The Southeast Asian Times
NEWS FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
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established 2000
Friday 9 May 2025
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 se
nior 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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Philippines want investigation into China vessels dredging Cagayan River under guise of river restoration

Makabayan coalition Gabriela Party-list Rep, Arlene Brosas, called for investigation into China vessel dredging in the Cagayan River in Mindanao, southern Philippines, on Tuesday May 6, 2025

From News Reports:
Manila, May 9: Makabayan coalition of twelve party-lists in Philippines House of Representatives have called for an investigation into Chinese vessels dredging in the Cagayan River in Mindanao, southern Philippines, saying ''Chinese dredging vessels are operating under the guise of the Cagayan River Restoration Project,'' reports the Philippines Inquirer.
Makabayan coalition Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Representative, Raoul Manuel, claim ''the dredging has caused extensive ecological disruption and economic loss to small fishers,'' saying ''Chinese dredging vessels are operating under the guise of river rehabilitation but in effect are engaged in unchecked resource-exploitation.''
''Fishers and local environmentalists including the National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organization in the Philippines (Pamalakaya) have raised alarm over the large scale extraction and export of black magnetic sand by the Chinese dredging vessels,'' said the Makabayan coalition of twelve party-lists Philippines House of Representatives.
''The so-called Cagayan River Restoration Project led by Chinese companies has caused extensive ecological disruption and economic loss to small fishers, particularly in Aparri town,''
''Daily earning in Aparri town have dropped from P7,000-P9,000 to as low as P900,''
The National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organization in the Philippines (Pamalakaya) said the Cagayan River Restoration Project was initiated during the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte administration and was carried out by Chinese contractors, saying ''Chinese vessels dredging in the Cagayan River in Mindanao in the southern Philippines is a direct result of Duterte's betrayal.''
''Duterte allowed Chinese companies to dredge Philippine rivers under the guise of rehabilitation with fishermen paying the price,''
In July 2024 Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed criminal complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Bong Go, who served as special assistant to the former President, for graft and plunder of public infrastructure projects in Davao City, Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
The criminal complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher Bong Go., follow the November 2016 signing of a US$13.5 billion package agreement including private sector Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with China during a presidential four day state visit to China at the invitation of China President Xi Jinping.
The Philippine Mega Harbor Port and Development Inc., representative, Reghis Romero, who was one of 200 delegates representing Philippine business including oil and gas, signed contracts for the development of ports on the Davao coastline in Mindanao in the southern Philippines with China Dredging Corp. and Construction Communication Corp. (CCC).
The development of the 214-hectare coastline from Davao City to Agdao and Poblacion in the southern Philippines that includes the construction of ports and the establishment of port cities is to be indertaken with the cooperation of the local government of Davao City in Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
The China Dredging Corp. and Construction Communication Corp. (CCC) had also undertaken to construct a P7.5-billion 50-hectare Harbor Center Port Terminal in Manila in order to alleviate port congestion in Manila.
The Southeast Asian Times


Communist Party of Vietnam votes
in favour of private sector economic development

Vietnam National Assembly approved a resolution to amend the 2013 Constitution on Monday, with all 452 deputies present voting in favour of private economic development at the 15th National Assembly 9th plenary session on Monday 5 May 2025

From New Reports:
Hanoi, May 8: The Vietnam National Assembly approved a resolution to amend the 2013 Constitution including the Land Law on Monday, with all 452 deputies present voting in favour of private economic development at the 15th National Assembly 9th plenary session, with the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee saying that ''the private sector has become one of the key driving forces of Vietnam's socialist - orientated market economy, reports the Vietnam News.
Vietnam National Assembly chairman, Tran Thanh Man, and Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) general secretary To Lam reiterated the Political Bureau resolution of May 4, ''after four decades of economic reform the private sector has become the key driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy.''
The Political Bureau resolution claims that despite the private sector contributing about 50 percent of GDP and about 30 percent of state budget revenue and that the private sector employed about 82 percent of Vietnam's workforce '' there is an incomplete understanding of the private sector’s role in the economy.''
''The private sector still faces numerous challenges and has yet to meet expectations as the core engine of the national economy,'' said the Political Bureau resolution.
''Most private enterprises remain small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited finance and management capacity, low technological capabilities, innovation levels. labor productivity and competitiveness,''
''Vietnam's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack strategic vision and remain economically stagnant while linked to state-owned and foreign invested enterprises.''
In September 2023 the Vietnam National Assembly began considering amendments to the land-use law of the 2013 Land Law that in the 2013 Constitution stipulates that land is the property of the entire people of Vietnam and is managed uniformly by the state.
Land Law 2024 was appproved by the Vietnam National Assembly on January 18, 2024 focusing on regulations for land acquisition for socio-economic development and land valuation that included laws on Housing, Real Estate Trading, on Bidding, on Bidding Prices, on the Price of land and the law on Credit Institutions.
Land Law 2024 that replaced Land Law 2013 came into effect on January 1, 2025, after the Vietnam National Assembly considered the approval of a 99 year land lease to China in special economic zones (SEZs) in Vietnam's northern Quang Ninh province, Khanh Hoa province and southern Kien Giang province with Vietnam saying ''China's land lease proposal would be reconsidered and adjustments would be made to maintain national security and sovereignty.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand dismantles nominee companies concealing Chinese ownership of illegally acquired land

Operation ''CIB Nominee Sweep Episode 3, led by Pol Maj Gen, Thatphum Jarupha, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, centre, at Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) press conference in Bangkok on Thursday 1 May 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, May 7: The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) and the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) have dismantled a network of nominee companies concealing Chinese ownership of illegally acquired land in Eastern Thailand under the Foreign Business Act under operation ''CIB Nominee Sweep Episode 3,'' reports the Nation.
Operation ''CIB Nominee Sweep Episode 3, led by Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Jaruphat, said ''the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) has uncovered an elaborate Chinese Nominee Network behind the THB 2 billion luxury condominium project in Rayong and Chonburi provinces.
He said that four nominee companies concealing Chinese ownership had acquired 72 rai (28.4 acres) of land in Chonburi and Rayong provinces at Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) press conference in Bangkok on Thursday.
''Our investigation revealed that the four nominee companies had acquired land to establish company premises and residential projects consisting of ten 8 floor luxury condominium buildings with over 1,821 residential units,'' he said.
''Chinese representatives were brought from China to oversee and manage the construction of the condominiums,'' he said.
''The Chinese established their own concrete production company for the residential project and employed Chinese engineers, designers, electrical and plumbing system technicians, and construction labourers,'' he said at the press conference.
Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) Superintendent of Sub-Division 4, Pol Col Krit Worathat, said the four nominee companies have been identified as Good View Co., Ltd. from Hong Kong , Terra Co., Ltd. from Thailand, Sky Co., Ltd. from Thailand and Ocean Co., Ltd. from Thailand.
''The Thailand Department of Land will order the nominee companies to rectify the proportion of foreign shareholders to Thai nationals,'' he said.
He said that company directors of the nominee companies and shareholders have been prosecuted for violation of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 1999 and the Land Code Act B.E. 2497 1954.
''Local Thai police will proceed with legal action and deportation of foreigners who entered Thailand and worked illagally on the construction of the condominiums in Chonburi and Rayong provinces,'' he said.
Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) Deputy Commander Pol Col Wijak Tarom, said at the press conference that the four nominee companies established an intricate web of cross-shareholdings between companies to evade scrutiny by regulatory authorities, saying ''investigations uncovered evidence of fund transfers from a Chinese investor company registered in Hong Kong.''
The Southeast Asian Times


Re elected centre-left Australian Labor Party turning a corner at political cross roads

Centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP) Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, wins second term in office in federal elections Saturday May 3, 2025

From News Reports:
Canberra, May 6: The centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP) has won a second term in office after defeating the conservative opposition Liberal Party of Australia (LIB) at the Australian federal elections on Saturday, with incumbent Prime Minister Albert Albanese saying ''together we are turning a corner and together we will make our way forward," reports China's Communist Party (CCP) media Xinhua.
Prime Minister Albert Albanese pledged to ''govern for all Australians,'' saying ''the re-elected government would spend everyday of the next three years repaying voters trust.''
"We take out this task with new hope, new confidence and new determination,'' he said.
"This is a time of profound opportunity for our nation. We have everything we need to seize this moment and make it our own, but we must do it together."
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) administered by the Labour Party (UK) government, attributed the election win for Prime Minister Albert Albanese leader of the centre-left Australian Labor Party (ALP) over the loss by Peter Dutton opposition leader of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia (LIB) to ''the anti-Trump factor'' with the BBC, saying ''Peter Dutton was seen by many as Australia’s Trump.''
''Peter Dutton as Australia's Trump appeared to go down badly with voters, despite his attempts to shake off comparisons made between his policies on immigration, public sector cuts and China and the Trump administration,'' she said.
Businessman, former Prime Minister of Australia, leader of the conservative Liberal Party of Australia (LIB), Malcolm Turnbull reportedly said in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), ''Peter Dutton ran a very Trumpian campaign,'' saying ''U.S President Donald Trump was the mood music that had a very big influence on how voters perceived the LIB coalition.''
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China administered by China Communist Party (CCP) in Canberra, Australia, congratulated the Labor Party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on winning the federal election on Saturday, saying ''China stands ready to work with the new Australian government led by Prime Minister Albanese and, under the fundamental guidance provided by the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, continue advancing a more mature, stable, and productive comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia to further benefit both countries and peoples, and contribute positively to the peace and stability of the region and beyond''
Republican Party of the United States United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his victory in the May 3 Australian federal election, saying ''Australia is a valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States,''
''Our shared values and democratic traditions provide the bedrock for an enduring alliance and for the deep ties between our peoples,'' he said.
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said ''the United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.
In November 2022 Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, committed to development funding in the Indo-Pacific at the ASEAN-Australia summit included in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 40th and 41st summits in Phnom Penh, saying "Australia would advance economic growth in the Indo-Pacific."
He said that Australia would advance economic growth under the Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative (Aus4 ASEAN Futures Initiative) in the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiative
He said that Australia has committed AUS$470 million in development funding to support the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiative that would enable support for three ASEAN Community councils
The Australian support for the implementation of the Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) initiative would enable support for the
ASEAN Political- Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
The Southeast Asian Times


Senate presents evidence of China involvement in espionage against Philippines government

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presents evidence at the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones hearing on Thursday April 24, 2025 that the China Embassy paid Infinitus Marketing Solutions to circulate false information against the Philippine government on fake social media posts

From News Reports:
Manila, May 6: The Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones hearing presented evidence of the alleged involvement of the Chinese Embassy in Manila of espionage against the Philippine government, with Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino claiming that the Chinese Embassy paid Infinitus Marketing Solutions in the Philippines to circulate false information against the Philippine government, reports Philippine Inquiry.
The Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones’ chairman, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, presented contract and bank transfer informations as evidence at the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones hearing on April 24.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presented the documents showing that the Chinese Embassy paid PHP930,000 to Philippine-based Infinitus Infinitus Marketing Solutions to spread false information, attack Philippine government officials, and promote pro-China narratives in fake social media posts.
He showed monthly reports allegedly submitted by Infinitus Marketing Solutions in the Philippine to the Chinese Embassy in Manila that included screenshots of fake posts on social media, names of social media accounts and metrics including engagement reach.
''More than 50,000 Filipinos were drawn into interaction with the fake posts on social media with posts impersonating teachers, overseas Filipino workers and community members,'' he said.
He said that Infinitus Marketing Solutions in the Philippine manufacture fake social media content against Philippine government policy, saying ''the fake social media pretends to be motivated about peace in the region.''
''What Infinitus Marketing Solutions is doing in the Philippines is wrong and we will not accept it,'' he said.
He said that the operators of the fake posts on social media were used to attack Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and included the passing of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in November 8, 2024.
The Philippine Maritime Zones Law and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in 2024 aligns the Philippine domestic laws with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the July 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling in favour of the Philippines against China's claim of historic rights over the South China Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking historic rights in its claim over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling with China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying then that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this matter."
"The dispute was not covered by U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty not exploitation rights,'' he said.
The Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones’ chairman, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino,
said that the discover of a submersible drone off the coast of Barangay Inawaran, San Pascual, Masbate in January 2025,
''was evidence of China’s intelligence-gathering efforts.''
He said that foreign vessels are required to use designated sea lanes when entering Philippine waters under the
Philippine Maritime Zones Law and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in 2024, saying ''we need to determine if unmanned submersibles like the China drone fall under these regulations.''
''The submersible drone shows one thing and intention and that is that China is conducting espionage efforts,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


BRICS including ASEAN members fail to reach consensus to reform United Nations Security Council

BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs failed to reach consensus to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at a BRICS meeting at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 28 and 29 April, 2025

From New Reports:
Rio de Janeiro, April 4: BRICS full member and partner countries, failed to reach consensus to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at a meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 28 and 29 April, 2025, with opposition from Egypt and Ethiopia's to South Africa's bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC, reports Bloomberg.
The chair of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting stated that the ministers of the 10 full member countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member, Indonesia and eight partner countries, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Uzbekistan and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam ''...supported comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic.''
The chair called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in its membership.
The chair called on Africa, Asia and Latin America, Brazil, India and South Africa to play a greater role in international affairs ''particularly in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)''
The chair called for ''the urgent need to achieve equitable geographical representation in the Secretariat of the United Nations.''
BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs failed to reach consensus at the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting after BRICS members Egypt and Ethiopia opposed South Africa's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Egypt and Ethiopia opposed BRICS support of the previously approved plan to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) proposed in the Johannesburg II Declaration at the 2023 BRICS summit in South Africa on 19th and 24th August.
The Southeast Asian Times

China national arrested for spying on Manila electoral office ahead of Philippines elections May 12

China national, Tak Hoi Lao, was arrested for allegedly spying on officials at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila on Tuesday April 29, 2025, ahead of the general elections on Wednesday May 12, 2025

From News Reports:
Manila, May 3: China national, Tak Hoi Lao, in the Philippines on a Macau passport, was arrested for allegedly spying on officials at the Manila Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, ahead of the general elections on May 12, with the National Security Council (NSC) saying ''the alleged spy was operating an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) surveillance device ,'' reports the Philippine Inquirer.
National Security Council (NSC) spokesman, Ferdinand Lavin, said China national, Tak Hoi Lao, was arrested for violations of the espionage law, Data Privacy Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act for allegedly operating an IMSI surveillance device to intercept mobile phone communications and track location data at the Manila Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday.
''An International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) surveillance device was seized from his vehicle parked at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila,'' he said.
National Security Council (NSC) spokesman, Ferdinand Lavin, said ''Chinese national, Tak Hoi Lao, was arrested on his third time operating the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) surveillance device on officials at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.
''Other locations visited by the Chinese national oerating the IMSI surveillance device includes the Philippine Supreme Court, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Embassy,'' he said.
National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General, Jonathan Malaya, said at a Senate hearing on maritime and admiralty zones on April 24 ''there are indications that information gathering operations are being conducted by China Communist Party (CCP) sponsored groups in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.''
He said that there were indications that information gathering operations conducted by China Communist Party (CCP) sponsored groups are propping up candidates China wants to win the coming mid-term elections.
''China Communist Party (CCP) sponsored groups are undermining those who China wants to lose the May 12 elections,'' he said.
The China Communist Party (CCP) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesman, Guo Jiakun, said China is seeking more information from the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs on the arrest of Chinese national, Tak Hoi Lao, for allegedly spying on officials of the Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.
''China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs,'' he said.
''We will not interfere and have no interest in interfering in the relevant internal affairs of the Philippines.''
''We also advise certain politicians in the Philippines not to use it as an opportunity to propagate China-related issues and make groundless accusations for selfish gains,'' China Communist Party (CCP) Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesman, Guo Jiakun.
The Southeast Asian Times


President reprimands State Owned Enterprise directors for not contributing to Indonesia's economic growth

Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, centre, addresses reporters after the Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara) meeting at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan, Central Jakarta on Monday April 28, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 2: Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto reprimanded State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors in a closed door meeting of the Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara), warning
that State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors who fail to contribute to Indonesia's economic growth would be replaced, reports the Jakarta Post.
President Prabowo Subianto said the meeting was closed to the media, saying ''it would not have been appropriate to reprimand State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors in front of the media.''
President Prabowo Subianto called on State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors to improve efficiency at the meeting of the Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara) and State Owned Enterprise (SOE) officials held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan, Central Jakarta on Monday.
He ordered Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara) board of directors to evaluate the performance of State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors.
“We must manage Danantara properly,'' he said.
'He said the Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara) must be properly managed, safeguarded and maintained with a transparent system, saying ''the Danantara assets have the potential to reach US$1 trillion.''
''If managed well, the Danantara can generate huge national funds,'' he said.
He called on all State Owned Enterprise (SOE) directors to abandon inefficient or deviant practices, saying ''the performance of directors must be evaluated thoroughly including an assessment of integrity and professionalism.''
''On behalf of the nation and the people, I call on all directors to do their best, to abandon old practices that may be inefficient,'' he said.
He said that the directors of State Owned Enterprise (SOE would be relaced if found to have abused their authority, saying ''the replacement of directors will not be based on ethnicity, religion, race, background, or political party.''
''No, they must be Indonesians who work as much as possible for the people of Indonesia,'' he said.
President Prabowo Subianto appointed Investment and Downstream Minister, Rosan Roeslani, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara) and State Owned Enterprise (SOE) Deputy Minister Dony Odkaria as chief operating officer of the operational holding, Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (Danantara).
''Once we consolidate all SOEs under the operational holding, we will remap their structure and review existing holding companies,'' said Dony Odkaria.
The Southeast Asian Times


China warns ASEAN of isolation if ASEAN aligns with US in trade war

Zheng Yongnian, Dean of school of public policy at Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, warned ''the US would not assist ASEAN in achieving industrialisation'' on the sidelines of the 3rd China-Asean Economic Relations Seminar, "High-Level Opening-Up and China-ASEAN Common Market" held in Shenzhen from April 26 to 27, 2025

From News Reports:
Hong Kong, May 1: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) risks isolation by China and stalled economic growth prospects if the 10 ASEAN member countries and observer member East Timor align with the United States in the trade war, warns the Dean of school of public policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, reports the Bangkok Post.
Zheng Yongnian, Dean of school of public policy at the China University of Hong Kong, warns ''the US would not assist ASEAN in achieving industrialisation'' on at the 3rd China-Asean Economic Relations Seminar, titled "High-Level Opening-Up and China-ASEAN Common Market" held in China on April 26 to 27.
''Some ASEAN countries would face stalled industrialisation and isolation by China if they choose to align more closely with the United States in the trade war,'' he said.
''China was better placed to help the 10 ASEAN member bloc in realising its goals,'' he said.
''China has called on ASEAN countries to establishment a China-ASEAN common market to promote trade stability and development in South East Asia amid the United States tariffs,'' he said.
He said that ASEAN countries Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand face a precarious balancing act as they negotiate trade terms with the United States, saying ''ASEAN is China's largest trading partner.''
''Either scale back lucrative economic ties with China or prepare for punishing United States tariffs on critical exports,'' he said.
He said that not all countries will be pivoting towards the United States as tariffs cause worldwide economic uncertainty, saying "more nations will instead choose to distance themselves from the United States.''
"The US-waged trade war is expected to cause a hiccup to employment and business operations within China,'' he said.
On April 25 Senior Officials of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America (USA) reaffirmed commitment to further advance ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 37th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue co-chaired under new U.S. President Donald Trump by U.S. Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), formerly the Office of Chinese Affairs, Sean O’Neill, and Cambodian Secretary of State, ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) leader, Kung Phoak, reviewed the ASEAN-US Plan of Action 2021 -2025 that guides the implementation of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue senior officials discussed the future of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that had been advanced from the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership in May 2022 at the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington under former U.S. President Joe Biden.
The United States and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 10 member countries and observer country East Timor reaffirmed commitment to advancing the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with U.S. Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), Sean O’Neill, saying ''the United States remains the top source of foreign direct investment for the ASEAN region,''
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue committed to ''a timely conclusion of the ASEAN-US Leaders Joint Vision Statement to promote
a 'Stronger and Safer an More Prosperous America and ASEAN,' saying ''the statement will be endorsed at the upcoming ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the US in July 2025.''
The ASEAN-US Leaders Joint Vision Statement will be adopted at the 13th ASEAN-US Summit to be held in Malaysia in October 2025
The Southeast Asian Times


House of Representatives calls for investigation into wrongful arrest of US academic at Thailand university

House of Representatives Committee on Armed Forces chair, People's Party, formerly Move Forward Party, party list-Member of Parliament, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the wrongful arres of U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers at the Centre of ASEAN Community Studies (CACS) Naresuan University, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand on Monday April 28, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 30: Thailand's House of Representatives Committee on Armed Forces called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 3
for the alleged wrongful arrest by the 3rd Royal Thai Army (RTA) of U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, at the Centre of ASEAN Community Studies (CACS) Naresuan University, Phitsanulok Province, for alleged violation of the Lese Majeste Law, report the Bangkok Post.
U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, was arrested on April 4, 2025 on charges against the Lese Majeste Law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computor Crimes Act for allegedly promoting, a webinar lecture titled ''Thailand’s 2024 Military and Police Reshuffles: What Do They Mean?" held by the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore on October 24, 2024.
House of Representatives Committee on Armed Forces chair and former People's Party, formerly Move Forward Party, party list-Member of Parliament, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, said that U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, spoke on Thailand’s military and police reshuffles and discussed democratisation of the military's role in society at the webinar lecture hosted by the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore on October 24, 2024.
House of Representatives Committee on Armed Forces chair, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the wrongful arrest of U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, Centre ASEAN Community Studies (CACS) at Naresuan University, Phitsanulok Province, saying ''the complaint relied on a facebook posting by Eddy Assadang believed to be managed by academic, Assadang Yomnark.
''The facebook posting claimed that the Naresuan University in Thailand's Phitsanulok Province had employing foreign national U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers to undermine the monarchy,'' he said.
He said the claim made on facebook by Eddy Assadang believed to be managed by academic, Assadang Yomnark, was based on a personal interpretation of a promotional blurb for the webinar lecture organised by the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute research institution in Singapore titled, ''Thailand’s 2024 Military and Police Reshuffles: What Do They Mean?"
''The promotional blurb for the webinar listed U.S. academic Paul Chambers, at ASEAN Community Studies at Naresuan University in Thailand's Phitsanulok Province as a speaker,'' he said.
House of Representatives Committee on Armed Forces chair and People's Party, formerly Move Forward Party, party list-Member of Parliament, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, said that U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers neither owns the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute research website nor serves as its editor.
The Southeast Asian Times


Indonesia calls for evaluation of free nutritious meals distributed by military for school children

Indonesia President Prabowo Sunianto committed to the delivery of free nutritious meals to school children by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) program during the 2024 presidential election that began Monday January 6, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, April 29: The House of Representatives Health Commission IX urged the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to conduct a thorough evaluation of free nutritious meal distributed by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to schools after multiple food poisonings have effected hundreds of students across Indonesia, reports Jakarta Post.
The latest food poisoning of students after the introduction of Free nutricious meals under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) on January 6, occurred on April 23 at the Kasipute elementary school in Bombana regency, Southeast Sulawesi, with 13 students suffering from food poisoning after consuming a free nutritious meal delivered National Armed Forces (TNI.
The Public Regional Hospital of Sayang Cianjur reports that 52 students from the Cianjur Islamic senior high school suffered from food poisoning from free nutritious meals delivered under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) by the National Armed Forces (TNI) on April 22.
The Cianjur Health Agency in West Java reports that 78 students suffered from food poisoning from free nutritious meals delivered on April 21 by National Armed Forces (TNI) under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), with 55 students from the Cianjur Islamic senior high school and 23 from Cianjur Islamic junior high school showing symptons of food poisoning after consuming the meals.
House of Representatives Health Commission IX member, Nurhadi, called for an evaluation of food safety under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) program from ingredients sourced for the free nutricious meals to the distribution by the National Armed Forces (TNI) to the school children.
''These food poisonings are deeply concerning, especially since the free nutritious meals program has the noble aim of improving schoolchildren's nutrition and reducing stunting," he said.
He said that the latest food poisonings should serve as a serious warning to the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), saying ''the recurring food poisonings highlightes systemic and fundamental problems in the program’s management and operations.''
''The House of Representatives Health Commission IX urges the President, Prabowo Subianto, government to conduct a thorough audit of food hygiene and sanitary standards of the free nutritious meal caterers under the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) that is delivered by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI),'' he said.
The Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) claims that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) that allocated the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) to deliver free nutricious meals to students across Indonesia, beginning on January 6, is illegal, saying, ''non-war operations require a political decision to legalise TNI involvement in a civilian program.''
Kontras Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said that there is no regulation governing the involvement of the National Armed Forces (TNI) in civilian programs under the National Armed Forces (TNI) law.''
'' Article 7 Paragraph 3 of the TNI Law regulates the involvement of the TNI in military war operations only,'' he said.
He said that moves to involve National Armed Forces (TNI) operations in a number of state policies and a number of state projects are illegal operations, saying ''the National Armed Forces (TNI) operations in civilian programs are not based in the provisions of the TNI Law.''
He said that the free nutricious meals program is an effort to revive the National Armed Forces (TNI) role in civilian life, saying ''the effort is very very systematic.''
''The involvement of the National Armed Forces (TNI) in the free nutricious meals program is contrary to existing TNI regulations,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


''We must not mix religion and politics,'' says Singapore to alleged Muslim influence on outcome of elections

Sukri Omar, left, Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, centre and Malaysian politician, Iskandar Abdul Samad, right, accused of attempting to influence outcome of the Singapore general election on Thursday May 3, 2025

From News Reports:
Singapore, April 28: Singapore claims that Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff has attempted to influence the outcome of the Singapore general elections on May 3 on Facebook under his Facebook pseudonym, Zai Nal, saying ''foreigners must not direct, fund or in any way influence Singapore’s elections,'' reports The Straits Times.
''We must not mix religion and politics,'' said Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Singapore Elections Department Singapore (ELD) in a joint statement in response to Facebook posts by Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, under the pseudonym, Zai Nal.
''Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, under the pseudonym, Zai Nal accused several Malay-Muslim Members of the Singapore Parliament of failing to represent the interests of the Muslim community,'' Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Elections Department Singapore (ELD) said in the joint statement.
''The local Muslim community does not need another Malay MP who did not represent their views,'' said Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, under the pseudonym, Zai Nal on Facebook.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Elections Department Singapore (ELD) said that Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, is an Australian citizen who renounced his Singapore Citizenship in 2020, saying ''Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2016.''
''He was detained for his promotion of terrorism and glorification of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Facebook,'' said the Joint Statement.
The Joint Statement claimed that Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff had called on Muslims to reject the constitutional, secular, democratic state in favour of an Islamic state governed by Syariah law.''
''Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff believed that violence should be used to achieve this goal if necessary,'' said the Joint Statement.
The joint statement claims the Pan-Malaysian Islamic (PAS) Selangor Youth chief, Mohamed Sukri Omar, re posted facebook postings by Zulfikar bin Mohamad Shariff, under the pseudonym Zai Nal on Facebook.
Pan-Malaysian Islamic (PAS) Selangor Youth chief, Mohamed Sukri Omar, denied claims that he had attempted to interfere in Singapore's general election on May 3, saying ''any concern I have about the Singapore elections is for Singapore's marginalised Malay-Muslim community,''
He said he fully respects the sovereignty and laws of Singapore, saying ''my concern stems from a moral responsibility as a Muslim.''
''I have never intended, whether directly or indirectly, to interfere with the democratic process of Singapore, he said.
Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Elections Department Singapore (ELD) said in the joint statement advising that ''Corrective Directions have been issued under Section 61N of the Parliamentary Elections Act (PEA) to disable Singapore users access to several online election advertising (OEA) published on Facebook by foreigners during the election period including Pan-Malaysian Islamic (PAS) National Treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad, saying ''Abdul Samad has expressed support for a candidate in the general elections on May 3,
The Southeast Asian Times


HCMCity Court upholds death penalty for property developer unless embezzled funds are returned

Death Sentence for Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group chairwoman, Truong My Lan, 68, centre, up held at HCM City High People’s Court Monday April 21, 2025

From News Reports:
Hanoi, April 27: The HCM City High People’s Court reduced a life sentence for fraud handed to Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group chairwoman, Truong My Lan, 68, on October 3, 2024 to 20 years in prison in an appeal to the court on Monday, but upheld a death sentence for the embezzlement of US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), reports the Vietnam News.
The HCM City High People’s Court also upheld a 12 year sentence for money laundering and eight years for illegal cross-border money transfers in an appeal on Monday,
The sentence was handed down on October 3, 2024 for the embezzlement of US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) by Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group chairwoman, Truong My Lan, 68.
''Truong My Lan can avoid execution if she returns $9billion, three-quarters of the US$12.5 billion she embezzled,'' said the HCM City High People’s Court on October 3, 2024.
Lawyer, Nguyen Huy Thiep for Truong My Lan, 68, argued at the HCM City High People’s Court on October 3, 2024 that his client had repaid the embezzled US$12.5 billion with the seizure of properties by the HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3).
The HCMCity Peoples Court said that Truong My Lan, 68, had not repaid the embezzled US$12.5 billion with the seizure of her properties, saying ''there were legal issues with the seized properties.''
''The prosecution could not assess the value of the properties,'' said the HCMCity Peoples Court.
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3) under the Ministry of Public Security found that Truong My Lan, 68, chairwoman of the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, and 86 others embezzled, bribed and violated banking regulations, claiming that Truong My Lan, 68, used the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) for fraudulant property development.
"Chairwoman Truong My Lan, 68, directed bank appointees to provide loans to ghost companies that were established to embezzle funds from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) for property development by Truong My Lan's Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group,'' claimed the Ministry of Public Security
The Ministry of Public Security claimed that ghost companies were established to embezzle funds from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) and that chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, Truong My Lan, had appointed relatives to positions on the Executive Board of the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) in order to direct funds to the ghost companies.
The Southeast Asian Times


Chief justice and prosecutor sentenced to prison for altering evidence in Red Bull heir hit-and-run in Bangkok 2012

Royal Thai Police inspect a motorcycle belonging to Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station and a Ferrari driven by Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the youngest son of Red Bull executive Chalerm Yoovidhya, Monday September 3, 2012

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 26: The Bangkok Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct convicted and sentenced former Attorney General Office. Department of Appealate Litigation, chief justice, and former Office of the Attorney General, Public Prosecutor for malfeasance in office for altering evidence to show that Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya, did not cause a fatal hit-and-run accident by reckless driving in Bangkok in 2012, reports Bangkok Post.
Former Attorney General Office. Department of Appealate Litigation, chief justice, Nate Naksuk, was sentenced to three years in prison and former Office of the Attorney General, Public Prosecutor, Chainarong Saengthong-aram, to two years for malfeasance in office for altering evidence including witness testimonies and the vehicle speed of the Ferrari driven on September 3, 2012 in the hit -and- run accident that had resulted in the death of Bangkok police officer Sgt Maj Wichean Klanprasert.
On September 3, 2012 Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya, then aged 27, was released on bail in Bangkok after he was charged with reckless driving, speeding over the limit at 177 km/h, drunk driving, fleeing the scene of the crime, causing the death of police officer, Sgt Maj Wichean Klanprasert, 48.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Wichean Klanprasert, who was driving a motorbike to early-morning sentry duty in Thong Lor, was struck by a black Farrari sports car driven by Red Bull heir "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya and dragged about 200 metres, died from his injuries.
The Bangkok Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct dismissed charges of malfeasance for six others allegedly
involved in the altering of evidence including Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, Pol Maj-General Thawatchai Mekprasertkul, Pol Colonel Veeradol Taptimdee, Thanit Buakhiew, Chuchai Lertpongadisorn, and Assoc Dr Saiprasit Kerdniyom who pleaded not guilty to altering the evidence brought against Red Bull heir "Boss" Vorayuth Yoovidhya
In July 2020 the Attorney General Office (OAG), Department of Appealate Litigation, chief justice, Nate Naksuk, 67, withdrew all charges against the Red Bull heir after a new investigation found new evidence, that the Red Bull heir hit and run accident that resulted in the death of Bangkok police officer Sgt Maj Wichean Klanprasert, was not caused by reckless driving.
Two new witnesses testified that the Red Bull heir "Boss" drove a Ferrari sports car at between 50-60km/h on September 3, 2012, and that the motorcycle driven by the Sgt Maj Wichean Klanprasert, 48, who was killed in the hit and run accident has abruptly changed lanes and cut in front of the Ferrari sports car.
The Office of the Attorney General (AOG) Department of Appealate Litigation, chief justice, Nate Naksuk, concluded that "the crash was not caused by reckless driving on the part of the suspect, Vorayudh Yoovidhaya, and that the suspect did not commit an offence under Section 291 of the Criminal Code, act by negligence and causing death.
In February 2022 the Attorney General Office (OAG), Department of Appealate Litigation, chief justice, Nate Naksuk , who signed the order in July 2020 to withdraw all charges against the Red Bull heir "Boss" in the hit and run death of a police officer in Bangkok, announced that he would work with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that is conducting an investigation into officials involved in the charges against the Red Bull heir "Boss".
He said he would begin work with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ahead of the outcome on February 14, 2022 of the Public Prosecutors Commission (PCC) disciplinary inquiry into his decision to withdraw all charges against Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayuth Yoovidhya.
Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya fled Thailand for Singapore in 2017 after he repeatedly failed to report to police to answer the charges.
The Southeast Asian Times

USA and ASEAN reaffirm commitment to further advance ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The 37th ASEAN - US Dialogue in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on Tuesday April 2025 concluded with the planned adoption of the ASEAN-US Leaders Joint Vision Statement at the 13th ASEAN-US Summit in Malaysia in October 2025

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, April 25: Senior Officials of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America (USA) reaffirmed commitment to further advance ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 37th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue on Tuesday in Siem Reap, Cambodia, reports the Khmer Times.
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue co-chaired under new U.S. President Donald Trump by U.S. Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), formerly the Office of Chinese Affairs, Sean O’Neill, and Cambodian Secretary of State, ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) leader, Kung Phoak, reviewed the ASEAN-US Plan of Action 2021 -2025 that guides the implementation of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue senior officials discussed the future of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that had been advanced from the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership in May 2022 at the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington under former U.S. President Joe Biden.
Cambodia's Peoples Centre for Development and Peace president, Yong Kim Eng, said after the May 2022 U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington "ASEAN did not talk much about human rights and democracy at the May 2022 U.S-ASEAN Special Summit held in Washington."
He said that the ASEAN failure to raise human rights issues and democracy in the region may hinder positive change on human rights and democracy.
"This failure makes the region remain weak and fragile in matters of human rights and democracy." he said.
The United States and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 10 member countries and observer country East Timor reaffirmed commitment to advancing the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in priority areas including transnational crime, drug trafficking, online scams, counter terrorism efforts and enhancing cybersecurity cooperation.
''The United States remains the top source of foreign direct investment for the ASEAN region,'' said U.S. Senior Bureau Official for the Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), Sean O’Neill
The U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue committed to ''a timely conclusion of the ASEAN-US Leaders Joint Vision Statement to promote
a 'Stronger and Safer an More Prosperous America and ASEAN,' saying ''the statement will be endorsed at the upcoming ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the US in July 2025.''
The ASEAN-US Leaders Joint Vision Statement will be adopted at the 13th ASEAN-US Summit to be held in Malaysia in October 2025
The Southeast Asian Times

 

Thailand Bhumjaithai Party expells MP after embezzlement conviction

Bhumjaithai Party Ekarat Changlao, MP for Khon Kaen, at Parliament on Thursday February 13, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 24: Thailand's pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai party, that won 71 seats in the May 2023 elections, after the now ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) won 141 seats and the then Move Forward Party (MFP) winning the election with 151 seats, has expelled Member of Parliament for Khon Kaen, Ekarat Changlao, from the Bhumjaithai party, after the Member of Parrliament was sentenced to prison for embezzlement on April 17, reports Bangkok Post.
The Khon Kaen Provincial Court sentenced Ekarat Changlao up to 13 years in prison for the embezzlment of more than Baht 431million from the Khon Kaen Teachers Savings Cooperative
Ekarat Changlao was found guilty of falsifying documents to embezzle over Baht 431million baht from the Khon Kaen, Teacher’s Savings Cooperative as cooperative manager from 2011 to 2019.
Expelled Bhumjaithai party Member of Parliament for Khon Kaen, Ekarat Changlao, is a former member the military pro-monarchy, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
The Khon Kaen Provincial Court ordered Bhumjaithai party Member of Parliament for Khon Kaen, Ekarat Changlao, to repay the full amount.
The Bhumjaithai party now the second-largest party in the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) led coalition government said on Friday ''the decision to expel Ekarat Changlao was made by the Bhumjaithai party executive board and Members of Parliament was unanimous.''
Ekarat Changlao was expelled from the Bhumjaithai party on the recommendation from the ethics committee after Ekarat Changlao was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Member of Parliament for Khon Kaen, Ekarat Changlao, reportedly failed to provide clarification within the required timeframe.
He is on bail of Baht 3 million and is prohibited from leaving Thailand while he appeals his conviction.
On January 19, 2024 Lawyer Patrapong Supaksorn petitioned the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Bhumjaithai Party led by defacto secretary-general Newin Chidchob, brother of former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party,the former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob.
Former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, the former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, resigned as Bhumjaithai secretary-general and a member of parliament after accusations of conspiring to gain billions of baht from Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. to fund members of the Bhumjaithai Party in the 2023 general elections.
Lawyer Patrapong Supaksorn said the Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. won government construction contracts, saying ''former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, had funded Bhumjaithai Party party members during the electorial campaigns from the funds illegally gained from the Buri Charoen Construction Ltd
The Southeast Asian Times


Indonesians sign petition against bestowing 'national hero' award on former President Suharto

Former President Suharto gives a speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24, 1992

From News Reports:
Jakarta, April 23: A petition against bestowing the 'national hero' award on former President Suharto by current Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, who was the former Minister of Defence and a former General in President Suharto's New Order regime, garnered 3,479 signatures in a week, with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) calling for former President Suharto not to be recognized as a 'national hero', reports Tempo.
Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) head of Impunity Monitoring Division, Jane Rosalina Rumpia, urged Social Affairs Minister, Saifullah Yusuf, and the Council for the Titles of Heroes, Decorations, and Honors not to include Soeharto among the candidates to be recognized as a hero in 2025.
''We see this proposal as an attempt to erase historical memory and whitewash the crimes committed by Suharto," she said.
She said that the momentum behind the proposal for former President Suharto to be recognised as a national hero has progressed since the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) removed Suharto's name from Article 4 of Decree No. 9 of 1998 on Clean Governance Free from Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism in September 2024, saying ''that article had specifically named Suharto.''
The petition that was launched by, Civil Society Movement to Try Suharto (Gemas), on April 8, and had received 3,479 signatures by April 15, referred to findings by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), that implicate former Indonesian President Soeharto in nine cases of gross human rights violations.
References include the 1965-1966 anti-communist purge; the Mysterious Shootings 1982-1985; the Tanjung Priok massacre 1984; the Talangsari incident 1989; the Rumoh Geudong and Sattis Post abuses 1989-1998; the forced disappearances of 1997-1998; the Trisakti 1998, Semanggi I 1998, and Semanggi II 1999 shootings; the May 1998 riots; and the killings of alleged sorcerers 1998-1999.
In November 2024 Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker, Golkar Party Member of Parliament, Bambang Soesatyo, called on newly elected Indonesian 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.
The Southeast Asian Times


Pope Francis dies on Easter Monday, "Monday of the Angel"

Pope Francis 1936–2025 led the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025

From News Reports:
Vatican City, April 22: Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas and a transformative figure in the modern Catholic Church, died at the Vatican on Monday aged 88.
The death Pope Francis was announced by Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis.
At 7.35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.
His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the one, triune God.
Thankyou."

The Southeast Asian Times

China national shareholder arrested in Bangkok after collapse of State Audit Office in earthquake

China national, Chuanling Zhang, shareholder in the China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) was arrested on Saturday April 19, 2025 at a five star hotel in the Ratchadaphisek area of Bangkok

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 22: Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested, China national, Chuanling Zhang, shareholder in the China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) on Saturday, that was constructing the State Audit Office (SAO) when it collapsed in the earthquake on April 4 killing 47 and leaving 9 injured, reports the Nation.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is seeking the arrest of Thailand nationals Manas Sri-anan, Prachuap Sirikhet and Sophon Meechai, shareholders in the China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) after an arrest warrant was issued by the Bangkok Criminal Court.
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Pol Maj Yuttana Praedam said that preliminary findings reveal that the three Thailand national shareholders were used as proxy shareholders on behalf of China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), saying ''proxy shareholders violate Thailand's Foreign Business Act 1999.''
Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Pol Maj Yuttana Praedam said in a press conference after the arrest on Saturday of China national, Chuanling Zhang, shareholder in the China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), saying ''financial records have uncovered transaction exceeding Baht 2 billion that paved the way for China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) to secure a government contract to construct the State Audit Office (SAO) in Bangkok.
''Investigators are reviewing design documents, project supervision records, and nine rounds of design modifications, that may involve forged signatures from engineers and supervisors,'' he said.
''The China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) holds 11 other construction contracts in Bangkok involving Thailand shareholders,'' he said.
Thailand Ministry of Industry head, Thitipas Choddaechachainun, said after the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO)
in the earthquake on April 4 that steel rods used in the construction of the 33 floor building failed quality tests conducted by the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre.
The 2.1 billion baht (US$61.4 million) State Audit Office (SAO) project was reportedly ''China's state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Group (CREC) highest-profile project in Thailand to date.''
The Southeast Asian Times


Philippines demands owner of capsized China operated cargo vessel in EEZ zone to cooperate in savage efforts

China operated, MV Hong Hai 16, cargo vessel capsized with 25 crew onboard off Mindoro Island south of Batangas province in Southern Luzon in the West Philippine Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that China claims to be in the South China Sea, on Tuesday April 15, 2025

From News Reports:
Manila, April 21: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) demanded that the owner of the China operated MV Hong Hai 16 cargo vessel, that capsized off Mindoro Island in the West Philippine Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Tuesday, that China claims to be in the South China Sea, to cooperate in salvage efforts, reports Reuters.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the MV Hong Hai 16, was carrying about 2000 litres of lube oil and 30,00 litres of automatic diesel oil when the cargo vessel with 25 crew onboard including 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese capsized in the West Philippine Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Southern Tagalog District Commodor, Geronimo Tuvilla, has deployed divers from Coast Guard Special Operations Unit Southern Tagalog (SOU-STL) to the capsized MV Hong Hai 16, cargo vessel that is floating keel up and partially submerged to search for missing crew men.
The Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement Response Group in Southern Tagalog has deployed 250 meters of oil spill boom to mitigate oil spill in the waters off Mindoro Island south of Batangas province in Southern Luzon within the West Philippine Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has accounted for 14 surviving crew men from the capsized China operated MV Hong Hai 16, cargo vessel, with four crew members dead and 7 missing.
''The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to investigate the capsized China operated MV Hong Hai 16, cargo vessel,'' said PCG Southern Tagalog District Commodor, Geronimo Tuvilla.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines against China's claim of "historic rights" over the South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague decision followed the Philippine complaint in 2013 that called on the court to intervene in the Philippine dispute with China over the right to exploit natural resources including fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking "historic rights" in its claim over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling with China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying then that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this matter."
"The dispute was not covered by U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty not exploitation rights,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Hong Kong opposition Democratic Party warned to disband before legislative elections in December

Hong Kong Opposition Democracy Party (DP) chairman, Lo Kin-hei, left, and vice chairman Mok Kin-shing said that more than 90 percent of Democracy Party (DP) members voted to go ahead with disbanding the party on Sunday April 13, 2025

From News Reports:
Hong Kong, April 20: The Hong Kong opposition Democratic Party (DP), has approved a motion to move forward with plans to dissolve the party at an extraordinary general meeting, after Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) officials reportedly warned opposition party senior members to disband the party before the upcoming Hong Kong legislative elections, with chairman of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), saying ''this is not the final decision for the dissolution of the party,'' reports the Hong Kong Free Press.
Opposition Democratic Party (DP) members that set up a task force to discuss the procedures for disbanding the party in February, citing ''the overall political environment'' for the decision, approved the motion to mandate the central committee to proceed with disbanding the opposition party, with chairman, Lo Kin-hei, saying ''110 members voted at the Sunday meeting with over 90 percent approving the motion to let party leaders handle legal and financial matters related to disbandment.''
''The results of the vote means that most of the members are willing to allow the central committee to take steps to dissolve the Democratic Party (DP),'' he said.
''I hope there will be another general meeting in the coming few months,''
Five senior opposition Democratic Party members including Fred Li, reportedly received warnings to shut down the opposition party from unnamed Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) officials reportedly warning the opposition Democratic Party (DP) to be gone by the legislative elections in December.
Democratic Party (DP) member Fred Li reportedly claimed that he had been warned to shut down the opposition party during a Commercial Radio programme by an unidentified Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) official.
Former Democratic Party (DP) chairman, Yeung Sum, also claimed that he had been warned by an unidentified Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) official to disband the opposition party.
Opposition Democratic Party (DP), that was founded in 1994 became the largest opposition party in Hong Kong by 1998, the year after the British handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, with 13 seats in the 60-seat legislature.
In February 2025 the opposition Democratic Party (DP) discussed procedures for disbanding the party, with chairman Lo Kin-hei saying ''the Democratic Party (ID) has considered the overall political environment in making its decision.''
''Developing democracy in Hong Kong is always difficult, especially in the past few years, saying ''we see a lot of civil society groups and political parties disbanding or dissolving.''
''Whenever those kinds of groups disband or discontinue we have a discussion about disbanding the Democratic Party,'' he said.
Opposition Democratic Party (DP) member for the Hong Kong Southern District Council, Lei Tung I, Au Nok-hin, 36, was among 47 charged on February 28, 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under the new law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) that was passed into legislature in Beijing in June 30, 2020, ahead of the July 31, 2020 elections in the Hong Kong 70-seat Legislative Council.
Hong Kong candidates in legislative elections are subject to the new law adopted by National Peoples Congress of the People's Republic of China on the Safeguarding of National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) that upholds the institutional system of one country two systems and a further ruling that allows only candidates deemed patriots to stand for election.
The Southeast Asian Times


China urges Cambodia to oppose US hegemony and trade tariffs on state visit to Cambodia

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, left, welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, on arrival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Thursday April 17, 2025 for a two day state visit

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, April 19: The President of the People's Republic of China,
Xi Jinping, arrived in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member country, Cambodia on Thursday ''urging Cambodia to oppose United States hegemony and trade protection, repeating the China messages to Vietnam and Malaysia during the state visit to the ASEAN member countries, with Cambodia saying ''we expect more cooperation including on infrastructure development,'' reports Reuters.
Cambodia Ministry of Economy and Finance spokesman, Meas Soksensan, said Cambodia expected China President Xi Jinping to announce financial support for the 180 km Funan Techo Canal, saying ''the canal is Cambodia's most ambitious infrastructure development.''
''Cambodia and China signed 37 documents during Xi Jinping's state visit including on investment, trade and finance,'' he said.
He said that China would fund the construction of the Funan Techo Canal under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying ''the Funan Techo Canal would run from the Mekong River near Phnom Penh to the coast on the Gulf of Thailand.
China Ambassador, Wang Wenbin, said that China remains Cambodia's top invester in infrastructure and energy with China-built power plants now supplying over 60 percent of Cambodia's electricity.
''Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment projects include Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport,'' he said.
China President Xi Jinping said during the two day state visit to Cambodia that ''China and Cambodia took the lead in building a community with a shared future at the bilateral level in cooperation with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).''
President Xi Jinping said that China and Cambodia have supported each other in maintaining national stability and promoting development and prosperity, saying ''China and Cambodia have worked side by side to stand up for fairness and justice in international affairs.''
''China will unswervingly support Cambodia in upholding strategic autonomy and in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions,'' he said.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father former Prime Minister Hun Sen announced in Beijing said at the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Cambodia-China diplomatic relations in September 2023 that ''Cambodia adheres to the "One China Policy," saying that his visit to Bejing clarifies the position of Cambodia's new government to President of China Xi Jinping "on Cambodia's stance on national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and neutrality."
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet, said ahead of his visit to China that Article 53 that was newly included in the Consitution stated that the policy of Cambodia is not to align with China, nor to anyone else."
"Cambodia enjoys close ties with China, the US, Japan and many other countries, regardless of their relations between each other, under Cambodia's present foreign policy," he said.
"The present foreign policy of Cambodia in not one that shows favouritism towards China or any other country," he said.
He said that the new Article 53 included in the Constitution makes it clear that our foreign policy is one of non-alignment, saying "the new policy was one introduced by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)."
The Southeast Asian Times

China tells Malaysia that China is a
more reliable trading partner than US

President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, left, Malaysia King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, centre, and Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday April 17, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, April 18: The President of the People's Republic of China,
Xi Jinping, arrived in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member country, Malaysia, on Tuesday for a three day state visit at the invitation of the King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, with former Malaysian ambassador to the United States and minister of legal affairs, saying ''China is telling us they are a reliable trading partner, more so than the US,'' reports Reuters.
Former Malaysian ambassador and minister of legal affairs, Abdul Aziz, said ''Under PM Anwar, Malaysia is getting very much closer to China.''
''In the long run Washington’s influence will be reduced,'' he said.
He said China's trade relation and diplomatic ties are getting stronger and both countries are benefitting, saying ''Malaysia is very focused on China, that's our mentality.''
Malaysia Asia Group Advisor in Southeast Asia, Kamles Kumar, said ''for Beijing the visit to Malaysia is a clear push to shore up reliable partnerships in Southeast Asia to re route supply chains, maintain market access to global markets, and reinforce China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) footprint.''
''Malaysia’s position as ASEAN chair for 2025 is an ideal staging ground for China to demonstrate regional relevance,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said during the state visit of the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping to Malaysia ''Malaysia stands with China on trade,'' on China's broadcaster CGTN on Wednesday.
''We stand with the Chinese government, for the well-being of our people and for our national economic interests, as well as the overall development and stability of our country,'' he said.
In February Malaysia and Thailand pledged ''to clamp down on Chinese companies trans shipping goods through their territories to dodge United States tariffs,'' after the United States imposed the first round of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China and ASEAN member countries.
ASEAN member Malaysia deputy trade minister Liew Chin Tong called on China ''to avoid using Malaysia as a base to rebadge products to avoid being slapped with a made-in-China label and avoid paying tariffs on imports to the United States.''
Thailand Customs Department director general, Theeraj Athanavanich, said '' Chinese goods would flow into Thailand after President Donald Trump steps up the trade war with China.''
''Thai customs have been instructed to monitor checkpoints for illegal imports,'' he said.
Singapore economist, Rajiv Biswas, said ''U.S. policymakers already worry about the extent of evasive trans shipments by Chinese companies through ASEAN member countries,'' saying the US views Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam as key sources of Chinese trans shipments.
China President Xi Jinping said that China is willing to maintain close high-level exchange with Malaysia during the state visit of Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to Beijing in September 2024, saying ''China is ready to carry out high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation, to implememt the key projects "Two Countries, Twin Parks" and the East Coast Rail Link
''China and Malaysia should deepen mutual learning between the Chinese and Islamic civilizations, strengthen cooperation in higher education, joint scientific research and other fields, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples,'' he said.
Malaysia King Sultan Ibrahim said he was honoured to pay his first state visit to China as Malaysia's head of state and hailed China's development achievements, saying ''Malaysia supports China's Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, saying ''Malaysia regards China as a reliable partner, and is committed to developing a strong partnership with China.''
The Southeast Asian Times


China urges Vietnam to resist bullying from the US and uphold free trade

China President, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, left, and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Tran Thanh Man, at the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee headquarters in Hanoi, Monday April 14, 2025

Hanoi, April 17: China urged Vietnam to resist unilateral bullying from the United States and uphold trade without tariffs at a meeting with the chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly in Hanoi on Monday during a state visit to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, with chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, saying ''the state visit of President Xi Jinping to Vietnam begins a new phase of comradeship and brotherhood in the Vietnam China relationship,'' reports the Vietnam News.
President of China, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee said,
''China’s mega market is always open to Vietnam,'' at a meeting with Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Vietnam National Assembly chairman, Tran Thanh Man.
''Vietnam and China should work together to maintain the stability of free trade market and industrial and supply chains,'' said President of China, Xi Jinping.
Vietnam National Assembly chairman, Tran Thanh Man, said ''the president of China, Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam as leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reinforces the importance of China and Vietnam's cooperation, saying ''the visit of President Xi Jinping marks a turning point in the development of the bilateral relationship.''
''The state visit of President Xi Jinping to Vietnam opens up a new phase of comradeship and brotherhood in the Vietnam China relationship,'' said Vietnam National Assembly chairman, Tran Thanh Man,
President of China, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, also met with Vietnam Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, and To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, saying ''Vietnam has made progress in the Doi Moi process towards Vietnam's reforms and national development.''
Doi Moi, renovation or renewal process, that was initiated in Vietnam in 1986, was a series of economic and political reforms aimed at transition from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, that included opening up Vietnam to international trade and investment and promoting market-based mechanisms including human right.
Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokewoman, Pham Thu Hang, said in March 2023 at a press briefing in Hanoi that "fundamental human rights and freedoms are recognized in the Vietnam Constitution, saying "human rights are protected and promoted by legal documents."
'She said that Vietnam sees human rights as the driving force of the Doi Moi process towards Vietnam's reforms and national development, saying "Vietnam has made great efforts to improve the lives and rights of Vietnamese."
In May 2024 Human Rights Watch (HRW) Southeast Asia claimed that Vietnam provides false or misleading information to the United States and other economic partners to secure or maintain preferential trade preferences, saying after a public hearing on Vietnam's trade status held by the US Department of Commerce in Washington that ''Vietnam does not satisfy basic labour rights standards.''
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Southeast Asia, advocacy director, John Sifton, said then that the US Department of Commerce is considering a reclassification of Vietnam under the US Tariff Law as a market economy, saying ''the reclassification would provide Vietnam major economic benefits.''
He said that Vietnam argues that its labour law standards are in line with international standards and that wages in Vietnam are determined by free bargaining between labor and management as called for under the US Tariff Law.
''It’s patently false to claim that Vietnamese workers can organize unions or that their wages are the result of free bargaining between labour and management,'' he said.
''Not a single independent union exists in Vietnam and no working legal frameworks exist for unions to be created or for workers to enforce labour rights,'' he said.
''Human Rights Watch (HRW) takes no position on Vietnam's economic status but the re designation of Vietnam to a market economy under the US Tariff Law is legally contingent on basic labour rights protections and stated US policy on promoting labor rights,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


Australian Hong Kong justice is sixth judge to resign from Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in six months

Australian, Hong Kong Justice, Robert French, 77, became the sixth foreign judge to resigns from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in six months on Friday April 11, 2025

From News Reports:
Hong Kong, April 16: Ausralian, Hong Kong Justice, Robert French, 77, a former Chief Justice of the Australian High Court, sent a letter of resignation to Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, becoming the sixth foreign judge to resign from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in six months, reports Reuters..
Hong Kong Justice, Robert French, said he respected Hong Kong and the integrity and independence of the remaining foreign judges, saying ''the role of the non permanent justices on the Court of Final Appeal has become increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic.''
Hong Kong Justice, Robert French, who was originally admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1972, was appointed a visiting judge on Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal in 2017, with a 2023 extention to 2026.
''I reject the proposition that visiting judges on the appeal court panel are somehow complicit in the application by Hong Kong Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, of the Basic Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or somehow confer on the Hong Kong administration a spurious legitimacy,'' he said.
He said that he would not be making any statement about the Basic Law on Safeguarding National Security laws and associated practices, saying ''there will no doubt be future cases in which the administrations interpretation and application will come before the court.''
''I believe the role of foreign judges had become increasingly anachronistic and arguably cosmetic,'' he said.
The resignation of Hong Kong Justice, Robert French, has left the Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal with five foreign judges including British justices, Leonard Hoffmann and David Neuberger and three Australian justices, William Gummow, Patrick Keane, and James Allsop.
In June 2024 British, Hong Kong Judge, Jonathan Sumption, 75, resigned from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, saying judges freedom has been severely limited in the city, warning that ''Hong Kong is beginning to resemble a totalitarian state,'' with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, 66, saying ''the judges’ expertise lay in the law, not politics.''
''Judges were having to operate in an almost impossible political environment created by China and the city’s atmosphere was oppressive,'' he said.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu who was appointed the 6th Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by the President of China, Xi Jinping, in Hong Kong on July 1, 2022, said then ''the duty of a judge was to interpret the law in accordance with the legal principles and evidence, whether he likes that law or not.''
He said that Judge Jonathan Sumption is entitled to his personal politics preferences, saying ''but personal political preferences is not a judge's area of professional expertise.''
On March 19, 2024 the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed laws to prohibit treason, secession, sedition and subversion against the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, in Article 23 of the Basic Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in a unanimous vote on the 26th anniversary of the British handover of Hong Kong to China with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, 66, saying ''the passing of the law is a historical achievement that is overdue by 26 years, eight months and nine days.''
The Southeast Asian Times


Legislation to revoke Thailand Martial Law orders to be tabled in parliament

Pheu Thai Party list-Member of Parliament, Chaturon Chaisang, and chairman of the parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing defunct Martial Law directives Thursday April 10, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 15: Proposed legislation in Thailand to revoke directives issued by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), established on declaration of Martial law under the 1914 Martial Law Act on May 22, 2014 is to be tabled in the next Thailand parliamentary session, with ruling Pheu Thai Party saying ''the parliamentary committee has finalised its review of 23 orders,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
Pheu Thai Party list-Member of Parliament and chairman of the parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the NCPO defunct directives, Chaturon Chaisang, said on Thursday "the Bill is now ready for its second and third readings in the next session."
''I am confident that the proposed Bill will win approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate,'' he said.
He said the Bill is ready for its second and third readings in the next session, saying ''the parliamentary committee is preparing to repeal a total of 55 National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) directives.''
''An additional 22 defunct directives are still under review.''
He said that the remaining orders are being address through ongoing collaboration with various government agencies and civil society organisations.
''Continued cooperation among the government, relevant agencies, and parliament is necessary to fully dismantle the legacy of the
NCPO,'' he said.
On March 18, 2021, the then opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and coalition opposition parties called for the amendment of Section 279 of the renewed 2017 Constitution that had legitimises all orders and announcements of the Commander of the National Council for Peace (NCPO) Prime Minister Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
On July 11, 2019 then Thailand Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) repealing 66 of the more than 200 orders issued under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over the five years of martial law that overruled all civil laws.
On May 22, 2014 the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) gave the Commander, former Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Prayuth Chan-ocha control of all security operations including the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc), Royal Thai Police Office army, navy, air force, Interior Ministry and relevant government agencies on declaration of Martial law under the 1914 Martial Law Act
.
The Southeast Asian Times

Mocking Malaysian PM distracts from US tariff war, says Democratic Action Party

Caricatures of Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, right, at nominations for by-election at Ayer Kuning in Perak State on Saturday April 12, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, April 14: Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP), deputy chair, Nga Kor Minghas, claims that satirical caricatures mocking the Prime Minister and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general ''attempt to distract from the real issues we need to tackle together, such as US president Donald Trump’s tariff war,'' reports the Star.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) deputy chair, Nga Kor Minghas, claims that the satirical caricatures mocking Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Abram and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke, ''reflect the political immaturity and an unhelpful distraction from serious national discourse.''
He said that the satirical caricatures of the Prime Minister and the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was inappropriate and immature, saying the caricatures did nothing to contribute to nation building and instead served to divert attention from more pressing national issues.
Posters featuring Prime Minister Anwar Abram with a distressed expression, surrounded by posters saying 'tax hikes,'' ''subsidy removal'', ''medical insurance cost hike'' and ''ringgit depreciation'' in the Malay, English and Chinese language were held by Perikatan Nasional (PN) party supporters during nominations for the Ayer Kuning by-election in Perak State on Saturday.
Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP), deputy chair, Nga Kor Minghas, said the Anwar Abram government has been phasing out subsidies, particularly for electricity and diesel, saying ''responsible debate should focus on policy ideas, development plans and reform proposals.''
''Malicious depictions of Prime Minister Anwar Abram and Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke, did nothing to contribute to national progress and instead served only to distract from pressing issues that should be addressed collectively such as the impact of Donald Trump's tariff war,'' he said.
''This kind of behaviour does not contribute to Malaysia's progress,'' he said.
Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP), deputy chair, Nga Kor Minghas, called for a higher standard of political engagement, saying ''Malaysia must strive for a political culture that elevates debate and drives development not one that descends into personal mockery.''
In May 2021 Malaysian political cartoonist, Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque was summoned by the Kedah police to answer charges of public mischief with intent to incite brought by the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Deputy Commissioner I of Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, claiming that the cartoon was slanderous.
Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque said that his caricature of Deputy Commissioner I of Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, was open to interpretation, saying "people are free to analyse my caricatures but they should not proclaim their views to be the law."
The Cartoon depicting the Deputy Commissioner I of Kedah, Muhammad Sanusi bin Md Nor, as heavy handed and divisive, is accompanied with the words "Kedahans lived peacefully before Sanusi came."
Cartoonist, Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque, said that he stood by his cartoon that responded to the cancellation of the Thaipusam annual Indian Hindu festival in Kedah in January, saying "this is the first time in Kedah's history that the Hindu festival was not held."
The Malaysian Bar called for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 saying that the Malaysian Bar position is premised on the right to freedom of speech and expression as stated in in Part II under ''Fundamental Liberties'' in Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
The Bar proposed the establishment of an independent Media Commission by an Act of Parliament to regulate the media industry.
The Southeast Asian Times


Thailand to monitor false Certificate of Origin on goods for export to US

Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) director general, Arada Fuangtong, is to monitor foreign businesses that use Thailand nominees to circumvent US tariffs, Bangkok Thursday April 10, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok Post, April 13: Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade, that is the sole authority to issue a Certificate of Origin for goods for export to the United States, is to monitor foreign businesses that use Thailand nominees to circumvent US tariffs by claiming false Certificate of Origin in Thailand for export to the US, reports Bangkok Post.
Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) director-general, Arada Fuangtong, said that foreign businesses that use Thailand nominees to export goods to the United States are on a watchlist, saying ''the Thailand nominee is required to undergo verification before a Certificate of Origin is issued by the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) for export of goods to the United States.
''The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand are not authorised to issue Certificate of Origin for exporters of the goods on the watchlist'' she said.
She said that steel, copper wire and aluminium products require a Certificate of Origin, saying ''the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) plans to add 49 products to the Certificate of Origin watchlist,''
She said that the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has identified nine groups of products in Thailand that are at a high risk of claiming a false Certificate of Origin for export to the United States.
''Monitoring the issue of the Certificate of Origin watchlist will address the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) concern with enforcing US trade Laws,'' she said.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prevents the movement of prohibited goods including those related to forced labour and sanctions, with Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), saying ''heightened surveillance will help minimise the impact on Thailand businesses.
A survey of Thailand businesses released on Wednesday showed that almost 71 percent of Thailand businesses were affected by cheap Chinese goods flooding the Thailand market resulting in less production and factory closures.
Thailand's Intelligent Research Consultant (IRC) economic advisor, Ath Pisalvanich, warned ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump executive order on February 1, that was designed to increase tariffs and relocate production to the U.S., saying ''two centuries of diplomatic friendship with the U.S. will not protect Thailand from the U.S. increased trade tariffs,'' saying ''Thailand should aim for partnerships that attract US investment and integrate Thailand into the U.S. supply chain.''
Thailand should position itself as a supply hub for agricultural product as the U.S. reduces agricultural imports from China,'' he said.
The Southeast Asia Times


ASEAN economic ministers unite against retaliation of US tariffs

ASEAN member states and Timor Leste at the Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday April 10, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, April 12: Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor Leste economic ministers agreed ''to stand against any retaliatory response to the United States imposition of reciprocal tariffs'' at the Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, reports the Star.
''ASEAN prefers a constructive, non-retaliatory and forward looking engagement with the United States,'' said the ASEAN member states in a statement.
ASEAN and Timor-Leste’s ministers criticised the basis used by the United States to justify the tariffs, saying the ASEAN ministers rejected the United States tariff policy as flawed and arbitrary.
''Such protectionist measures could derail ASEAN’s decades-long pursuit of regional economic integration underpinned by a rules-based system,'' said the statement.
ASEAN ministers said the 90-day pause on 10 percent tariff for imports of Malaysian goods to the United States could provide ''a window of opportunity to find a pragmatic and mutually advantageous solution for ASEAN in a strategic and tactful manner.''
ASEAN ministers referred to the World Trade Organization (WTO) warning that ''the trade dispute between the United States and China could damage the global economy.''
The World Trade Organization (WTO) warned that a rift between the United States and China could result in a long-term reduction of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by almost 7 percent.
ASEAN ministers reaffirmed the region's commitment to an ''open and inclusive economic cooperation framework, with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
ASEAN ministers agreed to form an ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force comprising of regional experts to develop forwarding looking policy responses to global economic and geopolitical shifts.
In February Malaysia and Thailand pledged ''to clamp down on Chinese companies transshipping goods through their territories to dodge United States tariffs,'' after the United States imposed the first tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China and ASEAN member countries.
ASEAN member Malaysia deputy trade minister Liew Chin Tong called on China ''to avoid using Malaysia as a base to rebadge products to avoid being slapped with a made-in-China label and avoid paying tariffs on imports to the United States.''
Thailand Customs Department director general, Theeraj Athanavanich, said '' Chinese goods would flow into Thailand after President Donald Trump steps up the trade war with China.''
''Thai customs have been instructed to monitor checkpoints for illegal imports,'' he said.
Singapore economist, Rajiv Biswas, said ''U.S. policymakers already worry about the extent of evasive transshipments by Chinese companies through ASEAN member countries,'' saying the US views Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam as key sources of Chinese transshipments.
The Southeast Asian Times


United States warns China not to retaliate to tariffs: China to ban Hollywood movies

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said at press conference in Beijing on Wednesday April 9, 2025 ''We don't comment on what's been said on the internet''

From News Reports:
Washington, April 11: United States raised tariffs against China to 125 percent on Wednesday with all other US trading partners, except for Canada and Mexico, paused on 10 percent tariff warning China not to retaliate, with China saying in a press conference in Beijing that ''China could not comment on proposed levies on the United States including banning Hollywood films, reports Reuters.
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday that ''We don't comment on what's been said on the internet,'' in response to a question from Bloomberg reporter on ''measures the China Communist Party (CCP) authorities were taking to hit back at the latest tariff threat from Trump.''
Bloomberg said that senior editor, Liu Hong, of the online Xinhuanet, the website of Xinhua News Agency, the official news agency of China Communist Party (CCP) had listed the measures the China Communist Party (CCP) authorities were taking against the tariff imposed by the United States on Wednesday.
Xinhuanet senior editor, Liu Hong, listed the measures against the latest tariff imposed against the United States after China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said ''China would fight to the end,'' in reference to the latest rise in tariffs by the United States.
Xinhuanet senior editor, Liu Hong, said that the ruling China Communist Party (CCP) authorities would suspend China-US cooperation with the United states to counter the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and their precursors into the United States in the online Xinhuanet.
He said that the China Communist Party (CCP) planned to ''significantly increase tariffs on US agricultural products including soybeans and sorghum.
''The China Communist Party (CCP) planned to ban the imports of US poultry,'' he said.
He said that the China Communist Party (CCP) planned to impose restrictions on the supply of services to the United States Defence
The China Communist Party (CCP) planned to reducing or ban the import of United States films from Hollywood.
Xinhuanet senior editor, Liu Hong, said that the ruling China Communist Party (CCP planned to investigate the intellectual property benefits of US companies operating in China.
United States President Donald Trump warned China not to retaliate saying "don't retaliate and you will be rewarded'' after raising tariffs to 125 percent on Wednesday up from previous tariff of 104 percent on China after China had retaliated with 84 percent tariff on United States imports
President Donald Trump said that a resolution with China was possible, saying "China wants to make a deal.''
"They just don't know how quite to go about it."
The Southeast Asian Times


Free Papua Organisation claims responsibility for deadly attack on Catholic school teachers in Papua

Catholic school teacher, Rosalia Rerek Sogen, 30, killed by National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM), drapped in the Indonesia flag at her funeral on Wednesday March 26, 2025

From News Reports:
Indonesia April 10: The National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM), that was declared a terrorist group by former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Catholic school teachers and health workers in Anggruk district, Yahukimo Regency, in Papua that left a teacher dead and 8 injured, reports the Jakarta Post.
National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM) gunmen stormed the Catholic teachers dormitory and school on March 23, killing teacher, Rosalia Rerek Sogen, 30, and seriously injuring other teachers and a health worker before setting the dormitory and school on fire.
''The killing was carried out by our forces under my orders,” said the National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM), Regional Defense Command XVI in Yahukimo, Elkius Kobak.
''The teachers were Indonesian National Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency operatives operating under cover,'' he said.
He called on Papuans in conflict zones ''to kill Indonesian migrants,'' describing ''Indonesian migrants'' as ''Indonesian military and police working as teachers and health workers.''
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Colonel Infantry Candra Kurniawan, Head of Information for the XVII/Cendrawasih Military Command denied the accusation made by the National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM) that the teachers and health workers in Yahukimo were spies.
''The victims were teachers and health workers not spies,'' he said.
''TPN-OPM is a criminal organisation,'' he said.
Catholic bishop-elect of Timika diocese, rights campaigner, Bernardus Bowitwos Baru said that the shooting of the school teachers and health workers requires immediate action , saying ''the shooting of the teachers is just the latest.''
''Don't forget that many other civilians have been victims of either pro-independence groups or Indonesian security forces,'' he said.
It’s unfortunate that there is no attempt to stop this humanitarian crisis,'' he said.
''For the Catholic church there is no other way but to have a dialogue involving all,'' he said.
In January 2019 the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police seized the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) headquarters that sought independence from Indonesia, in Timika, Mimika Baru district, Papua for use as a joint military-police post, prohibiting the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) from operating in Timika.
Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police officers were instructed to remove all Free Papua Movement (OPM) insignia including the banned West Papua separatists flag, the Morning Star or Bintang Kejora.
Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police officers were instructed to paint the Indonesian flag on the wall the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) headquarters in Timika, Mimika Baru district and Papua.
Papuans are prohibited from using any Free Papua Movement (OPM) insignia and symbols including the separatists Morning Star or Bintang Kejora flag.
The Southeast Asian Times


Papua New Guinea accepts US tariff on exports without tariff retaliation

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape accepts the United States decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on all Papua New Guinea exports into the United State market Monday 7 April 2025

From News Reports:
Port Moresby, April 9: Papua New Guinea accepts the United States decision to impose 10 percent tariff on all Papua New Guinea exports into the United State market, says Prime Minister James Marape, saying ''we have no issue with this development and do not intend to retaliate with counter tariffs.''
''If the U.S. market becomes more difficult due to this tariff, we will simply redirect our goods to other markets,'' he said.
He said that Papua New Guinea continues to strengthen trade relations including with China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, saying ''where our produce is welcomed.''
The United States imposed tariffs on Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) member nations including 46 percent on Vietnam, 49 percent on Cambodia, 48 percent on Laos, 49 percent on Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, 44 percent on Myanmar, 17 percent on the Philippines, and 10 percent on Timor-Leste.
''As a sovereign nation, we respect the right of the United States Government to make trade policy decisions in accordance with its national interest,'' he said.
He said that Papua New Guinea values its bilateral relationship with the United States, saying ''Papua New Guinea shares many of the same principles of democracy and open markets with the United States.''
“We are a democratic nation that believes in rules-based international trade,” he said.
He said that Papua New Guinea reserves the right to protect domestic industries when necessary, saying ''in this instance we will not respond with hostility or punitive measures.''
''Our trading partners including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, have treated Papua New Guinea with respect, honour and fairness,'' he said.
He said that Papua New Guinea was open to all partners, including the United States, but would act in its best interests without compromising its values.
''If the United States market becomes more difficult due to this tariff, we will simply redirect our goods to markets where there is mutual respect and no artificial barriers,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Myanmar earthquake destroys prisons killing and injuring political prisoners

Former National League for Democracy (NLD) State councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar on February 1, 2021, was transferred from the Naypyidaw prison to house arrest in an undisclosed location on April 17, 2024

From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 8: The death toll from the 7.7. magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 reached 3,354, with 4,850 injured and 220 missing according to the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, including the death of political prisoners at the Mandalay Central Prison (Obo Prison) that holds at least 5,000 prisoners, reports the Irrawaddy.
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar ((PPNM) director, Thaik Tun Oo, said ''the earthquake destroyed two womens wards at the Mandalay Central Prison (Obo Prison), killing at least six female political prisoners ''
He said that at lease 12 prisoners were killed in the prison including six political prisoners, Ma Moe Thuzar Khaing, Daw Lae Lae Soe, Daw Khin Ohn Shwe, Ma Kay Kay Win, Ma Pa Pa Win and Ma Phyu Wai Wai, saying ''the other six female prisoners have not been named.''
He said that 40 prisoners were injured, nine seriously at the Obo Prison, saying ''the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar denied hospital treatment at outside hospitals.''
He said that five prisons including Mandalay Central Prison (Obo Prison), Monywa, Myingyan, Meiktila and Yemaethin are near the earthquake epiccenter.
''The Meiktila prison reportedly sustained no damage but Yemaethin, Mandalay Central Prison (Obo Prison) and Monywa prisons were affected with no details about the Monywa or Yemaethin prisons,'' he said.
He said that prisoners who were confined to their cells, were unable to escape the earthquake’s impact, saying ''many were killed because they were locked in their cells.''
''We urge the authorities to ensure the safety of prisoners, provide medical treatment and properly inform the families of the dead,'' he said.
He said the walls and roofs of Mandalay Central Prison (Obo Prison) including the workshop collapsed during the earthquake, saying ''the Women’s wards one and two, the women’s hospital ward, the men’s workshop and surrounding walls collapsed.''
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar ((PPNM) director Thaik Tun Oo, said 'the network feared further deaths with nine prisoners in critical condition and over 40 prisoners requiring hospital treatment, saying ''hospital treatment outside the prison has been denied by the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.''
''Family members are not allowed to visit the wounded and the prison is short of antiseptic, bandages and other medicines,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


Royal Thai Army charges U.S. political science academic for lecture on Thailand's military influence in Thailand's politics

U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, 57, under house arrest for violation of Lese Majeste Law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computor Crimes Act for lecture on Thailand's military influence in Thailand's politics

From News Reports:
Bangkok, April 7: U.S. political science academic, Paul Chambers, 57, is under house arrest after he was served with an arrest warrant at the Naresuan University in Thailand's Phitsanulok Province on Friday 4 on charges against the Lese Majeste Law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computor Crimes Act by the 3rd Royal Thai Army (RTA) that covers Thailands Phitsanulok Province, reports Reuters.
U.S. political science lecturer, Paul Chambers, 57 said he believed that the charges against the Lese Majeste Law and the Computor Crimes Act, are related to a webinar lecture in October 2024, saying he spoke about ''Thailand's military influence in Thailand's politics.''
The 3rd Royal Thai Army (RTA) that covers Thailands Phitsanulok Province charged Paul Chambers, 57, with violation of the
Lese Majeste Law and the Computor Crimes Act that prohibits defaming, insulting or threatening the Thailand monarchy.
U.S. political science lecturer, Paul Chambers, 57, will be formally charged at the Phitsanulok Province court on Tuesday, saying ''I’m basically in limbo because I can’t go anywhere.''
''I don't know what's to happen, but I’m kind of nervous,'' he said.
U.S. political science lecturer, Paul Chambers, 57, was served with an arrest warrant approved by the Phitsanulok Provincial Court on Monday March 31 for violating the Lese Majeste Law and the Computor Crimes Act, in a webinar lecture in October.2024.
He is to appear in the Phitsanulok Provincial Court to be formally charged on Tuesday April 8.
Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates (AHRLA) Bangkok director, Phil Robertson, said the arrest of U.S. political science lecturer, Paul Chambers, 57 ''is an astonishing and outrageous assault on academic freedom that will have a serious chilling effect on international studies in Thailand.''
"The Thai government claims it wants to be a regional leader in education, but then it takes this kind of ill-advised step that will drive away international researchers and lecturers," he said.
Southeast Asian Human Rights and Peace Studies Network (SEAHRN) demands that Thai authorities withdraw the charges against U.S. political science lecturer, Paul Chambers, 57.
“The use of criminal law under any circumstances against scholars, researchers and students, directly undermines the dignity and integrity of both social and educational institutions”, said SEAHRN.
The Southeast Asian Times


Australia wants to buy back Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory sold to China in 2015

Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. , from Shandong province in China chairman, Ye Cheng, left, and Adam Giles, former Chief Minister of the Australia's Northern Territory, right, after the signing of the 99-year lease of the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour on Tuesday October 13, 2015

From News Reports:
Darwin, April 6: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said his government, the Australian Labor Party (ALP), wants to buy back the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory from Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong province in China, that was granted a 99 year lease in 2015, saying "we want Darwin harbour to be in Australian hands," reports Reuters.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said in Darwin on Friday while campaigning for the Australian federal elections in May that the government wants the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong province in China ''to be in Australian hands.''
He said that if the return of the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour to Australia reaches a point where the Commonwealth
is required to intervene ''then the Australian government would be prepared to do that.''
Opposition coalition party Peter Dutton said in Darwin on Thursday also campaigning for the Australian federal elections in May that a Liberal Party coalition government would take back control of the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour from Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong province in China, saying ''the Liberal Party coalition would give Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. six months to sell out voluntarily, or it would be forced out.''
''Under a Liberal Party coalition the Chinese-owned Landbridge Group will cease to own the Port in Darwin,'' he said.
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. non-executive director in Australia, Terry O'Conner, who served as CEO during the Port Darwin's transition from the Northern Territory Government to its operation under the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., from Shandong province in China, said on Friday ''the port is not for sale."
''Shandong Landbridge Group Co and the Northern Territory government have not been involved in any discussions with the Australian federal government concerning our lease arrangements," he said.
On November 27, 2024 the Northern Territory, Country Liberal Party (CLP) in Darwin Treasurer, Bill Yan, said that
''the federal government has been made aware of concerns surrounding the financial status of foreign investor, Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong province in China, saying ''the Northern Territory will meet with the federal government’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development to discuss the debt in Canberra.''
He said that the Northern Territory government has communicated with Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. seeking further information about the foreign invester's financial status and ability to meet their payment obligations.
''This additional information will guide the Territory Government's next steps regarding operations at the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour,'' he said.
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. non-executive director, Terry O'Conner, said then ''Port Darwin lost $34.362m in 2024 as the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. chairman, Ye Cheng, moved to refinance a $107 million bond debt,'
He said that Shandong Landbridge Group Co., is considering selling assets in China to pay the debt, saying ''Landbridge in China has a portfolio of large infrastructure assets.''
''Shandong Landbridge Group Co.in China is looking to moderate its debt, which will likely see the sale of some assets across the group,'' he said.
The 2015 lease agreement between Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. chairman, Ye Cheng, who was the winning bidder for the Darwin harbour land deal worth A$506 million, and then leader of the Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territoy, chief minister, Adam Giles gave the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. operational control of the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory including 80 percent ownership of the land and facilities.
In 2020 Amendements to the Foreign investment laws, that were made by the Australian Parliament under Prime Minister Scott Morrison, gave the Australian Federal Government the power to impose conditions that include forced divestment of previously approved foreign investment deals, with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying "the new foreign investment laws focus on protecting Australia's national security."
"The new foreign investment laws give the Australian Federal Government the retrospective power to review the port lease agreement between the Northern Territory government and China's Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. in northern Australia from a national security perspective," he said.
The Southeast Asian Times



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




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
C
ambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan
..5,0710
East Timor.
..0.7582
Euro..
0.6794
Hong
sKong..
.5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah
.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
V
iet 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