Six armed ethnic groups in Myanmar have forged an agreement to join forces, fearing they will be attacked by the regime after Sunday's election, an exile news agency said on Thursday.
The 'landmark deal' was struck on Tuesday in the Thai-Myanmar town of Mae Hong Son and included the most powerful ethnic armies. The reported alliance comes amid fears that civil war could break out between the government and several ethnic groups who have denounced the elections as a means to end their decades-long struggle for autonomy under a federal system. 'The Burmese army could wage wars against ethnic groups after the election. Therefore it is essential for the ethnic groups to cooperate and help each other,' the agency quoted David Tharckabaw, vice president of the Karen National Union, as saying. The other members of the alliance include organisations from the Karenni, Chin, Kachin, Mon and Shan minorities. Some, like the Karen, have been fighting the regime for decades, but others had signed cease-fire pacts that now appear in jeopardy.
With increasing tension, the government has cancelled voting in 3,400 villages in ethnic areas and has increased its military presence in the countryside. Several of the cease-fire groups are boycotting the election
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599273.html
China and Cambodia in US$1.6b deal
China will inject US$1.6 billion (S$2.05 billion) into Cambodian infrastructure over five years, officials said on Thursday, just days after the US urged the country not to become too dependent on the Asian giant. 'Within the next five years, Cambodia and China will have 23 co-operation projects,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told reporters after a meeting between China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen. China also plans to help Cambodia build a new railway to neighbouring Vietnam, providing one of the last missing links for a pan-Asian network that would connect Singapore with China's Kunming by train, according to the spokesman.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599422.html
Merapi Keeps on Erupting
At least 138 people have died since Mount Merapi started erupting Oct 26. It has not stopped to erupt ever since. Scientists such as Mr Surono, a state volcanologist, says It seems like Indonesia ‘may be entering an even worse stage,' 'We have no idea what's happening now'.The volcano, one of the world's most active, has erupted many times in the last century, often with deadly results. In 1994, 60 people were killed, while in 1930, more than a dozen villages were torched, leaving up to 1,300 dead.
More than 70,000 are now packed in crowded government camps well away from the base and may have to stay for weeks, or possibly months.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599296.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599088.html
Islamic Extremist Sentenced to Jail
An Islamic extremist was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for his role in anti-Christian bombings and killings in an area of Indonesia with a history of religious violence. Eko Budi Wardoyo, also known as Munsif, took part in a series of attacks on Christians in the province of Central Sulawesi, a West Jakarta district court judge said. 'We sentence him for 10-year in prison. He has inspired fear and spread terror' judge Supeno said. He said Wardoyo had advised bombers who killed 22 people at a busy market in the predominantly Christian town of Tentena in Poso district in May 2005. Also, he appointed the murderers of reverend Ms Tinulele in Palu in 2004, where three members of the congregation were also killed.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599270.html
Thai Court Fired 6 Lawmakers
Six Thai lawmakers have lost their seats after a court found them guilty of violating a conflict of interest law.
Thailand's constitution bans lawmakers from benefiting from ventures linked to state concessions. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat - through his spouse - and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit held shares in a state enterprise involved with oil exploration and production. The other four lawmakers, some from the opposition, also held shares in privatized state enterprises.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599088.html
2 Quantas Jet Scares
Quantas, Australia's flagship carrier, moved quickly on Saturday to protect its reputation after one of its Boeing 747 jets experienced an engine failure on Friday night and was forced to return to Singapore's Changi Airport. The incident occurred just one day after a Qantas Airbus 380 engine also combusted, raining debris down onto Batam Island in Indonesia. Both flights were travelling from Singapore to Sydney.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Singapore_20101106.html
Singaporean Terrorist Wanted in the Philippines
Singaporean terrorist Manobo, also known as Muawiyah, is one of the top three militants linked to Jemaah Islamiah being hunted in the Philippines, said security expert Rommel Banlaoi on Tuesday. In his address to the National Security Seminar, he said the bombmaker works closely with the more dangerous of the other wanted militants - Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan - and the Abu Sayyaf group. The Philippine government has announced a reward of US$50,000 for Muawiyah's capture, and for Marwan's arrest, the reward is US$5 million.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_601458.html
Malaysia’s National Front Wins Election
Malaysia’s ruling coalition celebrated impressive victories in two special elections on Thursday, signaling an apparent fall in support for the opposition that might embolden Prime Minister Najib Razak to call early national polls.
The results are a major morale boost for the National Front coalition, which has battled to regain public support after clinging on to power despite losing more than one-third of the seats in Parliament in 2008 general elections.
For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599296.html
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