoeuvres,'' he said.
He said that any recognition of
the Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing's presidency
''would legitimize atrocities and
impunity that undermine the rights
of peoples across Myanmar.''
''It is critical to avoid a return
to business as usual,''
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar has repeatedly used superficial
civilian transitions to project
an image of reform,'' said APHR
spokesman Charles Santiago.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
King
of Malaysia censors
politicians saying
''watch your words
don't misuse freedom
of speech''
|
|
 |
|
His
Majesty King of Malayisa,
Sultan Ibrahim, left,
and Her Majesty Queen
of Malaysia, Raja
Zarith Sofiah, right,
at the National Palace
investiture ceremony
for Federal Awards
held in conjunction
with the King's official
birthday on Monday
June 1, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, June 5: The King
of Malaysia warned politicians
to watch their words not to misuse
freedom of speech over sensitive
issues, in an address at the National
Palace investiture ceremony for
Federal Awards in Kuala Lumpur
on Monday, saying ''sensitive
issues are often deliberately
weaponised ahead of election periods,''
reports The Star.
The King of Malayisa, Sultan Ibrahim,
said politicians should refrain
from provoking sensitive issues,
especially ahead of election periods,
saying ''elections often become
a platform for individuals to
seek prominence and win public
support.''
The King of Malayisa ordered political
leaders to avoid provocation and
disputes over sensitive issues relating
to the "3Rs" Race, Religion,
and Royalty, saying ''the 3Rs can
arouse public anger.''
''Political leaders must uphold
proper conduct, exercise decorum,
and be extremely cautious when
making public statements,'' he
said.
He said that freedom of speech
on social media should not be
used as a platform to spread slander
and hatred, saying ''the situation
has become more complicated with
the misuse of artificial intelligence
(AI) technology.''
''My image has been used in fake
videos and content to mislead
the public,'' he said.
The King ordered authorities to
take appropriate action to stop
provoking sensitive issues related
to the 3Rs" Race, Religion,
and Royalty.
On January 19, 2026 the Minister
of Home Affairs, Saifuddin Nasution
Ismail pledged his full commitment
to the royal decree on national
security at the fifth session
of the 15th Parliament, saying
''the ministry would intensify
efforts to take firm measures
to ensure that national security,
public order and racial harmony
remain safeguarded.''
"This would be pursued through
several key focus areas, beginning
with combating violent crime and
issues related to the "3Rs"
Race, Religion, and Royalty,''
he said.
The Minister of Home Affairs,
Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said
''the ministry would not tolerate
any acts that touch on
"3Rs" Race, Religion,
and Royalty that could threaten
social stability.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Solomon
Is and Australia agree
to expand 2017 Australia-Solomon
Islands bilateral
Security Treaty
|
|
 |
|
Solomon
Islands Prime Minister
Matthew Wale, left,
and Australian Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese
at Parliament House
Canberra Australia
Wednesday June 3,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, June 4: The newly elected
Solomon Islands Prime Minister,
Matthew Wale, who is a strong critic
of China’s expanding
influence and security arrangements
in the Pacific, said ''Australia
remains the Solomon Islands security
partner of choice,'' with Australia
and Solomon Island agreeing to negotiations
to expand the 2017 Australia -Solomon
Islands bilateral Security Treaty,
reports the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony
Albanese, and Solomon Islands Prime
Minister, Matthew Wale, announced
negotiations towards expanding the
2017 Australia -Solomon Islands
bilateral Security Treaty during
Prime Minister, Matthew Wale first
official visit to Australia since
his election on May 14.
Australian Prime Minister, Anthony
Albanese, and Solomon Islands
Prime Minister, Matthew Wale,
agreed that transformational change
in the relationship between Australia
and the Solomon Islands would
be ''cemented in the expanded
treaty''.
The treaty aims to cement Australia's
role as the Solomon Islands security
partner of choice by expanding
the Australia-Solomon Islands
Bilateral Security Treaty 2017.
On June 29, 2023 then Solomon Island's
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
called on Australian deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Defence
Richard Marles to review the Australia-Solomon
Bilateral Security Treaty 2017 agreement
in an official meeting in Honiara.
Australia's deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Defence, Richard
Marles, said then that the call
by Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare to review the
Australia-Solomon Bilateral Security
Treaty that was signed in 2017
is an opportunity to update the
Solomon Islands Assistance Force
agreement signed in 2021.
Minister of Defence Richard Marles
said then that the Australia-Solomon
Bilateral Security Treaty needs
to be renewed to take into account
the contemporary security environment
and contemporary assistance provided
by Australia.
"When the Australia-Solomon
Bilateral Security Treaty was first
signed on 16 October 2017, the Solomon
Islands Assistance Force agreement
signed on 24 November 2021 didn't
exist." he said.
Minister of Defence Richard Marles
said then that if it was Solomon
Islands Prime Minister Manasseh
Sogavare wish for the Solomon
Islands Assistance Force agreement
to continue "then Australia
stood ready for that to occur."
"Australia would be happy
to supply a continuation of Solomon
Islands Assistance Force presence
supporting the Solomon Islands
police force," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
New
Solomon Is PM, a critic
of China's Common
Development Vision
for the Pacific, to
meet Australian PM
|
|
 |
|
Solomon
Island Prime Minister,
Matthew Wale, and
wife, Veronica Ruala
Wale, arrive in Canberra
aboard a Royal Australian
Air Force aircraft
on Monday June 1,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, June 3: Solomon Islands
Prime Minister Matthew Wale, a critic
of China's Common Development Vission
for the Pacific, who was elected
after his predecessor, Jeremiah
Manele, was removed in a no-confidence
vote last month, is in Australia
with a delegation of cabinet ministers
for a Leaders' Meeting with Australian
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
to reinforce regional stability,
security collaboration, and economic
development on Wednesday, reports
Reuters.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister,
Matthew Wale, is a critic of China's
Common Development Vision for the
Pacific in the Framework Agreement
on bilateral security cooperation
signed in April 2022 by former Solomon
Islands Prime Minister Manasseh
Sogavare,with then opposition Democratic
Party leader, Matthew Wale accusing
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
of behaving like a puppet for Beijing.
Solomon Island's former Prime Minister,
Jeremiah Manele, who was elected
on May 2, 2024, pledged to continue
his predessessor, former Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare's pro-China policies,
with China's embassy in Honiara
saying ''the China embassy looks
forward to working with Jeremiah
Manele to develop China-Solomon
Islands relations and deliver more
benefits to our peoples.''
In May 2022 after the signing of
Framework Agreement on bilateral
security cooperation, the Federated
States of Micronesia (FSM), David
Panuelo, said that China's Common
Development Vision for the Pacific
includes training Pacific police
officers, expanding law enforcement
cooperation and traditional and
non-traditional security.
China also wants to jointly develop
a marine plan for fisheries that
would include the Pacific's tuna
catch, to increase cooperation on
running the regions internet networks
and establish cultural Confucius
Institutes and classrooms.
He said in his letter to the Pacific
nations that China's Common Development
Vision for the Pacific is an intent
to shift those of us with diplomatic
relations with China very close
to Beijing's orbit, intrinsically
tying the whole of our economies
and societies to them," saying
"aggreement to the plan would
needlessly heighten geopolitical
tensions and threaten regional stability."
"The Common Development Vision
is the single most game-changing
proposed agreement in the Pacific
in any of our lifetimes," he
said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
United
States and Philippines
reaffirm commitment
to Philippines-US
Mutual Defense Treaty
of 1951
|
|
 |
|
US
Secretary of War Pete
Hegseth, left, and
Philippine Department
of National Defense
Secretary Gilberto
Teodoro Jr., right,
reaffirmed comittment
to the Philippines-US
Mutual Defense Treaty
of 1951at the IISS
Shangri-La Dialogue
in Singapore on Saturday
May 30,2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, June 2: The United States
and the Philippines reaffirmed commitment
to the Philippines-US Mutual Defense
Treaty of 1951 at the International
Institute for Strategic Studies
Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
on Saturday, with United States
Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth,
and Philippines Department of National
Defense Secretary, Gilberto Teodoro
Jr., reaffirming commitment to strengthening
partnerships in the Indo-Pacific
region despite China's warning that
''the Philippines and allies are
playing with fire,'' reports the
Philippine Inquirer.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, cautioned
the Philippines and allies from
Beijing during the 25 -year-old
Balikatan or Shoulder to Shoulder
2026 training exercise in the Philippines
from April 20 to May 8.
The United States Secretary of War,
Pete Hegseth, and Philippines Department
of National Defense Secretary, Gilberto
Teodoro Jr. reaffirmed commitment
to the Balikatan or Shoulder to
Shoulder 2026 training exercise
in the Philippines that including
17,000 personnel from seven participation
nations, with China's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Guo
Jiakun, warning ''the Philippines
and allies are playing with fire.''
The seven participation nations
in Balikatan or Shoulder to Shoulder
2026 training exercise in the Philippines
included the Philippines, Australia,
Japan, Canada, France, New Zealand
and including 10,000 Americans.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said ''we
wish to remind the countries concerned
that blindly binding themselves
together in the name of security
will only be akin to playing with
fire, ultimately backfiring upon
themselves.''
''Military cooperation should not
target any third party or harm the
interests of any third party,''
said China's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs spokesperson, Guo Jiakun.
Commanding General US Marine Expeditionary
Force Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman,
said Exercise Balikatan Shoulder
to Shoulder 2026 is not aimed against
China, saying "emphatically
no.''
''The exercise is about reinforcing
the Philippines-US Mutual Defense
Treaty of 1951 enhancing our interoperability,
strengthening our readiness, and
supporting our ability to contribute
to security in the region,"
he said at a press briefing after
the exercise's opening ceremonies
of Balikatan or Shoulder to Shoulder
2026 in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
''There is no target nation in terms
of an adversary force that we're
exercising against,'' he said.
In July 2019 the former Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte invoked
the 1951 US Mutual Defence Treaty
with the United States against China
in the maritime dispute in the West
Philippine Sea, calling on the United
States Navy to confront China in
the West Philippine Sea.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
called on the United States Navy
to confront China after the United
States reaffirmed at the 8th Philippines-US
Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in
Manila that the United States would
defend Philippine forces in an armed
attack.
Philippines Cabinet Secretary, Karlo
Nograles, said then that the 1951
Mutual Defence Treaty with the United
States can only be invoked in an
armed attack, saying that "the
Mutual Defence Treaty takes effect
if there is an armed attack on a
public vessel, on troops, or on
an airship."
''If it is not a military attack
then the Mutual Defence Treaty cannot
take effect," he said.
The Philippines call on the United
States Navy to confront China in
the West Philippine Sea follows
China's failure to recognise Philippine
jurisdiction over the West Philippine
Sea
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
United
States calls on Asia-Pacific
to increase military
spending to counter
China hegemony
|
|
 |
|
United
States Secretary of
War Pete Hegseth at
the ''Asia-Pacific's
largest defence summit
2026" at the
IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
in Singapore on Saturday
May 30, 2026.
|
|
From
News Reports:
Singapore, June 1: The United
States Secretary of War called
on allies in the Asia-Pacific
to increase military spending
to counter China's hegemony in
the Pacific at the ''Asia-Pacific's
largest defence summit 2026"
in Singapore on Saturday, saying
''it is an American priority to
ensure that China should not be
allowed to dominate the Asia-Pacific,''
with China's former Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, saying ''the
United States alliances should
not challenge the legitimate interests
of China,'' reports the Straits
Times.
''There is rightful alarm over
China's historic military build
up in the Asia-Pacific and the
expansion of its military activities
in the region and beyond,â€
said United States Secretary of
War, Pete Hegseth.
''A Pacific dominated by any hegemony
would unravel the regional balance
of power and undermine the equilibrium
we all seek to preserve,'' he
said.
''No state including China can
impose hegemony and hold the security
of our nation and our allies in
question,'' he said.
''The US expects its Asian allies
and partners to increase defence
spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP,''
he said
"We don't have a strong alliance
unless everyone has skin in the
game,'' he said.
''No freeloading,'' said United
States Secretary of War, Pete
Hegseth.
China's former Vice Minister,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former
Chinese Ambassador to the United
States, Cui Tiankai, said "we
have a longstanding position on
such military alliances''
''They should not be directed
against any third party, certainly
not China,'' he said.
''So, how the US shares the burden
with its allies is their business,''
he said.
"What is important for us
is the purpose, the mission, the
goal of such alliances.''
'' United States alliances with
AUKUS, Quad and bilateral treaties
with Australia, Japan and the
Philippines should not try to
challenge the legitimate interests
of other countries,'' he said.
The United States Secretary of
Defence, Pete Hegseth, said ''make
no mistake, Americal is a Pacific
nation.''
'He said that the United States
insists that China respect our
longstanding position in the region,
saying ''we do not just insist
but maintain the manifest military
strength to underwrite it.'' he
said.
He said the era of performative
outrage is over where Washington
issues loud diplomatic protests
that signal virtue but do not
project capabilities, saying ''going
forward, we will be intentional
about how and when we communicate,
and we will lead first and foremost
with actions.''
''We will prioritize lethal capabilities,
strategic discipline, and business
like cooperation over empty rhetoric
and peacocking.'' said
United States Secretary of Defence,
Pete Hegseth.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
US
Justice orders forfeiture
of luxury NY apartment
bought with Malaysian
Development funds
|
|
 |
|
A
warrant for the arrest
of Malaysian fugitive
financier Low Taek
Jho also known as
Jho Low was issued
on Friday August 24,
2018 for money laundering
linked to the misappropriation
of 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) funds
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 31: The US Justice
Department (DOJ) obtained a forfeiture
order for a luxury New York apartment
allegedly bought with misappropriated
1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)
funds by Malaysian fugitive financier,
Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho
Low between 2009 and 2015 under
the administration of ousted former
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak,
with trial Attorney, Barbara Levy,
of the Criminal Division's Money
Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture
Section (MNF) prosecuting the civil
forfeiture case, reports the Star.
Malaysia's former ousted Prime Minister
Najib Razak, who is serving a six
year prison sentence in Malaysia's
Kajang Prison, after the sentence
was reduced from 12 years in a Royal
Pardon, was found guilty on July
28, 2020 of the misappropriation
of USD$756 million from the 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary
SRS International Sdn Bhd funds.
A warrant for the arrest of Malaysian
fugitive financier Low Taek Jho
also known as Jho Low was issued
in August 24, 2018 for money laundering
linked to the misappropriation of
funds from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) that was founded by ousted
former Prime Minister Najib Razak
who was also the Finance Minister
and Chairman of the state fund.
The United States Department of
Justice (DoJ) said that Malaysian
financier fugitive Low Taek Jho
also known as Jho Low, faces criminal
charges for allegedly conspiring
to launder billions of dollars embezzled
from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MDB) and for conspiring to violate
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
(FCPA) by allegedly paying bribes
to various Malaysian and Emirati
officials and for conspiring to
make and conceal foreign and conduit
campaign contributions during the
United States Barack Obama, Democratic
Party, presidential election in
the District of Columbia in 2012.
Fugitive financiers Low Taek Jho
and his father Larry Low Hock Pen,
allegedly laundered hundreds of
millions of illicit funds in real
estate in the United States, transferring
USD$85 million to casinos in Las
Vegas in eight months between 2009
and 2010.
On June 26, 2024 the United States
Department of Justice (DOJ) announced
that it reached agreement with lawyers
acting for Malaysian financier fugitive
Low Taek Jho also known as Jho Low,
his father Larry Low Hock Pen, and
trust entities involved in the misappropriation
of funds from the 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary SRS
International Sdn Bhd.
The US Justice Department claimed
that more than USD$1.7 billion from
the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)
fund was invested in hotels, luxury
real estate in Manhattan, Beverly
Hills and London including USD$100
million in the 2013 film, ''The
Wolf of Wall Street" and including
the luxury yacht 'Equanimity' valued
at US$250 million.
On September 19, 2025 the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
said in a statement that the recovered
assets are the result of the Global
Diversified Investment (GDI) forfeiture
settlement with Malaysian fugitive
financier, Low Taek Jho, by the
United States Department of Justice
(DOJ).
"Other accounts belonging to
Low Taek Jho family members are
also scheduled for repatriation
in the near future," the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
said in a statement.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Quad
announces Quad Ports
of the Future Partnership
and Indo-Pacific Maritime
Surveillance Cooperation
|
|
 |
|
From
left, Australia's
Foreign Minister Penny
Wong, India's Foreign
Minister Subrahmanyam
Jaishankar, Japan's
Foreign minister Toshimitsu
Motegi and US Secretary
of State Marco Rubio
at the 11th Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue
(Quad) in Delhi on
Tuesday May 26, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
New Delhi, May 30: Foreign Ministers
of Australia, India, Japan and the
Secretary of State of the United
States attending the 11th Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue (Quad) nnounced
the Fiji Pilot Project through the
Quad Ports of the Future Partnership
and maritime surveillance efforts
through the Indo-Pacific Maritime
Surveillance Cooperation (IPMSC
in Delhi on 26 May, reports Reuters.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny
Wong, India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam
Jaishankar, Japan's Foreign minister
Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary
of State Marco Rubio announced the
Fiji Pilot Project in an effort
to address insufficient port capacity
in the Pacific and maritime surveillance
efforts to increase defence and
criminal surveillance in the region.
"We are today announcing the
strongest ever commitment from the
Quad to the Pacific through the
Quad Ports of the Future Partnership,
where we are launching a Fiji Pilot
Project for port infrastructure
in Fiji," said Foreign Minister
Penny Wong.
''It’s a practical
demonstration of our collective
ability to deliver high quality
resilient infrastructure in partnership
with the region and in response
to Pacific priorities,'' said Foreign
Minister Penny Wong.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said
the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance
Cooperation (IPMSC) initiative will
combine collective efforts to increase
defence and criminal surveillance
in the region.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said
that the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) will coordinate
maritime surveillance efforts in
the Indian Ocean and at Exercise
Malabar through the Indo-Pacific
Maritime Surveillance Collaboration
(IPMSC) initiative, Exercise Malabar
is a multilateral maritime warfare
exercise conducted by the navies
of the four Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) nations Australia,
India, Japan, and the United States.
''The Quad are also expanding the
Maritime Domain Awareness initiative
to the Indian Ocean,'' said Foreign
Minister Penny Wong.
The Indo-Pacific Partnership for
Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)
is a technology and tracking initiative
that provides partner countries
with near-real-time satellite tracking
data to monitor their waters against
illicit activities like illegal
fishing, maritime militias, and
"dark vessels".
On March 15, 2021 Australia, India,
Japan and the US committed to cooperation
in a free and open Indo-Pacific
at the first Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad), "The Spirit
of the Quad" summit at the
White House in the US, with then
Australian Prime Minister, Scott
Morrision, saying that the meeting
of Quad leaders marked a new dawn
in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australian Prime Minister, Scott
Morrision said then that "the
gathering of four leaders of the
great democracies in the Indo-Pacific
marked a new dawn in the region."
Australia, India, Japan and the
US Quad leaders pledged cooperation
in a shared vision of a free and
open Indo-Pacific
in the implementation of ASEAN’s
Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
that includes the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
10 member countries, Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Viet Nam.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
approves compulsory
military service including
grandchildren of former
Prime Minister Hun
Sen
|
|
 |
|
Senate
President Acting Head
of State, former Prime
Minster Hun Sen approved
the enactment of Cambodia's
2006 Law on Compulsory
Military Service on
Saturday May 23, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, May 29: The enactment
of Cambodia's 2006 Law on Compulsory
Military Service was unanimously
approved by the National Assembly
and the Senate, with Senate Presiden
Acting Head of State, former Prime
Minister Hun Sen, saying ''no
one is exempt from Cambodia's
new military conscription law
including my grandchildren,''
reports Khmer Times.
Senate President and Acting Head
of State, former Prime Minister
Hun Sen, signed the 2006 Law on
Compulsory Military Service into
force on May 23, with Non-Government
Organisation, Cambodian Human
Rights and Development Association
(Adhoc), saying ''conscription
might not be implemented on an
equal basis.''
Non-Government Organisation, Cambodian
Human Rights and Development Association
(Adhoc), president, Ny Sokha, said
''while Cambodia's 2006 Law on Compulsory
Military Service is in line with
the Constitution with regard to
national development and territorial
protection, we are concerned about
the likelihood of a double standard.''
''We are concerned about the implementation
of the Law on Compulsory Military
as we have seen enforcement measures
and punishments imposed mainly
on poor people,'' he said.
He said that the incitement offence
contained in the Law on Compulsory
Military Service is commonly carried
out against government critics,
saying Cambodians who support
the government might not face
similar challenges.
''We encourage the implementation
of Law on Compulsory Military Service
to be carried out without double
standards,'' he said.
The Law on Compulsory Military Service
includes 20 Articles that are in
line with the Constitution that
states that Cambodians are duty-bound
to participate in national reconstruction
and to defend the nation.
Article 6 says that Cambodians
who have reached the age of 17
years for military service are
required to register in the military
service census.
Article 13 says that ''any citizen
who is summoned for military duty
and fails to enlist within 30
days of the date of the summon
would be considered evading military
service.''
''The citizen face six months to
two year's jail and a fine of one
to four million riel if the citizen
fails to enlist during a period
of peace,'' says Article 13.
''If the citizen fails to enlist
during a period of war or when
under attack by foreign forces,
the citizen could be jailed between
two and five years, and fined
four to 10 million riel,'' says
Article 13.
Article 14 says that punishment
for incitement and accomplices
who incite citizens to evade military
service are subject to the same
punishment as Article 13,
Article 15 says that a Cambodian
who abuses his position and prevents
citizens from joining military
service would be punished with
two to five years imprisonment
and fined four to 10 million riel.
Exemption to the Law on Compulsory
Military Service is granted to
Buddhist monks, clergy members,
individuals with disabilities,
and specialists in science and
technology fields.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
auctions rare crocodile
skin handbags to recover
embezzled assets in
order to nullify death
sentence
|
|
 |
|
The
HCM City High People's
Court upheld the death
sentence in the appeal
by Van Thinh Phat
(VTP) Holdings Group
chairwoman, Truong
My Lan, 69, on Monday
April 21, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, May 28: Two rare albino Hermes
Birkin crocodile-skin handbags,
confiscated from imprisoned Van
Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group
chairwoman, Truong My Lan, 69, sold
at auction by the Ho Chi Minh City
Asset Auction Service Center to
recover assets in order to nullify
the death sentence, reports the
Vietnam News.
The two rare albino Hermes Birkin
crocodile-skin handbags, studded
with diamonds and gold that were
confiscated by the Vietnam Police
Department for Corruption, Smuggling,
and Economic Crimes (CO3) under
the Ministry of Public Security
from imprisoned Van Thinh Phat (VTP)
Holdings Group chairwoman, Truong
My Lan, 69, were auctioned by the
Ho Chi Minh City Asset Auction Service
Center, for a combined total of
US$554,000 to recover assets embezzled
from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank in order to avoid the death
sentence.
On December 3, 2024, the HCMCity
Peoples Court, presiding Judge Huynh
Thanh Duyen said that Van Thinh
Phat (VTP) Holdings Group chairwoman,
Truong My Lan, 69, had lost her
appeal to have the death sentence
commuted to life in prison for the
embezzlement of US$12.5 billion,
saying ''there was no basis to reduce
the death sentence.''
''However, Truong My Lan could still
avoid execution if she returns $9
billion, three-quarters of $12 billion
she embezzled, said Judge Huynh
Thanh Duyen.
The panel of Judges, presided by
Huynh Thanh Duyen, said that Truong
My Lan could avoid the death sentence
under Article 40 of the Vietnam
Penal Code, saying ''a person sentenced
to death for embezzlement can have
their sentence commuted to life
imprisonment if they returned at
least three-quarters of the stolen
assets and actively cooperate with
authorities.''
Lawyer, Nguyen Huy Thiep for Truong
My Lan, 68, argued that his client
had repaid the embezzled US$12.5
billion with the seizure of properties
by the HCMCity Investigation Police
Department for Corruption, Smuggling,
and Economic Crimes (CO3)
The HCMCity Peoples Court said that
Truong My Lan, 69, had not repaid
the embezzled US$12.5 billion with
the seizure of her properties, saying
''there were legal issues with the
seized properties.''
''The prosecution could not assess
the value of the properties,'' said
the HCMCity Peoples Court.
The HCMCity Investigation Police
Department for Corruption, Smuggling,
and Economic Crimes (CO3) under
the Ministry of Public Security
found that Truong My Lan, 69, chairwoman
of the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings
Group, and 86 others embezzled,
bribed and violated banking regulations,
claiming that Truong My Lan, 68,
used the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) for fraudulant property
development.
"Chairwoman Truong My Lan,
69, directed bank appointees to
provide loans to ghost companies
that were established to embezzle
funds from the Saigon Joint Stock
Commercial Bank (SCB) for property
development by Truong My Lan's Van
Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group,''
claimed the Ministry of Public Security
The Ministry of Public Security
claimed that ghost companies were
established to embezzle funds from
the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) and that chairwoman of
Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group,
Truong My Lan, had appointed relatives
to positions on the Executive Board
of the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial
Bank (SCB) in order to direct funds
to the ghost companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
to train future managers
for private enterprises
after reduction of
1,000 state owned
enterprises
|
|
 |
|
Indonesia's
President Prabowo
Subianto, left, briefs
participants in the
Presidential Future
Leaders Program (PFLP)
in Hambalang, Bogor,
West Java, on May
24, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, May 27: Indonesia's inaugural
Presidential Future Leaders Program
(PFLP), organised by the Ministry
of Defence, state-owned enterprises
(SOE's) Regulatory Agency (BP BUMN),
and BPI Danantara, aims to train
future managers for private enterprises
after the planned reduction of state-owned
enterprises (SOEs), with the Deputy
Minister of Defence, saying ''the
PFLP program is tailored to support
President Prabowo's vision of fostering
good corporate governance in private
enterprise,'' reports Antara.
Deputy Minister of Defence, Donny
Erma wan Taufanto, said President
Prabowo Subianto intends to shape
leaders who can serve as future
managers in private enterprise.
State-Owned Enerprises (SOE's) Regulatory
Agency (BP BUMN) Secretary General,
Dony Oskaria, who serves as the
Chief Operating Office (COO) of
BPI Danantara, said the Presidential
Future Leaders Program (PFLP) supports
the government's state-owned enterprises
(SOE's) transformation agenda.
''The SOE's transformation agenda
includes consolidation, restructuring,
divestment, and dissolution of state-run
companies,'' he said.
The nine-month Presidential Future
Leaders Program (PFLP) educational
curriculum includes three months
character and discipline building;
four months boosting managerial
capacity and decision-making at
Danantara Corporate University and
a two-month internship within ministries,
institutions, or state-owned enterprises
(SOEs) environments.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
said at the 23rd Forbes Global CEO
Conference in Jakarta on October
15, 2025 that he planned to reduce
the number of Indonesia's state-owned
enterprises (SOEs), saying that
he had instructed the nation's sovereign
wealth fund, Anagata Nusantara Power
Investment Management Agency (Danantara),
to lead the restructuring process.
"I've asked Danantara's leadership
to streamline our 1,000 state-owned
enterprises (SOE's) into a more
rational number, 200, 230, or 240,''
he said.
President Prabowo Subianto said
he planned to reduce Indonesia’s
state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to
improve profitability and asset
returns, saying ''state-owned enterprises
(SOEs) must operate under international
business standards.''
''State-owned enterprises (SOEs)
must be open to the best talent,
both domestic and foreign.''
In May 2025 Indonesia's President
Prabowo Subianto reprimanded State
Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors
at a meeting with sovereign wealth
fund, Anagata Nusantara Power Investment
Management Agency (Danantara), that
manages the State Owned Enterprise
(SOE) operations warning that State
Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors
who fail to contribute to Indonesia's
economic growth would be replaced.
President Prabowo Subianto called
on State Owned Enterprise (SOE)
directors to improve efficiency,
ordering Anagata Nusantara Power
Investment Management Agency (Danantara)
board of directors to evaluate the
performance of State Owned Enterprise
(SOE) directors.
“We must manage
Danantara properly,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Clarification
of Ownership: southeastasiantimes.com
is an independent news publication
registered and operated exclusively
in Australia. We have no affiliation,
shared ownership, licensing
agreements, or corporate relationship
with "Southeast Times
Media & Internet"
or any local newspaper based
in Oklahoma, United States.
|
|
Philippines
to enforce International
Criminal Court arrest
warrants against war
on drugs via Interpol
|
|
 |
|
Presidential
Communications Office
(PCO) Undersecretary,
Clarissa Castro, said
the International
Criminal Court (ICC)
can route an arrest
warrant through the
International Criminal
Police Organization
(Interpol) on Sunday
May 24, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, May 26: The Philippines
Presidential Communications Office
(PCO) announced that arrest warrants
issued by the International Criminal
Court (ICC), that has no jurisdiction
over the Philippines, can be issued
against Filipinos involved in the
war on drugs campaign administered
by former President Rodrigo Duterte,
by the International Criminal Police
Organization (Interpol), reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
Presidential Communications Office
(PCO) Undersecretary, Clarissa Castro,
said the International Criminal
Court (ICC) can route an arrest
warrant through the International
Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
as a Red Notice, saying ''the Philippine
government is legally obligated
to cooperate.''
''Routing International Criminal
Court (ICC) arrest warrants through
the International Criminal Police
Organization (Interpol) as a Red
Notice allows the Philippines National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) law
enforcement to make arrests based
on international commitments, not
International Criminal Court (ICC)
authority.'' said Undersecretary,
Clarissa Castro.
Undersecretary, Clarissa Castro,
said International Criminal Court
(ICC) arrest warrants are required
to apply for arrest warranst at
local courts, saying ''the law mandates
the governments cooperation, including
the surrender of an accused, with
the International Criminal Court
(ICC).''
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who was
the Philippine National Police (PNP)
Chief General during former President
Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs campaign,
took refuge at the Philippine Senate
under Senate protective custody
on May 11, to avoid an arrest warrant
issued by the International Criminal
Court (ICC).
He made a pre-dawn escape from the
Senate on May 14 from the Sergeant-at-Arms
(Osaa) officers in the Senate, with
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,
saying ''he was free to leave in
the absence of a local Philippine
court-issued arrest warrant.''
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, former
Philippine National Police (PNP)
Chief General said the International
Criminal Court (ICC) could not enforce
its arrest warrants as the Philippines
is no longer a member of the Rome
Statute.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
withdrew the Philippines from the
Rome Statute, the foundation treaty
of the International Criminal Court
(ICC) that established a permanent
independent court in The Hague to
prosecute crimes against genocide,
humanity, war crimes and aggression.
The International Criminal Court
(ICC) released documents naming
former Philippine Nation Police
chief, Senator Ronald dela Rosa
as one of eight current and former
Philippines officials as 'co-perpetrators''
in crimes involving former Philippine
President Rodrigo 's war on drugs.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
United
States Select Committee
exposes China-linked
scam centres in Southeast
Asia
|
|
 |
|
The
United States Select
Committee released
a bipartisan report,
"Crime, Corruption,
and Power: China Communist
Party (CCP)-Linked
Transnational Crime
and the Rise of a
Distributed Threat
to U.S. National Security,"
on Wednesday May 20,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, May 25: The United States
Select Committee released a bipartisan
report on May 20, "Crime, Corruption,
and Power: China Communist Party
(CCP)-Linked Transnational Crime
and the Rise of a Distributed Threat
to U.S. National Security,"
exposing China-linked scam centres
in Southeast Asia that defraud Americans
of at least $10 billion annually,
with the United States Select Committee
Chairman, saying ''if the China
Communist Party wanted to act against
these criminals, it could, but it
chooses not to,'' reports the Irrawaddy.
''The China-linked Scam Centres
fuel human trafficking, cyber crime
and illicit financing,'' said United
States Select Committee Chairman,
John Moolenaar.
He said that investigations found
that illegal scam centres were concentrated
in Southeast Asia, particularly
in Cambodia and Myanmar, saying
''the scam centres are part of a
criminal ecosystem linking cyber
fraud, human trafficking and money
laundering.''
''These scam centres are ripping
off Americans and threatening our
national security,'' he said.
The United States Select Committee,
Ranking Member, Ro Khanna, said
''verifiable bilateral cooperation
with Beijing is essential for justice
and compensation for victims of
China Communist Party-linked transnational
fraud.''
''Holding these scammers accountable
is essential,'' he said.
The bipartisan Select Committee
report warns that scam networks
are not only defrauding Americans
but are undermining stability in
Southeast Asia, saying ''the scam
networks weaken U.S. partners and
expand China Communist Party (CCP)
influence in Southeast Asia.''
''The Select Committee advances
the importance of civil society
and diplomacy in countering illegal
scam networks,'' warned the Select
Committee report.
The Select Committee found that
scam networks rely on a combination
of cyber fraud and forced labor,
human trafficking to carry out long-term
"pig-butchering" schemes.
In June 2025 five scammers pleaded
guilty for their involvement in
an international cryptocurrency
scam known as 'pig butchering' for
the extraction of USD36.9 million
from United States victims from
scam centres in Cambodia, with the
funds transferred to a bank in the
Bahamas.
Joseph Wong, 33, of Alhambra; Yicheng
Zhang, 39, of China; Jose Somarriba,
55, of Los Angeles; Shengsheng He,
39, of La Puente; and Jingliang
Su, 44, of China and Tkiye were
involved in international cryptocurrency
scamming known as 'Pig butchering'
transferring funds from United States
victims to United States bank acccounts
and then to a single account at
the Deltec Bank in the Bahamas and
converted to stablecoin Tether (USDT).
The stablecoin Tether (USDT) international
cryptocurrency was then transferred
to scam centres in Southeast Asia
including to Sihanoukville in Cambodia.
The five scammers who pleaded guilty
for their involvement in an international
cryptocurrency-based scam known
as ''Pig butchering'' are part of
a larger effort by the United States
Justice Department to shut down
the international cryptocurrency-based
scam.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
appeal to Senator
Ronald dela Rosa,
to surrender to International
Criminal Court
|
|
 |
|
National
Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) Director Melvin
Matibag appeals to
Senator Ronald dela
Rosa to surrender
to the International
Criminal Court (ICC)
on Friday May 22.
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, May 23: The Philippines
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) appealed to Senator Ronald
dela Rosa, former Philippine National
Police (PNP) Chief General during
former President Rodrigo Duterte's
war on drugs campaign, to surrender
following the Department of Justice
(DOJ) order to enforce the arrest
warrant issued by the International
Criminal Court (ICC), with Philippines
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, saying
''it would be better if he just
surrendered,'' reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
''The NBI will carry out the DOJ
order to arrest Dela Rosa without
delay,'' he said.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who was
the Philippine National Police (PNP)
Chief General during former President
Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs campaign,
took refuge at the Philippine Senate
under Senate protective custody
on May 11, to avoid an arrest warrant
issued by the International Criminal
Court (ICC), Senator Ronald Dela
Rosa, made a pre-dawn escape from
the Senate on May 14 from the Sergeant-at-Arms
(Osaa) officers in the Senate, with
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano,
saying ''he was free to leave in
the absence of a local Philippine
court-issued arrest warrant.''
The Supreme Court denied a request
by Ronald Dela Rosa for a temporary
retraining order to stop the Philippines
National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) from arresting him on an arrest
warrant issued by the International
Criminal Court (ICC) was denied
on Wednesday.
Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary
Frederick Vida ordered the Department
of Justice (DOJ) to enforce the
arrest warrant issued by the International
Criminal Court (ICC) despite Senator
Ronald Dela Rosa claim that the
International Criminal Court (ICC)
should not enforce its arrest warrants
as the Philippines is no longer
a member of the Rome Statute.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
withdrew the Philippines from the
Rome Statute, the foundation treaty
of the International Criminal Court
(ICC) that established a permanent
independent court in The Hague to
prosecute crimes against genocide,
humanity, war crimes and aggression.
The International Criminal Court
(ICC) released documents naming
former Philippine Nation Police
chief, Senator Ronald dela Rosa
as one of eight current and former
Philippines officials as 'co-perpetrators''
in crimes involving former Philippine
President Rodrigo 's war on drugs.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda,
said that she has determined that
there is reasonable basis to believe
that crimes against humanity had
been committed in the Philippines
under President Rodrigo Duterte's
administration between 1 July 2016
and 16 March 2019, saying "a
preliminary examination suggests
that vigilante-style killings were
perpetrated by Philippine National
Police (PNP) officers themselves,
or other private individuals hired
by authorities, leading to a death
toll of between 12,000 to 30,000
civilians," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Railway
signal operator, train
and
bus drivers charged
with negligence in
fatal collision in
Bangkok
|
|
 |
|
Rescuers
work at the freight
train and public bus
crash site at the
Asok-Phetchaburi railway
crossing in Bangkok
on Saturday May 16,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, May 23: Royal Thai Police
have charged the freight train
and public bus drivers and the
crossing gate operator with negligence
causing death and injury in the
fatal collision at the Asok-Phetchaburi
railway crossing in Bangkok on
May 16, reports the Bangkok Post.
Royal Thai Police Col Uramporn
Khundet-samrit, superintendent
of Makkasan police station, said
charges have been filed against
freight train driver, Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, route 206 Bangkok
Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)
bus driver, Lapit Thongboon, 56,
and railway crossing signal operator
Uthen Jomkhiri, 46, for negligence
resulting in eight fatalities
and more than 30 injuries.
Pol Col Uramporn said that tests
conducted on freight train driver,
Sayomporn Suankul, 46, found traces
of amphetamine and cannabis in
his body, saying ''investigators
are now examining whether the
substances affected his ability
to perform his duties at the time
of the crash.''
He said investigators are examining
the actions of motorists who stopped
on or near the railway tracks
at the Asok-Phetchaburi railway
crossing before the collision.
''Drivers of vehicles at the crossing
during the collision will be summoned
for questioning,'' he said.
''Some drivers may have been trapped
by heavy traffic and unable to
move away from the tracks in time.''
he said.
''At this stage, no additional
charges have been files against
those drivers,'' he said.
Pol Col Uramporn said the inquiry
into the collision at the Asok-Phetchaburi
railway crossing would also examine
whether warning systems, crossing
barriers and emergency response
measures functioned properly before
the crash.
''Police and railway officials
are collecting more evidence,
reviewing surveillance footage
and interviewing witnesses as
part of the ongoing investigation
into the crash,'' said Pol Col
Uramporn.
The freight train transporting
heavy shipping containers that
was driven by Sayomporn Suankul,
46, struck the Mass Transit Authority
(BMTA) bus, driven by Lapit Thongboon,
56, on the railway crossing at
Asoka-Phetchaburi
that was operated by Signal operator
Uthen Jomkhiri, 46, claims he could
not brake in time to avoid striking
the bus, vehicles and motorcycles
that were crossing the congested
railway crossing.
The freight train driver y Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, he saw no warning
indicators before the freight
train struck the the passenger
bus, vehicles and motorcycles
on the Asoka-Phetchaburi railway
crossing on Saturday afternoon.
The Asoka-Phetchaburi railway
crossing signal operator Uthen
Jomkhiri, 46, is accused of failing
to lower the safety barriers on
the railway crossing, with witnesses
saying the barrier remained raised.
The raised barriers allowed the
public bus, vehicles and motorcycles
onto the railway crossing.
The signal operator also failed
to manually wave warning flags
to signal the oncoming freight
train.
Signal operator Uthen Jomkhiri,
46, denied the charges claiming
that he activated the warnings
signals according to standard
procedures.
Freight train driver, Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, claims he saw no
warning indicators before the
Laem Chabang-Bang Sue freight
train struck the passenger bus,
vehicles and motorcycles on the
Asok-Phetchaburi railway crossing
on Saturday afternoon.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
introduces new program
to recruit high school
students into Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar
|
|
 |
|
Former
Commander-in-chief
Senior General, Min
Aung Hlaing , left,
who was inaugurated
the 11th president
of Mynamar on April
10, was replaced by
Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
General Ye Win Oo,
on Monday March 30,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, May 22: Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, General Ye Win Oo,
who replaced former Commander-in-chief
Senior General, Min Aung Hlaing
who was inaugurated the 11th president
of Mynamar on April 10, has introduced
a new program to directly recruit
civilian high school students
into the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, reports the Irrawaddy.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, General
Ye Win Oo, announced plans to operate
Youth Education Training Schools
starting from the 2026-27 academic
year, saying ''applications for
these schools have already begun
in several regions.''
He said that the Youth Education
Training Schools are unlike existing
military education schools, saying
''the new Youth Education Training
Schools directly target civilian
high school students.''
''Applicants must undergo strict
screening procedures, including
medical examinations and apply
under rules similar to those for
officer training at the Defense
Services Academy (DSA),'' he said.
He said that one school will open
in Naypyitaw and another in Yemon
in Yangon’s
Hlegu Township, saying ''recruitment
is aimed at grade 10-12 students
aged 16 to 19.''
Former Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar Major, Soe Taw who defected
after the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar takeover of the elected
League for Democracy (NLD) civilian
government on February 1, 2021,
said ''the recruitment of high school
students is about building a new
recruitment selection process.''
''There are already basic education
schools and institutions like
the Defense Services Academy (DSA)
and Defense Services Technological
Academy,'' he said.
''Now they are expanding the military
education system to capture high
school students,'' he said.
On May 1, 2024 the former Permanent
Secretary for Myanmar Ministry
of Labour, U Nyunt Win, announced
the new Conscription Law saying
''starting from May 1, 2024 we
will only send registered women
as migrant workers abroad, saying
''males will not be able to register
to work abroad,''
Myanmar banned all males from
working abroad after more than
100,000 had fled to avoid the
new Conscription Law requires
males aged 18 to 35 and women
aged 18 to 27 to enlist for service
in the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar enforced the Conscription
Law in 224 townships across Myanmar,
recruiting about 5,000 males who
were sent to 17 military training
camps.
Rohingya men from villages and
camps for Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) in Rakhine State
were reportedly forcibly recruited,
with Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC)
co-founder, Nay San Lwin, saying
that residents in Rakhin State
had warned that Rohingya recruits
would be used as human shields
in the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar conflict against the
Arakan Army (AA) on the Myanmar-China
border.
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar that enacted the Conscription
Law intend to draft 60,000 men
annually,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Both
freight train and
public bus drivers
accused of negligence
in fatal railway crossing
collison in Bangkok
|
|
 |
|
Freight
train transporting
heavy shipping containers
strikes public bus
on at Asok–Phetchaburi
crossing in Bangkok
leaving eight dead
and 30 injured on
Saturday May 16, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, May 21: Thailand's Deputy
Transport Minister, Siripong Angkasakulkiat,
claims that both the Bangkok Mass
Transit Authority (BMTA) and the
State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
''share negligence in the fatal
collision at the Asok-Phetchaburi
railway crossing in Bangkok on Saturday
afternoon,'' reports Bangkok Post.
Deputy Transport Minister, Siripong
Angkasakulkiat, said that the freight
train that hit a public bus on the
Asok-Phetchaburi railway crossing
near the Makkasan Airport Rail Link
station on Saturday afternoon left
eight dead and 30 injured.
''The freight train was in violation
of the ban on entering Bangkok during
the day,'' he said.
He said the Laem Chabang-Bang Sue
train that struck the passenger
bus violated a railway regulation
that prohibits freight trains from
running in Bangkok from 5am to 9pm.
''Freight trains run in Bangkok
between 9pm to 5am,'' he said.
He said the Laem Chabang-Bang Sue
freight train that struck the passenger
bus was scheduled to depart Laem
Chabang port in Chon Buri at midnight,
saying ''the regulation was not
enforced.''
''The freight train's departure
was delayed by 15 hours'', he said.
He said the freight train ran during
the day, saying ''that is not allowed.''
''If freight trains are delayed
they must wait for the resumption
of operating hours, at night,''
he said.
The public bus and other vehicles
were struck on the railway crossing
by freight train Laem Chabang-Bang
Sue that was transporting heavy
shipping containers to the Bang
Sue Grand Station.
Freight train driver, Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, said he could not brake
in time to avoid striking the public
bus, vehicles and motorcycles that
were crossing the congested Asok–Phetchaburi
railway crossing.
Sayomporn Suankul, 46, claims he
saw no warning indicators before
the Laem Chabang-Bang Sue freight
train struck the passenger bus,
vehicles and motorcycles on the
Asoka-Phetchaburi railway crossing
on Saturday afternoon.
The Asoka-Phetchaburi railway crossing
signal operator Uthen Jomkhiri,
46, is accused of failing to lower
the safety barriers on the railway
crossing, with witnesses saying
the barrier remained raised.
The raised barriers allowed the
public bus, vehicles and motorcycles
onto the railway crossing.
The signal operator also failed
to manually wave warning flags to
signal the oncoming freight train.
Both the railway crossing signal
operator Uthen Jomkhiri, 46, and
the Freight train driver, Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, were charged with negligence
causing death, serious injury, and
bodily harm in the fatal collision
at the Asok-Phetchaburi railway
crossing in Bangkok on Saturday
afternoon.
Signal operator Uthen Jomkhiri,
46, denied the charges claiming
that he activated the warnings signals
according to standard procedures.
Freight train driver, Sayomporn
Suankul, 46, claims he saw no warning
indicators before the Laem Chabang-Bang
Sue freight train struck the passenger
bus, vehicles and motorcycles on
the Asok-Phetchaburi railway crossing
on Saturday afternoon.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
Senate Impeachment
Court serves writ
of summons on Vice
President Sara Duterte
|
|
 |
|
Philippines
Vice President Sara
Duterte, 47, was issued
with a writ of summons
to respond to charges
including sedition
within ten days on
Monday May 18, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, May 20: The Philippines
Senate that is acting as an Impeachment
Court has served a writ of summons
on Vice President Sara Duterte,
47, ordering the Vice President
to answer the Articles of Impeachment
within 10 days, reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
Legal counsel and spokesperson,
Michael Pao, for Vice President,
Sara Duterte, said that the legal
team would comply with the process
set by the Senate Impeachment Court.
''We will comply and file the appropriate
response in accordance with the
Constitution and applicable rules,''
said Michael Poa.
Vice President Sara Duterte is required
to respond to charges of alleged
misuse of Office of the Vice President
(OVP) and Department of Education
(DepEd) confidential funds, including
hundreds of millions in questioned
"ghost expenses", accumulation
of unexplained wealth, alleged bribery
of DepEd officials.
Vice President Sara Duterte is also
charged with acts of destabilization,
sedition, and public threats directed
against President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr. and his family.
The House of Representatives that
is dominated by President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr.'s allies, voted 257 to
25 with nine abstentions to impeach
Vice President Sara Duterte on May
11, over alleged unexplained wealth
and threats against President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr..
Philippines Civil society organisations
filed complaints with the Office
of the Ombudsman on December 12,
2025 against Vice President Sara
Duterte and 15 officials of the
Office of the Vice President (OVP)
and the Department of Education
accusing the Vice President of plunder,
graft, malversation, bribery and
administrative criminal offences
in the use of Confidential Funds
(CF) and Intelligence Funds (IF).
Ramil Madriaga, former aid to former
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte
testified at the House of Representatives
Committee on Justice in Manila on
April 14, 2026 that former President
Rodrigo Duterte planned to unseat
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr.
Ramil Madriaga said that Rodrigo
Duterte had discussions with retired
generals of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines after Sara Duterte
took her oath as Vice President
in 2022 about possible scenarios
for unseating Ferdinand Marcos Jr,
by 2025, saying ''I was present
at the discussion.''
He said the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) generals provided
several scenarios to assure that
Ferdinand Marcos Jr, would serve
less than four years of his term
as President, saying ''so that Sara
Duterte was eligible for the presidency
in 2028.''
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
|
|
| Kang-Fu
the Red
Kangaroo
is relentless
in his fight
to
protect
Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page
here | |
| Bombed
by
the Americans
for Christmas
in 1972,
Ha Noi Bach
Mai hospital
is still
a war zone...Christina
Pas
reports...Open
page
here | |
| Indigenous
Australians
in the northern
Queensland
town of
East Trinity
aim for
economic
independence
from
eco-cultural
tourism,
reports
Christine
Howes in
"Australian
indigenous
eco-cultural
tourism
venture
wins best
small project
national
award
"
...open
here
| |
| Kavi
Chongkittavorn
talks about
the UK
application
to become
an ASEAN
dialogue
partner
in "New
dynamics
of Aseans
external
ties,"
with consensus
yet to be
reached
on admitting
a
former
colonial
master of
four
ASEAN
member countries
into the
Southeast
Asian bloc....open
| |
| Esther
Samboh talks
about
the
choise between
thousands
dying
of
Covid-19
or from
hunger in
densely
populated
Jakarta
in the new
normal in
"Medics
dying, infections
soaring
- it's still
the economy"
...open
page
here | |
| Australian
reporter,
Chris Ray,
investigates
why Australia
dropped
five spots
in the World
Press Freedom
Index...open | |
| Read
what Son
Nguyen has
to say about
the impact
of China's
virus on
Vietnam's
economy
in
"When
the
economy
gets sick"
open
here | |
| Has
the ancient
Syrian city
of
Palmyra
suffered
a fatal
blow, or
will it
rise again?
asks Australian
reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page
here | |
|
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
asks a
survivor
of the
1965 killings
in Bali
"why
didn't
you try
to
stop
them"
in "Remembering
the slaughter
in
Paradise"
........open
page here
| |
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A.
Hamzah as
he calls
for Asians
to determine
their own
political
destiny
in "Time
for Asia
to
set it's
own course,
minus the
U.S."...open
here | |
| Is
prescribed
burning
of
grasslands
in northern
Australia
out of control?
......Chris
Ray reports
...
open page
here | |
| "Rockefeller
and the
Demise of
Ibu
Pertiwi"
by Kerry
B. Collison
"is
undoubtedly
fictional
but by no
means improbable,
"
says Johannes
Nugroho
....open
page
here | |
Viet
Nam is
planning
to go nuclear
by the year
2020.reports
John
Loizou
in
"Calculating
the costs
of nuclear
energy in
Vietnam"
...open
page here
| |
|
The
founder
of the
Revolutionary
Front
of Independent
East Timor
(Fretilin),
Mari
Alkatiri,
the now
former
Prime
Minister
of Timor
Leste,
after
losing
the May
12, 2018
election
to the
National
Congress
for Timorese
Reconstruction
(CNRT)
party,
led by
Xanana
Gusmao,
has accused
the opposition
of a coup
attempt.
Twelve
years
ago Mari
Alkatiri
also accused
the opposition
of a coup
attemp
claiming
then that
the
crises
that led
to his
resignation
was the
result
of a conspiracy.
"I
have no
doubt
about
that"
he told
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
in an
interview
in Dili
on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
| |
|
Cuba's
302
physicians
in East
Timor
work at
five hospitals
and remote
villages
throughout
the republic...writes
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
...open
page here
| |
| Benedict
Anderson,
a man
without
a country,
dies in
Indonesia
Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page
here | |
|
Thousands
of Northern
Australia's
indigenous
rock art
sites
are under
threat
from buffalo,
fire and
feral
animals.
Tim Lee
reports
........open
page here
| |
| Copy
of
letter
29 May 2012
from Vietnam
Womens Union
to
International
Olympic
Committee...open
here | |
| The
Southeast
Asian Times
wishes its
readers
a
happy
Christmas
and all
the best
for the
New Year
with a special
thankyou
to its treasured
letter
writers
| |
Published
by Pas Loizou Press
Darwin Northern
Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast
Asian
Times cannot
be
bought
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated
daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in
Yangon to sell condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore properties
to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in 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
| |
