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GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout the region.
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Vietnam
opens consulate in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau Special Administrative
Region of China on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said at
the launching ceremony that the office aims to better
ensure the rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association in Macau.
More than 20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and services companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News
Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in a "landmark"
visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the
President of the United States "would skirt protocol"
because the General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official as saying.
Rueters also quotes the senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
Nguyen Phu Trong as the visit of "the top
leader of the country".
"It's a pretty big event," Rueters quotes the
state department official as saying.
The
Southeast Asian Times
France
agrees to return Aboriginal remains home to Australia
From
News Reports:
Canberra, November 25: French president Francois Hollande
and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to Australia
during the first official visit by a French head of state
to Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the Aboriginal remains
held in France.
The head of state and prime minister said in a joint statement
that the identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider the requests
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human remains to
their community of origin." the statement said.
Australia believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets of
Aboriginal skeletal remains to Australia including the
severed head of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years. Yagan was shot
dead for his resistance to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The
Southeast Asian Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home Minister
Tjahjo Kumolo, that national identity cards (KTP) do not
include the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of the card
holder on national identity cards (KTP)
contradicted the country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state ideology
and our national identity, then why should we be ashamed
of including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from official
government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian citizens on national
identity cards (KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up to the people", he said.
The
Souheast Asian Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students, Patiwat
Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip Mankong, 26, were charged
in the Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in October 2013,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The students were charged with insulting the Royal Thai
family in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th anniversaries
of the October 6, 1976 and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's script,
a work of fiction that depicts a fictional monarch, that
allegedly insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on 13 August,
have been refused bail are scheduled to appear in court
to enter pleas on December 29.
The
Southeast Asian Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers, Presidents
and State representatives including US Secretary of State,
John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on Monday.
The speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Zulkifli Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend the swearing
in of the former governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo as president of Indonesia.
"The Prime Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's" including
former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties have also
be invited,” said the speaker.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Banned ISIS flag found flying in Aceh
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) flag found flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was reportedly the
first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said that the flag
of the nationally banned movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh regency in Aceh.
He said that a bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and
banned the teaching of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of Indonesias Independence.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Singapore passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary
Haze Pollution Act by the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for causing severe
air pollution in Singapore.
The Act that was first proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze pollution in
Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
said that under the Act, Singapore will have the legal
right under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources in accordance
with their policies they also have a responsibility to
ensure that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze Pollution
Act gives Singapore the legal power to serve notices on
those that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest fires.
A bill passed in the Indonesian House of Representatives
in July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and illegal
clearing of forests for palm oil plantations.
The new bill, designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force including police to
monitor the prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From
News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary
of the Biak Massacre in West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will
be held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in memory
of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre for Peace and
Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney last
year on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into the sea
by Indonesian security forces.
The tribunal heard eye witness testimony that the West
Papuan demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian security
forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan protesters were
surrounded and shot by Indonesian security forces and
that survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July 1998.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Former
PT Pertamina CEO detained
in Jakarta for alleged corruption
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Karen
Galaila Agustiawan, 60, former
president director and CEO
of Indonesia's state oil and
gas company, PT Pertamina,
between 2009 and 2014, in
detention for alleged corruption
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 26: The
Attorney General's Office detained Karen
Galaila Agustiawan, 60, former president
director and CEO of Indonesia's state oil
and gas company, PT Pertamina, on Monday
for alleged corruption in the state energy
company's investment in Australian oil company,
Roc Oil fROC Oil Ltd., in 2009, that resulted
in hundreds of billions of rupiah in state
losses, reports the Jakarta Post.
The former PT Pertamina CEO was detained
after questioning at the Attorney General's
Office headquarters in Jakarta for her alleged
involvement in the acquisition by PT Pertamina
subsidiary, PT Pertamina Hulu Energy (PHE),
of shares in Australian oil company, Roc
Oil fROC Oil Ltd., to work on the Basker
Manta Gummy (BMG) oil and gas field in Australia
Attorney General's Office spokesman, M.
Rum, said that the acquisition by PT Pertamina
Hulu Energy (PHE), of a 10 percent stake
in
Australian oil company Roc Oil fROC Oil
Ltd resulted in Rp568 billion (USD38 million)
loss to the state.
He said that the PT Pertamina's acquition
of shares in the Australian oil company
was bassd on the assumption that the Basker
Manta Gummy (BMG) oil and gas field in Australia
would produce about 812 barrels of oil per
day.
"It was later discovered that the block
could only produce 252 barrels per day",
he said.
He claimed that the situation worsened a
year later when the Basker Manta Gummy (BMG)
oil and gas field in Australia was shut
down, saying it was shut down "when
investors, Roc Oil, Beach Petroleum, Sojitz
Energy and Cieco Energy, halted crude oil
production for economic reasons".
The Attorney General's Office spokesman,
M Rum, said that the former PT Pertamina,
CEO, Karen Galaila Agustiawan, will be held
in detention at the Pondok Bambu women's
penitentiary in East Jakarta for 20 days.
He said that the Attorney General's Office
is holding the former PT Pertamina CEO in
detention in order for her to account for
her investment decision.
" The decision by PT Pertamina Hulu
Energy (PHE) to acquire shares in the Australian
oil company Roc Oil fROC Oil Ltd was taken
without a feasibility study, due diligence
or approval by the company's board of commissioners",
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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China
bans Hong Kong's first
pro-independence political
party
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Andy
Chan, 18, founding member
of the first pro-democracy
political party in Hong Kong,
the Hong Kong National Party
(HKNP)
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From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, September 25: The Security Bureau
of Hong Kong banned the first political
party in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong National
Party (HKNP), for promoting independence
from China, reports Agence France Presse.
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) banned
the about 100 member political party on
Monday under the Societies Ordinance that
reportedly has the authority to ban a political
party in the interest of national security.
"I hereby order that the operation
or continued operation of the Hong Kong
National Party in Hong Kong be prohibited,"
said the notice served on the political
party, founded following the "pro-democracy
umbrella movement" that saw mass protests
in the streets of Hong Kong in 2014
Umbrellas reportedly became a symbol of
defiance against Beijing after protesters
used them as shields against police pepper
spray and batons in the two months that
saw hundreds of thousands of students camped
in tents on major highways, defying police
demands to vacate the streets.
The Hong Kong students called on Beijing
to give Hong Kong direct elections and for
the resignation of Chief Executive Leung
Chun-ying, who was elected by committee
in Beijing.
Founding member of the Hong Kong National
Party (HKNP) pro-independence political
party, Andy Chan,18, also protested in Hong
Kong against the 2017 elections that would
allow Beijing to nominate candidates for
Chief Executive.
Beijing ruled in August 2014 that Hong Kong
use the "one man one vote" system
to elect the Chief Executive in 2017 but
from only two or three candidates that would
be elected by a nominating committee from
Beijing.
In August Hong Kong National Party (HKNP)
founding member, Andy Chan, said in a speech
at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondence
Club that “China is, by nature, an
empire, a threat to all free peoples in
the world.”
“If Hong Kong were to become truly
democratic, Hong Kong’s sovereignty
must rest with the people of Hong Kong,”
he said.
Hong Kong’s chief secretary Matthew
Cheung said it was “regrettable”
that the Foreign Correspondence Club had
provided a platform for Andy Chan’s
views, which he said breached Hong Kong’s
constitution that says that Hong Kong is
an “inalienable” part of China.
"The Foreign Correspondence Club was
“not outside the law," he said.
Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the
Basic Law, states that the former British
colony, which returned to Chinese rule in
1997, is an “inalienable” part
of China.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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President
of Vietnam dead at 62: UN
holds one minute silence
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US
president Donald Trump and
the late president of Vietnam
Tran Dai Quang seen here at
the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit
held in Vietnam in November
last year.
“President Quang was
a great friend of the United
States. We will not soon forget
his contributions to peace,
security and prosperity in
the Indo-Pacific region or
his voice for Vietnam as a
proud and independent nation
on the world stage,”
the US president Trump said.
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From News Reports:
Hanoi, September 24: Vietnam received condolences
from countries world wide including Cuba,
China, Japan, Russia, the United States
and the Association of Southeast Asian Nation
(ASEAN) member states, Indonesia, Laos and
Cambodia following the death on Friday of
Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, 62, with
the General Assembly of the United Nations
holding a minute's silence, reports the
Vietnam News Service.
UN Secretary-General spokesman, Antonio
Guterres said in a statement that he was
saddened by the death of President Tran
Dai Quang, sending his deepest sympathies
to his family, to the Government and the
people of Viet Nam.
"A friend of the United Nations and
an important promoter of Viet Nam’s
development, President Quang will long be
remembered in his country and beyond,”
he said.
President Tran Dai Quang, who was admitted
to the 108 Military Hospital in Hanoi on
Thursday, reportedly died despite efforts
by Vietnamese and international physicians
to save his life.
The National Commission on Healthcare Services
for Senior Officials, Nguyen Quoc Trieu,
said that the president had contracted a
rare and toxic virus in July last year,
saying that "it's unclear what the
virus was".
President Tran Dai Quang was born in the
northern rural province of Ninh Bình,
enrolling in the People's Police Academy
at 16.
He became the Minister of Public Security
(MPS) in 2011 and was elected President
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in
2016, with his term to end in 2021.
Vietnam Lawyer, Tran Vu Hai, said that Vietnam's
constitution provides for the vice president
to perform presidentual duties, saying that
"vice president Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh
will take over his duties until the National
Assembly elects a new president."
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Australian
filmaker in Cambodian prison
for espionage, pardoned
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Australian
filmmaker James Ricketson,
69, was pardoned by royal
decree on Friday after calling
on Prime MInister Hun Sen
for clemency
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From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, September 23: Australian filmmaker
James Ricketson, 69, who was sentenced to
six years in prison for espionage by the
Phnom Penh Municipal Court last month, was
pardoned by royal decree on Friday, reports
the Khmer Times.
The Australian filmaker reportedly asked
for clemency earlier this month in a letter
addressed to Prime Minister Hun Sen, in
which he said, "I apologise unreservedly
and without condition for any distress I
may have caused as a result of my ignorance
of Cambodian issues."
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court found the
Australian filmaker guilty of espionage
last month for collecting information considered
prejudicial to Cambodia's national defence
that included operating a drone to film
the now dissolved opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) election campaign rally
in Phnom Penh without a permit.
He was charged under Article 446 of the
Cambodian Criminal Code for collecting information
that may reportedly undermine national defence.
The prosecution alleged that the offences
were committed from 1995 until the filmaker's
arrest in Phnom Penh on June 3, 2017.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court judges questioned
the Australian filmaker during the week-long
trial about alleged emails sent to a friend
in which he criticised the ruling Cambodian
People's Party (CPP) led by Prime Minister
Hun Sen.
Australian filmaker James Ricketson denied
that sending a personal email to a friend
was espionage, saying "it's not espionage".
The Australian filmaker was also asked if
he had sent footage to former now dissolved
opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
(CNRP)
president, Sam Rainsy, 73, who is in self-exile
in France.
The filmaker denied sending any videos to
opposition party president Sam Rainsy but
admitted sending drone footage of an opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) rally
to party members.
"I sent drone footage to the Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP) after one of
their marches,” he said.
The court judges also asked the filmaker
about an email sent to a former Australian
prime minister in 2013 in which he asked
for Australia to levy sanctions against
Cambodia, with the filmaker saying that
"it was a harmless personal criticism".
The Cambodian Supreme Court dissolution
of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) party in November 2017 followed
the arrest of the Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) the then party president, Kem
Sokha, in September 2017 on charges of plotting
to overthrowing the Hun Sen government with
the alleged help of the United States.
The arrest of the former party president
who was charged with treason on grounds
that a 2013 video showed that he had received
assistance from the US followed the arrest
of Australian filmaker James Ricketson in
June 2017.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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South and
North Korea agree to end Korean
peninsula war
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South
Korean President Moon Jae-in
and North Korean chairman
of the State Affairs Commission
of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, Kim Jong
Un, signed an agreement that
would put an end to the military
drills along the Military
Demarcation Line
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From
News Reports:
Pyongyang, September 22: South Korean
President Moon Jae-in and North Korean
chairman of the State Affairs Commission
of the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea, Kim Jong Un, agreed to the denuclerization
of the Korean peninsula at the three day
inter-Korean summit that ended in North
Korea yesterday, saying that "the
era of no war has started", reports
Agence France Press.
The South Korean President and North Korean
chairman vowed to "cease all hostile
acts against each other," in a 17-page
accord in Pyongyang on Wednesday, with
South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, saying
"today the North and South have removed
all threats that cause war from the Korean
peninsula."
The South Korean President and North Korean
chairman signed agreements pledging to
destroy both the Tongchangri missile engine
test site and the Yongbyon nuclear site,
believed to be used for the production
of fissile material, conditional on the
United States taking reciprocal measures.
"North Korea would destroy the missile
test sites in the presence of international
experts if the United States agrees to
corresponding measures," said South
Korean President Moon Jae-in and North
Korean chairman of the State Affairs Commission
of the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea, Kim Jong Un, in a joint statement.
Senior fellow at the Center for American
Progress and former deputy assistant secretary
of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs,
Michael Fuchs, said that North Korea's
willingness to close the Yongbyon nuclear
site in the presence of international
experts "is a genuine step forward."
North and South Korea also pledged to
stop military drills along the Military
Demarcation Line that divided the two
countries, by November 1 and to remove
11 guard posts in the demilitarized zone
by the end of the year.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Former Malaysian
PM Najib Razak arrested for
corruption for second time
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Former
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib
Razak appeared in court on
Thursday to answer further
charges of misappropriation
of funds from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB)
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From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 21: Former Malaysian
Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested
on Wednesday for the second time since he
was ousted from government in May, for his
alleged involvement in the misappropriation
of funds from 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MDB).
The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission
(MACC) said that the former Prime Minister,
who was detained to appear in court yesterday,
was charged under Section 23 (1) of the
Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC)
Act, alledging that the former Prime Minister
deposited RM2.6 billion of 1MDB funds into
his personal account.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who appeared
before the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday,
reportedly made a statement at Malaysian
Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters
in Kuala Lumpur before his appearance.
The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission
(MACC) said that MACC would cooperate with
police in the investigation of the former
Prime Minister under the Anti-Money Laundering,
Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of
Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak who was
first arrested on 3 July, two months after
the inauguration of Prime Minister Mathahir
Mohamad, was charged with three counts of
criminal breach of trust and one count of
using his position as Finance Minister and
Chairman of the state fund 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) advisory board for gratification.
The former Prime Minister who was charged
Under Section 52 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission Act of 2009, pleaded not guilty
to the three charges.
His arrest in July and his subsequent successful
bail application follows the May 9 Malaysian
general elections that saw the defeat of
the ruling Barisan National (BN) party lead
by the former Prime Minister.
The election of Mahathir Mohamad as Prime
Minister in May followed the declassification
of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)
audit report that had been marked secret
under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said after
he was sworn in that he would appoint a
finance ministry advisor to oversee efforts
to recover US$700mil (RM2.6bil) that was
allegedly transferred from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) to Malaysia Prime Minister Najib
Razak private bank accounts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmar calls
for abolishment of 2008 military-drafted
Constitution
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Buddhist
monk, Sayadaw U Zawana, gave
thanks to political prisoners
and the Myanmar people for
their support in the 2007
Saffron Revolution
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From
News Reports:
Yangon, September 20: Myanmar's Buddhist
monks called on the government to abolish
the 2008 military-drafted Constitution of
the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and
acknowledgement of the 2007 mass protests
against the military government at the Yangon
Dhamma Piya Monastery on Tuesday, the 11th
anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, reports
the Myanmar Times.
Buddhist monks called on President U Win
Myint, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and Commander-in-Chief Senior General
Aung Min Hlaing including leaders of armed
ethnic groups to work together to replace
the military-drafted constitution, saying
that "government and Tatmadaw (Myanmar
Armed Forces) need to make changes for the
sake of the people".
Buddhist monk, Sayadaw U Sandarthiri, claims
that "crime is everywhere and there
is no security", saying that living
standards today are very low and not that
was expected of the 2007 Saffron Revolution.
The Saffron Revolution began when about
500 monks from Pakokku township in Magwe
Region protested against the sudden increase
in fuel prices and the resulting rise in
the price of basic commodities.
"The people’s standard of living
today is very low because of the 2008 military-drafted
Constitution", he said.
Buddhist monk, Sayadaw U Zawana, claims
that people are suffering as a result of
high prices for basic commodities, saying
that "rising prices is the same problem
that drove monks and the people into the
streets 11 years ago".
“I’m not happy because both previous
and current governments don’t say anything
about the increase in commodity prices."
He said that the price of basic commodities
have increased many times since 2007.
"I feel sorry for ordinary people",
he said.
The 2008 military-drafted Constitution of
the Republic of the Union of Myanmar allows
Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) significant
control of the government, with 25 percent
of the seats in parliament reserved for
serving military officers.
The ministries of home, border affairs and
defense are headed by a serving military
officer, with the military appointing one
of the country's two vice president, giving
Myanmar's civilian leaders little influence.
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won about
97 per cent of Yangon Region seats in the
November 2015 General elections, is subject
to the conditions of the Solidarity and
Development Party (USDP) military-drafted
Myanmar Constitution.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Australia
grounds Singapore Airlines
pilot after random alcohol
test
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Singapore
Airlines (SIA) flight from
Australia to New Zealand cancelled
after pilot fails alcohol
test
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From
News Reports:
Singapore, September 19: Singapore Airlines
(SIA) scheduled to fly from Australia to
New Zealand and return was cancelled before
take off on Saturday after its pilot failed
an alcohol test, reports Rueters.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) spokesman, Karl
Schubert, said that the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority of Australia conducted a random
drug and alcohol test of all crew on Singapore
Airlines (SIA) flight SQ247 before pre-flight
checks in preparation for departure from
Melbourne on September 15.
He said that it was not clear what prompted
the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia
to conduct alcohol tests on the flight crew
moments before its scheduled departure at
7am.
The spokesman said that the tests revealed
that the Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilot
was over the regulatory blood alcohol limit.
"The pilot was stood down and suspended
from all operations pending an investigation",
he said.
Passengers booked on cancelled flight SQ247
from Melbourne to Wellington and return
had purchased tickets to attend the Investec
Rugby Championship 2018, All Blacks vs South
Africa game held in Wellington on 15 September.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passenger and rugby
fan, Muteki Likun, who had flown from Tokyo,
called on the airline to explain "why
your captain of SQ247 waits until boarding
time to decide that he is too ill or drunk
to fly".
"Will miss the 1st All Blacks rugby
match in Wellington," he said.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has reportedly
apologised to passengers affected by the
cancellation.
Skytrax’s World Airline Awards named
Singapore Airlines (SIA) the "World's
Best Airline" this year for the fourth
year running.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) also won the ‘World’s
Best First Class’, ‘Best Airline
in Asia’ and ‘Best First Class
Airline Seat’ awards in the 2018 rankings.
The awards are based on surveys of more
than 20 million travellers, who rated more
than 335 airlines between August 2017 and
May 2018.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Hong
Kong prepared for the worst
as cyclone Mangkhut hits
|
|
|
|
|
Cyclone
Mangkhut blows out windows
in Hong Kong
|
|
From News Reports:
Hong Kong, September 18: Reports that cyclone
Mangkhut that left 64 dead with 45 missing
in the northern provinces of the Philippines
on Friday and Saturday, hit southern China,
Macau and Hong Kong on Sunday and Monday,
with warnings to prepare for the worst,
reports the Associated Press.
Hong Kong Security Minister John Lee Ka-chiu
warned residents to stay away from the Victoria
Harbour landmark, where storm surges battered
the waterfront that was reinforced with
sandbags.
“Prepare for the worst,” he said.
The warning came after the strongest cyclone
to have hit Southeast Asia in a year left
a trail of destruction in the Philippines,
with damage to infrastructure including
communications in northern Philippines.
Cyclone Mangkhut gained strength as it crossed
the the South China Sea and headed for the
China coast, Macau and Hong Kong.
The gambling enclave of Macau closed its
casinos for the first time and almost 50,000
fishing boats were ordered to return to
port.
Cyclone Mangkhut made landfall in Guangdong
at 5pm Sunday with winds of 162 km/h and
10 meter-high waves battering the coastline,
The
Southeast Asian Times
Southeast
Asia's strongest cyclone heading for China
after the Philippines
From
News Reports:
Hong Kong, September 17: Tropical cyclone
Mangkhut, the strongest to hit Southeast
Asia this year with gale force winds of
200km/h, is heading for Hongkong and China's
coast, reportedly gaining strength over
the South China Sea, after leaving 28 dead
in northern Phillipines, reports the Associated
Press.
Philippine disaster response coordinator,
Francis Tolentino, said that deaths and
a reported 13 missing were due to landslides
in northern mountain provinces.
He claims that about 5.7 million Filipinos
were affected by the cyclone, saying that
"most of them were prepared."
Hong Kong Observatory officials reportedly
said yesterday that cyclone Mangkhut was
expected to skirt 100km south of Hong Kong,
veer west towards the coast of China's southern
Guangdong province towards the gaming centre
of Macau.
"According to the present forecast
track, cyclone Mangkhut is expected to hit
Hong Kong and the Chinese coast tonight,"
said Hong Kong Observatory officials yesterday.
Hong Kong Observatory officials reportedly
raised cyclone Mangkhut to category 10 destructive,
with category 12 hurricane being the highest
reading on the Beaufort scale following
fierce waves in low-lying areas and strong
winds rattling windows on towering Hong
Kong skyscrapers.
About half a million Hong Kong residents
have been evacuated from low-lying areas
with storm surges of up to 3.5 metres expected.
Tens of thousands of travellers at Hong
Kong's International airport have reportedly
had their flights cancelled.
Macau officials closed casino gambling operations
on Saturday with China's People's Liberation
Army on standby for disater relief assistance.
Cyclone Mangkhut, described as the "King
of Storms" by China's media was expected
to make landfall in Guangdong between Zhuhai
and Wuchuan on Sunday evening.
Ports, oil refineries and industrial plants
in Guangdong have been closed with power
to some areas expected to be reduced as
a precaution.
The Shenzhen and Guangzhou airports are
closed with all scheduled flights cancelled.
Officials in China have ordered about 30,000
boats to return to harbour, taken precautions
at two nuclear power plants and evacuated
thousands of offshore oil platform workers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Solar
energy company chairman shot dead for
resigning and taking customers
From News Reports:
Bangkok, September 16: Four men including
solar energy Fachai Engineering Co., owner
and a retired colonel were arrested in
four Thai provinces for the murder of
company chairman, Akaranan Mongkolchonsawat,
56, for resigning and taking company customers
with him, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thai Crime Suppression Division officers
allege that the murder of the solar energy
Fachai Engineering Co., chairman, Akaranan
Mongkolchonsawat, was reportedly "over
a conflict within the solar energy company".
"Akaranan Mongkolchonsawat had planned
to leave the company and establish his
own business, depriving the solar energy
Fachai Engineering Co.engineering company
of its customer base," said police.
The Crime Suppression Division officers
arrested owner of the solar power Fachai
Engineering Co., Chotitiwat Jirapatputitana,
44, in Dina Daeng district, Bangkok, on
Wednesday.
Col Somsak Muifaeng, 62, from Chon Buri
province was arrested in the Huai Khwang
district of Bangkok.
Withoon Kreetatorn, 38, a former Phetchaburi
provincial councilor, was arrested with
five fire arms in his possession in Muang
district in Nakhon Pathom.
Warawut Pasuk, 43, was arrested in Muang
district, Phetchaburi.
Thai police said that the murder of solar
power Fachai Engineering Co.chairman,
Akaranan Mongkolchonsawat, 56, was planned
and carried out to look like a road rage
incident.
The car driven by chairman, Akaranan Mongkolchonsawat,
was reportedly chased and forced to stop
at the entrance of the Lully Ville housing
estate in Muang district in Samut Prakan.
The chairman of the solar power Fachai
Engineering Co., Akaranan Mongkolchonsawat,
was shot in the head where he sat behind
the wheel of his Honda Vehicle.
Thai Crime Suppression Division officers
allege that the murder of the chairman
was carried out by a Phetchaburi hit team
hired by the four men arrested on Wednesday,
saying that the hitman was paid 400,000
baht.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Call
for release from prison of
Buddhist woman convicted of
blasphemy
|
|
|
|
|
Meiliana,
44, found guilty of blaphemy
and sentenced to 18 month
imprisonment at the Medan
District Court in North Sumatra
on 21 August
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Indonesian civil
society organisations called for the release
of an ethnic Chinese Buddhist women, who
was imprisoned for 18 months last month
for blasphemy, for complaining about the
loudspeaker at a mosque near her home in
Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra two years ago,
reports the Jakarta Globe.
Last month the Medan District Court reportedly
found Meiliana, 44, guilty of blasphemy
for telling a neighbour in 2016 that the
Islamic call for pray was too loud, asking
that the volume of the loudspeakers be turned
down.
Her remarks reportedly triggered mass protests
and mob violence leading to crowds burning
down several Buddhist monasteries and temples
in the area.
Indonesia civil society organizations including
Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU),
Amnesty International Indonesia, the Association
of Indonesian Churches (PGI), Our Indonesia
Movement (GITA) and the Supreme Council
for the Confucian Religion in Indonesia
(Matakin) signed a joint statement calling
for the women's release from prison.
"We are urging the legal authorities
in Indonesia to ensure justice for Meiliana,
who was imprisoned simply for expressing
her opinion peacefully," said the statement.
More than 100,000 signed an online petition
immediatley following the Medan District
Court decision on 21 August that found Meilian
guilty of blasphemy, calling for her release,
a review of the decision made by the panel
of judges and for the Ministry of Religious
Affairs to issue a regulation on the use
of loudspeakers by mosques.
The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
Indonesia's largest independent Muslim organization,
also denounced the verdict, with
the head of legal affairs and human rights,
Robikin Emhas, saying that "Meiliana's
complaint did not constitute blasphemy."
Riri Khariroh of the National Commission
on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan)
said that distrust, prejudice and a lack
of peaceful dialogue between the diverse
ethnic and religious communities in the
city were exacerbated by social and economic
disparities, as members of the ethnic Chinese
community are generally perceived to be
wealthier than those from other groups.
"Meiliana is a portrait of multilayered
discrimination experienced by women, members
of minority groups and of the ethnic Chinese
community – all these make Meiliana
much more vulnerable to being criminalized
in a blasphemy case," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
No time to waste,
warns Malaysia
in call for ASEAN
unity and integration
|
|
|
|
|
Malaysian
Minister of International
Trade and Industry, Ignatius
Darell Leiking, second from
left, said at the 27th World
Economic Forum on Asean on
the ‘Trade in Trouble:
Navigating Geo-Economic Tensions’
panel that ASEAN unity is
key to protecting ASEAN from
the US-China trade conflict
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, September 14: The panel on ‘Trade
in Trouble: Navigating Geo-Economic Tensions’
called for ASEAN unity and economic integration
at the two day 27th World Economic Forum
on Asean in Hanoi on Wednesday, warning
that there was no time to waste, reports
the Vetnam News Service.
The panel that included Malaysian Minister
of International Trade and Industry, Ignatius
Darell Leiking, called for unity of the
10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and economic integration in order
to "navigate the adversarial climate
caused by trade tensions between the United
States and China.
Malaysian Minister of International Trade
and Industry Ignatius Darell Leiking warned
that there was no time to waste, saying
that "ASEAN leaders must embrace the
reality that a solution is needed now and
from within ASEAN.
He said that ASEAN negotiators should have
in mind that the intention is to see their
neighbours prosper, keeping in mind the
disparity in the level of member states
economic development.
"If all our neighbours prosper together
whereby we help each other, provide input
into how to develop our countries, in an
equal way,” he said, “then we’ll
be alright.”
He said that to work as a single ASEAN,
to promote seamless trade between the
Asean member states could reduce the impact
that is reportedly forthcoming because
of the tariff war between the United States
and China.
The 27th World Economic Forum on Asean,
held at the National Convention Center
in Hanoi this week and attended by about
1000 representatives including prime ministers,
presidents or state consellors of the
ten ASEAN member states, addresses their
common concerns.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodian
on treason charges
released from prison on house arrest
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, September 13: Former president
of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha, 64, who was in
detention awaiting trial for treason for
a year, was released from prison on court-supervised
bail, with his lawyer saying that strict
bail conditions amounted to house arrest,
reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Kem Sokha was released on bail on Monday
despite a Supreme Court ruling last month
that rejected the second bail application
since his arrest on 3 September 2017.
The Supreme Court ruled last month to extend
detention of the former president of the
dissolved opposition party for a further
six months, despite his lawyers’ pleas
that his health was deteriorating and he
needed urgent surgery.
Lawyer, Meng Sopheary, said following the
release of his client on Monday that while
the court decision did not explicity say
that the court-supervised bail was house
arrest, the bail conditions that included
a limit on his clients freedom of movement,
amounted to house arrest.
Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin
denied that the former president of the
dissolved opposition party, Kem Sokha, was
under house arrest, saying that "it
is his right to stay in his house or not".
“What is important is that he has to
respect the conditions laid out by the court,”
he said.
“The release on bail under the supervision
of the court did not free him from the treason
charges, meaning court procedures are continuing
until the case goes to trial,” he said.
The arrest of Kem Sokha, on charges of plotting
to overthrowing the Hun Sen government with
the help of the United States was followed
by the Cambodian Supreme Court dissolution
of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) in November 2017.
The former party president of the dissolved
opposion party was arrested without a warrant
at his Phnom Penh residence and charged
with treason on grounds that a 2013 video
showed that had received assistance from
the US.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Human
Rights organisations accuse
Vietnam of giving ASEAN a
bad name
|
|
|
|
|
The
27th World Economic Forum
on Asean, held at the National
Convention Center in Hanoi
this week, addresses the common
concerns of the 10 ASEAN member
states
|
|
From News Reports:
Hanoi, September 12: Vietnam immigration
officials denied entry to two prominant
human rights advocates on Monday ahead of
the two day 27th World Economic Forum on
ASEAN that began in Hanoi yesterday, with
Amnesty International claiming that Vietnam
is giving ASEAN a bad name, reports Rueters.
Global operations at London-based Amnesty
International senior director, Minar Pimple,
and Paris-based International Federation
of Human Rights (FIDH) general secretary,
Debbie Stothard, were both refused entry
to Vietnam by immigration officials on arrival
at the Noi Bai international airport.
Amnesty International secretary, general
Kumi Naido, condemned the barring of senior
director Minar Pimple, who was scheduled
to speak on the "Asean Pluralism: Under
Threat?" panel during the two day forum
attended by about 1000 representatives including
prime ministers, presidents or state consellors
of the ten Asean member states, saying that
“we condemn this decision to stifle
debate from a regular contributor to the
World Economic Forum."
He claims that the Vietnam government’s
actions undermine an event that depends
on a plurality of views, saying that "Vietnam
is giving ASEAN a bad name."
Vietnam immigration authorities prevented
International Federation of Human Rights
(FIDH) general secretary, Debbie Stothard,
who was scheduled to participate on the
"Innovation under Stress" panel
from entering Vietnam under Article 21(9)
of a 2014 law on the entry and exit of foreigners.
The article bars foreign nationals from
entering Vietnam for reasons of national
defense, security or social order and safety.
International Federation of Human Rights
(FIDH) general secretary, Debbie Stothard,
said that she had hoped that "hosting
the prestigious World Economic Forum in
Vietnam would help the ruling Communist
Party realise that pluralism, human rights
and freedom are necessary to economic development."
In April the Vietnam's Supreme People's
Procuracy charged six Vietnamese with attempting
to overthrow the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
under the guise of a civil society organisation,
arguing that the organisation aimed to subvert
the political system of Vietnam and replace
it with a pluralistic multi-party system.
The six were reportedly recruited to protest
against the National Assembly's parliament
election in May 2016 and to spread anti-state
propaganda.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Filipino's serve power disconnection notices
on coal fired energy distributor
From News Reports:
Manila, September 11: Filipino consumers,
scientists and environment activists protested
the high cost of electricity and the environmental
cost of coal fired energy at branches of
power distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)
in Manila and other cities, serving the
distributor with disconnection notices,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
Members of the urban poor, Metro Manila
Vendors Alliance (MMVA), the environmentalists,
Piglas Kababaihan, the Philippine Movement
for Climate Justice, the Power for People
Coalition and other environmental and consumer
groups were among those protesting at 15
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) branches last
Tuesday.
Disconnection notices were served on Manila
Electric Co. (Meralco) branches located
in Kamuning, Roosevelt and Commonwealth
in Quezon City; España in Manila;
Pasig City; Cainta in Rizal; Parañaque
City; Masinag and Antipolo City; Caloocan
City; Dasmariñas, Naic and General
Mariano Alvarez in Cavite; San Jose del
Monte City in Bulacan and Calamba City in
Laguna.
Metro Manila Vendors Alliance (MMVA) member,
Mila Uga-Uga, claims that "disconnection
notices" were served on Meralco branches
because the company has failed to provide
safe and affordable electricity.
“We are already suffering from the
soaring prices of goods, yet our remaining
income as small traders is slashed by the
high cost of electricity,” she said.
Piglas Kababaihan, environmentalist, Mercy
Donor, said the government should tap cheaper
and cleaner power sources.
“We know that there are other sources
of clean power,” she said.
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
representative, Valentino de Guzman, said
that power distributor Manila Electric Co.
(Meralco)
could not stop the transition of energy
from fossil to renewable, saying that "Meralco
would lose its seven coal fired power plants,
turning them into stranded assetts."
"Environmental groups are yet to find
a political leader who will help them in
their legal action against Meralco,"
he said.
The protesters have called for cancellation
of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) seven coal
fired power distribution aggreements with
its affiliated power generating companies,
claiming that Meralco chairman, Manny V.
Pangilinan, holds a monopoly on the supply
chain of the energy industry.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Order to
remove Chinese characters
from Malaysian shopfronts
recinded
|
|
|
|
|
A
shopfront in Muar in Malaysia
with embossed Chinese characters
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 10: The order given
by Malaysia's Muar Municipal Council (MPM)
on Tuesday to remove Chinese characters
from signboards, shopfronts and pillars
was recinded on Thursday, less that forty
eight hours after it was issued, reports
the Star.
The annoucement to recind the order to
remove lettering and signboards, some
of which are cast on pre-war buildings,
was given by the
Muar Municipal Council (MPM) president
Mustaffa Kamal Shamsudin.
The lettering was reportedly in violation
of local advertising laws that carried
a fined of up to RM2,000, jail for two
years or both.
Chop Huap Aik Hardware outlet owner Ong
Kiat Seng, 65, said the Chinese characters
on her shop have been there since 1929.
She said that her family had been operating
the business for three generations and
she wanted her daughter to take over one
day.
"Forcing businesses to erase the
Chinese characters was unfair and would
be like trying to conceal history”,
she said.
State executive councillor Tan Hong Pin
reportedly denied any "racial element"
in the initial order, explaining that
Muar Municipal Council (MPM) officers
were merely enforcing a rule on the size
of lettering for signboards.
Muar Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq
Syed Abdul Rahman, said that Chinese characters
were part of the town’s beauty and
should be maintained, saying that he opposed
the forceful removal of the lettering.
“As the MP of Muar, I won’t
allow this to happen,” he said.
In May in the week before the Malaysian
elections, Penang Chinese Clan Council
(PCCC) chairman, Dr Chang Wei Lu, called
on the Penang Chinese community not to
vote for opposition coalition Pakatan
Harapan (PH) lead by Mahathir Mohamad,
saying that the Chinese community were
aware of mistakes made by the Democratic
Action Party (DAP), one of four coalition
parties of the Pakatan Harapan (PH)
The chairman was reportedly referring
to the Democratic Action Party (DAP) decision
to cancel the Culture and Heritage Chinese
New Year celebration.
In 2011 the Malaysian Chinese Association
(MCA) established a museum in Malacca
to exhibit contributions of the Chinese
community in recognition of past achievements
of Chinese leaders in helping to gain
Independence for Malaysia.
The
Southeast Asian Times
PM Mahathir denounces
canning for lesbians, advising counceling
instead
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 9: Malaysian Prime
Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, denounced
the public canning in Terengganu of two
Muslim lesbian women who pleaded guilty
to charges under Islamic law that forbids
lesbianism, suggesting counseling instead,
reports Rueters.
The public canning of the two women on
Monday prompted an outcry from human rights
activists and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Transgender (LGBT) community, who described
the punishment ordered by the Terengganu
Sharia court as torture.
Prime Minister Mahathir said the caning
"did not reflect the justice or compassion
of Islam", saying that "caning
gives a bad impression of Islam.
"It is important that we show Islam
is not a cruel religion that imposes harsh
sentences in order to humiliate,"
he said.
"It was the women's first offence
which warranted a lighter sentence such
as counseling," he said.
Prime Minister Mahathir has reportedly
been divided about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Transgender (LGBT) community since his
election in May, with accusations that
the Prime Minister has been silent on
the canning and on recent attacks on transgender's
and marginalised groups in Muslim-majority
Malaysia.
In August the raid on a Kuala Lumpur club
frequented by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Transgender (LGBT) community by the Royal
Malaysian Police (PDRM) , the Kuala Lumpur
City Hall (DBKL), the Federal Territories
Islamic Religious Department (JAWI), and
the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) was
reportedly conducted "to mitigate
LGBT culture from spreading".
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
(Religion) Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who reportedly
ordered the raid on the LGBT club, the
first time the club has been raided in
its 30 year history, also ordered the
removal of portraits of two LGBT activists
from an art exhibition in the same month.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| South
and North Korea meet to prepare
for denuclerization talks |
|
|
|
|
North
Korea's chairman of the State
Affairs Commission of the
Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea, Kim Jong Un,
and South
Korea's national security
chief Chung Eui-yong in Pyongyang
North Korea on Wednesday
|
|
From
News Reports:
Seoul, September 8: South Korea's Government
officials met with North Korea's chairman
of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong
Un in North Korea to prepare for an inter-Korean
summit on the denuclerization of the Korean
peninsula, reports Rueters.
South Korea's chief of national security,
Chung Eui-yong and chairman of the North
Korean committee cross-border affairs, Ri
Son Gwon, held talks on Wednesday in Pyongyang
with North Korean Yong Chol, who reportedly
together with US Secretary of State, Mike
Pompeo, played a key role in arranging the
Singapore Summit in June on the denuclearisation
of the Korean peninsula.
The summitt was attended by US President
Donald Trump and North Korean chairman of
the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong
Un.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at
the Singapore Summit that "the complete,
verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation
of the Korean peninsula was the only outcome
that the United States will accept"
"North Korea had previously confirmed
its willingness to denuclearise and we are
eager to see if those words prove sincere,"
he said.
The US Secretary of State said that Kim
Jong Un claimed that he wants a "permanent
and durable peace-keeping mechanism on the
Korean peninsula and the denuclearisation
of the Korean peninsula and to establish
new relations with the US in a changed era.
US President Donald Trump had hailed the
Singapore Summit a success, saying that
"the North Korean nuclear threat was
over".
But US officials involved in negotiations
say that North Korea has not begun talks
on defining denuclearization.
North Korea has reportedly insisted that
"the United States must first agree
to simultaneous steps to reduce sanctions".
South Korea's chief of national security,
Chung Eui-yong, said on Wednesday after
meeting with North Korean chairman of the
State Affairs Commission of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong
Un in Pyongyang, that the inter-Korean two
day summit planned for September 18 "could
provide momentum to talks over denuclearization
between North Korea and the United States,
after the planned visit by Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang was cancelled
last month due to lack of progress.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Cambodians
call on Australian government
to condemn Hun Sen |
|
|
|
|
Cambodians
in Australia at the Australian
Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (DFAT) office in
Canberra on Tuesday call on
the Australia government to
condemn the re elected Cambodian
People's Party (CPP)
|
|
From News Reports:
Canberra, September 7: Cambodians in Australia
called on the Australian Government to condemn
the newly elected Cambodian government and
sanction re elected Cambodian Prime Minister
Hun Sen in a protest at the Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) office
in Canberra on Tuesday, reports the Phnom
Penh Post.
Australian Member of the Victorian Legislative
Assembly for Clarinda, Hong Lim, who is
also the president of the Cambodian Australian
Federation (CAF), said a petition calling
on the Australian government to condemn
the inauguration of Hun Sen’s new government
in Phnom Penh on Thursday was delivered
to Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (DFAT) State Director Jenny Bloomfield.
Hong Lim, who led the protest, said that
its purpose was to call on Australia to
reject the 29 July Cambodian elections which
he described as "Hun Sen's sham and
fake election".
He also urged Australia to freeze Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Sens alleged assets in
Australia and to follow the US sanction
of visa's.
He also called on the ruling Cambodian People’s
Party (CPP) to free the dissolved opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) president,
Kem Sokha from prison and to reinstate the
opposition party that was dissolved by the
Phnom Penh Supreme Court.
He also called for the release of Australian
filmaker James Ricketson who was sentenced
to six years in prison for espionage last
week.
The Australian Member of the Victorian Legislative
Assembly for Clarinda, Hong Lim said that
he welcomed the news that the Australian
Ambassador to Cambodia would not attend
the opening of parliament in Phnom Penh
for the inauguration of the reelected Hun
Sen government this week.
Ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)
spokesperson, Sok Eysan, said in response
to demands by Hong Lim for the Australian
Government to condemn the inauguration of
the the Hun Sen Government that it was up
to the Australian authorities to take action
against any alleged illegal investments
made by Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)
officials in Australia.
The Cambodian Supreme Court dissolution
of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) party in November 2017 followed
the arrest of the then Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP) party president, Kem
Sokha, on September 3 on charges of plotting
to overthrowing the Hun Sen government with
the alleged help of the United States and
the arrest of Australian filmaker James
Ricketson in June 2017 who was found guilty
of espionage for collecting information
considered prejudicial to Cambodia's national
security.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| "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 |
|
|
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 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
|
|
| 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 |
|
| 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
|
|
| A
cartoon goes inside the tour
bus in Manila on the day that
ended with the slaying of eight
Hong Kong tourists
...Open
page here |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...Open
page here |
|
| .MEDIA
CHECK |
|
The
Yogyakarta Alliance of
Independent Journalists
(AJI) want
the murder of Yogyakarta
journalist in 1996 remembered
in proposed Anti-Violence
against Journalists Day...open
here |
|
|
Timor-Leste
justice
threatened
by firing of foreign judges
By Susan Marx ...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 dated 29 May 2012
from Vietnam Womens Union to
International Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
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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 local property
sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell
condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore
properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial
and industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway
Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's
railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy
Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of
public services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would
bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19: Five Penang food factories including a 100
year old soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health standards.
State health, food safety and quality division, deputy director
Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin said soya bean products were processed
in an unclean "rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found that wet products were left to dry
on "dirty" bamboo sticks along with bathing towels.
The bamboo sticks were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets" factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory
in Simpang Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department
The
Southeast Asian Times
Fuel
smugglers including military personnel under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested 30 suspects
including several Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and seized
64 cars, two boats and 106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam
last week that the seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres
of fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected of fuel smuggling
and have been handed over to the military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thai
coup blammed for fall in tourist arrivals
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the first
month after the establishment of marshal law and the military
seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10 percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all
visitors to Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent
The
Southeast Asian Times
US
Senate approves sales of nuclear equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed
legislation approving a 123 agreement on civil nuclear commerce
with Vietnam at a business meeting of the committee last week.
The 123 agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to export
nuclear reactors, research information and equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce agreement between the US and Vietnam
is "part of Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The
Southeast Asian Times
Court for construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two Construction Courts for Malaysia
were opened by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur
and Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way the construction
business in the country operates.
"The construction industry stakerholders can now have their
disputes resolved by judges with expert knowledge and experience
in construction industry disputes', he said.
The proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali community-based tourism operators have
called for amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact that
his community received only 40 percent of the total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share of the tourist revenue
to pay for operating costs", he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said that operating costs for
trekking, traditional dance, cultural shows including religious
rituals had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and community halls for tourism had
also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli community
but for tourism based communities across Bali would benefit tourism
island-wide" said the tourism manager.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Riau
forest fires force Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the Indonesian
subsidiary of US-based oil company Chevron has shut down 573 oil
wells in the Riau province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of air due to forest fires that have
been raging for the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families.
Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public
relations officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown of Rokan
block, operated by Chevron Pacific Indonesia, the country's biggest
producer of crude oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts reports that potential losses are estimated
at about 12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there was an 86 percent increase
in tourist arrivals from China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that 193,010
tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China in 2011 increasing
to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the influx of tourists
from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite foods",
he said.
Sabah and Labuan Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association
of Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort,
said that staff members are encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can converse better with guests" he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pilots
strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From
News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights to Surabaya,
Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the
airline had not paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines was
required to restructure its operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra says that Merpati
has signed a memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion (US$533 million) reports
the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or early
April, said the Merpati corporate secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board official, Erry Wardhana,
said about 200 Merpati pilots planned to strike again next Saturday
for an indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until 1,600 Merpati employees were
paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the first
time that Merpati workers have gone on strike over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for December and January reports the
Jakarta Post.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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