The Southeast Asian Times
NEWS FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
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established 2000
Wednesday 20 March 2024
GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout
the region.  

Thai senate seeks
referendum on new constitution: Lese Majeste law

From News Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The Senate is seeking a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the Referendum Act after the House of Representatives voted for an opposition-sponsored motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions to form a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum that would pave the way for a rewrite of the constitution that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum on whether a new constitution should be drawn up by a charter drafting assembly made up of elected representatives, saying "the referendum should be arranged on the same day as the next general election that has tentatively been set for May 7 by the Election Commission (EC).
Senators were critical of voting for the formation of a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum, saying "It is a tactic to stall the referendum"
Sen Kittisak Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he disagreed with organising the referendum on the same day as the general election,
"This could confuse voters," he said.

The Southeast Asian Times

China calls emergency COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From News Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An emergency meeting of foreign ministers from China and the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is to be held in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday and Friday to discuss the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected 73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN member states.
The meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly intended to share information and to improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN member states in order to combat the COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with focus on strengthening joint prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of establishing a long term and effective collaboration mechanism on public health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying " China and Asean countries have been in close communication since the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting, said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the foreign ministers to discuss measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
"The meeting will help strengthen cooperation between ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency meeting that was proposed by China will demonstrate Cambodia’s support of China and confidence in the measures taken by the China government to address the coronavirus outbreak.
The Southeast Asian Times


Vietnam opens consulate in Macau

From News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General launched a consulate office in the Macau Special Administrative Region of China on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said at the launching ceremony that the office aims to better ensure the rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists in the region.
He said that the consulate office in Macau will provide easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Macau.
The Consulate General said that the office expected to recieve support from local organisations including the Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association in Macau.
More than 20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers, in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and services companies.
The Southeast Asian Times

US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to the White House

From News Reports:

Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation of the United States State Department in a "landmark" visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a 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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Vietnamese deported without charge for illegal gold mining in Cambodia's national park

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 20: Cambodia's Ratanakiri Provincial authorities arrested 26 Vietnamese for illegal gold mining in the Virachey National Park, deporting the Vietnamese with impunity, with the Cambodia Youth Network saying ''action taken by authorities against the illegal miners was very trivial,'' reports CamboJA News.
Cambodian Youth Network project coordinator, Out Latin, said the size of the gold mine is beyond the legitimate jurisdiction of artisan mining or small-scale mining, saying ''the Vietnamese were operating large-scale mining, not artisan mining or small-scale mining.''

Cambodian Youth Network project coordinator, Out Latin, said action taken by authorities against illegal miners is trivial
''Aritisan mining is smallscale mining and involves individuals, families or small communities,'' he said.
He said action against the Vietnamese illegal miners by the provincial authorities was very trivial, saying '''illegal gold mines could lead to the destruction of Cambodia's natural resources.''
''All natural resources are the property of the state and mining without a license is illegal,'' he said.'
He said the illegal gold miners had machinery stationed at the Virachey National Park for illegal excavation, saying ''foreigners coming to extract gold are deemed perpetrators,'' he said.
He called for stricter law enforcement to combat and prevent illegal mining, saying ''illegal mining is highly risky and environmentally damaging.''
''Most miners use cyanide to extract gold, polluting water and destoying biodiversity,'' he said.
Cambodia's Ratanakiri provincial administration spokesperson, Sou Serey, said the 26 Vietnamese entered Cambodia legally to work for a company that had obtained land concessions to develop rubber plantations.
He said that the company received an economic land concession from Cambodia to develop rubber plantations, saying ''the company changed to gold mining without an exploration license.
''The company wanted to do a feasibility study for gold mining instead, but the process was not completed,'' he said.
He said the company had been operating illegally for about two weeks before the Ratanakiri Provincial authorities arrested the Vietnamese, saying ''all mining operations have been suspended.''
''The machinery that was illegally imported has been seized,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand calls for establishment of 'Myanmar Troika Plus'' to solve myanmar crisis

Thailand 18 Mar 2024 Noppadon Pattama, chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs, said ''the conflict in Myanmar is complex, but it is not too difficult for Asean and Thailand to push for peace'' on Sunday 17 March 2024

From News Reports:
Bangkok, Tuesday 19: Thailand's House Committee on Foreign Affairs has put forward a four-point action plan to help solve the crisis in Myanmar following the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizure of the elected National League of Democracy (NLD) government of Myanmar in February 2021, with chairman of the committee calling for the establishment of a ''Myanmar Troika Plus'' group, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand's House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman and Member of Parliament for the ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP), Noppadon Pattama, said ''the House Committee on Foreign Affairs has been monitoring the situation in Myanmar and backs all efforts to end the crisis,'' saying the committee has come up with a four-point proposal that should help the Thailand government provide a cordinated response.''
''First, the government should set up a special panel comprising security and foreign affairs officials to monitor the situation and work out a comprehensive response,'' he said.
''Second, a contingency plan should be put in place to address any possible escalation in fighting which could prompt an increase in people seeking refuge in the border provinces,'' he said.
''The fighting is expected to escalate as Myanmar will ramp conscription in April,'' he said.
''Third the Thailand government should expand the distribution of humantitarian aid to cover all people affected by the conflict, rather that limiting it to 10,000 individuals sheltering in three villages,'' he said.
''Asean should also be involved to ensure comprehensive assistance,'' he said.
"Thailand should also play a leading role in solving the crisis in Myanmar, stepping up its efforts beyond the role of facilitator," he said.
''Last but not least, the country should advocate for peace in Myanmar by establishing "Myanmar Troika Plus", a group comprising Thailand, the chair of Asean, China and India to push for sustainable peace in Myanmar,'' he said.
''The troika would be an informal consultation mechanism,'' he said.
Thailand's House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairman, Noppadon Pattama, said ''the proposed mechanisms is in line with ASEAN's five-point peace plan that includes calls for an end to hostilities, dialogue between all parties and the granting of full humanitarian access to Myanmar.''
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), chairman, Charles Santiago, said ASEAN’s five-point consensus (5PC) reached with the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta in April 2021 has been an utter failure."
He said that the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has shown absolute contempt for the ASEAN’s five-point consensus agreement, saying "the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been unable to adopt a stance to put pressure on the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar."
“Meanwhile, most of the international community has hidden behind ASEAN in order to avoid doing anything meaningfull, he said.
He said that countries and international institutions that claim to support democracy in Myanmar have reacted with a timidity that puts in serious doubt their alleged commitment to Myanmar, saying "it is past time that ASEAN ditches the five-point consensus (5PC) and urgently rethinks its approach to the crisis in Myanmar."
The ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) held in Jakarta in April 2021 introduced the ASEAN Five Point Concensus (5PC) that
includes restrain of security forces, commencement of dialogue with ASEAN, facilitation of mediation with Secretary General of ASEAN, Special ASEAN envoy and delegation to visit Myanmar and the ASEAN provision of humanitarian assistance.
The Southeast Asian Times

Hong Kong sends protesters to prison for storming Legislative Council in 2019 pro-democracy protests

Hong Kong actor, Gregory Wong Chung-yiu, one of 11 sentenced to prison by the Hong Kong District Court on Saturday March 16, 2024 for storming the Hong Kong Legislative Council in 2019

From News Reports:
Hong Kong, March 18: The Hong Kong District Court sentenced 12 of hundreds of protesters, who stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council on the 22nd anniversaty of the British handover of Hong Kong to China, to up to seven years in prison on Saturday, with Deputy Judge Li Chi-ho saying ''the storming of the Legislative Council had long-lasting effects on society,'' reports Reuters.
''Aside from the actual damage to the building, the storming of the Hong Kong Legislative Council challenged the Basic Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) that upholds the Beijing policy ''one country two systems,'' he said.
He said the protesters committed insulting and provocative acts, saying the protesters ransacked the Legislative Council building, defaced the Hong Kong emblem and portraits of government officials, sprayed the walls with anti-government graffiti and hoisted a British colonial era flag.
The protesters stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council on July 1, 2019 raising a banner saying "Hong Kong is not China" in protest of the Basic Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) that states that the former British colony that was returned to China rule in 1997 is an inalienable part of China.
Mass protests began in Hong Kong with the "pro-democracy umbrella movement" in 2014 and continued in the streets of Hong Kong despite the postponement of the passing of the extradition bill and despite Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who was elected by committee in Bejing, saying "I will not simply follow orders from Beijing on extradition requests."
Millions of Hong Kong residents protested in the streets of Hong Kong in recurring protests against China rule that included proposed ammendments to the extradition bill that would see those charged with a criminal offence in Hong Kong sent to the China mainland to face trial and the election of the Hong Kong Chief Executive by a nominating committee in Beijing.
The "pro-democracy umbrella movement" that saw hundreds of thousands of students camped in tents on major Hong Kong highways, defying police demands to vacate the streets, became a symbol of defiance against Beijing, with students calling on Beijing to give Hong Kong direct elections and for the resignation of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
Mass protests in the streets of Hong Kong continued after the ban by the Security Bureau of Hong Kong in September 2018 of the Hong Kong National Party (HKNP), the first political party in Hong Kong that promoted independence from China and that was founded following the 2014 "pro-democracy umbrella movement."
The Southeast Asian Times


Striking workers want solution to labor dispute at NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh

Members of the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) to petition the ministry to solve the ongoing labor dispute at the five star NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh: March 17: The Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), that represents 3,000 striking hotel and casino workers, who were dismissed by the Hong Kong investment holding company NagaCorp Ltd, that operates the five star NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh in January 2020, called on the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) to solve the ongoing labor dispute, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
NagaWorld hotel and casino complex striking worker, Seak Kannha, who had worked at the NagaWorld hotel and casino complex for 13 years, said ''the mechanisms for solving labor disputes are unfair and leave workers to suffer from mass lay-offs without proper solutions.''
''We are suffering injustice, that is why we came here to demand justice,'' she said.
She said the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) serves as a parental role for workers, saying ''workers expect the ministry to find a solution to the labor dispute.''
In January 2020 about 3,000 hotel and casino stopped work at the five star NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh for higher wages, improved working conditions and the reinstatement of their union Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) president Chhim Sithar.
The 3,000 striking workers called on the Hong Kong investment holding company NagaCorp Ltd. to increase wages from US$150 to US$300 a month for hotel workers and from US$250 to US$500 a month for casino workers.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged unionists, activists, striking workers and former employees of the Hong Kong investment holding company NagaCorp Ltd with incitement to commit a felony for "undertaking an illegal protest at the five star Hotel NagaWorld hotel and casino complex.
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) spokesperson, Katta Orn, said that the ministry had tried to solve the dispute between the workers and the NagaWorld hotel and casino complex operators in accordance with the law.
''The ministry has sent the dispute to the arbitration advisory council,'' he said.
Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MoLVT) spokesperson, Katta Orn, said ''the arbitration advisory council has negotiated with the workers 27 times without finding a solution to the labor disputes,''
He said the labor dispute is no longer under the authority of the Labor Ministry because it has been sent to arbitration, saying ''I ecourage the striking workers to sue the operating company in court.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Autonomous Bougainville rejects Papua New Guinea appointment of deputy police commissioner

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President Ishmael Toroama rejects Papua New Guinea appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, saying ''the appointment has usurped the Bougainville government''

From News Reports:
Port Moresby, March 16: The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) that voted in favour of independence from Papua New Guinea in a 2019 referendum, rejects the appointment by the National Government of Papua New Guinea of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, with the president of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, saying ''the appointment has usurped the Bougainville government,'' reports Reuters.
''I am dissatisfied with the manner in which the National Government of Papua New Guinea has yet again usurped the role of the Autonomous Bougainville Government in implementing the parameters of the Bougainville Peace Agreement,'' he said.
President, Ishmael Toroama, said the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner of Police for Bougainville by the Royal Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner ''had usurped the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and is a breach of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement.''
He said that Papua New Guinea National Government through the Commissioner of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary ignored the government in this decision, saying ''we were never consulted nor privy to the process of appointing the Deputy Chief of the Bougainville Police Service.''
''The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) does not recognise the appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anthony Wagambie Jnr, as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Bougainville Police Service,'' he said.
He said that the Papua New Guinea National Government disciplinary forces are barred by the 2001 Peace Agreement from instituting any decisions, be it administrative or tactical on Bougainville without the knowledge and input of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)
''The Bougainville Peace Agreement does not exist merely to protect the civil liberties of the peoples of Bougainville and resolve the Bougainville Conflict. The peace agreement is also intended to empower the autonomous arrangements for Bougainville that came into existence as a direct result of the agreement in 2001.'' he said.
The Bougainville Peace Agrseement was signed in 2001 after an estimated 15,000 were killed in the conflict between the former Bogainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) and the Me’ekamui Defence Force (MDF) over the open pit copper mine at Panguna in the late 1980's.
The then President John Momis said that both the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Papua New Guinea National Government must be ready to continue their cooperation and work to avoid any renewal of conflict.
He said the open pit copper mine at Panguna mine was closed but could be reopened after the referendum to provide a valuable source of export revenue and make the island a destination for resource investors.
“Just as the peace agreement was a remarkable success, we now have the opportunity to again develop something new and extraordinary,” he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Opposition Move Forward Party warns Election Commission against involving monarchy in political conflict

Pita Limjaroenrat, left, former leader of the Move Forward Party, and his successor Chaithawat Tulathon, right, after the Constitutional Court ruled against amendments to the Lese Majeste Law in Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminial Code and Computor Crimes on Tuesday March 12, 2024

From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 15: The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand called on the Constitutional Court to dissolve opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) for allegedly attempting to overthrow the Constitutional Monarchy on Tueday, with party leader Chaithawat Tulathon warning against involving the monarchy in political conflict, reports the Bankok Post.
''The Move Forward Party has no intention of overthrowing the Constitutional Monarchy,'' he said.
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Chaithawat Tulathon, said the party would present evidence and witnesses to prove that the Move Forward Party (MFP) has no intention of overthrowing the Constitutional Monarchy.
''The Move Forward Party (MFP) proposal to implement amendments to the Lese Majeste Law in Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminial Code and Computor Crimes is not intended to overthrow the Constitutional Monarchy,'' he said.
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Chaithawat Tulathon said that dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) would not solve political problems, saying ''dissolution of the party may lead to the escalation of political conflict.''
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, Chaithawat Tulathon warned the Election Commission (EC) against involving the Monarchy in political conflict, saying ''involving the Monarchy in political conflict is a very sensitive issue and should be treated with caution.''
On March 8, 2024 Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former member of the pro- Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF), Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and also a former member of the ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) petitioned the Election Commission (EC) under Section 92 of the organic law on politcial parties to dissolve the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) saying "If the Election Commission (EC) finds evidence pointing to a political party's attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy, the Election Commission (EC) must petition the Constitution Court to consider disolving that party and ban its executives from applying to run in elections for 10 years."
The petition to the Election Commission (EC) on Friday March 8, 2024 called for the dissolution of opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) after the Wednesday March 6, 2024 Constitutional Court ruling that ''the Move Forward Party's (MFP) continueous efforts to amend the Lese Majeste Law in Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminial Code and Computor Crimes indicates the Move Forward Party's (MFP) intention to undermine the Constitutional Monarchy."
In November 2021 the then prime Minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said that the then ruling pro- Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF), Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), would not support any moves to amend the 2017 Constitution that states "changing the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State or changing the form of the State shall be prohibited" and that "the Prime Minister may not present such a draft Constitution Amendment to the King for signature."
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, said then the government would oppose any proposed amendements to the 2017 Constitution, that was drafted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) and signed into law by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, saying "Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) remains opposed to any changes to the law that would change the regime of government with the King as Head of State."
"All Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) coalition parties must work together to prevent the moves to amend the 2017 Constitution, " he said.

The Southeast Asian Times

Human Rights Watch renew call for justice for disappearance of lawyer in 2004 Krue Se mosque massacre

Angkana Neelapaijit, wife of dissappeared human rights lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Krue Se mosque massacre in southern Pattani Province in 2004, at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on Tuesday March 12, 2024

From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 14: Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Thailand renewed their call for justice in the dissappearance of lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit, in the Krue Se mosque massacre in southern Pattani Province in 2004, saying on Tuesday ''all governments since then have failed to shed any light on Somchai's disappearance,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) researcher in Thailand, Sunai Phasuk, said that all governments since the Krue Se mosque massacre in southern Pattani Province on 28 April 2004 have failed to shed any light on Somchai Neelapaiji disappearance.
He said that successive governments including the current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin government have failed to resolve this case, saying ''no one has been punished," he said.
Amnesty International's Regional Researchers for Thailand, Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong, said on Tuesday ''Somchai's case underlines the failure of authorities to give the people truth and justice.''
"Over the past two decades, Thai authorities have utterly failed to provide justice, truth or reparations to Somchai and his family," he said.
He said that the disappearance of lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit and many others highlights an entrenched culture of impunity in a country that is now trying to join the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), saying ''the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) urged authorities to look into the disappearance of Somchai Neelapaijit and find those behind his disappearance.''
"Thai authorities must comply with the country’s international obligations, investigate this crime and hold the perpetrators of Somchai’s enforced disappearance criminally responsible," he said.
In March 2009 the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) rejected a petition that would have had six military officers charged with the murder of 32 lightly-armed mostly-teenage militants at the historic Krue Se mosque in southern Pattani Province in April 28, 2004.
The petitioner – the Working Group for Justice and Peace led by Angkhana Neelaphaijit, wife of the missing Muslim lawyer Somchai – had based its complaint on a report written by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Working Group for Justice and Peace also cited the report from an independent committee that investigated the slaughter.
The independent committee, chaired by Sujinda Yongsunthorn, found the attack on suspected insurgents at the mosque was inappropriate and non-violent methods could have been used to end the confrontation.
The Thai military officer who ordered the storming of the mosque, General Panlop Pinmanee, was relieved of his command.
Before going Panlop said: ‘I admit that it was a mistake to order the firing on the mosque, which may have hurt the feelings of Muslim brothers.
‘But in that particular situation, I had no choice.'
The Southeast Asian Times

Malaysia's ousted PM Najib Razak accused of breach of trust and duties by new management of state funds

Malaysia's former ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak, who began serving a 12 -year prison sentence in 2022 for the misappropriation of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary SRS International Sdn Bhd funds, was accused of breach of trust and abuse of power

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 13: Malaysia's former ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak, who began serving a 12 -year prison sentence in 2022 for the misappropriation of RM42 million from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) state subsidiary SRS International Sdn Bhd funds, was accused of breach of trust and abuse of power by the new management of state subsidiary SRS International Sdn Bhd funds in the Kuala Lumpur High court on Monday, reports the Star.
SRS International Sdn Bhd funds offshore asset recovery specialist, Angela Barkhouse, is the seond witness at the hearing of the lawsuit filed by the new management of state subsidiary SRS International Sdn Bhd funds against former ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak and former SRS International Sdn Bhd funds chief executive officer, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
Offshore asset recovery specialist, Angela Barkhouse, claims that US$120 million of the loan from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) to SRC International Sdn Bhd ''was deposited in former ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal bank account between 2011 and 2012.''
Offshore asset recovery specialist, Angela Barkhouse, testified at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Monday that US$120 milliont was deposited into Najib Razak's personal AmBank account in three transactions from the company, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Ltd.
The first transaction of US$70mil was deposited on December 29, 2011, with the second and third tranactions of US$25mil each on March 12 and May 22, 2012.
''These transactions were tagged with the reference ‘AMPrivate Banking’ in Blackstone bank statements, and I was able to approximately match incoming amounts in Ringgit Malaysia to the transactions out of the Blackstone account in US dollars by applying a currency conversion,'' she told the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Offshore asset recovery specialist, Angela Barkhouse, also testified that the former SRS International Sdn Bhd funds chief executive officer, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil also received US$82,000 from Blackstone Asia between January 27 and February 8, 2012.
The new management of the SRS International Sdn Bhd funds filed legal action against former ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak and former SRS International Sdn Bhd funds chief executive officer, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil in May 2021 alleging that Najib Razak had committed a breach of trust and abuse of power, misappropriated the company’s funds, and personally benefited from them.
SRS International Sdn Bhd company is seeking damages, interests, costs and a court declaration that Najib Najib is responsible for the company’s losses due to his breach of duties and trust, and is demanding that Najib Razak pay back the US$1.18bil in losses that it has suffered.
In February 2024 Malaysia's Federal Territories Pardons Board, chaired by the new King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, of Johor, annouced that the prison sentence of 12 years for former Prime Minister Najib Razak had been reduced to six years and the fine from RM 210 million to RM50 million.
The Southeast Asian Times
 

Former Pheu Thai Party supporter accuses ruling Pheu Thai Party of stalling Amnesty Bill

Jatuporn Prompan, co-leader of the Kana Lomruam Prachachon (Melting Pot Group) accuses the ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) under Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, of stalling the passing of the Amnesty Bill for political protesters

From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 12: Jatuporn Promphan, who led the red-shirt movement that supported former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), accused ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) under Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, of stalling the passing of the Amnesty Bill for political protesters that was submitted to the National Assembly of Thailand last year, reports the Bangkok Post.
Ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, said after the elections in May 2023 that he would not seek to abolish or amend the Lese Majeste Law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code in the Constitution, saying "if we want to see Thailand move forward and a new government successfully set up, Section 112 that makes it illegal to defame, insult, or threaten the monarch of Thailand must be set aside."
Jatuporn Promphan, a former supporter of the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) under the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatrath administeration and who is now co-leader of the Kana Lomruam Prachachon (Melting Pot Group), accused the ruling Pheu Thai Party of stalling the passing of the Amnesty Bill for political protesters.
''The ruling Phue Thai Party government should start implementing a new political amnesty plan rather than buying time by repeatedly ordering new studies,'' he said.
Jatuporn Promphan said the ruling Phue Thai Party was not serious about its committment to passing the Amnesty Bill, saying ''the Phue Thai Party was now pretending to take action to mitigate the political pressure from growing calls for the passing of the Amnesty Bill for political protesters.''
Jatuporn Promphan said that the House of Representative special committee that is tasked with the study of proposals for the implementation of the Amnesty Bill has invited more parties to this weeks' House of Representative special committee to provide more views on the proposed Amnesty Bill.
'' The House of Representative special committee on the Amnesty Bill has exceeded its initial 60-day time frame and now needs more time to conduct new studies over and over,'' he said.
In October 2023 opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) submitted a draft Amnesty Law to the National Assembly of Thailand that would give amnesty to all political protesters since February 11, 2006 , saying "2006 was the year the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started its protests against the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) that was then administeredd by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra."
"The proposed Amnesty Bill would cover thousands of political demonstrators who have faced punishment for violating various laws including the Lese Majeste Law under Section 112 of the Criminal Code in the Constitution that makes it illegal to defame, insult, or threaten the monarch of Thailand," he said.
He said that the Move Forward Party (MFP) also proposed then that the President of the National Assembly of Thailand, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, form a committee to identify the offences that would qualify for amnesty.
"The Move Forward Party did not specify offences because there are so many cases and the timeframe is broad," he said.
In December 2021 the Royal Thai Police (RTP) conducting an investigation into Human Rights non-government organisation, Amnesty International Thailand, following a petition submitted to the then Prime Minister Chan-o-cha by organisations opposed to amendments to the 2017 Royal Thai Armed Forces drafted constitution that maintains absolute rule of the monarchy, claiming that support of pro-democracy activists by Amnesty International poses a threat to national security and the monarchy.
The Southeast Asian Times



Malaysia rejects new claim of sovereignty and Cession Money over Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah

Malaysia's Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Minister, Azalina Othman Said says that Malaysia has never recognised the legitimacy of claims over the sovereignty, territory and natural resources of Sabah Friday March 8, 2024

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur: March 10: Malaysia's Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) rejected
the new claim of sovereignty over the Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah by United Tausug Citizens (UTC) including demands for payment of US$15 billion in Cession Money, with threats of legal action against Malaysia in the United States, reports the Star.
Malaysia's Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Minister, Azalina Othman Said, said ''the United Tausug Citizens (UTC) that claims to be the rightful custodians of the Sultanate of Sulu in Sabah, threatens to commence legal action for the immediate payment of US$15 billion in Cession Money against Malaysia in the United States.''
“This represents the latest frivolous and baseless attempt by a group to claim sovereignty over Malaysian territory and to extort unfounded payments from Malaysia,'' she said.
She said that Malaysia has never recognised the legitimacy of claims over the sovereignty, territory and natural resources of Sabah, saying ''the Sulu Sultanate in Sabah has been defunct for several decades and is not recognised by any sovereign state or international organisation.''
She said that the recent conviction of Dr Gonzalo Stampa by a Madrid Criminal Court to six months imprisonment and one-year disqualification from practising as an arbitrator confirms the criminal abuse of the arbitral processes and gross injustices suffered by Malaysia as a result of the so-called Sulu case.
She said the international commercial arbitration system is an important mechanism within global dispute resolution, saying
''it must be protected from such illegitimate attempts to extort sovereign States under the guise of arbitration claims.''
''The Malaysian government is actively looking at all possible legal remedies against any frivolous claims to defend its sovereignty, security and interests at all times.'' she said.
In 2013 the self proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram 111, 75, of Sulu ordered his family and supporters to keep the historical territorial claim to Sabah alive before he died on October 29, 2013, saying ''Sabah had belonged to the Kiram sultanate for centuries and was leased to Malaysia.''
Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said then that Sabah had gained its independence through Malaysia with the agreement of the United Nations in 1963.
"No one can stake a claim on Sabah," he said.
The Souheast Asian Times



Trial of property developer accused of embezzling US$12.5 billion begins in HCMCity

Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developer, Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdigs Group, arrives at the Ho Chi Minh City court, Vietnam on Tuesday March 5, 2024

From News Reports:
HCMCity, March 10: The trial of Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developers,, Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, and 86 accomplices, who are charged with alleged embezzlement of US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), bribery and violation of banking regulations, began in HCMCity on Tuesday, reports Reuters.
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (C03) under the Public Security Ministry, claims that Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developers, Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, used the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) to raise fraudulent loans for property development in shell or ghost companies.
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3 under the Public Security Ministry, claims that shell or ghost companies were established to embezzle funds from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) for property development by Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group.
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3 found that "although Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group did not hold any position at the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) she had held a controlling stake in the bank of 85 percent to 91.5 percent since 2012.''
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3 claimed that Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developer, Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, appointed relatives to positions on the Board of Directors Executive Board of the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) , saying "all transactions of the bank served Truong My Lan's purpose."
National Bank of Vietnam, New York, former represenatative Bui Kien Thanh, claimed after the arrest of Truong My Lan, chairwoman of the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) Holdings Group, on October 7, 2023, that ''the amount embezzled from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) was about 6 percent of Vietnam's GDP.''
"Apart from the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) scandal, real estate is another bubble that can burst at any time in Vietnam."
He said that a large group of companies often borrow seven or eight times more than the value of their assets," saying "No country's banking system operates in that way.''
The HCMCity Investigation Police Department for Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes (CO3 under the Public Security Ministry, claimed that Truong My Lan, chairwoman of the Van Thinh Phat (VTP) group, appointed relatives to positions on the Board of Directors Executive Board of the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) , saying "all transactions of the bank served Truong My Lan's purpose."
The Southeast Asian Times

Philippines supports Australia's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne from 4 to 6 March 2024 that ended with a Joint Statement, ''The Melbourne Declaration – a partnership for the future''

From News Reports:
Manila, March 9: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he supports Australia as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 on Wednesday, saying ''Well, I cannot see why that would not be a good idea,'' reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''Australia has already been a very active part of ASEAN,” said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
''And for all intents and purposes, really, in all but name, Australia is already a member of ASEAN. Yes, I think they would be very welcome to join ASEAN,” he said.
In September 2023 Indonesia President Joko Widodo called on Australia to join ASEAN ''in maintaining peace and stability in the
the Indo-Pacific region and to make it an Epicentrum of Growth,'' at the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit held in Jakarta 5-7 September 2023 that included the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum: Implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) .
''ASEAN truly appreciates Australia's support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese active participation in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum,'' he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit that included the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum: Implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) that ''ASEAN's centrality is crucial for Australia.''
saying 'ASEAN is the fate of Australia's economy.''
In March 2018 Indonesia President Joko Widodo said at the first ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Australia in March 2018 that he supports Australia to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The support for Australia to the join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is confirmed in the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: 2018, ''The Sydney Declaration'' that began, ''We, the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia, met in Sydney, Australia, on 18 March 2018 for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, the first time we have met together in Australia.
We acknowledge that the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit marks a new era in the increasingly close ASEAN-Australia relationship, elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2014. This Summit reaffirms that we are partners with a vital stake in a dynamic region undergoing major changes. We commit to intensify our shared work to shape a secure and prosperous region for our people.''
The Southeast Asian Times

ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 ends with ''The Melbourne Declaration – a partnership for the future'' joint statement

ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, including, left, His Excellency Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

From News Reports:
Melbourne, March 8: The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024, attended by nine ASEAN member states including pending ASEAN member state, Timor Leste, but excluding Myanmar, to Commemorate the 50th Anniversay of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, ended in Melbourne on Wednesday with a Joint statement ''The Melbourne Declaration – a partnership for the future'' and an ''ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement – partners for peace and prosperity,'' with Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying, ''The Special Summit marks a profound milestone in the partnership between ASEAN and Australia.''
''The Melbourne Declaration – a partnership for the future'' committs to advancing the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021 as outlined in ''The Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership 2020-2024 '' and the ''The Invested: Australia Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.''
''The Invested: Australia Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040'' was released by Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2023 at the Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta, saying the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 is an ambitious plan that takes us beyond catching up, "the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 positions us for what's ahead."
"Australia's economic future lies with Southeast Asia, "he said.
The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 also issued a ''Vision Statement'' saying that ''ASEAN and Australia will build on our strong history of cooperation and partnership over the last 50 years.
''To ensure continued sustainable growth and prosperity, we will work together to promote an open, inclusive and transparent rules-based regional architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, in which ASEAN is central, and where the objectives and principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN), ASEAN Charter, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) are respected and upheld.''
On November 11, 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) committing 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

Protesters call for Australia's support of Myanmar's civilian government at ASEAN Australia Summit 2024

Protesters call on Australia for support of Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) at ASEAN Australia summit in Melbourne on Monday March 4, 2024
From News Reports:
Melbourne, March 7: Members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste, called on Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, for support of the Myanmar civilian National Unity Government (NUG) at a demonstration held at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne in Australia's state of Victoria on Monday, reports Agence France Presse.
Members of the ASEAN member countries called on the Australian government to take action against the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government in February 2021.
"Australia's Prime Minister has an opportunity to use the ASEAN-Australia summit to pressure ASEAN leaders to restore democracy and release political prisoners in ASEAN member countries," said the ASEAN members.
In November 2022 the International Parliamentary Inquiry (IPI) report into the international community response to the crisis in Myanmar that was released by the Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) in Bangkok was
critical of the international communty response to the crisis in Myanmar that followed the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government in February, 2021.
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), chairman, Charles Santiago, said ASEAN s five-point consensus (5PC) agreement reached with the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta in April 2021 has been "an utter failure."
He said that the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has shown absolute contempt for the ASEAN s five-point consensus agreement, saying "the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been unable to adopt a stance to put pressure on the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar."
'' Meanwhile, most of the international community has hidden behind ASEAN in order to avoid doing anything meaningfull, he said.
He said that countries and international institutions that claim to support democracy in Myanmar have reacted with a timidity that puts in serious doubt their alleged commitment to Myanmar, saying "it is past time that ASEAN ditches the five-point consensus (5PC) and urgently rethinks its approach to the crisis in Myanmar."
The International Parliamentary Inquiry (IPI) 52 page report called on ASEAN and dialogue partners including Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States to officially meet with the National Unity Government (NUG) that was formed following the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government .

The Southeast Asian Times

Australia warns of conflict as tentions rise in the South China Sea

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks at the Maritime Cooperation Forum at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne on Monday Mar 4, 2024
From News Reports:
Canberra, March 6: Australia's Foreign Minister warned at the Maritime Cooperation Forum at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne on Monday that the region needs new diplomatic and legal mechanisms to reduce the risk of conflict as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait,'' reports the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, said the region needed ''a new preventive architecture to help reduce the risk of conflict through miscalculation or misunderstanding,'' saying "we see claims and actions that are inconsistent with international law.''
''Particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the legal order for the seas and oceans," said Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong.
''We face destabilising, provocative and coercive actions, including unsafe conduct at sea and in the air and the militarisation of disputed features," said Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that ''while military power was expanding, measures to constrain military conflict are not, and there are few concrete mechanisms for averting it".
''The region needs a new preventive architecture to help reduce the risk of conflict through miscalculation or misunderstanding,'' said Australia's Foreign Minister.
Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong said that Australia would invest new funding in the security and prosperity of the region, '' saying ''free and open sea lanes in the South China Sea was critical for the region’s trade.''
In 1997 China's claim of soverignty over the South China Sea was contested by ASEAN member states, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines with the Philippines first proposing a Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea in 1997 but it was not adopted by ASEAN and China.
Instead five years later in 2002 the Philippines steered the adoption of a nonbinding Declaration of Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, calling on the claimnants including China to exercise self-restraint.
Negotiations on the maritime draft Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea continued after the Arbitration Court in the Hague ruling in July 2016 that ruled in favour of the Philippines against China's claim of historic rights over the South China Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling, saying that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this matter."
China reportedly claims that the Arbitration Court in the Hague tribunal made an illegal and invalid final verdict on the South China Sea dispute.
China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said ahead of the ruling in 2016 that 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.
The Southeast Asian Times
 

Australia supports ASEAN centrality at ASEAN- Australia Summit 2024 in Melbourne

Members of the Cambodian disaspora in Australia welcome Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet to Melbourne ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 on Sunday March 3, 2024

From News Reports:
Melbourne, March 5: The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024, attended by nine of 10 ASEAN member states with Myanmar not in attendance but pending ASEAN member, Timor Leste included, began in Melbourne on Monday following the release of the ''The Invested: Australia Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040'' and the inaugural ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2018 held in Sydney in 20S18 with the issue of the ''Sydney Declaration" reports reuters.
In September 2023 Australia Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, released ''The Invested: Australia Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040'' at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta saying the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 is an ambitious plan that takes us beyond catching up, "the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 positions us for what's ahead."
"Australia's economic future lies with Southeast Asia, "he said.
''The Invested: Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040,'' released at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum at the 43rd ASEAN Summit hosted by Indonesia ASEAN chair 2023 in Jakarta in September 2 - 7, 2023 made 75 recommendations including streamlining foreign investment and visa processes, increasing flights between Australia and the region, and new political risk insurance to underwrite businesses expanding into Southeast Asian countries.
The "Sydney Declaration" was issued by all 10 ASEAN member heads of state saying, "We, the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia, met in Sydney, Australia, on 18 March 2018 for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, the first time we have met together in Australia...''
The ''Sydney Declaration" was issued in a joint statement with signatures of all 10 ASEAN member states including Cambodia despite threats ahead of the summitt by the then Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, to block the release of a joint statement at the conclusion of the Sydney Summit.
Then Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, said ahead of the summit that he expected the Australian government to put pressure on Cambodia over Cambodia's dissolution of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the closure of media outlets.
“Why would we go to Australia to be criticised?” he said.
He said that Australia should thank Cambodia for supporting its relationship with ASEAN not criticising Cambodia, saying that “a joint Asean-Australia statement would not be issued if there was any order or activity that opposed the independence and sovereignty of Cambodia or interfered with its internal affairs.”
The Southeast Asian Times


Cambodia's ruling party warned not to intimidate Australian critics at ASEAN-Australia special summit

Hundreds from ASEAN member countries Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos protest at Parliament House in Melbourne against intimidation of Australian critics on Saturday March 2, 2024

From News Reports:
Canberra March 4: Australia's Labor Member of Parliament Julian Hill warned the Cambodia People's Party (CPP) not to intimidate its Australian critics ahead of the ASEAN-Australia special summit 2024 beginning in Melbourne in the state of Victoria today, saying "the Australian government will take strong targeted action against those involved," reports the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Cambodian ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPC) said that newly elected Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, who was endorced by his father, former Prime Minister Hun Sen as prime ministerial candidate for the ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPC), expected to meet hundreds of members of the Cambodian community in Melbourne, with critics in the diaspora saying ''those attending the meeting will be pressured to show up.''
Members of the Cambodian community in Australia reportedly say they have been monitored and intimidated by supporters of the ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPC) in Australia, saying ''their family members in Cambodia face reprisals for their advocacy overseas.''
Australia's Labor Member of Parliament,Julian Hill, said the Australian intelligence agencies and police are monitoring the Cambodian ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPP) supporters in Australia, saying ''people in the Cambodian community in Australia had the right to protest and voice their political views.''
"The Australian government will take strong targeted action against those involved," he said.
Australia's Labor Member of Parliament Julian Hill said the ASEAN-Australia special summit 2024 is a critical diplomatic event, saying '' it is right for the government to pursue closer ties with the region''.
He said that ''hopes that the newly elected Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, might chart a new course away from his repressive father had proven false,'' saying ''the same old regime still held power in Cambodia.''
"Cooperation between Australia and Cambodia in some areas should not be misunderstood as any kind of endorsement of the multitude of human rights abuses carried out under Cambodia People's Party (CPP) rule, both by Hun Sen and now his son Hun Manet," he said.
"When it comes to violations of human rights and freedoms, Australia and the Australian government will always speak up for our values,'' he said.
Southeast Asian leaders excluding Myanmar but including pending ASEAN member Timor Leste are attending the ASEAN-Australia special summit 2024 in Melbourne from 4-6 March to reportedly ''bolster ASEAN-Australia cooperation, Australia's vision for the region’s future and how Austrlia can work together with the ASEAN member countries to address shared challenges.''
A focus of the discussions between Australia and ASEAN member countries will be on Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, a blueprint for stepping up Australia’s economic links with the region, launched by Prime Minister Albanese in September last year.
In September 2023 Australia Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, released the Invested: Australia Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta saying " the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 is an ambitious plan that takes us beyond catching up, "the Southeast Asia Strategy to 2040 positions us for what's ahead."
"Australia's economic future lies with Southeast Asia, "he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


Philippines President calls on Australia to help protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at Parliament House in Canberrra Thursday February 29, 2024
From News Reports:
Canberra, Sunday 3: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Australia to help protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in a speech at the Australian Parliament on Thursday, saying ''the Philippines is on the frontline of a battle against powers undermining regional peace,'' reports the Philippine Inquirer.
''The safety of the vital shipping lane is crucial to the preservation of regional peace,'' said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a a two-day state visit to Australia.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed three Memorandums of Understanding's (MoU's) on maritime cooperation, cyber and critical technology and competition law.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on signing the Memorandums of Understanding's (MoU's) on maritime cooperation that ''security and continued prosperity of the region and countries like Australia relies upon the safety of the vital shipping lane in the South China Sea.''
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that ''the Philippines will not allow foreign powers to take even one square inch of territory, ''saying ''we will not yield.''
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said after the signing of the three Memorandums of Understanding's (MoU's) that ''Australia and the Philippines were working to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade.''
''The Philippines and Australia will work together to deepen understanding of the application of international law in cyberspace,'' he said.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia and the Philippines would work together to enhance international cooperation to combat the evolving challenges of cybercrime.
''The siging of the three Memorandums of Understanding's (MoU's) cements international commitments and positively influences negotiation of a United Nations cybercrime convention,'' he said.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines against China's claim of "historic rights" over the South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague decision followed the Philippine complaint in 2013 that called on the court to intervene in the Philippine dispute with China over the right to exploit natural resources inluding fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China 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.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand approves annulment of 2014 Martial Law administration of southern Thailand

Former Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Prayuth Chan-ocha was appointed Comander of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on the declaration of Martial Law under the 1914 Martial Law Act with control of all security operations including the Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) on Thursday May 22, 2014

From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 2: The House of Representatives approved a draft bill seeking to annul the administration of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in southern Thailand that was imposed on the declaration of Martial law in 2014, with United Thai Nation Member of Parliament for Surat Thani, Paramet Jina, saying "the administration of the deep South should be adjusted to suit the current situation," reports the Nation.
"Ideally by boosting the number of public representatives in the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC)," he said.
United Thai Nation Member of Parliament for Surat Thani, Paramet Jina, said that the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) should focus more on promoting the sustainable use of coastal resources, fishing areas and tourist attractions in border towns in Southern Thailand.
The draft bill seeks to annul National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) No 14/2016, that was imposed by former General Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was officially appointed commander of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) by the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej following the declaration of Martial law under the 1914 Martial Law Act at Bangkok military headquarters on May 22, 2014.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order under the administration of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) reinforced the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat provinces and four districts in Songkhla in southern Thailand.
Last week Bhumjaithai Member of Parliament for Narathiwat, Zakariya Sai, appoved the draft bill, saying "the hundreds of billions of baht given to Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) and Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) have rarely been used for actually developing the southern Thailand.
"The two agencies comprise committees that are not local and lack in-depth knowledge of the region," he said.
Pheu Thai Party (PTP) party-list Member of Parliament, Chaturon Chaisang, said that as chair of the Parliament’s ad-hoc committee on promoting peace in Southern Thailand, "the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) allows the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC)
to operate without a public advisory council."
"This lack of representation has prevented the public from voicing their opinions directly to the centre," he said.
He said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order granted Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), a military unit, jurisdiction over civilian agencies, resulting in power clashes and lack of cooperation to solve problems.
In March 2021 under the then ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) led by Prime Minister Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was also the Commander of the National Council for Peace (NCPO), the then opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) spokesman, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, said that the then coalition of opposition parties would seek to amend Section 279 of the 2017 Constitution that legitimises all orders and announcements of the Commander of the National Council for Peace (NCPO)
He said that the coalition of opposition parties would seek to amend Section 279 of the 2017 Constitution, that legitimises all orders and announcements of the commander of the National Council for Peace (NCPO) the current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and officials, giving them immunity in order to do away with the legacy of the 2014 coup.
The Southeast Asian Times


Former attorney general indicted for helping Red Bull "Boss" heir evade prosecution for hit-and-run

Red Bull heir Boss Vorayudh Yoovidhaya fled Thailand for Singapore in 2017 leaves a house in London on Wed 5 Apr 2017
From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 1: The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has indicted former attorney-general, Nate Naksuk, former police commissioner, Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, and six other individuals with malfeasance in office for allegedly helping Red Bull heir "Boss" Vorayuth Yoovidhya evade prosecution following a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2012, reports the Bangkok Post.
The six other individuals are Pol Maj-Gen Thawatchai Mekprasetsook, a former divisional commander, Pol Col Veeradol Thaptimdee, a former enquiry officer at Thonglor police station, public prosecutor Chainarong Sangthongaram,Deputy Professor Dr. Saiprasit Kerdniyom, Thanit Buakhiewand Chuchai Lertpongadisorn.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) spokesman Prayut Bejraguna said that the Office of the Attorney General has also retained four other suspects as prosecution witnesses.
They are Pol Col Vivat Sitthisoradej, Air Marshal Chakkrit Thanomkulavutr, Pol Lt-Col Pannaphon Namuang and Air Marshal Surachate Thongsaluay.
Suspects, Pol Lt-Col Songvuth Charoenvichayadej, Voraphol Soktiyanurak, Usa Chusin and Natnjcha Thongchuen were cleared of any of any wrongdoing.
Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya, then aged 27, was released on bail in Bangkok after he was charged on September 3, 2012, 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.
Red Bull heir, "Boss" Vorayudh Yoovidhaya fled Thailand for Singapore in 2017 after he repeatedly failed to report to police to answer the charges.
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.
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 in July 2020 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, abruply 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.
The acting attorney-general chief justice, Nate Naksuksaid that he was disappointed by the Public Prosecutors Commission (PCC) announcement in October 2021 that the commission would conduct a disciplinary inquiry into his decision to withdraw the charges , saying that the disciplinary inquiry is unfair."
The Southeast Asian Times


Myanmar military forcibly recruits Rohingya from Internally Displaced Persons camps

ree Rohingya Coalition co-founder, Nay San Lwin, says that Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar are forcibly recruiting Rohingya men to be used as human shields against the Arakan Army (AA) on the Myanmar-China border on Friday February 23, 2024
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, February 29: The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar are forcibly recruiting Rohingya men from villages and camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Rakhine State following the enforcement of the 'People's Military Service Law', that was enacted this month, with Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC) saying "each Rohingya recruit will receive a citizens identity card," reports Irrawaddy.
"Rohingya people are not recognized as citizens of Myanmar," said Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC) co-founder, Nay San Lwin,
Free Rohingya Coalition co-founder, Nay San Lwin, said the coalition was warned by residents in Rakhin State that Rohingya recruits would be used as human shields in the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar conflict against the Arakan Army (AA) on the Myanmar-China border.
"At least 400 Rohingya men have already been forcibly recruited from villages and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Sittwe and Buthidaung in Rakhine State to fight against the Arakan Army (AA)," saying "the training period is only two weeks.
He said the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar that enacted the compulsory conscription law on February 10 intends to draft 60,000 men annually, saying "the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar have forcibly recruited more than 100 Rohingya men since the enforcement of the 'People's Military Service Law'."
"The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar have told Rohingya men that each recruit will receive a citizens identity card, a sack of rice, and a monthly salary of 50,000 kyats (US$ 41)," he said.
He said that the People's Military Service Law' only applies to Myanmar citizens, saying "the Rohingya people are not recognized as citizens of Myanmar."
Rohingya, Ko Tun, who lives in a village near a Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Sittwe in Rakhine State said he is " anxious for himself and his family, " saying his age makes him eligible to serve in the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.
"Instead of getting killed at the frontline by taking up arms for the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, we would rather fight them and join the Arakan Army," he said.
The Arakan Army (AA), the military wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA) are fighting against the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) in Kachin and Shan states that are located on the Myanmar - China border against the attempt by China to secure transport routes for the expansion of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) included in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) that published a report in October 2023 titled “Bloodstained Gateways: escalating State Administrative Council (SAC) abuses in northern Burma pave the way for BRI expansion," said "China will find itself complicit in the mounting atrocities associated with the planned Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects."
The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) spokesperson, Ja Ing, said the reports shows that "most abuses are clustered along the main transport routes in northern Myanmar,"
saying "the transport routes are vital gateways for the development of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)."
The report shows that attacks and abuses by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar on civilians in Kachin and Shan States that border China have caused 14,000 new Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the last fifteen months.
"The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar are pushing plans to close camps that are housing more than 107,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)," said the KWAT spokesperson.
The Southeast Asian Times

Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People’s Party wins all but two seats in the Senate

Former Prime Minister Hun Sen cast his ballot in the Fifth Legislative Senate Election in Takhmao town, Kandal province on Sunday February 25, 2024
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, February 28: The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won more than 50 of the 58 seats of the 62-seat Senate in the Fifth Legislative Senate Election on Sunday with Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman, Sok Eysan, saying "obviously, Hun Sen has won a seat," reports Agence France Press.
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman, Sok Eysan said "the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) would nominate former Prime Minister Hun Sen as the president of the Senate" saying "allowing Hun Sen to act as head of state when the king is overseas."
National Election Committee (NEC) chairman, Prach Chan, said that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP had won a clear majority over three other political parties, the royalist Funcinpec Party, Khmer Will Party and the National Power Party, "with 99.86 percent of 11,747 registered voters casting their ballots in the senate elections on Sunday," he said.
"A sweeping victory for Hun Sen's party," he said.
Of the 62-seat Senate, 58 seats are voted by 125 Members of Parliament and more than 11,000 local administrators, with King Norodom Sihamoni appointing two senators and the National Assembly appointing two others.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he would not continue in his position as Prime Minister of Cambodia within a week of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) winning the 7th National Assembly elections on July 23, 2023 saying his son, Lieutenant General, Hun Manet, would succeed him.
Cambodia Prime Minister, Hun Sen, who endorsed his son Lieutenant General, Hun Manet, as the prime ministerial candidate for the ruling Cambodia People's Party (CPC) in April 2023 announced the succession of his son on July 26, 2023 after a meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni.
"I met the king, and declared I won't continue the position as prime minister," he said.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the Fifth Legislative Senate Election on Sunday was held in a free, fair, transparent, harmonious and non-violent environment."
"Democracy in Cambodia is mature, open to all to participate in the competition based on the ideals of the common interests of the nation and the people of Cambodia," he said.
In October 2022 ruling Cambodia's People's Party (CPP) then Prime Minister Hun Sen warned opposition political parties ahead of the 7th National Assembly elections on June 23, 2023, of associating with founder of the opposition Candlelight Party (CP), Sam Rainsy, the former president of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), saying he would dissolve political party's that associated with Sam Rainsy.
The Candlelight Party (CP), formerly known as the Sam Rainsy Party and the Khmer National Party, was founded in 1995 and merged with other opposition forces to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in 2012 but was dissolved in a Supreme court ruling in 2017.
Sam Rainsy, went into exile in Paris in 2015 fearing arrest after parliamentary immunity was removed and he faced multiple criminal defamation charges in his accusation of corruption against the Hun Sen Cambodia's People's Party (CPP).
In September 2013 the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) boycotted parliament in September 2013 following the July general elections which saw the fourth consecutive victory of the Cambodian People's Party gain 68 seats of the National Assembly and the opposition occupying the remaining 55 seats.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) claimed that up to 1.25 million Cambodians who were eligible to vote were not on the electoral role and accused the ruling party of poll fraud.
The Southeast Asian Times

Bangkok Criminal Court denies bail for anti-Lese Majeste activists charged with sedition

Anti-Lese Majeste law activist, Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, charged with sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code at the Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday February 14, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok, February 27: The Bangkok Criminal Court has denied bail submitted by the father of one of two anti-Lese Majeste law activists, who are on a hunger strike at the Department of Corrections Hospital in Bangkok, with the Court saying " the two activists did not meet the requirements for bail outlined in their warrants of arrest that includes sedition, reports the Bangkok Post.
The bail requests for Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, and Natthanon Chaimahabut, 23, were submitted by Sommai Tuatulanon, father of Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, who said at the hearing on Sunday that "their health had seriously deteriorated since they were taken into Royal Thai Police (RTP) custody on February 13.
Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, and Natthanon Chaimahabut, 23, face five charges including sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, violation of the Computer Crimes Act and the Traffic Act, and insulting Royal Thai Police (RTP) officers on duty on February 4.
Anti-Leste Majeste law activist, Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, who is also known as "Tawan Thaluwang" or "shattering the palace" after the name of an anti-monarchy group, claimed on Monday that she did not know that the motocade that she followed belonged to a Royal Family member.
"I did not realise that it was HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s motorcade," she said.
Anti-Leste Majeste law activist, Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22 claims that she encountered the motorcade as she drove towards the Victory Monument after attending a funeral, saying "we did not know there was a royal motorcade and we didn’t intend to cause trouble to it,"
"We didn’t disrupt the motorcade as reported," she said.
"Those who watch the video clip carefully will see that we didn’t disrupt the motorcade or cut across it, as reported by several TV stations," she said.
The vido clip reportedly shows Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, in the front passenger seat of a car as it honks continuously behind the motocade.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) escort blocked the car from overtaking the motorcade.
Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22 was seen in the video clip arguing face to face with a police officer.
Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, demanded to know the name of the royal in motocade, saying "the roads belonged to the people," after the Royal Thai Police (RTP) explained that it was a royal motocade.
Pro-royalist and former advisor to the House committee on legal affairs, Sonthiya Sawasdee, submitted a petition to the Bangkok Criminal Court
against granting bail to the two anti-Leste Majeste law activists, Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, and Natthanon Chaimahabut, 23, saying that despite being a father himself he wanted Sommai Tuatulanon, father of Tantawan Tuatulanon, 22, to respect the court's decision saying "the activists have to repect the nation's three pillars, nation, religion, and monarchy, for the rest of their lives."
The Southeast Asian Times
s

Australia reitorates Australia's none support of the Free Papua Movement

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, left, and Indonesia's President and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Friday February 23, 2024

From News Report:
Jakarta, February 26: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Richard Marles, reitorated that Australia does not support the
the Free Papua Movement (FPM) at a meeting with Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Friday ahead of the signing the Defence Cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Australia next month, reports Tempo.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said "We, Australia, fully recognise the territorial sovereignty of Indonesia, full stop,"at a press conference at Indonesia's Defense Ministry’s office in Central Jakarta on Friday.
"And there is no support for any independence movements," he said.
"We support the territorial sovereignty of Indonesia. And that includes those provinces being part of Indonesia. No ifs, no buts. And I want to be very clear about that," he said.
Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who declared victory in the presidential election on February 14, 2024 said at the press conference at the Defense Ministry’s office in Central Jakarta on Friday that Australia and Indonesia are close neighbours.
"We are destined to be close neighbours and we are determined to be good neighbours and we have very good relationships," he said
"Historically, there are ups and downs, but we consider Australia a good friend who's always in many critical instances have sided with Indonesia. And we are determined to maintain and enhance this relationship,'' he said.
In November 2007 the Indonesian House of Representatives ratified a security treaty with Australia – the Lombok Treaty - that formally acknowledges Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua.
Former Indonesia Golkar Party Vice President Theo L Sambuaga said then that “we all feel relief because Australia has formally acknowledged our territorial integration, including Papua."
“The treaty also requires Australia to prohibit its territory from being used by separatist movements against us. It means that we have less pressure from separatism,” he said.
The Southeast Asian Times


Thailands Khao Yai National Park calls for reclaimation of land for farming

Protected Area Committee (PAC) members protest at the Khao Yai National Park at the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) in Nakhon Ratchasima against granting of Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates for farming plots
From News Reports:
Bangkok, February 25: Thailand's Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is calling for the reclaimation of plots of land in the Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, a Unesco World Heritage site, granted by the Ratchasima Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) for farming, with Baan Hew Pla Kang, Protected Area Committee (PAC) member, saying, "none of those who recieved Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates for farming plots were local residents," reports the Bangkok Post.
The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) director-general, Attapol Charoenchansa, said that about 2,933 rai of land in tambon Moosi in the Pak Chong district, within the Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site, were wrongfully designated as agricultural land for farming, saying "Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates for 42 plots of land have been granted."
"Land titles found to have been wrongfully issued will be automatically voided," he said.
He said that the Ratchasima Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) allegedly granted "Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates to farmers residing on land under agriculture reform within the Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.
"The decision by the Ratchasima Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) to investigate the possibe involvement of its officials in the alleged granting of Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates for farming plots in the Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site, is welcome," he said.
"It will be up to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to carry out a further investigation," he said.
Baan Hew Pla Kang, Protected Area Committee (PAC) member, Kittisak Prompinij, and his son-in-law said that Nakhon Ratchasima's Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) announced twice last year that "a select number of people would be granted Sor Por Kor 4-01 land titles for farming plots in the Khao Yai National Park.
"The Nakhon Ratchasima's Agricultural Land Reform Office (Alro) officials didn't say where the plots were located, only that the plots were in a fertile area within the Khao Yai National Park," he said.
"None of those who received Sor Por Kor 4-01 land title certificates for farming plots in the the Khao Yai National Park were local residents," he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnamese workers suffer toxic gas poisoning at Taiwanese company in northern Vietnam

Quang Yen Town People's Committee representative visits one of 57 workers admitted to hospital from the Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. manufacturing company suffering from toxic gas poisoning on Wednesday February 21, 2024
From News Reports:
Hanoi, February 24: Vietnamese workers at a Taiwanese fitness and sports equipment manufacturing company in northern Vietnam were hospitalised on Wednesday suffering from toxic gas poisoning, with Vietnam's Quang Ninh provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in coordination with other agencies investigating the cause of the poisoning, reports Tuoi Tre.
57 Vietnamese workers at the Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. manufacturing company in the Dong Mai Industrial Park in Quang Yen Town in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam were admitted to hospital for emergency treatment for toxic gas poisoning on Wednesday.
Quang Yen Town People's Committee representative said the gas was believed to have been generated by a faulty air compressor at the Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. manufacturing company, saying "the suspected gas poisoning was first noticed at about 9.30am on Wednesday."
"Workers began complaining of fatigue, nausea and difficulty breathing," the Quang Yen Town People's Committee representative said.
The Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. manufacturing company transferred 33 Vietnamese workers to the Vietnam-Sweden Hospital in Uong Bi City and 24 to the health center in Quang Yen Town for emergency treatment.
The Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. that employs 500 Vietnamese suspended operations at the manufacturing company after workers complaining of fatigue, nausea and difficulty breathing on Wednesday.
The Quang Yen Town People's Committee representative said that a team of investigators were sent to the Taiwan Yuan Chi Group, Vega Balls (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. manufacturing company "to find the cause of the gas poisoning to prevent gas poisoning in the future."
The Southeast Asian Time

Thai reporters arrested for reporting anti-Lese Majeste Law graffiti on Grand Palace wall

Prachatai News reporter, Nattaphol Meksobhon, left, and photographer, Nattaphon Phanphongsanon, at the Bangkok Criminal Court on Tuesday February 13, 2024
From News Reports:
Bangkok, February 23: Two Thai reporters were charged with "collaborating in vandalising an historical site" on Monday for reporting the arrest of an anti-Lese Majeste Law activist who painted anti-Lese Majeste Law graffiti on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the grounds of the Grand Palace in March last year, reports Rueters.
Prachatai News reporter, Nattaphol Meksobhon, and freelance photographer, Nattaphon Phanphongsanon, were arrested on Monday, almost a year after anti-Lese Majeste Law activist, Suttawee Soikham, 24, painted 112 with a line drawn over the number on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the grounds of the Grand Palace on March 28, 2024.
The line drawn over number 112 on the wall of the Grand Palace had effectively repealed Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code of the Constitution that says "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
Reporter, Nattaphol Meksobhon, and photographer, Nattaphon Phanphongsanon said after they were charged on Monday with "collaborating in vandalising an historical site" that "we were only carrying our jobs as reporters."
Prachatai News editor-in-chief, Tewarit Maneechay, said that the reporters went to the temple of the Emerald Buddha without knowing in advance that it would have anti-Lese Majeste Law graffiti painted on the wall.
"They were covering the news," he said.
He said that the reporters were unaware of the charges before their arrest on Monday.
Reporter, Nattaphol Meksobhon, and photographer, Nattaphon Phanphongsanon were held in custody at separate police stations after their arrest on Monday.
The Bangkok Criminal Court released the two reporters on bail of 35,000 baht ($980) each on Tuesday
On March 28, 2023 anti-Lese Majeste Law activist, Suttawee Soikham, 25, from Khon Kaen Province northeast of Bangkok, was arrested at the Temple of the Emeral Buddha at the Grand Palace in Bangkok for painting anti-Lese Majeste Law graffiti.
Royal Thai Police (RTP), witnessed Suttawee Soikham, 24, paint number 112 on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the grounds the Grand Palace and the draw a line over the number 112 that effectively repealed Section 112 of Thai Criminal Code of the Constitution.
Suttawee Soikham, 24, was charged with violating the Cleanliness Act, that carries a penalty of up to one month in prison and or a fine of 10,000 baht, and also charged under Section 32 of the Ancient Monuments Act, that brings a prison term of up to seven years and or a fine up to 700,000 baht.
Suttawee Soikham, 24, was released from detention on bail of 50,000 baht.

The Southeast Asian Times







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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



What they're saying 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
Cambodia-China Journalist Association (CCJA) launched in Phnom Penh ...open 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
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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


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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
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