ASEAN IN FOCUS
Thai poll body asks court to dissolve reformist MFP party
By Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI BANGKOK, March 12, 2024 (AFP) – Thailand’s election commission said Tuesday it will ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the reformist Move Forward Party, which won the most seats at last year’s polls. The MFP upended the kingdom’s political order in May’s election, scoring the most votes after a campaign promising reform of the military, business monopolies and to amend the lese-majeste laws. But their audacious bid shocked the Thai establishment and […]
ASEAN in Focus – March 12, 2024 – Living in extraordinary times!
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – March 11, 2024
Death toll from Indonesia floods, landslides rises to 21
JAKARTA, March 10, 2024 (AFP) – The death toll from flash flooding and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to 21, an official said Sunday, with six people still missing. Torrential rains on Thursday triggered the disaster in Pesisir Selatan regency in the West Sumatra province, with more than 75,000 people forced to evacuate. “As of Sunday, 21 people were found dead and six people remained missing,” Fajar Sukma, an official from […]
Malaysia PM warns against attempts to block China’s rise
By Laura CHUNG Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned Thursday against attempts by other countries to block China’s military and economic rise in the Asia-Pacific region. As the United States and China jostle for regional influence, Southeast Asian countries should defend the “sanctity” of international law and urge cooperation, he said. Beijing would see attempts to curb its military and economic expansion as a denial of its “legitimate place in history”, Anwar said in a […]
ASEAN in Focus- Full broadcast: March 7, 2024 – Living in extraordinary times!
ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast: March 6, 2024
Vietnam property tycoon on trial in $12.5 billion fraud case
HO CHI MINH CITY, March 5, 2024 (AFP) – A top Vietnamese property tycoon went on trial Tuesday along with dozens of others, accused of embezzling $12.5 billion in the country’s biggest ever fraud case. Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, is said to have swindled the cash from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over the course of a decade, leaving unsuspecting investors out of pocket. Eighty-five others are also on trial […]
ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast: March 5, 2024 – We live in extraordinary times
Four rescued after Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashes
KUALA LUMPUR, March 5, 2024 (AFP) – Four people were rescued after a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed in the Strait of Malacca on Tuesday, the aviation regulator said. The helicopter was on a training flight when it plunged into water near Angsa island, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia said without giving a cause. “A total of four persons including pilots were onboard and there were no fatalities reported. All survivors were rescued by […]
Australia sets up $1.3 bn fund to grow trade with ASEAN
MELBOURNE, March 5, 2024 (AFP) – Australia unveiled plans to ramp up investment in Southeast Asia on Tuesday, setting aside US$1.3 billion to bolster trade in a region of rising economic might. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the funding as leaders from the 10-nation ASEAN forum met in Melbourne for a three-day summit. “The government I lead has made it clear. More than any other region, Southeast Asia is where Australia’s future lies,” Albanese told […]
