The Southeast Asian Times
NEWS FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
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established 2000
Monday 25 November 2024
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
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Thai woman sentenced to death for fatally poisoning victims with cyanide

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, charged with poisoning 14 victims at the Bangkok Criminal Court on Tuesday April 24, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 25: Thai woman, Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, who is charged with poisoning 14 victims with cyanide, was sentenced to death on Wednesday for the premeditated murder of Siriporn Kanwong in Bangkok on April 25, 2023, reports the Bangkok Post.
The Bangkok Criminal Court convicted Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, a gambling addict, with the premeditated murder of Siriporn Kanwong, ordering her to pay the victim's family 2 million baht ($A88,000) in compensation.
''The court's decision is just,'' said Tongpin Kiatchanasiri, mother of poisoned, Siriporn Kanwong.
''Justice has been done for her today,'' she said.
Royal Thai Police national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, said that Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, funded her gambling addiction by borrowing money from her victims before poisoning them with cyanide and stealing their jewellery and mobile phones.
He said that Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, borrowed money from her victims with 300,000 baht ($A13,000) from one victim, to pay for credit card debt, saying ''she killed her victim when they asked for their money back.''
''She lured 15 victims, one survived, to take poisoned herb capsules,'' said the Royal Thai Police.
Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36 had met Siriporn Kanwong in Bangkok on April 25, 2023 at the Mae Klong river in Ratchaburi province for a Buddhist ritual
Siriporn Khanwong had collapsed and died on the riverbank after a meal with Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, with the Royal Thai Police saying ''Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn made no effort to help the collapsed woman.''
Royal Thai Police investigators found traces of cyanide in the dead woman's body and her phone, saying ''police were then able to trace Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, to previous unsolved cyanide poisonings as far back as 2015.''
Former Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn, former husband of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn was sentenced to 16 months in prison and lawyer Thannicha Aeksuwannawat to two years for complicity in the murder of Siriporn Kanwong on April 25, 2023.
Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn was accused of money laundering in connection with an illegal online gambling operation.
The Southeast Asian Times

Second Australian tourist dies after drinking Laos Vodka laced with poisonous methanol in Vang Vieng

Australians Holly Bowles, 19, left, and Bianca Jones, 19, right, both played football for the Beaumaris Football Club in Melbourne, died within a day of each other in Thailand after drinking Laos Vodka laced with poisonous methanol in Vang Vieng, Laos on Sunday November 11, 2024
From News Reports:
Vientiane, November 24: A second Australian tourist, Holly Bowles, 19, died from methanol poisoning in a hospital at Uddon Thani in Thailand on Friday after she was transferred from Vang Vieng a tourist town on November 12, becoming the sixth tourist to have died from drinking Laos Vodka laced with poisonous methanol, reports Bangkok Post.
Her friend Australian, Bianca Jones, 19, died from methanol poisoning at a hospital in Bangkok on Thursday after she was transferred from the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng to Thailand on November 12, becoming the fifth tourist to have died from drinking alcohol laced with methanol.
British, Simone White, 28, became the fourth tourist to die from drinking alcohol laced with methanol in the tourist town of Vang Vieng in Laos on November 11.
An unidentified United States male was the third tourist and two Danish women in their 20's also unidentified became the first and second to have died after drinking alcohol laced with methanol in the tourist town of Vang Vieng on November 11.
At least eight other tourists at have been hospitalized for methanol poisoning in the small hospital in Vang Vieng since November 11.
Laos Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith, said on Saturday after the death of Australian tourist, Holly Bowles, 19, on Friday 'the Laos government is profoundly saddened by tourist deaths after suspected methanol poisoning.''
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, saying
an investigation is underway into the deaths of the six tourists who died of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng in Laos last week.
Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone announced on Monday after four tourists had died from methanol poisoning in the tourist town of Vang Vieng that Laos has recorded over five million tourists arrivals as a result of the Visit Laos Year 2024 campaign.
''Tourist arrivals in Laos had exceeded expectations generating more than USD 1 billion in revenue,'' he said.
Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone credited the surge in tourist arrivals to the Laos-China Railway that connects key tourist destinations Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Oudomxay.
The Southeast Asian Times  

Five including Australian dead from methanol poisoning in Laos tourist town

Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng in Laos, with the bottle of Tiger Vodka he served to guests as a gesture of hospitality Tuesday November 19, 2024
From News Reports:
Vientiane, Novemver 23 :Australian, Bianca Jones, 19, a British woman, an American and two Danes have died in suspected mass methanol poisoning in the tourist town, Vang Vieng in Laos, with another Australian, Holly Bowles, 19, in hospital in Udon Thani in Thailand on life support, reports the Bangkok Post.
Duong Van Huan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng in Laos said that he had served the two Australians, Bianca Jones, 19, and Holly Bowles, 19, free Tiger Vodka but denied this was what made them sick.
He said that the Australians both from Melbourne had joined more than 100 other guests for the Tiger Vodka offered by the Nana Backpacker Hostel as a gesture of hospitality.
He said the two Australians started drinking at the Nana Backpacker Hostel bar at 8pm and left about 10.30pm, saying ''the two women went elsewhere for the rest of the night.''
''The two women returned to the Nana Backpacker Hostel in the early hours of the morning,'' he said.
He said that other guests notified the Nana Backpacker Hostel that the two Australians were unwell.
''They failed to check out of the hostel as planned on Wednesday November 13,'' he said.
He said the Nana Backpacker Hostel arranged hospital transport for Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, saying ''both were flown from Laos to Thailand in critical condition.''
He said he had been in business in Vientiane and Vang Vieng for almost 11 years, saying ''it was the first time something like this had happened.''
Holly Bowles, 19, was transferred from Laos to a hospital in Udon Thani, Thailand and is on life support fighting for her life.
Bianca Jones, 19, was transferred from Laos to a hospital in Bangkok and died on Thursday.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paused Question Time to inform the parliament that the Department of Foreign Affairs had confirmed Bianca Jones's death.
"Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss," he said.
"This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure."
He expressed hope that Holly Bowles would recover well.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnam Oil Transport, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Finance officials on trial for bribery

Former Director and Chairwoman of Board of Members of Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Trading Company Limited, Mai Thi Hong Hanh, centre, on trial for bribery in HCMCity Wednesday November 20, 2024
From News Reports:
HCMCity, November 22: The trial of former Director and Chairwoman of the Board of members of Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Trading Company Limited, Mai Thi Hong Hanh, is charged with violating regulations on the management and use of state assets under the ruling Communist party of Vietnam (CPV), causing loss and waste and giving bribes to the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Ministry of Finance following an investigation by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), reports the Vietnam News.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) director, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, found that former Director and Chairwoman of the Board of members of Xuyen Viet Oil Transport and Tourism Trading Company Limited, Mai Thi Hong Hanh, causing loss of VND214.1 billion (US$8.8 million) to the state and VND1.246 trillion (US$51.1 million) in environmental protection taxes.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) director, Lt. Gen. To An Xo, has also investigated 15 officials of the Vietnam Ministry
of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Ministry of Finance for "violating regulations on the management and use of state assets, causing loss and wastefulness," "accepting bribes," "giving bribes," and "abusing position and power for personal gain," under Articles 219, 354, 364, and 358 of the Penal Code.
Former chairwoman and director of the Xuyen Viet Oil Company, Mai Thi Hong Hanh, is accused of giving bribes and violating regulations on state asset management, causing loss and wastefulness.
Others found accepting bribes include, former Communist party of Vietnam (CPV), Party Secretary of Ben Tre Province, Le Duc Tho, is charged with accepting bribes and abusing his position and power for personal gain, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Do Thang Hai, for accepting bribes, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Do Thang Hai for accepting bribes, Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai and former Domestic Market Department Head, Tran Duy Dong, former deputy head of the Domestic Market Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Loc An, former head of the Tax Department in HCM City, Le Duy Minh, former head of the Domestic Market Department, Tran Duy Dong, former deputy head of the Domestic Market Department, Hoang Anh Tuan, and deputy head of the Price Management Department at the Ministry of Finance, Dang Cong Khoi.
In April 2024 Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, resigned after an investigation by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) director, Lt. Gen. To An Xo found that the National Assembly chairman was involved in alleged bribery of officials in the Thuan An Group Joint Stock Company that operates in technical infrastructure investment and construction and trading of electricity, renewable energy and real estate.
The resignation of the chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, followed the arrest of his assistant, vice chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Pham Thai Ha, for abusing his position and power for personal gain in allegedly bribing officials in the Thuan An Group Joint Stock Company.
Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and assistant vice chairman of the National Assembly Pham Thai Ha and a high-ranking delegation were arrested after an official visit to Beijing on Sunday 7 April 2024 at the invitation of Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.
The Southeast Asian Times

OAG rejects petition against Thaksin Shinawatra for alleged attempt to overthrow the King as Head of State

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, campaigning for the election of the Udon Thani Provincial Administration Organisation CEO on Wednesday November 13, 2024 for the election scheduled for November 24
From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 21: The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) rejected lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn's petition that includes Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) alleged attempt to overthrow the King as Head of State, with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) saying that ''the Office of the Attorney General did not see the complaint as a violation of Section 49 of the Constitution,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
The Constitutional Court had forwarded lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn's petition with six complaints to the Office of Attorney General (OAG instructing the Office of Attorney General (OAG) to investigate the complaints in the petition including the accusation that Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party had attempted to overthrow the King as Head of State.
On 10 October, 2024 lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn petitioned the Constitutional Court to rule on whether Pheu Thai and Thaksin Shinawatra’s actions including Thaksin Shinawatra's six-month stay in the Police General Hospital instead of in prison serving his commuted one-year term had violated Section 49 of the Constitution.
'Doctors at the Corrections Department and the Police General Hospital claimed that the former prime minister suffered from life-threatening illnesses that required his admission to the hospital instead of the prison,'' said lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn.
Lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn claimed that the MoU 44 between Thailand and Cambodia that was signed by Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen more than 20 years ago for joint development in the Gulf of Thailand had put Thailand in a disadvantageous position vis-à-vis Cambodia.
He claimed that Thaksin Shinawatra had chaired a meeting of coalition parties at his Ban Chan Song La residence on August 14th to form a new government after then Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was removed by the Constitutional Court.
He claimed that Thaksin Shinawatra's dominated the Pheu Thai party (PTP) and that the party had adopting Thaksin Shinawatra's visions as government policy.
''Thaksin Shinawatra was instrumental in the Pheu Thai party (PTP) decision to exclude the Palang Pracharath from the new coalition alliance.'' he said.
Lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn claimed that Thaksin Shinawatra allegedly instructed the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) to cooperate with the new People’s party to amend the Constitution.
In April 2021 the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), that was founded by Thaksin Shinawatra, and that has nominated his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ministerial candidate for the May 2023 elections, called on parliament to amend the 2017 Constitution, drafted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The Pheu Thai Party (PTP) said then the party is seeking to amend the section of the Constitution that deals with the Royal Thai Armed Forces appointed Senate that nominates and elects a prime minister.
The 2017 Constitution states that "changing the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State or changing the form of the State shall be prohibited" and that "the Prime Minister may not present such a draft Constitution Amendment to the King for signature."
The Southeast Asian Times

Myanmar's new free, fair and just elections would return Myanmar to original democratic state

Cambodia's Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister of ASEAN Affairs, So Naro, said ''the general elections in Myanmar must be free, fair and just'' on Sunday November 17, 2024
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 20: Cambodia's ASEAN Affairs said that the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar that seized the civilian elected National League of Democracy (NLD) government of Myanmar in February 2021, is planning new general elections next year, saying ''a new general election offers a return to Myanmar's original democratic state,'' reports Khmer Times.
''But the key is that the general election must be free, fair and just, ensuring that all parties accept it and trust its outcome,'' said
Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister of ASEAN Affairs, So Naro.
'If such an election occurs, Myanmar would return to its original democratic state,” he said.
He said that ASEAN leaders have strongly opposed all violence against civilians and public property, calling for an end to indiscriminate violence and condemning escalation of tensions in Myanmar.
''ASEAN has urged the creation of an environment conductive to humanitarian aid and inclusive national dialogue among al parties involved,'' he said.
He said that the resolution of Myanmar's conflict is ultimately in the hands of the Myanmar people, saying ''with encouragement from ASEAN countries.''
Royal Academy of Cambodia Secretary-General and Political Scientist, Yong Pov, said that the ongoing conflict between the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar and Myanmar's civilians reflects ASEAN's limitations, saying ''ASEAN lacks effective mechanisims for resolving the conflict in Myanmar.''
''ASEAN has diplomatic and negotiation frameworks but no clear mechanisms to address inter-state conflicts within the organisation,'' he said.
He said that Cambodia plays a vital role in promoting peace in Myanmar through the Paris Peace Agreement of October 23, 1991, supported by United Nation member states and other ASEAN members.
In February 2021, in the days after the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seized the elected civilian National League of Democracy (NLD) government, the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar transferred full authority of the administration of Myanmar to commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw), commander-in-chief, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing declared a state of emergency, saying then ''the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar would hold another general election and that power would be transferred to the successful party.''
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seized the elected civilian National League of Democracy (NLD) government after the civilian National League for Democracy (NLD) led by State Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, won 399 of the 440 seats in the Union Parliament with the military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), left with only 21 seats
in the general elections November 8, 2020.
The Southeast Asian Times

Quad Committee of enquiry calls for Philippine National Police involved in war on drugs killings to testify

The Quad Committee of the House of Representatives co-chair, Rosa City, Laguna Representative, Dan Fernandez called on Philippine National Police (PNP) officers to testify at the Quad Committee inquiry on Friday November 16, 2024
From News Reports:
Manila, November 19: The Quad Committee of the House of Representatives co-chair called for a congressional investigation into administrative and criminal charges against Philippine National Police (PNP) officers involved in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign, with co-chair Rosa City, Laguna Representative, Dan Fernandez calling on Philippine National Police (PNP) officers to testify at the Quad Committee inquiry, reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''Low ranking police officers face legal consequences for actions they claim were orders given by their superiors,'' said the Quad Committee co-chair, Dan Fernandez.
''Police officers have been dismissed or face charges,'' he said.
''Philippine National Police officers were unaware the orders they followed could lead to legal consequences,'' he said.
''Police officers believed they were following lawful directives from former President Rodrigo Duterte and former police chief Bato dela Rosa,'' he said.
''The Quad Committee calls on police officers involved in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign to testify at the Quad Committee,'' he said.
Dan Fernandez said that Philippine law does not recognise ignorance of the law as a defence in committing a crime, saying ''the
Quad Committee enquiry wants to know if the Philippine National Police believed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s promises of protection or immunity.''
''President Rodrigo Duterte announced police protection and immunity in public engagements during his presidency,'' he said
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said that Philippine National Police officers involved in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign are ''struggling financially due to legal fees.''
''Police officers have resorted to loans to pay for legal representation,'' he said.
He said that the goal of the Quad Committee enquiry would be to assist police officers, not punish them, particularly those willing to reveal the truth about their orders.
''The Quad Committee would seek witness protection for Philippine National Police officers willing to speak out,'' he said.
He said that Philippine National Police officers feel betrayed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying ''former President Rodrigo Duterte promised police that he would protect them is they fulfilled his orders during the war on drugs.''
In March 2018 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 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.
She said that extrajudicial killings perpetrated across the Philippines appear to have been committed pursuant to an official State policy of the Philippine government, saying " police and other government officials planned, ordered, and sometimes directly perpetrated extrajudicial killings."
The Southeast Asian Times

APEC Peru 2024 concludes with ministers acknowledging market driven economy in ASIA-Pacific

The 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting 2024, at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2024 at Peru, Lima Thursday November 14, 2024
From News Reports:
Lima, November 18: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2024 meeting of 21 APEC member economies concluded in Peru on Saturday with ministers saying at the 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting 2024 that a market driven economy in the Asia-Pacific is a core objective of APEC, while acknowledging the endorcement of the Beijing and Lima road maps.
''We value and recognize that advancing economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region in a manner that is market-driven is a core objective of APEC,'' said the APEC Ministers.
The 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting 2024 that was chaired by the Peru Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Elmer Schialer and Peru Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Ms. Desilú León was attended by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development (OECD), the World Bank (WB), and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
APEC Ministers said that continued efforts on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda will enhance
information sharing, capacity building and technical cooperation in support of economic readiness to participate in high quality and comprehensive Asia -Pacific market driven undertakings.
APEC Ministers endorced the Lima Roadmap to ''Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economies 2025-2040'' with the outcomes expected to strengthen collaboration, foster innovation and to ensure market economic resilience across the Asia -Pacific.
APEC Ministers endorced the Beijing Roadmap in order to contribute to the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda, tasking APEC officials with a strategic study on the support of market economic readiness to participate
in the acceleration of trade liberalization.
The Southeast Asian Times

Former Davao police officer flees to US after claiming former president Duterte involved in extrajudicial killings

Former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, at 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives enquiry into former President Rodrigo Duterte involvment into extrajudicial killings Friday October 11, 2024
From News Reports:
Manila, November 17: Former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, who fled the Philippines for San Francisco, California on November 7 after providing affidavits at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives enquiry that involved former President Rodrigo Duterte in extrajudicial killings, was detained on entry into the United States, with the Philippines Department of Justice directing the Bureau of Immigration to facilitate her repatriation, reports the Philippine Inquirer.
Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) justice secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla, said that former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing 11th House Quad Committee investigation into extrajudicial killings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs campaign.
Former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, provided affidavits implicating former president Rodrigo Duterte in the Davao Death Squad (DDS), claiming that ''a reward system had incentivized police officers to carry out drug-related killings,'' on October 11, 2024 at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives enquiry.
Former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, also provided an affidavit on October 11, 2024 at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives claiming that ''former President Rodrigo Duterte had instructed her to find a police officer who was a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and capable of implementing the war on drugs campaign on a national scale by replicating the Davao Death Squad (DDS) model.''
Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) justice secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla, said that the Bureau of Immigration is working to facilitate former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, safe repatriation, saying ''the Department of Justice (DOJ) trusts that Royina Garma will remain cooperative with all ongoing investigatios.''
He said the cases against Royina Garma have not yet been filed, saying ''the Department of Justice (DOJ) is still conducting case buildup.''
''Former Davao City anti-vice police officer, Royina Garma, is considered a very important witness by the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives enquiry into extrajudicial killings,'' he said.
''The Department of Justice (DOJ) intends to offer Royina Garma witness protection,'' he said.
In March 2018 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 between 1 July 2016 and 16 March 2019, saying "a preliminary examination suggests that vigilante-style killings were perpetrated by Philippine police officers themselves, or other private individuals hired by authorities, leading to a death toll of between 12,000 to 30,000 civilians," she said.
She said that extrajudicial killings perpetrated across the Philippines appear to have been committed pursuant to an official State policy of the Philippine government, saying " police and other government officials planned, ordered, and sometimes directly perpetrated extrajudicial killings."
The Southeast Asian Times

Cambodian King appoints new members to the Supreme Council of the Magistracy

Cambodi King Norodom Sihamoni announced the appointment of new members to the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) in a royal decree on Tuesday, November 12, 2024
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 16: Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni announced the appointment of new members to the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) in a royal decree on Tuesday, with the royal decree saying ''Prime Minster Hun Manet is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the decree,'' reports the Khmer Times.
King, Norodom Sihamoni, appointed 11 new members to the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) including Keut Rith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice to head the Supreme Council of Magistracy (SCM).
Chiv Keng was appointed President of the Supreme Court, Chea Leang appointed General Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, and Leang Sour, Ith Rady, Phlong Chhlam, Buninh Bunnary, Veng Bunthoeun, Seng Bunkheng, Iv Borin; and Srea Ratanak, were appointed members of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) to oversee the Law on the Organisation and Functioning of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM).
Article 18 of the Law on the Organisation and Functioning of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) under the chairmanship of King Norodom Sihamoni includes appointing, transferring, and removing judges from their positions.
King Norodom Sihamoni as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy (SCM) appoints all members to the Council of the Magistracy (SCM).
The Southeast Asian Times

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he will appear before ICC in the Hague for war on drugs

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said that he will appear before the ICC in The Hague at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday November 13, 2024
From News Reports:
Manila, November 15: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said that he will appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives enquiry into the former presidents war on drugs campaign, reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''I myself will go to the International Criminal Court (ICC),'' said former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday at the 11th Quad Committee of the House of Representatives that includes the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts.
''I will have myself investigated at the International Criminal Court (ICC)'', he said.
'Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called on the 11th Quad Committee members of the House of Representatives to pay for his air fare to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague in the Netherlands.
''Give me money to buy a plane ticket to the court’s headquarters in The Hague,'' said former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
''The International Criminal Court (ICC) does not scare me a bit,'' he said.
''The International Criminal Court (ICC) can come here to Manila anytime,'' he said.
''What I did, I did it for my country and for the young people. No excuses, no apologies. If I go to hell, so be it,'' he said.
''The International Criminal Court (ICC) is too slow. Hurry up! Because I’m already old and may die,'' he said.
''You might miss the pleasure of seeing me standing before the court and hearing the judgment, whatever that may be,'' said the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said at the 11th Quad Committee members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Lucas Bersamin, the executive secretary to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippine government would not object to the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's surrender to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
''If the former president desires to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of the ICC the government will neither object to it nor move to block the fulfilment of his desire,'' he said.
''If the International Criminal Court (ICC) were to involve Interpol and issue a red notice, Philippine authorities would be bound to accord full cooperation under established protocols.'' said Lucas Bersamin, who is a retired Supreme Court associate chief justice.
In April 2023 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said that "the Philippines considers the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague jurisdiction over the Philippines to be interference, " after the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague rejected the Philippine government appeal to halt investigations into the former Philippines President Rodrigo Dutere war on drugs.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague jurisdiction over the Philippines is an attack on the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines," he said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In March 2018 former President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew Philippine membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, announced the opening of a preliminary examination of the Philippines that would look into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs campaign.
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 between 1 July 2016 and 16 March 2019, saying "a preliminary examination suggests that vigilante-style killings were perpetrated by Philippine police officers themselves, or other private individuals hired by authorities, leading to a death toll of between 12,000 to 30,000 civilians," she said.
She said that extrajudicial killings perpetrated across the Philippines appear to have been committed pursuant to an official State policy of the Philippine government, saying " police and other government officials planned, ordered, and sometimes directly perpetrated extrajudicial killings."
The Southeast Asian Times

Attack on Singapore catholic priest not considered a terrorist act or religiously motivated

From News Reports:
Singapore, November 14: Singaporean, Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, was charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon to Catholic priest, Christopher Lee Kwong Heng at Sst Joseph's Church Singapore on Saturday, with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) saying the attack is not considered a terrorist act or a religiously motivated attack, reports the Straits Times.
Singaporean, Basnayake Keith Spencer, 37, was remanded for three weeks for psychiatric assessment ahead of a court hearing on December 2.
Basnayake Keith Spencer is charged with using a foldable pocket knife to stab Catholic priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng in the face at St Joseph's Church at Upper Bukit Timah in Singapore 6.30pm on Saturday.
.Basnayake Keith Spencer is charged with causing an 8cm-long laceration to Catholic priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng

Catholic priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng, left, and Cardinal William Goh, right, at the National University Hospital, the day after the Catholic priest was stabbed with a foldable pocket knife at the St Joseph's Church Singapore on Saturday November 9, 2024
tongue and a 3cm cut to his upper lip and a 4cm cut to the corner of his mouth, with the Singapore Police Force saying ''the stabbing endangered the life of Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng.''
The Archdiocesan Emergency Response Operations (AERO) Council and members of the congregation disarmed Basnayake Keith Spencer as he wielded a foldable pocket knife during a church service at the St Joseph's Church monthly children's mass on Saturday.
Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that preliminary investigations indicate that Basnayake Keith Spencer acted alone, saying the attack on Catholic priest Christopher Lee Kwong Heng is not considered a terrorist act or a religiously motivated attack.''
''Singaporean Sinhalese, Basnayake Keith Spencer, has previously declared that he is a Christian at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and has previously visited St Joseph's Church Singapore,'' said the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that Basnayake Keith Spencer was charged under Section 326 of Penal Code 1871, that includes life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a term extending to 15 years and to caning and a fine.
Catholic Cardinal William Goh said that the attack on Father Christopher Lee Kwong Heng at St Joseph's Church has "sown fear in the community", urging the community to be prepared without overreacting.''
''The Archdiocesan Emergency Response Operations (AERO) Council will review their security protocols to ensure the places of worship remain safe for everyone,'' he said.
He said that although St Joseph's Church also works with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force (SPF) on security matters, ''we cannot prevent every incident of this nature from taking place.''
''We must, as a community, be both mentally and operationally ready to guard against them, and mitigate the consequences when they do happen,'' he said.
In April 2024 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) said after the attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a church service in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley that ''the attack is a terrorist act,'' with ASIO director general, Mike Burgess, saying ''ASIO, as part of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team would support the investigation into the attack.''
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was among at least four injured in the attack at the Assyrian Orthodox Church, Christ The Good Shepherd Church that was broadcast online showing a 16 year-old-male lunging at Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel with an object in his hand.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel survived the stabbing during a service at the at Assyrian Orthodox Church, Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the Sydney suburb of Wakeley with ASIO director general, Mike Burgess saying ''the stabbing appears to be religiously motivated.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Malaysia's Federal Court rejects review of King's decision to reduce prison sentence for former PM Najib Razak

Former presidents of the Malaysian Bar lawyers, Zainur Zakaria and Yeo Yang Poh, seek instruction from client former Prime Minister Najib Razak whether to appeal the Federal Court decision Monday November 11, 2024
From News Reports:
Malaysia, November 13: The Fedesral Court of Malaysia rejected the Malaysian Bar application for a judicial review challenging the Federal Territories Pardons Board decision to reduce the prison sentence and fine for former Prime Minister Najib Razak from 12 years to six years in prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary SRS International Sdn Bhd funds, reports the Star.
Federal Court of Malaysia, Justice Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, said on Monday in rejecting the Malaysian Bar application to challenge the Federal Territories Pardons Board decision on February 2, 2024 to reduce the former Prime Minister Najib Razak prison sentence ''the prerogative of mercy pursuant to Article 42 of the Federal Court was the direct exercise of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's sole discretion and not the Federal Territories Pardons Board or power delegated to the Federal Territories Pardons Board.''
"Hence, the reliefs sought to challenge the decision of the Federal Territories Pardons Board are by its nature and subject matter, not justiciable to judicial review," he said.
The Malaysian Bar argued that it was not challenging the prerogative of the new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor but instead its legal challenge was focused on the advice provided by the Federal Territories Pardons Board.
Federal Court of Malaysia, Justice Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid said ''In essence the Malaysian Bar is splitting the decision of
the new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor and the advice by the Federal Territories Pardons Board.''
"I am of the considered view that the Malaysian Bar attempt to differentiate between challenging the advice of the Federal Territories Pardons Board and the actual decision of the new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor is flawed, it is non- challengeable," Justice Ahmad Kamal said.
Federal Court of Malaysia, Justice Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, said that he was of the view that ''the decision of the
new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor and the advice of the Federal Territories Pardons Board are all part and parcel of one process that culminated with the granting of pardon by the new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor,''
saying ''consequently not a matter that is suitable and appropriate to be reviews before the court.''
Lawyer, Zainur Zakaria, for the Malaysian Bar said that the Bar would seek instructions from client former Prime Minister Najib Razak whether to appeal the decision.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnamese arrested for threatening national security for promoting Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism

Tran Khac Duc, 29, was arrested in HCMCity for threatening Vietnam national security on Saturday November 9, 2024
From New Reports:
HCMCity, November 12: The Ministry of Public Security under the control of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) arrested Tran Khac Duc, 29, for allegedly threatening national security and political stability in his involvement in the promotion of the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP), saying ''the Ministry of Public Security deems the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organization a serious threat,'' reports Vietnam News.
Tran Khac Duc, 29, was arrested by the HCMCity People's Police Force (PPF) on Saturday under Article 117 of the Penal Code for creating, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents and materials for the promotion of the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organisation that opposes Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) rule.
The People's Public Security of Vietnam has accused Tran Khac Duc, 29, of following instructions from the leaders of the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organization, saying ''Tran Khac Duc is influenced by articles that insult national leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and distort historical facts.''
The People's Public Security of Vietnam has also accused Tran Khac Duc of building domestic support for the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organization, saying ''the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) deems the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism organization a national threat.''
The People's Public Security of Vietnam says that the Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organisation is using social media to recruit members, saying that using social media to recruit members for the Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organisation is in violation of Vietnam law.
The Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) organization was founded in 1982 and is led by Nguyen Gia Kieng, a former official of the United States allied South Vietnamese government before the end of the Vietnma War in 1975
Nguyen Gia Kieng, who lives in exile in France said that Assembly for Democracy and Pluralism (ADP) supporters had previously been harrassed and beaten by police.
In April 2018 the Peoples Court in Vietnam's Thai Binh province sentenced one of seven charged with attempting to overthrow the government of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and replace it with a pluralistic multi-party system to prison.
Nguyen Van Tuc, 54, was sentenced to 13 years in prison followed by five years probation for engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) government in his role in the Brotherhood for Democracy.
Nguyen Van Tuc, 54, was the deputy chief of the representative committee and first vice president of the northern Vietnam branch of the Brotherhood of Democracy organisation that was founded in 2013
The Peoples Court in Vietnam's Thai Binh deemed the Brotherhood for Democracy organisation a "reactionary organisation that is involved in illegal activities against the state and aimed to eliminate the Communist Party of Vietnam".
The Thai Binh Provincial People's Procuracy's claimed that Nguyen Van Tuc was a threat to national security saying that he was recruited by "Democratic party 21" and "Association for victims of injustice" and had received financial support.
The Southeast Asian Times

Human Rights defender of villagers in land dispute in Preah Vihear province sentenced to prison for incitement

Keut Saray, President of the Khmer Students Intellectual Association (KSILA) sentenced to prison for incitement on Wednesday November 6, 2024
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 10: The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced president of the Khmer Student Intellectual Association (KSILA), and former Buddhist monk, Keut Saray, to four years in prison and a fine of US$500 for inciting villagers involved in a land dispute in Preah Vihear province, with the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights (LICADHO), saying ''the activities of Keut Saray as a human rights defender should not have led to prosecution and punishment,'' reports Khmer Times.
''I am deeply disheartened by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s decision to sentence Keut Saray to four years in prison and impose a fine of 2 million Riel,'' he said.
He said that Keut Saray's past activities as a human rights defender, advocating for land rights, social justice and freedom of expression should not have led to prosecution and punishment.
''Freedom of expression is essential to a democratic society,'' he said.
Keut Saray was charged with incitement under Article 494 and Article 495 of the Criminal Code and for committing a misdemeanor after sentencing under Article 88 of the Criminal Code for comments made on a land dispute
involving an Economic Land Concession (ELC) granted to Seladamex Co., Ltd. in Preah Vihear province.
KSILA, president, Keut Saray, was arrested on April 5, 2024 a month after twenty-nine villagers were charged by the Preah Vihear Provincial Court on 8 March 2024 with clearing forestland and enclosing the land to claim ownership under Article 97(6) of the Law on Forestry.
Four of the 29 villagers charged were released on bail with the remaining 25, 13 males and 12 women, sent to pre-trial detention in Preah Vihear provincial prison.
The 29 villagers were arrested after the Cambodian Royal Gendarmerie and National Police and forestry administration officials entered the cleared forestland firing live ammunition and smoke grenades in Mrech, Srayang Tboung, and Kdak villages in
Preah Vihear province that is included in the Economic Land Concession (ELC) granted to Seladamex Co., Ltd.
Keut Yi, sister of KSILA, president, Keut Saray, demanded that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court release her brother, saying ''he has committed no wrongdoing.''
''I urge the court to drop all charges against him and restore his freedom so that he can continue his work for the community,” she said.
''My brother is kind-hearted, generous, and always willing to help others,'' she said.
The Southeast Asian Times

United States and Cambodia commit to landmine and explosives clearance under Ottawa Convention

US Embassy in Cambodia Charge d’Affaires, Bridgette L Walker, left, Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) vice president Ly Thuch, at CMAA office in Phnom Penh on Tuesday 5 November 2024
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, November 10: Vice-president of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Cambodia committed to mine clearance in Cambodia under the Ottawa Convention on Tuesday, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
CMAA vice-president, Ly Thuch, and Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Bridgette L Walker, committed to cooperation to eradicate landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) that continue to endanger Cambodian lives, with CMAA vice-president Ly Thuch saying ''US long-standing support has been instrumental in saving lives and making land safe for Cambodian communities.''
''Over the past 30 years, US contributions have not only been significant but transformative,'' he said.
CMAA vice-president Ly Thuch called on the US for demining equipment, bulletproof vests and enhanced technical training for Cambodian deminers, saying ''efforts to clear cluster munitions came second after landmine clearance.''
''Landmine clearance continues to pose a serious threat to safety and development.''
Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Bridgette L Walker, congratulated Cambodia on its leadership for the Ottowa Convention that prohibits the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, saying ''the Ottowa Convention has made a significant contribution to global mine action initiatives.''
Last month CMAA vice-president, Ly Thuch, chaired meetings in New York, Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland and Germany on the submission of a United Nations resolution for universal implementation of the Ottowa Convention.
In Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland he attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to encourage non-party states of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to join the State Parties of the Ottawa Convention.
He called for the review and approval of the universal implementation of the Ottowa Convention ahead of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in Cambodia at the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit in November.
The Southeast Asian Times

Former Cambodia PM Hun Sen calls on defecting opposition party members to ''eliminate the colour revolution''

Former President of Cambodia, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Hun Sen, claims the ''colour revolution aims to overthrow the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) legitimate governments''
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh November 9: Former Prime Minister of Cambodia, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Hun Sen, called on 2,000 former opposition party members and other parties who defected to the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) ''to eliminate the colour revolution,'' claiming that the ''colour revolution'' seeks to overthrow the legitimate government, reports Khmer Times.
President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Hun Sen, thanked 2,000 new members ''for working for the nation and contributing to Cambodia's ongoing development'' at the Prampi Makara Palace in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.
He called on the new members of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, to work towards ''eliminating the colour revolution'', saying the ''colour revolution'' aims to overthrow the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) legitimate governments.''
Capital-Provincial Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Member Movement Working Group chairman, You Sereyvuth, said that the working group has collaborated with the Capital-Provincial Party Committee and the Party Working Group to visit provinces and welcome 14,539 former opposition members and members of other political parties since May 2024.
''The new members include 774 at the capital and provincial levels, 1,591 at the city and district levels, and 12,174 at the commune level,'' he said.
The Royal Academy of Cambodia secretary-general, Yang Peou, said that any participation in a movement to overthrow a legitimate government is a step backward in history, warning ''such movements would only deepen division among the Khmer people.''
''The Cambodian Constitution does not allow for the division of territory or the splitting of government power into multiple factions,'' he said.
In October 2022 then ruling Cambodia's People's Party (CPP) Prime
Minister. Hun Sen. warned opposition political parties ahead of the 7th National Assembly elections in June 23, 2023, of associating with founder of the opposition Candlelight Party (CP) Sam Rainsy who is also the former president of the Supreme Court-dissolved opposion Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), saying he would dissolve political party's that associated with Sam Rainsy.
In January 2020 the then former president of the Supreme-Court- dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha, denied treason charges at his trial for allegedly conspiring with a foreign power to overthrow the then Hun Sen government, claiming that he had not called on his supporters in Australia in 2013 for a colour revolution as accused.
Deputy prosecutor Plang Sophal claimed that Kem Sokha had told his supporters in Australia in 2013 that the US had told him to follow the Yugoslavia model which brought about regime change through the overthrow of Serbian, Slobodan Milosevic.
Kem Sokha denied that he had acted on the US advice, saying ''I did not take up the suggestion to learn how to stage a colour revolution like the one in Yugoslavia.''
“I did not want to follow a model that would cause a bloody revolution in Cambodia,” he said.
Lawyer, Chan Chen said that his client, Kem Sokha, is innocent because he did not plan to overthrow the government as charged, saying ''my client Kem Sokha follows a principle of non-violence and seeks change through elections and not colour revolution.”
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia's Civil Society Coalition says ''the state should not award Suharto with the title of national hero''

Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Dimas Bagus Arya calls for the plan to award the title of national hero to Suharto to be examined according to the Law on Titles, Medals and Honors
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 8: Indonesia's Civil Society Coalition including the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) has petitioned the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to review the removal of New Order (Orba) former President Suharto from commitment to People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree (TAP MPR) Number 11/1998 on the organisation of governance free from corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), with Dimas Bagus Arya, saying ''the state should not award Suharto with the title of national hero,'' reports Tempo.
Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Dimas Bagus Arya, said ''the plan to award the title of national hero to Suharto must be examined according to the Law on Titles, Medals and Honors.''
He said that the examination must be based primarily on a sense of justice and humanity, saying ''the title of national hero can only be awarded to people who have integrity.''
"We looked at a number of facts and also the crimes committed by Suharto during his 32-year-old leadership ranging from gross human rights violations and also state violence, the practice of corruption, collusion and nepotism, the crime of murder and crimes against the environment and agrarian reform", he said.
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker, Golkar Party Member of Parliament, Bambang Soesatyo, called on new President Prabowo Subianto, a former commander in the Special Detachment 88 anti-terror squad in the New Order regime of former president Suharto, to have Suharto's name removed from commitment to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree (TAP MPR) Number 11/1998 on Orders to Organise Clean Governance without Corruption, Collusion and Nepotism (KKN)
''There's no need for historical revenge to be bequeathed to the children of the nation,'' he said.
''The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree is still legally valid but in accordance with the articles in the decree the legal process against Suharto ended following his death in 2008,'' he said.
In November 2015 Judges of the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) in The Hague concluded that the Indonesian government under President Suharto was responsible for the 1965-1966 killings of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members and supporters.
The judges said that the killings under President Suharto of up to two million Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members and supporters had "the political objective of removing the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and its sympathizers from the Indonesian political scene".
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand calls for resumption of talks with Cambodia over oil and gas claims in Gulf of Thailand

Director-General of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang, says 2001 MoU serves only as a framework for negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia

From News Reports:
Bangkok, Thursday 7: Thailand has called for a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to resume talks with Cambodia over the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) in the Gulf of Thailand based on the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between Thailand and Cambodia, with Thailand's Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, saying ''Article 5 of the 2001 MoU clearly states that the memorandum and its implementation should not affect either party's maritime claims,'' reports Bangkok Post.
Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, director-general Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang, said ''the 2001 MoU would only be used as a famework for negotiations and was not a threat to national interests as claimed by opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).''
''Article 5 of the 2001 MoU clearly states that the memorandum and its implementation should not affect either Thailand's or Cambodia's maritime claims,'' she said.
Opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) called on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last week to revoke the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia on joint investment of oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Thailand before oil and gas exploration talks with Cambodia, saying ''revoke the 2001 MoU and do it swiftly.''
The opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) academic committee Member of Parliament, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said that ''the 2001 MoU indicated that Thailand and Cambodia had acknowledged a 26,000 square kilometer area in the Gulf of Thailand for joint development.''
He said that the 2001 MoU also accepted Cambodia's territorial claim made in 1972 to half of Koh Kut island in Trat province, saying ''I have no problem with the government’s intention to discuss joint investment with Cambodia.''
''But I will object if the government uses the 2001 MoU as a famework for the discussions,'' he said.
He said that the government use of the 2001 MoU for discussion of joint investment of oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Thailand with Cambodia is not only illegal but would also result in territorial loss for Thailand.
Thailand Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs director-general Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang said that the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) will include officials from the Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Energy Ministries, saying ''legal experts from the Council of State will help negotiations go smoothly.''
She said that negotiations over the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) will cover joint natural resource development and maritime security issues, saying ''the government has also set up two separate panels to work on both issues.''
''The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead a panel working with Cambodia's own Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on maritime security and the sea border and the Energy Ministry will lead a panel working on joint natural resources development,'' she said.
She said that negotiations will seek mutual consensus between both countries, saying ''the cabinet must approve the outcome of the negotiations.''
''The result must be in line with international law and other legal frameworks," she said.
The Southeast Asian Times

New Indonesian Human Rights Ministry seeks Catholic Church support for human rights programs

Indonesia's newly inaugurated Human Rights Minister, Natalius Pigai, and former National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner says ''there must be a distinction between the Ministry of Human Rights and National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)'' at East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday November 2, 2024
From News Reports:
Indonesia, November 4, Indonesia's newly inaugurated Human Rights Minister said that newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto seeks Catholic Church support through strategic partnerships to support human rights programs, saying at the ordination of the Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Monsignor Maximilianus Rex, in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, ''the Ministry of Human Rights will develop human rights,'' reports Antara.
Indonesia's new Human Rights Minister, Natalius Pigai, who is also the former commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said there is no overlap of duties and authorities between his new ministry and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), saying that his new Human Rights Ministry has different functions and roles than the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).
Newly inugurated Human Rights Minister, Natalius Pigai, said ''support of the Catholic Church is needed so that the implementation of government programs and policies under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and vice-president Gibran Rakabuming Raka can reach the community.''
"It is impossible to reach the people who need help without the church's support," he said.
He said that President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his gratitude to Catholics who always maintain security conduciveness and always respect the government work programs.
West Manggarai acting district head, Ondy Christian Saigian said that he expects the partnership between the government and the Catholic church will continue to run well with the ordination of the first Bishop of Labuan Bajo, Monsignor Maximilianus Rex, in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday.
"We know that development must be carried out together, both by the government, the community, and religious elements, in this case, the diocese," he said.
He said that the existence of a diocese will maintain tolerance and diversity in Labuan Bajo, saying ''we know that Labuan Bajo is an international and national tourist destination in Indonesia.''
Newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto established the new ministry of Human Rights, inaugurating, Natalius Pigai,
Minister of Human Rights on October 22 with new ministry of Human Rights, Natalius Piga, saying ''the Ministry of Human Rights is tasked with drafting and issuing human rights policies.''
''We aim to build a human rights-based Indonesia, human rights-based policies, and human rights-based developments, hence the creation of the Ministry of Human Rights,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Home of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew to be assessed for historical significance after calls for demolition

Lee Hsien Yang, youngest son of late former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, submitted applicatiojn for demolition of family home 38 Oxley Road Singapore Friday October 15, 2024
From News Reports:
Singapore, October 5: The Singapore National Heritage Board (NHB) is to assess the historical significance of the former home of Singapore's late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, after the death of his daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, who has resided at the family home in Singapore since the death of her father on March 23, 2015.
Daughter of Singapore's late founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, resided at the family home on 38 Oxley Road until her death on October 9, 2024 despite calls by her brother former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, and brother Lee Hsien Yang to demolish the property.
The late Dr Lee Wei Ling alleged that her brother's actions contradicted their father's wishes, a claim she reiterated until she died on October 9, 2024, referring to her elder brother former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as a dishonourable son, arguing that he had failed to honour the late former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s explicit instructions for 38 Oxley Road.
Singapore's late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had written a letter to the Singapore Cabinet on December 27, 2011
acknowledging that Cabinet members had unanimously agreed that the house on 38 Oxley Road should not be demolished.
"I have reflected on this and decided that if 38 Oxley Road is to be preserved its foundation must be reinforced and the entire building refurbished. It should then be leased out for people to live in, as an empty building will soon deteriorate," he wrote.
In March 2012 L he submitted renovation and redevelopment plans for the property and received approval from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
The Singapore National Heritage Board (NHB) is to assess the historical significance of the home of Singapore's late founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan after a formal application for demolition of the property was submitted by the youngest of his three children, Lee Hsien Yang after the passing of his sister Dr Lee Wei Ling last month.
Lee Hsien Yang reiterated his commitment to his father’s last will a week after the passing of his sister saying that he had a
''legal and moral duty as the sole living executor to carry out Lee Kuan Yew’s wish to demolish the house on 38 Oxley Road once Dr Lee Wei Ling vacated it.''
In July 2017 about 300 family members of the late and former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew,
called for an independent inquiry into the family dispute over plans to block the demolition of the home of their father
who had stated in his will "that the house was to be torn down in order to avoid the building of a personality cult."
The family has accused the then current Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, and son of the late former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew of "capitalising on their father's legacy for his own political agenda including grooming his son as a future leader."
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has denied the allegations, saying that he was "deeply saddened" by the claims and called them "completely untrue". He said that he would not sue his siblings.
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard expell China Coast Guard ship from North Natuna Sea in Riau Islands

Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard unit onboard KN Pulau Dana-323 expell China Coast Guard ship CCG-5402 from the North Natuna Sea in the Riau Islands on Thursday October 24, 2024
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 4: The Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard unit expelled China Coast Guard ship CCG-5402 from the North Natuna Sea in the Riau Islands, claimed by China to be part of the South China Sea on October 24, with Indonesian Coast Guard
spokesperson, saying ''this is not the first time the CCG-5402 has attempted to enter Indonesian waters,'' reports Antara.
Indonesian Coast Guard spokesperson, Captain Yuhanes Antara, said that Chinese coast guard ship CCG-5402 has made several attempts to enter the North Natuna Sea in October, saying ''the Indonesian Coast Guard will continue to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining security and enforcing the law in Indonesian waters and jurisdiction.''
''The Indonesian Coast Guard is ready to secure the Indonesian sea for the future of the nation," he said.
Indonesian Coast Guard spokesperson, Captain Yuhanes Antara, said ''the Chinese coast guard ship CCG-5402 had not only entered the jurisdiction of Indonesian waters but had also disrupted the Arwana 3D Seismic survey and data processing activities.''
''Indonesian Coast Guard ship (KN) Pulau Dana-323 approached and shadowed the China coast guard ship CCG-5402 that had entered North Natuna Sea on Friday,'' he said
He said that the China coast guard ship CCG-5402 had said during communication with (KN) Pulau Dana-323 that '' China coast guard ship CCG-5402 was patrolling in Chinese jurisdiction.''
''The China coast guard ship CCG-5402 warned the Indonesian vessel not to get to close,'' he said.
He said Indonesian vessel (KN) Pulau Dana-323 ignored the warning, saying ''the (KN) Pulau Dana-323 and Indonesian Navy patrol ship KRI Sutedi Senaputra-378 and KRI Bontang-907 prevented the China coast guard ship CCG-5402 from entering the North Natuna Sea.''
He said the action taken by KN Pulau Dana-323 was appropriate, saying ''the North Natuna Sea in the Riau Islands is not under China's jurisdiction.''
''Indonesia has sovereign rights under UNCLOS 1982 to exploit and explore natural resources in the Norther Natuna Sea without being disturbed by other countries," he said.
In June 2020 Indonesia became the fifth Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state after the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, to challenge China's claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea with Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi rejecting China’s historical claim to the North Natuna Sea in he Riau Islands on the grounds that China's fishing fleet has been historically active in the Natuna Sea.
''We urge China to explain the legal basis and provide a clear definition for its claim over the Natuna Sea," said Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Indonesia's rights over the Natuna Sea region have been confirmed under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China's Foreign Ministery spokesman, Geng Shuang, rejected the Indonesian claim over the North Natuna Sea, saying ''the North Natuna Sea is not under Indonesian sovereignty.''
''The Natuna Sea is a high sea where coastal countries have sovereign rights over natural resources," he said.
"So whether Indonesia accepts it or not, nothing will change the objective fact that China has rights and interests over Natuna waters,” he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand opposition calls for annulment of 2001 MoU with Cambodia in oil and gas development in Gulf of Thailand

Members of opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) including Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, third from right, ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri, second from left, called for annulment of 2001 MoU with Cambodia on joint development of Gulf oil and gas resources in disputed territorial waters in the Gulf of Thailand at a press conference at the Thailand Parliament on Wednesday October 30, 2024

From News Reports:
Bangkok, November 3: Opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) that lost the May 2023 general election winning only 40 seats of 500 seats in the House of representatives, has called on new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to revoke a 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia on joint development of oil and gas resources in a disputed area of the Gulf of Thailand before gas exploration talks with Cambodia, with PPRP executive member, saying ''Revoke the 2001 MoU and do it swiftly,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
The opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) academic committee Member of Parliament, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said at a press conference at the Thailand Parliament on Wedneday that ''the 2001 MoU indicated that Thailand and Cambodia acknowledged an area in the Gulf of Thailand for joint development.''
''The MoU also accepted Cambodia's territorial claim made in 1972 to half of Koh Kut island in Trat province,'' he said.
Member of Parliament, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, who is also a former finance minister said ''I have no problem with the government’s intention to discuss joint investment with Cambodia.''
''But I will object if the government uses the 2001 MoU as a famework for the discussions,'' he said.
He said that the government use of the 2001 MoU for discussion of joint investment with Cambodia is not only illegal but would also result in territorial loss for Thailand.
The opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) executive member ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri also called on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to revoke the 2001 MoU as soon as possible, saying ''a Cambodian map attached to the 2001 MoU includes the sea off Trat Province and Koh Kut island and Thailand territory.''
''The Cambodian map claims over 26,000 square kilometers that are not legally acknowledged,'' he said.
He said that that the Cambodian map attached to the 2001 MoU shows an unfair division of sea territory off Trat, Koh Kut, and Thailand territory.
''Revoke the 2001 MoU and do it swiftly,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Bangkok Criminal Court dismisses Lese Majeste Law charges: Princess Chulabhorn not an heir to throne

Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed Lese Majeste Law charges against Thidaporn Chaokuwiang on Wednesday October 30, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok November 2: The Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed Lese Majeste Law charges against Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, for defaming Princess Chulabhorn in two video advertising campaigns for Lazada, owned by the China Alibaba Group in May 5, 2022, with the Court ruling that ''Princess Chulabhorn is not an heir to the throne,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang was charged under Lese Majeste Law, Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminal Code and Computor Crimes Act for defaming the Thailand monarchy and violation of the Computer Crimes Act with two others involved in the video advertising campaigne for Lazada, owned by the China Alibaba Group.
Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, Aniwat Prathumthin and Kittikhun Thamakitirat were accused of defaming Queen Sirikit and Princess Chulabhorn in two video advertising campaignes for Lazada, owned by China's Alibaba Group tha was released on TikTok on May 5, 2022.
The first video features Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, wearing tradition Thai dress resembling Princess Chulabhorn, sitting in a wheelchair, with Kittikhun Thamakitirat also wearing tradition Thai dress resembling Queen Sirikit, standing next to the wheelchair, as Aniwat Prathumthin gives her a whitening skincare product from Lazada owned by China's Alibaba Group.
The second video features Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, again wearing traditional Thai dress and resembling Princess Chulabhorn and again sitting in a wheelchair, with Aniwat Prathumthin accusing Thidaporn Chaokuwiang of stealing her clothes and recommending that Aniwat Prathumthin purchase clothing from Lazada, owned by China's Alibaba Group during the May 5, 2022 advertising campaign.
The promotional video ends with Thidaporn Chaokuwiang getting up from her wheelchair in shock.
Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed Lese Majeste Law charges against Thidaporn Chaokuwiang, for an advertisement that defamed Princess Chulabhorn on grounds that Princess Chulabhorn is not an heir to the throne, ruling that ''under the Palace Law of Succession an heir must be appointed by King Vajiralongkorn.''
''Princess Chulabhorn is not an heir to the throne and therefore not covered by the Lese Majeste Law,'' the Criminal Court ruled
In December 2023 the Bangkok Criminal Court dismissed Lese Majeste Law charges against Aniwat Prathumthin on grounds that the content of the two videos did not constitute an offence, with the Criminal Court ruling that ''the videos were produced as a marketing campaign and did not contain anti monarchy symbols.
The Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that the two videos use normal speech, saying ''the videos did not contain the coat of arms of a member of the royal family and anyone can wear traditional Thai dress .''
''The two videos were deemed not defamatory against Thailand royalty because those involved only playing a role to promote their products,'' the Criminal Court ruled.
The Bangkok Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Kittikhun Thamakitirat who has fled Thailand and is seeking asylum
abroad.
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia gives amnesty to Papua New Guinea protesters contesting Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua


Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, left, and newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, right,
in Jakarta on Sunday October 20, 2024
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 1: Indonesia offered amnesty to Papua New Guinea protesters against Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, saying ''Papua New Guinea will continue to respect Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, reports the National.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, said that he commended the offer made by Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto, for amnesty for Papua New Guinea protesters who contested Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, saying ''this is the first time for me to see openness on West Papua."
Papua New Guinea was among the nations allocated time for a bilateral discussion with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto after the inauguration in Jakarta on October 20.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, said that bilateral discussion on Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua ''were frank and open.''
''This is the first time I have seen openness on West Papua,'' he said.
Prime Minister, James Marape said that Papua New Guinea had no right to debate Indonesia’s internal sovereignty over West Papua, saying his advice to new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, was to ''give respect to West Papuan land and cultural heritage.''
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape, reaffirmed his intention to work with new Indonesian President
Prabowo Subianto, in expanding trade and investment in business-to-business and people-to-people relations with Indonesia.
Indonesia was admitted as a full member to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in Honiara in the Solomon Islands in June 2015, with the admittance of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) that represents independence from Indonesia as an observer.
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) that represents independence from Indonesia failed in its bid for full membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and was instead granted observer status on condition that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) only represent West Papuans living outside West Papua.
Indonesia is represented in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) that includes member countries Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) by elected officials of its Melanesian provinces including West Province.
In Septembet 2019 thousands of Papua New Guinea protesters marched on the capital Port Moresby in support of the West Papuan call for a referendum for Independence from Indonesia and in support of the inclusion of West Papua as a full member in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) inter-governmental regional group of Melanesian states under the banner "we are not free when out brothers and sisters are dying"
Indonesia prevented the Melanesian Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) from the accepting West Papua's proposal for full membership in the West Papua in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) from succeeding.
Indonesia's Security Minister, Djoko Suyanto reportedly said in October 2011 that West Papua will remain part of Indonesia with special autonomy its only option for those who want independence.
“Any party proclaiming a new state, a new cabinet, a new president, a new government must be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Kamisan call on new Indonesian President to investigate abduction of pro-democracy activists in 1998

Maria Catarina Sumarsih at he 837th Kamisan (Thursday) at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta urged the government to investigate the 1998 abduction of pro-democracy activists on Thursday October 24, 2024
From News Report:
Jakarta, October 31: National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) activists held the 837th Kamisan (Thursday) against the violation of human rights at the Presidential Palace in Central Jakarta on Thursday October 24, with Kamisan (Thursday) Maria Catarina Sumarsih, saying ''the 837th Kamisan (Thursday) is the first held since Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, 73, former commander in the Special Detachment 88 anti-terror squad in the New Order regime of former president Suharto was inaugurated the 8th president of Indonesia on October 21, reports Reuters.
Kamisan, Thursday) Maria Catarina Sumarsih, urged the Indonesian government to investigate all cases of past human rights violations, including the abduction of pro-democracy activists and students in 1998.
''Indonesia is now led by President Prabowo Subianto, the mastermind of the abduction of the '98 activists,'' she said.
She said that President Prabowo Subianto had formed the Rose Team to abduct the pro-democracy activists in 1998 , saying ''the Rose Team was created by the Indonesian Army special forces (Kopassus) that conducted special operation missions for the Indonesian government.''
She said that the Kamisan (Thursday) will not tire of voicing demands so that the perpetrators of past human rights violations are brought to trial, saying ''we'll see what kind of development there are under new President Prabowo Subianto.''
She said that new President Prabowo Subianto formed the new Human Rights Ministry (HAM), saying the formation of the new Human Rights Ministry (HAM) is a waste of state budget, saying ''gross human rights violations can only be resolved through
the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), an independent institution.
"The new Human Rights Ministry (HAM) that was formed by President Prabowo Subianto is not necessary,'' she said.
Kamisan (Thursday) Maria Catarina Sumarsih, called on Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to provide clarification of his statement that the abductions in 1998 were not a gross human rights violation.
The Kamisan (Thursday) called on Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra to immediately provide a clarification of his statement in the form of an official statement that is complete, comprehensive and clear.
The Kamisan also called on the Attorney General to form an ad hoc Investigation team into the 1998 events that have been investigated by Komnas HAM as regulated in Article 21 Paragraph (3) of Law Number 26/2000 on Human Rights Courts.
The Southeast Asian Times

Charges against seven involved in
Tak Bai massacre dismissed on expiration 20 year statute of limitations

Tak Bai community members call for justice at the mass grave for victims of the October 25, 2004 Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat province Thailand, Friday October 25, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 30: The Narathiwat provincial court in Southern Thailand dismissed all charges against seven defendants involved in the Tak Bai massacre on October 25, 2024 after the defendants failed to appear at the court for trial before the expiration of the 20-year statute of limitations on Friday October 25, 2024, reports Reuters.
All charges against the seven defendants including murder, attempted murder and the unlawful detention of Malay-Muslims.
at the Tak Bai Massacre on October 25, 2004 were dismissed after the former Royal Thai Armed Forces, Royal Thai Police and Interior Ministry officials failed to attend the Narathiwat provincial court in Southern Thailand on Friday.
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued a public apology on Thursday on behalf of the government to the victims and their families for their loss.
''The Thailand Constitution did not allow the government to extend the statute of limitations to give the police more time to arrest the accused,'' she said.
Cross Cultural Foundation, co-founder and senior advisor Somchai Homlaor said that the Royal Thai Police claimed that they had done everything possible to find the seven former Royal Thai Armed Forces, Royal Thai Police and Interior Ministry officials, saying ''the failure to find the defendants will add to the impression of racial and religious bias and impunity for the well-connected.''
''That confirms the belief of the people in the south that the criminal justice system in Thailand is still under military influence, especially if the wrongdoers are high-ranking government officials or influential people,” he said.
On October 25, 2004 more than 1,500 Malay-Muslims protested outside the Tak Bai Police Station in Narathiwat Province in southern Thailand demanding the release of six village defence volunteers that police had accused of providing insurgents government-issued shotguns.
About 1,000 members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Royal Thai Police surrounded the Tak Bai police station responding to the protesters with water canon, tear gas, batons and with live ammunition that killed seven.
At least 78 of the 85 protesters who died on October 25, 2004 died from suffocation after they were stacked one atop the other in military trucks for about six hours for transportation to the Ingkhayutthaborihan army camp in the Nong Chik district of Pattani province, 140 kilometres away.
The Southeast Asian Times


ASEAN members Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam partnership with BRICS will not effect US relationship

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Summit in Kazan, Russia Oct 22 to 24, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 29: Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) members Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam say partnership with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joining in January should not effect their established United States relations at the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia on Thursday with the foreign minister of Thailand saying ''Thailand hoped to join BRICS in August next year,'' reports Reuters.
Thailand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, said at the "Brics and the Global South: Building a Better World Together" three day summit that was attended by 36 countries, ''Thailand believed Brics could be a voice for developing and emerging economies.''
''Thailand and Brics could collaborate to revise the global system to work for all nations not just the most powerful,'' he said.
Malaysia Minister for Economics, Rafizi Ramli, said ''we see tremendous synergies between ASEAN and BRICS.''
''Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on January 1,'' he said.
He said that barriers to obtaining development finances and a growing global debt as reasons for joining the intergovernmental grouping BRICS, saying ''for Malaysia, BRICS is not just a rejection of these constraints, but it is also a solution.''
''Malaysia’s decision to join BRICS was not meant to reject American currency but instead aimed at reducing the risk of Malaysian ringgit instability,'' he said.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Sugiono said that Indonesia's decision to apply to join BRICS is a manifestation of our free and active foreign policy,”
''It does not mean we align with any specific bloc but rather that we actively participate in all forums,'' he said.
Director General for ASEAN Cooperation, Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro said ASEAN members joining other alliances would not affect or reduce the centrality of ASEAN, saying ''ASEAN members have been free to develop cooperation with other parties.''
He said that ASEAN has never been monopolized by ASEAN alone, saying ''ASEAN has always facilitated various mechanisms operating in the Southeast Asian region.''
He said that ASEAN member countries do not have a common foreign policy, saying ''ASEAN has a regional mechanisms to develop cooperation based on common interests.''
''ASEAN is a regional institution and not a supranational body,'' he said.
Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said ''Vietnam is ready to work with BRICS,'' at the BRICS Summit, saying
Viet Nam stands ready to work with BRICS countries and the international community to realise the idea of working together to build a better world for all.''
Vietnam is one of 30 countries that has express interest in becoming a BRICS partner under the ''BRICS Partner Country Category.''
In September 2023 the United States and Vietnam signed a Comprehensive Stategic Partnership agreement at the headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee in Hanoi that committed Vietnam to 'four no's'' in Vietnam's National Defence White Paper.
The National Defence White Paper 2019 reaffirms Vietnam's commitment to the "three no's" defence policy that were included in the three previous National Defence White Papers in 1998, 2004, and 2009, and that the National Defence White Paper 2019 includes a fourth commitment to the reaffirmaton of Vietnam's non-participation in military alliances.
The new National Defence White Paper 2019 reaffirms that Vietnam will not join military alliances with another country, will not align with one country against another and will not allow foreign military bases on Vietnamese soil and also the fourth commitment that Vietnam will not use force or threaten to use force in international relations.
The Southeast Asian Times
 

Commonwealth member nations adopt Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in the Pacific

Commonwealth nations adopted the first Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in the Pacific at the closing of the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa on Saturday October 26, 2024

From News Reports:
Samoa, October 28: Commonwealth member nations adopted the first Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in the Pacific at the closing of the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa on Saturday calling on all 56 Commonwealth nations to protect the ocean in he face of severe climate, pollution and over exploitation, with the Prime Minister of Samoa saying ''it was fitting for our first ocean declaration to be adopted in the Blue Pacific,'' report Associated Press.
Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, said that ''climate change has been recognised as the single greatest threat to the security and well-beling of out people.''
''The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in the Pacific must become a line in the sand for the world to collectively transform ocean exploitation into protection and sustainable stewardship,'' he said.
The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration recognises maritime boundaries amid the rise in sea-level, the proection of 30 percent of oceans and restoring degraded marine ecosystems by 2030 and the urgent finalization of the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty for the elimination of plastic pollution.
The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration calls for the ratification of the high-seas biodiversity treaty, the development of coastal climate adaption plans and strengthening support for sustainable blue economies.
Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said that the Commonwealth was immensely proud of the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, saying the Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, sets the standard for forthcoming international meetings.''
''The Commonwealth Ocean Declaration generates momentum for ocean protection as we head towards COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, and next year's UN Ocean Conference,'' she said.
She said that more than half of the 59 Commonwealth's members are small nations, many of them low-lying islands at risk from rising sea levels caused by climate change, saying "what the Ocean Declaration seeks to do and to say is that once your marine boundaries are fixed, they’re fixed in perpetuity."
"This is incredibly important because it will give real hope to many who are frightened and are feeling no one’s watching, no one's listening, no one’s caring – and that’s not true,'' she said.
The Southeast Asian Times

King Charles III falls short of an apology for Britian's role in slavery
at CHOGM in Samoa

Britain's King Charles III at the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM in his new role as Head of the Commonwealth in Apia, Samoa on Friday October 25, 2024

From News Reports:
Samoa, October 27: Britain's King Charles III, said at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa on Friday, in his new role as Head of the Commonwealth, ''I understand, from listening to people across the Commonwealth, how the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate,'' with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejecting calls for repatriation and an apology for Britain's role in transatlantic slavery, reports Reuters.
King Charles III said at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM attended 56 Commonwealth nations ''none of us can change the past,'' saying ''but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.''
''It is vital, therefore, that we understand our history,'' he said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected calls for repatriation and an apology for Britain's role in transatlantic slavery, at the 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM on Friday, saying he wanted ''to look forward rather than look backward.''
The British Prime Minister rejected calls for repatriation for Britain's historic role in transatlantic slavery and ruled out an apology, saying at the CHOGM leaders meeting that he was aware that there were some calls for reparations.
''In my view countries should work together to ensure the future was not in the shadow of the past but is illuminated by it,'' he said.
Bahamas, one of 15 member states of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Foreign Minister, Frederick Mitchell, said on Thursday that a CHOGM draft conclusion has called for a discussion on an apology and on reparations for Britains role in transatlantic slavery.
''The Caribbean Community want the conversation to start,'' he said.
Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) slavery repatriation commission vice chair, Eric Phillips, who is seeking reparations from former colonial powers, Britian, France and Portugal, said that he did not understand the relevance of the Commonwealth if British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejects calls for repatriation and an apology.
The Southeast Asian Times


CHOGM secretary-general candidate warns against Commonwealth containing China in the Pacific

Patricia Scotland, outgoing Secretary General of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOCM at CHOGM Samoa 2024 in Apia Samoa on Wednesday October 23, 2024

From News Reports:
Samoa, October 26: The 27th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM Samoa 2024 on the South Pacific Island of Samoa includes the election of a new Commonwealth Secretary-General, with secretary-general candidate, Shirley Botchwey, warning against the Commonwealth attempting to contain China in the Pacific, saying ''the Commonwealth shouldn't be involved in countering China,'' reports Reuters.
Ghana former foreign minister, secretary general candidate, Shirley Botchwey, is one of three contenders vying to replace Patricia Scotland as secretary-general of the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat at CHOGM Samoa 2024 from 21 to 26 October.
Secretary general candidate, Shirley Botchwey, said that some Commonwealth members had decided to engage with China, saying ''and they have very good reason why they do that.''
''I believe the best that the Commonwealth can do is to give the Commonwealth members the tools to be able to negotiate very well,'' she said.
''But apart from that, I do not see how the Commonwealth can influence a country’s relationship with China, because these are sovereign countries,'' she said.
Gambia former foreign minister, secretary-general contender, Mamadou Tangara, said it was for individual countries to choose how they dealt with China, saying ''I don’t think the Commonwealth should be thinking of trying to counter the influence of a country or an organisation.''
''The Commonwealth should make sure that it has more influence before it competes with another country or another organisation.”
Lesotho, former trade minister, secretary-general contender, Joseph Setipa, said that sovereign independent states have the liberty to decide their bilateral relations, saying ''it becomes a Commonwealth issue if those relationships begin to undermine the Commonwealth.''
''As Secretary-General, I would stay away from that, unless it creates a direct challenge to the implementation of the Commonwealth Charter,'' he said.
''Then it becomes a Commonwealth issue,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Pastor of Kingdom of Jesus Christ church in Philippines denies sexual abuse at Senate Committee hearing

Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Pastor, Apollo Quiboloy, at Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing in Manila Wednesday October 23, 2024

From News Reports:
Manila, October 25: The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who was arrested on September 8 for money laundering, child sexual abuse and human trafficking, denied sexual abuse accusations made by Teresita Valdehueza, 48, at the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing, saying ''there is no truth to what they are saying,'' reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''Did you sexually abuse the women and minors and did you use religion as a ploy to sexually abuse them?'' asked Senator Risa Hontiveros at the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing on Wednesday.
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy claimed there was no truth in the accusations saying, ''if they have criminal charges against me, they are free to file charges and I will face them in a proper forum just like I’m doing right now.''
Teresita Valdehueza, 48, said at the hearing on Wednesday that she was just 17 when she joined the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), saying ''I revered Apollo Quiboloy.''
''Apollo Quiboloy was considered as God's anointed and his words held absolute authority,'' she said.
''I respected him deeply, viewing him as truly a man of God.'' she said.
''Apollo Quiboloy had explained that God had revealed to him that I was to partake in God’s life by surrendering my body, soul and spirit to him,'' she said.
She said it was out of fear that she obeyed Apollo Quiboloy, saying ''a fear that he might know that I pretended to be extremely grateful that I was allowed to be part of his life.''
Teresita Valdehueza, 48 told the hearing that other girls had surrendered their body, soul and spirit to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for money laundering, child sexual abuse and human trafficking on Sunday, 8 September ending a 16-day siege at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) compound in Davao City, Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
He faces charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and a non-bailable human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208.
On August 7, 2024 the Philippine Court of Appeals issued a freeze order on bank accounts and assets of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), including 10 bank accounts, seven properties and five vehicles and an aircraft in the name of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
The freeze order also includes 47 bank accounts, 16 real properties and 16 motor vehicles in the name of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), 17 bank accounts, five real properties and 28 motor vehicles in the name of Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC), and 23 bank accounts, one property and four motor vehicles in the name of Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. (CJFI)
The freeze order also includes 76 bank accounts in the name of nine Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) patrons.
The Philippine Court of Appeals said that allegations verified by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) with supporting documents give ''reasonable ground to believe that the bank accounts are linked to the crimes under the Philippines and the United States laws.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Opposition MP calls for privatisation of businesses run by the Royal Thai Armed Forces

People's Party Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan, demands reform of business operated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces at a seminar conducted by the Parliamentary Committee on Military Affairs ''In search of Thai military's gigantic treasures'' at the Thammasat University Bangkok on Saturday October 12, 2024

From News Reports:
Bangkok, Thursday 24: Thailand opposition People's Party, formally the Move Forward Party, demands reform of business operated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces, calling for insolvency, privatisation, restructuring and transfer to other agencies, with People's Party Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao, saying ''the Thai military is engaged in a range of businesses from A to Z,'' reports Thai PBS World.
People's Party Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan, said ''the Thai military is engaged in business from toothpicks to warships both known and unknown.''
''The military also operates public transportation services and offers cremation-at-sea services through the Navy at the Sattahip Naval Base,” he said.
A seminar conducted by the Parliamentary Committee on Military Affairs titled ''In search of Thai military's gigantic treasures'' at the Thammasat University on October 12, revealed that the Royal Thai Armed Forces and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Defense Ministry owned 6.5 million rai (2.56 million acres) of land, 200 licenses of radio, television, digital TV transmission, and telecommunication networks, 61 golf courses, more than 20 hotels, and resorts, 371 attractive sites, oil wells and a refinery facility, a pharmaceutical factory, more than 200 retail shops and gas stations, and stakes in the aviation industry and portfolio investment in many sectors including banking and insurance.
People's Party Member of Parliament for Chachoengsao, Jirat Thongsuwan, said that the Royal Thai Armed Forces runs agricultural businesses, ranging from cricket farms and organic rice cultivation to food processing, saying ''numerous other investments fall outside the military’s core responsibilities.''
''Investments outside the military highlight the military's extensive involvement in commercial activities beyond its primary defence role,'' he said.
Bangkok Chulalongkorn University, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science, Puangthong R. Pawakapan said ''the main concern was that the Royal Thai Armed Forces operated these businesses without legitimacy, efficiency, transparency and accountability.''
She said that utilising national resources such as land, property, budget, and manpower, the military often claims that these revenues are used to support their personnel, and sometimes they argue that certain operations enable the military to be self-sufficient.
''Yet, we often hear reports that lower-ranking soldiers are heavily exploited. So, where does this income disappear ? she said.
The Southeast Asian Times  




What they're saying open page here


MEDIA CHECK
Cambodia-China Journalist Association (CCJA) launched in Phnom Penh ...open here


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Darwin reporter John Loizou asks a survivor of the 1965 killings in Bali "why didn't you try to stop them" in "Remembering the slaughter in Paradise"
........open page here



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


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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

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Darwin reporter John Loizou asks a survivor of the 1965 killings in Bali "why didn't you try to stop them" in "Remembering the slaughter in Paradise"
........open page here



"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

 

Indonesia ready for big 'brother' role in ASEAN
By Prashanth Parameswaran .......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


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


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Published by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com

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Oz $ buys
Updated daily.
Prices indicative only

US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet Nam Dong..16,849.44

Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The Southeast Asian Times

China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of public services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times

Penang health department shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19: Five Penang food factories including a 100 year old soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed by the state health department for failure to observe health standards.
State health, food safety and quality division, deputy director Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin said soya bean products were processed in an unclean "rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found that wet products were left to dry on "dirty" bamboo sticks along with bathing towels. The bamboo sticks were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets" factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory in Simpang Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also closed by the state health department
The Southeast Asian Times

Fuel smugglers including military personnel under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested 30 suspects including several Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and seized 64 cars, two boats and 106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam last week that the seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres of fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected of fuel smuggling and have been handed over to the military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thai coup blammed for fall in tourist arrivals
From News Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the first month after the establishment of marshal law and the military seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10 percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai Department of Tourism shows that inernational tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by 25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all visitors to Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record a gain, of 6.2 percent
The Southeast Asian Times

US Senate approves sales of nuclear equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed legislation approving a 123 agreement on civil nuclear commerce with Vietnam at a business meeting of the committee last week.
The 123 agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to export nuclear reactors, research information and equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce agreement between the US and Vietnam is "part of Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by 2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The Southeast Asian Times

Court for construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two Construction Courts for Malaysia were opened by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the establishment of the courts will transform the way the construction business in the country operates.
"The construction industry stakerholders can now have their disputes resolved by judges with expert knowledge and experience in construction industry disputes', he said.
The proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the establishment of the construction courts was first put to the Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain is the only other country that has a specially designated court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The Southeast Asian Times

Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali community-based tourism operators have called for amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact that his community received only 40 percent of the total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share of the tourist revenue to pay for operating costs", he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said that operating costs for trekking, traditional dance, cultural shows including religious rituals had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and community halls for tourism had also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli community but for tourism based communities across Bali would benefit tourism island-wide" said the tourism manager.
The Southeast Asian Times

Riau forest fires force Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the Indonesian subsidiary of US-based oil company Chevron has shut down 573 oil wells in the Riau province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of air due to forest fires that have been raging for the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there families.
Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public relations officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown of Rokan block, operated by Chevron Pacific Indonesia, the country's biggest producer of crude oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts reports that potential losses are estimated at about 12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian Times

Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there was an 86 percent increase in tourist arrivals from China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that 193,010 tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China in 2011 increasing to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun, said coffee shop operators were catering to the influx of tourists from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite foods", he said.
Sabah and Labuan Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort,
said that staff members are encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can converse better with guests" he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Pilots strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights to Surabaya, Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the airline had not paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines was required to restructure its operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra says that Merpati has signed a memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion (US$533 million) reports the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or early April, said the Merpati corporate secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board official, Erry Wardhana, said about 200 Merpati pilots planned to strike again next Saturday for an indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until 1,600 Merpati employees were paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the first time that Merpati workers have gone on strike over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for December and January reports the Jakarta Post.
The Southeast Asian Times