GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout the region.
|
Thai
senate seeks
referendum on new constitution: Lese Majeste law
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The Senate is seeking a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives voted
for an opposition-sponsored motion on November 3, 2022
to seek a referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum
that would pave the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be drawn up by a
charter drafting assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has tentatively
been set for May 7 by the Election Commission (EC).
Senators were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum, saying
"It is a tactic to stall the referendum"
Sen Kittisak Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he disagreed
with organising the referendum on the same day as the
general election,
"This could confuse voters," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
China
calls emergency COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From
News Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An emergency meeting of foreign
ministers from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is to
be held in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday and Friday to discuss
the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN member
states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly intended
to share information and to improve coordination between
China and the 10 ASEAN member states in order to combat
the COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with focus on strengthening
joint prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of establishing
a long term and effective collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying " China and
Asean countries have been in close communication since
the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an opportunity for the foreign
ministers to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will demonstrate Cambodias
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 countrys 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
|
|
|
Philippine
legislators want immediate
investigation into oil spill
from sunken MT Princess Empress
|
|
 |
Filipino's
cleanup oil spill from the
sunken oil tanker, MT Princess
Empress, on the Verde Island
Marine Corridor, on a cash-for-work
program introduced by the
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila March 21: Patriotic Coalition of
the People' (Makabayan) legislators have
called for an immediate investigation into
the oil spill from the sunken oil tanker
MT Princess Empress that has affected the
livelihood of more than two million Filipino's
on the Verde Island Marine Corridor, with
demands to Philippine's President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. for compensation for fishers,
reports the Manila Bulletin.
Patriotic Coalition of the People' (Makabayan),
House Deputy Minority Leader, France Castro,
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas,
and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul
Manuel called for an immediate investigation
into the effects of the oil spill of MT
Princess Empress that was carrying 900,000
liters of industrial fuel when it sank in
the Verde Island Marine Corridor off the
coast of Oriental Mindoro in the early hours
of February 28.
Patriotic Coalition of the People' (Makabayan)
legislators said that the Philippine national
government must provide immediate compensation
for the fisherfolk and families affected
by the oil spill, saying "the national
government must exhaust all means to stop
the further spread of the industrial fuel
oil."
"Now, therefore, be it resolved, as
it is hereby resolved, that the House of
Representatives through the Committee on
Natural Resources and Committee on Aquaculture
and Fisheries Resource immediately conduct
an investigation, in aid of legislation,
on the effects of the oil spill caused by
the MT Princess Empress on the environment,
livelihood of fisherfolks, and the local
production of fish, said the Patriotic
Coalition of the People' (Makabayan) legislators.
Patriotic Coalition of the People' (Makabayan)
legislators said that the oil spill-affected
areas are within the Verde Island Marine
Corridor that spans 1.4 million hectares
and covers Batangas, Marinduque, Oriental
Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Romblon,
saying "more than two million people
live along the Verde Island Passage Marine
Corridor and depend on its resources to
survive."
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
said the oil spill in the Verde Island Marine
Corridor off the coast of Oriental Mindoro
has caused more than 18, 000 Philippine
fishermen to lose their livelihoods, saying
"the oil spill threatens the nations
most diverse sea region."
He said the cleanup of the oil spill from
the oil tanker, MT Princess Empress, could
take up to four months, saying he has directed
government agencies to help fishermen affected
by the oil spill.
He said the government has a cash-for-work
program for the affected fishermen, saying
"the fishermen can go back to fishing
when the oil-spill is cleaned up."
The
Southeast Asian Times
ASEAN calls
for Extradition Treaty for
all ASEAN members
|
|
 |
The
4th meeting of the ASEAN Senior
Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM)
Working Group on the ASEAN
Extradition Treaty in Denpasar,
Bali, Wednesday March 15,
2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 20: The ASEAN Senior Law
Officials Meeting (ASLOM) Working Group
on the ASEAN Extradition Treaty (WG-AET)
called for the advancement of efforts for
a binding Extradition Treaty for all ASEAN
member states at its 4th meeting in Denpasar,
Bali on Wednesday, with the chairman saying
" Indonesia encourages the realization
of an ASEAN Extradition Treaty (AET), reports
Antara.
The Indonesian Law and Human Rights Ministry,
Director General of Legal Administrative
Affairs, and chairman of the ASEAN Senior
Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM), Cahyo R,
said the ASEAN Extradition Treaty will demonstrate
ASEAN's strong commitment to working together
with the international community in tackling
and eradicating transnational crime."
"The eradication of transnational
crime is vital in supporting the realization
of a safe, stable, and prosperous ASEAN
region," he said.
He said that the Law and Human Rights
Ministry is the focal point of the ASEAN
Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM),
saying "the establishment of the
ASLOM Working Group on the ASEAN Extradition
Treaty was a mandate of the ASEAN legal
ministers' meeting with ASLOM."
He said that the efforts for a binding ASEAN
Etradition Treaty align with ASEAN leaders'
commitment contained in the 1976 ASEAN Concord
Declaration in Bali that includes the "Study
on how to develop judicial cooperation including
the possibility of an ASEAN Extradition
Treaty."
In December 2022 the Indonesian House
of Representatives (DPR) Commission I
and III members for 20192024 ratified
the bill on the Extradition Treaty between
Indonesia and Singapore, that was signed
by President Joko Widodo and Singaporean
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in January.
In April 2007, former Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Singapore
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong oversaw
the signing of an extradition treaty and
Defence Cooperation Agreement between
Singapore and Indonesia but it was not
ratified by the Indonesia's parliament.
Indonesia's Members of Parliament reportedly
argued that the extradition treaty and
Defence Cooperation Agreement favoured
Singapore and could compromise Indonesia's
security.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Myanmar
crisis affecting security
and welfare of region: Malaysia
PM
|
|
 |
Malaysian
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
and Philippines President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila
Wednesday March 1, 2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 19: Malaysian Prime
Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticised the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN for ASEAN's
inaction on Mynamar during an official visit
to ASEAN member, the Philippines, saying
"the Myanmar crisis cannot be considered
as purely internal because its affecting
the security and welfare of the region,"
reports Agence France Press.
"The huge number of refugees from Myanmar,
exceeding 200,000 in Malaysia now, are adversly
affecting Malaysia," he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said
at a meeting with Philippines President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 1, that "ASEAN's
principle of non-interference in member-states
affairs must not descend into indifference,"
saying "ASEAN should explore new approaches
to resolving the post-coup crisis in Myanmar."
He said that consensus-based decision making
should not devolve into silence on violations
of the ASEAN's core principles of respect
for democratic values, human rights and
fundamental freedoms," saying "I
believe that non-interference is not a license
for indifference."
He said that Asean should not remain silent
over develoments in member states that affect
the wider region, saying "particularly
egregious violations of the ASEAN Charter
by its own members."
In February 2023 Indonesia ASEAN chair for
2023 affirmed ASEAN unity of the official
ASEAN position on Myanmar at the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers Retreat (AMM) in Jakarta,
saying "the ASEAN foreign ministers
reaffirmed a united approach in the implementation
of the Five-Point Consensus plan,"
She said that Indonesia has proposed and
negotiated the implementation of the Five-Point
Consensus (5PC) plan, saying "support
from all ASEAN members shows the strong
unity of ASEAN members to implement the
Five-Point Consensus."
The ASEAN Five Point Concensus (5PC) plan
that was introduced at the ASEAN Leaders
Meeting (ALM) in Jakarta in April 2021,
was attended by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Commander-in-Chief Senior General
Min Aung Hlaing.
Then the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung
Hlaing agreed to the ASEAN Five Point Concensus
(5PC) plan that included an immediate end
to all forms of violence, the release of
political prisoners, implementation of the
rights of women and children, unimpeded
humanitarian access and facilitation and
mediation with the Secretary General of
ASEAN.
In October 2021 The Association of Southeast
Asian Parliamentarians for Human Rights
(APHR), chairman and Member of the Malaysian
Parliament, Charles Santiago, who promotes
democracy and human rights in Southeast
Asia, called on the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and
governments world wide to recognise Myanmar's
civilian National Unity Government (NUG)
that was founded following the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar takeover of the elected
National League for Democracy (NLD) government
in February 2021.
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR) urged ASEAN to recognise
Myanmar's civilian National Unity Government
(NUG) and ASEAN dialogue partners and governments
world-wide "to sanction against the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar."
The Association of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR), chairman and Member
of the Malaysian Parliament, Charles Santiago,
called on ASEAN dialogue partners that include
Australia, Canada, China, European Union,
India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand,
Russia and the United States to officially
meet with the National Unity Government
(NUG) "to extend solidarity with the
people of Myanmar."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Cambodia
rejects Human Rights call
to release striking NagaWorld
hotel casino workers from
prison
|
|
 |
Former
NagaWorld hotel and casino
employees demand the release
from prison of president of
the Labour Rights Supported
Union of Khmer Employees of
NagaWorld (LRSU), Chhim Sithar,
in Phnom Penh on Tuesday March
14, 2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 18: The Ministry of Justice
and the Cambodian Human Rights Committee
(CHRC) have rejected the call from Human
Rights Watch (HRW) to release nine former
NagaWorld hotel and casino complex employees
including Chhim Sithar, 35, president of
the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer
Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) detained on
charges of "incitement to cause social
chaos," saying "the statement
issued by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) is
biased against the Government with no specific
basis," reports the Phnom Penh Post.
The Ministry of Justice, spokesperson and
the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC)
vice chairman, Chin Malin said that the
statement issued by Human Righrs Watch (HRW)
titled "Cambodia: Labour Leaders, Activists
Facing Baseless Allegations" on Tuesday
"is biased against the government with
no specific basis", saying "this
case follows standard legal proceeding."
He said that the accused have already crossed
the line of existing labour dispute resolution
mechanisms, saying "this has led to
the commission of crimes that are clearly
defined under the law."
"Naturally, the courts follow all national
and international conventions related to
human rights," he said.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Deputy Director
Asia, Phil Robertson, issued a statement
on Tuesday urging the immediate and unconditional
release of the nine former NagaWorld employees
including Chhim Sithar, 35, president of
the Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer
Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU), saying "Cambodia
authorities were violating the criminal
justice system by targeting union leaders
and other labour rights advocates."
They are being subjected to increasing
pressure from Cambodian authorities as the
space for civil society in Cambodia narrows
in the run-up to the July parliamentary
election, he said.
In December 2022 the Phnom Penh Municipal
Court ordered the arrest of Chhim Sithar,
35, president of the Labour Rights Supported
Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU)
on her return to Cambodia from Australia
where she had attended the 5th International
Trade Union Confederation World Congress
(ITUC) from 17 to 22 November, 2022.
Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees
of NagaWorld (LRSU) president, Chhim Sithar,
who represents 3,000 hotel and casino workers
who stopped work at the five star NagaWorld
hotel and casino complex in Phnom Penh in
January 2020, was arrested at the Phnom
Penh airport on November 26, 2022.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ordered the
arrest of Chhim Sithar on her return to
Camboida after twelve days in Australia
for failing to comply with bail conditions
that were set on her release from the Prey
Sar Prison on March 14, 2022.
In January 2020 about 3,000 hotel and casino
workers went on strike at the five star
NagaWorld hotel and casino complex in Phnom
Penh for higher wages, improved working
conditions and the reinstatement of their
union Labour Rights Supported Union of Khmer
Employees of NagaWorld (LRSU) president
Chhim Sithar.
Chhim Sithar, was suspended for allegedly
breaching company rules, for supporting
a union member who was harassed by security
guards for wearing a union-T-shirt.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged unionists,
activists, striking workers and former employees
of the Hong Kong investment holding company
NagaCorp Ltd with incitement to commit a
felony for reportedly "undertaking
an illegal protest in front of the five
star Hotel NagaWorld hotel and casino complex.
Thousands of unionists, activists, striking
workers and former employees had been protesting
at the Hotel NagaWorld hotel and casino
complex since December 17 demanding that
NagaCorp Ltd reinstate dismissed employees
and end discrimination against union members.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Reward offered
for return of radioactive
material missing from power
plant in Thailand
|
|
 |
Prachinburi
provincial governor, Ronnarong
Nakornjinda, warns public
not to touch the cylinder
of radioactive material Caesium-137
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, March 17: The hunt for the missing
radioactive material Caesium-137 that
went missing from the National Power Plant
5A Co Ltd in Prachinburi province, 160
kilometres from Bangkok on February 23,
has intensified, with the Prachinburi
provincial governor offering a reward
for the return of the radioactive material,
reports the Nation.
Prachinburi provincial governor, Ronnarong
Nakornjinda, said that those who provide
information leading to the recovery of the
missing 30cm-long, 13cm-wide cylinder, weighing
25 kg, containing the radioactive material
Caesium-137 would receive a 50,000 baht
(US$1,460) reward."
He warned the public not to touch the
cylinder of radioactive material Caesium-137
that has a half-life of 30 years and remains
in the environment for 300 years, saying
"the radioactive Caesium-137 causes
burns, acute radiation sickness and can
increase the risk of cancer."
He said that the cylinder containing the
radioactive material Caesium-137 is suspected
to have been stolen for sale to an antique
shop, saying "authorities have inspected
junk shops, scrap metal yards and second-hand
stores in Prachinburi province and neighbouring
Chachoengsao province."
"Anyone who finds the tube can contact
National Power Plant 5A community relations
officer Aree Chaktreemongkol at 085 835
0190," he said.
Kittiphan Chitpentham, represenative of
the National Power Supply Public Co, Ltd
that operates National Power Plant 5A
Co Ltd plant in Sri Maha Pho district
in Prachinburi province, said that management
believes that "the cylinder containing
the radioactive material Caesium-137 was
taken from the facility on February 23.
He said that a weekend search of the National
Power Plant 5A Co Ltd failed to locate the
cylinder containing the radioactive material
Caesium-137, saying "radiation tests
at the plant show that the cylinder has
been taken off the premisis."
"The company believes the cylinder
may have fallen from a wall mount on a
18 metres high silo that was used for
measuring steam pressure at the plant."
The
Southeast Asian Times
WHO fires
regional director for the
Western Pacific Regional Office
for abusive conduct and racism
|
|
 |
Dr
Takeshi Kasai, regional director
for the Western Pacific Regional
Office (WPRO) in Manila, Philippines
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 16: The World Health Organisation
(WHO) has fired the regional director for
the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)
in Manila, Philippines for abusive conduct
and racism but not incuding sexual misconduct,
with the WHO Executive Board saying "the
Regional Directors appointment has
been terminated, reports Reuters.
"After careful consideration of the
findings and following consultation with
the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific
and the Executive Board, the Regional Director
Dr Takeshi Kasaia's appointment has been
terminated."
World Health Organisation (WHO ) member
states voted to terminate the contract of
Dr Takeshi Kasai at the Western Pacific
Regional Office (WPRO) in Manila, Philippines
last Wednesday week.
Former director of the Western Pacific Regional
Office (WPRO), Dr Takeshi Kasai, was elected
to the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)
in 2019 after more than 15 years with the
World Health Organisation (WHO).
World Health Organisation (WHO ) Executive
Board confirmed Dr Takeshi Kasai's removal
from his position as director of the Western
Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) with a recommendation
to the World Health Organisation (WHO )
Director General to discontinue any position
held by Dr Takeshi Kasai at the World Health
Organisation (WHO).
World Health Organisation (WHO ) Executive
Board said that "the allegations of
abusive conduct and racism were investigated
by the WHO Office of Investigative Services
(OIS) and subsequently reviewed in accordance
with the normal procedures applicable to
all WHO members."
World Health Organisation (WHO) said "the
investgation included the right of the Regional
Director of the Western Pacific Regional
Office (WPRO), Dr Takeshi Kasai, to receive
all relevant evidence and respond to the
allegations in line with due process."
"These procedures resulted in findings
of misconduct," said the WHO Executive
Board.
The removal of Dr Takeshi Kasai from his
position as the regional director for the
Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)
was opposed by Japan that gathered 11 votes
against his removal against 13 that voted
in favor.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Indo-Pacific
alliance AUKUS to build nuclear-propelled
submarines in South Australia
|
|
 |
Australia
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese,
US President Joe Biden, UK
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
at Point Loma Naval Base,
in San Diego, U.S, 13 March
2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Washington, March 15: The strategic Indo-Pacific
alliance, Australia, United Kingdom, United
States (AUKUS) agreed on Monday to build
a fleet of nuclear-propelled submarines
in Adelaide in South Australia, with China's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying "cooperation
between Australia, United Kingdom and the
United States, (AUKUS) in the development
of nuclear powered submarines would undermine
regional peace and stability," reports
Reuters.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
said at Point Loma naval base in San Diego
on Monday that "the AUKUS agreement
represents the biggest single investment
in Australia's defence capability, strengthening
Australia's national security and stability
in the Indo-Pacific."
"It's the first time in 65 years that
the U.S. has shared its nuclear propulsion
technology," he said.
He said that Australia would build a nuclear-powered
but conventionally armed submarine with
the UK to be named SSN-AUKUS, saying "the
massive defence project would bring billions
of dollars of investment and thousands of
jobs to Australia."
"This will be an Australian sovereign
capability built by Australians, commanded
by the Royal Australian Navy and sustained
by Australians in Australian shipyards with
construction to begin within this decade,"
he said.
In September 2021 Australia, United Kingdom
and the United States, (AUKUS) announced
at the State Department in Washington DC,
that the newly formed security partnership,
AUKUS, would cooperate to develope nuclear-powered
submarines in Australia with China's Ministry
of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Zhao Lijian,
saying that "cooperation between Australia,
United Kingdom and the United States, (AUKUS)
would undermine regional peace and stability
in the building of nuclear powered submarines."
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman,
Zhao Lijian said at a press conference in
Beijing that cooperation in the development
of nuclear submarines between Australia,
United Kingdom and the United States, (AUKUS)
would undermine regional peace and stability,
intensify the arms race and undermine international
non-proliferation of nuclear weapons efforts.
"Australia as a non-nuclear weapon
state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and a party to
the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ)
Treaty, has introduced nuclear submarine
technology of strategic and military value,"
he said.
Australia cancelled a multi-billion-dollar
contract for conventional French submarines
in September 2021 on the newly formed AUKUS
security partnership, with France Foreign
Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian saying that
the cancellation of the contract and the
newly formed trategic Indo-Pacific alliance
between Australia, United Kingdom and the
United States AUKUS "concerns the very
nature of the relationship between Europe
and the United States Indo-Pacific strategy."
"France has pushed for several years
for a European strategy for boosting economic,
political and defence ties in the region
from India and China to Japan and New Zealand,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Two
Arema Football Club officials
sentenced to prison for deaths
in stampede at Kanjuruhan
Stadium
|
|
 |
Arema
Football Club Organizing Committee
chair Abdul Haris, left, and
Arema Football Club security
chief Suko Sutrisno, right,
arrive at the Surabaya District
Court, East Java, Indonesia
Thursday March 9, 2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 14: The Surabaya district
court, East Java, Indonesia, sentenced two
Arema Football Club officials to 12 to 18
months in prison for criminal negligence
causing death and bodily harm in a stampede
that killed 125 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium
on October 1, with Arema Football Club security
chief Suko Sutrisno who received a 12 month
prison sentence denying any wong doing,
reports Rueters.
Arema Football Club security chief Suko
Sutrisno denied any wrongdoing in the stampede
that killed 125 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium,
claimed he would appeal the verdict, saying
"we want justice,"
He asked after the Surabaya District Court
delivered the verdict, "why us little
people" ?
What about the others? he asked.
The panel of three judges at Surabaya District
Court, sentenced Arema Footbal Club Organizing
Committee Chair Abdul Haris, to 18 months
in prison and Arema Football Club security
chief Suko Sutrisno to 12 months in prison.
Chief judge Abu Achmad Sidqi Amsya said
that "Arema Footbal Club Organizing
Committee Chair, Abdul Haris, has been found
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of causing
deaths and severe injuries due to his negligence."
"The defendants had failed to ensure
adequate security and crowd control measures
at the stadium," he said.
Chief judge Abu Achmad Sidqi Amsya said
that the panel of judges had considered
mitigating factors that included the Arema
Footbal Club Organizing Committee Chair,
Abdul Haris, proposal to reschedule the
match for security reasons that was rejected,
and Arema Football Club security chief Suko
Sutrisno's initiative to evacuate victims.
Lawyer for the defendants, Eko Hendra Prasetyo,
said that Arema Footbal Club Organizing
Committee chair, Abdul Haris, and Arema
Football Club security chief, Suko Sutrisno,
"they should have been acquitted,"
"There is no evidence that their actions
could have contributed to the deaths of
the fans," he said.
He said that the defendents helped rescue
victims, denying claims that the Arema Footbal
Club Organizing Committee did not prepare
evacuation doors, saying "there were
evacuation doors below Gate F."
"Football fans couldnt get to
the evacuation doors because they were blocked
by tear gas," he said.
In October 2022 the Joint Independent Fact-finding
Team (TGIPF) found that tear gas fired at
spectators at the Kanjuruhan Stadium has
caused the deaths of 132 football fans and
injuries to 596 as they ran towards the
exits of the overcrowded stadium to escape
tear gas.
The crowd at the Kanjuruhan Stadium was
reportedly beyond capacity on Sunday 1 October
2022 , with 42,000 tickets sold for the
match in a stadium designed to hold 38,000
spectators.
The Joint Independent Fact-finding Team
(TGIPF) investigation into the firing of
tear gas at the Kanjuruhan Stadium found
that "the failure of police to follow
Federation Internationale de Football Association
(FIFA) regulations contributed to the deaths
and injuries at the stadium.
The Joint Independent Fact-finding Team
(TGIPF) investigation also found that Indonesian
National Police officers had attempted to
secure the crowd by firing tear gas indiscrimintely,
saying "the indiscriminate firing of
tear gas caused panic among spectators and
the ensuring stampede."
The Joint Independent Fact-finding Team
(TGIPF) recommended that the Indonesian
National Police take action against police
officers who fired tear gas and against
Arema Football Club supporters who the TGIPF
claim started the provocation.
Indonesian National Police officers fired
tear gas to disperse Arema Football Club
supporters who had run onto the Kanjuruhan
Stadium field after a 3-2 home defeat to
Persebaya Surabaya despite the Federation
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
governing body for world soccer safety regulations
that firearms or crowd control gas should
not be used at football sports stadiums.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Former
PM Muhyiddin Yassin charged
with abuse of power by the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission
|
|
 |
Former
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin at Kuala Lumpur Court
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Friday March 10, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 13: Former Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin, 75, was charged with
abuse of power on Friday, with the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) saying
"former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin was arrested at the Anti-Corruption
Commission on Thursday," reports
Reuters.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) Commissioner, Azam Baki said "the
former Prime Minister will face several
charges under Section 23 and Section 4(1)
b of the Anti- Money Laundering Act."
"Section 23 refers to the charge
of abuse of power," he said.
He said that former Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin was arrested for abuse of power
related to the Jana Wibawa project that
was planned to assist ethnic Malays during
and after the Covic-19 pandemic.
Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin,
who served as Prime Minister during the
Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 until
he resigned in August 2021, claimed innocence
to the charge of abuse of power in the Jana
Wibawa project, saying "I did not have
the power to approve government projects."
"That power was with the Ministry
of Finance," he said.
"The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC) should know from the statements
that there was no element of power abuse
or corruption." he said.
Former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin claims
that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's
(MACC) charge "is aimed to humiliate
me by dragging me to court, saying "this
selective prosecution is a political move
aimed at crippling and destroying the Malaysian
United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and Perikatan
Nasional parties (NP)."
In July 2021 support for former Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin, who was appointed by King
Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shahin in March 2020,
was withdrawn by Malaysia's largests political
party, the United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), in defence of the the Malay Royal
Institution as enshrined in Article 3 of
the UMNO Constitution.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said
then "UMNO cannot compromise with
the Muhyiddin Yassin government's attitude
towards the monarchy."
He said that the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) could not support
the Muhyiddin Yassin government, saying
the failure of the Muhyiddin Yassin government
to immediately abide by calls from the
King and the Malay Rulers to reconvene
Parliament that was closed due to the
Covid-19 pandemic was reason for the United
Malays National Organisation (UMNO) not
to support the Perikatan Nasional (PN)
government.
He said that the United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO) was formed to protect
and defend the institution of the Conference
of Malay Rulers and the King, saying that
"the Party would not remain silent."
The King, who chaired the Conference of
Malay Rulers in June 2021 and who is empowered
to reconvene Parliament under the Federal
Constitution on the advice of Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin, ruled that the state
of emergency that expired on August 1,
2021 should not be extended and that Parliament
would reconvene as soon as possible.
"The governments failure to
implement the Conference of Malay Rulers
decision is considered a treasonous act
and shows disrespect for the institution
of the King and the Conference of Malay
Rulers," said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the Muhyiddin Yassin government
had failed to fulfill the Malaysian people's
aspiration in managing the Covid-19 pandemic,
saying "inconsistent policies had
led to the inefective implementation of
lockdowns and misuse of the Emergency
Ordinance."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Former
Fiji PM and Commissioner of
Police charged with abuse
of office
|
|
 |
Former
Fiji Prime Minister Frank
Bainimarama and and former
Fiji Commissioner of Police
Sitiveni Qiliho at the Totogo
Police Station in Suva, Fiji
on Friday March 10, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Suva, March 12: Former Fiji Prime Minister
Frank Bainimarama was charged with abuse
of office on Friday with the Fiji Public
Prosecutor saying "the former Fiji
Prime Minister and the former Fiji Commissioner
of Police have allegedly arbitrarily terminated
an active police investigation into the
financial management of the University
of the South Pacific (USP), reports Reuters.
Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama,
pleaded not guilty to the charge of abuse
of office under Division 11 of Offences
against the Administration of Lawful Authority,
saying "I served as Prime Minister
of Fiji with integrity and with the best
interest of Fijians at heart."
"I am going to fight this charge
not only for my own reputation but for
democracy, all Fijians, and of course
for the constitution," he said.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
Christopher Pryde, said that former Prime
Minister, Frank Bainimarama, and Commissioner
of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho were charged
with one count each of abuse of office,
saying "the former Prime Minister
and former Commissioner of Police are
charged with interference in an active
investigation into the financial mismanagement
at the University of the South Pacific
(USP) in 2019."
He said that further investigations into
other maters arising from the investigation
into the financial mismanagement at the
University of the South Pacific will be
undertaken, saying "more charges
may be laid against other suspects in
due course."
In July 2022 China and the 10 Pacific
Island countries from Micronesia, Melanesia
and Polynesia that include the Solomon
Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga,
Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands
and Niue, that make up the Federated States
of Micronesia, were to endorse China's
Common Development Vision for the Pacific,
with a warning against the endorsement
by the Federated States of Micronesia
(FSM)
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM),
David Panuelo, warned the Pacific nations
of dire consequences if any nations endorse
China's Common Development Vision for
the Pacific.
He said in his letter to the Micronesian,
Melanesian and Polynesian countries in
the Pacfic that "China's Common Development
Vision for the Pacific is an intent to
shift those of us with diplomatic relations
with China very close to Beijing's orbit,
intrinsically tying the whole of our economies
and societies to them," saying "aggreement
to the plan would needlessly heighten
geopolitical tensions and threaten regional
stability."
"The Common Development Vision was
the single most game-changing proposed
agreement in the Pacific in any of our
lifetimes," he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
KL court
acquits ousted former PM Najib
Razak of tampering with 1MDB
state funds final audit report
|
|
 |
Ousted
former PM Najib Razak acquitted
of tampering with 1Malaysia
Development Bhd (1MDB) state
funds final audit report by
the Kuala Lumpur High Court
on Friday March 10, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 11: The Kuala Lumpur
High Court has acquitted ousted former Prime
Minister, Najib Razak, on charges of tampering
with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)
state funds final audit report, with the
court ruling that the prosecution had failed
to gather evidence to convince the court
that Najib Razak must enter a defence, reports
the Star.
Kuala Lumpur High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini
Mazlan acquitted former Prime Minister and
former Chairman of the 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB), Najib Razak, and the former
1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Chief Executive
Officer, Arul Kanda Kandasamy, saying "the
prosecution failed to gather evidence to
convince the court that the two defendants
must enter a defense."
"I find that the prosecution has failed
to adduce credible evidence to prove the
offense which would warrant a conviction,"
he said.
He said that the prosecution has not made
a prima facie case against the accused Najib
Razak, saying "Najib Razak is hence
dischared and acquitted from the charge
against him."
In December 2021 the Malaysian Court of
Appeal upheld the High Court verdict that
found ousted former Prime Minister Najib
Razak, guilty of Criminal Breach of Trust
(CBT) in the misappropriation of US$700million
(RM2.6billion) from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) and subsiduary SRS International
Sdn Bhd funds.
In December 2018 former Prime Minister Najib
Razak was arrested for allegedly tampering
with the 1MDB final audit report, with the
Auditor-General Madinah Mohamad saying that
parts of the 1MDB final audit report had
been expunged.
He said the attendence of Malaysian fugitive
financier Low Taek Jho at the 1MDB board
at the February 24, 2016 meeting had been
expunged from the 1MDB final audit report,
saying "fugitive financier Low Taek
Jho attendence at the 1MDB meeting was excluded
from the 1MDB final audit report,"
he said.
A warrant for the arrest of Malaysian fugitive
financier Low Taek Jho, who is wanted by
Malaysian police for alledged money laundering
of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) state
funds was issued in August 2018.
Low Taek Jho, who is reportedly a family
friend of ousted former Prime Minister Najib
Razak, is wanted on eight counts of money
laundering and his father Low Hock Peng
on one count including the alleged investment
of hundreds of millions of dollars in the
United States and London.
In January 2020 the then witness for the
prosecution, former director of the National
Audit Department, Saadatul Nafisah Bashir
Ahmad, told the Kuala Lumpur court that
she and the former auditor-general Ambrin
Buang "were forced to accept the decision
to expunge parts of the 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) state funds final audit report.
She said under cross examination by lawyer,
Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who represented
former ousted Malaysian Prime Minister Najib
Razak and former 1MDB chief executive officer,
Arul Kanda Kandasamy, on charges of tampering
with the final 1MDB audit report, that she
was forced to expunge parts of the final
audit report at a meeting held on February
24, 2016.
She said that the meeting was chaired by
the then Chief Secretary to the Government,
Dr Ali Hamsa, at his office, with 1MDB the
then chief executive officer Arul Kanda
Kandasamy, Shukry Mohd Salleh, the principal
private secretary at the time to Prime Minister
Najib Razak and officer at the Attorney-General's
Chambers, Dzulkifli Ahmad, in attendance.
Witness for the prosecution, former director
of the National Audit Department, Saadatul
Nafisah Bashir Ahmad, said under cross examination
that she viewed the request made by the
then Chief Secretary to the Government and
1MDB chair, Dr Ali Hamsa, that her department.
the National Audit Department .consider
expunging portions of the audit report as
an order, saying "it was akin to being
forced to do so."
The 1MDB final audit report that had been
marked secret under the Official Secrets
Act (OSA) under the ousted former Prime
Minsiter Najib Rajak administration was
declassified less than a week after the
May 9, 2018 elections that saw the defeat
of the ruling Barisan National (BN) party
lead by the former Prime Minister Najib
Rajak and the return of Prime Minister Mathahir
Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad said after he was sworn
in as Prime Minister that he would appoint
a finance ministry advisor to oversee efforts
to recover US$700mil (RM2.6bil) that was
allegedly transferred from 1Malaysia Development
Bhd (1MDB) to Malaysia Prime Minister Najib
Razak private bank accounts.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Hong Kong
Police cancel International
Women's Day march without
notice
|
|
 |
Wu
Mei-lin, right, executive
director of the Hong Kong
Women Workers Association
(HKWWA) on Thursday March
2, 2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Hong Kong March 10: The International Women's
Day march in Hong Kong that was to be the
first authorised public assembly to be held
in Hong Kong since 2020 with the enforcement
of Beijings's new security laws, was "abruptly
cancelled" with representatives of
the Hong Kong Women Workers Association's
(HKWWA) saying "representatives had
been summoned numerous times for meetings
with the police," reports Reuters.
The Hong Kong Women Workers Association's
(HKWWA) representatives said they called
off the International Women's Day march
that was to be held on Sunday after the
Hong Kong Police Force threatened to arrest
the organisers.
"Groups and citizens who supported
us were also pressured and warned,"
said the Hong Kong Women Workers Association
(HKWWA).
The International Women's Day march that
was organised by the Hong Kong Women Workers
Association's (HKWWA), claims that the association
had been granted authorisation to hold the
International Women's Day march on Sunday,
saying "but the authorisation was abruptly
cancelled the night before, offering no
reason for the cancellation."
The Hong Kong Women Workers Association
(HKWWA) respresenatatives said the approval
for the International Women's Day march
on Sunday was obtained from Hong Kong Police
Force in a letter of no objection.
The Hong Kong Women Workers Association
(HKWWA) executive director Wu Mei-lin claims
that the Hong Kong Police Force gave the
association verbal approval for the International
Women's Day march.
"The association tried its best to
amend the agreement with the police in order
for the International Women's Day march
to take place," said the representatives.
In July 2020 the enforcement of the new
law on Safeguarding National Security in
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(HKSAR) that was adopted by China's National
People's Congress in May 2020 was passed
into legislature in Beijing.
The new law on Safeguarding National Security
in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) allowed the Hong Kong Police
Force to exercised their new powers of arrest.
The Hong Kong Police Force under the new
laws, arrested 10 for taking part in an
illegal assembly, disordly conduct and possession
of offensive weapons on the first day of
the passing of the new security laws in
Beijing.
Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission
of the National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee, Shen Chunyao, said in
Beijing after the passing of the new security
laws for Hong Kong that "the promulgation
and implementation of the new law on Safeguarding
National Security in Hong Kong will uphold
and improve the institutional system of
"one country, two systems," he
said.
He said that the new law on Safeguarding
National Security does not target opposing
political views in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR), saying "political
views, including those not favourable to
the government can still exist."
"The new law does not criminalize normal
international communication and exchanges
either," he said.
He said that the new law will fully protect
the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the vast
majority of Hong Kong residents and the
legitimate rights and interests of investors
in Hong Kong.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Transfer
of nuclear material by AUKUS
up for discussion by International
Atomic Energy Agency
|
|
 |
Ambassador
Nguyen Trung Kien, Governor
- Permanent Representative
of Vietnam to the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
at the meeting in Vienna on
Monday March 6, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, March 9: The transfer of nuclear
material by the new Indo-Pacific alliance
between Australia, United Kingdom and the
United States, (AUKUS), is up for discussion
between the 35 nation board of governors
of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) this week in Vienna that includes
ASEAN members Vietnam and Singapore, with
Vietnam reitorating support for safe, secure
and peaceful uses of nuclear science and
technology, reports the Vietnam News Service.
ASEAN member Vietnam and Governor - Permanent
Representative of Vietnam to the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ambassador
Nguyen Trung Kien, reiterated Vietnams
support for the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) three pillars, safe, secure
and peaceful uses of nuclear science and
technology at the meeting of the 35 nation
board of Governors of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna this
week, reviewing security, safety and the
application of nuclear technology in 2023.
"The board of Governors agreed to a
safeguard agreement between the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran, Syria
and the Democratic Peoples Republic
of Korea (DPRK)," he said.
The 35 board of Governors of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) including, Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada,
China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala,
India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, the Republic
of Korea, Libya, Namibia, Pakistan, Qatar,
the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,
Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Türkiye,
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, the United States of America,
Uruguay and Viet Nam, are to discuss the
transfer of nuclear materials in the context
of the new Indo-Pacific alliance between
Australia, United Kingdom and the United
States (AUKUS)
In September 2021 Vietnam Ministry of Foreign
Affairs spokesperson, Le Thi Thu Hang, said
in Hanoi after the announcement in Washington
of the newly formed alliance between Australia,
United Kingdom and the United States, (AUKUS)
that "nuclear energy must be used for
peaceful purposes"
She said that "all countries in the
region should strive for peace, stability,
cooperation in their development of nuclear
energy."
after Australia, United Kingdom and the
United States, announced that the newly
formed security partnership, AUKUS, would
cooperate to develop nuclear-powered submarines
in Australia.
Then Australian Defence Minister, Peter
Dutton said "Australia is committed
to the highest standards for safeguards,
transparency, verification, and accountancy
measures to ensure the non-proliferation,
safety, and security of nuclear material
and technology."
"Australia remains committed to fulfilling
all its obligations as a non-nuclear weapons
state, including with the International
Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)," he said.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs then spokesman,
Zhao Lijian said in Beijing following the
announcement of the formation of (AUKUS)
that nuclear submarine cooperation between
Australia, United Kingdom and the United
States, (AUKUS) would undermine regional
peace and stability, intensify the arms
race and undermine international non-proliferation
of nuclear weapons efforts.
"Australia as a non-nuclear weapon
state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and a party to
the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (SPNFZ)
Treaty, has introduced nuclear submarine
technology of strategic and military value,"
he said.
Malaysia's then Prime Minister Ismail Sabri
Yaakob warned that the new Indo-Pacific
alliance between Australia, United Kingdom
and the United States, AUKUS, that was formed
to construct nuclear submarines in Australia,
could provoke a nuclear arms race in the
Indo-Pacific region.
"Malaysia feared that the new Indo-Pacific
alliance AUKUS that was announcement at
the State Department in Washington DC,
would work in cooperation to build nuclear-powered
submarines in Australia and that the rotational
deployment of U.S. military aircraft to
Australia "would provoke other powers
to also act aggressively in the region."
The
Southeast Asian Times
China
sends flotilla of war ships
to
the West Philippine Sea
|
|
 |
More
that 40 Chinese vessels sighted
off Pag-asa Island, about
300 miles (483 kms) from Puerto
Princesa in Palawan province
in the West Philippines Sea
on Saturday March 3, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 8: The Philippine Coast Guard
(PCG) has reported sighting more than 40
Chinese vessels anchored off Pag-asa Island,
also known Thitu Island, in the West Philippines
Sea, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
saying "the location of the Pag-asa
Island is clearly inside the Philippines
12-nautical mile territorial sea,"
reports Reuters.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) PCG Commandant
Admiral Artemio Abu said that the continuing
unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels
in the West Philippines Sea "is clearly
inconsistent with the right of innocent
passage and a blatant violation of the Philippines'
territorial integrity."
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel stationed
on Pag-asa Island, reported on Saturday
that a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)
Navy vessel, a China Coast Guard (CCG) 5203
vessel, and 42 suspected maritime militia
vessels, were anchored within 4.5 to 8 nautical
miles off the Pag-asa Island shore.
"The Peoples Liberation Army
(PLA) Navy vessel and China Coast Guard
(CCG) 5203 vessel, were observed idling
in waters surrounding Pag-asa Island,"
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in
a statement.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel stationed
on Pag-asa Island said that the suspected
Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy
vessels were anchored in the vicinity of
reefs west of Pag-asa Island, saying
"the suspected Peoples Liberation
Army (PLA) Navy vessels were anchored at
Pag-asa Island reef 3 and Pag-asa Island
reef 4."
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favour
of the Philippines against China's claim
of "historic rights" over the
South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the
Hague decision followed the Philippine complaint
in 2013 that called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with China over
the right to exploit natural resources inluding
fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China had
violated the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking
"historic rights" in its claim
over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruling with China Foreign Ministry
spokesman, Lu Kang saying then that "the
Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague
has no jurisdiction on this matter."
"The dispute was not covered by U.N.
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
because it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty
not exploitation rights.
The
Southeast Asian Times
ASEAN
member Cambodia supports China's
proposal to end Russia-Ukraine
war
|
|
 |
Cambodia
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced
his support for China's 12-point
peace proposal at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation annual meeting
at the Peace Palace on Friday
March 3, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 7: The Association of
South East Asian (ASEAN) member country,
Cambodia, announced support for China's
12-point peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine
crisis, with Cambodia Prime Minister saying
"the peace proposal respects international
laws and the United Nations Charter's principles,"
reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia Prime Minister, Hun Sen called
on all parties concerned to consider the
proposal on the occasion of the first
anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war,
saying "China's 12-point peace proposal
to end the Russia-Ukraine crisis conforms
with Cambodia's stance."
China's 12-point proposal also calls
for an end to military hostilities,"
he said.
China's 12-point peace proposal includes
respecting the sovereignty of all countries,
abandoning the cold war mentality, ceasing
hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving
the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians
and prisoners of war, keeping nuclear
power plants safe, reducing strategic
risk, facilitating grain exports, stopping
unilateral sanctions, Keeping industrial
and supply chains stable, and promoting
post-conflict reconstruction.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said "War
is the worst way to end war." saying
"a ceasefire is the best means toward
the end of war."
In October 2022 seven of 10 Association
of South East Asian (ASEAN) member country,
voted in favour of the 77th session of
the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
motion that condemned the Russian referendums
of four partially occupied regions in
Ukraine, with ASEAN member nations, Thailand
Laos and Vietnam abstaining from the vote.
ASEAN member countries, Brunei, Cambodia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Indonesia including Myanmar that was representated
at the United Nations by envoy, Kyaw Moe
Tun, who voted without the support of
the ruling Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, were among 143 countries that
voted in favour of the motion condemning
the Russian four partially occupied regions
in Ukraine.
Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus
are the only countries that joined Russia
in voting against the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) motion at the 77the session,
with 35 countries abstaining from the
vote including ASEAN member countries
Laos and Vietnam, China and India.
The
Southeast Asian Times
QUAD
accused of encircling China
and preserving US hegemony
|
|
 |
Australia's
Foreign Minister Penny Wong,
India External Affairs Minister
S Jaishankar, US Secretary
of State Antony Blinken, Japan's
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa
Hayashi at Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) meeting in
New Delhi on Friday March
3, 2023
|
|
From News Reports:
Canberra, March 2023: Foreign Ministers
of Australia, India, Japan and the Secretary
of State of the United States reaffirmed
the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
commitment to support a free and open
Indo-Pacific in New Delhi on Friday, saying
"the Quad will be guided by the priorities
of the Indo-Pacific region" with
China reaffirming criticism of the Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue (Quad) grouping "as
a tool to contain and encircle China and
preserve America's hegemony," reports
Reuters.
On Friday China reaffirmed its criticim
of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
(Quad) grouping "as a tool to contain
and circle China, and preserve America's
hegemony," with China's Ministry
of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning,
saying "China has stated our position
on QUAD on multiple occasions."
"We believe that state-to-state cooperation
needs to be consistent with the trend
of peace and development, rather than
be about putting up exclusionary blocs,"
she said.
She said that state-to-state interactions
should pursue peace and development and
contribute to mutual trust and regional
stability rather than exclusivity.
In February 2022 China's Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Zhao Lijian said following
the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
Foreign Ministers meeting in Australia "the
so-called Quad mechanism is in nature a
tool to contain and encircle China and preserve
America's hegemony,"
Australia, India, Japan and the United
States, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
(Quad) Foreign Ministers, who committed
to non-military initiatives including
new techno-democratic statecraft in a
free and open Indo-Pacific at the first
Quad meeting in March 2021, attended the
4th Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in
Australia with the then Australian Foreign
Affairs Minister, Marise Payne, saying
"the meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers
sends a message to China that security
in the region remains a priority for the
U.S."
On Friday in New Delhi Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) foreign ministers, US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Australia's Penny Wong
and India's External Affairs Minister
S Jaishankar said in a joint statement
"the Quad is acting as a force for
regional and global good," saying
"the quad will be guided by the priorities
of the Indo-Pacific region through its
positive and constructive agenda."
"We strongly support the principles
of freedom, rule of law, sovereignty and
territorial integrity, peaceful settlement
of disputes without resorting to threat
or use of force and freedom of navigation
and overflight, and oppose any unilateral
attempt to change the status quo, all
of which are essential to the peace, stability
and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region
and beyond," the Quadrilateral Security
Dialogue (Quad) said in a statement.
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.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Phnom
Penh court sends former president
of court dissolved opposition
party to prison for 27 years |
|
 |
Phnom Penh court sends
former president of court
dissolved opposition party,
Kem
Sokha, 69, to prison for 27
years
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 5: The Phnom Penh Municiple
Court sentenced former president of the
court dissolved opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP), Kem Sokha, 69, to 27
years in prison for "conspiring with
foreign powers to overthrow the Hun Sen
government" in 2013, reports the Phnom
Penh Post.
Judge Koy Sao handed down the sentence on
Friday, saying "Kem Sokha is sentenced
to 27 years in prison on the charge of collusion
with foreigners that was committed in Cambodia
and other places."
Deputy Prosecutor, Plong Sophal, said on
December 21, 2022 ahead of the verdict handed
down by Judge Koy Sao on Friday that "based
on the real evidence in this case, the courts
prosecutor has enough evidence to place
the burden of proof on the accused that
Kem Sokha plotted a "colour revolution"
in Cambodia.
Deputy Prosecutor, Plong Sophal, argued
that on November 9, 2013, Kem Sokha, who
was then the deputy president of the now
dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party
(CNRP), had told supporters in Melbourne,
Australia that he had followed US orders
to plot the overthrow of the Cambodian Government
throught a "colour revolution."
Deputy Prosecutor Plong Sophal claimed that
Kem Sokha had confessed his relationship
with foreign states and foreign agents in
a video clip that was recorded by CBN TV
in Australia, saying "the foreign states
and agents were teaching and helping Kem
Sokha to prepare a plot to create a "colour
revolution" in Cambodia.
"The "colour revolution"
in Cambodia was aimed at overthrowing the
givernment through undemocratic means,"
he said.
Deputy Prosecutor Plong Sophal argued that
from 1993 to 2017 before his arrest, Kem
Sokha and the former Cambodia National Rescue
Party (CNRP) president, Sam Rainsy had plotted
against the Hun Sen government.
Deputy Prosecutor Plong Sophal argued that
former deputy president, Kem Sokha, and
former president, Sam Rainsy, of the Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP) "had incited
people, especially garment workers and the
armed forces personnel to go against and
overthrow the government."
"The "colour revolution"
plot and the activities of both Kem Sokha
and Sam Rainsy in their attempt to overthrow
the government had failed," he said.
In February 2017 the Cambodian National
Assembly unanimously passed amendments to
the Constitution, saying it was in the national
interest in order to stop foreign interference.
Former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)
president Kem Sokha, 69, was arrested on
September 3, 2017 without a warrant at his
Phnom Penh residence and was charged with
treason, with Cambodia Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Prak Sokhonn, saying then that
Kem Sokha had committed a "clear act
of treason."
"A 2013 video showed that the Cambodia
National Rescue Party (CNRP), president
Kem Sokha, had received assistance from
the United States," he said.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court said then that
prosecutors had sufficient evidence to charge
the opposition party president with treason
under Article 443 of the Criminal Code for
conspiring with a foreign power.
Following the dissolution of the Cambodia
National Rescue Party's (CNRP) on November
16, 2017, Prime minister Hun Sen called
on more than 5000 elected officials to defect
to his Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
The
Southeast Asian Times
Susi
Air pilots afraid of flying
to West Papua after New Zealand
pilot taken hostage and aircraft
torched |
|
 |
Susi
Pudjiastuti, founder of Susi
Air, and the former Minister
of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,
said "lack of confidence
among pilots makes it difficult
to confirm flights to Papuas
mountainous areas
|
|
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 4: Susi Air founder, Susi
Pudjiastuti, claims that pilots are afraid
of flying to West Papua after New Zelander
Philips Max Mehrtens was taken hostage and
his aircraft torched by the West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization
(TPNPB-OPM) on February 7, repots Antara.
The Susi Air plane was set on fire at the
Paro airport in Nduga regency, Pegunungan
Province in West Papua after West Papua
National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization
(TPNPB-OPM) release five passengers and
took the New Zealand pilot hostage.
Susi Pudjiastuti, who is the former Minister
of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said
in Jakarta on Wednesday that "lack
of confidence among pilots makes it difficult
to confirm flights to Papuas mountainous
areas.
"Susi Air could be abandoned by its
pilots if the rescue operation for the New
Zealand pilot is not successfull,"
she said.
She said that about 70 percent of Susi Air
aircraft have been grounded since the hostage
takeing, saying "the grounding of Susi
Air aircraft has disrupted mobility and
delivery in a number of Papuan regions,"
Susi Pudjiastuti rejected accusations that
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens
is part of the West Papua National Liberation
Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM)
Free Papua Movement (OPM) that supports
a referendem for independence from Indonesia,
saying "that is very false."
She said that New Zealand pilot Philips
Max Mehrtens is not with the Free Papua
Movement (OPM), saying "I have known
Philips Max Mehrtens for a long time."
"He worked for Susi Air in 2012 and
resigned in 2015 but returned in 2020,"
she said.
She said that Philips Max Mehrtens is married
to a Pangandaran, saying "I know his
wife's family," "his wife worked
in my fishing company a long time ago."
"We still hope and pray that our pilot,Captain
Philips Max Mehrten, be released without
conditions," she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Philippines,
last ASEAN member to ratify
RCEP trade agreement |
|
 |
Senator
Imee Marcos abstained from
voting for the ratification
of Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP)
on Tuesday February 21, 2023,
saying "the RCEP would
not be beneficial to the Philippines
agricultural sector particularly
local farmers"
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 3: Twenty Philippines senators
have ratified the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement,
despite farmers, fishers, workers, civil
societies organizations, the private sector
and individuals rejecting the senate to
vote against the ratification of the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
that grants corporations the exclusive
right to bypass domestic legal systems,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
The Philippines is the last of the ASEAN
member countries to ratifiy the RCEP agreement
that was signed on November 12, 2020 after
eight years of negotiations by 15 countries
including the 10 member states of ASEAN
and five partners, Australia, China, Japan,
New Zealand and Korea but excluding India.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairman,
Rafael Mariano said that farmers were against
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) agreement including Chapter 11 on
Intellectual Property Rights that would
privatize seed and proliferate genetically
modified organisms (GMO), including the
hybrid rice program.
He said that Philippine President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr has approved the hybrid rice
program despite opposition from farmers,
saying "unlike certified seeds, hybred
seeds cannot be planted again so farmers
must buy new seeds every time."
"Only the big seed corporations will
benefit from President Ferdinand Marcos
Jr. hybrid seeds program and not the farmers,"
he said.
He said that Philippine membership in RCEP
would result in increased imports from China,
including plastics, rubbers and mechanical
appliances, saying "the RCEP would
also result in decreased exports in various
Southeast Asian countries including the
Philippines."
National Federation of Small Fisherfolk
Organizations in the Philippines (Pamalakaya),
chairman, Fernando Hicap, said "the
liberalization of imports, conversion projects
and massive privatization of aquaculture
are among the adverse effects of the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
agreement on the fisheries sector"
"Private aquaculture funded by China
will multiply through RCEP," he said.
He said that an estimated 70 percent of
aquaculture would be foreign owned including
by China, saying "the Marcos administration
blatantly submits to China saying "the
Marcos administration did not consider
the dispute with China in the West Philippine
Sea before approving the RCEP agreement."
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary-general
Jerome Adonis said that increased importation
of products manufactured in China under
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) agreement has had a harmful effect
on workers, saying "the ratification
of RCEP has caused a severe economic crisis
resulting in poverty, hunger and joblessnes."
"The already insufficient workers'
salary would become lower and workers
union rights will worsen," he said.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP) free trade agreement negotiations
failed to reach consensus at the 35th
Asean Summit in Bangkok in November 2019
with India and other RCEP members failing
to reach agreement on tariffs.
Indian National Congress Party president
Sonia Gandhi said that any decision by
the government to sign the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement
"will bring untold hardship to farmers,
shopkeepers, and small and medium-sized
enterprises in India."
She said that India feared that cutting
tariffs on dairy and other products would
allow for a greater influx of Chinese
goods and agricultural imports from Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
countries.
The Communist Party of India said that
joining the RCEP will harm the manufacturing
and agriculture sectors, and increase
the deficit.
The Indian disagreement with the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
also included the Investor-State Dispute
Settlement mechanism (ISDS) that would
grant corporations the exclusive right
to bypass domestic legal systems and sue
the partner government for compensation
at an international arbitration tribunal.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Thailand delays
full enforcement of Prevention
and Suppression of Torture and
Enforced Disappearance Act |
|
 |
Union
for Civil Liberty (UCL) president,
Sarawut Pratumrat, Thammasat
University vice rector, Prinya
Thaewanarumitkul, Cross Culture
Foundation (CrCF) chairman,
Surapol Kongchantuek, against
Cabinet executive decree delay
of enforcement of Articles
22-25 of the Act on Prevention
and Suppression of Torture
and Enforced Disappearance
on Tuesday February 14, 2023
|
|
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, March 2: Thailand's academics are
against the Cabinet executive decree that
delays the full enforcement of the Act on
Prevention and Suppression of Torture and
Enforced Disappearance until October, with
Thammasat University vice rector saying
, "the Cabinet issued the decree on
grounds that the Royal Thai Police lacked
the equipment and personnel required to
enforce the law," reports the Nation.
Approval of the delay of the full enforcement
of Articles 22-25 of the Act on Prevention
and Suppression of Torture and Enforced
Disappearance was given by the King of Thailand,
Maha Vajiralongkorn and published in the
Royal Gazette on February 19, 2023.
Article 22: State officials are required
to make continuous video and audio recordings
of the arrest and detention of suspects
until they are handed over to interrogating
officials or until they are released.
Article 23: State officials are required
to record all information about detainees,
including the reasons for arrest or detention,
identity, whereabouts and physical conditions
of the suspects.
Article 24: Officials will be required by
the court to provide information about the
detainees to their relatives or lawyers.
Article 25: Officials can withhold information
about the detainees from the public if the
disclosure will violate their privacy, cause
harm or inhibit investigation.
Thammasat University vice rector, Prinya
Thaewanarumitkul, said that the law was
published on October 25, 2022 with a 120-day
waiting period, saying "what were the
cabinet ministers doing during these 120
days."
The cabinet issued an executive decree on
February 14, 2023, delaying the enforcement
of Articles 22-25 of the Act on the Prevention
and Suppression of Torture and Enforced
Disappearance until October 1, 2023.
Cross Culture Foundation (CrCF) Thailand
chairman, Surapol Kongchantuek, said Articles
22-25 of the Act on the Prevention and Suppression
of Torture and Enforced Disappearance "are
good laws that have been created through
public participation."
"Thailand was applauded by the international
community for the law," he said.
He said that the delay in the enforcement
of Articles 22-25 of the Act on the Prevention
and Suppression of Torture and Enforced
Disappearance was unjustified and unconstitutional.
Union for Civil Liberty (UCL) Thailand president,
Sarawut Pratumrat, claims that "Justice
Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Deputy Prime
Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam allowed the delay
of the enforcement of Articles 22-25 because
the Royal Thai Police claimed it was not
ready to enforce the law, saying "delay
violates human rights."
"With the law not fully enforced, suspects
in the deep South would continue being tortured
by police," he said.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia director,
Elaine Pearson, said "the Thai government
keeps finding new reasons not to tackle
the serious problems of torture and enforced
disappearance in the country,"
"All along the police and other security
officials knew training and equipment would
be needed to enforce the new law, but instead
they could only come up with excuses,"
she said.
She said that the Thai governments
decision will make it extraordinarily difficult
to enforce the Act on Prevention and Suppression
of Torture and Enforced Disappearance, saying
"officials are not yet required to
provide information about detainees or record
arrests and interrogations to prevent abuses
from taking place."
"The delay will allow officials to
continue to engage in abusive practices
that facilitate enforced disappearances,
such as the use of secret detention by anti-narcotics
units, as well as the secret detention of
national security suspects and suspected
insurgents in the South, she said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Royal
Thai Police operate illegal
online gambling with Chinese
nationals |
|
 |
Lawyer,
Achariya Ruangrattanapong, of
Help Crime Victims Club, at
Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters
on Monday February 27, 2023 |
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 1: Help Crime Victims Club,
lawyer, Achariya Ruangrattanapong, accused
the Royal Thai Police (RTP) of involvement
in illegal online gambling at the Royal
Thai Police (RTP) headquarters in Pathumwan
district, Bangkok on Monday, saying "some
of the illegal websites were operated by
Chinese nationals," reports the Bangkok
Post.
Lawyer, Achariya Ruangrattanapong, displayed
a banner at the Royal Thai Police (RTP)
headquarters on Monday listing the names
of Royal Thai Police (RTP) officers he alleges
are involved in illegal online gambling.
He alleges that a former Royal Thai Police
(RTP) chief, Pol Lt Col Wasawat, supervised
the operation of about 70 percent of the
illegal gambling websites in Thailand, saying
"some of the illegal websites were
operated by Chinese nationals."
He also alleges that a football club in
northern Thailand is used to launder gambling
money, saying "the football club's
directors include Royal Thai Police (RTP)
officers.
Central Investigation Bureau commissioner,
Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, is to head
an investigate into Pol Lt Col Wasawat also
known as "Inspector Sua" for his
alleged involement in an illegal online
gambling network.
"The panel is gathering information
and will build a case when it has evidence
or information about illegal activities,"
he said.
In May 2022 Chutchawan Kong-u-dom of the
Thai Local Power Party (TLP) led representatives
from smaller political parties to the House
of Represenatives to submit a draft amendement
to the Gambling Act.
Chutchawan Kong-u-dom said the draft emendments
aimed to legalise online casinos and online
gambling to generate revenue in Thailand
amid the economic downturn.
"The legalisation of online casinos
will enable authorities to collect taxes
from the licence holders and define punishments
to impose on illegal casino operators, "he
said.
He said that legalisation of online casinos
will allow for data checks of online players,
saying "checks can help prevent crimes
associated with gambling activities."
The
Southeast Asian Times
Anthropologists
held for ransom by "worlords
and bandits" in Papua
New Guinea released
|
|
 |
Papua
New Guinea National Museum
officer Jemina Haro, PhD student
Teppsy Beni, and program coordinator
Cathy Alex were released by
"worlords and bandits"
on Sunday February 26, 2023
after being held hostage for
a week in PapuaNew Guinea
|
|
From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, February 28: All seven hostages
held at the border of the Southern Highlands,
Hela and Western in Papua New Guinea by
reportedly "warlords and bandits"
have been released, with Papau New Guinea
opposition political party, saying "Police
and the military are simply outgunned and
outnumbered, and cannot effectively deal
with the armed bandits," reports the
National.
An Australian anthropology, officials from
the National Museum, a member of the Woman
Leader Network, and an anthropologist graduate
of the University of Papua New Guinea and
four local guides who were held hostage
for a week by armed men near Mt Bosavi on
the border of Southern Highlands, Hela and
Western at Fogomaiyu Village were released
on Sunday.
People's National Congress (PNC) deputy
opposition leader, Douglas Tomuriesa, said
that he supports the call by leader of the
People's National Congress (PNC) member
of parliament for Ialibu-Pangia and former
prime Minister, Peter ONeill, for
the safe release of the hostages held by
reportedly "armed bandits in the highlands
region."
"Warlords and armed bandits are very
dangerous and pose a real threat to national
security and freedom and must be destroyed,"
he said.
He said that the proliferation of warlords
in the highlands provinces armed with machine
guns stolen from the Defence Force armoury
had been reported many times in the media,
saying "but the Marape-led Government
has failed to address it seriously,"
He said that the ruling Pangu Party of Prime
Minister James Marape should consider inviting
the Australian and New Zealand Special Forces,
saying "the Special Air Service (SAS)
possess superior weapons and tactics"
"The Special Air Service (SAS) could
assist Papua New Guinea with these dangerous
criminals and eliminate these so-called
warlords once and for all." he said.
Hela Governor, Philip Undialu, said that
no one had the right to abduct, kidnap,
hold anyone hostage for cash, saying "this
is an act of terrorism that we have heard
of in other countries."
"Now it is happening here," he
said.
Hela Governor, Philip Undialu said that
law enforcement agencies must take this
seriously and deal with this hostage situation
appropriately.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) Commissioner of Police
David Manning said the criminals came across
the seven by chance, saying "they are
opportunists who have obviously not thought
out this situation before they acted."
"They asked for cash to be paid for
the release of the seven," he said.
He said that the abductors were offered
a way out, saying "the release of their
captives means that they will be treated
faily through the criminal justice system."
"Failure to comply and resisting arrest
could have cost these criminals thier lives,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Free
Papua Organisation rejects
call to release New Zealand
pilot held hostage
|
|
 |
Free
Papua Organisation (OPM) army
have held New Zealand pilot,
Phillip Mehrtens, centre,
hostage in Nduga Regency West
Papua since Tuesday February
7, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, February 27: West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM)
has rejected the call by United Liberation
Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) chairman,
Benny Wanda, to release Susi Air pilot,
New Zealander, Phillip Mehrtens, who has
been held hostage by the Free Papua Organisation
(OPM) in Nduga Regency in West papua since
February 7, 2023, with West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM)
spokesperson saying "Benny Wenda is
not a revolutionary fighter," reports
Reuters.
West Papua National Liberation Army-Free
Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) spokesperson,
Sebby Sambom, said on Thursday "Benny
Wenda is an agent of western capitalism
who makes a living in Europe by selling
the Papua independence issue," saying
"Benny Wenda is of no use."
He said that the Free Papua Organisation
(OPM) will not release New Zealander, Phillip
Mehrtens, until their demands are met, saying
the New Zealand pilot is in good condition,
he is healthy and well."
United Liberation Movement for West Papua
(ULMWP) chairman Benny Wanda, who proclamed
West Papuan independence from Indonesia
in 2020 on the 23rd anniversary of the establishment
of the West Papua New Guinea National Congress
(WPNGNC), said on Thursday from exile in
the UK, "I do not condone the actions
of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) army
rebels" calling on the West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM)
"to release the pilot."
United Liberation Movement for West Papua
(ULMWP) chairman Benny Wanda, said that
holding of the New Zealand pilot, Phillip
Mehrtens, hostage is a result of the Indonesian
refusal to allow the UN Human Rights Commissioner
to visit West Papua.
He said that the Free Papua Organisation
(OPM are holding the New Zealand pilot hostage
in Nduga Regency, saying that "hundreds
of thousands of West Papuans have been displaced
from Nduga, Intan Jaya, Mybrat and Oksibil."
"This a warning to Indonesia to let
the UN High Commissioner visit Nduga regency,"
he said.
In March 2019 Indonesian Defense Forces
(TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) deployed
thousands of military personnel to secure
the construction of the 4,600-kilometer
Trans-Papua road project following resumption
of construction of the Yigi River bridge
in Nduga regency in West Papua that was
suspended following the attack on construction
workers by the Free Papua Organisation (OPM)
army on the anniversary of the Papuan declaration
of Independence December 2, 2018.
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, 2018,
saying the (OPM) 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 -Free Papua
Movement (TPNPB-OPM) spokesman Sebby Sanbom
said then 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
Vietnam arrests
environmental, freedom of
expression and sovereignty
activist in Mekong Delta for
second time
|
|
 |
Le
Minh The, 60, at the Binh
Thuy district court in Can
Tho Tho city in the Mekong
Delta, southern Vietnam on
March 20, 2019
|
|
From News Reports:
HCMCity, February 26: The People's Public
Security of Vietnam under the administration
of the Ministry of Public Security that
is part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces
and under the control of the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) has arrested Le Minh The,
60, for a second time in accordance with
Article 331 of the 2015 Criminal Code that
was revised in 2017, reports the Vietnam
News Service.
The People's Public Security of Vietnam
of Binh Thuy district in Can Tho city in
the Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam arrested
Le Minh The, 60, for the second time for
"abusing the rights of freedom and
democracy to violate the State interests,
legitimate rights and interests of organisations
and individuals" in accordance with
Article 331 of the 2015 Criminal Code that
was revised and supplemented in 2017.
The People's Public Security of Vietnam
arrested Le Minh The, 60, at his residence
in Tran Quang Dieu Street in An Thoi Ward
in Can Tho City in a raid on the premises
on Wednesday February 22, 2023.
Le Minh The, 60, was first arrested by the
People's Public Security of Vietnam on October
10, 2018 for "abusing the rights of
freedom and democracy to violate the State
interests, legitimate rights and interests
of organisations and individuals" for
activism in the environment, freedom of
expression, and sovereignty.
Le Minh The, 60, was arrested for a second
time for "abusing the rights of freedom
and democracy to violate the State interests,
legitimate rights and interests of organisations
and individuals" for his activism
in the environment, freedom of expression,
and sovereignty.
The environmental, freedom of expression
and sovereignty activists was arrested for
allegedly posting and sharing articles and
photos with alleged illegal content on his
Facebook page that were available to share
and for comment allegedly in violation of
Article 331 of the 2015 Criminal Code that
was revised in 2017.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Negotiations
on maritime Code of Conduct
on South China Sea to be continued
in Indonesia
|
|
 |
China
Foreign Minister Qin Gang
and Indonesia Foreign Minister
Retno Marsudi in Jakarta Wednesday
February 22, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, February 25: Negotiations on the
maritime draft Code of Conduct (CoC) for
the South China Sea, that was first proposed
by ASEAN member Philippines in 1997 but
was not adopted by the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, are
to continue with Indonesia as ASEAN chair
for 2023, with Indonesia saying "Indonesia
and ASEAN want to produce an effective,
substantive and actionable maritime Code
of Conduct (CoC), reports the Jakarta Post.
Indonesia Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi,
met with China Foreign Minister, Qin Gang
in Jakarta on Wednesday ahead of the negotiations
on the maritime draft Code of Conduct (CoC)
scheduled for March.
China Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, said
that "China would work with ASEAN
countries to accelerate consultations
on the maritime draft
Code of Conduct (CoC), saying "Southeast
Asian nations should not be forced to
take sides."
"China believes that Indonesia and
ASEAN will make their judgement and choice
indepently and autonomously in the fundamental
interest of the stability, development
and prosperity of the region," he
said.
Cambodia as ASEAN Chair for 2022 held
negotiations on the maritime draft Code
of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea
at a workshop in Siem Reap Province, in
June 2022, saying "ASEAN and China
have reaffirmed their commitment to working
toward the early conclusion of the CoC."
Cambodia Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn,
said then "ASEAN and China have committed
to working toward a maritime Code of Conduct
(CoC) in the South China Sea that is effective
and substantive and in accordance with international
laws including the 1982 United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)."
The Asociation of South East Asian (ASEAN)
member countries and China began negotiations
on the maritime Code-of-Conduct (CoC)
at the 20th ASEAN-China Summit in Manila
in November 2017, following the completetion
of negotiations on the draft Code of Conduct
(CoC) in the South China Sea at a meeting
in Guiyang in China's Guizhou Province
in May 2017.
China's claim over the South China Sea
is contested by Asociation of South East
Asian (ASEAN) member countries, Malaysia,
Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines with
the Philippines first proposing a Code
of Conduct (COC) in 1997 but it was not
adopted by ASEAN and China.
Instead five years later in 2002 the Philippines
steered the adoption of a nonbinding Declaration
of Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South
China Sea, calling on the claimnants including
China to exercise self-restraint.
Negotiations on the maritime draft Code
of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea
follows the Arbitration Court in the Hague
ruling in July 2016 that ruled in favour
of the Philippines against China's claim
of historic rights over the South China
Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of
Arbitration in the Hague ruling, saying
that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this
matter."
China reportedly claims that the Arbitration
tribunal made an illegal and invalid final
verdict on the South China Sea dispute.
China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang
said ahead of the ruling that the dispute
was not covered by U.N. Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it
was ultimately a matter of sovereignty
not exploitation rights.
The
Southeast Asian Times
New
PM of Malaysia bans childrens
books promoting LGBTQ lifestyles
|
|
 |
Lawyer
and human rights activist,
Siti Zabedah Kasim, said "banning
the books is an attempt to
chisel away at LGBTQ rights,"
Monday Friday February 24,
2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, February 24: Malaysian human
rights activists are critical of the government
decision to ban two childrens books
for "promoting LGBTQ lifestyles"
and for "being harmful to Malaysian
morals," saying "Prime Minister
Anwar Ibrahim should remember who voted
for him." reports Straits Times.
Lawyer and human rights activist, Siti Zabedah
Kasim, said that banning the books, "Jacobs
room to choose" and "The Tale
Of Steven," "is an attempt to
chisel away at "LGBTQ rights,"
She said that the LGBTQ group has always
been marginalised and oppressed, saying
"it looks like Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim is pandering to the conservatives,"
"Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim forgets
that those who voted for him are not conservative,"
she said.
Minister of Home Affairs, Department of
Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) Saifuddin
Nasution Ismail, announced the ban on the
books on Monday, saying "the books
promote an LGBT lifestyle."
"The books "Jacobs room
to choose" and "The Tale Of Steven,"
are a threat to the good values taught by
religion and upheld by the community in
the East," he said.
Minister of Home Affairs, Saifuddin Nasution
Ismail, served in the Pakatan Harapan (PH)
administration under former Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad, who said "Malaysia
cannot accept Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender
(LGBT) rights."
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said
at a lecture in 2018 titled "Malaysia
-Thailand Bilateral Relations in the Context
of ASEAN" that "in the west now,
men marry men, women marry women."
"They call themselves a family,"
he said.
He said that Malaysia does not accept Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) rights,
saying that "if the west wants to accept
LGBT right that's their business".
Under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad administration
two Muslim lesbian women were publicly canned
after pleading guilty in the Terengganu
Sharia court to charges under Islamic law
that forbids lesbianism, with human rights
activists and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Transgender (LGBT) community describing
the punishment ordered by the Terengganu
Sharia court as torture.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Myanmar
military rewards Buddhist
monks for "outstanding
work for the good of the union
of Myanmar"
|
|
 |
Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
rewards Buddhist monks for
"outstanding work for
the good of the union of Myanmar"
in Yangon on Saturday February
20, 2023
|
|
From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, February 23: The commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing, who ordered the
seizure of the elected National League for
Democracy (NLD) government and the ousting
of State Councillor, Aung San Suu Kyi in
February 2021, awarded two Buddhist monks
with titles for their "oustanding work
for the good of the union of Myanmar"
on Saturday, reports Irrawaddy.
Buddhist monks, U Wirathu and Bhaddantaka
Kavidaja, also known as Zwekabin Sayadaw
were awarded membership of the Young Mens
Buddhist Association (YMBA) by Sr Gen Min
Aung Hlaing at a ceremony held at the Thiri
Mingalar Maha Sasana Beikman religious hall,
in Yangon's Insein Township.
The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
who is an permanent patron of Young Mens
Buddhist Association (YMBA) conferred the
title 'Agga Maha Mingala Dhamma Jotika'
on the Buddhist Monks for their "oustanding
work for the good of the union of Myanmar."
In November 2020, under the National League
for Democracy (NLD) government of Aung San
Suu Kyi, Buddihist monk U Wirathu, who was
against change to the military-sponsored
2008 constitution, surrendered to Yangon
police for sedition for alleged defamatory
comments against Myanmar State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Fugitive Buddhist monk, U Wirathu, who surrendered
to police ahead of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar takeover of the Aung San Suu
Kyi, government, was charged with sedition
under Section 124(a) of the Penal Code for
allegedly inciting disaffection against
the National League for Democracy (NLD)
party led by state counsellor Aung San Suu
Kyi with personal and obscene comments directed
at the State Counsellor at a rally held
in support of the Myanmar military in southern
Myanmar on May 5, 2019.
The Buddhist monk said at the rally that
military appointed representatives in the
Myanmar Parliament "should be worshipped."
The military Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), under the military-drafted
Myanmar 2008 constitution, allows for the
allocation of 25 percent of parliamentary
seats in both houses to unelected military
officers
Buddhist monk, U Wirathu, who is supportive
of Myanmar's powerful military was critical
of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi for
government efforts for change to the military-sponsored
Myanmar 2008 constitution in order to reduce
the power of the military in the parliament,
said that his comments about the State Councellor
did not warrant his arrest for sedition.
"The arrest is an act of bullying and
the shaming of a son of the Buddha,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Democracy
and Christianity to be upheld
in review of Papua New Guinea
Constitution, says PM
|
|
 |
Papua New
Guinea Prime Minister, James
Marape, left, called on the
Constitutional and Law Reform
Commission (CLRC) newly appointed
Chairman and Member for Okapa,
Saki Soloma, right, on Tuesday
October 11, 2022 to begin
consultation on the proposed
constitutional laws announced
by the Government
|
|
From
News Reports:
Port Moresby, February 22: Papua New Guinea
is to consider whether the British Monarch
should be replaced as head of state and
whether the vote for prime minister should
be direct as in a presidential election,
in a review of the constitution, with Papua
New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape,
saying "above all, democracy and Christianity
must be upheld," reports the National.
"I am treating the review seriously
and will give it high priority and support,"
he said at the launch of the Constitutional
and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) proposed
review of the constititutional laws last
week.
Constitutional and Law Reform Commission
(CLRC) chairman, Saki Soloma, said "the
review would consider whether Papua New
Guinea should have an upper house of parliament;
whether the prime minister should have
a limit of two terms; whether the prime
minister should be directly elected instead
of elected by parliament; and whether
the British monarch should continue to
be head of state."
Former member of parliament, Gabriel Ramoi,
called for the Papua New Guinea government
to focus on economic problems such as
runaway inflation and high unemployment.
"The review would be a waste of time,
money and intellectual capital,"
he said.
Former provincial governor and commander
in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force
(PNGDF), Ted Diro, said that there has
never been an honest election since Papua
New Guinea became independent, saying
"maybe rather than democracy we need
a guided democracy in future."
"The review is timeley and necessary,"
he said.
Jean Eparo Parkop, candidate for Northern
for the 2022 national elections said she
had doubts about whether the Constitutional
and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) public
consultation would be adequate, saying
"not all of Papua New Guinea is connected
to the internet."
"The majority of people in rural
areas have no access to the internet."
she said.
Will the commission be able to travel
the length and breadth of Papua New Guinea
and hear the views of our people in three
months,
"I am also concerned whether the
majority of women and people in the rural
areas will participate," she said.
Papua New Guinea is one of five countries
in the Indo-Pacific where the British
Monarch is head of state incuding, Australia,
New Zealand, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Australia
calls for security assessment
of 99 year lease of Darwin
harbour to China
|
|
 |
Adam
Giles, former Chief Minister
of the Australia's Northern
Territory and Ye Cheng, chairman
of Shandong Landbridge Group
Co., Ltd. , after the signing
of the 99-year lease of the
East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour
on Tuesday October 13, 2015
|
|
From News Reports:
Darwin, January 28: Australia's Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese has called on
a range of national security agencies
for assessment of the
the 99 year lease of the East Arm Wharf
in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern
Territory to foreign invester, Shandong
Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong
province in China in 2015, as part of the
ongoing review that was initiated under
former Prime Minister Scott Morrision, reports
the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
(ABC).
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
called on national security agencies including
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Department of Home Affairs, Department of
Defence, Office of National Intelligence,
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
and the Attorney-General's Department for
assessment of the review initiated by Prime
Minister Scott Morrision in May 2021 of
the 99 year lease agreement on Port Darwin
between Australia and China .
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. said
in a statement that the Grouo is ready to
answer any queries from the Australian Federal
Gvernment as part of the latest review,
saying, "Landbridge would expect the
Australian Federal government to undertake
a comprehensive review using all its agencies
to address any concerns it may have,"
it said.
"The agreement with the Northern
Territory Government has been reviewed
a number of times previously and Landbridge's
position remains that the lease is a commercial
arrangement with the Northern Territory
Government and believes that there are
no grounds on which the lease could be
disputed."
The 2015 lease agreement between Shandong
Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. chairman, Ye
Cheng, who was the winning bidder for
the Darwin harbour land deal worth A$506
million, and then leader of the Country
Liberal Party of the Northern Territoy,
chief minister, Adam Giles gave the Shandong
Landbridge Group operational control of
the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour in
Australia's Northern Territory including
80 percent ownership of the land and facilities.
In 2020 Amendements to the Foreign investment
laws, that were made by the Australian
Parliament under Prime Minister Scott
Morrison, gave the Australian Federal
Government the power to impose conditions
that include forced divestment of previously
approved foreign investment deals, with
then Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying
"the new foreign investment laws
focus on protecting Australia's national
security."
"The new foreign investment laws
give the Australian Federal Government
the retrospective power to review the
port lease agreement between the Northern
Territory government and China's Landbridge
Group Co., Ltd. in northern Australia
from a national security perspective,"
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
The
Southeast Asian Times wishes
its readers a happy Christmas
and all the best for the New
Year with a special thankyou
to its treasured letter writers
|
|
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 Singapores 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.
Merpatis 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
|
|