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GATHERINGS:
An informed guidexto happenings throughout the region.
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China
calls emergency COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From
News Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An emergency meeting of foreign
ministers from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is to
be held in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday and Friday to discuss
the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN member
states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly intended
to share information and to improve coordination between
China and the 10 ASEAN member states in order to combat
the COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with focus on strengthening
joint prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of establishing
a long term and effective collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying " China and
Asean countries have been in close communication since
the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the foreign
ministers to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will demonstrate Cambodia’s
support of China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus outbreak.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Vietnam opens consulate in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau Special Administrative
Region of China on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said at
the launching ceremony that the office aims to better
ensure the rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship Association in Macau.
More than 20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and services companies.
The
Southeast Asian Times
US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News
Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in a "landmark"
visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the
President of the United States "would skirt protocol"
because the General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official as saying.
Rueters also quotes the senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
Nguyen Phu Trong as the visit of "the top
leader of the country".
"It's a pretty big event," Rueters quotes the
state department official as saying.
The
Southeast Asian Times
France
agrees to return Aboriginal remains home to Australia
From
News Reports:
Canberra, November 25: French president Francois Hollande
and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to Australia
during the first official visit by a French head of state
to Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the Aboriginal remains
held in France.
The head of state and prime minister said in a joint statement
that the identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider the requests
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human remains to
their community of origin." the statement said.
Australia believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets of
Aboriginal skeletal remains to Australia including the
severed head of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years. Yagan was shot
dead for his resistance to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The
Southeast Asian Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home Minister
Tjahjo Kumolo, that national identity cards (KTP) do not
include the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of the card
holder on national identity cards (KTP)
contradicted the country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state ideology
and our national identity, then why should we be ashamed
of including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from official
government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian citizens on national
identity cards (KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up to the people", he said.
The
Souheast Asian Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students, Patiwat
Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip Mankong, 26, were charged
in the Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in October 2013,
reports the Bangkok Post.
The students were charged with insulting the Royal Thai
family in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th anniversaries
of the October 6, 1976 and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's script,
a work of fiction that depicts a fictional monarch, that
allegedly insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on 13 August,
have been refused bail are scheduled to appear in court
to enter pleas on December 29.
The
Southeast Asian Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers, Presidents
and State representatives including US Secretary of State,
John Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on Monday.
The speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Zulkifli Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend the swearing
in of the former governor of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi”
Widodo as president of Indonesia.
"The Prime Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's" including
former Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties have also
be invited,” said the speaker.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Banned ISIS flag found flying in Aceh
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(ISIS) flag found flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was reportedly the
first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said that the flag
of the nationally banned movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh regency in Aceh.
He said that a bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and
banned the teaching of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of Indonesias Independence.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Singapore passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary
Haze Pollution Act by the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for causing severe
air pollution in Singapore.
The Act that was first proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze pollution in
Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan
said that under the Act, Singapore will have the legal
right under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources in accordance
with their policies they also have a responsibility to
ensure that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze Pollution
Act gives Singapore the legal power to serve notices on
those that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest fires.
A bill passed in the Indonesian House of Representatives
in July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and illegal
clearing of forests for palm oil plantations.
The new bill, designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force including police to
monitor the prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From
News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary
of the Biak Massacre in West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will
be held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in memory
of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre for Peace and
Conflict Studies (CPACS) at the University of Sydney last
year on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into the sea
by Indonesian security forces.
The tribunal heard eye witness testimony that the West
Papuan demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian security
forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan protesters were
surrounded and shot by Indonesian security forces and
that survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July 1998.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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| Fact-finding
team to investigate 125 deaths
at FIFA soccer game
stampede in
Indonesia |
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Residents
mourn the victims of the stampede
at the Kanjuruhan stadium
in Malang, East Java that
killed 125 spectators on Saturday
October 1, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, October 6, 2022 A fact-finding
team is to be formed to investigate the
125 deaths in a stampede at the Kanjuruhan
stadium in Malang, East Java on Saturday,
with the Coordinating Political, Legal and
Security Affairs ministry calling on police
"to identify and punish those responsible
for the stampede" and the National
Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
saying "If there hadn't been any tear
gas there wouldn't have been chaos,"
reports Reuters.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security
Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said the Indonesia
government would form a fact finding team
of academics, soccer experts and officials
to investigate the stampede at the Kanjuruhan
Stadium that killed 125 including 32 children.
"The fact-finding team has been asked
in the next coming days to reveal the culprits
that were involved in the crime," he
said.
He said that on Sunday the crowd at the
Kanjuruhan Stadium was beyond capacity,
saying "42,000 tickets were sold for
a match in an arena designed to hold 38,000."
"Victims' families would receive 50
million rupiah ($3,300) in compensation
and treatment for hundreds of injured spectators
would be free," he said.
Two boys, Ahmad Cahyo, 15, and Muhammad
Farel, 14, were among those who died in
the stampede, with their sister Endah Wahyuni,
saying
"my family and I didn't think it would
turn out like this."
"They loved soccer, but had never watched
the Arema Footnall Club play live at Kanjuruhan
stadium before, " she said.
National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas
HAM) commissioner, Choirul Anam, said at
the Kanjuruhan Stadium that "If there
hadn't been any tear gas maybe there wouldn't
have been chaos," after police fired
tear gas at Arena Football Club supporters
who had run onto the field.
Police fired tear gas to disperse Arema
Football Club supporters who had run onto
the field after a 3-2 home defeat to Persebaya
Surabaya despite
Federation Internationale de Football Association
(FIFA) regulations that firearms or crowd
control gas should not be used at football
matches.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo
has called on the Federation Internationale
de Football Association (FIFA) to suspend
all football matches planned for the season
in Indonesia until the investigation by
the fact-finding team is complete.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Manila
Radio broadcaster shot dead
in motorbike drive-by ambush
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Radio
broadcaster Percy Lapid, 59,
talked about the dangers of
red-tagging in his last radio
broadcast on Friday September
30, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Manila, October 6: Radio broadcaster, Percy
Lapid, 59, was shot dead by a drive-by gunman
in an ambush in metro Manila on Monday with
the National Union of Journalists of the
Philippines (NUJP) calling on the public
to condem the killing of the veteren journalist,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
"The killing shows that journalism
remains a dangerous profession in the country,"
spokesperson for the National Union of Journalists
of the Philippines said.
The spokesperson said that the killing that
took place in Metro Manila indicates how
brazen the perpetrators were, saying "the
killing indicates how authorities have failed
to protect journaists as well as ordinary
citizens from harm."
"The killing shows that journalism
remains a dangerous profession in the country,"
said the spokesperson.
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
(NUJP) spokesman said that "Radio broadcaster
Percy Lapid was a staunch critic of the
Rodrigo Duterte administration and officials
of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.government."
The spokesperson said that Radio broadcaster
Percy Lapid had spoken up on the dangers
of red-tagging, saying that he had spoken-up
about the threats made against Judge Marlo
Magdoza-Malagar after she threw out the
Department of Justice’s proscription
case against the Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s
Army (NPA).
"Radio broadcaster Percy Lapid, also
criticised the historical distortion of
Martial Law and warned about the dangers
of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
(POGOs)," said the spokeperson.
Radio broadcaster Percy Lapid hosted the
commentary program, Lapid Fire, that aired
on DWBL 1242 radio where he delivered criticisms
of alleged government abuses and irregularities.
Radio broadcaster Percy Lapid, talked about
the dangers of red-tagging in his last radio
broadcast on Friday September 30, 2022.
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines(NUJP)
spokesperson said that Radio broadcaster
Percy Lapid is the second journalist to
die under the Marcos administration, after
the stabbing of radio broadcaster Rey Blanco
in Mabinay, Negros Oriental on Sunday September
18, 2022 saying "we call on the public
to join us in condemning yet another murder
of a journalist."
"We call on the Philippine National
Police to hold the perpetrators accountable,"
said the spokesperson.
In December 2021 reporter, Jesus Malabanan,
who contributed to Reuters in the investigation
into President Rodrigo Duterte's "war
on drugs campaign" became the 22nd
reporter to have been killed since President
Rodrigo Duterte took office in July 2016.
Philippine National Police (PNP) said in
a statement that Jesus Malabanan was shot
in the head in Calbayog on the central island
of Samar on Wednesday December 9, 2021 by
two unidentified drive-by assailants, saying
then "the assailants have not been
arrested."
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
an American independent non-profit, non-governmental
organization, based in New York City, New
York, said there have been 87 media practitioners
killed in the line of duty in the Philippines
since 1992, when it first started collecting
data worldwide.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Indonesia
calls on NAM member countries
including ASEAN to end Israel
occupation of Palestine
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Indonesia
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Retno Marsudi, at the 77th
Session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in
New York Monday September
26, 2022
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 4: Indonesia Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, called on
the 120 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM ) member
countries that includes ten ASEAN member
countries of which Indonesia is a member
"to work together and end the Israel
occupation of Palestine once and for all,"
at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM ) Committee
for Palestine meeting held on the sideline
of the 77th Session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last
week, reports Antara.
"The Non-Aligned Movement should consolidate
its position on Palestine," she said.
Indonesia Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Retno Marsudi, said that "one of the
reasons why the Palestinian issue remains
on the agenda of the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) and is still unresolved is because
there is a gap between commitments and what
NAM had actually implemented."
"We do not do walk the talk, we only
talk, but do not do anything," she
said.
Indonesia Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Retno Marsudi, said that Indonesia is proud
to be able to stand at the forefront of
fighting for Palestinian independence, saying
"Indonesia supports the two-state solution."
She called on the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
to play a bigger role in encouraging the
start of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process,
saying "the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
has 120 member states that constitute 60
percent of the votes in the
United Nations."
She said that 60 percent of the votes in
the UN will obviously make a difference
, saying "there are five Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) that are non-permanent members
of the United Nations Security Council."
She said that 139 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
countries have recogised Palestine as a
state, saying "the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) must continue to fight for Palestinian
independence until it is achieved."
Indonesia Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Retno Marsudi, called on Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM) countries to voice three new
paradigms, saying "strategic trust
needs to be put forward, sovereignty and
territorial integrity must be upheld, and
peaceful resolution of conflicts must be
prioritized."
In December 2017 about 10,000 Indonesians
protested outside the United States embassy
in Jakarta against the United States recognition
of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel that
was announced by United States president
Donald Trump, with protests that were organised
by the Islamist Prosperous Justice Party
(PKS) held in capital cities throughout
Indonesia.
The Islamist Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)
president Sohibul Iman said that the United
States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel is "a form of humiliation
and provocation against Muslims all over
the world."
"Indonesia as the world's largest Muslim
country has the largest responsibility toward
the independence of Palestine and the management
of Jerusalem," he said.
He urged the Organisation of Islamic Conference
(OIC) member states and UN Security Council
and the international
community "to respond immediately with
more decisive and concrete political and
diplomatic actions in saving the Palestinians
from the Israeli occupation and its collaborator,
the United States of America."
Indonesia's president Joko Widodo condemned
the United States recognition of Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel, saying that "the
United States decision has violated United
Nations resolutions and could shake global
security and stability."
"Indonesia is a strong supporter of
the two-state solution and an independent
Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as
its capital living side by side with Israel,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Thailand
Constitutional Court rules
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha tenure
expires in 2025 not 2022
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Protesters
against the Constitutional
Court ruling in Bangkok Friday
September 30, 2022 that PM
Prayut Chan-o-cha tenure expires
in 2025
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, October 4: Thailands Constitutional
Court ruled on Friday that Prime Minister
Prayut Chan-o-cha's eight year tenure ends
in 2025, ruling that under the constitution
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha began his
term in 2017, over ruling a petition signed
by 171 Members of Parliament from six opposition
coalition parties claiming that Prime Minister
Prayut Chan-o-cha term expired in August
2022, reports the Bangkok Post.
"The tenure of the prime minister
from April 6, 2017, to Aug 24, 2022, has
not reached its limit and the court rules
by a majority vote that his premiership
has not ended in accordance with the 2017
constitution," said the Constitutional
Court ruling.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's tenure has
not reached its eight-year limit inaccordance
with Section 158 of the Constitution that
maintains that the maximum term of a prime
minister is eight years,
saying "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha
tenure expires in 2025."
In August 2022 coalition parties led by
the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) president Cholnan
Srikaew, submitted a petition to the Constitutional
Court seeking a ruling on the end of the
tenure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Pheu Thai Party (PTP) president Cholnan
Srikaew, claimed that Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha maximum eight-year tenure ends
on August 24, 2022.
"Prime Ministers Prayut Chan-o-cha
term began the day he was installed as
the head of the now-defunct National Council
for Peace and Order (NCPO) after the 2014
coup," he said.
The Constitutional Court suspended General
Prayut Chan-o-cha as Prime Minister after
receiving the petition on August 17, 2022
that was signed by 171 Members of Parliament
from six opposition coalition parties,
saying "General Prayut Chan-o-cha
remains caretaker prime minister pending
the Constitutional Court ruling on his
tenure."
The Constitutional Court voted 5-4 for
former Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwon,
to be caretaker Prime Minister, suspending
former Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha
from his position as Prime Minister but
allowing the former Prime Minister to
maintain his position as Defence Minister.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha was officially appointed
commander of the National Council for
Peace and Order by Thai King Bhumibol
Adulyadej following the declaration of
Martial law under the 1914 Martial Law
Act at Bangkok military headquarters in
May, 2014.
The Bangkok Post reported in May 2014
that the Royal Thai Army declared martial
law on the grounds that ongoing protests
between political rivals were a threat
to Thailands security and to the safety
of life and property.
Martial law was declared after a meeting
that failed to find a solution to the
political deadlock that was mediated by
Military commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha
and attended by representatives of the
red-shirt movement, the government, The
Pheu Thai party, the Democratic party,
the Peoples Democratic Reform Committe,
the senate and the Election Commission.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Ministers
expelled from Communist Party
of Vietnam for bribery in
Covid-19 repatriation flights
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Vietnam's
Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs, To Anh Dung, 58,
was arressted on Thursday
April 15, 2022 for allegedly
recieving bribes in repatriation
flights for Vietnamese citizens
in the Covid-19 pandemic
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From News Reports:
Hanoi, October 3: The Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs and the Assistant to the
Standing Deputy Prime Minister have been
expelled from the Communist party of Vietnam
(CPV) by the Party Central Committee’s
Inspection Commission, Secretariat for recieving
bribes in repatriation flights for citizens
returning to Vietnam in the Covid-19 pandemic,
reports the Vietnam News Service.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, To Anh
Dung, and Assistant to the Standing Deputy
Prime Minister, Nguyen Quang Linh, who were
arrested in April, 2022 under Article 354
of the criminal code for bribery, were expelled
from the Communist party of Vietnam (CPV)
after the Party Central Committee’s
Inspection Commission, Secretariat ruled
that the ministers had violated the Communist
party of Vietnam's regulations.
The Party Central Committee’s Inspection
Commission, Secretariat ruled that "Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, To Anh Dung,
lacked a sence of responsiblilty while leading,
directing and organising repatriation flights
for Vietnem citizens in the Covid-19 pandemic."
"Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
To Anh Dung received bribes," said
the Secretariat.
The Party Central Committee’s Inspection
Commission, Secretariat ruled that "Assistant
to the Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Nguyen
Quang Linh, abused his position, violated
working principles and regulations, and
violated Communist party of Vietnam regulations
and State laws."
"Assistant to the Standing Deputy Prime
Minister, Nguyen Quang Linh, abused and
violated Communist party of Vietnam regulations
and State laws while he proposed and sought
permission for businesses to organise repatriation
flights during the Covid-19 pandemic,"
said the Secretariat.
The Secretariat ruled that Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs, To Anh Dung, and Assistant
to the Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Nguyen
Quang Linh, had violated the Communist party
of Vietnam (CPV) and State law regulations
on corruption, saying "the ministers
had caused very serious consequences, stirring
public concern, and negatively affecting
the Communist party of Vietnam's reputation."
In January 2022 Director of the Ministry
of Public Security (MPS) Lieut. Gen. To
An Xo, ordered the Investigation Security
Agency to investigate bribery allegations
in the organisation of almost 800 repatriation
flights for more than 200,000 Vietnamese
citizens from over 60 countries and territories
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The Investigation Security Agency
has launched criminal proceedings into "giving
and taking bribes" in repatriation
flights ," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
UN
Human Rights shocked by reports
of mutilation and murder of
civilians in Papua by military
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Acting
United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) Commissioner,
Nada Al-Nashif, said at the
51st session of the United
Nations Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) that ends October
7, 2022 that she was shocked
by the report of the murder
and mutilation of civilians
in Nduga in Timika, Mimika
regency, Papua
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From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 2: Acting United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif, said at the
51st session of the United Nations Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) that she was "shocked
by the report of the murder and mutilation
of civilians by the military in Nduga in
Timika, Mimika regency, Papua," reports
Indoleft.
"I am shocked by recent reports of
the dismembered bodies of four indigenous
Papuan civilians found outside Timika in
West Papua Province," she said.
The mutilated bodies of Arnold Lokbere,
29, Irian Nirigi, 38, Lemaniol Nirigi, 29,
and Atis Tini, 23, were found by their families
four days after they were murdered on 22
August floating on the Pigapu River in Timika.
Commissioner, Nada Al-Nashif, said at the
51st session of the United Nations Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) that ends October
7 that the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) has reports of intensified
violence in Nduga in Timika, Mimika regency.
"The United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) has received reports
of clashes between the Indonesian security
forces and armed groups resulting in unknown
numbers of civilian casualties and fatalities
and internal displacement", she said.
Commissioner, Nada Al-Nashif, said that
the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) notes the Indonesian government's
initial efforts to investigate the murder
and mutilation of civilians in Nduga in
Timika, Mimika regency, Papua, saying "at
least six military personnel have been arrested."
Six Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) personnel
from the Kostrad Army Strategic Reserves
Command Division 3 Raider 20 Ima Jaya Keramo
Infantry Brigade with the initials Major
Hf, Captain Dk, Master Private Pr, Private
First-Classes Pc, R, and Ras, have been
charged with the murder and mutilation of
civilians in Nduga in Timika, Mimika regency.
Four civilians with the initials RMH, DU,
R and APL alias Jeck are also alleged to
have been involved in the murders of the
civilians.
In March 2019 Indonesian Defense Forces
(TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) deployed
600 military personnel to secure the construction
of the Trans-Papua road project following
resumption of construction of the Yigi River
bridge in Nduga in Timika, Mimika regency
in Papua that was suspended following the
attack on construction workers by armed
gunmen on December 2, 2018.
Chief of the Hasanuddin Regional Military
Command XIV Major General Surawahadi on
the 450 military from the Battalion Infantry
Raider 431 of the Strategic Reserve Command
(Kostrad) and 150 military from the Combat
Engineers Battalion at a ceremony held at
the Soekarno-Hatta container terminal in
Makassar "to perform their duties optimally
while safeguarding the construction of the
bridge on the Trans Papua road."
Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and Indonesian
Police (Polri) established a joint security
team to guard the construction of bridges
and roads that are part of the 4,600-kilometer
Trans Papua road project following the attack
on the Yigi River bridge
Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander
Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto suspended construction
of Yigi bridge following the attack that
left up to 31 Indonesian construction workers
dead, reportedly describing the armed gunmen
as "armed criminal group members"
The West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) claimed
responsibility for the attack on construction
workers employed by Indonesia's state-owned
company, PT Istaka Kar December 2 last year,
saying they were not armed criminals as
claimed by Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI)
Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, "but
true fighters for the freedom of the Republic
of West Papua".
The West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) spokesman
Sebby Sanbom said that "through this
attack on the construction of the trans
Papua highway we are telling the colonialist
country of Indonesia that we are not armed
criminals but true fighters for the freedom
of the Republic of West Papua,” saying
that the workers shot dead were not civilians
but Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) engineers.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australian
advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi
sentenced to jail for violation
of Secrets Act in Myanmar
military court
|
|
 |
|
Australian
economist, Professsor, Sean
Turnell, who served as adviser
to former Mynamar State Councillor,
Aung San Suu Kyi, at the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
military courtroom at the
Naypyitaw prison compound
in August, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Naypyitaw, October 1: Australian economist,
Professsor, Sean Turnell, who served as
adviser to former Mynamar State Councillor,
Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to three
years in prison at the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar military court for violation
of the Burma Official Secrets Act 1923,
with Asia director at Human Rights Watch
calling for his immediate release, reports
Reuters.
Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Elaine
Pearson, called for the immediate release
of Professsor, Sean Turnell, saying "the
politically motivated conviction of Australian
Sean Turnell is a cruel injustice."
"He was convicted after a trial in
a closed court without proper access to
legal counsel," she said.
"It's critical that the Australian
government take all necessary steps to pressure
Myanmar's junta to immediately release Turnell
and send him home."
Professor Sean Turnell, pleaded not guilty
to violation of the Burma Official Secrets
Act 1923 at the Myanmar military court that
was relocated from Naypyitaw city to the
Naypyitaw prison compound in June, 2022.
Australian economist, Professor Sean Turnell,
who was sentenced to three years in prison
for violation of the Burma Official Secrets
Act 1923, also faces prosecution under the
Burma Immigration (Emergency Provisions)
Act, 1947,
In June 2022 ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar,
Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
Prak Sokhonn, called on the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, State Administration
Council (SAC) appointed foreign minister,
Wunna Maung Lwin, to release Aung San Suu
Kyi from solitary confinment at the Naypyitaw
prison.
He called on Myanmar's State Administration
Council (SAC) appointed foreign minister,
Wunna Maung Lwin, "to exercise compassion
and return former State Councillor Aung
San Suu Kyi to house arrest on humanitarian
grounds in light of her fragile health and
overall well-being."
The trial of former State Councillor Aung
San Suu Kyi for incitement under Section
505(b), that criminalizes speech deemed
by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
to incite public unrest, was conducted at
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar courtroom
in Naypyidaw after the takeover of the elected
National League for Democracy (NLD) in February
2021 but was continued at a purpose built
military court at the Naypyitaw prison from
June, 2022.
In September 2022 Former National League
for Democracy (NLD), state councillor, Aung
San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to a further
three years imprisonment for alleged election
fraud in the Myanmar November 8, 2020 elections
that had resulted in the National League
for Democracy (NLD) party winning the popular
vote with 97 percent of Yangon regional
seats
On February 1, 2021, three months after
the elections, the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar declared a state of emergency
cancelling the League for Democracy (NLD)
dominated session of the parliament, in
an address broadcast on the Myanmar military-owned
television network based in Yangon and Naypyiday,
saying that power had been handed to the
commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The Southeast Asian Times
|
US-Pacific
sign declaration of partnership,
Solomon Islands inclusion
undetermined
|
|
 |
|
U.S.
Secretary of State Antony
Blinken and East-West Center
President Suzanne Puanani
Vares-Lum at the U.S.-Pacific
Island Country Summit 2022
in Washington Wednesday, September
28, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Washington, September 30: United States
Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin began
a two day U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit
at the State Department in Washington on
Wednesday, with a document showing a declaration
of partnership between the United States
and the Pacific Island countries, but with
a signature from the Solomon Islands to
the US.-Pacific Islands agreement yet to
be determined, reports the Associated Press.
United States Secretary of State Anthony
Blinkin said that the document showing a
declaration of partnership between the United
States and the Pacific Island countries,
showed that "the United States and
the Pacific have a shared vision of the
future and a determination to build that
future together."
"A shared vision that's underpinned
by shared history, values, and enduring
people-to-people ties," he said.
He said the shared vision recognises the
preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific
where every nation regardless of size has
the right to choose its own path.
"This summit reflects our deep, enduring
partnership with the Pacific Islands,"
he said.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh
Sogavare reportedly said that he would not
sign the U.S. - Pacific Island declaration
of partnership at the U.S.-Pacific Island
Country Summit at the State Department in
Washington on Wednesday.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price
declined to say whether the declaration
of partnership between the United States
and the Pacific Island countries had been
agreed to by Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare at the U.S.-Pacific Island
Country Summit.
"we've been in a position to make tremendous
progress." he said.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh
Sogavare and China signed a Framework Agreement
on bilateral security cooperation in April
2022, with Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Manasseh Sogavare saying "the agreement
does not invite China to establish a military
base,"
He said that Solomon Island Government is
conscious of the security ramification of
hosting a Chinese military base, saying
"the government will not be careless
to allow such an initiative to take place
under its watch."
He said that it is clear that the Solomon
Islands needs to diversify relationships
with other countries, saying "but existing
security arrangements with Australia would
remain."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
commits to strengthen unity
and centrality of ASEAN at
United Nations General Assembly
|
|
 |
|
Indonesia
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Retno Marsudi, said that the
ASEAN collaboration paradigm
will guide Indonesia's chairmanship
of ASEAN in 2023 at the 77th
United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York on Monday,
September 26, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 29: Indonesia Minister
of Foreign Affairs said that "ASEAN
is an example where the collaboration paradigm
is always put forward" at the 77th
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in
New York on Monday, saying "Indonesia
is committed to strengthening unity and
centrality of ASEAN," reports Antara.
Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno
Marsudi, said that the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) collaboration paradigm
will guide Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN
in 2023, saying" Indonesia is committed
to strengthening unity and centrality of
ASEAN."
"Indonesia is committed to the reinforcement
of ASEAN's centrality in shaping regional
order in the Indo-Pacific," she said.
She said that Indonesia is committed to
reinforce ASEAN centrality in shaping
regional order in the Indo-Pacific in
order to forge unity as a locomotive for
peace, stability, and prosperity in the
region.
"Indonesia is committed to reinforce
ASEAN centrality to ensure ASEAN matters
for our peoples, for the region, and for
the world," she said.
She said that Indonesia will continue
to strengthen cooperation with Pacific
countries, saying "Indonesia will
work together to address our shared challenges
including climate change."
Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs also
said at the 77th United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) that "ASEAN will continue
to seriously address the situation in Myanmar,"
saying "the support of the international
community, in particular the neighboring
countries of Myanmar, is very important
to bring back democracy in Myanmar."
"Indonesia is deeply concerned by
the military's lack of commitment to implementing
the Five-Point Consensus," she said.
She said that Myanmar and ASEAN agreed
to a Five-Point Consensus to immediately
end violence in Myanmar, for dialogue
between all relevant parties, the appointment
of a special envoy, the distribution of
humanitarian assisatance by ASEAN and
the visit of the ASEAN special envoy to
Myanmar to meet with all parties.
In January 2022 ASEAN chair for 2022,
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, urged
Myanmar to implement the ASEAN Five-Point
Consensus
that was introduced at the urgently called
ASEAN Leaders Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta
in April 2021 following the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the
elected National League for Democracy
(NLD) government in February 2021.
Singaporean, Noeleen Heyzer, who was appointed
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
for Myanmar in October, 2021, said that
she would work together with Cambodia's
Prime Minister Hun Sen on behalf of the
United Nations to bring Myanmar out of
a state of crisis."
"I am committed to working with ASEAN
and the Cambodian ASEAN chair for 2022
to do everything possible to keep the
situation in Myanmar from deteriorating
further,” she said.
She said that the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) and ASEAN chair 2022 could
coordinate and deliver assistance to affected
communities through all existing channels
and address the multiple priority needs
of the people across Myanmar, the saying
"this would include civilian protection
as well as food security, socio-economic
resilience, humanitarian and Covid assistance."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia
introduces a National
Anti-Corruption Commission
bill that includes public
hearings
|
|
 |
|
Australian
Labor Party (ALP) Attorney-General
Mark Dreyfus said that one
of the deficiencies of the
Liberal Party of Australia
(LP) proposed National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) bill was
that "Ministers could
not be called to public hearings."
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, September 28: The newly elected
Australian Labor Party (ALP) is to introduce
a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
bill to the Canberra parliament on Wednesday,
with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus saying
"public hearings will be a key part
of the proposed National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) bill," reports the
Sydney Morning Herald.
Australian Labor Party (ALP) Attorney-General
Mark Dreyfus said that one of the deficiencies
of the former Liberal Party of Australia
(LP) proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) bill was that "Ministers could
not be called to public hearings."
"In order for an anti-corruption commission
to be fully effective, there must be the
possibility of public hearings," he
said.
He said that the Australian people voted
for a government which will deliver a powerful,
transparent and independent national anti-corruption
commission, saying "the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC) will have jurisdiction
to investigate serious or systemic corruption
of or by a public official."
"The National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) will form a central pillar in the
integrity framework of our country,"
he said.
Transparency International Australia (TIA)
Chief Executive Officer, Clancy Moore, said
it was important for the National Anti-Corruption
Commission NACC) to have the power to hold
both private and public hearings, saying
"the National Anti-Corruption Commission
NACC) would develop reports for the public."
"A federal anti-corruption body is
an important step to addressing transparency
and accountability," he said.
He said that public hearings are essential,
saying that "several state anti-corruption
commissions hold private hearings apart
from instances wherein a case passes a public
interest test."
In July 2008 the Australian government provided
$500,000 to Vietnam to support a training
programme for 25 senior officials to strengthen
Viet Nam’s corruption prevention, detection
and enforcement efforts.
Australia's foreign minister, Stephen Smith,
said then that corruption was a "major
threat" to Vietam's future economic
growth and development.
In April 2017 the Vietnam Anti-Corruption
Central Steering Committee established eight
task forces to investigate corruption in
Vietam's 20 provinces and cities, with orders
issued by the Anti-Corruption Steering Committee
Chairman, Party General Secretary, Nguyen
Phu Trong, to provide resources to continue
investigations into the alleged corruption
of the Vietnam Petroleum Construction Corporation
(PVC) that include the arrest and extradition
of the former head of the State-owned enterprise,
Trinh Xuan Thanh.
He also ordered the investigation of the
former chairman of Oceanbank, Ha Van Tham,
who allegedly caused a loss of VNÐ2
trillion (US$88.1 million) to the state.
Investigation into the practices of former
chairman of Vietnam Construction Bank, Pham
Cong Danh, who is accused of causing VVND9
tillion ($396 million) loss to the state
is also to be continued.
Party General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong,
also approved the plan for concluding the
investigation and trial of 12 other related
cases including those involving the Sacombank,
the TPBank, The BIDV and the State Bank
of Vietnam.
In November 2008, Vietnam and Indonesia
agreed to cooperate in the fight against
corruption at a meeting in Jakarta attended
by a delegation from the Vietnam State Inspectorate
and the Indonesiam Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK).
Vietnam and Indonesia agreed to exchange
information on measures to combat corruption
incuding the Indonesiam Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) plan to introduce an education
programme on anti-corruption in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) was established in December 2003 with
the swearing in of five commissioners by
the then President Megawatti.
Indonesia established - anti-corruption
courts in 33 provinces in 2011 each with
six judges with two of the judges attached
to the higher court. The corruption courts
reportedly hold trial hearings with their
secretariats at existing district courts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Papua governor
ignors Corruption Commision
summons, denies allegation
of money laundering at casino's
|
|
 |
|
Papua
governor, Lukas Enembe, has
ignored two Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) summons to
undergo questioning at the
Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) headquarters in Jakarta
Monday September 26, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 27: The Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) in Jakarta is investigating
allegations of money laundering at casino's
by Papua governor, Lukas Enembe, with the
Papua governor denying all allegations and
ignoring two summonses to undergo questioning
at the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) headquarters in Jakarta, reports Tempo.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
spokesman Ali Fikri said that "clues
and trials often lead to money laundering
in corruption investigations."
"An investigation into corruption that
includes bribery and gratification often
develops into money laundering offences,"
he said.
He said that the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) would continue to broaden
the investigation into Papua governor Lukas
Enembe, saying "there are reasons to
suspect that the investigation into money
laundering at casino's is not only about
bribery and gratification."
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
in Jakarta began investigating money laundering
allegations after the Financial Transaction
Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) submitted
a report showing financial records for Papua
governor Lukas Enembe since 2017.
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis
Center (PPATK) showed that Papua governor
Lukas Enembe had made cash deposits of up
to
Rp 560 billion ($37 million) to casinos,
with chief Ivan Yustiavandana saying that
he suspects that "Papua governor Lukas
Enembe's gambling is more than just a hobby"
"The agency suspects gambling is a
way for the governor to launder money,"
he said.
He said that there are suspicions of money
laundering saying "that is was why
we submitted the report to the Corruption
Eradication Commission (KPK) for investigators."
The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis
Center (PPATK) showed that Papua governor
Lukas Enembe had misappropriated the provincial
budget in 2017 and the Papuan student scholarship
fund in 2016.
Papua governor Lukas Enembe has reportedly
received gratuities worth Rp 1 billion (US$66.200)
from the private sector in a bid to win
the contract for the provincial procurement
of goods and services.
Papua governor Lukas Enembe has denied all
allegations, ignoring two Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) summons to undergo questioning
at the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) headquarters in Jakarta.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
QUAD
signs partnership on Indo-Pacific
Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief
|
|
 |
|
United
States Foreign Minister, Antony
Blinken, Australia Foreign
Minister, Penelope Wong, India
Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar
and Japan Foreign Minister,
Yoshimasa Hayashi signed guidlines
for the ‘Quad Partnership
on Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief (HADR)
in the Indo-Pacific’
on Friday September 24, 2022
|
|
From News Reports:
New York, September 26: United States, Australia,
India and Japan Foreign Ministers of the
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) signed
operation guidelines for the 'Quad Partnership
on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific' at the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in
New York on Friday, saying that "a
request for international assistance is
needed before Quad partners may act in coordination
under the partnership," reports the
United States State Department.
"Response operations will be guided
by the core principles of humanity, neutrality
and impartiality as outlined in the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution
46/182 on the provisions of humanitarian
assistance."
The signing of the operation guidelines
for the ‘Quad Partnership on Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in
the Indo-Pacific by Foreign Ministers of
the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
"marked a significant moment in Quad
cooperation that traces its origin from
the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group,"
reports the United States State Department.
United States, Australia, India and Japan
Foreign Ministers of the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) signed the guidlines for
the ‘Quad Partnership on Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in
the Indo-Pacific that traces the origin
of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
from the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group
in the region.
"The the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group
catalyzed international response efforts
in the aftermath of the tsunami that devastated
many countries in and around the Indian
Ocean," said the United States State
Department.
In May 2022 the launch in Tokyo of the Indo-Pacific
Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
planned to reassert United States economic
engagement in the Indo-Pacific, with United
States National Security Council, Kurt Campbell,
saying "the new Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade pact is aimed at
countering the influence of China in the
Indo-Pacific."
He said that Washington remains focused
on the Indo-Pacific and the long-term challenge
of China, saying "we are not asking
countries to make a choice between the United
States and China."
"We want to make clear, though, that
the United States seeks stronger relationships,"
he said.
ASEAN member country Singapore Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong said ahead on the launch
of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
trade pact in Tokyo that ASEAN countries
"generally welcome trade with China,"
saying "regional countries want to
take advantage of the opportunities presented
by China;s economic growth."
"China has been engaging the region
systematically through its Belt and Road
Initiative," he said.
He said that Singapore is supportive of
the China engagements with the region, saying
"we think that it is positive."
"It is far better that China is prospering
and engaged in the region than that it is
operating on its own outside the rules which
apply to everybody else, not properly integrated
and coordinated with the rest of the region,”
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia
calls for seat on United Nations
Security Council warning of
conflict in the Indo-Pacific
|
|
 |
|
Australia
Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Penelope Ying-Yen Wong, at
the 77th United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) in New York
on Saturday September 24,
2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
New York, September 25: Australia Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, called
for a seat on the United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) for 2029-2030 in her first
speech to the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York on Saturday, warning
that conflict in the Indo-Pacific would
have a 'catastrophic' impact on Australia
and other Asia-Pacific nations, reports
Reuters.
Australia Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Penny Wong, forwarned that "it would
be 'catastrophic' for the prosperity of
Australia and other Asia-Pacific nations
if conflict were to break out in the Indo-Pacific",
saying "the cost would extend far
beyond our region."
"The Australian people want to be better
involved, and more helpful members of the
Pacific family," she said.
She said at the 77th United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA in New York on Saturday
that "Australians want to enhance
our defence, maritime and economic cooperation
with Pacific Island Countries, saying
"we want to be the Pacific's partner
of choice for development and security."
"It is why we seek a seat on the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
for 2029-2030," she said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong,
said that Australia seeks reform of the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC),
saying "reform with greater permanent
representation for Africa, Latin America,
Asia, including India and Japan."
"We cannot leave it to the big powers,"
she said.
In October 2020 United States National
Security advisor, Robert O'Brien, said
that the United States as a Pacific power
would conduct maritime security missions
in the western Pacific, saying in a statement
that the presence of the United States
Coast Guard in the Indo-Pacifc ensures
that the United States will remain the
maritime partner of choice in the region,
He said that new-generation Coast Guard
vessels would conduct maritime security
missions including fishing patrols in
the western Pacific in order to enhance
maritime-domain awareness and enforcement
efforts.
He said that the United States maritime
security missions would be conducted in
the western Pacific in collaboration with
regional partners that have limited offshore
surveillance and enforcement capacity.
"China's illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing and harassment of
vessels operating in the exclusive economic
zones of countries in the Indo-Pacific
threatens United States sovereignty and
the sovereignty of our Pacific neighbors,
endangering regional stability,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Khmer Rouge
Tribunal upholds life sentence
for Khieu Samphan, 91, for
crimes against humanity and
genocide
|
|
 |
|
Former
Khmer Rouge economist and
chairman of the state presidium
of Democratic Kampuchea, Khieu
Samphan, 91, at the Supreme
Court Chamber of the Extraordinary
Chambers in the Courts of
Cambodia (ECCC) or the Khmer
Rouge Tribunal on Thursday,
September 22, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, September 24: The Supreme Court
Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in
the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) or the Khmer
Rouge Tribunal upheld the 2018 life sentence
verdict issued to former Khmer Rouge economist
and chairman of the state presidium of Democratic
Kampuchea, Khieu Samphan, 91, with the Supreme
Court Chamber president saying "the
decision is final and cannot be appealed
further," reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Supreme Court Chamber president Kong Srim
said in handing down the verdict on Thursday
"the life sentence issued to Khmer
Rouge economist and chairman of the state
presidium of Democratic Kampuchea, Khieu
Samphan, by the Extraordinary Chambers in
the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in 2018 is
just"
"The life sentence handed down in 2018
was based on the atrocities suffered by
the people of Cambodia during the Khmer
Rouge’s reign of terror," he said.
In November 2018 the Extraordinary Chambers
in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), found
Khmer Rouge, economist and chairman of the
state presidium of Democratic Kampuchea,
Khieu Samphan between 1975 and 1979, guilty
as charged with crimes against humanity
and grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions
that includes genocide against the Cham
and Vietnamese between 1977 and 1979.
Defence lawyer Kong Sam Onn called on the
Trial Chamber in the Extraordinary Chambers
in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), to overturn
the life sentence handed by the court in
2018 on technical grounds, saying "the
Trial Chamber of the Khmer Rouge tribunal
did not follow required procedures."
“The verdict has no legal effect and
should be annulled, he said.
He said that the Trial Chamber had issued
a ruling which violated the procedures set
forth in the Extraordinary Chambers in the
Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), saying "violation
of procedures rendered subsequent activities
including the imposition of a life sentence,
unlawful."
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal was established
following an agreement between the Cambodian
government and the United Nations to try
senior members of the Khmer Rouge for crimes
against humanity, war crimes and genocide
between April 1975 and January 1979.
The Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers
in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) began hearing
evidence in February 2016 with Kaing Guek
Eav alias Duch, 75, being the first of only
three to go on trial.
Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch who was the former
warden of Security Centre S-21 was found
to be responsible for a minimum of 12,272
deaths and is serving a life sentence for
crimes against humanity and grave breaches
of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
In June 2016 Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch testified
against Nuon Chea, 92, former second in
command to Pol Pot, Prime Minister of Democratic
Kampuchea between 1975 and 1979.
In November 2018, Nuon Chea, 92, was found
guilty of crimes against humanity and grave
breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions
that includes genocide against the Cham
and Vietnamese between 1977 and 1979
The
Southeast Asian Tiimes
|
Japan PM
calls for reform of UN over
Russian veto of invasion of
Ukraine
|
|
 |
|
Prime
Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida
at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) annual meeting
in New York Wednesday, September
21, 2022
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From
News Reports:
New York City, September 23: Prime Minister
of Japan Fumio Kishida called for reform
of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
annual meeting in New York on Wednesday,
saying "integrity of the United Nations
is at risk because of the Russian veto of
invasion of Ukraine by Russia," reports
Reuters.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that
"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
is conduct that tramples the philosophy
and principles of the UN charter",
saying "it should never be tolerated."
"Russia is a United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) member," he said.
He said that the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) must face the reality
that the integrity of the United Nations
is at risk because of the invasion of
Ukraine by Russia.
He called for reform of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC), "that gives
five states including Russia veto in the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
He said that reform of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) was first proposed
by Germany, India and Brazil in 2004,
saying "what we need is action towards
reform not just talk."
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned
the threat of nuclear weapons armament
by Russia following the failure of negotiations
last month to reach an agreement with
Russia on the United Nations Nuclear Nonprolification
Treaty after Russia vetoed the final draft
that would disarm Russia of nuclear weapons.
In March 2022 ASEAN foreign ministers
issued a statement demanding immediate
ceasefire in Ukraine following the special
emergency session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) that voted in
favour of the resolution that condemned
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with abstentions
from two of eight ASEAN memeber countries,
Laos and Vietnam.
Of the 193 United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) members, 141 voted in favour of
the resolution, with 5 against including
Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Russia
and Syria and with 35 abstentions including
ASEAN member countries Laos and Vietnam
and including China and India.
Eight ASEAN member states including ASEAN
rotating chair for 2022 Cambodia, Brunei
Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand,
voted in favour of the resolution that
demands that "Russia immediately,
completely and unconditionally withdraw
all of its military forces from the territory
of Ukraine within its internationally
recognized borders."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
supports "One-China"
policy and China vision of
common China-Cambodia community
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Thailand
Minister of National Defence,
General Tea Banh, right, and
China Ambassador to Cambodia,
Wang Wentian, at
Phnom Chumreay International
Military Training Centre in
Cambodia Wednesday September
22, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh. September 22: Cambodia reaffirmed
support for China's "One-China"
policy, that recognises the People’s
Republic of China's (PRC) sovereignty
of Taiwan and Hong Kong, at the handover
ceremony of military equipment donated
by China at the Phnom Chumreay International
Military Training Centre in Cambodia on
Wednesday with China's ambassador to Thailand
saying, "military cooperation between
China and Cambodia is an important part
of building a community of common destiny,"
reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia Minister of National Defence,
General Tea Banh, said at the handover
of 117 vehicles and military equipment
donated by China’s Ministry of Defencede,
"I would like to firmly reiterate
the stance of the Ministry of National
Defence in giving unwavering support to
the "One-China" policy and the
vision of a common community between China
and Cambodia."
"The tense geopolitical situation
caused by the Sino-US rivalry remained
a problem and a source of risk for the
stability and prosperity in the region
and the world," he said.
He said that China's military equipment
was provided under the annual cooperation
between Cambodia's Ministery of National
Defence and China's Ministry of Defence,
saying "assistance was rendered by
the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
of China."
"The People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) of China assistance included Covid-19
vaccines, infrastructure construction
and special exercises and training sessions
aimed at improving the readiness and capabilities
of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)."
China's ambassador to Thailand said at
the handover ceremony of military equipment
in Thailand that "the bonds of friendship
between China and Cambodia have long been
established, saying "military cooperation
between China and Cambodia is an important
part of building a community of common
destiny between an inseparable China and
Cambodia."
ASEAN member, Indonesia said "Indonesia
sees Taiwan as a part of China" during
the United States House of Representatives
Speaker Nancy Pelosi visit to Taiwan in
August, 2022, with Indonesian Foreign
Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah, saying
"Indonesia continues to stick to
the "One-China" policy, "
He said then that Indonesia is concerned
by the increasingly intense rivalry between
the superpowers, saying "it holds
the potential for open conflict that will
disrupt stability and peace, including
in the Taiwan Strait."
"Indonesia sees Taiwan as a part
of China", he said.
Pending 11th ASEAN member, Timor-Leste
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation,
Adaljiza Magno, said in June 2022 that
Timor-Leste would continue to adhere to
the "One-China" policy that
includes Taiwan and Hong Kong, saying
"the one-China policy is the cornerstone
of developing bilateral relations."
China State Councilor and Foreign Minister,
Wang Yi, said then that China appreciated
that Timor-Leste abides by the "One-China"
policy that was reached by consensus in
the establishment of diplomatic ties between
China and Timor-Leste in 2002.
"The one network, one expressway
and one port projects in Timor-Leste that
were jointly built by China and Timor
Leste t under the Belt and Road Initative
(BRI) have become a benchmark for practical
cooperation," he said.
Papua New Guinea Minister of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade, Soroi Eoe, upheld
the "One-China" policy in talks
with China State Councilor and Foreign
Minister, Wang Yi, in Guiyang City, Guizhou
provinc in June, 2021 reaffirming China's
claim that the People's Republic of China
is the legal government representing all
China's citizens in Taiwain, Xinjiang
and Hong Kong.
China State Councilor and Foreign Minister,
Wang Yi, said then that China values Papua
New Guinea's recognition of the "One-China"
policy and non-interference in China's
internal affairs in Taiwan, Xinjiang and
Hong Kong, saying "China would support
Papua New Guinea on its development path."
he said.
Papua New Guinea became the second Pacific
nation after East Timor to sign a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) with China on the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
The Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
senators call for ban on Offshore
Gaming Operators from China
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Philippines
Senate President, Juan Miguel
Zubiri, calls for ban on Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators
(POGO) from China in the Philippines
Monday September 19, 2022
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From
News Reports:
Manila, September 21: Senate President Juan
Miguel Zubiri called for ban on Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) from China,
working in the Philippines, saying he would
support other senators in the ban after
reports of serious crimes, including killings
and abductions in the Philippine Offshore
Gaming Operators (POGO) industry, reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
"We must weigh the social costs of
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)
from China against the meager income they
give to the national coffers of only P3
billion a year," he said.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said
that the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
(POGO) from China do not employ Filipinos,
saying "there is no added benefit to
our local labor force."
Senate Aquilino Pimentel III called on President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr to heed calls for a
total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO) from China, saying "undesirable
foreigners were turning the country into
a playground for crime."
"Allowing Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO) from China to continue
working in the Philippines was dangerous."
He said that allowing the Philippine Offshore
Gaming Operators (POGO) from China to work
in the Philippines can cause massive disruption
to peace and order in the Philippines, saying
"we are beginning to see kidnappings
and other violent activities related to
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)
industry"
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo
Azurin Jr. said he had proposed several
safety nets to deal with the rise in the
number of crimes linked to Philippine Offshore
Gaming Operators (POGO) to Senator Ronald
Bato dela Rosa.
Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa, chairman
of the Senates Committee on Public Order
and Dangerous Drugs opened an investigation
into the reported kidnapped and killings
linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming
Operators (POGO) industry last week.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo
Azurin Jr. has proposed that Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)
workers must show that there were no pending
arrest warrants against them from their
home countries.
Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO),
online gambling operations were closed under
community quarantine (ECQ) orders in March
2020 but resumed gaming operations two months
later under the then Rodrigo Duterte government
to raise funds to combat Covid-19 in the
Philippines Presidential spokesman, Harry
Roque, said then that Philippine offshore
gaming operators (POGO), that cater to online
gamblers in China, are not subject to closure
under quarantine orders,
Chairwoman of the statutory corporation
that regulates gaming, the Philippine Amusement
& Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Andrea
Domingo, said then that Philippine offshore
gaming operators (POGO) had deprived the
government of P600 million in monthly earnings
under the enhanced community quarantine
(ECQ) orders in March.
She said that the Philippine Amusement &
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is the largest
contributor of revenue to the government
after the Bureau of Internal Revenue and
the Bureau of Customs, saying "revenue
from the Philippine offshore gaming operators
(POGO) could help to augment funds to combat
Covid-19."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
National
Assembly to inlude Communist
Party of Vietnam resolutions
in passing of land laws
|
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Prime
Minister Pham Minh Chinh called
for the draft Land Laws to
be understandable and conducive
to enforcement ahead of National
Assembly sessions this month
|
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From News Reports:
Hanoi, September 20: The Prime Minister
called for Land Laws in Vietnam to be understandable
and conducive to enforcement ahead of National
Assembly sessions this month, saying "the
draft Land Laws must institutionalise the
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) relevant
resolutions, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for
the draft Land Laws to be understandable
and conducive to enforcement, supervision
and examination ahead of the three National
Assembly sessions this month, saying "the
draft Land Laws, bidding, cooperatives,
and prices must institutionalise the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) relevant resolutions."
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on
the draft Land Laws to include the opinions
of government, experts, scientists, and
other parties ahead of submission of the
draft Land Laws to the National Assembly
this month.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for
restrictions to land access for foreign-investors
in areas designated for national defence
and security.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for
provision in the draft Land Laws for foreign
ownership of land, saying "foreigners
who are allowed to own commercial properties
should be issued with a land certificate."
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the
draft Land Laws should specificy the criteria
and conditions for the expropriation of
land for public use in the construction
of commercial housing projects."
"The establishment of a support fund
for land holders has been expropriated but
whose working capacity is limited should
be implemented by local authorities,"
he said.
He said that investors in industrial zones
would allocate a proportion of land area
for the state to implement
its land policies, saying "investors
would establish a land fund for the People's
Committee to relocate small and medium-sized
enterprises affected by envirommental pollution."
"It is necessary to give authority
to localities to determin how to support
enterprises and how to access the land fund,"
he said.
He called on business and individuals who
do not engage directly in agriculture production
to be eligible to recieve rice-producing
land in the draft revised Land Law, saying
"eligibility for business and individuals
to rice-producing land is a major issue."
He said that the impact of rice-producing
land for those not engaged directly in agriculuture
must be exhaustively assessed, saying
"stringent regulations and conditions
must be attached."
"Farmers must have land for growing
crops," he said.
In 2020 the National Assembly called the
government out for its failure to submit
the proposed amendments to the Land Law,
for review as listed in the legislative
agenda 2020, with Kien Giang Province deputy,
calling for accountability for the delay
of the "much-anticipated amendments
to the land law".
She called for accountability for the withdrawal
of "the much-anticipated amended Vietnam
Land Law," to the plenary session next
week, saying "the government has moved
to withdraw the submission for review of
the land law from the agenda altogether."
"The government withdrew review of
the Vietnam Land Law on the grounds of insufficient
preparation, "she said.
She said that the proposed legislative draft
review of the Vietnam Land Law was also
withdrawn from the 2019 sitting of the National
Assembly.
"The majority of legal complaints from
the public was to do with land disputes,
she said.
Bac Kan Province National Assembly deputy,
Trieu Thi Thu Phuong said that in 2019 the
government withdrew the submission of four
legislative draft proposals and introduced
nine new legislative draft proposals.
"The government moved to withdraw legislatve
draft proposals completely from the 2019
agenda," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Illegal
gold miners buried alive in
landslide in West Kalimantan
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House
of Representatives (DPR) Commission
IV deputy speaker, Dedi Mulyadi,
urged the Indonesia government
to take action to recover
state forests used for illegal
plantation and illegal mining
in January 2021
|
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From
News Reports:
Jakarta, September 19: Illegal gold miners
working in Indonesia's Bengkayang Regency,
in West Kalimantan province on Borneo were
reportedly buried alive in a landslide on
Thursday with the Bengkayang Regional Disaster
Management Agency (BPBD) saying that surviving
gold miners do not know how many miners
were buried in the landslide, reports Tempo.
Bengkayang Regional Disaster Management
Agency (BPBD) Dwi Berta said that illegal
gold miners were buried alive in the landslide
in Secepu Hamlet, Kinande Village, Lembah
Bawang District, Bengkayang Regency, in
West Kalimantan, saying that seven gold
miners were found dead with five injured
on Friday.
He said that the landslide occurred at night
at 20.15pm on Thursday, saying that "at
that time a number of residents panned for
gold on the hill in the area."
He said that the Bengkayang Regional Disaster
Management Agency (BPBD) received information
from the Sub-District Head of Lembah Bawang
in Bengkayang Regency in West Kalimantan
that "due to heavy rains the bare hill
land had exprienced landslides and buried
residents."
Bengkayang Regency police chief, Bayu Seno,
said that the Bengkayang Regional Disaster
Management Agency (BPBD) rescue reinforcements
were on their way to the landslide in Secepu
Hamlet from the nearest city, Pontianak,
more that 160 kilometres from the landslide
area.
"The search for the missing gold miners
and residents could take a week, but if
rain continues the effort will have to be
postponed to avoid more landslides,"
he said.
In January 2021 House of Representatives
(DPR) Commission IV deputy speaker, Dedi
Mulyadi, urged the government to take immediate
action to recover state forests across Indonesia
that are used for illegal plantation and
illegal mining activities.
"Devastating data has been presented
to the Forestry and Environment Ministry
during a House hearing
showing that there are 8,456,772,05 hectares
of illegal plantations and 8,713,167.58
of illegal mining areas in eight Indonesian
regions," he said.
He said that the data presented to the Forestry
and Environment Ministry showed that there
are 3,934,963 hectares of illegal plantations
and 3,570,519.20 hectares of illegal mining
areas in Central Kalimantan, saying that
"in East Kalimantan there are 750,829
hectares of illegal plantations and 774,519
hectares of illegal mines."
"In West Kalimantan there are 5,748,109
hectares combined for illegal mining and
illegal plantations areas", he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thai
opposition calls for investigation
into Minister of Transport
over illegal possession of
land
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Transport
Minister Saksayam Chidchob
accused of illegal possession
of land that is administered
by the Transport Ministry
in the Parliament on Thursday
September 15, 2022
|
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 18: Thailand's six opposition
coalition parties led by the Pheu Thai Party
(PTP) submitted a petition against Transport
Minister Saksayam Chidchob with the National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Thursday
calling for an investigation into the alleged
failure by the Transport Ministery to order
the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to reclaim
land in Khao Kradong in Muang district of
Buri Ram in Buriram Province that was in
the possession of the Transport Minister,
reports the Bangkok Post.
Opposition coalition parties led by the
Pheu Thai Party (PTP) claim that Transport
Minister Saksayam Chidchob was neglegent
in his duty in his failure to order the
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to reclaim
land in Buriram Province.
Opposition coalition parties claim that
the land in Buriram Province is in the illegal
possession of Transport Minister Saksayam
Chidchob and his relatives, saying "Transport
Minister Saksayam Chidchob operates a business
on the land that is under the administration
of the Transport Ministry."
"Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob
was motivated to hold the land in his possession
for as long as possible," said the
opposion parties.
Opposion coalition parties also claim that
Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob, has
concealed ownership of two companies that
have a building contract with the Transport
Ministry, saying that Transport Minister,
Saksayam Chidchob did not declare ownership
of the companies in the required assett
declarations form to the National Anti-Corruption
Commission (NACC).
The opposition alleges that Transport Minister
Saksayam Chidchob holds shares in two companies
that have done business with his ministry.
"The non-declaration of assetts to
the NACC constitutes a legal violation,"
said the opposion parties.
Opposition coalition parties have called
on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) to forward the findings into the
alleged failure of the Transport Ministery
to order the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
to reclaim land in Buriram Province to the
Supreme Court, saying "If found guilty
the Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob
is liable to a lifetime ban from politics
for gross violation of ethics as a political
post holder."
In January 2021 Transport Minister Saksayam
Chidchob was one of 10 Cabinent ministers,
including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha,
included in the third motion of no-confidence
submitted to the House of Representatives
by a coalition of eight opposition parties,
led by the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), the largest
opposition party in the legislature.
Pheu Thai secretary-general, Prasert Chantararuangthong,
said then that the cenure debate will include
malfeasance, actions deemed benefiting interest
groups, administrative failures and lack
of legality and justice, saying "with
solid evidence, you can be sure that we
will deliver a number of telling blows."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam Health
Minister charged with embezzlement
in drug manufacture for 2006
bird flu epidemic
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Luong
Van Hoa, former director of
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint
Stock Corporation (Pharimexco),
is charged with the embezzlement
of more than US$3.8 million
in the supply of the antiviral
drug for the prevention of
A (H5N1) Avian flu in the
2006 bird flu epidemic
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From
News Reports:
Hanoi, September 17: The Supreme People's
Procuracy of Vietnam has charged a former
Deputy Health Minister and officials with
involvement in the embezzlement of more
than US$3.8 million for the supply of the
antiviral drug for the prevention of A (H5N1)
Avian flu in the 2006 epidemic, reports
the Vietnam News Service.
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco), that was extablished in 2004
with 51.7 percent state capital funding,
was directed by the Health Ministry to produce
the antiviral drug Oseltamivir or Tamiflu
to ensure the supply of the medicine for
the prevention of influenza A (H5N1) epidemic
in Vietnam in 2006.
The Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
has charged former deputy health minister,
Cao Minh Quang, former head of the ministry
of Financial Planning, Duong Huy Lieu, and
former head of Drug Administration of Vietnam,
Nguyen Viet Hung, with "lack of responsibility,
causing serious consequences,"
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco) former director Luong Van Hoa,
former deputy director general, Nguyen Thanh
Tong and a further two company officials
are charged with "abusing their position
and power while performing official duties."
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco) imported 520 kg of raw medical
materials to produce the antiviral drug
Oseltamivir or Tamiflu from Mambo Company
Pte Ltd in Singapore worth US$9.1 between
February and April 2006.
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco) paid Mambo Company Pte Ltd
in Singapore $5.25 million agreeing to pay
the remaining $3.848 million within six
months after receiving the raw medical material.
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco) allegedly requested that Mambo
Company Pte Ltd in Singapore discount the
remaining $3.848 million owed when the price
of the raw medical material fell.
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Corporation
(Pharimexco), former General Director, Luong
Van Hoa, directed officials "to legalise
reports and documents to conceal the discount
of $3.848 million."
Officials of the Cuu Long Pharmaceutical
Joint Stock Corporation (Pharimexco) also
legalised records in order to conceal the
discounted $3.848 million to the Ministry
of Health and Ministry of Finance with the
aim of retaining the amount.
The Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam
said that former deputy health minister
Cao Minh Quang and officials "were
irresponsible, improperly performed, did
not fully fulfil their assigned responsibilities
and tasks, did not consider and evaluate
the implementation of the control and negotiation
of the purchase price of raw materials,
and did not check financial reports and
invoices."
"This resulted in the failure to discover
that Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Company was
entitled to a discount and retained the
amount of US$ 3.848 million.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
President
Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr. defends his father's imposition
of Martial Law
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Newly
inaugurated Philippine President,
Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos
Jr., 69, in May, 2022 son
of former President Ferdinand
E. Marcos, defends his fathers
imposition of Martial Law
in the 1970's
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From News Reports:
Manila, September 16: Newly inaugurated
Philippine President, Ferdinand Bongbong
Marcos Jr., 69, son of former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos, defended his fathers
imposition of Martial Law in the 1970's,
ahead of preparations to mark the 50th anniversary
of the declaration of Martial Law on September,
21, reports Reuters.
Philippine President, Ferdinand Bongbong
Marcos Jr., who was elected 17th President
of the Philippines in May 2022, repeated
his father’s justification that martial
law was crucial to fight growing Muslim
and Communist insurgencies, saying "those
were the dangers, the perils the country
was facing."
"It was necessary in my father’s
view at the time, to declare Martial Law
not to stay in power but because the government
had to defend itself," he said.
In August 2016 the Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) condemned the then newly
inaugurated Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte decision to give the late former
Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos a
hero’s burial, saying "by claiming
that Marcos deserves to be buried with other
former soldiers, President Duterte is helping
perpetuate the historical lies surrounding
Ferdinand Marcos’ bogus medals and
phony Maharlika guerrilla unit."
"By ordering that Marcos be accorded
military honors befitting a former head
of state, Mr. Duterte is “virtually
deleting Marcos’ bloody record as a
military despot and the fascist violence,
human rights violation, corruption and economic
hardships he made the Filipino people suffer
through 14 years of dictatorship,”
the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
statement said.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
statement said that giving Marcos a hero’s
burial “will complete the Marcoses’
political restoration and will complete
the whitewash of all the crimes they perpetrated
against the people.”
In 1995 the Philippine government and representatives
of more than 1,000 Filipinos - or their
descendants, who were arrested, tortured
and executed during the 13 years from 1972
of Ferdinand Marcos rule by decree and Martial
Law, won US$2.7-billion in exemplary damages
against the former president’s estate
at a hearing in the United States federal
court in Hawaii.
The Federal Court of Hawaii found Marcos
guilty of grave human-rights violations.
A "people power" revolt ousted
Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986, forcing
him and his family to flee to Hawaii, where
he died in exile in 1989.
His body was returned to the Philippines
in 1993 and was preserved in a refrigerated
crypt at his Batac hometown in Ilocos Norte
until he was given a hero's burial at the
Libingan ng Mga Bayani national heroes cemetery
in 2016.
Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta said
that former president Marcos, who was in
the military before World War II and during
the Japanese Occupation, was discharged
from the service honorably and is qualified
for burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
under Department of National Defence (DND)
guidelines.
"The DND, in turn, is under the Office
of the President," the court said,
stressing that the order to prepare for
Marcos' burial there is within the president's
powers," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Calls for
Thailand's Anti-Corruption
Commission to reopen assett
declaration investigation
into acting PM Prawit Wongsuwon
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Acting
Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon,
while he was Deputy Prime
Minister, wearing a luxury
watch and diamond ring at
an official ceremony at Bangkok
Government House Monday December
4, 2017
|
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From
News Reports:
Bangkok, September 15: Opposition Move Forward
Party (MFP) Member of Parliament called
on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) to reopen the assett declaration
investigation into the ownership of luxury
gold watchs worn by the acting Prime Minister
Prawit Wongsuwon while he was Deputy Prime
Minister, who claimed to have "borrowed
the gold watches from a long-time collector
friend," reports the Bangkok Post.
Opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) Member
of Parliament, Theeratchai Panthumas, called
on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) to reopen the investigation, saying
"new information has emerged."
"One of the timepieces that was seen
worn by the Deputy Prime Minister Prawit
Wongsuwon was never declared in the National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) required
assett declarartion " he said.
He said that the timepiece seen worn by
the Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon
was not part of the inheritance of close
friend and long-time collector, Pattawat
Suksriwong, as the Deputy Prime Minister
Prawit Wongsuwon has claimed.
"The wristwatch in question was seen
on the then Deputy Prime Minister Prawit
Wongsuwon wrist during a group photo session
for newly sworn-in cabinet ministers at
Government House," he said.
Opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) Member
of Parliament, Theeratchai Panthumas said
that the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) has failed to deliver a report into
the investigation into the declaration of
assetts by acting Prime Minister Prawit
Wongsuwon while he was Deputy Prime Minister,
saying the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC)
committee voted 5-3 to dismiss the investigation
in December 2018.
"This case has no grounds that Deputy
Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan had intended
to hide the truth or had intended to hide
the origins of the assets," said National
Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) deputy
secretary-general Worawit Sukboon in December
2018.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) investigation found that all watches
worn by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan
belonged to his now-deceased friend, Pattawat
Suksriwong.
Opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) Member
of Parliament, Theeratchai Panthumas said
that former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit
Wongsuwon was photographed wearing a Richard
Mille designer wristwatch worth about Bt3
million that had reportedly not been included
in the required assett declaration with
the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC) when he became a Cabinet minister.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon
was also photographed with a diamond ring
on his finger that reportedly was also not
included in the required assett declaration
with the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(NACC).
Former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon
said the ring belonged to his parents and
the watches were lent to him by a long-time
collector friend, saying "the friend
had passed away."
Photographs show that former Deputy Prime
Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who is the acting
Prime Minister possessed at least 22 luxury
wrist watches with a combined estimated
worth of more that Bt20 million.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon
said he had returned all the watches to
their rightful owners being the children
of the deceased long-time collector friend
who he claimed to have borrowed the gold
watches from.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Bangkok
court convicts woman under
Lese Majeste Law for imitating
Queen Suthida in fashion show
|
|
 |
|
A
Bangkok Court sentenced Jatuporn
Saeoueng to two years in prison
under the Lese Majeste Law
for mocking the monarchy by
imitating Queen Suthida in
a fashion show in Bangkok
on Thursday October 29, 2020
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, September 14: A Bangkok Court sentenced
a political activist to two years in prison
with a fine of 1,000 baht on Monday under
the Lese Majeste Law for insulting Thailand
monarchy in 2020 during mass street protests
in Bankok that called for reform of the
monarchy, with Jatuporn Saeoueng, 25, pleading
not guilty of insultinng the monarchy in
a fashion show, reports Reuters.
Jatuporn Saeoueng, 25, was found guilty
of mocking the monarchy by imitating Queen
Suthida during mass protests in Bangkok
streets calling for the repeal of the Lese
Majeste Law that disallows criticism of
the King under section 112 of the Criminal
Code.
Political activist Jatuporn Saeoueng was
found guilty under the Lese Majeste Law
under section 112 of the Criminal Code that
makes it illegal to defame, insult, or threaten
the monarch of Thailand.
Jatuporn Saeoueng was found guilty of violation
of the Lese Majest Law by the Bangkok Criminal
Court for imitating Queen Suthida in walking
on red carpet that was laid out on the street.
The Bangkok Court found that an umbrella
held by an attendent over Jatuporn Saeoueng
as she walked on the red carpet made a mockery
of the monarchy.
The Bangkok Court also found that protesters
seated at her feet in a manner that Thailand
traditional culture demands in the presence
of Thai royalty was a mockery of Queen Suthida.
Jatuporn Saeoueng pleaded not guilty to
the Lese Majeste charge that disallows criticism
of the monarchy, saying she had "no
intention of mocking anyone."
" I dressed for myself on that day,
for a version of myself in a Thai traditional
dress, what’s wrong with that,"
she said.
Amnesty International deputy secretary general,
Kyle Ward, said that Amnesty International
"urges the authorities to immediately
drop all charges against those who have
merely exercised their human rights to freedom
of expression and peaceful assembly, and
release those arbitrarily detained."
He said the mock fashion show was a satirical
take on the political situation of the country
, saying "Participants should not be
punished for participating in a peaceful
assembly."
In August 2020 a 10 point manifesto was
submitted to the Parliament calling for
reform of the monarchy under the Lese Majeste
Law but stated that demand for amendements
did not include a proposal to abolish the
monarchy but a proposal for the monarchy
to continue in a democracy.
The 10 point manifesto called for repeal
of the criminalisation of criticism of the
Thai King under the Lese Majeste law, repeal
of the order that transferred army units
to new King Maha Vajiralongkorn personal
command, repeal of the law that gave the
new King full control of the crown's reportedly
extensive property holdings and repeal of
the monarchy empowerment to endorse a military
coup.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth
II in Hanoi and HCMCity
|
|
 |
|
Foreign
Minister Bui Thanh Son writes
in the book of condolences
at the residence of the Ambassador
of the United Kingdom to Vietnam
in Hanoi at the passing of
Queen Elizabeth 11 in Scotland
on Thursday September 8, 2022,
aged 96
|
|
From News Reports:
Hanoi, September 13: Vietnam Minister of
Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son paid tribute
to Queen Elizabeth II in the book of condolence
at the residence of the Ambassador of the
United Kingdom to Vietnam in Hanoi, with
the Foreign Minister extending his deepest
condolences to the Royal Family and to the
government and people of the United Kingdom,
reports the Vietnam News Service.
Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui
Thanh Son showed his respect for Queen Elizabeth
11 in the book of condolences that was opened
by the United Kingdom Embassy in Hanoi on
the passing of Queen Elizabeth 11 at Balmoral
Castle in Scotland on Thursday September
8, 2022 aged 96.
The United Kingdom Embassy in Hanoi and
the United Kingdom Consulate General in
HCMCity have opened books of condolences
for the public in Vietnam to pay tribute
to Queen Elizabeth II.
"Among the delegation were the most
recent former Vietnamese Ambassadors to
the United Kingdom and it was chance for
us to hear their memories of Her Majesty
The Queen," said the United Kingdom
Embasssy in Hanoi.
Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui
Thanh Son paid his repects to Queen Elizabeth
11 for the Queen's fine sentiments towards
Vietnam and the Queen's support for fostering
cooperation between the Vietnam and the
United Kingdom.
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan sent a message
of condolence to King Charles III, Vietnam
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended
condolences to new Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom, Elizabeth Truss, and National
Assembly Chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue, extended
condolences to Speaker of the House of Lords,
John McFall, and Speaker of the House of
Commons Lindsay Hoyle.
Queen Elizabeth 11, the United Kingdom's
longest reigning monarch and head of state,
was crowned queen of the United Kingdom,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa,
Pakistan and Ceylon on June 2, 1953.
Prince of Wales, Charles, 73, has become
King Charles 111 and head of state of 56
Commonwealth independent states.
Commonwealth states transitioned from Empire
to Commonwealth during the 70 year tenure
of Queen Elizabeth 11 as monarch and head
of state and are included in an intergovernment
organisation of 56 independent Commonwealth
member states.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
United
States led Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework to engage with Asia
|
|
 |
|
US
Trade Representative Katherine
Tai, left, and United States
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo
at the Indo Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade negotiations
in Los Angeles on Thursday,
September 8, 2022
|
|
From
News Reports:
Washington, September 12: The United States
and 13 Indo-Pacific countries, including
7 ASEAN member countries, agreed on parameters
for trade negotiations, environment and
economic ties in the new US-led Indo Pacific
Economic Framework (IPEF) in Los Angeles
on Thursday, with United States Commerce
Secretary Gina Raimondo saying "the
talks are part of a US effort to re-engage
economically with countries in Asia."
reports Reuters.
Trade ministers from Australia, Fiji, India,
Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and ASEAN
member countries Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
at the United States-led Indo Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade negotiations represent
about 40 percent of global GDP.
The United States-led Indo Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade negotiations concluded
with agreement on trade date flows and labor
rights, supply chain resilience, green energy
and environment standards, anti-corruption
and tax measures as the four major pillars
of future agreements.
United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo
said that the Indo Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) will not include tariff cuts that
are the bedrock of traditional free trade
deals, saying "the talks are part of
a US effort to re-engage economically with
countries in Asia."
"Our intention now is to move towards
negotiations with our partners on each pillar
with the first round of discussions,"
she said.
She said that President Joe Biden launched
the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
on May 12, 2022 in Washington promising
the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to spend $150 million on infrastructure,
security, pandemic preparedness and other
efforts, with the U.S. State Department
saying that the new Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework (IPEF) trade pact is aimed at
countering the influence of rival China
in the Indo-Pacific."
Deputy Assistant to United States President
Joe Biden and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific
Affairs on the United States National
Security Council, Kurt Campbell, said "Washington
remains focused on the Indo-Pacific and
the long-term challenge of China,"
saying "We need to step up our game
in Southeast Asia."
"We are not asking countries to make
a choice between the United States and China.
We want to make clear, though, that the
United States seeks stronger relationships,"
he said.
He said that the United States would raise
areas of cooperation with ASEAN leaders
in the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) trade pact launched by President
Joe Biden.
"The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
(IPEF) commits the United States to work
with partners on key economic priorities
including ensuring smooth supply chains,
fighting corruption and promoting green
energy," he said.
He said that unlike traditional trade pacts
the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
would not guarantee market access to the
United States, saying "the United States
is the usual sweetner to persuade nations
to make concessions."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysian
port service contractor
'on the run' after bribing
US navy to stop in ports in
Southeast Asia
|
|
 |
|
Glenn
Defense Marine Asia (GDMA),
Leonard Glenn Francis, 53,
who is under house arrest,
escaped from his home in San
Diega on Sunday September
4, 2022 three weeks ahead
of the beginning of a prison
sentence
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, September 10: A Malaysian
port service contractor, who is under house
arrest in the United States for fraud and
offering bribes to United States Navy officers
in order to secure contracts for his Singapore
based company, has escaped from his home
in San Diega, reports the Star.
Malaysian port service contractor, Leonard
Glenn Francis, 53, eascaped from house arrest
three weeks ahead of the begining of a prison
sentence, with a Supervisory Deputy United
States Marshall saying "Leonard Glenn
Francis cut off his GPS monitoring ankle
bracelet sometime on Sunday."
Supervisory Deputy United States Marshall,
Omar Castillo, said that San Diego police
officers discovered that Leonard Glenn Francis
was not at his home, saying "the United
States federal agency conducted a welfare
check on him."
Port service contractor Leonard Glenn Francis,
from Penang in Malaysia, who was under house
arrest in San Diego due to several health
issues, is reportedly "on the run"
with San Diego police officers, saying "Leonard
Glenn Francis may already be in neighbouring
Mexico."
Malaysian port service contractor, Leonard
Glenn Francis pleaded guilty in March 2015
to providing US Navy officers and civilians
with meals, alcohol, luxury hotel accomodation
and prostitutes to ensure US Navy ships
stopped at ports in South East Asia where
his Singapore based company, Glenn Defense
Marine Asia (GDMA), operated.
Leonard Francis admitted he reportedly "bilked"
the US military of tens of millions of dollars
by routinely overbilling for fuel, tugboat
services and sewage disposal.
In June 2016 United States Navy Rear Admiral,
Robert Gilbeau, 55, commander of Defense
Contract Management Agency Internationa,
responsible for the global administration
of the Department of Defence contracts outside
the United States, pleaded guilty in the
San Diego federal court to making a false
statement to Defense Criminal Investigative
Service (DCIS) and the Naval Criminal Investigative
Service (NCIS) in the investigation into
fraud and bribery in the Singapore based
company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA)
operated by Leonard Glenn Francis.
US Navy Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau, 55, a
one star Admiral, is the ninth naval officer
to plead guilty to charges of accepting
bribes and favours including fraud to ensure
that US Navy ships stopped at ports in Southeast
Asia where Singapore based company, Glenn
Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), operated.
US Navy Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau, 55, is
the fourteenth naval officer or civilian
charged in what prosecutors have called
"a massive bribery and fraud scheme"
following the Singapore based company, Glenn
Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) investigation
named the "Fat Leonard" case after
Malaysian port service contractor, Leonard
Glenn Francis.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Queen of
the Commonwealth, Elizabeth
11, dies in Scotland age 96
|
|
 |
|
Britains
monarch and head of state,
Queen Elizabeth 11, transitioned
Empire states to Commonwealth
states since crowned Queen
of the British Empire on June
2, 1953
|
|
From
News Reports:
London, September 10: Queen Elizabeth
11, Britains longest reigning monarch
and head of state, who was crowned queen
of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and
Ceylon on June 2, 1953, died at Balmoral
Castle in Aberdeen in Scotland on Thursday
aged 96.
The eldest son of Queen Ellizabeth 11, Prince
of Wales, Charles, 73, who has become King
Charles 111 to 56 Commonwealth independent
states and head of the commonwealth said
"we mourn profoundly the passing of
a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother."
He said that the death of his beloved
mother was of great sadness for him and
his family and that her loss would be
deeply felt around the world.
"I know her loss will be deeply felt
throughout the country, the Commonwealth,
and by countless people around the world,"
he said.
The Commonwealth was founded through the
independence of 15 former British colonies
and dependencies including Antigua and
Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize,
Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.
Commonwealth states transitioned from
Empire to Commonwealth during the 70 year
tenure of Queen Elizabeth 11 as monarch
and head of state and are included in
an intergovernment organisation of 56
independent Commonwealth member states.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
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 |
|
| Kang-Fu
the Red Kangaroo is relentless
in his fight to protect Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page here |
|
| Bombed
by the Americans for Christmas
in 1972, Ha Noi Bach Mai hospital
is still a war zone...Christina
Pas reports...Open
page here |
|
| 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 |
|
| Read
what Son Nguyen has to say about
the impact of China's virus
on Vietnam's economy in "When
the economy gets sick"
open
here |
|
| Has
the ancient Syrian city of
Palmyra suffered
a fatal blow, or will it rise
again? asks Australian reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page here |
|
|
Darwin
reporter John Loizou asks
a survivor of the 1965 killings
in Bali "why didn't you
try to stop them" in
"Remembering the slaughter
in Paradise"
........open
page here
|
|
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A. Hamzah as he calls
for Asians to determine their
own political destiny in "Time
for Asia to set it's own course,
minus the U.S."...open
here |
|
| Is
prescribed burning of grasslands
in northern Australia out of
control? ......Chris
Ray reports ...
open page here |
|
| "Rockefeller
and the Demise of Ibu Pertiwi"
by Kerry B. Collison "is
undoubtedly fictional but by
no means improbable, "
says Johannes Nugroho ....open
page here |
|
Viet
Nam is planning to go nuclear
by the year 2020.reports
John Loizou in
"Calculating
the costs of nuclear energy
in Vietnam"
...open
page here |
|
|
The
founder of the Revolutionary
Front of Independent East
Timor (Fretilin), Mari Alkatiri,
the now former Prime Minister
of Timor Leste, after losing
the May 12, 2018 election
to the National Congress for
Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)
party, led by Xanana Gusmao,
has accused the opposition
of a coup attempt.
Twelve years ago Mari Alkatiri
also accused the opposition
of a coup attemp claiming
then that the crises that
led to his resignation was
the result of a conspiracy.
"I have no doubt about
that" he told Darwin
reporter John Loizou in an
interview in Dili on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
|
|
|
Cuba's
302 physicians in East Timor
work at five hospitals and
remote villages throughout
the republic...writes Darwin
reporter John Loizou ...open
page here
|
|
| Benedict
Anderson, a man without a country,
dies in Indonesia Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page here |
|
|
Thousands
of Northern Australia's indigenous
rock art sites are under threat
from buffalo, fire and feral
animals.
Tim Lee reports
........open page here
|
|
| Copy
of letter 29 May 2012 from Vietnam
Womens Union to International
Olympic Committee...open
here |
|
| The
Southeast Asian Times wishes
its readers a happy Christmas
and all the best for the New
Year with a special thankyou
to its treasured letter writers
|
|
Published
by Pas Loizou Press Darwin Northern Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast Asian Times cannot be
bought
|
|
|
| ; |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet
Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property
sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in Yangon to sell
condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore
properties to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial
and industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway
Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's
railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy
Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of
public services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would
bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19: Five Penang food factories including a 100
year old soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health standards.
State health, food safety and quality division, deputy director
Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin said soya bean products were processed
in an unclean "rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found that wet products were left to dry
on "dirty" bamboo sticks along with bathing towels.
The bamboo sticks were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets" factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory
in Simpang Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department
The
Southeast Asian Times
Fuel
smugglers including military personnel under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested 30 suspects
including several Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel and seized
64 cars, two boats and 106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam
last week that the seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres
of fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected of fuel smuggling
and have been handed over to the military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen. Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thai
coup blammed for fall in tourist arrivals
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the first
month after the establishment of marshal law and the military
seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10 percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all
visitors to Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent
The
Southeast Asian Times
US
Senate approves sales of nuclear equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed
legislation approving a 123 agreement on civil nuclear commerce
with Vietnam at a business meeting of the committee last week.
The 123 agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to export
nuclear reactors, research information and equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce agreement between the US and Vietnam
is "part of Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The
Southeast Asian Times
Court for construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two Construction Courts for Malaysia
were opened by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur
and Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way the construction
business in the country operates.
"The construction industry stakerholders can now have their
disputes resolved by judges with expert knowledge and experience
in construction industry disputes', he said.
The proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali community-based tourism operators have
called for amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact that
his community received only 40 percent of the total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share of the tourist revenue
to pay for operating costs", he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said that operating costs for
trekking, traditional dance, cultural shows including religious
rituals had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and community halls for tourism had
also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli community
but for tourism based communities across Bali would benefit tourism
island-wide" said the tourism manager.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Riau
forest fires force Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the Indonesian
subsidiary of US-based oil company Chevron has shut down 573 oil
wells in the Riau province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of air due to forest fires that have
been raging for the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families.
Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public
relations officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown of Rokan
block, operated by Chevron Pacific Indonesia, the country's biggest
producer of crude oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts reports that potential losses are estimated
at about 12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there was an 86 percent increase
in tourist arrivals from China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that 193,010
tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China in 2011 increasing
to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the influx of tourists
from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite foods",
he said.
Sabah and Labuan Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association
of Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort,
said that staff members are encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can converse better with guests" he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Pilots
strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From
News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights to Surabaya,
Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the
airline had not paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines was
required to restructure its operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto Chendra Putra says that Merpati
has signed a memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion (US$533 million) reports
the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or early
April, said the Merpati corporate secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board official, Erry Wardhana,
said about 200 Merpati pilots planned to strike again next Saturday
for an indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until 1,600 Merpati employees were
paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the first
time that Merpati workers have gone on strike over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for December and January reports the
Jakarta Post.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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