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GATHERINGS:
An informed
guide to happenings throughout the region.
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Thai
senate seeks
referendum on
new constitution: Lese Majeste law
From News
Reports:
Bangkok, February 12: The
Senate is seeking a referendum on the
drafting of a new constitution as dictated by the
Referendum Act after the House of Representatives
voted for an opposition-sponsored
motion on November 3, 2022 to seek a
referendum, reports the Bangkok Post.
Senators voted 151 for, 26 against, and 15 abstentions
to form a panel to study a motion to
organise a referendum that would pave
the way for a rewrite of the constitution
that includes the Lese Majeste law.
The Senate called on the government to hold a referendum
on whether a new constitution should be
drawn up by a charter drafting
assembly made up of elected representatives,
saying "the referendum should be arranged on the
same day as the next general election that has
tentatively been set for May 7 by the
Election Commission (EC).
Senators
were critical of voting for the formation of
a panel to study a motion to organise a referendum,
saying "It is a tactic to stall the
referendum"
Sen Kittisak
Rattanawaraha said he supported a referendum
on the drafting of a new constitution, saying he
disagreed with organising the
referendum on the same day as the
general election,
"This could
confuse voters," he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
China calls emergency
COVID-19 meeting with ASEAN in Laos
From News
Reports:
Beijing, February 19: An
emergency meeting of foreign ministers
from China and the 10 Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was proposed by China is
to be held in Vientiane, Laos on
Thursday and Friday to discuss the
COVID-19 virus epidemic.
The
COVID-19 virus has so far killed 1,869 and infected
73,336 in China and has spread to the 10 ASEAN
member states.
The
meeting that was proposed by China is reportedly
intended to share information and to
improve coordination between China and the 10 ASEAN
member states in order to combat the
COVID-19 virus.
China Foreign
Affairs Minister Wang Yi is reportedly to
discuss China's measures in countering the COVID-19 virus
epidemic at the meeting in Laos, with
focus on strengthening joint
prevention and control measures against the virus.
The meeting is also to explore the idea of
establishing a long term and effective
collaboration mechanism on public
health to safeguard the region, with China Foreign Affairs
Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang saying "
China and Asean countries have been in
close communication since the outbreak
of the Covid-19 virus.
Cambodia's
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who will be
attending the emergency COVID-19 virus epidemic meeting,
said that the meeting will be an
opportunity for the foreign ministers
to discuss measures to prevent the spread of
the coronavirus.
"The meeting
will help strengthen cooperation between
ASEAN member states in the midst of this global health
threat," he said.
His said that Cambodia's participation in the emergency
meeting that was proposed by China will
demonstrate Cambodia’s support of
China and confidence in the measures taken
by the China government to address the coronavirus
outbreak.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Vietnam opens consulate
in Macau
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, January 9: Vietnam's Hong Kong Consulate General
launched a consulate office in the Macau
Special Administrative Region of China
on Friday, reports the Vietnam News Service.
Consulate General of Hong Kong, Tran Than Huan, said
at the launching ceremony that the
office aims to better ensure the
rights of Vietnamese citizens and tourists
in the region.
He said that the
consulate office in Macau will provide
easier access to information about Vietnam, saying that
it would boost
friendship and co-operation between Vietnam
and Macau.
The Consulate
General said that the office expected to
recieve support from local organisations including the
Vietnam Fellow Countrymen Friendship
Association in Macau.
More than
20,000 Vietnamse are employed as domestic workers,
in the service industry at Macau's casino's.
Vietnamese also operate tourist and
services companies.
The Southeast Asian
Times
US invites
Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to
the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Vietnam will visit
the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation
of the United States State Department in
a "landmark" visit, Rueters
reports.
General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist
Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President
Barack Obama at the White House on
Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a
senior state department official
saying that the meeting between the General Secretary
of the Central Committee of the Communist Party
and the President of the United States
"would skirt protocol" because the
General Secretary is "not part of a government".
"Obama saw the visit as crucial", Rueters reports
the senior state department official
as saying.
Rueters also quotes the
senior state department official
saying that "there was a broad agreement that it
made sense to treat General
Secretary of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong
as the visit of "the top leader
of the country".
"It's a pretty big
event," Rueters quotes the state
department official as saying.
The Southeast Asian
Times France agrees
to return Aboriginal remains home to
Australia
From News
Reports:
Canberra, November 25:
French president Francois Hollande and
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed
to work together to return Aboriginal remains to
Australia during the first official
visit by a French head of state to
Australia last week, reports Australian Associated
Press.
The French head
of state and the Australian prime minister
said that a joint expert committee is to be established
to help identify the origin of the
Aboriginal remains held in France.
The head of state and prime minister
said in a joint statement that the
identification process would respect the sensitivities
and values of the two countries and consider
the requests of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities including
the French legal system.
"The
French government will examine possible solutions
to enable the return of the Aboriginal human
remains to their community of origin."
the statement said.
Australia
believes the remains of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders are being held in Museum collections
around the world including in Europe and
the
United States.
In 2010 a British museum agreed to return 138 sets
of Aboriginal skeletal remains to
Australia including the severed head
of Australian Aboriginal warrior, Yagan,
to the Noongar of South West Western Australia after being
missing in action for about 177 years.
Yagan was shot dead for his resistance
to British settlement on the Swan
river.
The Southeast Asian
Times
"No " to proposal to delete religion from Indonesian
national identity card
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, November
10: Islamic-based political party politicians
oppose the proposal put by the newly selected Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, that national
identity cards (KTP) do not include
the religion of the car holder.
Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician Aboebakar Al
Habsy said that not to include the religion of
the card holder on national identity
cards (KTP)
contradicted the
country’s founding philosophy of
Pancasila
“If we believe that Pancasila is our state
ideology and our national identity,
then why should we be ashamed of
including our religion on our national identity card,"
he said
Home
Minister Tjahjo Kumolo also proposed that the regious
beliefs of Indonesian citizens be omitted from
official government documents.
He said that the religion of Indonesian
citizens on national identity cards
(KTP) or in official government documents
should not be imposed.
"It's up
to the people", he said.
The Souheast Asian
Times
The
Wolf bridge: An insult to Thai
monarchy
From News Reports:
Bangkok, October 31: Thai University students,
Patiwat Saraiyaem, 23, and Pornthip
Mankong, 26, were charged in the
Ratrachada Court on Monday, with defamation of
the Thai monarchy in a play titled "The Wolf Bridge"
performed at the Thammasat university in
October 2013, reports the Bangkok
Post.
The students were charged
with insulting the Royal Thai family
in the fictional depiction of the monarchy in a
play performed in commemoration of the 37th and 40th
anniversaries of the October 6, 1976
and October 14, 1973 pro-democracy
student uprisings at Thammasat University.
The prosecution cites nine passages from the plays's
script, a work of fiction that depicts
a fictional monarch, that allegedly
insults the monarchy and as such is in violation
of the lese majeste law.
Patiwat Saraiyaem, actor and Pornthip Mankong, producer
of the play, in detention since arrested on
13 August, have been refused bail are
scheduled to appear in court to enter
pleas on December 29.
The Southeast Asian
Times
World
including
Asean PM's and Presidents
to attend inauguaration of Indonesian
president
From News Reports:
Jakarta, October 18: World Prime ministers,
Presidents and State representatives
including US Secretary of State, John
Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will
attend the inauguaration of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo
as President of Indonesiaon on
Monday.
The speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli
Hasan said that representatives from the ten
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member
nations have also been invited to attend
the swearing in of the former governor
of Jakarta, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as
president of Indonesia.
"The Prime
Ministers and Presidents of Malaysia,
Singapore, Japan and South Korea are also expected to
attend", he said.
He
said that the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) has also invited "domestic VIP's"
including former Presidents and
Vice-Presidents.
“All chairpersons of political parties
have also be invited,” said the
speaker.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Banned ISIS
flag found flying in Aceh
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 12: The Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) flag found
flying from a coconut tree in Aceh on
Sunday has been torn down, reports the Jakarta Post.
The discovery of the banned ISIS flag was
reportedly the first in Aceh.
Police chief First Inspecter Azwan said
that the flag of the nationally banned
movement was discovered by chess
players sitting at a food stall near the coconut tree
in the Sungai Raya district of East Aceh
regency in Aceh.
He said that a
bomb disposal team inspected the area before
the flag was taken down.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Indonesia's
rejection of the State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL) and banned the teaching
of ISIL ideology in Indonesia last
month at his parliamentary state-of-the-nation address
and ahead of the 69th anniversary of
Indonesias Independence.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Singapore
passes Trans- boundary Haze Pollution
Act
From News Reports:
Singapore, August, 18: The passing of the 2014
Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Act by
the Singapore parliament last week
will enable Singapore regulators to sue individuals or
companies in neighbouring countries for
causing severe air pollution in
Singapore.
The Act that was first
proposed in 2013 would enable Singapore
to impose fines of up to S$2 million on companies that
cause or contribute to transboundary haze
pollution in Singapore.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian
Balakrishnan said that under the Act,
Singapore will have the legal right
under the Objective Territorial Principle to take
legal action against air polluters.
"While neighbouring countries have the sovereign
right to exploit their natural resources
in accordance with their policies they
also have a responsibility to ensure
that "slash and burn" agricultural practices
do not cause damage to Singapore", he said.
The passing of the 2014 Trans-boundary Haze
Pollution Act gives Singapore the
legal power to serve notices on those
that do not have assets or a presence in Singapore.
Indonesia is yet to
ratify an Agreement on Transboundary
Haze Pollution that was signed by ASEAN member counries
in November 2003 in order to
address haze pollution arising from land and forest
fires.
A bill passed in the
Indonesian House of Representatives in
July 2013 gave the Indonesian goverment the power to
seize assetts gained from illegal logging and
illegal clearing of forests for palm
oil plantations.
The new bill,
designed to protect more than 13 million
hectres from deforestation, gave the Indonesian government
a mandate to establish a task force
including police to monitor the
prevention and eradication of deforestation.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Papua
Biak massacre remembered in Sydney
with 136 white carnations
From News Reports:
Sydney, July 5: A ceremony to mark the 16th
anniversary of the Biak Massacre in
West Papua ua on 6 July 1998 will be
held at the Waverley Cliffs cemetery in Sydney on Sunday.
The Waverley
Cliffs community will throw 136 white carnations
from the waverley cliffs into the Pacific Ocean in
memory of the Biak massacre.
A citizens tribunal, hosted by the Centre
for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPACS)
at the University of Sydney last year
on the 15th anniversary of the Biak massacre found
that 136 West Papuan protesters were thrown into
the sea by Indonesian security
forces.
The tribunal heard eye
witness testimony that the West Papuan
demand for the right to vote for independence from
Indonesia was met with gunfire by Indonesian
security forces.
Survivors of the massacre told the international team
of jurists that the unarmed West Papuan
protesters were surrounded and shot by
Indonesian security forces and that
survivors were thrown into the sea on 6 July
1998.
The Southeast Asian
Times
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Myanmar
military commander
elected 11th president
of Myanmar in first
election after coup
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Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
centre, elected 11th
president of Myanmar
in Naypyitaw, Myanmar
on Friday April 3,
2026
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 5: The Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar dominated
parliament elected the Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing,
president of Myanmar on April
3 with ASEAN Parliamentarians
for Human Rights (APHR) calling
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar's plan to install Min
Aung Hlaing as president as ''well-orchestrated
manoeuvres,'' reports the Irrawaddy.
Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing, was elected
the 11th president after claiming
victory in the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar's sponsored Solidarity
and Development Party (USDP) three-phase
general elections on December 28,
2025, January 11, 2026, and January
25, 2026.
The telection is the first election
held in Myanmar since November
8, 2020 that was held under the
legitimately elected civilian
National League for Democracy
Party (NLD) government of Aung
San Suu Kyi.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar seized the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
lead by Aung San Suu Kyi on February
1, 2020 after the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
won the general elections on November
8, 2020.
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human
Rights (APHR) spokesman Charles
Santiago called on the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
member nations including the Philippines
AEAN Chair for 2026, the United
Nations and the international
community, to take urgent and
decisive action by condemning
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar's consolidation of power.
''The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar has repeatedly used
superficial civilian transitions
to project an image of reform,''
said APHR spokesman Charles Santiago.
He said that any recognition of
the Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing's presidency
''would legitimize atrocities
and impunity that undermine the
rights of peoples across Myanmar.''
''It is critical to avoid a return
to business as usual,'' said APHR)
spokesman Charles Santiago.
The Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing was elected
the 11th president of Myanmar on
April 3 after he was elected vice-president
on March 31.
The Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing was elected
president against contesting vice
presidents including U Nyo Saw,
Prime Minister of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar led government.
The State Administration Council
(SAC), and Nan Ni Ni Aye, a member
of the Prime Minister of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar nominated
Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP,) serving as the Union
Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP) chairwoman for Karen State,
Myanmar.
The Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing secured
429 votes on April 3, winning
the presidency from contenders,
U Nyo Saw, who received 126 votes
and Nan Ni Ni Aye, who obtained
29 votes from the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar dominated
parliament.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Philippines
Catholic Archbishops
call for prayers for
peace and unity in
Holy Week
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Conference
of the Philippines
(CBCP) president,
Archbishop Gilbert
Garcera of Lipa, centre,
at the Metropolitan
Cathedral of San Sebastian
in Lipa City on Tuesday
March 31, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Manila, April 4: Philippine Catholic
Archibishops have called for prayers
for peace and unity in Holy Week,
with Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
urging Filipino families to focus
on pray for peace and spiritual
renewal in Holy Week rather than
reunions, social gatherings, reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
President, Lipa Archbishop, Gilbert
Garcera, called for a deeper encounter
with faith and reflection on the
Passion, death and Resurrection
of Jesus Christ on the annual observance
of Holy Week.
''The solemn season should move
beyond social gatherings and instead
invite believers to examine their
lives, acknowledge their shortcomings
and seek forgiveness,'' said Lipa
Archbishop, Gilbert Garcera.
Lipa Archbishop, Gilbert Garcera
said Holy week offers an opportunity
for confession, healing and renewal,
encouraging families to attend religious
services, receive Communion and
reconnect with their faith during
Holy Week.''
''These practices are often overlooked
amid increasingly busy, distracted
lifestyles.'' said the Archbishop.
Lipa Archbishop, Gilbert Garcera,
called on parishes and neighbourhoods
to come together in prayer and mutual
support, saying ''I encourage you,
my dear brothers and sisters to
make sure that we respond to a reflection,
a moment of conversion, and a moment
of rejoicing,'' he said.
''The Lord is alive in us,'' said
the Archbishop
Messages from Catholic leaders have
called for prayers for peace and
unity during Holy Week, with Manila
Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula
saying in Circular No. 2026- 2038,
''Paschalis Solemnitatis provides
that the Diocesan Bishop may prescribe
additional special intentions in
case of grave public necessity.''
''During the Celebration of the
Lord’s Passion
on Good Friday, I request all parishes
and communities to pray an additional
intention for world peace,'' said
Manila Archbishop Cardinal, Jose
Advincula.
''Just as the Church contemplates
the mystery of the Lord’s
Passion, we cannot forget those
who today are truly sharing in His
suffering,'' said Manila Archbishop
Cardinal, Jose Advincula.
''Their ordeal challenges all our
consciences,'' he said.
''Heeding this call of the Holy
Father, we turn our gaze to Jesus,
who reveals himself as King of Peace,''
said Manila Archbishop Cardinal,
Jose Advincula.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmar
commander Sr Gen Min
Aung Hlaing primary
candidate for presidency
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Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing
elected vice-president,
confirming his position
as a primary candidate
for the presidency
in Naypyitaw on Tuesday
March 31, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 3: The Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing's,
who seized the elected National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
on February 1, 2021, was elected
vice-president in Myanmar's parliamentary
Lower House on Tuesday, confirming
his position as a primary candidate
for the presidency, reports the
Irrawaddy.
The Commander-in-chief of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing is one
of three elected vice-presidents
including U Nyo Saw, Prime Minister
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar led government. the
State Administration Council (SAC),
and Daw Nan Ni Ni Aye, a member
of the Prime Minister of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar nominated
Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP) serving as the Union
Solidarity and Development Party
(USDP) chairwoman for Karen State,
Myanmar.
The three presidential candidates
represent the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar aligned sections of the
parliament with Commander-in-chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar, Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing
nominated by the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar parliamentary lower house
representatives.
U Nyo Saw Prime Minister of the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
led government. the State Administration
Council (SAC) nominated by 25
percent of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar appointee from both
the lower house and the upper
house.
Daw Nan Ni Ni Aye member of the
Prime Minister of the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar nominated
Union Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP) nominated by the
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
upper house representatives.
On March 16 the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar convened parliament
for the first time since the seizure
of power from the elected civilian
National League for Democracy
Party (NLD) government in February
2021.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar convened parliament after
the sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), claimed victory
in the three-phase general elections,
held in three phases on December
28, 2025, January 11, 2026, and
January 25, 2026.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), elections are the
first elections held in Myanmar
since November 8, 2020 under the
legitimately elected civilian National
League for Democracy Party (NLD)
of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar seized the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) government
lead by Aung San Suu Kyi on February
1, 2020 after the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) won
the general elections on November
8, 2020.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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Myanmar
military commander
purchases luxury home
in Bangkok, bypassing
foreign land ownership
act
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Commander-in-chief,
Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing's
son, Aung Pyac Sone,
fourth from left,
and daughter-in-law,
Myo Yadana Htaik.
fifth from left at
the Charn Issara Development
Public Company Limited
office in Bangkok
on Monday August 22,
2022
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From
News Reports:
Naypyitaw, April 2: The family of
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar,
Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing's, who seized
the elected National League for
Democracy (NLD) government on February
1, 2021 is accused of purchasing
a luxury home in Bangkok, bypassing
the law that prohibits foreigners
from owning land or houses in Thailand,
reports the Bangkok Post.
Justice for Myanmar (JFM) spokesperson,
Yadanar Maung, claims that the purchase
of the luxury home in Bangkok by
Commander-in-chief of the Armed
Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar, Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing in December
2022 circumvented Section 113 of
the Land Code Act and Section 36
of the Foreign Business Act that
prohibits foreign land ownership.
''The home priced at Baht125 million
(US$3million) at Issara Residence
Rama 9 in Bangkok was sold by the
Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)
listed property Charn Issara Development
Public Company Limited ,'' she said.
She said the sale of the home was
facilitated by Tun Min Latt, an
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
arms broker and associate of Sr
Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The luxury residence was purchased
in the name of Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing's
daughter-in-law, Myo Yadana Htaik,
the wife of the Sr Gen Min Aung
Hlaing's son, Aung Pyae Sone, in
order to evade United States and
Canadian sanctions.
''Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing's daughter-in-law,
Myo Yadana Htaik, has not been sanctioned
in any jurisdiction, creating a
loophole for the family,'' she said.
Payment for the luxury property
at Issara Residence Rama 9 in Bangkok
was made through cash deposits and
transfers through numerous banks
including Siam Commercial Bank,
Kasikornbank and the Bangkok Bank.
Justice for Myanmar (JFM) spokesperson,
Yadanar Maung, said that ''on paper,
the home on a 450-square-metre lot
at Issara Residence Rama 9 is owned
by Emerald Princess Co Ltd, a company
set up on Dec 1, 2022 as a proxy
for the son and daughter-in-law
of Min Aung Hlaing, according to
the rights group.''
''The purchase of the Bangkok property
was structured to shield the identies
of the buyer and their source of
funds, making ita possible for the
family to by pass Thailands legal
prohibitions against foreigners
owning land,'' he said.
Justice for Myanmar (JFM) spokesperson,
Yadanar Maung, said that the use
of a nominee structure for the purchase
of the Bangkok property through
Emerald Princess Co. Ltd., circumvents
Thailand’s prohibitions
on foreign land ownership, saying
''this may amount to criminal offences
under Section 113 of the Land Code
Act and Section 36 of the Foreign
Business Act.''
The Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
announces 45 days
fuel supply, declares
state of national
energy emergency
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Philippine
President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr declared
a state of national
energy emergency in
a televised address
on Wednesday March
18, 2026
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From
News Reports:
Manila, April 1: The Philippines,
the first country to declare a
state of national energy emergency,
is working with the United States
to secure waivers and exemptions
that would allow the Philippines
to obtain oil from the United
States sanctioned countries, Russia,
Iran, and Venezuela after Philippine
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,
declared a state of national energy
emergency last week, announcing
''the Philippines had 45 days
of fuel supply,'' report Reuters.
Philippine President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr., declared a state of
national energy emergency in a
televised address on March 18
saying ''the government is looking
for other sources of fuel supply.''
''The Philippines fuel ‌supply
would not run dry after 45 days,''
he said.
He said that the Philippines is
exploring other sources not affected
by the war in the Strait of Hormuz,
saying ''we can be confident that
after 45 ​days
we will have a flow of oil."
He said the state of national
energy emergency would remain
in force for one year, saying
''the state of national energy
emergency authorises the Philippine
government to procure fuel and
petroleum products to ensure timely
and sufficient supply.''
Philippine President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr., said the Philippines
is working with the United States
to secure waivers and exemptions
that would allow the Philippines
to obtain oil from United States-sanctioned
countries.
Philippine Ambassador to the United
States, Jose Manuel Romualdez,
said ''we are working with the
U.S. State Department to get waivers
or exemptions to purchase oil
from US-sanctioned countries.''
''All options including oil from
Russia, Venezuela and Iran are
being considered,'' he said.
Secretary of Energy of the Philippines,
Sharon Garin, said on March 18 that
the Philippines had 45 days of fuel
supply ''based on current consumption
levels.''
She said the Philippine government
is working to procure 1 million
barrels of oil from countries
within and outside Southeast Asia
to build a buffer stock, saying
''there will likely be uncertainties
in reaching this level.''
On Friday March 20, 2026 the United
States Department of State issued
a 30 day-day sanctions waiver
for the purchase of Iranian oil
at sea.
The waiver applies to oil loaded
on any vessel including tankers
under sanction on or before March
20 and discharged by April 19.
The sanctions waiver for the purchase
of Iranian oil at sea aims to
ease high global oil prices caused
by the United States, Israel and
Iran conflict in the Strait of
Hormuz, enabling the release of
140 million barrels of oil into
global markets.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
orders closure of
conservation forests,
national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries
to stop illegal forest
burning
|
|
 |
|
Atthapol
Charoenchansa, Department
of National Parks,
Wildlife and Plant
Conservation closes
high risk conservation
forest areas including
national parks on
Saturday March 29,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, March 31: Thailand's Department
of National Parks Wildlife and Plant
Conservation ordered the closure
of conservation forest areas including
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
throughout Thailand in a effort
to stop illegal forest burning,
warning offenders with a ''severe
prison sentence and fine'', reports
the Nation.
Department of National Parks Wildlife
and Plant Conservation director-general,
Atthapol Charoenchansa, said on
Saturday that illegal forest burning
numbers continued to rise in conservation
forest areas.''
He said that 269 suspects involved
in forest encroachment and illegal
forest burning from October 1, 2025
to February 28, 2026,'' have been
arrested, saying ''of those arrested
262 were involved in forest encroachment
and seven involved in illegal forest
burning.''
He said that the Department of National
Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation
has closed high-risk conservation
forest areas, saying ''anyone found
entering these areas illegally to
start fires will be arrested.''
He said that penalties for forest
burning under Section 41 of the
National Parks Act 2019 and Section
99 of the Wildlife Preservation
and Protection Act 2019 are severe,
saying ''20 years in prison and
2 million baht in fines.''
''Anyone found setting fire to forests
in national parks or wildlife sanctuary
areas faces jail terms of between
four and 20 years, fines ranging
from 400,000 to 2 million baht,
or both,'' he said.
Nationwide hotspot data since October
1, 2025 show a total of 57, 143
hotspots with 2,336 recorded across
Thailand on March 29, 2026, with
1,368 hotspots in conservation forest
areas, 806 hotspots in national
reserved forests and 162 hotspots
outside forest areas.
Northern Thailand recorded the highest
number of hotspots, with 1,312 hotspots,
the Central and Eastern regions
of Thailand with 41 hotspots, and
Northeast Thailand with 15 hotspots.
The five provinces with the highest
hotspot counts that on March 29,
2026 were recorded in Chiang Mai
with 480 hotspots, Mae Hong Son
with 247 hotspots, Lampang with
104 hotspots, Nan with 97 hotspots,
and Phayao with 85 hotspots.
The highest total hotspot between
March 27, 2026 and March 29, 2026
were recorded at Sri Lanna National
Park with 272 hotspots, Tham Pha
Thai Wildlife Sanctuary with 247
hotspots, Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary
with 189 hotspots, Mae Ping National
Park with 179 hotspots, and Huai
Nam Dang National Park with 173
hotspots.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Natural Resources and Environment,
Suchart Chomklin, ordered the Department
of National Parks Wildlife and Plant
Conservation to pursue forest encroachment
and illegal forest burning to the
fullest extent of the law, saying
''with no relaxation and no failure
to act.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
rejects Thailand decision
to revoke 2000 border
demarcation agreement
|
|
 |
|
Cambodia's
State Secretariat
of Border Affairs
spokesman, Lam Chea,
says ''Cambodia entirely
dismisses the reasons
for Thailand Senate's
ad hoc committee revocation
of the 2000 Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU
43) ''.
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, Monday 30: Cambodia
rejected Thailand's Senate's ad
hoc committee's decision to revoke
the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding
43 (MOU 43) between Cambodia and
Thailand on border demarcation on
Thursday, calling the decision unfounded,
politically motivated and contrary
to international law, reports the
Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia's State Secretariat of
Border Affairs spokesman, Lam Chea,
says ''Cambodian entirely dismisses
the reasons for Thailand Senate's
ad hoc committee revocation of the
2000 Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU 43) ''.
''The 2000 Memorandum of Understanding
43 (MOU 43) between Cambodia and
Thailand on border demarcation remains
a legally binding bilateral treaty
that took effect on signing and
is registered with the United Nations
Secretariat,'' said Cambodia's State
Secretariat of Border Affairs spokesman,
Lam Chea.
Thailand's Senate's ad hoc committee
chairman Senator, Noppadon Inna
said that the decision to cancel
the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding
43 (MOU 43) on border demarcation
follows instruction given by new
Thailand Prime Minister, Anutin
Charnvirakul, for the cancellation
of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
44 (MOU 44) maritime agreement.
Thailand's Senate's ad hoc committee's
cited flawed map scales, slow progress,
and Cambodian encroachment, as reasons
for the decision to revoke the 2000
Memorandum of Understanding 43 (MOU
43) between Cambodia and Thailand
on border demarcation.
Cambodia's State Secretariat of
Border Affairs spokesman, Lam Chea,
said that ''Thailand cannot invoke
domestic laws or internal procedures
as grounds to withdraw from the
agreement.''
''Maintaining the 2000 MOU 43 agreement
is essential for sustaining dialogue
and preventing tensions, as both
nations seek to advance development
and cooperation in border areas.''
In December 2024 Manager Group executive,
Sondhi Limthongkul, who co-led the
2005 - 2006 and 2008-2009 mass protests
in Bangkok against former Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, claimed
that the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
44 (MOU44) signed during former
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
administration, that allowed Cambodia
to draw the boundary inside Thailand
marine territory and that includes
Koh Kut Island, did not receive
approval from the Thailand parliament.
''King Rama IX had declared Thailand's
marine territory based on international
law in 1973'' he said.
He said the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding
44 (MOU44) created an overlapping
claims area covering about 26,000
square kilometres in the Gulf of
Thailand that benefits Cambodia.
In December 2024 Manager Group executive,
Sondhi Limthongkul, called on the
then Prime Minister Paetongtarn
Shinawatra to submit the Thailand-Cambodia
2001 Memorandum of Understanding
44 (MOU44), that includes Cambodia's
territorial claim to half of Koh
Kut Island off Thailand's Trat Province
in the Gulf of Thailand, for constitution
review.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Singapore
refuses re-entry to
Malaysian human rights
lawyer for her brand
of radical advocacy
|
|
 |
|
Fadiah
Nadwa Fikri, Human
Rights Lawyer with
Lawyers for Liberty
affiliated with the
Center to Combat Corruption
and Cronyism (C4 Center)
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Monday March 23, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 29: Singapore
has refused re-entry to a Malaysian
student on Thursday, who received
a Phd from the National University
of Singapore (NUS) in January, for
engaging in political activism in
Singapore, with Singapore Ministry
of Home Affairs describing former
student Fadiah Nadwa Fikri ''as
an undesirable visitor,'' reports
the Star.
Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA), K Shanmugam said on Friday
that Fadiah Nadwa Fikri had encouraged
youths in Singapore ''to adopt her
brand of radical advocacy.''
''She encouraged Singapore youths
to go beyond protests, to mobilise
students and different communities
in Singapore, and to undertake disruptive
and violent actions to support specific
causes,'' he said.
''We will not tolerate foreigners
getting involved in our domestic
politics, nor the promotion of unlawful,
violent and disruptive methods of
civil protest,'' he said.
''Fadiah Nadwa Fikri is an undesirable
visitor, and we have thus denied
her entry into our country,'' he
said.
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri claims that the
Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) grounds for her deportation
are "false" and "malicious",
saying ''the ministry had not provided
evidence to support its allegations
against her.''
''The only plausible explanation
for my deportation is that I have
been targeted for my role and responsibility
as a scholar,'' she said.
''My work examines the intellectual
history of decolonisation and anti-imperialism
in Malaya, Malaysia, Singapore and
the broader region,'' she said.
''My intellectual commitment to
knowledge production made it imperative
to articulate my position and take
stances on pressing issues at national,
regional and international levels,
particularly the violence of Western
imperialism, especially United States
imperialism,'' she said.
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri reportedly left
a legal career with the Malaysian
legal rights advocacy group, Lawyers
for Liberty and the Centre to Combat
Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center),
an independent non-profit organisation
in Malaysia, to pursue a doctoral
degree from the National University
of Singapore (NUS) in 2020.
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri was reportedly
investigated for alleged sedition
and improper use of network facilities
in a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur
organised against the appointment
of Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth
Prime Minister of Malaysia by the
King in March 2020.
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri was also under
investigation for allegedly insulting
the Malaysian monarchy after the
May 2018 elections in Malaysia,
that returned Mahathir Mohamad as
the Prime Minister.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China
warns United States
against ammunition
production hub for
the Asia-Pacific in
the Philippines
|
|
 |
|
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesman,
Lin Jian, warns the
United States led
Partnership for Indo-Pacific
Industrial Resilience
(PIPIR) against ammunition
hub in the Philippines
on Thursday March
26, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 28: China warned
the United States led Partnership
for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience
(PIPIR) against the plan to establish
an ammunition production hub in
the Philippines saying the development
of a large scale manufacturing
ammunition facility in the Philippines
would bring ''conflict and the
chaos of war'' to the Asia-Pacific,
despite the United States saying
''the United States is an Indo-Pacific
Nation,'' reports the Philippines
Inquirer.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman,
Lin Jian, said that the United
States led Partnership for Indo-Pacific
Industrial Resilience (PIPIR plan
to establish an ammunition production
hub in the Philippines ''will
create a chaotic, volatile environment
where local tensions escalate
into direct military confrontation.''
''The US and its allies should
respect the common aspirations
of regional countries and refrain
from introducing bloc confrontation,
conflict and the chaos of war
into the Asia-Pacific,'' he said.
''If the Philippines is willing
to be a powder keg and ammunition
depot, it will only backfire on
itself,'' he said.
The United States led intergovernmental
defence Partnership for Indo-Pacific
Industrial Resilience (PIPIR),
a 16-member coalition aimed at
strengthening defence supply chains
and accelerating industrial cooperation
in the Asia-Pacific, includes
the United States, Australia,
Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Philippines, Republic
of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand,
and the United Kingdom.
The United States led intergovernmental
defence Partnership for Indo-Pacific
Industrial Resilience (PIPIR)
agreed to assess funding for a
new ammunition production hub
in the Philippines at the 2nd
Annual Plenary meeting on March
18, 2026, saying in a joint statement
''the US-led defence manufacturing
partnership aims to strengthen
regional supply chains.''
On May 30, 2025 United States
Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth,
said at the 22nd International
Institute for Strategic Studies
IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025
Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore,
''The United States is an Indo-Pacific
Nation,''
We share your vision of peace
and stability, of prosperity and
security and we are here to stay,"
said U.S. Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth.
He said the future vision for
the Indo-Pacific is one grounded
in common sense and national interest,
saying ''the future vision for
the Indo-Pacific is one where
the U.S. and its allies work together
while respecting their mutual
self-interests and engaging on
the basis of sovereignty and commerce
as opposed to war.''
''The futures of the U.S. and
its Indo-Pacific allies are bound
together,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
tanker passes through
Hormuz Straits
without
paying fees to Islamic
Revolutionary Guard
Corps
|
|
 |
|
Iran's
Ambassador to Thailand,
Nasereddin Heydari,
left, and Thailand
Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow,
right, In Bangkok
Tuesday March 24,
2026
|
|
From News Reports:
Bangkok, March 27: A Thailand oil
tanker secured safe passage through
the Strait of Hormuz without paying
fees in the required Chinese Yen
to the controlling Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) after Thailand's
Minister of Foreign Affairs had
talks with the Iran's Ambassador
to Thailand, reports the Bangkok
Post.
Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the oil
tanker owned by the Stock Exchange
of Thailand Bangchak Corporation
PCL passed safely through the Strait
of Hormuz on Monday, saying ''after
successful talks with Iran's Ambassador
to Thailand, Nasereddin Heydari.''
''I requested that if Thai ships
need to pass through the strait,
could they assist in ensuring
safe passage? '' said Thailand's
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak
Phuangketkeow on Tuesday.
''They responded that they would
take care of it and asked us to
provide the names of the vessels
that would be transiting,'' he said.
He said that a Thailand vessel
owned by SCG Chemicals Public
Company Limited is awaiting clearance
to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
''The Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) is taking care of
it and has asked us to provide
the names of the vessels that
would be transiting through the
Strait of Hormuz,'' he said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that
vessels from ''non-hostile'' countries
would be allowed to pass through
the Straits of Hormuz, saying
''on condition that they provide
details of their ownership, cargoes
and destinations.''
Lloyd's of London maritime intelligence
service reports that the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
was developing a vetting and registration
system that could involve fees
of up to $2 million per vessel
to pass through the Strait of
Hormuz.
''The Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) is reportedly requesting
that the tolls be paid in Chinese
yuan, to secure safe passage through
the Iran controlled waters'' said
Lloyd's of London maritime intelligence
service.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) attacked the Thailand
flagged bulk carrier, Mayuree
Naree, owned by Precious Shipping
Public Company Limited in the
Strait of Hormuz on March 11 forcing
20 crew members to abandon ship
and leaving three missing.
The Iran Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that
the Thailand flagged bulk carrier,
Mayuree Naree,
owned by Precious Shipping Public
Company Limited was targeted after
the vessel ignored warnings from
the Iran Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy for attempting
to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Precious Shipping Public Company
Limited claims it did not receive
any specific warning advising
the vessel not to proceed with
transit, was one of six vessels
attacked in a 24 hour period.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Thailand
Cambodia border conflict
could reignite warns
Thailand after Cambodia
orders weapons
|
|
 |
|
The
Royal Thai Army raises
the Thailand flag
atop the Ta Kwai ancient
temple in Phanom Dong
Rak district in Surin
Province Thailand
on the Cambodian border
on Wednesday December
17, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, March 26: The Royal Thai
Army (RTA) Directorate of Intelligence
warned that the Thailand Cambodia
border conflict could reignite,
with Director of Intelligence Lt
Gen Teeranan Nandhakwang saying
''Cambodia has placed large orders
for weaponry,'' reports the Bangkok
Post.
The Director-General Lt Gen Teeranan
Nandhakwang said that ''Cambodia
has bought a large quanitiy of armaments
from countries in eastern Europe,''
saying ''this could trigger another
round of border conflict.''
''The situation along the border
would need to be closely monitored
once the wet season ends,'' he said.
Royal Thai Army (RTA) spokesman,
Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, said there
was some movement by the Royal Cambodian
Armed Forces, saying ''The Thai
army had reliable information about
Cambodia's arms procurement.''
He confirmed reports of Cambodian
military movements near the Ta Kwai
temple , saying ''Ta Kwai temple
is under the jurisdiction of the
2nd Royal Thai Army (RTA) in Surin
Province, saying ''the Thai army
has reliable information about Cambodia's
arms procurement.''
Col Nattakorn Rueantip, Commander
of the Phoenix Unit, chief of staff
of the 4th Infantry Division said
at the Ratchamanu Task Force in
Tak Province ''the army is preparing
for future scenarios and improving
survivability against increasing
threats.''
''We must develop more advanced
drones than our adversaries and
integrate artificial intelligence
to enhance operational efficiency,
reduce interference and ensure missions
can proceed without disruption or
resistance in complex environments,''
he said.
''The army is planning a centralised
drone command centre, allowing rapid
redeployment of drone units to any
region facing sudden threats, similar
to recent operations along the Thai-Cambodian
border,'' he said.
In November 2025 Thailand's Deputy
2nd Army commander Maj Gen Nutt
Sri-in offered two options for the
reclamation of the Ta Kwai temple
in Surin Province saying ''the first
option to reclaim Ta Kwai temple
includes an immediate military recapture,
a direct assault would be fast but
would risk heavy casualties,'' he
said.
'The second option includes a slower,
technology-led approach, using radar
and other survey technologies to
verify and document the territory,''
he said.
In November 2013 the United Nations
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
in the Hague, in an unanimous decision,
ruled that the immediate area surrounding
the 11th century Preah Vihear Hindu
temple on the Thailand Cambodia
border belongs to Cambodia.
"Cambodia holds sovereignty
over the whole territory of the
promontory of Preah Vihear,"
said the International Court of
Justice,
International Court of Justice said
that as a consequence of the decision
Thailand was now under obligation
to withdraw Thailand military or
police forces or other guards or
keepers who were stationed in the
immediate area surrounding the temple.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippine's
''No To Oil Price
Hike Coalition'' calls
for nationwide transport
strike for lower fuel
prices
|
|
 |
|
Solidarity
of Drivers and Operators'
Organizations Nationwide
(PISTON) president
Mody Floranda calls
for two day nationwide
transport strike in
Manila on Thursday
26 March 2026 and
Friday 27 March 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 25: The Solidarity
of Drivers and Operators' Organizations
Nationwide (PISTON) called for a
two day nationwide transport strike
on Thursday and Friday, with PISTON
president Mody Floranda saying the
''No To Oil Price Hike Coalition''
is calling for the rollback of fuel
prices, removal of excise tax, and
repeal of the Oil Deregulation law,
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
PISTON president Mody Floranda said
on Monday the ''No To Oil Price
Hike Coalition'' that includes the
Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJ) and
Buses (PUB), Utility Vehicle Express
(UVE), Transportation Network Vehicle
Services (TNVS), and Motorcycle
Taxis (MC) have agreed to participate
to the two day nationwide strike
on Thursday and Friday.
''The ''No To Oil Price Hike Coalition''
is calling for several measures
to address the oil crisis,'' he
said.
He said transport workers have been
severely affected by the surge in
fuel prices, saying ''the ''No To
Oil Price Hike Coalition''
is calling for lower fuel prices,
the removal of taxes on petroleum
products and the repeal of the Oil
Deregulation law.''
He said ''the ''No To Oil Price
Hike Coalition'' has criticized
the Philippine government for relying
on temporary aid instead of long
term solutions. saying ''No To Oil
Price Hike Coalition'' also questions
the continued fuel price hikes despite
sufficient supply.''
Federation of Drivers, Commuters,
and United Transportation Terminals
(Manibela) chairman, Mar Valbuena,
said that Manibela would also conduct
a two day transport strike on March
26 and 27, saying the Philippines
government's lack of response to
rising fuel costs has forced Manibela
to take protest action.
Manibela chairman, Mar Valbuena,
said that the impact of rising oil
prices is felt by not only public
utility vehicle drivers but also
by Transportation Network Vehicle
Services (TNVS) cargo truck drivers,
and motorcycle riders, saying ''the
drivers are struggling to bring
home enough income for their families.''
''Income losses caused by passengers
who fail to pay fares are further
affecting the daily earnings of
drivers,'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Communist
Party of Vietnam wins
almost all seats in
one party state National
Assembly
|
|
 |
|
Nguyen
Huu Dong, Chairman
of the National Assembly's
Committee for Deputy
Affairs and member
of the National Election
Council, said ''the
election on March
15 was the largest
and most demanding
elections to date,''
at a press conference
on Saturday March
21, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, March 24: The Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) secured a landslide
victory in the National Assembly
elections on March 15 winning 97
percent of the 500 seats in the
one party state, with the result
reportedly ''solidifying Vietnam's
continued one-party rule,'' and
the National Assembly Committee
for Deputy affairs chairman, saying
''the success of the general election
reflected thorough, democratic and
lawful practices,'' reports the
Vietnam News.
National Assembly Committee for
Deputy affairs chairman, member
of the National Election Council,
Nguyen Huu Dong, said ''the success
of the National Assembly reflected
thorough, democratic and lawful
practices.''
''The success of the elections reflects
a strong sense of political awareness
and civil responsibility among the
voters,'' he said.
He said that political security,
public order and safety were maintained
throughout the electoral process,
saying ''with no serious incidents
or unusual situations reported.''
''The number of complaints and petitions
related to the election was significantly
lower than in previous terms,''
he said.
He said that the close and decisive
leadership of the Communist Party
of Vietnam (CPV) Central committee,
the Politburo of the Communist Party
of Vietnam, the Central Secretariat
of the Communist Party of Vietnam
and Communist Party committees at
all levels ''are the foremost factors
that ensured the success of the
election.''
''Public confidence, national unity,
citizens’ sense of responsibility
and the active participation of
the entire political system also
contributed to the successful outcome,''
he said.
National Assembly deputies are expected
to select both the President and
Prime Minister that were nominated
by the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV) at the 16th National Assembly
session on April 6, 2026.
The National Assembly is expected
to elect To Lam, the General Secretary
of the Communist Party of Vietnam
(CPV) as President.
General Secretary of the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV), To Lam,
election to President reportedly
''further aligns Vietnam's political
structure with that of the Communist
Party of China (CCP).
Xi Jinping serves as the General
Secretary of the Chinese Communist
Party (CCP) and President.
Pham Minh Chinh is expected to be
re-elected as Vietnam's Prime Minister
at the 16th National Assembly session
on April 6, 2026.
Politburo member and National Assembly
chairman, National Election Council
(NEC) chairman Tran Thanh Man said
that the March 15 election was a
resounding success, saying ''the
election was conducted in a democratic,
equal, lawful, safe, economical
and substantive manner.''
''The election on March 15 was the
largest and most demanding elections
to date,'' he said.
National Election Council (NEC)
chairman Tran Thanh Man said that
the election was organised under
the leadership of the Communist
Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary
To Lam, saying ''the entire political
system was mobilised in a coordinated
proactive and disciplined manner.''
National Election Council (NEC)
chairman Tran Thanh Man said that
''voter turnout reached a record
high'' with ''no constituencies
requiring re-elections nationwide.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
PM urged to pursue
compensation from
China for preventing
traditional fishing
in West Philippine
Sea
|
|
 |
|
Former
Supreme Court Associate
Justice, Antonio Carpio,
left, donates a copy
of the 1878 Carta
General del Archipelago
Filipino map to the
National Library of
the Philippines on
Thursday March 19,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 23: A former Supreme
Court Associate Justice, urged the
Philippine Government to pursue
compensation from China for preventing
Filipino fishermen from accessing
traditional fishing grounds in the
West Philippine Sea, arguing that
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must
use the 2016 Permanent Court of
Arbitration in the Hague decision
to demand accountability, reports
the Philippine Inquirer.
Former Supreme Court Associate Justice,
Antonio Carpio, urged the Philippine
Government to pursue compensation
from China for Filipino fishermen's
loss of income at the National Library
of the Philippines after he had
donated a copy of the 1878 Carta
General del Archipelago Filipino
map on Thursday.
''The long lost historical map of
the Philippines supports the Philippines
claim over the disputed waters in
the West Philippine Sea,'' he said.
Former Supreme Court Associate Justice,
Antonio Carpio, argues that the
Philippines Government must move
beyond diplomatic protests and use
the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruling to demand accountability
for environmental and economic losses
in the West Philippine Sea.
He said that Filipino fishermen
should be able to fish in the West
Philippine Sea, saying ''but the
Chinese have prevented the Filipino
and Vietnamese fishermen from fishing
in their traditional fishing grounds.''
''I urge the Philippine Government
to go to an arbitral tribunal and
demand damages for our fisherfolk,''
he said.
On July 12, 2016 Judges of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
ruled in favour of the Philippines
against China's claim of ''historic
rights'' over the South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague decision followed the
Philippine complaint in 2013 that
called on the court to intervene
in the Philippine dispute with China
over the right to exploit natural
resources including fish in the
West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court
of Arbitration in the Hague ruled
in 2016 that China has violated
the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking
"historic rights" in its
claim over the West Philippine 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 claimed that the Permanent
Court of Arbitration in the Hague
had made an illegal and invalid
final verdict on the South China
Sea dispute, with China Foreign
Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying
then 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 China Foreign Ministry spokesman
said then that "China's position
of neither accepting nor participating
in the arbitration unilaterally
initiated by the Philippines remains
unchanged".
Former Supreme Court Associate Justice,
Antonio Carpio urged the Philippines
government to utilize the
United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to hold
China accountable for economic and
environmental damage in the West
Philippine Sea, saying '' UNCLOS
allows for compulsory arbitration
even if China refuses to participate.
He recommends that the Philippines
Government pursue compensation from
China for preventing Filipino fishermen
from accessing traditional fishing
grounds in the West Philippine Sea,
saying ''the July 12, 2016 Judges
of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague ruled that the West
Philippine Sea is a traditional
Philippines fishing ground.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
calls on China to
ensure energy security
after Iran attacks
tankers in Strait
of Hormus
|
|
 |
|
China
Foreign Minister Wang
Yi, Minister of Public
Security Wang Xiaohong,
Minister of National
Defense Dong Jun and
Vietnamese Foreign
Minister Le Hoai Trung,
Defense Minister Phan
Van Giang and Minister
of Public Security
Luong Tam Quang at
the inaugural ministerial
meeting of the China-Vietnam
"3+3" strategic
dialogue on diplomacy,
defense and public
security in Hanoi,
Vietnam on March 16,
2026.
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, March 22: The Civil Aviation
Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has
warned the Vietnam's aviation industry
to prepare for flight reductions
from next month after China and
Thailand halted jet fuel exports
after the Iran Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corpos (IRGC) Navy attacked
oil and petroleum tankers in the
Strait of Hormuz, with the Vietnam
Minister of Foreign Affairs calling
on China ''to ensure energy security,''
reports the Vietnam News.
The Civil Aviation Authority of
Vietnam (CAAV) Deputy Director General
Ho Minh Tan, said that Vietnam imports
more than two-thirds of its jet
fuel requirements, saying ''Vietnam
imports sixty percent of jet fuel
from China and Thailand.''
''There are risks of jet fuel shortages
for Vietnamese airlines from the
beginning of April and the following
months,'' he said.
The Civil Aviation Authority of
Vietnam (CAAV) Deputy Director General
Ho Minh Tan, has instructed Vietnam
Airlines and VietJet Air to review
their operational plans and prepare
for significant flight cuts, saying
''particularly on high-frequency
domestic routes.''
''Airports operators have been told
to prepare additional parking capacity
for planes that may be grounded
starting in April,'' he said.
Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs
Le Hoai Trung called on China's
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang
Yi to ensure energy security at
the inaugural China-Vietnam "3+3"
strategic dialogue on diplomacy,
defense and public security held
in Hanoi, on March 16, 2026, with
Vietnam Minister of Foreign Affairs
Le Hoai Trung reaffirming ''that
Vietnam remains committed to the
One China Principle that is the
official position of the People's
Republic of China (PRC), asserting
that there is only one China, and
Taiwan is an inalienable part of
its territory.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
Family
of Malaysian found dead
in
Anti-Corruption Commission
office
seeks justice at UNHRC |
|
 |
|
Teoh
Beng Hock, 31, was
found dead at the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC)
Selangor headquarters
in Kualau Lumpur after
he was summoned for
questioning on July
15, 2009
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 21: The family
of the late Teoh Beng Hock, 31,
who was found dead at the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)
Selangor headquarters after he was
summoned for questioning in 2009,
is pursuing action at the United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC),
after the Attorney General decision
to classify the investigation as
requiring No Further Action (NFA)
last year, reports the Star.
The Attorney General classified
the death of Teoh Beng Hock, 31,
former reporter for the Chinese-language
newspaper, Sin Chew Jit Poh, and
assistant to Democratice Action
Pary member, Ean Toung Hian Wah,
as requiring No Further Action on
May 21, 2015 after the submission
of the investigation by the Royal
Malaysia Police.
Sister, Teoh Lee Lan, addressed
the 61st session of the Human
Rights Council in Geneva on March
15 ''in an effort to urge the
Human Rights Council to activate
human rights mechanisms to secure
justice for Teoh Beng Hock.
Koong Hui Yein, chairman of the
Teoh Beng Hock Association for
Democratic Advancement that was
established in 2010 to secure
justice for Teoh Beng Hock, ''promises
of human rights progress have
yet to translate into concrete
outcomes.''
''While the Anwar Ibrahim government
brands itself on human rights
and reform, it has fallen short
in implementing the Right to Life
and the Right to Equality as guaranteed
by the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights," he said.
He said the address to the 61st
session of the Human Rights Council
in Geneva is intended to galvanise
international attention and pressure
Malaysian authorities to launch
rigorous and professional criminal
investigations in the death of
Teoh Beng Hock, 31 in 2009.
In September 2024 the Court of
Appeal three-man panel, chaired
by Judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md
Yusof, ruled that the death of
Teoh Beng Hock, 31, on 15 July
2009 was caused by multiple injuries
from a fall from the 14th floor
of Plaza Masalam Tower, the headquarters
of the Selangor Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) due to or accelerated
by unlawful acts by unknown persons
inclusive of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption
Commission (MACC) officers involved
in the investigation.
In December 2011 High Court Judge
Abdul Rahim Uda upheld a coroner’s
“open verdict” following
an inquest into the death of Teoh
Beng Hock, 31 and dismissed a
request from the dead man’s
family that the finding be revised.
In January 2011 coroner Azmil
Mustapha Abas, found that he could
not decide if the death of the
former journalist who worked for
Ean Toung Hian Wah, a Democratic
Action Party member of the Selangor
legislative assembly and state
executive, was suicide or murder.
“We cannot use suspicion
…and hesitate in coming to
a finding …unless there were
testimonies that could prove the
suspicion,” said the judge
in supporting the coroner’s
verdict.
There was no evidence to prove
who committed the pre-fall injuries
found on the victim, said the
judge.
And he agreed that the evidence
put before the coroner did not
show anything that would implicate
a third party's role in causing
the victim's death, hence ruling
out homicide.
In July 2011 a Royal Commission
of Inquiry found that three Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission officers
drove political secretary Teoh
Beng Hock, 31, to suicide, saying
in the 124-page report that ''anti-corruption
personnel were then prepared to
go to great lengths to lie and
form a blue wall of silence in
the spirit of brotherhood.''
“Having considered all the
evidence in its entirety, we found
that Teoh was driven to commit
suicide by the aggressive, relentless,
oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation
to which he was subjected by certain
officers…'' said the report.
The
Southeast Asian Times
| Thailand
flagged Mayuree Naree
attacked by Iran Islamic
Navy in Strait of Hormuz |
|
 |
|
Thai-flagged
bulk carrier Mayuree
Naree attacked by
the Iran Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC)
Navy in the Strait
of Hormuz on Wednesday
March 11. 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Bangkok, March 20: An explosion
at the stern of the Thailand flagged
bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree, in
the Strait of Hormuz on March 11
has left three of 23 crew members
missing, with ship owner Precious
Shipping Public Company Limited
confirming that 20 crew members
were brought ashore, with the Iran
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) Navy saying the vessel had
ignored warnings, reports Bangkok
Post.
Thailand flagged bulk carrier, Mayuree
Naree, ship owner, Precious Shipping
Public Company Limited, reports
that the vessel was carrying general
cargo intended for commercial, industrial
or personal use and not intended
for military operations was sailing
from the United Arab Emirates to
India when the vessel was attacked
in the Strait of Hormuz on March
11.
''An explosion at the stern of the
Mayuree Naree triggered a fire in
the engine room,'' said the report.
The Precious Shipping Public Company
Limited report said that the captain
of the Mayuree Naree, ordered the
crew to abandon ship, evacuating
the crew into lifeboats with assistance
provided by the Royal Navy of Oman
(RNO) that is responsible for protecting
maritime traffic near the strategic
Strait of Hormuz.
The 20 crew members of the Thailand
flagged bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree,
were brought ashore safely to the
port city of Khasab, Oman, with
three crew members missing believed
to have been in the engine room
at the time of the explosion.
Precious Shipping Public Company
Limited, reports that ''the Mayuree
Naree strictly implemented enhanced
security measures and remained in
regular contact with the United
Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations
(UKMTO) and the Royal Thai Navy
prior to and during the attempted
transit of the Strait of Hormuz.''
''Based on the information and maritime
security advisories available at
that time, the vessel was assessed
as suitable to undertake the transit
with appropriate precautionary measures
in place,'' said the Precious Shipping
Public Company Limited.
The Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) claims that the Thailand
flagged bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree,
was targeted after the vessel ignored
warnings from the Iran Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy for attempting
to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Precious Shipping Public Company
Limited claims it did not receive
any specific warning advising the
vessel not to proceed with transit,
saying ''the Company determined
that proceeding with the transit
through the Strait of Hormuz with
enhanced security precautions was
the appropriate course of action
at that time.''
The Thailand flagged bulk carrier,
Mayuree Naree, was one of six vessels
struck in the Gulf region in a 24
hour period.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Myanmar
military convenes
parliament first time
since coup after military
victory in elections
|
|
 |
|
The
Armed Forces (Tatmadaw)
of Myanmar convened
parliament for the
first time since military
seizure of power in
2021 from the elected
civilian National
League for Democracy
Party government in
Nay Pyitaw, Monday
March 16, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Nay Pyitaw, March 19: The Myanmar
military convened parliament for
the first time since the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar seizure of
power from the elected civilian
National League for Democracy Party
(NLD) government in 2021 and after
the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), claimed victory in
the three-phase general elections,
with all 373 parliament representatives
attending the first session of the
third lower House of Representatives
parliament at Nay Pyi Tawr on Monday,
reports the Irrawaddy.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP) elections that were
held in three phases on December
28, 2025, January 11, 2026, and
January 25, 2026, is the first elections
held in Myanmar since November 8,
2020 under the legitimately elected
civilian National League for Democracy
Party (NLD) of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar
seized the civilian National League
for Democracy (NLD) government lead
by Aung San Suu Kyi on February
1, 2020 after the civilian National
League for Democracy (NLD) won the
general elections on November 8,
2020.
The Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar's
sponsored Solidarity and Development
Party (USDP), chairman, Khin Yi,
was elected speaker of the Lower
House of Representatives. lower
House of Representatives speaker,
Khin Yi, is a former Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar brigadier
general and served as the chief
of the Myanmar Police Force.
Lower House of Representatives speaker,
Khin Yi, is a close ally of Senior
Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar.
Maung Maung Ohn, who was appointed
Minister of Information by the State
Administrative Council (SAC), led
by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar was elected deputy speaker
at the opening session of the of
the Lower House of Representatives
on Monday.
ASEAN chair for 2026 Philippines
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa
P. Lazaro, said at the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers' (AMM) Retreat on January
26-29 in Cebu City, Philippines
that ''the 11-member regional bloc
has not endorsed the Armed Forces
(Tatmadaw) of Myanmar three phase
election between December 28, and
January 26.''
''As of now, ASEAN does not recognize
the recently held elections,”
she said.
She said that some ASEAN member
nations viewed the election as potentially
positive, saying ''this did not
amount to a formal endorsement of
the elections.''
''ASEAN continues to withhold recognition
of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of
Myanmar seizure of power from the
elected civilian National League
for Democracy Party (NLD) government
in 2021,'' she said.
''We do not recognize the military
administration,'' said Philippines
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Theresa
P. Lazaro.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Fifth
member of Iranian
women's soccer team
withdraws offer of
Asylum in Australia
|
|
 |
|
Zahra
Ghanbari is the fifth
member of the Iranian
women's soccer team
to withdraw offer
of asylum in Australia
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 18: A fifth member
of the Iranian women's soccer team
withdrew asylum in Australia after
initially accepting the offer, leaving
two Iranian soccer players in Queensland,
Australia, with Australia Home Affairs
Minister, Tony Burke, confirming
on Monday ''another team member
had left Australia late on Sunday.''
reports Reuters.
Zahra Ghanbari became the fifth
member of the Iranian women's soccer
team to change her mind after initially
accepting asylum in Australia after
the team had refused to sing the
Islamic Republic of Iran national
anthem at the opening match of the
2026 Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) Women's Asian Cup, in Queensland,
Australia on March 1.
Members of the Iranian women soccer
team sought asylum out of fear of
persecution on their return to Iran
after Iranian state TV presenter
Mohammad Reza Shahbazi called the
soccer players "traitors to
the nation " and said they
would be dealt "harshly"
on their return to Iran.
''The Iranian women's football team's
refusal to sing the national anthem
is the height of shamelessness and
betrayal,'' said the Iranian state
TV presenter.
Three Iranian women soccer players,
Zahra Meshkehkar, Zahra Sarbali,
and Mona Hamoudi, who were granted
asylum in Australia, also reversed
their decision to accept asylum
in Australia, with Australia's Home
Affairs Minister Tony Burke, saying
"the Australian government
has done everything it could to
make sure that the three Iranian
women's soccer players were provided
with the chance for a safe future
in Australia.
'While the Australian government
can ensure that opportunities are
provided and communicated, we cannot
remove the context in which the
players are making these incredibly
difficult decisions,'' he said.
Iranian women's national soccer
team player Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who
also rejected asylum in Australia
after having earlier accepted asylum
had contacted the Embassy of the
Islamic Republic of Iran in Canberra
asking to be returned to Iran.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said "in Australia
people are able to change their
mind.''
''We respect the context in which
she had made that decision,'' he
said.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke said that officials had
spoken to the soccer player that
had changed her mind saying ''to
make sure it was her decision''
and that ''every question you would
want to ask was asked.''
Two of the original seven members
of the Iranian women's soccer team,
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh,
remain in Australia after accepting
asylum offer by Australia Home Affairs
Minister, Tony Burke.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Cambodia
National Labour Federation
says ''Cambodia does
not tolerate forced
labour practices''
|
|
 |
|
Sam
Soeun, president of
the National Labour
Federation of Cambodia
(NLC) says ''Cambodia
does not tolerate
forced labour practices,''
after Office of the
United States Trade
Representative (USTR)
announces investigation
Wednesday March 11,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Phnom Penh, March 17: The National
Labour Federation of Cambodia (NLC)
said ''Cambodia does not tolerate
forced labour practices,'' after
the Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR) announced
investigations into Structural Excess
Capacity and Forced Labour Unfair
Trade in the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) including
Cambodia on March 11, reports the
Khmer Times.
The National Labour Federation of
Cambodia (NLC) president, Sam Soeun,
said ''Cambodia has consistently
complied with international labour
standards, national labour laws,
trade union regulations and employment.''
''Cambodia does not tolerate forced
labour practices,'' he said
He said that Cambodia is not the
only country subject to the investigation
by the Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR) into
over-production and forced labour,
saying ''the investigation into
the use of forced labour does not
target Cambodia alone.''
The Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR) is to
investigate over production and
forced labour in the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
including Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
He said that China, the European
Union, Switzerland, Norway, South
Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico,
Japan and India are subject to the
same scrutiny.
The National Labour Federation of
Cambodia (NLC) president, Sam Soeun,
said that Cambodia should continue
to adhere to national laws, international
conventions and relevant legal framework.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, said investigation
into acts, policies, and practices
of economies relating to structural
excess capacity and production in
manufacturing sectors that restrict
United States commerce will be conducted
under Section 301(b) of the Trade
Act of 1974.
''This probe targets several nations
for structural excess capacity and
production in manufacturing sectors
that allegedly restrict United States
commerce.'' said United States Trade
Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.
''Sectors include manufacturing
of steel, aluminium, semiconductors,
robotics, and transportation equipment,''
he said.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR) Jamieson Greer, is also to
investigation Forced Labour Unfair
Trade Probe saying ''the investigation
targets 60 of the United States
largest trading partners for alleged
failures to take action on forced
labour.''
The Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) are a major trading
bloc partner for the United States
with sectors including electronics
integrated circuits, machinery,
and textiles.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, said that
the investigations will determine
whether governments have taken sufficient
steps to prohibit the importation
of goods produced with forced labour,
saying that ''the investigation
will determine ''how the failure
to eradicate these abhorrent practices
impacts United States workers and
businesses.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Three
more Iranian women
soccer players reverse
decision to accept
asylum in Australia
|
|
 |
|
Iranian
women's soccer players,
Zahra Meshkehkar,
left, Zahra Sarbali,
centre, and Mona Hamoudi
reverse their decision
to accept asylum in
Australia, Saturday
March 15, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 16: Three more Iranian
women soccer players, who were granted
asylum in Australia, reversed their
decision on Sunday bringing the
number of Iranian soccer players
who have decided to return to Iran
to four, leaving three Iranian soccer
players in Australia, with Australia's
Home Affairs Minister saying 'they
were given repeated opportunities
to discuss their options,'' reports
the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
"The Australian government
has done everything it could to
make sure that the three Iranian
women's soccer players, Zahra
Meshkehkar, Zahra Sarbali, and
Mona Hamoudi were provided with
the chance for a safe future in
Australia, said Australia's Home
Affairs Minister, Tony Burke.
The Iranian women's soccer team
were granted asylum in Australia
after the team had refused to
sing the Islamic Republic of Iran
national anthem at the opening
match of the 2026 Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian
Cup, in Queensland, Australia
on March 1.
Members of the Iranian women soccer
team sought asylum out of fear of
persecution on their return to Iran
after Iranian state TV presenter
Mohammad Reza Shahbazi called the
soccer players "traitors to
the nation " and said they
would be dealt "harshly"
on their return.
''The Iranian women's football team's
refusal to sing the national anthem
is the height of shamelessness and
betrayal,'' said the Iranian state
TV presenter.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said that the three
women soccer players who reversed
their decision to accept asylum
in Australia on Sunday ''were
given repeated opportunities to
discuss their options.''
''But the players have chosen
to join their team and return
to Iran,'' he said.
"While the Australian government
can ensure that opportunities
are provided and communicated,
we cannot remove the context in
which the players are making these
incredibly difficult decisions,"
he said.
Iranian women's national soccer
team player Mohaddeseh Zolfi,
who reversed her decision to accept
asylum in Australia last week
had contacted the Embassy of the
Islamic Republic of Iran in Canberra
asking to be returned to Iran.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said then "in
Australia people are able to change
their mind.''
''We respect the context in which
she had made that decision,''
he said.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke said that officials
had spoken to the soccer player
that had changed her mind saying
''to make sure it was her decision''
and that ''every question you
would want to ask was asked.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
United
States to conduct
investigation into
over production and
forced labour in ASEAN
|
|
 |
|
United
States Trade Representative
(USTR) Jamieson Greer,
in Brussels, Belgium
at the "Implementation
Dialogue on EU-US
investment relations"
meeting on Monday
November 24, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, Sunday 15: The Office
of the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) is to investigate Structural
Excess Capacity and Forced Labour
Unfair Trade in the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
including Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia,
Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam,
reports The Star
United States Trade Representative
(USTR) Jamieson Greer said investigation
into acts, policies, and practices
of economies relating to structural
excess capacity and production in
manufacturing sectors that restrict
United States commerce will be conducted
under Section 301(b) of the Trade
Act of 1974.
The Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR) is to
investigate over production and
forced labour in China, the European
Union, Switzerland, Norway, South
Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico,
Japan and India.
''This probe targets several nations
for structural excess capacity and
production in manufacturing sectors
that allegedly restrict United States
commerce.'' said United States Trade
Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.
''Sectors include manufacturing
of steel, aluminium, semiconductors,
robotics, and transportation equipment,''
he said.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR) Jamieson Greer, is also to
investigation Forced Labour Unfair
Trade Probe saying ''the investigation
targets 60 of the United States
largest trading partners for alleged
failures to take action on forced
labour.''
The Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) are a major trading
bloc partner for the United States
with sectors including electronics
integrated circuits, machinery,
and textiles.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, said that
evidence of structural excess capacity
or over-production
exists in Malaysia as shown in Malaysia's
large and persistent goods trade
surpluses.
''Malaysia maintains a global goods
trade surplus in sectors including
electronic equipment, mineral fuels
and oils, machinery, animal and
vegetable fats and oils, and optical,
photo, technical and medical apparatus,
he said.
''Evidence suggests that Malaysia
has significant excess capacity
in its steel sector, which recorded
capacity growth of 22 percent between
2018 and 2022, despite a 25 percent
decline in steel demand during that
timeframe,'' said United States
Trade Representative (USTR), Jamieson
Greer.
United States Trade Representative
(USTR), Jamieson Greer, said that
the investigations will determine
whether governments have taken sufficient
steps to prohibit the importation
of goods produced with forced labour,
saying that ''the investigation
will determine ''how the failure
to eradicate these abhorrent practices
impacts United States workers and
businesses.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Iranian
women’s soccer
team arrives in Kuala
Lumpur after rejecting
asylum in Australia
|
|
 |
|
Members
of the Iranian women's
national soccer team,
who rejected asylum
in Australia, arrive
at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport
(KLIA) in transit
to Iran on Wednesday
March 11, 2026
|
|
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 14: Members
of the Iranian women's national
soccer team who rejected asylum
in Australia, were met by the Ambassador
of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ambassador to Malaysia on their
arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International
Airport (KLIA) on Wednesday, reports
Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Members of the Iranian women's national
soccer team who had rejected asylum
in Australia and are in transit
from Sydney to Iran were welcomed
by the Ambassador of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Ambassador to Malaysia,
Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi on
their arrival in Malaysia.
Twenty members of the 26 Iranian
women's national soccer team including
players, coaches and supporters
have checked into a hotel in Kuala
Lumpur awaiting flight schedules
for their return to Iran.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador
to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi
Nasrabadi reportedly greeted the
20 members of the Iranian women's
national soccer team including players,
coaches and supporters as they disembarked
their flight in Kuala Lumpur from
Sydney on Wednesday.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Abassador
to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi
Nasrabadi, reportedly shook hands
with the players, coaches and supporters
as they disembarked from their flight
at the Kuala Lumpur International
Airport (KLIA).
Iranian women's national soccer
team player Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who
rejected asylum in Australia after
having earlier accepted asylum had
contacted the Embassy of the Islamic
Republic of Iran in Canberra on
Wednesday asking to be returned
to Iran.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said "in Australia
people are able to change their
mind.''
''We respect the context in which
she had made that decision,'' he
said.
Six of 26 members of the Iranian
women's national soccer team remain
in Australia after accepting asylum
in Australia that was offered by
Australian Home Affairs Minister
Tony Burke on Monday.
The Iranian women’s Soccer
players had refused to sing the
Islamic Republic of Iran national
anthem at the opening match of the
2026 Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) Women's Asian Cup, in Queensland,
Australia on Sunday March 1, 2026.
The Iranian women’s Soccer
team reversed their decision not
to sing the anthem in the final
two matches against Australia and
the Philippines, singing the anthem
loudly and performing military salutes.
The Iranian soccer players were
reportedly pressured by the Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)
security personnel who are reportedly
embedded in the team, warning the
players that their families in Iran
would face violence and torture
if they did not comply.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Iranian
soccer player backs
out of asylum in Australia
|
|
 |
|
Iranian
women's soccer team
supporter, Zahra Soltan
Meshkeh Kar, left,
Australian Home Affairs
Minister, Tony Burke,
centre and team player
Mohaddeseh Zolfi,
granted asylum in
Australia on Tuesday
March 11, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 13: One of seven
Iranian women's national soccer
players who were granted asylum
in Australia this week has changed
their mind and asked to be returned
to Iran, with the Football Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)
accusing Australia of "abducting"
the members of the Iranian women's
national soccer team, reports Australian
Broadcasting Corporation.
Football Federation Islamic Republic
of Iran (FFIRI), president Mehdi
Taj, a former commander in the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
claimed on Islamic Republic of Iran
Broadcasting (IRIB) the state-controlled
media corporation that ''Australia
pressured members of the women's
soccer team into seeking asylum.''
''When the team tried to leave the
country Australian police intervened
on the orders of the Australian
prime minister, he said on Islamic
Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
He condemned the Australian government
for granting asylum to members of
the Iranian women’s football
team accusing Australia of orchestrating
a hostage situation and using coercive
tactics during the 2026 Women's
Asian Cup.
The Iranian women’s Soccer
team refused to sing the Islamic
Republic of Iran national anthem
at the opening match of the 2026
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Women's Asian Cup, in Queensland,
Australia.
The Iranian women’s Soccer
team reversed their decision not
to sing the anthem in the final
two matches against Australia and
the Philippines, singing the anthem
loudly and performing military salutes.
The Iranian soccer players were
reportedly pressured by the Federation
Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI)
security personnel who are reportedly
embedded in the team, warning the
players that their families in Iran
would face violence and torture
if they did not comply.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, has confirmed that one
of the seven members of the Iranian
women's national soccer team who
had been granted asylum had asked
to be returned to Iran on Wednesday.
''One of two players who had decided
to stay in Australia after five
others had been granted asylum has
changed their mind,'' he said.
Iranian women’s Soccer team
player, Mohaddeseh Zolfi, contacted
the Embassy of the Islamic Republic
of Iran in Canberra
on Wednesday, with Australian Home
Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, saying
"in Australia people are able
to change their mind.''
''We respect the context in which
she had made that decision,'' he
said.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke said that officials had
spoken to the soccer player that
had changed her mind saying ''to
make sure it was her decision''
and that ''every question you would
want to ask was asked.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Two
more Iranian women
soccer players granted
asylum in Australia
|
|
 |
|
Iranian
women soccer player,
Mohaddeseh Zolfi,
and team supporter,
Zahra Soltan Meshkeh
Kar, were granted
asylum in Australia
on Wednesday March
11, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 12: Two more Iranian
women soccer players have been granted
asylum in Australia after refusing
to board a flight from Australia
on Monday to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
to return to Iran, taking the number
of Iranian women soccer players
granted asylum in Australia to seven,
with Australia's Home Affairs Minister
saying ''humanitarian visas have
been granted to a player and a team
supporter,'' reports Australian
Associated Press.
The Iranian women’s Soccer
team who had refused to sing the
Islamic Republic of Iran national
anthem at the opening match of the
2026 Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) Women's Asian Cup, in Queensland,
Australia last week, were reportedly
in fear of their lives on their
return to Iran.
Iranian state TV presenter Mohammad
Reza Shahbazi called the Iranian
women's football team's refusal
to sing the national anthem "the
height of shamelessness and betrayal."
The Iranian state TV presenter called
the players "traitors to the
nation " and said they would
be dealt "harshly"on their
return..
Iranian soccer player Mohaddeseh
Zolfi and team supporter, Zahra
Soltan Meshkeh Kar, sought asylum
in Australia at the Gold Coast Airport
in Queensland Australia on Tuesday
night before the soccer team was
to board the plane bound for Kuala
Lumpur in Malaysia at 10.45pm.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said on Wednesday that
the additional two Iranian women
soccer players were granted asylum,
bringing the number of Iranian women
soccer players who have been granted
asylum in Australia to seven.
"I made them the same offer
that I made the five players the
night before,'' said Australian
Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke.
He said he offered the Iranian soccer
players a humanitarian visa that
would give the football players
a pathway to a permanent visa, saying
'they both said they did.''
''I signed off on that and asked
the department to start processing
straight away," he said.
He said that Australia's objective
here was not to force people to
make a particular decision, saying
''we're not that sort of nation.''
What we wanted to make sure of was
that sometimes, possibly for the
first time, these individuals were
meeting a government that
said, ''the choice is up to you.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Iranian
women's soccer team
granted asylum in
Australia after refusing
to sing Islamic Republic
of Iran national anthem
|
|
 |
|
Australian
Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, centre,
granted asylum to
five of the Iranian
women’s soccer
team, Fatemeh Pasandideh,
Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra
Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh,
and Mona Hamoudi on
Monday March 9, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 11: Five members
of the Iranian women’s Soccer
team who refused to sing the Islamic
Republic of Iran national anthem
at the opening match of the 2026
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Women's Asian Cup, in Queensland,
Australia have been granted asylum
in Australia, after United States
President Donald Trump threatened
to take the football players to
the U.S. if Australia did not, reports
Australian Broadcasting Corpration.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke granted five of the Iranian
women’s football team asylum
in Australia on Tuesday, after United
States President Donald Trump urged
Australia not to send the Iranian
football team back to Iran, calling
it a "terrible humanitarian
mistake" saying the United
States would take them if Australia
would not.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke said that visas had been
granted to the Iranian football
players at about 1.30 am on Tuesday
morning after the United States
President Donald Trump urged Australia
not to send the Iranian football
players back to Iran at 1.15 am
on Tuesday.
United States President Donald Trump
said that Australia is making a
terrible humanitarian mistake by
allowing the Iran National Woman’s
Soccer team to be forced back to
Iran, saying ''where they will most
likely be killed.''
United States President Donald Trump
said after he spoke to Australian
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
at 3.00am Tuesday after Australian
Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke
had granted visas to the Iranian
football players at about 1.30 am
on Tuesday.
''He’s on it! Five have already
been taken care of, and the rest
are on their way.''
''Some, however, feel they must
go back because they are worried
about the safety of their families,
including threats to those family
members if they don’t return,''
said United States President Donald
Trump.
''In any event, the Australian Prime
Minister is doing a very good job
having to deal with this rather
delicate situation. God bless Australia!''
said United States President Donald
Trump.
Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke, said that five Iranian
football players Fatemeh Pasandideh,
Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh
Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi,
who had been granted asylum in Australia,
had made it clear that they were
not political activists.
''They are athletes who want to
be safe," he said.
"I say to the other members
of the team, the same opportunity
is there,'' he said.
''Australia has taken the Iranian
women's soccer team into our hearts,''
he said.
''These women are tremendously popular
in Australia,'' he said.
"But we realise they are in
a terribly difficult situation with
the decisions that they're making,"
said Australian Home Affairs Minister,
Tony Burke.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Iranian
women's soccer team
refuse to sing the
Islamic Republic of
Iran national anthem
in Australia
|
|
 |
|
The
Iranian women's football
team refuses to sing
national anthem at
the opening match
of the 2026 Asian
Football Confederation
(AFC) Women's Asian
Cup, in Queensland,
Australia on Wednesday
March 4, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Brisbane, Tuesday 10: The Iranian
women's football team who refused
to sing the Islamic Republic of
Iran national anthem in Australia
at the opening match of the 2026
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Women's Asian Cup, are in fear for
their safety on their return to
Iran after the Iranian state TV
called the Iranian women ''traitors
to the nation.'' reports Australian
Broadcasting Corporation.
The Iranian women's football team
staged a silent protest at the 2026
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Women's Asian Cup opening match
against South Korea at the Gold
Coast Stadium (Cbus Super Stadium)
in the state of Queensland in Australia
on Wednesday.
The silent protest staged at the
opening of 2026 Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) Women's Asian Cup was reportedly
viewed as a protest against the
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iranian state TV presenter Mohammad
Reza Shahbazi called the Iranian
women's football team's refusal
to sing the national anthem "the
height of shamelessness and betrayal."
The Iranian state TV presenter called
the players "traitors to the
nation " and called for them
to be dealt with "harshly"
upon their return..
Treason is punished by death in
Iran by Islamic Revolutionary Courts
that apply a strict interpretation
of Islamic law or Sharia law.
The Iranian women's football team
reversed their stance in the final
two matches against Australia and
the Philippines, singing the anthem
loudly and performing military salutes.
The players were reportedly pressured
by the Islamic Republic of Iran
security personnel to sing the anthem
and salute.
The Islamic Republic of Iran security
personnel, who are reportedly embedded
in the team, warned the players
that their families would face violence
and torture if they did not comply.
The Iranian women's football team
are reportedly prisoners in their
Gold Coast hotel in Queensland,
Australia under constant surveillance
and denied freedom of movement without
security or speak to the media.
Former Australian of the Year and
human rights advocate, Craig Foster,
called for football's governing
bodies, the Federation Internationale
de Football Association (FIFA) and
tournament organiser the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC) to uphold their
obligations to players.
"If any player feels unsafe
for any reason, whether in camp
or following, they are entitled
to make this clear to the AFC and
FIFA, who must immediately secure
their safety," he said.
"The Australian government
should ensure that no players are
forced to leave against their wishes
or will, and provide all opportunities
to be satisfied this is not the
case."
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Philippines
renew call for House
of Representatives
to pass Anti-Espionage
Act
|
|
 |
|
Representative
Mamamayang Liberal
Party-list Leila
de Lima, renews call
for the House of Representatives
to pass the amended
''Anti-Espionage Act''
on Saturday March
7, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, March 9: Mamamayang Liberal
Party-list representative, Leila
de Lima, renewed calls for the House
of Representatives to pass the amended
''Anti-Espionage Act'' after the
Philippines National Security Council
(NSC) disclosed that three Philippine
civilians had confessed to working
for China's Ministry of State Security
(MSS), and China saying ''the Philippines
had fabricated a series of spy cases,''
reports the Philippine Inquirer.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list, Leila
de Lima, called on the House of
Representatives to pass amendments
to the ''Anti-Espionage Act'' ''to
strengthen our national security
policies and counter-espionage measures
to adequately respond to threats
against our country.''
''The National Security Council
(NSC) must be given sufficient resources
to conduct a nationwide crackdown
on spies,'' she said.
She said that approval for the ammendments
to the ''Anti-Espionage Act'' that
were submitted to the House of Representatives
on July 14, 2025
''were long overdue.''
''The presence of spies in the Philippines
is no longer a surprise,'' she said.
''Filipinos were involved in foreign-directed
malign activities in exchange for
large amounts of money,'' she said.
The National Security Council (NSC)
Director General Cornelio Valencia
Jr. said that three Philippine civilians
had admitted to working for China's
Ministry of State Security (MSS),
saying ''three civilians have been
in Philippine National Police (PNP)
custody since last year.''
''The Philippine civilians confessed
to passing sensitive information
to Chinese intelligence,'' he said.
He said the civilians, two males
and a female, an analyst at
the Department of National Defence,
a researcher in the Philippine Navy
and the female with close ties to
a Philippine Coast Guard officer,
passed on sensitive information
to China's Ministry of State Security
(MSS).
He said the Philippine civilians
admitted passing sensitive information
concerning national security matters
to foreign contacts that were suspected
to be working for China's Ministry
State Security (MSS).
''Information on the resupply and
rotation of troops manning the BRP
Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas
Shoal or Ayungin Shoal was passed
on to China intelligence,'' he said.
The National Security Council (NSC)
Director General Cornelio Valencia
Jr. said that the BRP Sierra Madre
that was grounded in the Philippines
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in
1999, represents a direct challenge
to China's territorial claim over
the Spratly Islands.
China Embassy in Manila spokesperson
Ji Lingpeng said that espionage
accusations were ''malicious smears
against China'' and ''another attempt
to hype up the so-called ''China
threat'' rhetoric, saying ''the
Philippines had fabricated a series
of spy cases.''
He said that the claims lacked evidence,
saying ''the claims of espionage
are politically motivated attempts
to sabotage bilateral ties.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Vietnam
warned of crude oil
supply risk after
blockade of Straits
of Hormuz
|
|
 |
|
Russian
President Vladimir
Putin, left, and Vietnam
Prime Minister Pham
Minh Chinh at the
Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO)
Summit 2025 attended
by China President
Xi Jinping and hosted
by China in Tianjin,
China August 31 to
September 1, 2025
|
|
From
News Reports:
Hanoi, March 8: Vietnam has establish
a working Task Force to respond
to energy supply risks after the
United States and Israel military
strike on Iran in Operation Epic
Fury on February, 28, with the Vietnam
Maritime and Waterways Administration
(VIMAWA) warning of the supply risk
of crude oil to the Nghi Son Oil
Refinery Plant after the blockade
of the Straits of Hormuz, reports
the Vietnam News.
Vietnam Prime Minister, Pham Minh
Chính, signed decision No
3855/QD-TTg to establish a working
Task Force to monitor developments
in the Middle East on Vietnam national
energy security after the Vietnam
Maritime and Waterways Administration
(VIMAWA) warned of an energy supply
risk after the blockade of the Strait
of Hormuz.
Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chính,
said that the purpose of the Task
Force is to ensure an adequate supply
of gasoline and oil for production,
business, and pubic consumption.''
''The Task Force would propose mechanisms
and policies to avoid being caught
off guard by market fluctuations,''
he said.
The Task Force is lead by Vietnam
Deputy Prime Minister, Bui Thanh
Son, followed by standing Deputy
Le M?nh Hung, the acting Minister
of Industry and Trade and includes
representatives from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of
Finance, and major energy corporations
like Vietnam National Petroleum
Group (PVN) and Vietnam Electricity
(EVN).
The Vietnam Maritime and Waterways
Administration (VIMAWA) Director
Le Do Muoi issued a warning on the
impact of the ongoing conflict in
the Middle East that includes rising
shipping rates and reduced supply
of refined petroleum products.
''The disruption or congestion affecting
oil tankers in the region could
significantly impact the supply
of crude oil to the Nghi Son Oil
Refinery Plant,'' said Director
Le Do Muoi.
''Under normal conditions the Nghi
Son Oil Refinery Plant has enough
crude oil reserves to operate for
40 to 50 days,'' he said.
He said that if the conflict continues,
alternative sourcing from the United
States, Africa or Russia may be
necessary, saying ''this would likely
increase costs and extend shipping
times due to longer distances.''
He said that eight Vietnamese tankers
carrying about 160 Vietnamese seafarers
are operating in the Middle East,
saying ''these vessels remain stranded
due to closure of shipping routes.''
''Disruption to GPS and AIS signals
make accurate positioning difficult,''
said Director Le Do Muoi.
The Vietnam Maritime and Waterways
Administration (VIMAWA) Director
Le Do Muoi said that no Vietnamese
vessels have been directly impacted
by military action so far, saying
''the vessels remain stranded due
to closure of shipping routes.''
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
China's
Global South condemn
United States and
Israel attack on Iran
|
|
 |
|
China
Foreign Minister Wang
Yi speaks with Russian
and Iranian officials
at the Diaoyutai State
Guesthouse in Beijing
on Friday March 14,
2025
|
|
From
News Report:
Beijing, March 7: China, leader
of the Global South, that includes
the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of
120 economic developing nations
including 11 Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN), condemned
the United States and Israel attack
on Iran saying ''it is unacceptable
to target a sovereign leader and
instigate regime change".reports
Reuters.
China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said
that the United States and the Israel
military strike on Iran in Operation
Epic Fury on February, 28, that
left Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei dead ''is unacceptable.''
''It is unacceptable for the United
States and Israel to blatantly kill
the leader of a sovereign state,"
said China Foreign Minister Wang
Yi
China is actively strengthening
its leadership and solidarity with
the Global South in order to reshape
global governance by promoting global
governance through the BRICS initiative,
the Global Development Initiative,
and South-South cooperation in trade,
technology and security.
Nations of the Global South, the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) including
Association of South East Asian
Nations (ASEAN) claim that the United
States and Iran nuclear negotiations
in Geneva that concluded without
reaching agreement ''were not given
a chance to succeed before the United
States and Israel military attack
on Iran.''
Brazil that has aligned with China's
Global South interests, advisor,
Celso Amorim, said ''the attacks
occurred amid nuclear negotiation,
saying negotiations are the only
viable path to peace.''
Sultanate of Oman, foreign minister,
Badr Albusaidi, said on the eve
of the attack that a nuclear deal
was within reach, saying ''I urge
the United States not to get sucked
in further.''
''This is not your war,'' he said,
Republic of Cuba Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez
Parrilla, said ''once again, the
US and Israel threaten and seriously
endanger regional and international
peace, stability, and security.
On September 30, 2025 Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),
Malaysia ASEAN chair for 2025, called
for reform of United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) veto powers to give
economic developing Global South
nations a decisive voice in global
governance, with China saying at
the Global Development Initiative
(GDI) meeting at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) ''China's
status as a developing country is
key to China's position as leader
in the ''Global South'',
China Ministry of Commerce International
Trade representative, Li Chenggang,
said at the Global Development Initiative
(GDI) meeting at the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) that China's
renouncement of the Special and
Differential Treatment (SDT) in
the new World Trade Organisation
(WTO) Agreement that prohibits fishing
subsidies ''did not mean that China's
self-designated status as a developing
country, that is key to Beijing’s
positioning as leader in the Global
South, has changed.''
''The renouncement is an important
step for China to uphold the multilateral
trading system that is facing serious
challenges including hegemonism
and unilateralism,'' he said
He said that China remains the world
largest developing country, saying
''China's status and identity as
a developing country have not changed.''
''China has always been a member
of the Global South and will always
stand with developing countries,''
he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Malaysia's
House of Representatives
condemn United States
and Israeli military
strike on Iran
|
|
 |
|
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim condemned
the United States
and Israeli military
strikes on Iran in
Operation Epic Fury
on February, 28, at
the House of Representatives
on Tuesday March 3,
2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur: March 6: Malaysia's
House of Representatives members
from both the ruling Pakatan Harapan
(PH) coalition and the opposition
Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition
condemned the United States and
Israeli military strikes on Iran
in Operation Epic Fury on February,
28, with Malaysia Prime Minister,
Anwar Ibrahim, saying ''both sides
of the divide stand united in
solidarity with Iran and its people,''
reports The Star
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar
Ibrahim, said at the House of
Representatives in Kuala Lumpur
on Tuesday that ''the rare bipartisan
consensus is clear proof that
Malaysia would not compromise
on the dignity, sovereignty and
independence of any nation.''
''It moves me that although we
differ on many issues, there is
no division when it comes to sovereignty
and the common good,'' he said.
''This is a positive sign for
our country,'' he said.
''We are aware that when we speak
the truth and defend justice,
we may face consequences, including
economic pressures,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar
Ibrahim, said that the condemnation
of the United States and Israeli
military strikes on Iran is the
voice of the Malaysian people,
saying ''and come what may we
will face it together.''
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim said after the United
States and Israeli military strikes
on Iran in Operation Epic Fury
on February, 28 ''the deliberate
targeting of a head of state sets
a dangerous precedent and weakens
the norms and principles that
underpin the international order,''
"Those who greet his death
with approval should recognise
the consequences of such actions,''
he said.
'' Existential threats seldom
yield predictable reactions,"
he said.
''The principles of sovereignty
and territorial integrity prohibits
the use of force under the Charter
of the United Nations and international
law,'' he said.
On July 12, 2025 The United States
and Malaysia signed a Nuclear
Cooperation Memoranda of Understanding
(NCMOU) for civil nuclear cooperation
at the 58th Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign
Ministers’ Meeting, in Kuala
Lumpur, with U.S. Secretary of
State Marco Rubio, saying ''signing
the Nuclear Cooperation Memoranda
of Understanding (NCMOU) marks
an important step towards establishing
a robust civil nuclear partnership
between the United States and
Malaysia," with Malaysia's
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan,
saying ''Malaysia views the exploration
of nuclear energy as a key component
of its long-term strategy,''
U.S. Secretary of State Marco
Rubio said civil nuclear cooperation
between countries is possible,
saying ''there are many countries
that have expressed an interest
in civil nuclear partnerships.''
''The Nuclear Cooperation Memoranda
of Understanding (NCMOU) signed
between the U.S. and Malaysia
is an example of how a civil nuclear
partnership can be achieved.''
he said.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad
Hasan said the Nuclear Cooperation
Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOU)
represents a crucial step in a
shared journey to further the
Malaysia-US comprehensive partnership.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Maritime
Union of Australia
warns of fuel security
risk in escalating
war after attack on
Iran
|
|
 |
|
Maritime
Union of Australia
(MUA) National Secretary
Jake Field says ''Australia
must rebuild its sovereign
fuel storage capacity
onshore.''
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 5: The Maritime
Union of Australia warns that
Australia's fuel security is at
risk in the escalating war in
the middle east after Israeli
and the United States launched
a military attack on Iran in Operation
Epic Fury on February, 28, leaving
the Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei dead, reports the
Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)
''The closure of the Strait of
Hormuz during the attack on Iran
is a stark warning of the volatility
of Australia’s access to
global fuel supply chains,'' said
the Maritime Union of Australia
(MUA) National Secretary Jake
Field.
MUA National Secretary Jake Field
called on the Australian Federal
government to act decisively and
urgently, saying ''Australia must
rebuild its sovereign fuel storage
capacity onshore.''
''We must protect and expand domestic
refining capability to reduce
reliance on imported finished
fuels,'' he said.
Australia must realise the commitment
of Australian flagged and crewed
strategic shipping capability,
saying ''Australian flagged and
crewed shipping can guarantee
delivery of essential energy supplies
in times of crisis.''
''Fuel security must be recognised
as a pillar of national security,
economic policy and social stability,''
he said.
He said Australia must rebuild
its sovereign fuel storage capacity
onshore and maintain reserves
that comfortably exceed international
minimums, saying ''we must protect
and expand domestic refining capability
to reduce reliance on imported
finished fuels.''
He said Australia imports the
overwhelming majority of its refined
petrol and diesel, saying ''we
rely on foreign refineries, foreign-owned
tankers and shipping lanes that
run through contested waters.
''Our fuel security buffer remains
dangerously thin and for years
has fallen short of the 90 day
minimum stockholding obligation
set by the International Energy
Agency,'' he said.
MUA National Secretary Jake Field
said that fuel sovereignty is
not an abstract policy saying
''running out of imported fuel
during a global supply shock would
not just drive up prices, it would
stall the economy and threaten
our entire economy.'' he said.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Indonesia
calls on newly established
Board of Peace to
end Israeli, United
States and Iran war
|
|
 |
|
Nahdlatul
Ulama Executive Board
(PBNU) chairman, Gus
Yahya, centre, expressed
''deep condolences
and sorrow for the
death of Imam Ali
Khamenei'' and ''invited
Muslims and the entire
international community
to pray for the Iranian
people,'' on Saturday
February 28, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, March 4: Indonesia's
Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board
(PBNU), the world's largest Islamic
organisation with more than 108
million members, urged the Indonesian
government to utilize position
on the Board of Peace (BoP) to
end the Israeli, United States,
Iran war, war, reports Tempo.
The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board
(PBNU) chairman, Gus Yahya, urged
the Indonesian government to play
an active role in de-escalating
the conflict towards a peaceful
resolution.
''The role of peacemaking is a
mandate of the Indonesian constitution,''
he said.
He condemned the United States and
Israeli attack on Iran, saying ''the
brutal actions have the potential
to trigger an uncontrolled global
conflict and create a pretext for
the resurgence of radicalism and
extremism.''
He said that Iran's attack on
various countries has resulted
in an escalation of the conflict,
saying ''making resolution efforts
even more difficult.''
'These attacks will only worsen
the situation.'' he said.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Sugiono said he ''deeply
regrets'' the failure of the nuclear
negotiations in Geneva between
Iran and the United States that
concluded without reaching agreement''
that was followed by the United
States and Israel military strikes
on Iran in Operation Epic Fury
on February 28.
"Indonesia calls on all parties
to exercise restraint and to prioritize
dialogue and diplomacy,"
he said.
''Indonesia reiterates the importance
of respecting the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of every
country and resolving differences
through peaceful means, he said.
On February 19, 2026 more than
40 nations including Indonesia
from 60 nations that were invited
to join the Board of Peace (Bop)
for Gaza reconstruction and peacekeeping,
attended the inaugural meeting
in Washington, DC, with nations
that declined to join the Board
of Peace (BoP) claiming that the
Board of Peace (BoP) is the United
States effort to replace or bypass
the United Nations Security Council.
The Board of Peace,(BoP) launched
by United States President Donald
Trump at the 56th World Economic
Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 19-23
January 2026, was authorised by
the United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2803 in October 2025
specifically for Gaza reconstruction
and peacekeeping until 2027.
Nations that have joined the Board
of Peace include Hungary, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Bahrain,
Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Jordan, Kazakhstan,
the Republic of Kosovo, Mongolia,
Pakistan, Paraguay, Uzbekistan
and Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Indonesia,
Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Nations that have declined to
join the Board of Peace (BoP)include
the United Kingdom, France, Germany,
Italy, Canada Australia, Brazil,
India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore,
Thailand, Ukraine, Iran and Association
of Soth East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia,
Philippines, Malaysia, Timor-Leste,
Myanmar, Brunei, and Laos.
Italy, Romania, and Cyprus, are
among nations that have opted
for observer status rather than
full membership of the Board of
Peace.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Iranian
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
dead after United
States nuclear negotiations
end without agreement
|
|
 |
|
Women
mourn the death of
Iranian Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
in Beirut, Lebanon,
on Sunday February
28, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, March 3: United States
President Donald Trump declared
Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei dead after the United
States and Israel launched military
strikes on Iran on Thursday after
the United States and Iran nuclear
negotiations in Geneva concluded
without reaching agreement, with
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
condemning the killing of Ali Khamenei,
saying "those who greet his
death with approval should recognise
the consequences of such actions,''
reports The Star.
United States President Donald
Trump said that ''Khamenei, one
of the most evil people in history
is dead," saying ''this is
the single greatest chance for
the Iranian people to take back
their country."
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim said after the United
States and Israeli military strikes
on Iran in Operation Epic Fury
on February, 28 ''the deliberate
targeting of a head of state sets
a dangerous precedent and weakens
the norms and principles that
underpin the international order,''
"Those who greet his death
with approval should recognise
the consequences of such actions,''
he said.
'' Existential threats seldom
yield predictable reactions,"
he said.
''The principles of sovereignty
and territorial integrity prohibits
the use of force under the Charter
of the United Nations and international
law,'' he said.
On July 12, 2025 The United States
and Malaysia signed a Nuclear Cooperation
Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOU)
for civil nuclear cooperation at
the 58th Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’
Meeting, in Kuala Lumpur, with U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio,
saying ''signing the Nuclear Cooperation
Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOU)
marks an important step towards
establishing a robust civil nuclear
partnership between the United States
and Malaysia," with Malaysia's
Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan,
saying ''Malaysia views the exploration
of nuclear energy as a key component
of its long-term strategy,''
U.S. Secretary of State Marco
Rubio said civil nuclear cooperation
between countries is possible,
saying ''there are many countries
that have expressed an interest
in civil nuclear partnerships.''
''The Nuclear Cooperation Memoranda
of Understanding (NCMOU) signed
between the U.S. and Malaysia
is an example of how a civil nuclear
partnership can be achieved.''
he said.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad
Hasan said the Nuclear Cooperation
Memoranda of Understanding (NCMOU)
represents a crucial step in a shared
journey to further the Malaysia-US
comprehensive partnership.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Australia's
ruling Labor Party
declares support for
United States and
Israeli military strikes
on Iran
|
|
 |
|
Australian
Labor Party (ALP)
Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese, left, and
Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Penny Wong,
right, declare support
for the United States
and Israeli military
strikes on Iran in
Operation Epic Fury
on Saturday February
28, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Canberra, March 2: Australia's center-left
ruling party, the Australian Labor
Party (ALP) declared its support
for the United States and Israeli
military strikes on Iran in Operation
Epic Fury on Saturday, with Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
saying ''A regime that relies on
the repression and murder of its
own people to retain power is without
legitimacy,''
reports Australian Broadcastin Corporation.
''Australia stands with the brave
people of Iran in their struggle
against oppression,'' he said on
Saturday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
said Iran’s nuclear program
was a threat to global peace and
security, saying ''we support the
United States acting to prevent
Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon
and to prevent Iran continuing to
threaten international peace and
security.''
Australia's center-right opposition
party the Liberal Party of Australia
(LPA) denounced the ''theocratic
Iranian regime,''
saying ''the Iranian regime was
authoritarian, antisemitic and abhorrent.''
Australia's Opposition Liberal Party
of Australia (LPA) leader, Angus
Taylor, said ''the Iranian regime
wants nuclear weapons, seeks the
destruction of Israel, has encouraged
terrorism through its proxies Hamas,
Hezbollah and the Houthis.''
He said the Iranian regime has supplied
weapons to Russia to support Putin’s
invasion of Ukraine, saying ''Iran
is also responsible for acts of
foreign interference in Australia
and igniting antisemitism.''
''Since 1979, the revolutionary
Islamic government in Tehran has
oppressed, imprisoned and murdered
Iranians. We pray for the Iranian
people at this time,'' he said,
''May courage prevail,'' he said.
Australia's Pauline Hanson's One
Nation (PHON) conservative right-wing
populist party leader, Paulin Hanson,
said that
the United States and the Israeli
military strike on Iran in Operation
Epic Fury on Saturday are a necessary
show of strength, applauding United
States President Donald Trump for
his "decisive intervention."
''Global peace depends on strong
leaders who follow through on their
actions,'' she said
Pauline Hanson claims that the Australian
Labor Party (ALP) has been blindsided
on national security and too slow
to recognise Iran as a major threat,
claiming that she warned of Iran's
role in global terrorism and its
influence on terror attacks on Australian
soil years ago.
Pauline Hanson has called for the
immediate closure of the Iranian
Embassy in Australia and the expulsion
of its diplomats, a ban on additional
visas for Iranians seeking resettlement
in Australia and the formal listing
of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.
Australia's left Greens party leader,
Larissa Waters, and deputy leader,
Mehreen Faruqi, claim the United
States attack on Iran is illegal
and disgraceful, accusing the ruling
Australian Labor Party (ALP) government
of violating international law by
expressing support for United States
Operation Epic Fury on Saturday.
''Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal
attacks on Saturday have unleashed
chaos across the Middle East, said
Senator Larissa Waters.
''The Greens condemn these illegal,
abhorrent and unilateral attacks.
Australians do not want to be dragged
into another US-Israeli war, said
Senator Larissa Waters.
“Australia’s support of
Trump and Netanyahu’s illegal
attack was disgraceful… We
cannot bomb our way to peace.”
said Senator Larissa Waters.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Review
of Election Law submitted
to Constitutional
Court seeks to prohibit
political dynasties
in Indonesia
|
|
 |
|
Anies
Baswedan, centre,
Indonesian academic
with PhD in Political
Science and an Honorary
Member of the Indonesian
People’s Movement
Party, said ''the
rise of political
dynasties in Indonesia
have become increasingly
evident in recent
years,'' in Jakarta
on Thursday February
19, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Jakarta, March 1: A judicial review
of Indonesia’s Election Law
that was submitted to the Constitutional
Court on Tuesday, seeks to prohibit
blood relatives or in-laws of
the sitting president and vice
president from running in presidential
elections, with academic and politician,
Anies Baswedan, saying ''the rise
of political dynasties in Indonesia
have become increasingly evident
in recent years,'' reports Tempo.
Indonesian academic with a PhD
in Political Science and an Honorary
Member of the Indonesian People’s
Movement Party, Anies Baswedan,
who served as the Governor of
Jakarta 2017 to 2022 and was a
leading candidate in the 2024
Presidential Election, said "there's
a tendency in Indonesia for dynasties
to emerge, for family powers to
rise.''
He said a 2015 Constitutional
Court decision addressed restrictions
on potential regional leaders,
who had blood or marital relation
with incumbent regional heads,
by ruling to remove restrictions
on political dynasties.
"Since then, we have witnessed
the emergence of numerous political
dynasties," he said.
He said that revision of Indonesia's
Election Law seeks to prohibit
political dynasties saying "so
that regional and central governments
work for the people not just for
specific family groups."
Lawyers, Raden Nuh and Dian Amalia
filed a judicial review of Indonesia’s
Election Law with the Constitutional
Court seeking to prohibit political
dynasties registered as 81/PUU-XXXIV/2026
on Tuesday, February 24, 2026,
challenging several provisions
of Article 169 of Law Number 7
of 2017 on General Elections.
On October 16, 2023 the Indonesian
Constitutional Court panel of
nine judges, led by Chief Justice,
Anwar Usman, who is the brother-in-law
of former President Joko Widodo,
amended the Election Law that
made President Joko Widodo’s
eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming
Raka, 36, eligible to register
at the General Elections Commission
of Indonesia as a candidate in
the legislative and presidential
elections in February 2024.
The Constitutional Court panel of
nine judges voted five in favour
and four against to amend the Law
on General Elections that would
allow President Joko Widodo’s
eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka,
36, who is the Mayor of Surakarta
city in Central Java, to register
at the General Elections Commission
of Indonesia as a candidate in the
legislative and presidential elections
in the February 2024 elections.
The
Southeast Asian Times
|
Lawyer
for former Philippines
president Duterte
claims drug killings
were done in self
defence
|
|
 |
|
Defence
lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman,
said ''the police
antidrug operations
were done in self-defence
'' at the International
Criminal Court (ICC)
on Thursday February
26, 2026
|
|
From
News Reports:
Manila, February 28: The defence
lawyer for former President Rodrigo
Duterte told the hearing at the
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Pre-Trial Chamber I in The Hague
on Thursday that the war on drugs
killings in the Philippine National
Police (PNP) anti-drug operations
were justified, with defence lawyer,
Nicholas Kaufman, saying ''the police
anti-drug operations were done in
self-defence,'' reports the Philippine
Inquirer.
Defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman,
claims the war on drugs killings
were minimal saying ''the killings
were not widespread and systematic
as alleged by the prosecution.''
He said the drug war killings could
not be considered a targeted attack
on the civilian population, saying
''the killings involved drug suspects
who allegedly had guns in their
hands.''
''The prosecution omitted to say
that former President Rodrigo Duterte
had reminded police officers to
only kill if their lives were in
danger,'' he said.
Defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman,
quoted remarks made by former President
Rodrigo Duterte in a speech to the
Philippine National Police (PNP)
and the Armed Forces of the Philippines
during his administration's anti-drug
campaign.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte
reportedly told the Philippine National
Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces
of the Philippines that they could
only kill if there was no peaceful
method of making an arrest and if
their own safety was at risk.
Defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman,
claimed that the prosecution failed
to establish causal links between
former President Rodrigo Duterte
and the deaths, saying ''no witness
in the murder and attempted murder
charges against Rodrigo Duterte
could say that they got a kill order
from the former president.''
''Not one witness relevant to any
of the 49 incidents with which Rodrigo
Duterte is charged will testify
that he received a direct order
from the former president to go
out and kill someone,'' he said.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
prosecutor, Robynne Croft, claimed
that former Philippines President
Rodrigo Duterte is "individually
criminally responsible as an indirect
co-perpetrator for three counts
of crimes against humanity.''
Former Philippine President Rodrigo
Duterte is charged with three counts
of murder that includes his alleged
involvement as a co-perpetrator
in 19 murders carried out between
2013 and 2016 while he was mayor
of Davao City in Mindanao.
The second count of murder includes
the murders of 14 reportedly ''high
value targets'' in 2016 and 2017
while Rodrigo Duterte was the president
of the Philippines.
The third count includes 42 murders
committed during ''clearance operations''
of alleged ''lower level drug users
or pushers'' across the Philippines
between 2016 and 2018.
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
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
| MEDIA CHECK |
| Cambodia-China Journalist Association
(CCJA)
launched
in
Phnom
Penh ...open
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
|
|
| Kang-Fu
the Red
Kangaroo
is relentless
in his fight
to
protect
Australia's
sovereignity...Open
page
here | |
| Bombed
by
the Americans
for Christmas
in 1972,
Ha Noi Bach
Mai hospital
is still
a war zone...Christina
Pas
reports...Open
page
here | |
| Indigenous
Australians
in the northern
Queensland
town of
East Trinity
aim for
economic
independence
from
eco-cultural
tourism,
reports
Christine
Howes in
"Australian
indigenous
eco-cultural
tourism
venture
wins best
small project
national
award
"
...open
here
| |
| Kavi
Chongkittavorn
talks about
the UK
application
to become
an ASEAN
dialogue
partner
in "New
dynamics
of Aseans
external
ties,"
with consensus
yet to be
reached
on admitting
a
former
colonial
master of
four
ASEAN
member countries
into the
Southeast
Asian bloc....open
| |
| Esther
Samboh talks
about
the
choise between
thousands
dying
of
Covid-19
or from
hunger in
densely
populated
Jakarta
in the new
normal in
"Medics
dying, infections
soaring
- it's still
the economy"
...open
page
here | |
| Australian
reporter,
Chris Ray,
investigates
why Australia
dropped
five spots
in the World
Press Freedom
Index...open | |
| Read
what Son
Nguyen has
to say about
the impact
of China's
virus on
Vietnam's
economy
in
"When
the
economy
gets sick"
open
here | |
| Has
the ancient
Syrian city
of
Palmyra
suffered
a fatal
blow, or
will it
rise again?
asks Australian
reporter
Chris Ray...
Open
page
here | |
|
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
asks a
survivor
of the
1965 killings
in Bali
"why
didn't
you try
to
stop
them"
in "Remembering
the slaughter
in
Paradise"
........open
page here
| |
| "Goodbye
America"
says B.A.
Hamzah as
he calls
for Asians
to determine
their own
political
destiny
in "Time
for Asia
to
set it's
own course,
minus the
U.S."...open
here | |
| Is
prescribed
burning
of
grasslands
in northern
Australia
out of control?
......Chris
Ray reports
...
open page
here | |
| "Rockefeller
and the
Demise of
Ibu
Pertiwi"
by Kerry
B. Collison
"is
undoubtedly
fictional
but by no
means improbable,
"
says Johannes
Nugroho
....open
page
here | |
Viet
Nam is
planning
to go nuclear
by the year
2020.reports
John
Loizou
in
"Calculating
the costs
of nuclear
energy in
Vietnam"
...open
page here
| |
|
The
founder
of the
Revolutionary
Front
of Independent
East Timor
(Fretilin),
Mari
Alkatiri,
the now
former
Prime
Minister
of Timor
Leste,
after
losing
the May
12, 2018
election
to the
National
Congress
for Timorese
Reconstruction
(CNRT)
party,
led by
Xanana
Gusmao,
has accused
the opposition
of a coup
attempt.
Twelve
years
ago Mari
Alkatiri
also accused
the opposition
of a coup
attemp
claiming
then that
the
crises
that led
to his
resignation
was the
result
of a conspiracy.
"I
have no
doubt
about
that"
he told
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
in an
interview
in Dili
on 6 November
2006
......open
page here
| |
|
Cuba's
302
physicians
in East
Timor
work at
five hospitals
and remote
villages
throughout
the republic...writes
Darwin
reporter
John Loizou
...open
page here
| |
| Benedict
Anderson,
a man
without
a country,
dies in
Indonesia
Jeet Heer
reports.....open
page
here | |
|
Thousands
of Northern
Australia's
indigenous
rock art
sites
are under
threat
from buffalo,
fire and
feral
animals.
Tim Lee
reports
........open
page here
| |
| Copy
of
letter
29 May 2012
from Vietnam
Womens Union
to
International
Olympic
Committee...open
here | |
| The
Southeast
Asian Times
wishes its
readers
a
happy
Christmas
and all
the best
for the
New Year
with a special
thankyou
to its treasured
letter
writers
| |
Published
by Pas Loizou Press
Darwin Northern
Territory
Australia
PASLOIZOUPRESSDARWIN@bigpond.com
|
The
Southeast
Asian
Times cannot
be
bought
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oz $ buys
|
|
Updated
daily.
Prices indicative only
|
US...0.7582
Brunei...1.0310
Cambodia...3,115.36
China..Yuan..5,0710
East Timor...0.7582
Euro..0.6794
HongsKong...5.8808
Indonesia Rupiah.9,997.47
Japan..78.8528
Laos..6,140.58
Malaysia Ringgit.....3.0900
Myanmar..923.19
Viet Nam Dong..16,849.44
Singapore
properties listed for sale in Myanmar
From News Reports:
Yangon, November 25: Singapore's largest property developer, the
Far East Organization, is to partner with Myanmar's property sales and marketing company, Min Zin Agency, in
Yangon to sell condos in Singapore.
Managing director of the Min Zin Agency in Yangon, Ko Kyaw Min
Zin, said that Singapore's Far East Organization has expanded
its sales and marketing efforts into Myanmar.
“The Far East Organisation has been selling their Singapore properties
to Myanmar buyers since 2009,” he said.
The Far East Organisation reportedly have over 750 properties
in Singapore’s residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and
industrial sectors,
including 45,500 or one in every six private homes in Singapore
listed with the Min Zin Agency in Yangon.
The Southeast
Asian Times
China to invest in rail and road construction
in Indonesia
From News Reports:
Jakarta, November 10: Indonesia's Railway
Corporation (PT KAI) and state construction company PT Jasa Marga
signed a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with China Investment Fund (CIF) to develop indonesia's
railway services and toll road construction.
Witness to the signing, coordinating Minister for the Economy
Sofyan Djalil, said that the MoU will provide the groundwork for
further cooperation between China Railway and P KAI and China
Investment Fund (CIF).
"The MoU is the first step towards further development of public
services between China and Indonesia" he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xie Feng said that the MoU would
spark more cooperations between China and Indonesia and would
bring about "real benefits to the public."
The Southeast Asian Times
Penang health department
shuts down soya bean factory
From News Reports:
Penang, October 19:
Five Penang food factories including a 100 year old
soya bean factory at Tanjong Bungah were ordered closed
by the state health department for failure to observe health
standards.
State health, food safety and quality
division, deputy director Ku Nafishah Ku Ariffin
said soya bean products were processed in an unclean
"rusty and moldy kitchen".
"Our inspectors found
that wet products were left to dry on "dirty" bamboo
sticks along with bathing towels. The bamboo sticks
were also dirty and dusty," she said.
A "sweets"
factory in Teluk Kumbar, a noodle factory in Simpang
Ampat and a sauce factory in Bukit Metajam were also
closed by the state health department
The Southeast Asian
Times
Fuel smugglers including military personnel
under arrest
From News Reports:
Jakarta, September 15: Riau Islands Police have arrested
30 suspects including several Indonesian Military
(TNI) personnel and seized 64 cars, two boats and
106 tons of fuel.
Riau Islands Police chief Brig.
Gen. Arman Depary said in Batam last week that the
seized cars had been modified to hold 100 litres of
fuel.
"The Military (TNI) personnel are suspected
of fuel smuggling and have been handed over to the
military base", he said.
TNI Commander Gen.
Moeldoko said that the alleged suspected fuel
smugglers are honor-based service military personnel.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Thai coup blammed for fall in tourist
arrivals
From News Reports:
Bangkok, August 18: The Thai tourism sector suffered its largest
fall in international visitors to Thailand in June, the
first month after the establishment of marshal law
and the military seizure of the Yingluck Shinawatra
government.
Tourism reportedly accounts for 10
percent of the Thai economy.
Data from the Thai
Department of Tourism shows that inernational
tourist arrival numbers in July fell by 10.9 percent compared
to the same time last year.
International arrivals in July totalled 1.91 million compared
to 2.15 million in July 2013.
Arrivals
from China with a18 percent share of all visitors to
thailand and the largest group of visitors to Thailand, fell by
25.3 percent.
Arrivals from the United
Kingdom with a 4 percent share of all visitors to
Thailand, was one of the few large markets to record
a gain, of 6.2 percent
The Southeast Asian
Times
US Senate approves sales of nuclear
equipment to Vietnam
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 31: The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
passed legislation approving a 123 agreement on
civil nuclear commerce with Vietnam at a business
meeting of the committee last week.
The 123
agreement under the US Atomic energy Act of 1954 establishes
a civil nuclear commerce agreement that allows the US to
export nuclear reactors, research information and
equipment to Vietnam.
The civil nuclear commerce
agreement between the US and Vietnam is "part of
Vietnam's effort to ease its shortage of energy
towards meeting over 10 percent of the domestic power demand by
2030", reports the Vietnam News Service
The Southeast Asian
Times
Court for
construction
Industry
established
in Malaysia
From
News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 3: The first two
Construction Courts for Malaysia were opened by
Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in Kuala Lumpur and
Shah Alam last week, reports the Star.
The courts
will deal with disputes in the construction industry.
Works Minister Datuk Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof said that the
establishment of the courts will transform the way
the construction business in the country
operates.
"The construction industry
stakerholders can now have their disputes resolved
by judges with expert knowledge and experience in
construction industry disputes', he said.
The
proposal by the Construction Industry Board (CIDB) for the
establishment of the construction courts was first put to the
Judiciary in January 2013.
Britain
is the only other country that has a specially designated
court that deals with construction industry disputes.
The
Southeast Asian Times
Bali communities want larger share of tourism revenue
From News Reports:
Denpasar, April 14: Bali
community-based tourism operators have called for
amendments to regulations that stipulate that the local
community pay the Bali regency administration 60 percent of their
total tourism revenue.
Penglipuran tourist village in Bangli, community-based tourism
manager, Nengah Moneng, said that he objected to the fact
that his community received only 40 percent of the
total revenue.
"We want to have 60 percent share
of the tourist revenue to pay for operating costs",
he said.
The Penglipuran tourism manager said
that operating costs for trekking, traditional
dance, cultural shows including religious rituals
had increased.
The cost of operating lodges and
community halls for tourism had also increased.
"An increase in revenue for not only the Bangli
community but for tourism based communities across
Bali would benefit tourism island-wide" said the
tourism manager.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Riau forest fires force
Chevron to shut down oil wells
From News Reports:
Jakarta, March 21: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI), the
Indonesian subsidiary of US-based oil company
Chevron has shut down 573 oil wells in the Riau
province of Sumatra.
The deteriorating quality of
air due to forest fires that have been raging for
the last month has forced PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia
(CPI) to shut down its oil wells and evacuate workers and there
families.
Indonesia's upstream oil
and gas regulator, SKK Migas, public relations
officer, Handoyo Budi Santoso, said that oil assets
in Riau province are important to national crude oil production.
"The biggest production loss came from the shutdown
of Rokan block, operated by Chevron Pacific
Indonesia, the country's biggest producer of crude
oil production", he said
The Jakarta Posts
reports that potential losses are estimated at about
12,000 barrels of oil a day.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Sabah caters to influx of tourists from China
From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur,
March 5:
The New Straits Times reports that there
was an 86 percent increase in tourist arrivals from
China
to Sabah in the last two years.
Data from the Sabah Tourism Board reportedly shows that
193,010 tourist tourists arrived in Sabah from China
in 2011 increasing to 360,361 in 2013
Sabah West Coast Coffeeshop Association chairman, Yong Chee Yun,
said coffee shop operators were catering to the
influx of tourists from China.
"Coffee shops displayed tourist friendly signs in Chinese
saying 'how are you?' and menues included China's favourite
foods", he said.
Sabah and Labuan
Chapter chairman of the Malaysian Association of
Hotels and general manager of the At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru
Resort,
said that staff members are
encouraged to learn Mandarin.
"So that they can
converse better with guests" he said.
The Southeast Asian
Times
Pilots strike forces Merpati to cancel
flights
From News Reports:
Jakarta,January 29: A pilots strike forced State-owned PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines to cancelled all scheduled flights
to Surabaya, Merauke and Timika on Saturday, reports
The Jakarta Post.
Merpati corporate secretary
Riswanto Chendra Putra said that the airline had not
paid salaries to pilots and cabin crew for two
months.
The Jakarta Post reports that PT Merpati
Nusantara Airlines was required to restructure its
operations.
Merpati corporate secretary Riswanto
Chendra Putra says that Merpati has signed a
memorndum of understanding (MoU) with PT Armagedon
Indonesia and PT Bentang Persada Gemilang to restructure the
company.
The airline has debts of Rp 6.5 trillion
(US$533 million) reports the Jakarta Post.
"The management would pay the salaries around March or
early April, said the Merpati corporate
secretary.
Merpati’s workers union advisory board
official, Erry Wardhana, said about 200 Merpati
pilots planned to strike again next Saturday for an
indefinite period.
"The pilots would strike until
1,600 Merpati employees were paid", he said.
The union advisory board official says that this is the
first time that Merpati workers have gone on strike
over unpaid wages.
The pilots are owed wages for
December and January reports the Jakarta
Post.
The
Southeast Asian Times
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