The government set the deadline for 31 December. For some, the date leaves the federal parliament too little time to legislate in such a sensitive matter. Two visions confront each other as to the place of state secularisation and Islamisation.
Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro were seized last September by soldiers on charges of supporting communist guerrillas. For the country’s highest court, the two were victims of “established violation to the life, liberty or security.” Police threatened their life during detention. Charges of association with guerrillas are used to silence critical voices.
His release is ostensibly for health reasons. The 74-year-old former PM is one of 930 inmates who benefitted from an amnesty for those in poor health or over 70 years old. The rumour mill recently began suggesting that he might be accused of lèse majesté, a charge he immediately rejected.
Struggling to contain the rebels, the generals reintroduce conscription for both men and women aged 18 to 45, for two years that can be extended to five in emergency situations. The law was on the books but never enforced under Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government.
Smog, particulate matter reach record levels in the Thai capital and even the north. Artificial rain, halting vehicular circulation in urban centres, and cleaning of roads in areas with the greatest dust accumulation have been of little avail. More decisive measures are needed, such as renewing the car fleet and getting businesses to reduce energy use.
On Thursday, Hun Manet will visit Thailand to talk with his Thai counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, focusing on bilateral relations and regional issues, including cross-border trade and the exodus of Cambodians persecuted by Hun Sen, father of the current PM.
Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar took office yesterday, two days after being sworn in at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. Hope for more "interventionism" from the ruler in the nation's turbulent political life. He wants to make his term a time of greater interventionism, including in the economic sphere.
MapaKalamidad was launched in the Philippines with the aim of monitoring typhoons, floods, eruptions and earthquakes and preventing damage, which is increasing due to climate change. A similar platform has already been active for 10 years in Indonesia. These are systems that collect information shared on social networks in real time.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the Move Forward leader did not violate the election law. Pending its decision, he had been suspended from parliament and excluded from the process to form the new government. Now he can take his seat in the legislature. For young people and urban residents, new perspectives are opening for greater equality and respect for fundamental rights.
The two countries now rank 7th and 10th in Asia in terms of GDP, but while Vietnam is experiencing rapid growth across all sectors, several reports highlight Thailand’s woes because of overreliance on existing strengths amid new challenges, experts say.
Inadequate distribution of immigrants in the various sectors has necessitated a review of relations with 15 countries. Affected 2.2 million people, mainly from Bangladesh and Nepal, ended up in limbo. The practice of forced labour or non-payment of fees was targeted.
The country has a poor record for spilling pollutants into the sea. Even before COVID-19, its share of oceanic waste was three times that of India, the world's second worse offender (36.38 per cent vs. 12.92 per cent). Inland waters are at risk, as is the precious Coral Triangle. Raising awareness in the population remains a challenge.
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