southeastasiantimes.com

GATHERINGS:
An informed guide to happenings throughout the region.

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

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

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

US invites Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary to the White House
From News Reports:
Hanoi, July 6, 2015: The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam will visit the United States from July 6 to July 10 at the invitiation of the United States State Department in a "landmark" visit, Rueters reports.
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong will meet United States President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.
Rueters quotes a 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

Read the letters to The Southeast Asian Times...open here

Thailand-Cambodia border dispute remains unresolved after Joint Boundary Commission meeting

Thailand Ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai, left, and Cambodia Minister Lam Chea, right, meet at the 6th Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) at the Sofitel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday June 14, 2025

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 16: Thailand Ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, who has rejected Cambodia's proposal for the Thailand- Cambodia border dispute to be settled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, said ''the border dispute should be resolved by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC),'' at the 6th Cambodia - Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting with Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Saturday, reports Reuters.
Thailand Ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, met with Cambodian Minister, Lam Chea, Secretariat of State of Border Affairs to discuss the resolution of the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict with Cambodian Minister, Lam Chea, Secretariat of State of Border Affairs saying after the 6th Cambodia–Thailand Joint Border Commission (JBC) meeting with Thailand Ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, ''the meeting went smoothly'' without releasing official details regarding the outcome of the meeting.
Cambodia Senate President, Hun Sen, said ahead of the 6th Cambodia - Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) on Saturday ''the dispute will clearly remain unresolved through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism into the next century.''
''The areas of dispute that spans over most of the 800 kilometre border between Thailand and Cambodia will clearly remain unresolved through the existing Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) into the next century,'' he said,
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet said that Cambodia will ask for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague for
intervention with or without Thailand’s participation, saying ''Cambodia will unilaterally submit a complaint to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the four disputed areas, Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch, Ta Krabey, and Mom Tei.''
''The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will send a formal letter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Sunday, June 15, 2025,'' he said.
The Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, claims that the Cambodian presence at the Preah Vihear province location was recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border demarcation and marker placement in 2000.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that the Cambodian assertion that the disputed un-demarcated border military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province belonged to Cambodia ''carries no weight or consequence.''
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 International Court of Justice, Judge Peter Tomka after the court decision.
The judge, one of seventeen, 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

Indonesia's military recruits 24,000 soldiers for 'Development Territorial Battalion' for rural development

Students from Trisakti University in Jakarta, Indonesia's largest private University, protest against the passing of the revised TNI law that allows the presence of Indonesian National Armed Forces on campus, at the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday March 20, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, June 15: The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform condemned the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI AD) plan to recruit 24,000 soldiers to form a 'Development Territorial Battalion '' with TNI AD Information Service, Brigadier General Wahyu Yudhayana, saying ''the recruits are not intended for combat purposes,'' reports Tempo.
'The soldiers recruited to form a 'Development Territorial Battalion' will be focused on food security and health services in rural Indonesia,'' he said.
He said the 24,000 recruits will be focused on supporting rural development in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and health services, saying ''the recruits are not intended for combat purposes.''
Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform, representative Indonesian Human Rights Watch (Imparsial) Director Ardi Manto Adiputra said ''soldiers in the Indonesian National Armed Forces are recruited, trained, and educated for war,''
''Not for non-combat purposes,'' he said.
He said that the recruitment of soldiers to form a 'Development Territorial Battalion '' to support rural development ''fails to maintain the demarcation between civil-military relations.''
He said that the National Armed Forces (TNI) operations in civilian society are not based in the provisions of the TNI Law, saying ''Article 7 Paragraph 3 of the TNI Law regulates the involvement of TNI operations in civil society in war only.''
''The National Armed Forces (TNI) operations in civilian society are not based in the provisions of the TNI Law, '' he said.
The Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform claim that the National Armed Forces (TNI) operations in non-military operations deviate from the National Armed Forces (TNI) mandate as a national defence force as stipulated in the constitution and TNI Law.
On June 6 the Constitutional Court dismissed five petitions that sought to repeal the National Armed Forces (TNI) Law that was passed in the House of Representatives (DPR) on March 20, 2025 that extended the role of the armed forces into government institutions with nine judges saying '' the petitioners had failed to present sufficient evidence to demonstrate their legal standing,''.
The five petitioners are the first to challenge the revision of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Law that was passed by the House of Representatives (DPR) on March 20, 2025.
The petitioners who are students from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Malang's Brawijaya University (UB), argue that ''the legislative process lacked transparency and excluded public participation.''
Justice Saldi Isra said the petitioners, "failed to show they had attempted to participate in the legislative process, whether through public discussion or essays addressed to policymakers,"
"Therefore, we concluded that the petitioners had no legal standing," he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnamese scammers arrested in raids on 'Romance Scam' centres in Thailand

The Metropolitan Police Bureau, a unit of the Royal Thai Police (FTP) including Emergency Response raided houses in Bangkok used by Vietnamese 'Romance Scam' operators arresting 27 Vietnamese nationals on Tuesday June 10, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, June 14: Vietnamese nationals were arrested in raids on 'Romance Scam' centres in rented houses in Bangkok for defrauding Vietnamese of more than US$1 million a month, with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) seizing 116 mobile phones, 45 computers and 5 grams of the drug Ketamine in the raid, reports the Nation.
Metropolitan Police Bureau Special Branch and the Emergency Response Unit of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), raided two houses used by the Vietnamese 'Romance Scam' operators arresting 27 Vietnamese nationals.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopasin Poolsawat, said that 27 Vietnamese nations were arrested at the two houses outside Bangkok on Tuesday
after complaints from the public ''about a suspicious group of foreigners occupying the rented houses.
''Investigations revealed that the Vietnamese suspects had entered Thailand from Vietnam through the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province,'' he said.
He said that the 27 Vietnamese of five women and 22 males have been operating the 'Romance Scam' in Thailand since October 2024, saying the Vietnamese scam operators entered Thailand on 60 day tourist visas.''
He said the 'Romance Scam' operation was designed to target other Vietnamese nationals, saying ''the scammers established trust and cultivated a romantic connection.
''The scammers would manipulate victims into transferring money with made-up debts or hardships in an effort to elicit sympathy,'' he said.
He said the Vietnamese victims were lured into emotional relationships with the scammers via the Vietnamese messaging app ''Zalo''.
''Each member of the Vietnamese 'Romance Scam' operation was assigned to a dedicated computer terminal working in shifts to maintain round-the-clock operations,'' he said.
He said that the Metropolitan Police Bureau Special Branch investigation estimates that each computer generated fraudulent transfers worth about US$46,087.00 per month, saying ''the total Romance Scam operation brought in US$1,203,908.00 a month.
He said the 27 Vietnamese suspected scammers admitted to renting the two houses outside Bangkok since October 20, 2024 at US$926.00 and US$1,235.00 per month , saying ''successful scams earned bonuses of $US772.00 .''
The Southeast Asian Times

Thai arrested for Facebook photo postings of explosions on disputed Thailand-Cambodia border

Phiranya, 32, left, was charged with importing false of forged cyber photos of explosions and military casualties on the Thailand-Cambodia border under the Computer Crime Act 2007 on Monday June 9, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, June 13: Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) of the Royal Thai Police arrested Phiranya, 32, at her home in Tambon Kut Lat, Amphoe Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani Province on Monday for posting alleged false or forged cyber photos of explosions and military casualties on the Thailand-Cambodia border, after a warrant was issued by the Khon Kaen Provincial Court, reports the Bangkok Post.
Phiranya, 32, is charged with importing false of forged computer data into a computer system under the Computer Crime Act 2007 in violation of Article 14(2) and Article 20 of the Act.
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) of the Royal Thai Police, Police Colonel Arunphan Vanichanun, said at a press conference in Bangkok on Monday that Facebook user ''Lucky Farm'' identified as Phiranya, 32, posted false information about the Thailand Cambodia border dispute.
''Facebook user ''Lucky Farm claimes that explosions and military casualties on the border led to evacuation orders,'' said Police Colonel Arunphan Vanichanun.
He said that the claims made by Facebook user 'Lucky Farm'' identified as Phiranya, 32, ''while untrue had garnered significant attention and could potentially threaten national security.''
He said that Facebook user ''Lucky Farm'' identified as Phiranya, 32 has admitted to posting the misleading content.
He said that Phiranya, 32, claims she acted on social media information, saying ''she was allegedly influenced by her personal bias regarding the border disputes,''
He said that Phiranya, 32, claims that that there was no factual basis behind her claims and denied any intention to profit from the Facebook postings.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that the Cambodian claim that the disputed border military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province belonged to Cambodia ''carries no weight or consequence.''
''The Thailand military acted in accordance with the rules of engagement and both international and Thailand laws during its confrontation with Cambodian troops on May 28 after the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier in Preah Vihear province,'' he said.
He claims that Thailand adhered to all necessary laws to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its personnel, saying ''Thailand's response was appropriate and measured.''
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that Thailand did not recognise the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Cambodia said it would refer the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague,''
Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn called for an investigation into the May 28 fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier in Preah Vihear province, saying in a diplomatic note to the Thailand Embassy in Phnom Penh ''Thailand soldiers had attacked Cambodian soldiers at a Cambodian military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province.
''The Royal Government of Cambodia demands an urgent and thorough investigation into the death of the Cambodian soldier on the Thailand-Cambodia border, saying ''those responsible for this cruel and illegal act must be brought to justice.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Five 'Pig butchering' scammers in Cambodia plead guilty to extracting millions from U.S victims

Ly Yong Phat, left, at ceremony for return of cultural treasures of artifact statues ceremony at Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, August 22, 2024 was sanction by the United States Treasury Department for serious human rights abuses for the treatment of workers subjected to forced labour in international cryptocurrency-based scam centres in Cambodia on Thursday September 12, 2024

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 12: Five scammers pleaded guilty for their involvement in an international cryptocurrency scam known as 'Pig butchering' for the extraction of USD36.9 million from United States victims from scam centres in Cambodia, with the funds transferred to a bank in the Bahamas, reports the United States Attorney's Office (USAO).
Joseph Wong, 33, of Alhambra; Yicheng Zhang, 39, of China; Jose Somarriba, 55, of Los Angeles; Shengsheng He, 39, of La Puente; and Jingliang Su, 44, of China and Türkiye were involved in international cryptocurrency scamming known as 'Pig butchering' that transferred funds from United States victims to United States banks and transfer to a single bank account in the Bahamas.
The five men extracted funds from United States victims for investment in the international cryptocurrency fraud scheme from social media interactions, telephone calls, text messages and online dating services from Cambodian scam centres.
''The scammers in Cambodia told United States victims who had invested in the international cryptocurrency fraud scheme that their investment was appreciating, when in fact their assets and funds had been stolen and not invested at all,'' reports United States Attorney's Office (USAO).
The United States victim funds were transferred from United States bank accounts to a single account at the Deltec Bank in the Bahamas and converted to stablecoin Tether (USDT).
The stablecoin Tether (USDT) international cryptocurrency was transferred to scam centres in the region including to Sihanoukville in Cambodia.
The five scammers who pleaded guilty for their involvement in an international cryptocurrency-based scam known as 'Pig butchering' are part of a larger effort by the United States Justice Department to shut down the international cryptocurrency-based scam.
The guilty plea from the five scammers operating from scam centres in Cambodia follows the United States official designation of the Huione Group also known as the Huione Real Estate Group, a China conglomerate that operates in Hong Kong and China, as an institution of primary money laundering concern and has proposed severing the Huione Group access to the United States financial system.
The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) reports that Senior Cambodian officials in the Cambodian financial conglomerate Huione Group that has been used to transfer billions through international cryptocurrency-based scam known as 'Pig butchering' have deep ties to the Cambodian ruling party Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP).
The Southeast Asian Times

''Cambodia's scam industry is now to big to fail,'' says United States report

Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) spokesman, third from left, Chea Thyrith, at meeting of 29 political party leaders in Phnom Penh agree to work together to prevent extremist politics in Cambodia in Phnom Penh Friday, May 30, 2025

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 11: The Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) dismissed the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Office on Drugs and Crime report, titled ''Policies and Patterns: State-Abetted Transnational Crime in Cambodia as a Global Security Threat,'' saying ''the report’s findings are politically driven,'' with the author of the report, Jacob Daniel Sims, saying ''Cambodia’s scam industry is now too big to fail,'' reports the Cambodia Daily.
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman, Chea Thyrith, dismissed the report titled ''Policies and Patterns: State-Abetted Transnational Crime in Cambodia as a Global Security Threat,' published on May 16, accusing the author, Jacob Daniel Sims, of ''attempting to damage Cambodia's reputation.''
Author of the report, Jacob Daniel Sims, claims that ''senior government officials in Southeast Asia including Cambodia are entangled in criminal networks that have grown increasingly powerful and difficult to dismantle.''
''Criminal networks that are often intertwined with state officials have become deeply entrenched and increasingly sophisticated,'' 'he said.
He said the report is based on interviews with almost 100 sources including diplomats, journalists, business people and researchers, claiming ''Cambodia is a key hub for transnational criminal operations.''
The report claims that members of ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) are principal offenders in human trafficking for the global cyber scam industry saying ''indictments, sanctions, visa bans and other accountability measures are recommended by the sources for 28 government officials and businesspeople.''
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman, Chea Thyrith, claims that the global cyber scam industry is a regional problem, saying ''preventing scams is no easy task and cannot fall solely on the shoulders of one government.''
''Scam prevention requires international cooperation, and each country must educate its people about the risks to support prevention efforts,'' he said.
Jacob Daniel Sims claims that raids by the Cambodian National Police on global cyber scam industry workers in Cambodia and the creation of an inter-ministerial committee are ''rhetorical and performative'' .
'The occasional police raid and a ministerial committee shield the perpetrators, deflect scrutiny and fall short of meaningful reform,'' he said.
He said that the Cambodian government actions to date make the strongest case for the central argument in the report that ''Cambodia’s scam industry is now too big to fail.''
''The Cambodian government is too deeply invested to change course unless profound shifts in incentives occur,'' he said.
The report states that data pointing to a growing scam economy of up to 60 percent GDP, with annual revenues estimated at $12.5 billion to $19 billion, ''far exceed the garment sector.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Review of ''No Further Action'' decision wanted in death of former reporter at headquarters of Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission in 2009

Malaysia's opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Gobind Singh Deo, left, and secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, right, support family of late Teoh Beng Hock, 31, in review of ''No Further Action'' decision by Attorney General

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, June 10: Malaysia's opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) said the party will support the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock, 31, who was found dead at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor headquaters after he was summoned for questioning in 2009, in seeking a judicial review against the Attorney General decision to classify the investigation as requiring No Further Action (NFA) last month, reports, the Star.
The Attorney General classified the death of Teoh Beng Hock, 31, the 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 (NFA) on May 21 after the submission of the investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police.
Opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) National chairman Gobind Singh Deo and secretary-general Anthony Loke said Attorney General Dusuki Mokhtar must explain in detail why he believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute in the death of Teoh Beng Hock, 31.
''We have been informed that action is being considered to challenge the No Further Action (NFA) directive in court by way of judicial review by the Teoh Beng Hock family,'' said the Democratic Action Party (DAP)
''We support this action and also call upon the Attorney General to review his decision and push ahead with charges against those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock's death without further delay,'' it said.
In September 2024 the Court of Appeal three-man panel, chaired by Judge 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 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

Australia's Northern Territory rejects independent investigation into death in police custody of mentally disabled Indigenous Australian

Candle-lit vigil at the Northern Territory Parliament House in Darwin on Wednesday June 4, 2025 calling for an independent investigation into the death of mentally disabled Indigenous Australian, Kumanjayi White, 24 in police custody.

From News Reports:
Darwin, June 9: The Northern Territory Police and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia have rejected calls for an independent investigation into the death of Kumanjayi White, 24, a mentally disabled Indigenous Australian man who died after being reportedly ''forcibly restrained by police in Alice Springs,'' reports National Indigenous Times.
Northern Territory Country Liberal Party (CLP) Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rejects calls for an independent inquiry from the Warlpiri family of Kumanjayi White, 24, saying ''spolice are the right authority to carry out an inquiry coupled with a coronial inquiry.''
Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Australian Labor Party (ALP), Malarndirri McCarthy, called for an independent investigation into the death of Kumanjayi White, 24.
First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN) Executive Officer, Worimi man, Damian Griffis, advocate for human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability, said ''Kumanjayi was a young man with a significant disability who needed culturally safe support, not force.''
''The NT Police cannot investigate themselves,'' he said.
''Australia has seen too many families left without answers and too many inquiries that gather dust,'' he said.
Kumanjayi White, 24, grandfather Warlpiri Elder, Ned Hargraves, said his grandson was ''killed for no good reason.''
"My grandson was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man," he said.
"What have we done to you. We are suposed to be working together in harmony but Police are taking away our lives," he said.
Kumanjayi White, 24, a mentally disabled Warlpiri Indigenous man, who lived in Alice Springs in supported accommodation under state guardianship appointed by the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT), died after being reportedly ''forcibly restrained by Alice Springs police officers in the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs.''
The Northern Territory Police claim that Kumanjayi White, 24, was involved in an altercation with a security guard in the Coles supermarket in Alice Springs, claiming ''two plainclothes Alice Springs police officers retrained Kumanjayi White, 24, who then lost consciousness.''
The Northern Territory Police reported that Kumanjayi White, 24, was transported to Alice Springs Hospital and pronounced dead at 2.20pm on Tuesday May 27.
The Northern Territory Police confirmed that a crime scene was established at Coles, saying ''the shopping centres remains closed.''
The Warlpiri family of Kumanjayi White, 24, is calling for a fully independent investigation that would be removed from Northern Territory Police control.
The Warlpiri family is also calling for the immediate public release of all CCTV and the footage from body camera's worn by the Northern Territory Police, suspension of the officers involved while inquiries proceed.
The Warlpiri family also called for an end to public statements that denigrade or criminalise Kumanjayi White, 24.
The Southeast Asian Times

Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 intervenes in Thailand - Cambodian border dispute

ASEAN Chairman 2025, Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, is to intervene in the Thailand and Cambodian border dispute in Bangkok on Saturday 7 June 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, June 8: The Chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2025, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, intervened in the armed confrontation between Thailand and Cambodian soldiers on 28 May in the Emerald Triangle, a tri-border region shared by Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, saying on Friday ''as the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia notes the Cambodian call for International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague jurisdiction,'' reports the Star.
Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn called for an investigation into the May 28 fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier in Preah Vihear province, saying in a diplomatic note to the Thailand Embassy in Phnom Penh ''Thailand soldiers had attacked Cambodian soldiers at a Cambodian military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province.
''The Royal Government of Cambodia demands an urgent and thorough investigation into the death of the Cambodian soldier on the Thailand-Cambodia border, saying ''those responsible for this cruel and illegal act must be brought to justice.''
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that the Cambodian assertion that the disputed border military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province belonged to Cambodia ''carries no weight or consequence.''
''The Thailand army acted in accordance with the rules of engagement and both international and Thailand laws during its confrontation with Cambodian troops on May 28,'' he said.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura claims that Thailand adhered to all necessary laws to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its personnel, saying ''Thailand's response was appropriate and measured.''
''Thailand did not recognise the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Cambodia said it would refer the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague,'' he said.
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to take action to resolve the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over three ancient temples on the Thailand-Cambodian border, saying
''Cambodia wants the International Court of Justice (ICJ) legal adjudication to take action against the longstanding dispute surrounding the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples and the Mombei area,''
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet questioned Thailand's commitment to resolving the border dispute, saying ''Thailand should agree to jointly bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a ruling without Cambodia needing to file a case.
In November 2013 the United Nations International Court of Jusice (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 International Court of Justice, Judge Peter Tomka after the court decision.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnam wants revision of disciplinary action for misconduct of Communist Party of Vietnam officials

Vietnam's Ministery of Home Affairs, Head of the Administrative Reform Working Group, Pham Thi Thanh Tra, proposes new regulations that require Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) subordinates to comply with decisions made by superiors Thursday June 5, 2025

From News Reports:
Hanoi, June 7: Vietnam's Ministery of Home Affairs, Head of the Administrative Reform Working Group that is tasked to research and propose new regulations for disciplinary action for misconduct by Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials and Civil Servants, proposes new regulations that require Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) subordinates to comply with decisions made by superiors, reports the Vietnam News.
Minister of Home Affairs, Head of the Administrative Reform Working Group, Pham Thi Thanh Tra, said that draft revision 2025 Law on Officials and Civil Servants requires that a Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) subordinate, who believes that a superior officials order is unlawful, must report their concerns in writing.''
''The proposed draft is intended to replace existing regulations and to introduce new exemptions for disciplinary action in specific cases,'' said Ministry of Home Affairs, Pham Thi Thanh Tra.
''The provision aims to translate broader policy direction in private sector development for legal safeguards for public officials,'' she said.
She said that Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials who have caused loss to the State due to unforeseen circumstances may be exempt from disciplinary action under the draft review of 2025 Law on Officials and Civil Servants.
''Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) officials who act in good faith without self-interest but have caused loss to the State due to unforeseen circumstances may be exempt from disciplinary action,'' she said.
The draft decree that proposes new regulations for disciplinary action for misconduct by Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Officials and Civil Servants stipulates that wrongfully disciplined Officials and Civil servants must receive a formal apology and have their entitlements reinstated.
''The apology aligns with Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) directives aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the disciplinary process,'' said Minister of Home Affairs, Head of the Administrative Reform Working Group, Pham Thi Thanh Tra.
In January 2025 the Ministry of Public Security recommended disciplinary action against the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) drafting team in the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy (DERA for the development of the Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, power plant in Vietnam after charging Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade (MoIT) , Hoang Quac Vuong, under Article 357 of the Penal Code 2015 with abuse of power for by-passing the Prime Minister to secure approval for the Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, inclusion in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
Disciplinary action was also recommended for officials at the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy (DERA) for involvement in appraising and evaluating the draft plan for the development of the Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, in Vietnam.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Hoang Quac Vuong, sought to implement a preferential feed-in tariff of 9.35 US cents per kWh, by-passing the prime minister's authority, enabling the Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, to benefit.
The Ministry of Public Security also recommended disciplinary action against officials at the Department of Electricity and Renewable Energy (DERA) for granting power operation licenses for the operation of the Trung Nam - Thuan Nam Solar Power Co. Ltd, that was to begin in February 2025.
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia President Prabowo claims Non-Governmental Organizations sow division in Indonesia

President Prabowo Subianto claims that Non-Governmental Organizations attempt to sow division within Indonesia at Pancasila Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday June 2, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, June 6: Indonesia claims that foreign interests are sowing division in Indonesia by funding Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), with President Prabowo Subianto, saying ''external interference persists under the guise of promoting democracy,'' reports Tempo.
President Prabowo Subianto claimed that ''external interference has persisted for centuries and continues today under the guise of
promoting democracy, human rights and press freedom, ''at the Pancasila Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday.
''For hundreds of years, they’ve tried to divide us,'' he said.
''Even now, they fund NGOs to pit us against each other, all while claiming to uphold democracy, human rights, and freedom of the press,'' he said.
President Prabowo Subianto urged Indonesian to remain vigilant and self-reliant, saying ''I’m not calling on Indonesians to be suspicious of foreign nations.''
He said that Indonesia must not be manipulated by any country, saying ''Indonesia must stand on its own feet.''
He called for unity among Indonesians despite differing backgrounds and opinions, warning '' internal divisions only benefit those who wish to see Indonesia weakened.''
President Prabowo Subianto called ''for unity among Indonesians despite differing backgrounds and opinions,'' warning that ''internal divisions only benefit those who wish to see Indonesia weakened.''
He urged all Indonesians to unite, saying ''let us not allow our differences to be a source of conflict.''
''That’s exactly what foreign powers who dislike a strong and prosperous Indonesia want.'' he said.
In May 2016 China's National People's Congress (NPC) Law Committee approved new regulations for foreign Non Government Organisations (NGO's) that are registered in China, with the National People's Congress (NPC) Law Committee deputy head, Xu Xianming, saying that the bill regulates the activities of overseas Non Government Organisations (NGO's) in China.
He said that Non Government Organisations (NGO's) involved in charity and academia have grown in number and their activities have intensified, saying "it is necessary to regulate and guide their activities."
The new law bans foreign Non Government Organisations (NGO's) registered in China from establishing organisations in regional China, from recruiting members in China and from raising funds within China.
The new law also subjects NGO's to financial scrutiny, requiring that they submit annual reports detailing their sources of financing, expenditure and changes in personnel.
In July 2015 the National Assembly in Phnom Penh passed a Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) aimed at regulating the about 5,000 Non Government Organisations (NGO) in Cambodia.
Under the new law all domestic and international Non Government Organisations (NGO) are required to register their organisation and to report their activities and finances to the government.
Non Government Organisations (NGO) in Cambodia will reportedly be disbanded if their activities "jeopardise peace, stability and public order or threaten national security, national unity, culture, and traditions of Cambodian society".
Failure to comply will reportedly result in fines, legal action and possible disbandment.
Non Government Organisations (NGO) in Cambodia will reportedly be disbanded if their activities "jeopardise peace, stability and public order or threaten national security, national unity, culture, and traditions of Cambodian society".
The Southeast Asian Times

Cambodia calls on International Court of Justice in The Hague to resolve border dispute with Thailand

Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Manet, calls on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to take action to resolve the Thailand and Cambodia border dispute on Tuesday June 3, 2025

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, June 5: Cambodia called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to take action to resolve the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over three ancient temples on the Thailand-Cambodian un-demarcated border, with Cambodia Prime Minister warning that the border clash on May 28 that left a 48 year-old Cambodian soldier dead has reignited tensions and fuelled nationalist sentiments in Cambodia,'' reports Phnom Penh Post.
''Cambodia wants the International Court of Justice (ICJ) legal adjudication to take action against the longstanding dispute surrounding the Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Kro Bei temples and the Mombei area,'' said Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet questioned Thailand's commitment to resolving the border dispute, saying ''Thailand should agree to jointly bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a ruling without Cambodia needing to file a case.''
The Cambodian call for disputes over the unmarked Thailand-Cambodia border to be resolved by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, follows the Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn call for an investigation into the May 28 fatal shooting of a the unnamed Cambodian soldier in Preah Vihear province.
The Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, said in a May 29 diplomatice note to the Thailand Embassy in Phnom Penh that Thailand soldiers had attacked Cambodian soldiers at a Cambodian military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province.
''The attack by Thailand soldiers had resulted in the unjust death of an unnamed Cambodian soldier at 5.30am on May 28,'' said the diplomatic note.
He said that the Royal Government of Cambodia demands an urgent and thorough investigation into the death of the unnamed Cambodian soldier on the Thailand-Cambodia border, saying ''those responsible for this cruel and illegal act must be brought to justice.''
The Cambodia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, claims that the Cambodian presence at the Preah Vihear province location was recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border demarcation and marker placement in 2000.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said that the Cambodian assertion that the disputed un-demarcated border military post in Techo Morodok village, Morodok commune, Choam Ksan district, Preah Vihear province belonged to Cambodia ''carries no weight or consequence.''
''The Thailand army acted in accordance with the rules of engagement and both international and Thailand laws during its confrontation with Cambodian troops on May 28,'' he said.
Thailand Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura claims that Thailand adhered to all necessary laws to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its personnel, saying ''Thailand's response was appropriate and measured.''
In November 2013 the United Nations International Court of Jusice (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 International Court of Justice, Judege Peter Tomka after the court decision.
The judge, one of seventeen, said that as a consequence of the decision Thailand was now under obligation to withdraw Thai military or police forces or other guards or keepers who were stationed in the immediate area surrounding the temple.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both Thailand and Cambodia claimed ownership of the land surrounding the temple included in the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area.
Tens of thousands were reportedly displaced with about 28 killied in the 2011 fighting leading Cambodia to ask the International Court of Justice for an interpretation of the original 1962 ruling.
The Southeast Asian Times

China opens IOMed in Hong Kong on par with International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague

Representatives from more than 80 countries and 20 international organisations attend the signing ceremony for the convention on the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) including the Association of Southeast Asian Member Nations (ASEAN) Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, East Timor on Friday May 30, 2025

From News Reports:
Hong Kong, June 4: The Communist Party of China (CPC signed a convention on the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong on Friday, with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, saying '' IOMed is on par with the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague,'' reports Reuters.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, who was sworn in as the 6th Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2022 by President of China, Xi Jinping, said ''the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) will be the first intergovernmental body dedicated to mediation.''
''The IOMed would become increasingly important amid mounting geopolitical tensions,'' he said.
''When protectionism threatens to derail the international trade order and when unilateralism looms over global supply chains, it is dialogue not division that restores balance,'' he said.
The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was initiated by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing with Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, saying ''IOMed embodies the principles of the United Nations Charter prioritizing mediation in international disputes under Article 33.''
''The IOMed aims to transcend a zero-sum and you-lose-I-win mentality in global affairs,'' he said.
He said the stablishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong will promote the amicable resolution of international disputes and build more harmonious international relations,” he said.
''The International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) would fill a gap in the field.'' he said.
Representatives from more than 80 countries and 20 international organisations attended the signing ceremony for the convention on the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) on Friday, including the Association of Southeast Asian Member Nations (ASEAN) Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, East Timor.
In 2016 the judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking "historic rights" in its claim over the West Philippine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling with China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying then that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this matter."
"The dispute was not covered by U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty not exploitation rights,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

China Ministry of Foreign Affairs attacks US for claiming that China is a threat to the US

Rear Admiral Hu Gafng of the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University in Bejing, led China's delegation to the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, 2025

From News Reports:
Singapore, June 3: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denouncedUnited States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for claiming that ''China is a threat to the United States'' at the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore on Sunday, with the China saying ''the remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow discord,'' claims China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports Reuters.
United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 ''Washington will bolster its defenses overseas to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly developing threats by Beijing, particularly in its aggressive stance toward Taiwan.''
''China’s army is rehearsing for the real deal,'' said United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
''We are not going to sugarcoat it the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent,'' he said.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims ''the United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has deliberately ignored the call for peace and development by countries in the region.''
''United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instead touted the Cold War mentality for bloc confrontation, vilified China with defamatory allegations, and falsely called China a threat,'' claims China Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that China deplores and firmly opposes the claim made by the United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that China is a threat to the United States, saying ''China has protested strongly to the United States.''
''The United States is the primary factor undermining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the United States of deploying offensive weaponry in the South China Sea to perpetuate United States hegemony and advance the Indo-Pacific strategy, saying ''the United States has stoked flames and is creating tensions in the Asia-Pacific.''
''The United States is the primary factor undermining the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific,'' claims the China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In July 2016 Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines against China's claim of "historic rights" over the South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague decision followed the Philippine complaint in 2013 that called on the court to intervene in the Philippine dispute with China over the right to exploit natural resources including fish in the West Philippine Sea.
The Judges of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that China had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by invoking "historic rights" in its claim over the West Phillipine Sea.
China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruling with China Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang saying then that "the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague has no jurisdiction on this matter."
"The dispute was not covered by U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) because it was ultimately a matter of sovereignty not exploitation rights,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

The US states the United States of America is an Indo-Pacific Nation

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, stated that 'the United States is an Indo-Pacific Nation'' at the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday May 30, 2025

From News Reports:
Singapore, June 2: The 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore from May 30 to June 1 was attended by 47 country representatives including U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense General Nakatani, who convened the fifteenth Trilateral Defence Ministerial Meeting (TDMM) on 31 May 2025, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, stating at the Summit ''the United States is an Indo-Pacific Nation,'' reports US Defence.
"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.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, said that U.S. President Donald Trump continues to lead Europeans to step up in their self-defence, saying ''the U.S. can then focus more on resources on the Indo-Pacific region.''
''This enables all of us to benefit from the peace and stability that comes with a lasting and strong American presence here in the Indo-Pacific," he said.
"These benefits, they only multiply when our allies and partners are also strong," he said.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, said at the Trilateral Defence Consultations Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement on Efforts to Deepen Our Defence Cooperation at the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31 that ''the trilateral partnership ensures we are prepared to address the most consequential challenges in the Indo-Pacific.''
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, said that Australia, United States and Japan confirm our intention to promote multilateral defence industry cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, saying ''the success of Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan 2025 confirms production sustainment and supply chain cooperation of opportunities, including the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) work stream efforts, with the participation of our respective public and private sectors.''
''We look forward to deepening these defence industrial partnerships, including by exploring collaborative opportunities across our respective defence industrial bases,'' said Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.
He said that the Trilateral Defence Ministerial Meeting (TDMM) affirm our shared ambition to further expand cooperation with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, saying ''India, the Philippines, Republic of Korea reinforce deterence and stability in the Indo-Pacific.''
Japan Defence Minister General Nakatani introduced One Cooperative Effort Among Nations (OCEAN) at the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS Asia Security Summit, 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, saying ''like-minded nations could work together.''
Japan Defence Minister General Nakatani called for closer defence cooperation and coordination, inclusiveness and transparency and strengthening accountability with the aim of restoring a rules-based international order (RBIO) in the Indo-Pacific region.
''There is a serious disregard for accountability,'' he said.
''In the South China Sea, the very country that previously declared it had no intention of militarizing the area is rapidly advancing militarization.'' he said.
He said that there has been a sharp increase in military buildup, including nuclear forces lacking transparency, and provocative military activities in the region, saying ''this poses a significant obstacle to maintaining trust in the defence arena.''
''Now is the time for countries to join hands under OCEAN, engage in dialogue, and work to restore, rather than dissolve, the rules-based international order (RBIO) to realize, rather than ignore, accountability; and to promote, rather than undermine, the international public good,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

China refuses Australia's offer to buy back China's 99 year lease on Port Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory

China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, centre, visits Port Darwin in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory on Thursday May 22, 2025

From News Reports:
Darwin, June 1: China's Ambassador to Australia has refused Australia's offer to buy back Port Darwin in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory that was granted a 99 year lease in 2015, with China Ambassador Xiao Qian warning Australia that termination of the lease could undermine Australia's reputation as a stable and predictable country for foreign investment, reports
''Plans by the Australian federal government to take back Darwin port is ethically questionable,'' said China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian.
Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. from Shandong province in China, secured the lease in Darwin harbour through an open and transparent bidding process fully compliant with Australian laws and market principles,'' he said.
''Over the past ten years the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. has made significant investments in maintaining and building Darwin Port’s infrastructure.
He said the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. efforts have brought remarkable improvements to Port Darwin, saying ''the investment in the port has turned the financial situation from losses to profits and has contributed positively to local economic and social development.''
''He said the original agreement between the Northern Territory government and Landbridge was fully above board and should be respected,'' saying ''Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd secured the lease for the port in Darwin through an open and transparent bidding process.''
The lease agreement in 2015 between Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. chairman, Ye Cheng, who was the winning bidder for the Darwin harbour land deal worth A$506 million, and the then leader of the Country Liberal Party of the Northern Territory, chief minister, Adam Giles gave the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. operational control of the East Arm Wharf in Darwin harbour in Australia's Northern Territory including 80 percent ownership of the land and facilities.
In April 2025 Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. non-executive director, Terry O'Conner, said from Australia ''Port Darwin lost $34.362m in 2024 as the Shandong Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. chairman, Ye Cheng, moved to refinance a $107 million bond debt,'
He said that Shandong Landbridge Group Co., is considering selling assets in China to pay the debt, saying ''Landbridge in China has a portfolio of large infrastructure assets.''
''Shandong Landbridge Group Co.in China is looking to moderate its debt, which will likely see the sale of some assets across the group,'' he said.
In 2020 Amendments to the Foreign investment laws, that were made by the Australian Parliament under Prime Minister Scott Morrison, gave the Australian Federal Government the power to impose conditions that include forced divestment of previously approved foreign investment deals, with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying "the new foreign investment laws focus on protecting Australia's national security."
"The new foreign investment laws give the Australian Federal Government the retrospective power to review the port lease agreement between the Northern Territory government and China's Landbridge Group Co., Ltd. in northern Australia from a national security perspective," he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Asean Private Markets Association
to be established for ASEAN economic integration

Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) chairman, Nazir Razak, centre, at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-BAC at the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday May 29, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 31: The Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC), that was established in 2001 at the 7th ASEAN Summit in Brunei to promote ASEAN's efforts towards economic integration, is to establish the Asean Private Markets Association, with Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman saying ''ASEAN stands at a pivotal moment and hopes the region can move forward with economic integration.'' reports the Star.
Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman, Nazir Razak, said at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-BAC at the 46th Asean Summit hosted by Malaysia ASEAN chair 2024 on Thursday, ''a pro tem committee comprising of members from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia is working towards the association's formal establishment, saying ''the association could help overcome market fragmentation issues and drive the region's industry development.''
''The idea is to create a platform to advise governments on enhancing policies to develop the private markets industry including venture capital and private equity across ASEAN," he said.
He said that the Asean-BAC estimated that up to US$60bil (RM255bil) in capital should be channelled to Asean private equity and venture funds, saying ''certain reforms are needed to reduce market fragmentation and improve conditions for investment monetisation.''
He said that Asean-BAC conducted a research report with McKinsey that shows Asean private markets are underdeveloped, estimated at only 0.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to the global benchmark average of 1.5 percent of GDP.
''The reports shows that the private markets industry is extremely important to the economy but remains too small in Asean,'' he said.
He said that the (Asean-BAC) is pressing for an ASEAN Business Entity, saying ''a proposed classification that would allow companies to operate across the ASEAN bloc with greater flexibility.''
''ASEAN Business Entity would serve as aplatform to advise governments on policy reforms aimed at unlocking long-term capital,'' he said.
He said the Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) has been working with the government of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia to formalise the Asean Private Markets Association.
Malaysia Chair 2025 Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to propose actionable ideas that can influence governmental decisions across the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-BAC on Thursday.
''The collaboration between government and private sector is fundamental, critical to development,'' he said.
He said that the collaboration between government and the private sector is fundamental, critical to economic development, saying ''government private partnerships are vital to accelerate economic development.''
He said the government private partnership is vital to accelerate economic development and ensure that economic initiatives reflect
the realities and needs of the business community, saying ''ASEAN must brace for a more complex global environment especially amid power shifts involving major countries.''
''This calls for stronger national and regional resilience to safeguard ASEAN’s long-term interests,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

China calls for strategic alignment of ASEAN-China-GCC for a trilateral economic market

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) country leaders and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country leaders
at the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025, ''Synergising Economic Opportunities Towards Shared Prosperity'' at the 46th Asean Summit hosted by Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday May 27, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 30: China called for strategic economic alignment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries at the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025 at the 46th Asean Summit hosted by Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, with China Premier Li Qiang calling on ''ASEAN, GCC and China to build the three regions into a large economic market, reports Associated Press.
China Premier, Li Qiang, called on the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries and China to align the three regions into a large economic market at the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025, titled ''Synergising Economic Opportunities Towards Shared Prosperity.''
''The large economic market would ensure that resources, technologies and talent flow more efficiently and trade and investment enjoy greater freedom and convenience,'' he said
China Premier, Li Qiang, called on ASEAN-China-GCC ''to work together to establish trilateral cooperation for an economic global market that is characterized by openness across regions, cooperation across
development stages and intergration across civilizations.''
He said that China is ready to strengthen partnerships with ASEAN and the GCC by jointly formulating an action plan on high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), or One Belt One Road (OBOR) that provides loans to build infrastructure in partner countries worldwide, with ASEAN member Indonesia being the largest recipients of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in ASEAN.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 10 countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and pending member East Timor and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) six countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, commended trilateral cooperation in fostering development and promoting regional prosperity and stability.
''Trilateral cooperation is ushering in a new era to address shared challenges in the pursuit of a large shared market,'' he said.
ASEAN chair 2025, Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said that the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC Summit included in the 46th ASEAN Summit titled ''Inclusivity and Sustainability'' held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday and Tuesday, has sent '' a strong message of trilateral solidarity and cooperation.''
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that China is an important partner for the countries of ASEAN and GCC, saying ''China plays an important role in promoting economic development, maintaining peace and stability, and upholding international fairness and justice.''
He said that ASEAN is committed to strengthening and expanding its partnerships with China and the GCC, saying ''ASEAN is committed to reinforcing mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy, trade and investment to make a greater contributions to regional and global prosperity and stability.''
The Southeast Asian Times

ASEAN members adopt declaration for ASEAN single market and integrated production base

The Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, was signed by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr of the Philippines, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and the Permanent Secretary of Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry, Aung Kyaw Moe, and prospective member Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste, signed the Declaration in Kuala Lumpur on Monday May 26, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 29: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) 10 member nations adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, at the 46th Asean Summit hosted by Malaysia ASEAB chair 2025 on Monday, with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, saying ''adoption of the Declaration is a defining chapter in ASEAN's journey of regional intergration,'' reports the Star.
The Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, succeeds Declaration ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together vision, adopted in 2015 that introduced the blueprint for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) aimed to achieve an integrated and cohesive ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that includes a single market and integrated production base.
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said at the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, ''ASEAN's future must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion,''
''That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens,'' said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, was a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust, saying ''as we turn this page, we renew our promise to our peoples, to our region and to the generations yet to rise.''
''Today, we renew that solemn promise not as a tribute to the past, but as a living covenant with the future,'' he said.
The Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, signed by the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Brunei Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam, on Monday includes a task that assigns responsibility for funding the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, to various entities within ASEAN.
The task directs ASEAN Ministers and respective ASEAN Organisations and Bodies, supported by the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat, ''to mobilise resources from ASEAN Member States and external sources to implement the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future'' declaration.
The Southeast Asian Times

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly calls for more influence on ASEAN Community building aspirations

The ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) was held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday at the 46th ASEAN Summit

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 28: The ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with
r epresentatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
was held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday at the 46th ASEAN Summit, with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) President calling for the expansion of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) influence across ASEAN's three foundational pillars, political-security, economic, and socio-cultural, reports the Star.
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 46th President and a Member of the Malaysian Parliament, Johari Abdul, said he supported the expansion of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) influence across ASEAN's three foundation pillars, political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.''
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) would play a pivotal role in enhancing the region's preparedness and resilience,'' he said.
''If ASEAN is serious about building a community that reflects its people’s aspirations, then the presence and influence of AIPA must be more than symbolic. It must be structural,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said at the opening of the Asean Leaders Interface With Representatives Of Aipa session included in the 46th ASEAN Summit that ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) should be further encouraged to enhance parliamentarians’ understanding of Asean’s mechanisms across member nations.''
''Deeper engagement between AIPA and lawmakers would not only benefit national legislatures, but also strengthen regional cooperation and alignment on issues affecting the people,'' he said.
"Every decision made by a parliament or congress has a significant impact on the direction of our nations,'' he said.
He said that AIPA should be encouraged to provide a greater exposure to our parliamentarians on ASEAN's inner workings as ASEAN continues its community-building efforts through the ASEAN Community Vision 2025,'' he said,
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia and China reaffirm partnership ahead of ASEAN summit on growing engagement with Middle East and China

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, left, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, right, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday May 25, 2025 ahead of 46th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia, ASEAN chair for 2025, in Kuala Lumpur on Monday and Tuesday

Jakarta, May 27:
From News Reports: Indonesia and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase trade at a meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Jakarta on Sunday, ahead of the two day 46th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia, ASEAN chair for 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto saying ''I reaffirm our commitment to strengthen this partnership with the People’s Republic of China,'' reports Antara.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the signing of 12 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the China Chamber of Commerce in Jakarta to increase business collaboration, bilateral trade and investment flows.
''We view this relationship as bringing benefits not only to our two countries but also to the entire Asian region and possibly even the world,'' said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sunday.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie said that Indonesia and China trade reached $130 billion a year making China Indonesia’s largest trading partner, saying ''this is an opportunity to increase investment and create jobs.''
“When relations are good, licenses are certainly easier, and funding will be more accessible,'' he said.
Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, and Premier of China, Li Qiang, attended a meeting of China delegates and Indonesian entrepreneurs at the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Saturday.
''China is willing to work with Indonesia to enhance alignment of development strategies and deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,'' said Premier of China, Li Qiang.
Premier of China, Li Qiang, said that China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years, saying ''China's Belt and Road co-operation program has seen substantive progress, including nickel smelting plants and Whoosh, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail project operating since October 2023.''
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are attending the 46th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia, ASEAN chair for 2025, in Kuala Lumpur on Monday and Tuesday that includes the 2nd Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit.
Malaysia, ASEAN chair for 2025, Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hasan, said this year's 46th ASEAN Summit reflects ASEANS's growing engagement with the Middle East and China.''
''The participation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that includes six Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, reflects ASEAN's growing engagement with key international partners,'' he said.
''ASEAN, the GCC, and China each possess distinct strengths that could be leveraged through structured collaboration,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 talks trilateral alliance with middle east and China at 46th ASEAN Summit

Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 is hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit titled ''Inclusivity and Sustainability'' that includes the 2nd Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit on Monday May 26 and Tuesday May 27, 2025

From News Reports:
Kuala Lumpur, May 26: Malaysia Foreign Minister said ''this year's 46th ASEAN Summit reflects ASEANS's growing engagement with the Middle East and China ahead of the Associated of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) members Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, arrival in Kuala Lumpur for the 46th ASEAN Summit titled ''Inclusivity and Sustainability'' on Monday and Tuesday.
''This year's 46th ASEAN Summit includes the 2nd Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit,'' said Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.
He said that this year's Asean Summit is expected to be particularly significant, saying ''the summit includes the 2nd Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit.''
''The participation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that includes six Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, reflects ASEAN's growing engagement with key international partners,'' he said.
Malaysia Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that he aimed to forge an influencial trilateral alliance with ASEAN-GCC-China that could unlock immense potential for multilateral cooperation across strategic sectors.
''ASEAN, the GCC, and China each possess distinct strengths that could be leveraged through structured collaboration,'' he said.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia as ASEAN chair for 2025 has outlined a bold vision for regional growth, highlighting stronger economic integration, trade expansion, and cross-border energy connectivity as key pillars of Malaysia's Asean chair this year.''
''Malaysia is committed to driving ASEAN beyond its tradition role as a neutral platform towards becoming a more cohesive, value-driven force in the Indo-Pacific,'' he said.
In September 2021 then Malaysia Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, warned that the new Indo-Pacific trilateral alliance between Australia, United Kingdom and the United States, AUKUS, formed to build nuclear submarines in Australia, could provoke a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said then that Malaysia feared that the new Indo-Pacific alliance AUKUS that would work in cooperation to build nuclear-powered submarines in Australia that includes the rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft to Australia "would provoke other powers to also act aggressively in the region."
"Malaysia feared that the new Indo-Pacific alliance between Australia, United Kingdom and the United States, AUKUS, would provoke China to act aggressively in the South China Sea".
He said that Malaysia as a member nation of ASEAN subscribes to the principle of maintaining ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN).
"Malaysia would abide by the existing stand on nuclear-powered submarines operating in Malaysian waters including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) and the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ)." he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Fugitive former PM Yingluck Shinawatra ordered to pay compensation for loss of US$15 billion to State in rice-pledging programme

Fugitive former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and aunt of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ordered to pay compensation for loss to State in rice-pledging scheme Thurs 22 May 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, May 25: Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court ordered fugitive former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, to pay Baht10 billion (US$305million) in compensation for loss of Baht518 billion (US$15 billion) to the State in the rice-pledging programme for farmers during her 2011 to 2014 administration, saying "the debt of Baht10 billion (US$305million) is impossible for me to repay in a lifetime," reports the Bangkok Post.
''The ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court is deeply unjust,'' said former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, said that previously the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Office Holders had ruled that she held no financial liability in the rice-pledging programme..
''The new ruling under the Supreme Administrative Court holds me solely responsible for losses caused by agencies over which I had no direct control,'' she said.
''I worked to stabilise rice prices and lift farmers out of poverty yet I am now left to shoulder this burden alone,'' she said.
The Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Thursday that former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, performed duties with gross negligence that caused damage to the State, saying ''therefore the former Prime Minister must pay compensation to the State.''
In August 2017 fugitive former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, fled Thailand ahead of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Office Holders ruling that found the prime minister guilty of inaction in the loss of Bhart 518 billion to the state in the rice-pledging progamme for farmers.
The Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Office Holders alleged that Yingluck Shinawatra government officials colluded to provide rice to two Chinese companies that were allegedly not authorised by the Chinese government to undertake government-to-government deals with the Thailand government to buy rice from stockpiles generated by the Thailand government rice pledging programme.
The Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Office Holders argued that the government rice-pledging programme went against the main objective of a state subsidy programme which was to help Thailand farmers.
Fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, argued that in her capacity as prime minister, she was involved only in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate government-to-government rice deals, saying that she was not involved in rice sales to Chinese companies that soled the rice to a third party including state-owned trading house (COFCO).
The Southeast Asian Times.

Former Thailand MP petitions Election Commisson to dissolve pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party for vote-rigging

Reserve Senator and former Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Member of Parliament, Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, has petitioned the the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand to dissolve the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party on Tuesday May 20, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, May 24: Reserve Senator and former Pheu Thai Party (PTP) Member of Parliament, Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, has petitioned the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand to petition the Constitutional Court to dissolve the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party for allegedly interfering in the 2024 Senate elections, with the Bhumjaithai Party threatening to sue the Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, for defamation, reports Bangkok Post.
The Election Commission (EC) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) have summoned more than 146 individuals for questioning in the investigation into allegations of interference in the 9 to 26 June, 2024 Senate election including proxy candidates, party collusion and vote-rigging, with a significant number of those summoned allegedly aligned with the Bhumjaithai Party.
The Bhumjaithai party, won 71 seats of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives in the May 14, 2023 general elections after the present ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) with 141 seats and the then Move Forward Party (MFP) winning the election with 151 seats.
Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, failed candidate in the May 2023 senate three-stage elections, who is on the reserve list of senators, claims she has evidence proving that Bhumjaithai Party leader, Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, were involved in vote-rigging, saying Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul was the mastermind behind the vote-rigging.''
''The evidence warrants the party's disbandment,'' she said.
Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, claims in her petition to the Election Commission of Thailand that she has sufficient evidence including a money trail and audio footage to implicate core members of the Bhumjaithai party of involvement in electoral collusion in the 2023 Senate elections.
She claims that Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul had a meeting with the newly elected Senators at the Pullman Hotel in Bangkok saying ''the Bhumjaithai leader demanded that the newly elected Senators sign resignation letters in advance to ensure that they would heed the instructions of the Bhumjaithai party.''
Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62, claims that she had no personal grudge against the party or its leader, saying ''I cannot stand their outrageous conduct.''
Bhumjaithai party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, said he has assigned the party's lawyer to file a defamation claim against Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62 in response to her claim of electoral collusion in her petition to the Election Commission (EC) to dissolve the pro-monarchy Bhumjaithai Party.
Anutin Charnvirakul accused Kusumalwati Sirikomut, 62 of lying in her claim to the Election Commission (EC) that Anutin Charnvirakul had demanded that newly elected Senators sign resignation letters in advance at the Pullman Hotel in Bangkok.
Bhumjaithai party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that he had met with several senatorial candidates at the Pullman Hotel in Bangkok, saying that he frequents the hotel seven days a week and often has appointments with his party members there.
On January 19, 2024 Lawyer Patrapong Supaksorn petitioned the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Bhumjaithai Party then led by defacto secretary-general Newin Chidchob, brother of former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party,the former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob.
Former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, the former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, resigned as Bhumjaithai secretary-general and a member of parliament after accusations of conspiring to gain billions of baht from Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. to fund members of the Bhumjaithai Party in the 2023 general elections.
Lawyer Patrapong Supaksorn said the Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. won government construction contracts, saying ''former secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, former Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, had funded Bhumjaithai Party party members during the electorial campaigns from the funds illegally gained from the Buri Charoen Construction Ltd
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia to support Thailand in efforts to align ASEAN with BRICS

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, left, and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, right, at government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 19, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, May 23: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the Indonesian government would support Thailand's efforts to become a full member of BRICS at a meeting with Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Monday in an effort to align ASEAN with BRICS, reports the Bangkok Post.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra discussed the alignment of ASEAN trade interests with BRICS during the Indonesian Presidents three-day official visit to Thailand on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties that marked the first official visit by Thailand to Indonesia in 20 years.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who are members of the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations discussed the alignment of Indonesian and Thailand trade interests with BRICS.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, discussed aligning Indonesian and Thailand trade interests with BRICS to expand economic cooperation and strengthen ASEAN-BRICS relations.
ASEAN member, Indonesia, is one of 10 full BRICS members with original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, including South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia.
ASEAN member Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are partner members of eight BRICS partners including Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Uganda, Uzbekistan.
ASEAN member and full member of BRICS, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, said "Indonesia fully supports Thailand’s efforts to be a full BRICS member, saying ''we will facilitate Thailand in coming a full BRICS member.''
ASEAN member, Thailand, as a full partner is permitted to take part in special BRICS summit sessions, foreign ministers meetings and other high-level events including the opportunity to contribute to official BRICS outcome document.
ASEAN member, Thailand Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, said ''obtaining BRICS partner status on January 1, 2025 is a significant milestone on Thailand's path towards full membership of BRICS.''
In April 2025 BRICS full member and partner countries, failed to reach consensus to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), at a meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 28 and 29 April, 2025, with opposition from members Egypt and Ethiopia's to member South Africa's bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC
Chair of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting stated ''the ministers of the BRICS 10 full members supported comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic.''
The chair called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in its membership in an effort for BRICS to play a greater role in international affairs ''particularly in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)''
The BRICS chair called for ''the urgent need to achieve equitable geographical representation in the Secretariat of the United Nations.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia's former President Suharto included on list of the worlds most corrupt leaders

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Indonesia hold banners saying ''Reject the national hero title for Soeharto'' at the Social Affairs Ministry's office in Jakarta on Thursday May 15, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 22: At least 30 international institutions have rejected Indonesia's Council for the Titles of Heroes, Decorations, and Honors proposal to bestow the national hero award on former President Suharto, with Amnesty International Indonesia, saying '' international institutions including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have included former President Suharto in a list of the world's most corrupt leaders,'' reports Reuters.
Amnesty International Indonesia executive director, Usman Hamid, said ''international institutions including the World Bank, Transparency International (TI), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), include former President Suharto in a list of the worlds' most corrupt leaders.''
''The international institutions rejected the proposal for the national hero award to be bestowed on former President Suharto because his leadership does not meet the legal criteria for the award.'' he said.
Amnesty International Indonesia claims that former President Suharto's leadership lacked moral integrity, humanity and justice, saying ''reforms that were introduced during the New Order Regime to eliminate corruption, collusion, nepotism and state violence actually increased under President Suharto.''
In 2007 the Indonesian Government issued a decree to suspend prosecution of former President Suharto for the embezzlement of US$440 from State funds that were allegedly transferred to the Supersemar Foundation that was founded by the former President.
Attorney General Office (AGO) prosecutor then Dachmar Munthe claimed that the Supersemar Foundation received 2.5 percent net profit from each Indonesian bank under Indonesion Government Regulation 15/1976, saying then ''each bank was required to give part if its net profits to the foundation.''
Attorney General Office (AGO) prosecutor Dachmar Munthe rejected the defence arguement that former President Soeharto’s Supersemar Foundation gave more funds to education than business.
''The foundation chanelled about US$55 million, into the education sector between 1975 and 2006, but this is nothing compared with $419 million it gave Bank Duta in capital investments,'' he said.
The Attorney General Office (AGO) prosecutor claimed that the Supersemar Foundation transferred almost $441million to businesses ranging from Bank Duta to Sempati Air Essam Timber.
''The Supersemar Foundation and President Suharto and the Supersemar Foundation's directors should reimburse the State with more than US$420 million,'' said Attorney General Office (AGO) prosecutor Dachmar Munthe.
The criminal trial of former President Suharto was suspended in 2007 before he died in 2008.
The Southeast Asian Times

Cambodia reporter charged with defamation for accusing Environment Ministry of illegal deforestation

Thirty forest rangers attend a two-day workshop for the management of protected areas and natural resources at the Environment Department of Stung Treng Province, Stung Treng City, Cambodia on 27-28 July 2023

From News Reports:
Phnom Penh, May 21: Cambodia reporter, Ouk Mao, 49, who reports on illegal deforestation in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng province, has been charged with alleged incitement and defamation ''against the honour and reputation of the officials of the Ministry of Environment of Cambodia'' reports the Khmer Times.
Stung Treng City Provincial Court spokesman, Lao Leangheng, said that reporter Ouk Mao, 49, at Phalitakam Mohahang Co., Ltd news service in Stung Treng City is charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest and public defamation under Articles 494, 495 and 305 of the Criminal Code.
''Uk Mao was arrested by the Stung Treng provincial military police on May 16 in accordance with the warrant of arrest issued by the Stung Treng Provincial Court's,'' he said.
He said that charges were brought against reporter Ouk Mao, 49, by provincial forest rangers over allegations made by the reporter in the Phalitakam Mohahang Co., news service.
''Reporter Uk Mao, 49, claims that the Stung Treng Ministry of Environment officials were corrupt and had colluded will illegal loggers and timber traders to cut down forests in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in exchange for bribes,'' he said.
Stung Treng Provincial Court spokesman, Lao Leangheng, said that reporter Ouk Mao, 49, is in detention at the provincial prison pending trial.
Reporters at Phalitakam Mohahang Co.,Ltd news service claim that they have identified the three men who entered reporter Uk Mao, 49, home in Stung Treng on May 16, saying ''they handcuffed him and told him their boss wanted to speak to him about a piece of land.''
''The three men who were dressed in plainclothes were later identified as Military Police,'' said the reporters.
The Phalitakam Mohahang Co.,Ltd reporters said that reporter Ouk Mao, 49, was taken to the Stung Treng Provincial Royal Gendarmerie Military Police headquarters, arriving at 1.pm on May 16.
In June 2024 reporter Ouk Mao, 49 at Phalitakam Mohahang Co.,Ltd news service was questioned by the Stung Treng Provincial Royal Gendarmerie Military Police about his investigation into deforestation in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng province.
Try Pheap Group Co., Ltd, CEO, Try Pheap, a former advisor to former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, was granted rights to all timber cleared from Economic Land Concessions in Ratanakiri Province northeast Cambodia on the border of Laos and Vietnam in February 2013 with specific reference to deforestation, saying ''timber was not to be cleared from protected areas including Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary that overlaps four provinces including Stung Treng Province.
In 2024 Try Pheap, was granted 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) to mine iron ore inside the protected Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng Province under the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Reporter Ouk Mao, 49, at Phalitakam Mohahang Co.,Ltd has investigated the Try Pheap Group Co., Ltd alleged involvement in illegal logging in Cambodia including the alleged trafficking of high-value Siamese rosewood trees that have almost become extinct in Cambodia.
The Southeast Asian Timee

Vietnam National Assembly to draft decree for autonomy for local administrative councils

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, National Assembly deputy of Quang Ning Province claims that the draft decree on Law on Local Government Organization grants greater fiscal discretion to the chair of provincial People’s Committees at the National Assembly Hanoi on Wednesday May 14, 2025

From News Reports:
Hanoi, May 20: Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who served as chair of the Steering Committee in December 2024 to review the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Political Bureau Resolution 18 issued in October 2017, directed the National Assembly to draft decrees to implement the principle of ''localities decide, localities implement, localities take responsibility, reports the Vietnam News.
Steering Committee chair Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh directed the National Assembly to draft decrees to implement the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Political Bureau Resolution 18 that proposes to decentralise and delegate authority to local administration councils in all provinces in Vietnam and the proposal to restruct ministries under the administration of the Central Committee (CC) of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).
Steering Committee chair Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, directed the National Assembly to draft decrees to implement a two-level local administration model that involves the delegation of authority to local Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) administration in all provinces, with local administration units requested to complete restructuring proposals by December 2024 to prepare for discussion with the Steering Committee for Political Bureau Resolution 18.
Discussion on the restructuring of ministries under the administration of the Central Committee (CC) of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) was also proposed in the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Political Bureau Resolution 18 including the restructuring, merger, transfer of functions, and the creation of new ministries.
Political Bureau Resolution 18 proposed that the Ministry of Finance would absorb the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Home Affairs would integrate with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.
A new Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was also proposed by the Political Bureau Resolution 18.
The new ministry would be formed by merging the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Steering Committee chair Prime Minister Ph?m Minh Chinh, directed the National Assembly to draft decrees on Law on Local Government Organization, on Promulgation of Legal Documents and the Law on Management and Use of State Capital Invested in Production and Business at Enterprises.
The Southeast Asian Times

Communist Party of Vietnam affirms ''private sector as most crucial engine of national economy''

President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, left, and Communist Party of Vietnam General Scretary, To Lam, right, approve Resolution 68 to promote private sector development at the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly in Hanoi Saturday May 17, 2025

From News Reports:
Hanoi, May 19: Vietnam's 9th session of the 15th National Assembly approved Resolution 68 to promote private sector development including the exemption of tax for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for three years in Hanoi on Saturday, reports the Vietnam News Agency.
The National Assembly approved the resolution with 429 of the 434 legislators in favour of the 17 articles in Resolution 68 including the passing of Political Bureau guidelines to improve the investment and business environment in Vietnam.
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary, To Lam, signed the Political Bureau Resolution 68 affirming ''the private sector as the most crucial engine of the national economy''
The National Assembly voted to exempt tax for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for three years from the date of issuance of the business registration certificate.
The National Assembly voted to limit tax inspections to one a year for Corporations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individuals ''except in cases of clear signs of violations of the guidelines.''
The National Assembly voted to exempt Corporations from payment of tax for two years, voting for a 50 percent tax reduction for the following four years on income from innovative start-up activities, innovative start-up investment fund management companies, and intermediary organisations supporting innovative start-up.
''Tax exemption and reduction periods will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law on corporate income tax,'' said the National Assembly legislators.
The National Assembly claims that tax exemption for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will encourage engagement in digital transformation saying ''the State would allocate funds to provide free digital platform and accounting software for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).''
Corporations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including ndividuals iare reportedly to receive 2 percent annual interest subsidy from the State on loans used for the adoption of the (ESG) standards framework that recognises environmental, social, and government factors for investors, customers, employees and regulators.
The National Assembly approval of Resolution 68 to promote private sector development includes action against Corporations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individuals that violate the Political Bureau guidelines in Resolution 68 to improve the investment and business environment.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thailand joint venture partner with China surrenders to police for collapsed construction State Audit Office

Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development Co joint venture partner with China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), surrenders to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) at Bang Sue Police Station in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 16, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, May 18: Italian-Thai Development Co. (ITD) Thailand president, Premchai Karnasuta, joint venture partner with China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) in the construction of Thailand's State Audit Office (SAO) that collapsed in the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, surrendered to police on Friday, reports Reuters.
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Chief, Noppasin Poonsawat said Italian-Thai Development Co. (ITD) Thailand president, Premchai Karnasuta, was among 17 allegedly involved in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) charged with ''professional negligence causing death,''
''Builders, designers and engineers who reported to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok on Friday including, Zhang Chuanling, executive director of China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), formally denied charges of ''professional negligence causing death.'' said the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Chief Noppasin Poonsawat.
''Zhang Chuanling, executive director, China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC), was arrested for violating the Thailand Foreign Business Act (FBA) for allegedly using Thailand nominees to unlawfully operate the venture,'' said. the Deputy Chief Noppasin Poonsawat.
He said that the individuals who reported to the Police Headquarters in Bangkok on Friday had previously issued public denials of their involvement in the collapse of the 33 floor State Audit Office (SAO) that claimed 92 lives and left an unknown number of workers unaccounted.
''Evidence and testimony suggest the contruction of the State Audit Office (SAO) did not meet building standards and codes showing structural flaws in the core lift shaft and substandard concrete and steel,'' he said.
The State Audit Office (SAO) that collapsed in the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar was the sole building in Bangkok to collapse while surrounding high rise buildings remained standing, despite swaying with rooftop pools spilling into the streets below.
Thailand Ministry of Industry head, Thitipas Choddaechachainun, said steel rods used in the construction of the 33 floor State Audit Office (SAO) failed quality tests conducted by the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre.
The joint venture partners, Italian-Thai Development (ITD) an China state-owned China Railway No.10 Engineering Co (CREC) that began construction of the 33 floor State Audit Office (SAO) in 2020 had also been awarded contracts for a high-speed railway project in Thailand.
The contracts are part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), One Belt One Road (OBOR) or the New Silk Road, a major international infrastructure and investment project launched by China in 2013.
The Southeast Asian Times

Australia PM makes first official bilateral meeting to Indonesia after
re-election of Australian Labor Party

Indonesia President Prabowo, left, received an Australian national team jersey bearing Prabowo 08 representing his position as the 8th President of Indonesia, while Prime Minister Albanese, left, was presented with an Indonesian national team jersey inscribed with Albo 31, representing his position as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister at the Indonesian Presidential Palace on Thursday May 15, 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 17: The Australian Prime Minister was joined by a delegation of Australian ministers and business leaders including Football Australia on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese first official bilateral meeting after the re-election of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) last week, with Football Australia saying ''Football Australia remains committed to supporting Australia's engagement in Southeast Asia,'' reports Reuters.
''Our shared love of football is helping to unlock a broader conversation about regional cooperation,'' said CEO Heather Garriock.
The Australian delegation to Jakarta including the Australian Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Australian New South Wales Minister for Investment, Member of Parliament, Anoulack Chanthivong , met with Indonesian Minister for Sports and Youth Dito Ariotedjo and Indonesian Vice Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Todotua Pasaribu, with Football Australia’s Interim CEO, Heather Garriock, saying ''It’s about building relationships that last, on the pitch and beyond.''
''We see immense potential in working more closely with our Indonesian counterparts,'' she said.
Football Australia’s Interim CEO, Heather Garriock, said that ''Football Australia collaborated with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Business Sydney, Fitzpatrick & Co, and KPMG as host to convene a high-level forum focused on the intersection of sport, trade, and diplomacy at the match between Australia and Indonesia at the Sydney Football Stadium March 20, 2025.
Australia and Indonesia agreed to a new bilateral defence agreement in Australia during the visit of the Indonesian president-elect and Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, to Canberra that allowed the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces ( Army (TNI-AD) to operate from each other countries with then Indonesian president-elect Prabowo Subianto, saying ''Indonesia would remain non-aligned under his presidency.'''
Indonesian president-elect and Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, said Indonesia doesn't share the same threat perception as Australia towards China,'' saying “we have had our ups and downs as the geopolitical situation has evolved.''
He said Australia and Indonesia have had several decades of very close cooperation, saying ''Indonesia is determined to continue a good neighbour relationship.''
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new bilateral defence cooperation agreement will be a vital plank for Indonesia and Australia to support each others' security, saying ''the agreement is vital to both countries and also vital to the stability of the region that we share.''
Australian Defense Minister, Richard Marles, said ''the defence cooperation agreement will be the deepest, the most significant agreement that Indonesia and Australia have ever made,'' saying ''the agreement will provide for much greater interoperability between our defense forces.''
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesian Constitution Court has attracted record number of petitions against revived Indonesian Military Law

Constitutional Court of Indonesia Judge, Saldi Isra, said the lawsuit against the Indonesian National Military (TNI) Law made history, marking the first time numerous identical petitions were filed at the Constitutional Court of Indonesia, Friday May 9, 2025

From News Reports:s
Jakarta, May 16: Indonesia's Constitutional Court is to hear petitions filed by university students, civil groups and private citizens challenging the newly enacted Indonesian Military (TNI) Law that revived the abolished 2004 Defense Forces (TNI) Law that permits active military personnel to hold civilian institutional positions, with the Constitutional Court saying ''TNI Law has attracted the highest number of lawsuits in the Court's history,'' reports Jakarta Post.
"This is a first in the history of the Court," said Constitutional Court Judge, Saldi Isra.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to hold preliminary hearings for 11 lawsuits challenging the newly enacted Indonesian Military (TNI) Law with Constitutional Court, Judge Saldi Isra, saying ''most of the petitions were submitted by students from various universities across Indonesia.''
''Plaintiffs in cases 45, 55, 69 and 79 include three students representing the University of Indonesia, Padjadjaran University, and Brawijaya University,'' said Judge Saldi Isra.
Judge Saldi Isra encouraged the students to set aside institutional interests and collaborate, suggesting the students merge their cases.
"So they can strengthen each other's arguments, evidence, and other elements," he said.
University of Indonesia Faculty of Law, legal councel, Abu Rizal Biladina, said the lawsuit was filed because the students found that the legislative process behind the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law is flawed and unconstitutional.
He said that irregularities were evident in how the House of Representatives (DPR) bypassed standard procedures for drafting laws, saying ''the House of Representatives (DPR) should comply with the principles outlined in the Law on the Formation of Legislation.''
''The principle of transparency was ignored during the deliberation of the Indonesian Military Law (TNI) revision last March," he said.
On March 20, the House of Representatives (DPR) passed the revised abolished Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Law that allows expanded powers to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Law and permits military personnel to assume 14 civilian posts under Article 47 of (1) of the revised National Armed Forces (TNI) Law.
The revised National Armed Forces (TNI) Law allowed active military to take ministerial and agency positions, including: Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, Ministry of Defense, including the National Defense Council, State Secretariat that handles presidential secretariat affairs and the presidential military secretariat, State Intelligence Agency (5) State Cyber and/or Crypto Agency, National Resilience Institute National Search and Rescue (SAR) Agency, National Narcotics Agency, Supreme Court, National Border Management Agency (BNPP), Disaster Management Agency Counterterrorism Agency, Maritime Security Agency and Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia Junior Attorney General for Military Crime.
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, a former commander in the Special Detachment 88 anti-terror squad in the New Order regime of former president Suharto, revived the authoritarianism of the New Order regime under outgoing President Joko Widodo administration, with the Special Detachment 88 anti-terror squad proposal in 2023 that Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) officers hold positions in state ministries and institutions under the Reserve Component (Komcad) program for state civil servants (ASN).
The Southeast Asian Times

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte re-elected mayor of Davao City despite detention in The Hague

Vice President Sara Duterte after casting her vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School at Davao in Mindanao for mayor on Monday May 12, 2025

From News Reports:
Manila, May 14: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been
re-elected mayor of Davao City, in Mindanao, southern Philippines, despite his detention in The Hague in the Netherlands after an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March, with his daughter Sara Duterte saying ''plans were underway to ensure that her father would officially become mayor,'' reports Reuters.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte on grounds that ''the former President of the Philippines is individually responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.''
Commission on Elections (Comelec) results of the Davao City mayoral election show that former President Rodrigo Duterte received 635,948 votes for mayor of Davao City against 78,000 received by his nearest competitor after 77 percent of votes were counted on Monday.
Daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, vice president of the Philippines, Sara Duterte, said after casting her vote for mayor in Davao City on Monday, ''plans were underway to ensure that her father, Rodrigo Duterte, the incumbent mayor would officially become mayor.''
Vice President, Sara Duterte, said that International Criminal Court (ICC) lawyers and Philippine lawyers are discussing ''how to have him take his oath of office as the winner of the mayoral contest here in Davao City.''
Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) senior research fellow, Michael Henry Yusingco, said on Monday ''I don’t think that Rodrigo Duterte will ever be able to assume the mayoral office if he’s in The Hague.''
He said that there is a precedent for governing from a prison cell in the Philippines, citing former senator Leila de Lima, 63,
who consulted and cast votes via proxies from her prison cell at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial centre in Camp Crame in Quezon City since her arrest on February 24, 2017, until she was released on bail on November 13, 2023.
Former senator Leila de Lima, 63, also a former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair, was cleared of all charges of alleged involvement in the drug trade that were brought while she was the Justice Secretary under the former President Rodrigo Duterte campaign on the war on drugs.
former senator Leila de Lima, 63, had denied charges of alleged involvement in the drug trade that allegedly took place at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) where she consulted while she was the Justice Secretary.
Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) senior research fellow, Michael Henry Yusingco, said that ''former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's ability to remotely call the shots from The Hague in Davao City may be more compromised.''
''Rodrigo Duterte's ability to assume the role of mayor of Davao City may be more compromised given the distance and potential Hague restrictions on communication,'' he said.
He said that Rodrigo Duterte cannot be at City Hall in Davao City because of his circumstances, saying ''it is only logical that the vice mayor take over,'' he said.
The Southeast Asian Times

Vietnam and Russia to construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam after halting construction in 2016

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right and Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary To Lam in Moscow on Saturday May 10, 2025

From News Reports:
Hanoi, May 14: Vietnam and Russia agreed to construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam after Vietnam halted construction on the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant at Phuoc Dinh in Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan, in 2016, with Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary, To Lam, saying ''the development of nuclear power plants in Vietnam will benefit socio-economic development,'' reports Reuters.
"Advanced technology in the development of Nuclear Power Plants will be compliant with nuclear and radiation safety regulations,'' he said.
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary, To Lam, and the Russian Federation president, Vladimir Putin, agreed to construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on Saturday on the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Vietnam and Russia have also agreed to boost cooperation in oil and gas industries including the provision of Russian crude oil and liquefied natural gas to Vietnam.
Russia and Vietnam will reportedly also facilitate the expansion of their energy companies in Vietnam and Russia.
Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary, To Lam said that Vietnam aims to support its fast growing economy and is committed to increasing its power generation capacity through the use of nuclear energy.
Vietnam and Russia have agreed to construct the Ninh Thuun 1 Nuclear Power Plant at Phuoc Dinh in Thuun Nam District, Ninh Thuan after construction was halted by the Vietnam National Assembly in 2016
The Vietnam Ninh Thuun 1 Nuclear Power Plant was to be constructed in partnersip with Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of the Russian State Corporation, Rosatom, and operated by Vietnam State Owned electricity company EVN Vietnam with fuel supplied and reprocessed by Russian State Corporation, Rosatom.
The Vietnam National Assembly passed a resolution to halt the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant in 2016, citing concerns about the projects economic vialbility including rising costs and Vietnam's high public debt.
In 2010 United States Ambassador to Ha Noi then, Michael Michalak, and Viet Nam’s Deputy Science and Technology Minister Le Dinh Tien signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the development of nuclear energy,
The agreement was to provide opportunities for cooperation in the training of personnel; security and safety; provision of reliable nuclear fuel sources and the management of spent nuclear materials and radioactive waste.
Deputy Science and Technology Minister Le Dinh Tien Minister Le Dinh Tien said then at the signing ceremony that ''Viet Nam had widely applied nuclear radiation techniques and was now implementing a nuclear power programme for socio-economic development.
''Viet Nam has already signed nuclear energy cooperation agreements with Russia, China, France, South Korea, India and Argentina, he said.
In 2010 Vietnam Deputy Minister Science and Technology, Le Dinh Tien, and then China’s Deputy Energy Minister, Qian Zhi Ming signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a cooperative agreement for the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes between Vietnam and China.
Vietnam's Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, said then it was essential to devise a regional energy policy; study the possibility of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and promote dialogue and cooperation between businesses and governments to ensure the Association of South East Asean Nation (ASEAN) energy plan was implemented properly and effectively.
The Southeast Asian Times

Thaksin Shinawatra denied travel to Qatar despite claim to have meeting with US President Donald Trump

Former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, left, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, centre, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, in Brunei Wednesday February 19, 2025

From News Reports:
Bangkok, Tuesday 13: The Thailand Appeals Court upheld the Bangkok Criminal Court's decision to deny former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a request to travel to Qatar to attend the Qatar World Leadership Summit 2025 in July that includes a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, with the former Prime Minister saying 'the court decision was a lost opportunity for Thailand,'' reports the Bangkok Post.
Former senator, Somchai Swangkarn, said that the Appeals Court upheld the Criminal Court decision on grounds that ''there is no proof of a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Qatar.''
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed in his request to the Criminal Court that was upheld in the Appeals Court that he would have the opportunity to meet with U.S. President Donald Trum and his economic team during the visit to Qatar.
The Appeals Court upheld the Criminal Court's decision that the Qatar Leadership Summit 2025 on 29 and 30 July coincides with the witness testimony at the hearing from July 1 to 23 on the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's stay at the Police General Hospital for 180 days instead of prison.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Medical Council of Thailand accused the Department of Corrections (DoC)Thailand and the Police General Hospital in Bangkok of not cooperating in the investigation into former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital for 180 days.
Inmates at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok are legally permitted to receive treatment outside prison for 120 days but the Department of Corrections Thailand allowed Thaksin Shinawatra to stay at the Police General Hospital for 180 days, saying that conditions in the prison could threaten his life.
The Appeals Court upheld the Criminal Court denial of the request by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to travel to the Qatar Leadership Summit 2025 on 29 and 30 July, with former senator, Somchai Swangkarn, saying ''the Criminal Court deemed the invitation to Qatar to be a personal matter.''
The Appeals Court upheld the Criminal Court denial of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra request to attend the Qatar World Leadership Summit 2025 on 29 and 30 July despite permission given by the court to attend an Association South East Asean (ASEAN) meeting in Malaysia on February 2 and 3 and an ASEAN meeting in Brunei on February 19 and 20.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is prohibited from leaving Thailand without permission from the court under bail conditions imposed by the court pending his trial for alleged violation of Lese Majeste Law and the Computor Crime Act.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was charged on his return to Thailand in August 22, 2022 from exile in Dubai and Hong Kong after fleeing Thailand in 2008 to avoid trial for nonfeasance and malfeasance while holding the position of Prime Minister.
The Southeast Asian Times

Indonesia changes fuel supplier from Singapore to US as part of tariff negotiations

Minister of Energy and Mineral resource Bahlil Lahadalia at the Mandiri Investment Forum (MIF) Jakarta, Tuesday February 2025

From News Reports:
Jakarta, May 12: Indonesia plans to change fuel supplier from Singapore to the United States as part of ongoing negotiations over high tariffs imposed on Indonesia by the US, with Indonesia Minister of Energy and Mineral Resource, saying ''imports of fuel from Singapore would be reduced to zero eventually,'' reports Reuters.
Indonesia Minister of Energy and Mineral resource, Bahlil Lahadalia, said ''Indonesia will look to gradually eliminate its shipments of oil products from Singapore,'' saying, ''It is not only a matter of price but also geopolitical issues, we need to have a trade balance with the United States.''
''The US currently imposes a 32 percent tariff on Indonesian goods but the implementation of these tariffs has been postponed until July to allow for further negotiations.'' he said.
He said Indonesia plans to import 60 percent of Indonesia's total fuel from the United States in the intital phase, saying ''this move is part of Indonesia's strategy to balance its trade relations with the U.S.''
He said that Indonesia's State-owned oil and natural gas corporation, PT Pertamina, are ready to implement the plan to change fuel suppliers from Singapore to the United States, saying ''PT Pertimina is considering increasing its fuel storage capacity to accommodated supplies from the U.S.''
''Until now, Singapore has been the primary supplier of fuel products to Indonesia despite Singapore not producing its own crude oil,'' he said.
He said that Indonesia imports about 290,000 barrels of gasoline and gasoil per day from Singapore, saying '' the materialisation of plan to change the supply of fuel from Singapore to the United States is expected to have a significant impact on the tanker shipping market.''
''Indonesia aims to increase crude oil imports from the US by up to ten times the current level,'' he said.
He said Indonesia's State-owned oil and natural gas corporation, PT Pertimina , is constructing a dock to support the arrival of larger fuel tanker vessels, saying ''the reduction in imports from Singapore will begin within the next six months.''
Singapore serves as a refining hub and a major supplier of fuel to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, pending ASEAN member, Timor Leste and ASEAN observer member Australia.
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

What they're saying open page here

MEDIA CHECK

Cambodia-China Journalist Association (CCJA) launched in Phnom Penh ...open here

CLASSIFIED Advertisements click 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

CLASSIFIED Advertisements click here

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

CLASSIFIED Advertisements click 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

Indonesia ready for big 'brother' role in ASEAN
By Prashanth Parameswaran .......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

CLASSIFIED Advertisements click here

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