tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7109364349162454442024-03-13T00:43:52.045-04:00SEASA Blog!SEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-46768875942766319332011-04-24T12:30:00.002-04:002011-04-24T12:49:12.167-04:00Updates for the week of April 18th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Minister wants to know why 72 Malaysians jailed in China </span><br />April 19, 2011<br /><br />Currently there are 72 Malaysians detained in China for drug trafficking and smuggling<br />offenses. Foreign Minister Datuk Deri Anifah Aman asks why: "We need to find out where we should tighten our rules and the reasons behind the crime. We need to find out why."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_658493.html">Original article. </a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Vietnam - Vietnam’s Inflation Accelerates to Fastest Pace in 28 Months</span><br />April 23, 2011<br /><br />Vietnam's inflation rate accelerated to the fastest pace its had since 2008. Consumer prices increased 17% since one year ago. “Inflation shows little signs of responding to monetary and fiscal austerity just yet,” said Bill Stoops.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-23/vietnam-s-inflation-accelerates-to-fastest-pace-in-28-months.html">Original Article</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand - Thai army denies using toxic gas in Cambodian border battle</span><br />April 23, 2011<br /><br />Battles that began April 22 have killed five Thais and six Cambodians, ending two months of peace since the United Nations Security council urged a permanent cease-fire on Feb. 14. Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Thai soldiers used "heavy guns loaded with poisonous gas" in yesterday's fighting.<br />Thailand denies any accusations of doing so.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-23/thai-army-denies-using-toxic-gas-in-cambodian-border-battle.html">Original article. </a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Indonesian police find explosives at suspect's home </span><br />April 24, 2011<br /><br />Indonesian police say they found explosive material after a search of an alleged bomber's home in the city of Bekasi. The suspect, who is identified by his initial P, has been connected to the failed attempt to detonate a bomb in a cathedral.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_660604.html">Original article. </a>SEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-80620501381104991722011-04-14T11:59:00.014-04:002011-04-17T18:11:38.721-04:00Updates for the week of April 11th<font style="font-weight: bold;">Thailand</font><font style="font-weight: bold;"> - Thailand wants to close Myanmar refugee camps</font><br />April 11, 2011<br /><br />Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that "They[Myanmar refugee camps] have been in Thailand for more than 20 years and it became our burden to take care of them", after Thailand showed desires to close its Myanmar refugee camps following Myanmar's first election in 20 years. They want to send back the more than 100,000 residents in these camps.No definite date has been announced but the Thai government is currently in discussion with the Myanmar government.<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_655524.html"><br />Original article</a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - M'sia unveils 10-year capital market growth blueprint<font style="font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-weight: bold;"></font></font><br /></font>April 12, 2011<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110412/razak.ap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110412/razak.ap.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br /><br />Malaysia announced a 10-year plan to strengthen its capital markets with goals to triple the size of its capital market to $1.9 trillion (S$2.$ trillion) by 2020. The plan promised to "speed up approval for business, improve fund-raising rules and allocate more funds to venture capital and private equity firms." Essentially, the plan provides for a more business and investment friendly market in Malaysia.<br />The Prime Minister Najib Razak states that "we are paving the way not only for a more equitable society but for a Malaysia that is more stable, more transparent and more market-friendly."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_655837.html">Original article</a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Philippine army arrests bomb suspect with JI links</font><br />April 13, 2011<br /><br />Abi Pamanay, a suspected militant believed to be a liaison between Muslim rebels and a southeast terrorist network, was arrested in the central part of Mindanao Island on Tuesday based on an arrest warrant for murder in connection with bombing attacks. Philippine army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz accused Pamanay of being a member of the largest Muslim separatist group and a "senior associate" of notorious bomb-maker Adul Basit Usman who is a Filipino on the US State Department's list of most-wanted terrorists. Pamanay did not resist arrest and denied the charges against him.<br /><br />For more information on JI visit this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemaah_Islamiyah">site</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_656246.html"><br />Original article</a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Cholera outbreak kills 19 in Philippine tribe<br /></font>April 14, 2011<br /><br />An outbreak of cholera killed 19 remote cave-dwelling Philippine tribe members and affected more than 400 others. Treatment of the Palawanon tribe proves difficult with the tribe's poor hygiene and isolation. Manuel Mapue, the head of a government dispatched medical team, concluded that cholera was to blame; initially, doctors made a wrong diagnosis of the diarrhea.<br />The area had no portable water system and samples from the rivers used by the tribes showed positive for feces contamination.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_656762.html">Original article</a><br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">Indonesia - Suicide bomber wounds 26 at Indonesian mosque</font><br />April 15, 2011<br /><br />A suicide bomber wounded 26 people at an Indonesian mosque during Friday prayers in the West Java town of Cirebon. Many of the injured were police officers.SEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-67869048009395593702011-04-10T22:19:00.002-04:002011-04-10T22:31:38.081-04:00Updates for the week of April 4th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand - Why Thai Rice Production May Decline</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.businessweek.com/mz/11/16/600/1116_mz_9econthairice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 300px;" src="http://images.businessweek.com/mz/11/16/600/1116_mz_9econthairice.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />As world supply of rice increases, the price goes down, making it harder on Thai's farmers who are currently struggling with less than reasonable prices and less than expected production. <br />Ever since 1965 Thailand has prospered from its rice exports. Thai farmers say production costs are higher than income, they can't afford to continue planting. <br />The government has proposed to reduce annual exports by 20% and focus on higher grade rice, in addition to installing a southeast Asian standard for rice quality.<br />This means Thailand is ready its role of being the leading rice exporter. <br /><br />http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_16/b4224009283905.htm<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore - Lim Boon Heng stepping down</span><br /><br />Lim Boon Heng, a minister in Prime Minister's Lee Hsein loong's office, announced that he will not be seeking re=election.<br />He plans to continue serving in the People's association and the National Trades Union Congress.<br />But he did not specify whether he would continue with the People's Action party.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_655155.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Indonesia may extend interest-rate pause as inflation slows</span><br /><br />Indonesia's central bank will probably extend the pause in raising interest rates after inflation slowed for the second month in march.<br />The official decision comes out tomorrow. <br />They raised the key rate,determines bank lending rates and the cost of credit for borrowers, for the first time in February, stating that the strengthening currency is helping reduce price gains. An economist comments that "They have to raise rates sooner rather than later as just tightening via the exchange-rate channel will not be enough.”<br /><br />http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-10/indonesia-may-extend-interest-rate-pause-as-inflation-slows.html<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Malaysian MP says men have affairs as wives 'neglect' duty </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110407/ibrahimali-07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 350px;" src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110407/ibrahimali-07.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />"MALAYSIAN men have extramarital sex because of 'wives who neglect their responsibilities' to their husbands, a Malaysian lawmaker told Parliament on Thursday, outraging women's groups."<br />Men say that when the arrive home, their wives ignore their marital duties and put of the sexual advances of their husbands.<br />But "In Islam, wives are supposed to stop everything to fulfill their husband's demands." said Ibrahim Ali who heads a right-wing <alay nationalist group which seeks to protect ethnic Malay dominance in politics. <br />"Wives failing in their duties pushed men to go to 'private places to satisfy their urges", he said. -- AFP"<br /><br /><br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_654381.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-72875209968372774112011-04-03T19:05:00.005-04:002011-04-03T19:12:31.653-04:00News Updates for Week of March 28th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Rebels Kill 8 of Politician’s Staff<br /></span><br />Muslim rebels killed eight armed employees of a local politician in a clash in the southern Philippines on Sunday, the military said. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels opened fire at the armed security staff of a Muslim political clan at its property on Mindanao island. 'The clash left at least eight people dead, at least four injured and there are two missing on the Mangudadatu side,' Colonel Asto said, referring to the property owners who are related to Esmael Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao province. The clash came amid peace talks between President Benigno Aquino's government and the 12,000-member MILF, which has been waging a decades-old armed campaign that has left 150,000 people dead according to some estimates.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652582.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Vietnam - Thousands Cheered Capture of Revered Turtle<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcDG5TjYp8oGSvOEpSr0PhMDB62oHT4O1mKhgeSQJnCtCYmeVEiBQfwk4tCKVQACX49k-jwwpA60A2oz-YhMiSvmTSIjbf_KN1zNvaFLwW8SxV1xu_PCnVLJ0z6tZgPKD4K8BTqNf2Pw/s1600/turtle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcDG5TjYp8oGSvOEpSr0PhMDB62oHT4O1mKhgeSQJnCtCYmeVEiBQfwk4tCKVQACX49k-jwwpA60A2oz-YhMiSvmTSIjbf_KN1zNvaFLwW8SxV1xu_PCnVLJ0z6tZgPKD4K8BTqNf2Pw/s400/turtle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591498785851851634" /></a><br />Thousands of onlookers cheered in central Hanoi on Sunday when rescuers captured for treatment an endangered and ailing giant turtle revered as a symbol of Vietnam's centuries-old independence struggle. This is one of the most endangered animals in the world and there's very little known about it.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652576.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Two of Fifteen Hostages Freed<br /></span><br />Two of a group of 15 teachers and students hostages taken by armed tribesmen in the Philippines were freed on Sunday, hours after the kidnappers failed to show for talks with the government, police said.<br />The abduction of the group on Saturday was part of a bid by members of the forest-dwelling Manobo tribe to secure the release of a relative held in prison while on trial over a similar mass kidnapping in 2009, officials said.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652531.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Gold Bags of Cash Seized from “Dirty” Customs Officers<br /></span><br />Gold bars and bags of cash containing up to RM600,000 (USD 200K) have been discovered in the homes of several Customs officers during raids by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Other ill-gotten stash included luxury watches and posh cars.<br /><br />The MACC seized millions of ringgit from at least five of the 62 Customs officers arrested to date in a series of raids over under-declaration of duties and tax evasion. MACC investigation director Datuk Mustafar Ali said a Customs director arrested last Tuesday had millions of ringgit spread over several bank accounts. Another officer had almost RM1 million (USD 330K) in his bank acount. Two others had between RM500,000 and RM850,000, he told a press conference on Saturday.<br /><br />It is learnt that investigations by a task force estimated that about RM10bil (USD 3.3B) had been smuggled out or remitted overseas.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652523.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Myanmar Warns against Decadent Dress for New Years<br /></span><br />Revellers who wear 'decadent' clothing during Myanmar's upcoming New Year's celebrations can face up to a month in prison, a news report said on Sunday.<br />The four-day festival begins April 13 and marks the traditional New Year on the lunisolar calendar that is also used in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It's one of the few times when Myanmar's citizens can cut loose under the watchful eye of the repressive regime. Revellers in the impoverished country splash one another with water and dance in the streets, despite annual warnings of proper etiquette from the government.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652500.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore – Yale-NUS to Open in 2013<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTLVmiB99d0eI6DZFme5aylkWVrp9rkdJUzvOFtPE0gCbbjHUYc0HcB8_1FyVHe2S7riH0CAAwnlTkEtXBz4g_2o8iRZfgdVsvWYZ5vIz37lsnbB6Tke11OvF6iT9esW03jKWwnwViKk/s1600/nus.ashleighsim.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTLVmiB99d0eI6DZFme5aylkWVrp9rkdJUzvOFtPE0gCbbjHUYc0HcB8_1FyVHe2S7riH0CAAwnlTkEtXBz4g_2o8iRZfgdVsvWYZ5vIz37lsnbB6Tke11OvF6iT9esW03jKWwnwViKk/s400/nus.ashleighsim.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591498787278591506" /></a><br />Yale-National University of Singapore liberal arts college is finally a done deal.<br />On Thursday, the two universities announced that the 'Yale-NUS College', as it will be called, will open in 2013 and at a steady state admit 250 students a year. They will take up general education courses that will synthesise Western and Asian perspectives in the first two years, before going on to concentrate on a major. At the end of the four years, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Science (Honours) awarded by NUS, but their degree scrolls will include the Yale-NUS College name.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_651510.html<br /><br />Thanks for checking in! <br />SEASA <3sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-34188288696213910072011-03-27T19:00:00.001-04:002011-03-27T19:03:36.572-04:00News Updates for Week of March 21st<span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia – Muslims Protest Gaddafi<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_VVOvCV1Umldv6w7uRNEaRIk5dotwSeyf5_q0pHrJb2DDr2YRq0znRDk6Hb4ikKkoHqFIJSPhti_o9tb5md0Hb7rwgzNUEkR46Pp4OO_YDhZrd3oy1OfK83u66URC8kBGrQcezARNVc/s1600/20110327181924380.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_VVOvCV1Umldv6w7uRNEaRIk5dotwSeyf5_q0pHrJb2DDr2YRq0znRDk6Hb4ikKkoHqFIJSPhti_o9tb5md0Hb7rwgzNUEkR46Pp4OO_YDhZrd3oy1OfK83u66URC8kBGrQcezARNVc/s400/20110327181924380.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588899038492373122" /></a><br />MORE than 10,000 Muslims marched on Sunday in Indonesia to support pro-democracy and reform movements in Libya, Yemen and Bahrain, calling for the immediate resignation of Libya's leader and protection of civilians. Men, women and children attending the rally in the capital of the world's most populous Muslim nation waved Indonesian flags and shouted 'Allah akbar,' Arabic for 'God is great.' Banners and placards carried by marchers read: 'Revolution for freedom,' 'No to Dictator Gaddafi' or criticised the international air strikes that have checked Libya's military and helped rebels gain control of key towns.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_649994.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Two 7.0 Earthquakes hit Myanmar<br /></span><br />Two strong earthquakes struck north-eastern Myanmar less than a minute apart on Thursday night. They could be felt as far away as Bangkok, but a tsunami was not generated. The first 7.0-magnitude quake was just 10km deep, according to the US Geological Survey. It was followed by another of the same strength but far deeper: 230km. The quakes struck along Myanmar's borders with Thailand and Laos, about 110km from the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai. Buildings swayed in Bangkok, 800km south of the epicenter. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says it was located too far inland to create a destructive wave.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_648925.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand Rejects Foreign Election Monitors<br /></span><br />Thailand on Thursday dismissed suggestions that foreign observers were needed to monitor its upcoming election, with the deputy prime minister saying he does 'not respect' Westerners. It would be 'inappropriate' to allow outside involvement in the poll, which is due in June or July and comes after deadly street protests last year, said Suthep Thaugsuban. 'I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them,' he said, using the Thai word for 'Westerners'.<br />Thailand has never officially allowed election monitors to operate during its polls, but anti-government 'Red Shirts' have recently called for international observers to be present. 'I am surprised that Red Shirts do not respect our country's sovereignty... I don't understand why they constantly call for foreign involvement, it is inappropriate,' Mr Suthep told reporters.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_648749.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Police Arrested 2 in Connection with Sex Video<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK5QTq2LOMurv7w_TQO24Pm7-0KfZIC8nZMkG095rA21-ln8p9yCmsPbUWKhK9kawN_zZLFpCfg75yZs1ds8ug-Vf92IU-0pnUmTzl3403zTA0wQkFFJmsB66kByYcRZDHvmcdAqqY2I/s1600/datukt-25.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK5QTq2LOMurv7w_TQO24Pm7-0KfZIC8nZMkG095rA21-ln8p9yCmsPbUWKhK9kawN_zZLFpCfg75yZs1ds8ug-Vf92IU-0pnUmTzl3403zTA0wQkFFJmsB66kByYcRZDHvmcdAqqY2I/s400/datukt-25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588899037116106450" /></a><br />Police arrested two men in connection with the sex video of a man who is said to resemble a prominent opposition politician having sex with a foreign prostitute. It is learnt that the two - former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik and businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah - are now out on police bail.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_649229.html<br /><br />Thanks for checking in! <br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-91734042913807183992011-03-13T18:40:00.002-04:002011-03-13T19:18:16.784-04:00News Article for Week of March 14thSEASA extends our deepest condolences to those harmed by the tsunami and earthquake in Japan that occurred over the past week. We hope your family and friends are safe and sound, and we wish Japan a swift recovery.<br /><br />Here’s a special news article. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Japanese PM on Disaster<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1vob2F9Bv0kT-GeWuN4sghxVq8i6EOvWZpIjp00USgkilMDUhS-dA4fPzw3WPpUyNUdT9lkk1EuGEc3RnIbBD4F935GL_3cdlk_LYzDa8mey1_1IMXs7CU5qe7x24niSmn_Uhr_MYRg/s1600/japan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1vob2F9Bv0kT-GeWuN4sghxVq8i6EOvWZpIjp00USgkilMDUhS-dA4fPzw3WPpUyNUdT9lkk1EuGEc3RnIbBD4F935GL_3cdlk_LYzDa8mey1_1IMXs7CU5qe7x24niSmn_Uhr_MYRg/s400/japan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583707687829050850" /></a><br />Japan is facing its worst crisis in the 65 years since the end of World War II, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said on Sunday, calling on the nation to unite after it was devastated by a huge earthquake. The situation at a quake-stricken atomic power plant also remains grave, Mr Kan said as engineers battled a nuclear emergency sparked by the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the devastating tsunami it triggered.<br /><br />'The current situation of the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear plants is in a way the most severe crisis in the past 65 years since World War II,' Mr Kan said at a press conference. 'Whether we Japanese can overcome this crisis depends on each of us,' Mr Kan said, calling for the nation to unite. 'I strongly believe that we can get over this great earthquake and tsunami by joining together.'<br /><br />Japan battled a feared meltdown of two reactors at a quake-hit nuclear plant Sunday, as the full horror of the disaster emerged on the ravaged north-east coast where more than 10,000 people were feared dead.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_644763.html<br /><br />And for some Southeast Asian news,<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bibles issue being resolved amicably<br /></span><br />The issue of the impounding of 30,000 Bibles at Port Klang and Kuching Port is being resolved amicably with the parties concerned, based on advice from the Attorney-General. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the situation was not due to the books or the material but the pending appeal by the Catholic Herald over the use of the word 'Allah' in its publication. Mr Hishammuddin was commenting on the controversy over the impounding of the Bibles following calls by the Sarawak government for the books to be released immediately.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_644698.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Red Shirts Mark 1 Year Protest Anniversary <br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPOKVnBAwK6O-qst7JpoaqmMXRkeDbNDA8I8ubMR3duScqPo08jaiFiJaVoKmkz6IlP_nhhGTTgzdohBv0R1RR23IZS3vePivlPdddeUi6BALgoShauMW5ySeWFYj2eVSTyIgTwsg2TA/s1600/red.ap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPOKVnBAwK6O-qst7JpoaqmMXRkeDbNDA8I8ubMR3duScqPo08jaiFiJaVoKmkz6IlP_nhhGTTgzdohBv0R1RR23IZS3vePivlPdddeUi6BALgoShauMW5ySeWFYj2eVSTyIgTwsg2TA/s400/red.ap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583707690571494226" /></a><br />Thousands of anti-government 'Red Shirt' demonstrators took to Bangkok's streets on Saturday amid a heavy police presence, marking a year since the start of protests in the capital that turned deadly. Thai society remains deeply divided following political violence that left about 90 people dead - mostly civilians - in a series of bloody street clashes between armed troops and protesters in April and May last year. Police estimated that about 25,000 people had joined Saturday's gathering by early evening with the numbers expected to increase later for a video-link address by the Reds' hero, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. 'In the past year we have suffered excruciating pain and been suppressed by the elite,' said Nattawut Saikuar, one of seven main leaders of the movement recently released on bail after nine months in prison.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_644652.html<br /><br />To end on a high note, SEASA’s Culture Show is this Saturday at Lyons Rat! Be there for some terrific performances!!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />SEASASEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-69043547855748585442011-02-27T13:47:00.003-05:002011-02-27T13:55:12.227-05:00News Updates for Week of February 21st<span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Army Did Not Kill Reuters Cameraman<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk30twdQAlNAxsG1B_0ChDgl-k_TdzD-h7-twmkb00M40u5mGQibbgu7X1dbmjrjVXgw7iS4Q0sE7_M1e-Bz3nyvf95HkD0b7ocaK4Vxcwf8-qe0w_hmy227qk5fVmZQLWiPEWR6YrdsY/s1600/facebook+fun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk30twdQAlNAxsG1B_0ChDgl-k_TdzD-h7-twmkb00M40u5mGQibbgu7X1dbmjrjVXgw7iS4Q0sE7_M1e-Bz3nyvf95HkD0b7ocaK4Vxcwf8-qe0w_hmy227qk5fVmZQLWiPEWR6YrdsY/s400/facebook+fun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578443394679407266" /></a><br />Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has concluded that Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who was killed during political protests last year, was not shot by security forces, the head of the DSI said on Sunday.<br />That conclusion contradicts a preliminary finding in a DSI report leaked to Reuters in December, which indicated the bullet that killed the Japanese journalist on April 10 came from the direction of troops.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_639469.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Future Uncertain for Children in Baby Scam<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtGtefb1P51ueQ_zpFEOxBpERyZFHWnFEpaIZXjI-cPqC9LokUpBdUs1UXp1KqoRHiEtWvwGDg1b2O10vthic4W1fdKORMSTdxXEEffiGVEyU1Z8CGvl2eUIInhe0HBoT0WalO11uw80/s1600/ST_19269170.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtGtefb1P51ueQ_zpFEOxBpERyZFHWnFEpaIZXjI-cPqC9LokUpBdUs1UXp1KqoRHiEtWvwGDg1b2O10vthic4W1fdKORMSTdxXEEffiGVEyU1Z8CGvl2eUIInhe0HBoT0WalO11uw80/s400/ST_19269170.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578443400357122770" /></a><br />The fate of around nine unborn children hangs in the balance as Thai authorities weigh what to do with the offspring of Vietnamese women freed from an illegal baby breeding ring in Bangkok.<br />A total of 14 women, half of them pregnant, were freed on Wednesday from an operation using them as surrogates for wealthy childless couples overseas who placed orders for newborns online. A few were offered up to US$5,000 (S$6,364) per baby.<br />'There is a risk that those children might end up as stateless, that they won't get citizenship anywhere,' said Benedict Phillips, Asia strategy director at Save The Children. Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has described the gang, which operated under the name Baby 101, as 'illegal and inhuman' and suggested some of the women had been raped.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_639452.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia – Businessman Pays SGD 9 Million Ransom<br /></span><br />A businessman from Singapore was forced to pay a staggering SGD $9 million to secure the release of his family in what has been described as Malaysia's largest ransom payment in recent years.<br />The nightmare began when the businessman's wife, their maid and daughter were driving home. They were forced off the road by another vehicle in Permas Jaya recently. Subsequently, the kidnappers took over the wheel and drove off with the three of them to an undisclosed location.<br />Bukit Aman sources said that the kidnappers sent an MMS of the three victims being held at gunpoint to the businessman before demanding a ransom of $50 million. The kidnappers warned the millionaire, who has businesses in real-estate and gaming, not to alert the police and to pay up if he wanted his family back. It is learnt that after negotiations, the kidnappers agreed to a ransom of $9 million and demanded that the money be prepared in large denominations of Singapore dollars.<br />Apparently, the businessman was then instructed to drive to a plantation in Kulaijaya to drop off the money. Sources said that the victims were only released at least two days after the ransom was paid. It is learnt that they were blindfolded and gagged during the ordeal which lasted several days. The three victims, who were all unharmed, were eventually dropped off around Danga Bay.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_639384.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Former Tennis Star and Miss Universe to Breakup<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eGc5XWfYJ3Wxvork1BvUx2CptdXx2OtJ6Ec-s5nbBsXiL8O6Ay3d5XS7b6C-rF9cvJ1Q-IHLNjFm08TA66QRqWzNtfk9kYJIgtNlI31r6CAxWmtE4o4DDv2XbAlYu5eGFn9hdVjCOX8/s1600/paradorn.ap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eGc5XWfYJ3Wxvork1BvUx2CptdXx2OtJ6Ec-s5nbBsXiL8O6Ay3d5XS7b6C-rF9cvJ1Q-IHLNjFm08TA66QRqWzNtfk9kYJIgtNlI31r6CAxWmtE4o4DDv2XbAlYu5eGFn9hdVjCOX8/s400/paradorn.ap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578443397016208130" /></a><br />Former tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan and 2005 Miss Universe Natalie Glebova will tell the public about their breakup for the first time in a prerecorded television program.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_639178.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Increase in Arms a Cause for Concern<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKMU0bDJSvT-QCp7LM0eKhH6gc_WaqH8GSyKN_1d0Gfkah4aFgr3wu_UqgRA8dpqHTaUXdQrbO2Q194CsdPFCma21Uz-ui74w0FNSLQK9f9cjjXZWfoHKDCsP_rcW8UZb8yT63iAwWAE/s1600/20110228002849004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKMU0bDJSvT-QCp7LM0eKhH6gc_WaqH8GSyKN_1d0Gfkah4aFgr3wu_UqgRA8dpqHTaUXdQrbO2Q194CsdPFCma21Uz-ui74w0FNSLQK9f9cjjXZWfoHKDCsP_rcW8UZb8yT63iAwWAE/s400/20110228002849004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578443391174307954" /></a><br />From petty crime to armed robbery to major terrorism operations, the increasing use of illicit firearms in Indonesia has reached a level that security experts warn must be addressed.<br />“Armed robbery has been around for years, but the cases seem to have intensified recently,” said Suryo Guritno, an independent weapons expert. Police say there were almost 1,000 crimes involving guns or explosives last year. In a special report, the Jakarta Globe looks at the various ways civilians, for whom legally owning a gun is almost impossible, can get their hands on weapons. In Cipacing, West Java, dubbed Indonesia’s air rifle manufacturing capital, homemade pistols can be bought for as little as Rp 2.5 million(USD 300), but they are often of such poor quality that they either misfire or break after a few shots. Real handguns are for sale at black-market prices of about Rp 15 million (USD 1700).<br />More worrying are those smuggled out of police or military armories, which one army deserter says is relatively easy to do. This appears to have been the source for a group of militants accused of running a terrorist training camp in Aceh. Two police officers are being tried for selling 28 weapons and 20,000 rounds of ammunition from a police warehouse to the terrorist group.<br />http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/alarm-as-illicit-weapons-fuel-rise-in-gun-crimes/425540<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia and Turkey Joined in Police Training<br /></span><br />Malaysia and Turkey have agreed to cooperate in police training which will also see Turkish police personnel attending the Malaysian Academy on Trans-national Organised Crime (Matoc) in Langkawi, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Datuk Hishammuddin said the exchanges would help build stronger relations between the police forces of both countries.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_639144.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Marcos victims in Philippines to get compensation<br /></span><br />About 7,500 victims of human rights abuses during late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos' regime will receive compensation for their suffering starting next week, 25 years after a peaceful revolt forced Marcos into exile in Hawaii, their lawyers said on Thursday.<br />It is the first time the victims will receive any compensation since they filed a class suit in 1986.'The distribution is historic and a triumph after 25 years of struggle to achieve justice,' said American lead lawyer Robert Swift. Mr Swift said victims will receive the equivalent of US$1,000 each starting in a ceremony on Monday. Mr Swift and his Filipino co-counsels, assisted by the Commission on Human Rights, will distribute checks personally to claimants or their heirs in Manila and 15 other locations in the country.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_638458.html<br /><br />Thanks again for checking in! <br />Stay classy,<br />SEASASEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-80320772160864927712011-02-20T14:06:00.004-05:002011-02-20T14:15:26.815-05:00News Updates for Week of February 14thHappy Valentine's! Hope you had a good one with many exchanges of chocolates and letters lol!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Young Suicides Cause for Concern<br /></span><br />A rash of suicides in Malaysia has raised concerns over the problems that ail its youngsters, who appear to make up the bulk of the victims. In the past two weeks, seven cases have been reported in the media. In the whole of 2008, there were 290 cases of suicide, according to the National Suicide Registry, which began collecting figures in mid-2007. Last year saw 445 cases in the first eight months alone.<br />The registry estimates there are now about 60 suicides every month. More than half those in 2008 involved Chinese. Experts have linked it to stress, increasing mental health problems and Internet escapism. <br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_636673.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Thousands of Red Shirts Rally in Bangkok<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfT8nSy2F3Rw6alzisMpqqMYWrUZxHdE1_81wI_nIcUlHpVJD16_kXJdP3cpli9wTOwKcmK-pwEV7VUQHp_ssFZh0ee__OcKPXn1Z8pCZEjmzA4dwF49t2tONn7u-XHq7cmEdaTua-K4/s1600/bangkokrally.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfT8nSy2F3Rw6alzisMpqqMYWrUZxHdE1_81wI_nIcUlHpVJD16_kXJdP3cpli9wTOwKcmK-pwEV7VUQHp_ssFZh0ee__OcKPXn1Z8pCZEjmzA4dwF49t2tONn7u-XHq7cmEdaTua-K4/s400/bangkokrally.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575851085308524530" /></a><br />8,000 Thai 'Red Shirts' gathered in Bangkok on Saturday to mark nine months since a bloody crackdown on their anti-government rally and to press for the release of detained leaders. ‘We came today to ask for justice for our people who died exactly nine months ago at this place,' said Thida Thavornseth, leader of Red Shirt movement. More than 90 died and nearly 1,900 were injured in clashes between protesters and the army during the two-month rallies in 2010 calling for immediate elections<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_636773.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Myanmar – Suu Kyi Must Apologize for Sanctions<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OdPtop56lA-76B4-P3cPw1HmJo-F-m1XYQPsgHy-b-aWRAjDTyyQ926OTAvWH5pEOrINYk5JGjpe27nGM0z-WpfHk3HlKRF38FPQWNy60lJAbgqIemCSvb0htcYaDYWz7bzzIl8A7NM/s1600/kyi.ap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OdPtop56lA-76B4-P3cPw1HmJo-F-m1XYQPsgHy-b-aWRAjDTyyQ926OTAvWH5pEOrINYk5JGjpe27nGM0z-WpfHk3HlKRF38FPQWNy60lJAbgqIemCSvb0htcYaDYWz7bzzIl8A7NM/s400/kyi.ap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575851067797361858" /></a><br />Myanmar’s military rulers called on Saturday for the party of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to apologize to the public for backing Western sanctions it said were restricting the country's development. Analysts believe she is using her influence on the West as leverage to coax the reclusive generals towards reforms, but their latest rebuke suggests they are still unwilling to cooperate.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_636737.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore – All Singaporeans Will Get up to SGD800 (USD630)<br /></span><br />A total of SGD3.2 billion (USD2.5 billion) will go into the 'Grow And Share' package that will benefit more of the middle and lower-income groups, said Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. A sum of SGD3.4 billion will also be spent on longer-term investments to enhance the well-being of Singaporeans.<br />Growth dividends stand at SGD1.549 billion and will benefit about 2.5 million Singaporeans. Each Singaporean will receive between SGD100 and SGD800 in cash, based on assessable income.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_636654.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Attacks Would 17<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ9FWHWhH68x5mnZ20Vt5EihS9p2do19vX3HhRYTYV5omZQ-_PbqQXfl2QPfg-UAGv29AqkyviDXox0Ud0V_0vvkLenEyfJwSB9Rro2budWrw5ut-ca9BgrE1J5b6LEGbVGiAM8yi77k/s1600/thaibomb-20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ9FWHWhH68x5mnZ20Vt5EihS9p2do19vX3HhRYTYV5omZQ-_PbqQXfl2QPfg-UAGv29AqkyviDXox0Ud0V_0vvkLenEyfJwSB9Rro2budWrw5ut-ca9BgrE1J5b6LEGbVGiAM8yi77k/s400/thaibomb-20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575851082621106546" /></a><br />Seventeen people were wounded in Thailand's insurgency-ridden far south when insurgents launched a grenade attack on a karaoke bar and then detonated a bomb nearby, police said on Sunday.<br />Two women were injured in the M-79 attack on the bar in Narathiwat town on Saturday night, which was followed 25 minutes later by a bomb blast in front of a massage parlour just 100m away, wounding 15 people. Shadowy Islamic insurgents have waged a bloody campaign in Thailand's southernmost region since early 2004, leaving more than 4,400 people dead, including both Muslims and Buddhists, in near-daily attacks.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_637034.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore – Low Birth Rate<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0CPRN_h9MQb8NWzrytTIHGRNjpCzWOY46KqCq5m4IW4QuG7admaz74hJuyoqbvOIiMda_oa_8wABvWAokQMo1eB8-3g08eJD1W1rGetA-y64I5T88kFUfkvYQECQg-SYjtA5NJbGi8/s1600/fertilityrate-20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc0CPRN_h9MQb8NWzrytTIHGRNjpCzWOY46KqCq5m4IW4QuG7admaz74hJuyoqbvOIiMda_oa_8wABvWAokQMo1eB8-3g08eJD1W1rGetA-y64I5T88kFUfkvYQECQg-SYjtA5NJbGi8/s400/fertilityrate-20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575851077846304274" /></a><br />The Singaporean Government will look at ways to help single men and women find partners, in a bid to tackle the problem of falling birth rates.<br />More people are staying single and those who are married are putting off having babies, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, on Sunday.<br />It was announced last month that Singapore's total fertility rate hit a historic low of 1.16 last year.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_637106.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia – Controversial Film Tax<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWVRtJ18-JEVSgljizqNe6B-9_zGBcvMPAmJAXW_qqhxjq69flRKHZ8avcoNvOIrSfkfHShkRA3Ajq5qBEZZ7o4j1GVyuamT-iEv3vTG5hFFNNG2F2ypnTpIy3PDyCu_jq5sp5grKsMM/s1600/20110220225604768.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWVRtJ18-JEVSgljizqNe6B-9_zGBcvMPAmJAXW_qqhxjq69flRKHZ8avcoNvOIrSfkfHShkRA3Ajq5qBEZZ7o4j1GVyuamT-iEv3vTG5hFFNNG2F2ypnTpIy3PDyCu_jq5sp5grKsMM/s400/20110220225604768.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575851065959811218" /></a><br />Under fire for a potential new tax on foreign films that has led distributors to halt their importation, the government on Sunday promised to review the move. The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, said the government wanted to support the development of the domestic film industry with the proposed new tax. “We will review the Directorate General of Taxation’s circular issued in January on the new levy on imported films,” he said. “This is because we are not going to pursue regulations that have a bad effect on the public and threatened to kill the cinema industry here with their implementation.” The minister said the government, if necessary, would also invite distributors to discuss how much they were prepared to pay. Imported films already pay a 23.75 percent excise duty and another 10 percent income tax. Local governments also levy up to a 15 percent tax on ticket sales.<br />There has been a barrage of criticism, both here and abroad, over the proposed tax. The Motion Picture Association, which represents some of the biggest studios in Hollywood, on Thursday told journalists in Jakarta that it would stop movie exports to the country because of the possible new levy, which was rumored to cost as much as 43 cents per meter of film imported.<br />http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/govt-pledges-review-of-controversial-new-indonesianfilm-tax/423848<br /><br />Have a good week ahead!<br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-78381316351002708942011-02-13T12:21:00.003-05:002011-02-13T12:59:58.411-05:00East Timor Pleads to UN for Accountability"We are still not yet free of the shadow of serious crimes committed during the 24 years of Indonesian occupation. We have suffered a lot during that period; physically and psychologically", these were the words given by the Timor-Leste National Alliance for an International Tribunal(ANTI) in a letter to UN as a plea for action. <br /><br />ANTI looks to take action to end impunity given to those who partook in the criminal actions that occurring during this time. General Ban ki-Moon, a UN Secretary, was given heat by ANTI for his failure to bring this issue into the light during his most recent report to the Council.<br /><br />The organization's main concerns are that the continued lack of action against this issue will diminish country stability and will encourage similar crimes elsewhere in the world. The concerns, and the future of the UN mission in Timor, will be discussed further on the next council meeting on February 22.<br /><br />Last Security Council Report:<br /><br />http://www.laohamutuk.org/reports/UN/UNDocs/2011/SGRept11_32.pdf<br /><br />Link to the Article:<br /><br />http://www.etan.org/news/2011/02anti.htmSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-43689536309040579222011-02-13T11:51:00.003-05:002011-02-13T12:12:38.348-05:00Malaysia Reports an Alarming Suicide RateRecent reports suggest that the suicide rate in Malaysia adds up to an an average of two suicides per day as the growing pressures and stresses of family dilemmas, school, and work prove too much for many Malaysians today.<br /><br />The National Suicide Registry in Malaysia has reported 425 deaths caused by suicide over a course of eight months last year(January through August) coming to an average of nearly 61 people per month. They say "reported" but that excluding the multiple unreported deaths that would skew the statistic upward. <br /><br />Hopefully, measures are being aught to try and reduce these figures, in particular for those within the age range of 16 to 25 who are, according to the Health Ministry, the highest suicide instances.<br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_633334.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-34119843653599365072011-02-13T03:07:00.003-05:002011-02-13T03:17:48.724-05:00A Vice-free Valentine's DayIslamic officials in Malaysia are pushing to reduce the number of vice activities that occur on Valentines day, a day that has been known for such frivolities, both in Malaysia and elsewhere around the globe. Their goal is with these crack-downs is to continue to encourage a sin-free life.<br /><br />Jakim officials will carry out a campaign with the theme 'Mind the Valentine's Day Trap' to prevent celebration of that day. They are able to further legitimize their actions because of the specifics of Islamic religious beliefs, which reject anything that is not consistent with the beliefs of the Islamic teachings, and according to a ruling six years ago, the day had connotations of Christian faith.<br /><br />Link to the article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_634485.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-14753302111614880402011-02-13T02:58:00.004-05:002011-02-13T03:07:45.605-05:00Thailand to Keep the UN out of Border DisputesRecent reports indicate the growing tension that surround the Thai-Cambodian border dispute centered around the temple of Preah Vihear. A closed-door meeting will be held to explain the situation and Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand Prime minister seems assured that they can explain how the standoff was the cause of Cambodia and that all of Cambodia's claims are "wrong". <br /><br />These disputes over borders are responsible for four days of violence around the area earlier in this month and while Cambodia is appealing for an intervention via a third country, Thailand is leaning more towards placing Cambodia in an unfavorable light through it's case evidence(media reports, pictures).<br /><br />Link to the article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_634524.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-9763178661627889192011-02-13T02:21:00.004-05:002011-02-13T11:49:54.647-05:00Peace Talks to Commence with Communist Party in the Philippines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/1332125.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FDAAAA0ABDAB9109EED130CDC318B76F1FB29888C5080B78E4A7CFF610D5B4FC25"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 594px; height: 390px;" src="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/1332125.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF878921F7C3FC3F69D929FDAAAA0ABDAB9109EED130CDC318B76F1FB29888C5080B78E4A7CFF610D5B4FC25" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Communist party of the Philippines(CPP), has caused a number of problems for the Philippine government since it's founding in 1968. Peace talks between the party and the Philippine government and set to take place in Norway proceeding years and years of disagreements and confrontations.<br /><br />Alexander Padilla, a chief government negotiator, says that 'Our most optimistic projection is that... substantive agreements can be reached in 18 months' time and peace achievable in three years,'. These talks seem to look promising, but the CCP, just a few days after these talks were scheduled, an attack was mounted on a town in Northern Philippines with communist rebels responsible. <br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_634513.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-54462221783503361662011-02-06T12:59:00.003-05:002011-02-06T13:15:17.922-05:00Deforestation at Large in MalaysiaRecent reports by a research group called Wetlands International have confirmed a substantial deforestation rate in Malaysian forests, reportedly at a rate almost three times faster than the rest of Asia. <br /><br />The actual numbers indicate that in Sarawak, the largest Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, about ten percent of the forested are uprooted annually over a five year period. A parallel range of years for the rest of Asia shows a 2.8 percent deforestation rate. Taken all together, approximately 353,000 hectares of rain forest land was deforested within these last five years alone.<br /><br />These recent studies may very well indicate and correlate with a higher demand for palm oil, a product produced largely in Malaysia and neighboring Indonesia and made largely from the stripped forests.<br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630609.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-76313957354385266052011-02-06T12:26:00.004-05:002011-02-06T12:41:37.100-05:00Aung San Suu Kyi in Support of Egyptian Protesters"We're all with you": These were the words of Aung San Suu Kyi, a recently freed, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and an icon for Democracy in Burma. These words were in response to the growing situation in Egypt involving one of the largest displays of protest in the nation's history.<br /><br />Issues involved in the protests include but are not limited to police brutality, low minimum wages, inflation, and the lack of free speech and elections. Suu Kyi supports the efforts of these protesters seeking a better Egypt and comments that people "have much better means of getting in touch with each other and arranging mass public demonstrations such as they have done in Egypt". <br /><br />World views on the situation have been mixed but hopefully a peaceful solution can be found.<br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630684.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-89129008510965790562011-02-06T12:01:00.003-05:002011-02-06T12:19:34.310-05:00Poh Chen Shui CAUGHT in Fiji Bank FraudRecently, a Singaporean businessman by the name of Poh Chen Shui was caught for engaging in a bank fraud that's worth was 50 million Euros(Equivalent to over 80 million U.S. dollars)<br /><br />What happened is that Shui went to Fiji and started up a business back in January of 2009 with two Fji natives: Rajnesh Singh and Atunaisa Veitata. The trio called this company Full Creations Investments Ltd. A forged bank draft with the worth of 50 million Euros was then deposited by Veitata in an attempt at easy money but was discovered by the bank to be fake.<br /><br />Reports indicate that Rajnesh Singh was using this forgery in an attempt to buy several acres of land belonging to an Anglican Church. <br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_631859.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-88472032176485660652011-02-06T11:47:00.003-05:002011-02-06T12:01:16.103-05:00Vang Pao's Appeals for Arlington Burial DeniedVang Pao, a general in Laos, was recently denied burial at the famous Arlington Cemetery where many heroes had been buried in the past, including the Kennedy's, other former presidents and military leaders.<br /><br />Vang Pao has recently passed away at the age of 81 after having served for the Royal Lao Army from the 1940's up to 1975. Based on the pre-established conditions of burial at Arlington Cemetery as described by the Federal Code of Regulations, there is no rule specifically preventing Pao's burial there.<br /><br />The committee organizing the funeral wanted to do it in a traditional Hmong style alongside burial with honors at Arlington but were unfortunately denied. Pao's dedicated supporters and followers are currently appealing to U.S. President Barack Obama to potentially overturn this decision.<br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_631917.html<br /><br />Picture of Vang Pao:<br /><br />http://riverdaughter.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/vangpao.pngSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-18635299087660206982011-02-06T11:30:00.003-05:002011-02-06T11:46:45.028-05:00Continued Border Disputes Between Cambodia and ThailandRecently, a third day of fighting has broken out between the two neighboring Southeast Asian nations Cambodia and Thailand. Despite a cease fire, deployed troops continue to ravish the disputed border situated around the Preah Vihear Temple.<br /><br />The temple itself was began in the 9th century as a tribute to Shiva. It is situated in the Phnom Troap mountain ranges in Northern Cambodia.<br /><br />A world court ruling back in 1962 confirmed that the site belongs to Cambodia but this claim has been disputed by many Thai people. This was not the first act of violence in this border dispute, perhaps the first and most famous of these modern day confrontations began in 2008 labeled as the "Cambodian-Thai Stand-Off".<br /><br />Link to article:<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_631864.html<br /><br />Map of Cambodia-Thailand:<br /><br />http://www.search-internetmarketing.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/fe36d_CambodiaThailandBorder.jpgSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-37301288054940414272011-01-30T16:11:00.005-05:002011-01-30T16:23:44.339-05:00Wharton Publications names CIVETS: the New BRICs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjzvbkOSodn9rNUPsqBU3wyQSUlAAJu65Fwi3OexMgn-rIPhJPvBG-ei3GzmCJ9k8ZstvLk3VZsWHEx8wqo-JfvoXudJn-ZjoYrRr8a1wKCYtRMmMgR8JWMYIt8hWoN84NMVoNrzTjss/s1600/011911_civets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjzvbkOSodn9rNUPsqBU3wyQSUlAAJu65Fwi3OexMgn-rIPhJPvBG-ei3GzmCJ9k8ZstvLk3VZsWHEx8wqo-JfvoXudJn-ZjoYrRr8a1wKCYtRMmMgR8JWMYIt8hWoN84NMVoNrzTjss/s400/011911_civets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568091810310294002" /></a><br /><br />CIVETS is formed by Colombia Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa. Insert this address on your browser for the full insight: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2679<br /><br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-41133819556082772132011-01-30T15:48:00.006-05:002011-01-30T16:11:48.999-05:00News Updates for Week of January 24th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore – Drew USD 10.1B in Fixed Asset Investments<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvXaDXxnX2xghAFK8XFuhN_URgtKwHRY54oU7lGE1u_VR8yA4Ym_eZkD3VaAOzOOS2c2kVN_XIfV1sxDaym0tju57QE3z3ZcOYSM3Kz5oJ8TXEoEnhREbfVR2_vNr_LGfxThTKlUT5_c/s1600/singapore-dollar9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvXaDXxnX2xghAFK8XFuhN_URgtKwHRY54oU7lGE1u_VR8yA4Ym_eZkD3VaAOzOOS2c2kVN_XIfV1sxDaym0tju57QE3z3ZcOYSM3Kz5oJ8TXEoEnhREbfVR2_vNr_LGfxThTKlUT5_c/s400/singapore-dollar9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568086657334294770" /></a><br />Singapore’s powerful economic rebound and Asia's roaring growth lured companies from around the world to invest here last year. The strong investment momentum broke a few records and is expected to continue into this year, the Economic Development Board (EDB) said on Monday. In its annual recap, the EDB said companies last year committed to pour USD 10.1 billion into fixed assets such as factories and machinery here, handily beating the board's forecast of USD 8 billion to USD 9.5 billion. All this bodes well for job seekers. When completed, the projects committed to last year will result in 21,300 new skilled jobs, the most ever.<br /> http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_628001.html<br />image from www.livetradingnews.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Yellow Shirts Return to Street Politics<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ00VxL60Ju4PX8zsqgB1OqE1MrXiroSfnnXTsp14P8HJ_bDs68g80r9HJz0RWw_Kpj1u14YzeVYfb60gG8ZCSukpd8ydq3laLufZE871_XCSmOO5u97OYSKYyZtA-ubhy8XDefpRZ6wE/s1600/_50945007_011106686-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ00VxL60Ju4PX8zsqgB1OqE1MrXiroSfnnXTsp14P8HJ_bDs68g80r9HJz0RWw_Kpj1u14YzeVYfb60gG8ZCSukpd8ydq3laLufZE871_XCSmOO5u97OYSKYyZtA-ubhy8XDefpRZ6wE/s400/_50945007_011106686-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568086649763776546" /></a><br />More than a thousand people have camped out around the government's compound since Tuesday, demonstrating against its handling of a border dispute with neighbouring Cambodia. Despite relatively small numbers compared to their arch enemies - the anti-government 'Red Shirts' whose most recent rally attracted nearly 30,000 people - the group has managed to choke off streets around Government House. Tensions centre on 4.6 sq km of land around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which the World Court ruled in 1962 belonged to Cambodia, although the main entrance lies in Thailand. 'I came here to help my country. We have to fight to protect our land,' said a protester.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630014.html<br />image from www.bbc.co.uk<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines – Fire Killed 12<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_UYjWeR5DYLcn00ZSSgQH9Kj7E1O-pvZqSaBJEnHVy6KCTipmVncjw2Z4VLqj9CnNFRO8U4lLoMGpL0_MWDPccmwJjGh_-OS9RPJXZmb_HrKaSy45acuyNPIgIBTakzJbqFsqLhEltE/s1600/manilafire-30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_UYjWeR5DYLcn00ZSSgQH9Kj7E1O-pvZqSaBJEnHVy6KCTipmVncjw2Z4VLqj9CnNFRO8U4lLoMGpL0_MWDPccmwJjGh_-OS9RPJXZmb_HrKaSy45acuyNPIgIBTakzJbqFsqLhEltE/s400/manilafire-30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568086652746224354" /></a><br />Twelve people were killed in a huge fire that razed some 100 houses in a poor residential area in the Philippine capital on Sunday, authorities said. The fire at suburban Navotas city, north of Manila, began before midnight Saturday and lasted for about five hours. Among the twelve killed, five were children. <br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630028.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Terror Alert after Bus Bomb Kills 4<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEG_wyHD3aHPYu0QNnavLYisVn5zmEvlHo1aY2Y4yPd37YKLTKuxRt-F10Gy8q2OH_uGThpg5dwJIc1OGdQoqGWG2d0eIgosMBXOhGjx6Ht3QrB9jCvSrOsJ_JgCfAR5qgAgFITm3zDY/s1600/phbusblast-reuters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEG_wyHD3aHPYu0QNnavLYisVn5zmEvlHo1aY2Y4yPd37YKLTKuxRt-F10Gy8q2OH_uGThpg5dwJIc1OGdQoqGWG2d0eIgosMBXOhGjx6Ht3QrB9jCvSrOsJ_JgCfAR5qgAgFITm3zDY/s400/phbusblast-reuters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568086655494260914" /></a><br />A bomb on a packed bus in the Philippines' financial hub killed four people on Tuesday, sparking a warning from President Benigno Aquino that the country faced a raised terror threat. Authorities said it was too early to say who was behind the explosion as the bus travelled along one of Manila's busiest roads, but Mr Aquino ordered security forces on alert.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_628362.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysian Student Gang-Raped in London<br /></span><br />An 18-year old Malaysian student in London was allegedly gang-raped by several Russian men, including an intelligence officer who has been charged with the offence. The Sun tabloid of London, which broke the story on Thursday, reported that the girl had attended a party at the prestigious Bellerbys College in Greenwich, South London, where she is studying. The report, quoting sources, claimed that the girl was allegedly drugged and then filmed while being assaulted by seven Russian men, including the intelligence officer identified as Oleg Vladimirvich Ivanov, 23. The seven men had claimed to be students, but it quoted well-informed sources as saying that Ivanov worked in the Intelligence Section of the Moscow Police.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630012.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia – Anti-graft Body Detains 19 Politicians<br /></span><br />A sign that one of Indonesia's long-awaited corruption trials will begin soon, its anti-graft commission has detained 19 current and former Members of Parliament over alleged bribery related to the appointment of a central banker.<br />The suspects are accused of receiving traveller's cheques worth 150 million rupiah (S$21,400) to 1.45 billion rupiah each to elect Ms Miranda Goeltom as senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia in 2004. Current legislators said KPK, the anti-graft body, could have overstepped its legal mandate. Nevertheless, Indonesia Corruption Watch coordinator Adnan Topan Husodo said it was a 'big step by KPK, a good move to start 2011'.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630010.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Myanmar – First Parliament in Decades<br /></span><br />Myanmar is preparing to open its first session of parliament in more than two decades, a major step in the ruling military's self-styled transition to democracy but one being carried out with little fanfare or public enthusiasm. Delegates are gathering for Monday morning's simultaneous opening of the 440-seat lower house and 224-seat upper house in a massive new building in Naypyitaw, the remote city to which the capital was moved from Yangon in 2005. One-quarter of the seats in each chamber are given under the 2008 constitution to the military, supporting criticism that the so-called roadmap to democracy is a fig leaf for continued rule by the army.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630024.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – Coral Crisis Part of Thai National Agenda<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFC8wBbrviRwYTcrI5_uueTVIqwxHO7gUe9TFinDnHEqZekgo40vKb9OHVKWyGihxxRWMyvor-JUvyAdHSBA5czTypi5OytXZPJQRiT6mFQTYaGwYT7ECBarMjuSyZkDRPvPveZZwrII/s1600/thcoral-afp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFC8wBbrviRwYTcrI5_uueTVIqwxHO7gUe9TFinDnHEqZekgo40vKb9OHVKWyGihxxRWMyvor-JUvyAdHSBA5czTypi5OytXZPJQRiT6mFQTYaGwYT7ECBarMjuSyZkDRPvPveZZwrII/s400/thcoral-afp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568086666560932338" /></a><br />The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is planning to make 'efforts against coralbleaching' a national agenda.<br />Many diving sites at famous marine national parks in the Andaman Sea have been closed to tourists since Jan 21 after coral bleaching killed a large portion of reefs. The head of the DNP, Mr. Songtham, says they are considering the use of zoning, admission fee hike and a ceiling on number of divers each day.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_629739.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Politician's "No Handshake" Stirs Row<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Zh8nOpi4CGMoxpCvQ4g6swThyesDCm8R8fDF64Ub1Rd7XQx1TMvXRl4d8DVAbdjFRvHR2Q3zi0iiPywrO-7EXtc8cdEppbLyg4NnCK5TP3NjFh65pxx9Gtqs6RB8PEFnb_D3X5m0JWM/s1600/normala2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Zh8nOpi4CGMoxpCvQ4g6swThyesDCm8R8fDF64Ub1Rd7XQx1TMvXRl4d8DVAbdjFRvHR2Q3zi0iiPywrO-7EXtc8cdEppbLyg4NnCK5TP3NjFh65pxx9Gtqs6RB8PEFnb_D3X5m0JWM/s400/normala2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568089114171648210" /></a><br />A Malaysian politician has caused a stir by declining to shake hands with men as she campaigned in a tight by-election, triggering debate across Malaysia's racial and religious divide.<br /><br />Normala Sudirman, a rising star within the conservative Islamic party (PAS) which belongs to the opposition alliance, said her faith prohibits close contact between unrelated men and women. 'We (Muslim women) do not even shake hands with Muslim men,' she said this week, defending her stance against allegations that it was a sign of the rising 'Islamisation' of the multicultural state.<br /><br />Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, is ruled by a coalition of race-based parties including the Malaysian Chinese Association. Malaysia's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who follow Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism among other religions, complain their rights are being trampled by the imposition of Muslim values on their way of life.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_628123.html<br />image from marvelousarchive.blogspot.com<br /><br />Thanks for checking in this week guys!<br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-80856312217973833902011-01-23T18:53:00.006-05:002011-01-23T19:17:58.900-05:00News Updates for Week of January 16thFirst of all, Happy New Year to all SEASAlites! Hope you will all have a terrific year ahead!<br /><br />Starting off, our first news piece of the year, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Suu Kyi Gets Access to Internet</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFaCJfpeWJbb7K3VfLI8ZRKQxQxrA-9xN87htkxtD_EQNc3T-IQBLzI9PTQeVt_Fgf1J6XBxq3fdK5vkqrIb9rxzL4ISPsCMScaPdIq_F-AmEN7mv9T8zSUv_b18zU5e-LqD7ZOOJdSE/s1600/suukyi-afp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFaCJfpeWJbb7K3VfLI8ZRKQxQxrA-9xN87htkxtD_EQNc3T-IQBLzI9PTQeVt_Fgf1J6XBxq3fdK5vkqrIb9rxzL4ISPsCMScaPdIq_F-AmEN7mv9T8zSUv_b18zU5e-LqD7ZOOJdSE/s400/suukyi-afp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565536536027867490" /></a><br />Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has finally had Internet access installed at home after her years of isolation were brought to an end two months ago, an aide said on Friday. <br />Her security chief Win Htein said, 'but she cannot use the Internet now as she is not feeling well and is coughing.’ It is believed that the Nobel laureate has never before surfed the web. Suu Kyi, who was locked up for seven straight years with no telephone or Internet until November, has expressed an interest in using the micro-blogging site Twitter or the social network Facebook to reach young people.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626742.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">New Vietnam General Secretary<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9W8T9XQ_0Oo8NzMbEQ93XY_9yY2_0bPMqRm786VFXNhSlXsU-4LCLiFiFGrdW6qTq9imh6-ZjW_ufkmfbEDcndJ0EQNgTlVFlGzKaogkzebFuWi2HtQ4pmtwH09u2eDoOurGghnzUPc/s1600/images1015839_NguyenPhuTrong.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9W8T9XQ_0Oo8NzMbEQ93XY_9yY2_0bPMqRm786VFXNhSlXsU-4LCLiFiFGrdW6qTq9imh6-ZjW_ufkmfbEDcndJ0EQNgTlVFlGzKaogkzebFuWi2HtQ4pmtwH09u2eDoOurGghnzUPc/s400/images1015839_NguyenPhuTrong.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565539190024228402" /></a><br />picture from vietnamembassy-usa.org<br /><br />Vietnam’s Communist elite picked Nguyen Phu Trong, 66, current chairman of the lawmaking National Assembly, to be the next general secretary of the Communist Party. In addition, three high ranking party members were re-elected. <br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_625720.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Increase in Alcohol Permits<br /></span><br />The number of permits to sell liquor in Malaysian has increased since 2008 owing to the influx of foreign tourists. He added that the Malaysian Government would not prevent non-Muslims from consuming alcoholic beverages because it was their right to do so. Tourism and Culture committee chairman Mr. Takiyuddin said the money collected from such permits was not included in the municipal council accounts. 'Such monies will either be donated to temples or used to finance minor projects within the municipality,' he said.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_625866.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Police Crackdown on Baby-selling Syndicate<br /></span><br />Police rescued the babies - one aged five days and two who were seven days old - during an operation conducted by the Bukit Aman vice, gambling and secret societies unit. They expect to make more arrests soon. Initial investigations revealed that the babies were sold for between RM15,000 and RM20,000 (USD4,900and USD 6,500) each, depending on their appearance and health.<br />Commissioner Bakri said police had monitored the syndicate's movement since July when two raids in Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur saw the rescue of 22 babies and arrest of 30 people. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_625758.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore - Gary Ng Arrested for Sex Offences<br /></span><br />Gary Ng sentenced to 50 months in prison and a USD15,600 fine. Chen Guilin alias Gary Ng, 28, had admitted to having 507 obscene films, mostly of himself having sex with other women. Some of the women were willing parties for the filming while others were not. He had hidden a video camera in a plastic bag with a slit to film his acts and uploaded some on the Internet.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_626141.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Vietnam - Cold Spell Disrupts Country<br /></span><br />A cold spell over the past three weeks has killed at least seven people as well as more 20,000 cows and buffalos. Temperatures have plunged as low as -3.6 degrees C, whereas the norm for this period is typically around 15 degrees C. Children and the elderly also have swamped hospitals, mostly with respiratory illness. The cold spell was forecast to last at least two more weeks.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626745.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand - Closing Dive Site due to Bleaching<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY4cRPXf1whsaQNwLxvUZ1qtuJZsuY37oA3jlg7oe2V2vunT-RBl8idEFV3zDOyPvAeY4MddRBI4ljk3RGxBS3PMvwIfS3e6QFRZmKvuqibzi97vZS_waP72lTUjKFmlJ9e_chJwUZXY/s1600/sea-cbs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUY4cRPXf1whsaQNwLxvUZ1qtuJZsuY37oA3jlg7oe2V2vunT-RBl8idEFV3zDOyPvAeY4MddRBI4ljk3RGxBS3PMvwIfS3e6QFRZmKvuqibzi97vZS_waP72lTUjKFmlJ9e_chJwUZXY/s400/sea-cbs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565536539483819426" /></a><br />Thailand is closing dozens of dive sites to tourists after unusually warm seas caused severe damage to coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, one of the world's top diving and beach resort regions, authorities said on Thursday. The coral bleaching is caused by an increase in the ocean temperatures. <br />Other parts of South-east Asia have also suffered. An international team of scientists studying bleaching off Indonesia's Aceh province found that 80 per cent of some species have died between May and August.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626618.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Blackberry to Stop Access to Porn<br /></span><br />Indonesia’s Information Minister says he's happy so far with BlackBerry's efforts to filter pornography from its smartphones in the world's most populous Muslim nation. Among the websites no longer visible are Playboy and many other porn websites.<br />BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion Ltd agreed earlier this week to filter out porn in the nation of 237 million by Friday after the government threatened to revoke its operating license here.<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626246.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OPINION</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Tax Collector who Has Rp 25 Billion<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNAK0kzGMXKx4rYiqet0uFf1v1cA1r2X3-x8f_Xa_eL3Qy0v8PsiHl8TTQcfqsNmoWDP64N7nCnwycWuOXXNwoza4DP3pRhOPUnOxg-bSbVA_oq9PhbMaS1VmQ5tkNE_4mv4aJAeeetU/s1600/gayus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNAK0kzGMXKx4rYiqet0uFf1v1cA1r2X3-x8f_Xa_eL3Qy0v8PsiHl8TTQcfqsNmoWDP64N7nCnwycWuOXXNwoza4DP3pRhOPUnOxg-bSbVA_oq9PhbMaS1VmQ5tkNE_4mv4aJAeeetU/s400/gayus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565536529419200162" /></a><br />For the past year, Indonesia has been shocked by the case of Gayus Tambunan, a low-ranking tax collector, who has a fortune of Rp 25 billion, or approximately USD 3 million, in his bank account. Day after day, many newspapers put the case developments on the front page. They follow the controversies related to his ability to attain such large amount of cash, for instance the possibility of existence of an international money laundering syndicate that had been backing him, possible political games that attempt to curb the large political party Golkar from power, etc. Many ask if these are not just attempts by higher powers to keep the news from uncovering the real and more significant corruption issues in Indonesia. As of January 19th, Gayus is sentenced to seven years in prison. <br /><br />Thanks for checking in! See you soon!<br /><br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-666754073219746032010-12-05T20:44:00.005-05:002010-12-05T21:24:23.248-05:00News Updates for Week of November 29th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines – 10 Missing after Ship Sinks<br /></span><br />Ten Chinese crew members were missing after their vessel went down in waters off the northernmost Philippine islands, the Philippine coastguard and police said on Saturday.<br /><br />The Panamanian cargo vessel MV Hong Wei, with 24 Chinese crewmen, sank off the Batanes islands late on Friday. Fourteen crewmen were rescued by a passing ship and a Taiwan coastguard vessel, the police and coastguard said. However, 10 crew members were still missing even as Philippine and Taiwan coastguard vessels searched the waters, said coastguard spokesman Earl Paredes. The cause of the sinking is still not known but Mr Paredes said the waters in the area were known to be rough and dangerous.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610453.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand – 5 Shot Dead in the South<br /></span><br />Suspected Islamic militants shot dead five people in attacks across Thailand's restive south, including one Muslim man gunned down by a gang apparently dressed as soldiers, police said on Saturday.<br /><br />The 36-year-old deputy village headman was killed after three gunmen dressed in clothing resembling military uniforms broke into his house in Narathiwat on Friday evening, according to police. In the same province a 43-year-old Buddhist man, who worked with the local irrigation office, was also shot and killed at his home. Earlier in the day, a 55-year-old Muslim government worker died on his way back from afternoon prayers in a drive-by shooting in Pattani province. Another shooting in Pattani killed a 32-year-old security volunteer who was driving a motorcycle. His wife, who was a passenger on the vehicle, was seriously injured. In Yala province, a 41-year-old Muslim man was shot dead while returning from working at a rubber plantation on Friday afternoon.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610452.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia - Investors to Have Confidence in Market<br /></span><br />The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission admits the business sector is highly prone to corrupt practices and the MACC and the respective chambers of commerce in the country want to fight this.<br /><br />'We want to create a healthy business environment for Malaysia, so that foreign investors have stronger confidence in the country. 'We want to tell investors that Malaysia is not a corrupt-infested country and they do not have to pay extra to do business here,' said MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Sutinah Sutan, when announcing that the business community would take a pledge next week to fight corruption.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610447.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia – On Alert for Religion-related Terrorism<br /></span><br />Indonesia has gone on alert for terror attacks during the Christmas and New Year period after police found and defused several homemade bombs in Central Java on Wednesday.<br /><br />The revelation yesterday coincided with the discovery of a cache of explosives in a warehouse in North Jakarta. National Police spokesman Iskandar Hasan told reporters yesterday that the alert has been raised across the country, particularly in areas like Bali, Java and Sumatra, which have been targets in the past.<br /><br />It came after police found bombs in three separate places this week - on the roadside in front of a Christian chapel, an Islamic hospital and a police post in Kendal, Central Java. Each bomb was made up of four or five petrol-filled 600ml plastic bottles hooked up to a timer, a detonator and a battery. A police source told The Straits Times that one of them was supposed to explode at 2am, but failed to go off. 'This is a terrorist group showing their existence,' said Inspector-General Iskandar, adding that police were investigating. 'They are targeting the Christmas and New Year eves.'<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610390.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore – Dean One of Top 100 Thinkers<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuGFqO2afOIknNw94vDmjGIMpAuBA3K0_Pqe_WKVBa5big6aFTSa69eyq8espRuvXcR-q1yYajOLypqJNyQXgdHtji2wU6GxMwJkjUyUhOMnVod0IwbaAVmKdotdPmXGQLtL8roBUIXk/s1600/Kishore+Mahbubani.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuGFqO2afOIknNw94vDmjGIMpAuBA3K0_Pqe_WKVBa5big6aFTSa69eyq8espRuvXcR-q1yYajOLypqJNyQXgdHtji2wU6GxMwJkjUyUhOMnVod0IwbaAVmKdotdPmXGQLtL8roBUIXk/s400/Kishore+Mahbubani.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547389066764987954" /></a><br /><br />The dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School) has been selected by Foreign Policy magazine as one of its top 100 global thinkers in 2010.<br /><br />Prof Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished diplomat, is honoured by the magazine 'for being the voice of a new Asian century'.<br />Prof Mahbubani was appointed Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2004 after having served 33 years in the Singapore Foreign Service. He was the permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry from 1993 to 1998. He has also written several books such as Can Asians Think? and Beyond The Age Of Innocence: Rebuilding Trust Between America And The World.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_608615.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cambodia and Thailand – Border Gate to Reopen<br /></span><br />Cambodia plans to reopen a border gate with neighbouring Thailand at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple this weekend, officials said on Monday, indicating a thaw in relations between the two countries. The move came after the redeployment of both Cambodian and Thai soldiers away from the border. He said the tense situation there had eased and troops from both sides had covered up their bunkers in the area. Ties between the neighboring countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding the temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608657.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Yogyakarta statement on Tuesday<br /></span><br />Amid a heated debate over the President's comments on the special status of Yogyakarta, the government will issue a formal statement via the Home Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, an official said.<br /><br />The President's comment, which hinted that the automatic ascension of the Sultan of Yogyakarta as governor of the province was in direct conflict with democracy, has evoked the anger of people who adhere to the sultanate's special status in the country. The sultanate, under law, is given special rights due to the extraordinary contribution of the Yogyakarta Sultanate to Indonesia's birth as a republic. Sultan Hamengkubuwono X said he was considering relinquishing his position as governor following the statement.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608550.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">East Timor – Wants in on ASEAN<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HmramhSQgrCFnIct5Sg913xOl7ywtU97fnfu6I22CQjD2uY66rxcC6kLE0YBaBaTmKZZYxHxDB11U_lgURlSwzLSm34zP2HSlK0-GebX7ViYPHURVjl7rzWxkFVToJ4NUh6KGdk4whs/s1600/jose-afp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HmramhSQgrCFnIct5Sg913xOl7ywtU97fnfu6I22CQjD2uY66rxcC6kLE0YBaBaTmKZZYxHxDB11U_lgURlSwzLSm34zP2HSlK0-GebX7ViYPHURVjl7rzWxkFVToJ4NUh6KGdk4whs/s400/jose-afp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547379980981448562" /></a><br />Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta said on Wednesday it would be symbolic if his fledgling country gained Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) membership next year when former occupier Indonesia takes over as chair of the regional bloc.<br />'If it is under Indonesia and Timor-Leste joins Asean as the 11th member at the summit in Jakarta in November 2011, it would elevate Indonesia's statesmanship, it would elevate Asean,' Mr Ramos-Horta said in Singapore.<br /><br />Indonesia will assume the revolving chairmanship of the 10-member Asean in 2011 from Vietnam. As chair, it will host the group's annual summit and related meetings and steer the agenda for the year.<br /><br />Timor Leste, a former Portuguese colony, was invaded by Indonesia in 1975 as it moved towards formal independence, starting a brutal 24-year occupation. It won its freedom in a 1999 UN-backed referendum that was marred by violence as Indonesian-backed militias laid waste to much of the country in a scorched earth campaign that displaced hundreds of thousands.<br /><br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_609252.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">No to ‘Hot Money’ Controls<br /></span><br />At 7th ASEAN Finance Minister's Investor Seminar in Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asian finance ministers said on Tuesday there was no need to coordinate on the massive inflow of foreign capital into the region, which has raised fears of destabilising economies.<br />The 'hot money' has nudged most Asian currencies higher, making their exports more expensive on the global market as the US allows the dollar to weaken and China keeps a tight rein on the yuan.<br />The influx of funds has also led to steep gains in stocks and property prices, which have stoked fears of 'bubbles' that could later burst if the money is withdrawn quickly, and prompted individual central banks to act to cool down their market.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608953.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cambodia – USD 8m Given to Restore Angkor Wat<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXF2C24iir88FFMtIPDYel9IBhIRVPyCKBRNVaPZffBB5Toq2ck5gftOpZovy4qC1ZclzV_6IQGJm8ISEJcfZdqq0js6M7FADwK8mJ-jFMl7v5AILLZVQ-s3I0Qr-R8FsrN_w1C9AdVI/s1600/ANGKOR-WAT23.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXF2C24iir88FFMtIPDYel9IBhIRVPyCKBRNVaPZffBB5Toq2ck5gftOpZovy4qC1ZclzV_6IQGJm8ISEJcfZdqq0js6M7FADwK8mJ-jFMl7v5AILLZVQ-s3I0Qr-R8FsrN_w1C9AdVI/s400/ANGKOR-WAT23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547380702999634722" /></a><br />Chine has given Cambodia US$6 million to help restore a deteriorating temple at the Angkor Wat temple complex, one of Asia's greatest landmarks.<br />Soeung Kong, an official with the agency that oversees the Angkor Archaeological Park, said on Monday the renovation of the Hindu-style Ta Keo temple will begin early next year and should be completed in eight years. He said the temple is deteriorating badly and its walls are at risk of collapse due to natural deterioration.<br />Ta Keo is a pyramid of five levels, built entirely of sandstone in the late 10th century to early 11th century.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608833.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia – ‘Green’ Snowman<br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMU3mDKLluygQQ1VgNITyqkxj4BqlsWk062mUQR0iUjQ02BNVczZrRTWNJQ9Zz4wmD_LCi8HrZGN5WcUoInplzn52u8AJLZvhs3HH8wVepcAv-U-DV_nb3YXTtEIUFLxOfimMEHmnbpc/s1600/snowman-03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMU3mDKLluygQQ1VgNITyqkxj4BqlsWk062mUQR0iUjQ02BNVczZrRTWNJQ9Zz4wmD_LCi8HrZGN5WcUoInplzn52u8AJLZvhs3HH8wVepcAv-U-DV_nb3YXTtEIUFLxOfimMEHmnbpc/s400/snowman-03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547379976211358386" /></a><br />AEON Bandaraya shopping complex decided to go green in a record-breaking way for the coming Christmas season with the biggest snowman in the country made of recycled plastic bottles. Standing at 9.14m tall and 6.1m wide, the Frosty snowman is made of 15,000 recyclable plastic bottles and is located at the complex's centre court in Jalan Lagenda. To top things up, the giant Frosty has made its way into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) as the biggest snowman made of recyclable bottles in Malaysia.<br /><br />AEON Co (M) Bhd managing director Nagahisa Oyama said a total of 40,000 plastic bottles were collected during a recycling programme at all its shopping complexes and 90 schools nationwide. 'We hope to educate our customers on the importance of recycling, reducing (waste) and reusing items besides promoting the Green Christmas theme,' he said.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610006.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-69774335796290454442010-11-21T17:38:00.005-05:002010-11-21T18:44:01.139-05:00News Updates for Week of November 15th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia Celebrates Hari Raya Haji<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygwwG7o9-vrQQLTfPJp4iYM-rZA0GgVS1jTMNfW-ew_rnc-N0Fd0wYjfGu7qEnm60DvGfdY8KwgcnWkYvT86i7YCcHaw28AB4i6ML46finLoMx0bjXyP05iX07T9IBUTG1KtKIujKGw0/s1600/kl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygwwG7o9-vrQQLTfPJp4iYM-rZA0GgVS1jTMNfW-ew_rnc-N0Fd0wYjfGu7qEnm60DvGfdY8KwgcnWkYvT86i7YCcHaw28AB4i6ML46finLoMx0bjXyP05iX07T9IBUTG1KtKIujKGw0/s400/kl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542152128907988546" /></a><br />Muslims all over Malaysia celebrated Hari Raya Haji (also known as Eid al-Adha) on Wednesday on a moderate scale, but with a sense of gratitude and the spirit of sacrifice. They attended prayers at mosques and prayer halls, and slaughtered animals such as cows and goats to mark the festival of sacrifice which comes at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage.<br /><br />Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak attended prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. He joined more than 10,000 fellow Muslims to perform prayers. Mr Najib, who was attired in a pink baju Melayu, was accompanied by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar as he arrived at the mosque at about 8.30am, and was greeted by the Grand Imam, Ustaz Ehsan Mohd Hosni. After the prayers, Mr Najib shook hands and exchanged Hari Raya Haji greetings with fellow Muslims who had lined up to greet the Prime Minister. Mr Najib, accompanied by Ismail, also sprinkled scented water on the grave of his father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, at the National Mausoleum at the mosque, and recited prayers.<br /><br />The Eid al-Adha is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isma'il) as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_604255.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailad - Bout Deported to US<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntta8iXbN60GUrLvwpEgTDBRrfJ-XAhEeO_974BD9Q41CZ8pHJW-teMLvXJM5L7_STqIF9WveiIHngAwyqek9UBZwInzuUFHBwnpRMpQOL1yJxvyWK81gXPkaExSAYG3B7q4VdcMYodk/s1600/viktorbout-16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntta8iXbN60GUrLvwpEgTDBRrfJ-XAhEeO_974BD9Q41CZ8pHJW-teMLvXJM5L7_STqIF9WveiIHngAwyqek9UBZwInzuUFHBwnpRMpQOL1yJxvyWK81gXPkaExSAYG3B7q4VdcMYodk/s400/viktorbout-16.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542150984545952834" /></a><br />Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Thailand on Tuesday on a special jet to face trial in the United States, bringing to an end months of legal wrangling over his extradition. The 43-year-old former Soviet air force pilot has been fighting extradition on terrorism charges since his March 2008 arrest after a sting operation in Bangkok involving undercover US agents posing as Colombian FARC rebels.<br /><br />'Bout already left Thai soil at 1:27 pm (0627 GMT, 2:27 pm S'pore time) from Don Mueang airport,' Colonel Supisarn Bhakdinarunart, commander of Thailand's Crime Suppression Division, said Bout left Thai soil at 0627 GMT and is headed for a secret, final destination in the US.<br /><br />Bout's sudden departure came shortly after the Thai cabinet approved his handover in a move likely to prompt further fury from Moscow which had vowed to do all it could to bring Bout home. He was escorted by police from Bang Kwang maximum security prison in a convoy of police cars with their sirens blaring. <br /><br />The inspiration for the Hollywood film 'Lord of War", Bout is accused of using a fleet of cargo planes to deliver arms in Africa, South America and the Middle East.<br /><br />For more, check out http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603850.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cambodia - Landmine Kills 14<br /></span><br />Fourteen people died in western Cambodia when their homemade tractor ran over an anti-tank mine left over from the country's civil war in the 1980s, an official said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Battambang province, 250km north-west of the capital Phnom Penh, while the farmers were on their way back home from harvesting chilies, police Major Buth Sambo said.<br /><br />The police officer said the area was the site of intense battles between the Khmer Rouge and government forces in the 1980s and early 1990s and thus was seeded with numerous mines. An estimated 4 to 6 million land mines and other unexploded ordnance from more than three decades of armed conflict continue to maim or kill Cambodians each year. Prime Minister Hun Sen said earlier this year that it will still take years to clear the once war-torn nation of land mines that endanger lives in nearly half the country's villages.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Bali Waters Protected Zone<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GYXcszn7dn4W1Tj3qeV_jJkTGKxNJ72P4hgVUllTcQT7qgeydYKD_qaDgLbGR6xCN1D360wHe-dvsRjF5oifh2v4dMQD9PXcLirPcThECDJ1t1vmovbeIbC1IiyuNmLPBKeFIb2LFx8/s1600/mola2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GYXcszn7dn4W1Tj3qeV_jJkTGKxNJ72P4hgVUllTcQT7qgeydYKD_qaDgLbGR6xCN1D360wHe-dvsRjF5oifh2v4dMQD9PXcLirPcThECDJ1t1vmovbeIbC1IiyuNmLPBKeFIb2LFx8/s400/mola2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542150997648756642" /></a> The Mola Mola (also known as Ocean Sunfish)<br /><br />Indonesia on Sunday declared the coral-rich waters around Bali - a popular scuba diving spot which is home to the giant Mola-Mola ocean sunfish - a protected zone.<br /><br />The 20,000-hectare area around Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan islands will be protected from destructive fishing, waste dumping and coral mining, project leader Marthen Welly told AFP. 'Destructive fishing is carried out by fishermen using cyanide and explosives,' Welly of the conservation group The Nature Conservancy (TNC) said. 'Many ships also throw anchors on the coral reefs and hotels and households dump wastes causing water pollution. Now they can't do these anymore,' he said.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605772.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - Merapi Cooling Down, Death Toll 304<br /></span><br />The number of deaths caused by recent eruptions at Indonesia's most volatile volcano has risen to 304.<br /><br />Slamet Sugiono from the National Disaster Management Agency said on Sunday the toll climbed after some victims succumbed to severe burns and illnesses linked to the eruption. Also, more ash-buried bodies have been found on the slopes of Mount Merapi. The volcano started erupting late last month after years of dormancy. The most significant blast on Nov 5 was Mount Merapi's deadliest in decades. The agency says volcanic activity has declined sharply and Merapi's current eruptions are not strong enough to endanger people, and so, half of nearly 400,000 evacuees have returned home in recent days.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605751.html<br /><br />Scores of people were forced to flee their homes after a restive Philippine volcano shot a column of ash into the air on Sunday, showering surrounding villages, authorities said.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Mount Bulusan Shows Activity<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-8JaROMygRlDlleFqNx60jmdYRtQ5M7Hs3s-lZrWptALNRJ4mc8o_xP1DrAe-F89BFUisUEX4cykSIG59Er_634JsEl7if63GRRhsuMvC1Rd1VSJs7Xtj7NhcRSpZOUKkjvlx4HDWa0/s1600/MerapiVolcano_Location.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-8JaROMygRlDlleFqNx60jmdYRtQ5M7Hs3s-lZrWptALNRJ4mc8o_xP1DrAe-F89BFUisUEX4cykSIG59Er_634JsEl7if63GRRhsuMvC1Rd1VSJs7Xtj7NhcRSpZOUKkjvlx4HDWa0/s400/MerapiVolcano_Location.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542152133283333858" /></a><br />Residents of two villages near the 1,565-metre Mount Bulusan volcano evacuated their homes after the volcano shot a column of ash some two kilometres into the air. Evacuees were taken to government schools that are being used as relief centres, he added. More than 750 people have fled their homes since Bulusan started emitting ash on Nov 6, said Mr Lopez.<br /><br />Government vulcanologists had earlier raised the alert level for Bulusan from zero to level 1, indicating abnormal activity, possibly a sign of more ash eruptions to come. <br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605764.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysian Hacker 'Highly Skilled'<br /></span><br />The Malaysian accused of hacking into the system of a US central bank branch in Cleveland, Ohio, is believed to be highly skilled and collaborating with others in carrying out cyber crimes. US prosecutors described Lin Mun Poo, 32, as an 'extremely sophisticated and dangerous computer hacker' in documents obtained from the US Justice Department.<br /><br />Lin made world headlines for the wrong reasons - he managed to hack into high security cyber systems of major institutions in the US, including the Federal Reserve Bank and the Pentagon's security contractors. He was caught in a New York diner by the Secret Service on Oct 21 while allegedly selling stolen credit card numbers for US$1,000 (S$1,295). It was only hours after he had arrived in the city. On Thursday, he was indicted by a grand jury on four charges, including for hacking into the central bank branch in Cleveland. If convicted, Lin faces a jail sentence of between six-and-a-half years and eight years.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605717.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Philippines - Bomb Narrowly Missed Mayor Ampatuan<br /></span><br />A bomb attached to a parked motorcycle exploded on Sunday in a violent southern Philippine province, wounding two people and narrowly missing the convoy of a mayor belonging to a powerful clan blamed for a massacre last year of dozens of people, officials said. The bomb constructed from a mortar round went off near a grade school in Maguindanao province's Shariff Aguak town a few minutes after the convoy of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan of nearby Datu Salibo town passed by, police said. The bomb, which wounded two residents, appeared to have been meant for Ampatuan, police said.<br /><br />Several members of his clan and armed followers have been put on trial in connection with the massacre in Maguindanao last Nov 23 of 57 people, including political rivals and at least 30 media workers.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605770.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore - Third Teen Slashing Incident<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h6LlP8PgWcvP6z6TILw7Ep2oQzRtrHYuPwpaowcTh5bqwJRFbgY13_8NsJqc8aB4O35AfwvZ49E5aNi91eilbT0mZw7K7wyV6dJ0_GBHbxayr2RXxkbq0DaSdIIsRx5uhmr0defFH5I/s1600/slashingTNP.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h6LlP8PgWcvP6z6TILw7Ep2oQzRtrHYuPwpaowcTh5bqwJRFbgY13_8NsJqc8aB4O35AfwvZ49E5aNi91eilbT0mZw7K7wyV6dJ0_GBHbxayr2RXxkbq0DaSdIIsRx5uhmr0defFH5I/s400/slashingTNP.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542150991408430930" /></a><br />Police have arrested a teenager who was involved in an attack on another youth in Ang Mo Kio on Thursday. In yet another incident of youth violence, a 17-year old , who was acquainted with the alleged attacker, also 17, was slashed on the right shoulder at Block 448, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 at about 7pm. The New Paper reported on Friday that the two youths had got into a loud dispute and a shoving match before the victim was knifed. A police spokesman told straitstimes.com on Friday morning that the incident had nothing to do with gang activities, and investigations are ongoing. This is the third of knife fights within three weeks, the first of which ended in a teen's death, and the second of which seven youths were slashed.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_604990.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thailand - 2,000 Foetuses Found at Temple<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0DGHotc3KP4qgKEZr1iuOqBPZh0hxlWMnd6dMc5Dhyym8YHSXS_QH7VK3WErtmsrCpI_GilgiEPOm73Kvfy27bfcnCc2BpkUse2YRIGR3TEExtXpzQrOXAVQ6E4GsbF28Upr3NoMLWE/s1600/foetus-afp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0DGHotc3KP4qgKEZr1iuOqBPZh0hxlWMnd6dMc5Dhyym8YHSXS_QH7VK3WErtmsrCpI_GilgiEPOm73Kvfy27bfcnCc2BpkUse2YRIGR3TEExtXpzQrOXAVQ6E4GsbF28Upr3NoMLWE/s400/foetus-afp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542150986351579858" /></a><br />THAI police investigating a strong smell emanating from a Buddhist temple have found more than 2,000 foetuses hidden in the complex's morgue that appear to have come from illegal abortion clinics. During an initial investigation at the temple in Bangkok on Tuesday, police discovered piles of plastic bags containing more than 300 foetuses. Police Lieuenant Colonel Kanathud Musiganont said workers pulled more bodies from the temple's morgue on Friday. More than 2,000 have been unearthed from vaults where bodies are traditionallyinterred pending cremation, which under some circumstances can take place years after death.<br /><br />Abortion is illegal in Thailand except under three conditions - if a woman is raped, if the pregnancy affects her health or if the foetus is abnormal.<br /><br />Several people have already been arrested in the case: two undertakers for hiding bodies to conceal the cause of death and an abortion clinic employee on charges of operating an unlicensed medical clinic and performing abortions. <br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605071.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">US House Slams Myanmar Vote<br /></span><br />The US House of Representatives on Thursday condemned Myanmar's recent elections and said no government there can be legitimate without the participation of Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. By voice vote, lawmakers approved a symbolic resolution that 'denounces the one-sided, undemocratic, and illegitimate actions' of the country's ruling junta and accused them of consolidating their power with a 'flawed election'. 'No government in Burma can be considered democratic or legitimate without the participation of Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic nationalities,' the measure states. The resolution also demands 'the full restoration of democracy, freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and internationally recognized human rights for all Burmese citizens.'<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_604966.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Indonesia - 2 Foreigners Caught for Drugs, Possibility for Execution<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbZyyX3Po5UKbf1itWzVoCtGVxW80scFiAbPInlagVvb4zxzw_PB2EVI5noIJbxBpWHd0RhhXDVhq7NOcT-xvjIK2nqzK-QLhWFPN7HefDGjuPSM5DdTrbeghwPokm5RbhPqSuqSaUi0/s1600/balidrugs-afpm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbZyyX3Po5UKbf1itWzVoCtGVxW80scFiAbPInlagVvb4zxzw_PB2EVI5noIJbxBpWHd0RhhXDVhq7NOcT-xvjIK2nqzK-QLhWFPN7HefDGjuPSM5DdTrbeghwPokm5RbhPqSuqSaUi0/s400/balidrugs-afpm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542152807230695682" /></a><br />A British man and a Japanese man are facing possible execution in Indonesia after customs officials found drugs in their luggage at Bali airport, authorities said on Monday. Customs officers said they had arrested British national Khuram Antonio Khan Garcia, 39, with methamphetamine and Japanese Morita Yuki, 35, with hashish as they arrived at the resort island's international airport.<br /><br />Garcia was arrested on Thursday after landing on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha with 3.1kg of methamphetamine in his suitcase. The drugs had an estimated street value of six billion rupiah (USD 670,200). He told investigators someone called 'Mr. Ben' had asked him to carry the suitcase from Cameroon to Indonesia. An Indonesian suspect was arrested on Friday when he came from Jakarta to pick up the suitcase, the customs office said in a statement.<br /><br />Yuki was arrested on Sunday after landing from Bangkok with 5.9kg of hashish valued at 3.5 billion rupiah (USD 390,952) hidden in paper packages in his suitcase lining.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603506.htmlSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-80346164978226278912010-11-14T16:24:00.002-05:002010-11-14T16:27:32.206-05:00Aung San Suu Kyi's 22 Years in Political Spotlight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDETvGyy0NaBbBXL9zfSeDxXiw44G6J6a0uhm7Le8hQaD1jhMhvypN6iyG59gU5Q9FC5BwS4mGxAFYnPkbswG-KbfXYVviRasA-v7vzPEZHIC79YYdpludLxnB5CKkECAq4mxSKhKUfMk/s1600/ST_18147662.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDETvGyy0NaBbBXL9zfSeDxXiw44G6J6a0uhm7Le8hQaD1jhMhvypN6iyG59gU5Q9FC5BwS4mGxAFYnPkbswG-KbfXYVviRasA-v7vzPEZHIC79YYdpludLxnB5CKkECAq4mxSKhKUfMk/s400/ST_18147662.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539519853799534514" /></a><br />YANGON - AUNG San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar opposition leader who could soon be released from house arrest, was a political newcomer when she took up the struggle for democracy in 1988. Following are the major events in the history of her role in Myanmar's politics since a military crackdown in 1988 and the formation of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party that followed.<br />1988:<br />- August: Thousands of people are believed killed after troops open fire on mass protests. Suu Kyi, daughter of independence hero Aung San, delivers a speech at Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda to a crowd of 500,000 - September: Military takes charge with the creation of the State Law and Order Restoration Council ? Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is formed<br />1989:<br />- July: Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest<br />1990:<br />- May: Her NLD wins 392 out of 485 seats in parliamentary elections but the junta refuses to recognise the results<br />1991:<br />- October: Suu Kyi wins Nobel Peace Prize<br />1994:<br />- September/October: Talks with junta number one and three, Senior General Than Shwe and Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt<br />1995:<br />- July: Released after six years under house arrest<br />1996:<br />- May: Some 10,000 supporters of Suu Kyi march in Yangon in the biggest demonstration since 1990, which the junta declares illegal<br />1999:<br />- March: Her husband Michael Aris, a British academic, dies from cancer having not seen his wife in four years<br />2000:<br />- August: Suu Kyi defies order confining her to Yangon. Again placed under house arrest the following month after attempting to travel to Mandalay<br />2002:<br />- May: Released after 19 months under house arrest<br />2003:<br />- May: Arrested in the country's north after a violent clash between her supporters and a pro-junta group - September: Moved to her Yangon home and placed under house arrest for a third time<br />2007:<br />- September: Suu Kyi prays with Buddhist monks allowed to walk past her home during mass protests against escalating fuel costs, in her first public appearance since 2003<br />2008:<br />- May: Her detention is extended again three days after a referendum is held to confirm a new constitution that paves the way for an election in 2010 - August/September: Refuses food and placed on intravenous drip - October: Appeals through her lawyers against her detention<br />2009:<br />- May: Appeal against detention is rejected - Shortly before her expected release, Suu Kyi is put on trial over a bizarre incident in which an American man swims uninvited to her lakeside home. She is sentenced to another 18 months of house arrest. - November: Appeals detention at Supreme Court<br />2010:<br />- February: Supreme Court rejects appeal - March: Suu Kyi says she opposes contesting the first election in 20 years because the rules are unfair. Her party announces it will boycott the vote and is disbanded - May: Lodges last-ditch appeal with Supreme Court against detention - November: Suu Kyi remains in detention at her lakeside mansion on election day. Her final appeal is rejected but hopes for her release remain when her current sentence is completed - Supporters gather as officials say her release is imminent<br /><br />Source: www.straitstimes.comSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710936434916245444.post-82018401004872413302010-11-14T16:13:00.004-05:002010-11-14T16:24:52.349-05:00News Updates for Week of November 7th<span style="font-weight:bold;">Suu Kyi Completely Free<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMEEWjLjmnmlmcDm9P-TVHS7OD1GSsFzrBhWOBPWzcwpGpaZ5_BKg8n85oRzFZ657B-xej0Ve1HsmzG_HKLkiiQmQn4IWlgJk4w9jUNsvhD64qoj6uaSp29qFaLrD8R5JhctORAbaxWY/s1600/suukyifree-ap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMEEWjLjmnmlmcDm9P-TVHS7OD1GSsFzrBhWOBPWzcwpGpaZ5_BKg8n85oRzFZ657B-xej0Ve1HsmzG_HKLkiiQmQn4IWlgJk4w9jUNsvhD64qoj6uaSp29qFaLrD8R5JhctORAbaxWY/s400/suukyifree-ap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539518638894069522" /></a><br />Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi walked free on Saturday after seven years as a prisoner in her own home, calling on a sea of jubilant supporters to unite in the face of repression. Waving and smiling, the Nobel Peace Prize winner appeared outside the crumbling lakeside mansion where she had been locked up by the military rulers, to huge cheers and clapping from the waiting crowds. 'We must work together in unison,' she told thousands of waiting people, suggesting she has no intention of giving up her long fight for democracy in what is one of the world's oldest dictatorships. Many people hugged each other with joy at the sight of the 65-year-old dissident, known in Myanmar simply as 'The Lady'. She wore a pale purple top and appeared in good health after her latest stretch of detention.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603081.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Brunei Prince’s Lawsuit<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y0LfP5VNcrqesbmoNDZO3ZTqaWJQT8F0jF5yryvr5ovU2sGHmd4yMfR0SbO2wSg7rNnG2ZpCpLH7mKMdGIM9QN2hp21YWDKfO6G3_ebRAQoVzFaY2A3Pka1kO2Inl1dXUClrgyTcT9M/s1600/article-1326969-0BED08D6000005DC-836_468x331.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y0LfP5VNcrqesbmoNDZO3ZTqaWJQT8F0jF5yryvr5ovU2sGHmd4yMfR0SbO2wSg7rNnG2ZpCpLH7mKMdGIM9QN2hp21YWDKfO6G3_ebRAQoVzFaY2A3Pka1kO2Inl1dXUClrgyTcT9M/s400/article-1326969-0BED08D6000005DC-836_468x331.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539518632251584450" /></a><br />The kinky, narcissistic spending of a flamboyant prince has been revealed in a New York courtroom.<br />This week the younger brother of the Sultan of Brunei fought to keep photos of the almost $1million (£617,000) pornographic statues depicting himself in various sexual positions with a fiancee away from jurors in his upcoming civil trial against former advisers. Prince Prince Jefri Bolkiah, 56, immortalized his bedroom antics with Micha Raines in life-sized bronze sculptures he had commissioned for his mansion in Long Island. Jefri is going to court next week in Manhattan against two ex-financial advisers, Thomas Derbyshire and his wife, Zaman, saying they ripped him off when they sold the 23-room estate for just $11 million.<br /><br />For more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326969/Prince-Jefri-Brunei-wants-sex-statues-barred-NY-courtroom.html#ixzz15IF9LbDu<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Seven Youths Slashed<br /></span><br />Seven youths were repeatedly slashed by a group of parang-wielding men in Bukit Panjang on Monday night, in what appeared to be gang-related attacks. The victims, aged between 14 and 20, were set upon in two separate incidents - first when a 20-year-old assistant technician was slashed in the back and legs, and then when a group of 20 youths were surrounded.<br />In both instances, the assailants first asked their victims whether they were from a gang named 'Pak Hai Tong'. When the victims denied associations with the group, they were slashed. The gang, believed to be eight-men strong, also shouted 'Sah Lak Kau' (Hokkien for 369), another gang name, before fleeing the scene. No one has been arrested thus far.<br /><br />Monday's attacks came less than two weeks after Republic Polytechnic student Darren Ng was fatally stabbed at Downtown East in Pasir Ris.<br /><br />For more, check out http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_601402.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mayor Shot 40 People<br /></span><br />A policeman who witnessed an election-related massacre of 57 people last year told a court on Wednesday a former town mayor - the main suspect in the deaths - gunned down 40 victims as they pleaded for their lives.<br /><br />Senior Police Officer Rainier Ebus testified he saw former Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, the scion of the clan that was in control of southern Maguindanao province, shoot about 40 of the 57 victims after stopping their vehicles. Among the dead in the Nov 23, 2009 massacre - the worst political killings in recent Philippine history - were at least 30 media workers accompanying supporters of Esmael Mangudadatu, a local politician running for governor. His rivals from the Ampatuan clan and militiamen under their command have been charged with murder. They have pleaded innocent.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601691.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thaksin Wants Political Freedom<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR5SIkNR047rNc177WTV7QQlJqTiWwXPotMQmDUD1lZAYVlL_WwR6K2odyGS8q47dnNESXCc9ZgwEYSd8bNTLqI0aUC1IAfXDkFtxWDjfW2W-h6PEoK1q9Irfr2EQPtx3YEhYYBAm5hY/s1600/thaksin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR5SIkNR047rNc177WTV7QQlJqTiWwXPotMQmDUD1lZAYVlL_WwR6K2odyGS8q47dnNESXCc9ZgwEYSd8bNTLqI0aUC1IAfXDkFtxWDjfW2W-h6PEoK1q9Irfr2EQPtx3YEhYYBAm5hY/s400/thaksin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539518616895713586" /></a><br />Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra urged his own country on Sunday to follow Myanmar's example of freeing political prisoners after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, said he believed the events in Myanmar would help improve 'the protection of human rights and democracy' in Southeast Asia, in particular Thailand. The situation in Myanmar shows that the release of political prisoners 'will be a starting point towards national reconciliation and creation of genuine social justice", he said in a statement.<br /><br />Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile, is seen as a hero for many 'Red Shirts', whose rallies on the streets of Bangkok in April and May descended into clashes between troops and civilians that left over 90 people dead.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603181.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mount Bulusan Shows Activity Followed by Earthquake<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMgBqGm9Jm0Eoi5MHSRdQEp9QQfEew-10By4W8WHgBcEi3LZ2alT1CrelVZ5bn4Cnl5B4TM0ThaI7tZvO6aesKI4Rz5MgUsERKU7O2rghl8ICwlbIbBvFLyA_wkQ9oYtWqclB_LycfdU/s1600/mtbulusan-10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMgBqGm9Jm0Eoi5MHSRdQEp9QQfEew-10By4W8WHgBcEi3LZ2alT1CrelVZ5bn4Cnl5B4TM0ThaI7tZvO6aesKI4Rz5MgUsERKU7O2rghl8ICwlbIbBvFLyA_wkQ9oYtWqclB_LycfdU/s400/mtbulusan-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539518622930251330" /></a><br />Dozens of people fled their homes near a restive Philippine volcano on Wednesday, while authorities advised pilots to avoid flying near clouds of fine ash shooting out from its crater. Soldiers and police would also be posted to keep people out of a six kilometre zone around the crater and has trucks on standy to take evacuees to government-run shelters, it said.<br /><br />Bulusan showered nearby communities with ash on Tuesday, with its explosions accompanied by booming sounds, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in an advisory, adding that it expects more explosions. Bulusan, 250 kilometres southeast of the capital Manila on the main island of Luzon, is one of the country's 23 active volcanoes. Also, A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the Philippines' northern island of Luzon on Wednesday<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601599.html<br />http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601623.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Obama in Indonesia to Mend US-Muslim Relations<br /></span><br />Barack Obama said on Wednesday much more needs to be done to repair frayed US relations with the Muslim world in an acknowledgment of the difficulties in eradicating 'years of mistrust.' He promised: 'No matter what setbacks may come, the United States is committed to human progress.” In a speech highlighting a nostalgic visit to Indonesia, where he spent four years as a young boy, Mr Obama spoke fondly of his formative years in the world's most populous Muslim country.<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601526.html<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Malaysia Accepts Graft Index Findings<br /></span><br />MALAYSIA on Wednesday accepted the 'far from flattering' findings by an anti-graft watchdog that showed the country had slipped in its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score. Berlin-based Transparency International's (TI) annual survey released last month showed Malaysia had slipped from 4.5 to 4.4 out of 10 on its index scale where 1.0 is the most corrupt and 10.0 is the least corrupt. Southeast Asian neighbours like Singapore, scored 9.3, and Brunei 5.5. Hisham Nordin, a senior official with the government's anti-corruption commission, says, There is absolutely nothing to hide. But we are not discouraged because we know what we have done and put in place to fight corruption under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP).” He continues, “These robust initiatives are still in their early stages of implementation and we are confident they will yield the results we want.”<br /><br />For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601596.html<br /><br />Thanks for checking in!!! Feels good to be updated innit?<br />SEASA <3'sSEASA E-Boardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844076094114142001noreply@blogger.com0