News Updates for Week of January 24th

Singapore – Drew USD 10.1B in Fixed Asset Investments


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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_628001.html
image from www.livetradingnews.com

Thailand – Yellow Shirts Return to Street Politics


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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630014.html
image from www.bbc.co.uk

Philippines – Fire Killed 12


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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630028.html

Philippines - Terror Alert after Bus Bomb Kills 4


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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_628362.html

Malaysian Student Gang-Raped in London

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630012.html

Indonesia – Anti-graft Body Detains 19 Politicians

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.
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'.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630010.html

Myanmar – First Parliament in Decades

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_630024.html

Thailand – Coral Crisis Part of Thai National Agenda


The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) is planning to make 'efforts against coralbleaching' a national agenda.
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.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_629739.html

Malaysia - Politician's "No Handshake" Stirs Row


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.

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.

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_628123.html
image from marvelousarchive.blogspot.com

Thanks for checking in this week guys!
SEASA <3's

News Updates for Week of January 16th

First of all, Happy New Year to all SEASAlites! Hope you will all have a terrific year ahead!

Starting off, our first news piece of the year, Suu Kyi Gets Access to Internet


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.
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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626742.html

New Vietnam General Secretary


picture from vietnamembassy-usa.org

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_625720.html

Malaysia - Increase in Alcohol Permits

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_625866.html

Malaysia - Police Crackdown on Baby-selling Syndicate

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.
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

Singapore - Gary Ng Arrested for Sex Offences

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_626141.html

Vietnam - Cold Spell Disrupts Country

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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626745.html

Thailand - Closing Dive Site due to Bleaching


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.
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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626618.html

Indonesia - Blackberry to Stop Access to Porn

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.
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.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_626246.html

OPINION

Indonesia - Tax Collector who Has Rp 25 Billion


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.

Thanks for checking in! See you soon!

SEASA <3's

News Updates for Week of November 29th

Philippines – 10 Missing after Ship Sinks

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610453.html

Thailand – 5 Shot Dead in the South

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610452.html

Malaysia - Investors to Have Confidence in Market

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.

'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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610447.html

Indonesia – On Alert for Religion-related Terrorism

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.

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.

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.'

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610390.html

Singapore – Dean One of Top 100 Thinkers




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.

Prof Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished diplomat, is honoured by the magazine 'for being the voice of a new Asian century'.
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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_608615.html

Cambodia and Thailand – Border Gate to Reopen

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608657.html

Indonesia - Yogyakarta statement on Tuesday

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608550.html

East Timor – Wants in on ASEAN



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.
'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.

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.

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.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_609252.html

No to ‘Hot Money’ Controls

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.
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.
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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608953.html

Cambodia – USD 8m Given to Restore Angkor Wat



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.
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.
Ta Keo is a pyramid of five levels, built entirely of sandstone in the late 10th century to early 11th century.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_608833.html

Malaysia – ‘Green’ Snowman



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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_610006.html

News Updates for Week of November 15th

Malaysia Celebrates Hari Raya Haji


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.

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_604255.html

Thailad - Bout Deported to US


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.

'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.

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.

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.

For more, check out http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603850.html

Cambodia - Landmine Kills 14

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.

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.

Indonesia - Bali Waters Protected Zone

The Mola Mola (also known as Ocean Sunfish)

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605772.html

Indonesia - Merapi Cooling Down, Death Toll 304

The number of deaths caused by recent eruptions at Indonesia's most volatile volcano has risen to 304.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605751.html

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.

Philippines - Mount Bulusan Shows Activity


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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605764.html

Malaysian Hacker 'Highly Skilled'

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605717.html

Philippines - Bomb Narrowly Missed Mayor Ampatuan

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605770.html

Singapore - Third Teen Slashing Incident


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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_604990.html

Thailand - 2,000 Foetuses Found at Temple


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.

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_605071.html

US House Slams Myanmar Vote

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.'

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_604966.html

Indonesia - 2 Foreigners Caught for Drugs, Possibility for Execution


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.

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603506.html

Aung San Suu Kyi's 22 Years in Political Spotlight

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.
1988:
- 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
1989:
- July: Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest
1990:
- May: Her NLD wins 392 out of 485 seats in parliamentary elections but the junta refuses to recognise the results
1991:
- October: Suu Kyi wins Nobel Peace Prize
1994:
- September/October: Talks with junta number one and three, Senior General Than Shwe and Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt
1995:
- July: Released after six years under house arrest
1996:
- May: Some 10,000 supporters of Suu Kyi march in Yangon in the biggest demonstration since 1990, which the junta declares illegal
1999:
- March: Her husband Michael Aris, a British academic, dies from cancer having not seen his wife in four years
2000:
- August: Suu Kyi defies order confining her to Yangon. Again placed under house arrest the following month after attempting to travel to Mandalay
2002:
- May: Released after 19 months under house arrest
2003:
- 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
2007:
- 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
2008:
- 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
2009:
- 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
2010:
- 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

Source: www.straitstimes.com

News Updates for Week of November 7th

Suu Kyi Completely Free


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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603081.html

Brunei Prince’s Lawsuit


The kinky, narcissistic spending of a flamboyant prince has been revealed in a New York courtroom.
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.

For more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326969/Prince-Jefri-Brunei-wants-sex-statues-barred-NY-courtroom.html#ixzz15IF9LbDu

Seven Youths Slashed

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.
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.

Monday's attacks came less than two weeks after Republic Polytechnic student Darren Ng was fatally stabbed at Downtown East in Pasir Ris.

For more, check out http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_601402.html

Mayor Shot 40 People

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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601691.html

Thaksin Wants Political Freedom


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.

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_603181.html

Mount Bulusan Shows Activity Followed by Earthquake


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.

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

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601599.html
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Obama in Indonesia to Mend US-Muslim Relations

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.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601526.html

Malaysia Accepts Graft Index Findings

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.”

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_601596.html

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News Updates for Week of November 1st

Myanmar – Ethnic Groups Join Forces


Six armed ethnic groups in Myanmar have forged an agreement to join forces, fearing they will be attacked by the regime after Sunday's election, an exile news agency said on Thursday.

The 'landmark deal' was struck on Tuesday in the Thai-Myanmar town of Mae Hong Son and included the most powerful ethnic armies. The reported alliance comes amid fears that civil war could break out between the government and several ethnic groups who have denounced the elections as a means to end their decades-long struggle for autonomy under a federal system. 'The Burmese army could wage wars against ethnic groups after the election. Therefore it is essential for the ethnic groups to cooperate and help each other,' the agency quoted David Tharckabaw, vice president of the Karen National Union, as saying. The other members of the alliance include organisations from the Karenni, Chin, Kachin, Mon and Shan minorities. Some, like the Karen, have been fighting the regime for decades, but others had signed cease-fire pacts that now appear in jeopardy.

With increasing tension, the government has cancelled voting in 3,400 villages in ethnic areas and has increased its military presence in the countryside. Several of the cease-fire groups are boycotting the election

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599273.html

China and Cambodia in US$1.6b deal

China will inject US$1.6 billion (S$2.05 billion) into Cambodian infrastructure over five years, officials said on Thursday, just days after the US urged the country not to become too dependent on the Asian giant. 'Within the next five years, Cambodia and China will have 23 co-operation projects,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told reporters after a meeting between China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen. China also plans to help Cambodia build a new railway to neighbouring Vietnam, providing one of the last missing links for a pan-Asian network that would connect Singapore with China's Kunming by train, according to the spokesman.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599422.html

Merapi Keeps on Erupting


At least 138 people have died since Mount Merapi started erupting Oct 26. It has not stopped to erupt ever since. Scientists such as Mr Surono, a state volcanologist, says It seems like Indonesia ‘may be entering an even worse stage,' 'We have no idea what's happening now'.The volcano, one of the world's most active, has erupted many times in the last century, often with deadly results. In 1994, 60 people were killed, while in 1930, more than a dozen villages were torched, leaving up to 1,300 dead.

More than 70,000 are now packed in crowded government camps well away from the base and may have to stay for weeks, or possibly months.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599296.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599088.html

Islamic Extremist Sentenced to Jail

An Islamic extremist was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for his role in anti-Christian bombings and killings in an area of Indonesia with a history of religious violence. Eko Budi Wardoyo, also known as Munsif, took part in a series of attacks on Christians in the province of Central Sulawesi, a West Jakarta district court judge said. 'We sentence him for 10-year in prison. He has inspired fear and spread terror' judge Supeno said. He said Wardoyo had advised bombers who killed 22 people at a busy market in the predominantly Christian town of Tentena in Poso district in May 2005. Also, he appointed the murderers of reverend Ms Tinulele in Palu in 2004, where three members of the congregation were also killed.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599270.html

Thai Court Fired 6 Lawmakers

Six Thai lawmakers have lost their seats after a court found them guilty of violating a conflict of interest law.
Thailand's constitution bans lawmakers from benefiting from ventures linked to state concessions. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat - through his spouse - and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit held shares in a state enterprise involved with oil exploration and production. The other four lawmakers, some from the opposition, also held shares in privatized state enterprises.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599088.html

2 Quantas Jet Scares

Quantas, Australia's flagship carrier, moved quickly on Saturday to protect its reputation after one of its Boeing 747 jets experienced an engine failure on Friday night and was forced to return to Singapore's Changi Airport. The incident occurred just one day after a Qantas Airbus 380 engine also combusted, raining debris down onto Batam Island in Indonesia. Both flights were travelling from Singapore to Sydney.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Singapore_20101106.html

Singaporean Terrorist Wanted in the Philippines

Singaporean terrorist Manobo, also known as Muawiyah, is one of the top three militants linked to Jemaah Islamiah being hunted in the Philippines, said security expert Rommel Banlaoi on Tuesday. In his address to the National Security Seminar, he said the bombmaker works closely with the more dangerous of the other wanted militants - Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan - and the Abu Sayyaf group. The Philippine government has announced a reward of US$50,000 for Muawiyah's capture, and for Marwan's arrest, the reward is US$5 million.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_601458.html

Malaysia’s National Front Wins Election


Malaysia’s ruling coalition celebrated impressive victories in two special elections on Thursday, signaling an apparent fall in support for the opposition that might embolden Prime Minister Najib Razak to call early national polls.
The results are a major morale boost for the National Front coalition, which has battled to regain public support after clinging on to power despite losing more than one-third of the seats in Parliament in 2008 general elections.

For more, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_599296.html

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