South East Asia

The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua met for the first time with a head of government from the region. Together with the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Fijian prime minister reiterated his support for the independence movement's full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

For 13 years a lay Franciscan, together with some other young people and adults, has been goes around with a cart in the big city’s poorest areas to bring the light of faith. “When I was a child, I was like them, broken family, experienced being a drug addict, but God changed me through the help of a catechist," he said. They carry with them a Marian image that they have called Our Lady of the Peripheries.

The prime minister’s new approach for a “civilised Malaysia” is rooted in Islam. It addresses the country's inequalities in terms of ethnicity, religion, regions and other ills. It promises justice for all and fairness in foreign policy. Doubts remain about its effective implementation.

Delegates from the Catholic Churches in 29 countries have gathered for three days to draft a paper that reflects the thoughts and ideas generated in Asia by the process laid down by Pope Francis ahead of the Synod set for Rome next October. For Archbishop Kikuchi of Tokyo, the Church is called to generate “hope". A laywoman from Singapore, Christina Kheng, notes that “the purpose of the Synod [. . .] is not to produce documents” but “weave together relationships” as the people of God in Asia.

Foreign workers come mainly from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Indonesia and have few rights, as indicated by a recent report by the International Organisation for Migration. Malaysia is the world’s second-largest palm oil producer, but its exports are threatened by environmental restrictions adopted last December by the European Union.

Today's headlines: as Pyongyang tests more missiles, Seoul warns of risk of exposure to radioactive materials. In Vietnam, US diplomats prevented from meeting Christian leaders. 150 asylum seekers died in Malaysia in 2022, while on the island of Nauru two migrants sewed their lips shut in protest.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has offered to help the police in Cotabato province following a recent spate of violent attacks. According to the group, it could exert some influence over feuding clans., The Philippine National Police imposed a gun ban on 18 February.

Today's headlines: a Pakistani delegation visits Kabul to discuss issue of terrorist attacks; Speculation about a metal ball found in Japan; At least 4 dead in China after a mine collapse; In Papua New Guinea a woman taken hostage on Sunday is released; Bombings between Israel and the Gaza Strip after yesterday's deaths in Nablus; Closer and closer ties between Russia and Belarus.

Except for Singapore, the only country in the region to have imposed sanctions on Russia, most SE Asian countries have not taken sides. The biggest concern is the rising cost of raw material. Several states have maintained relations with Russia, partly because of its propaganda, also relayed by China.

Today's headlines: Some Chinese provinces have granted 30 days of marriage leave (instead of three) to increase the country's fertility rate; Caste discrimination recognised in Seattle; North Korea's food crisis deepens; In Thailand TikTok will ban parties from campaigning for elections; Russia opened a naval base in Sudan.

A local village chief, Wawan, climbed over a fence to storm the Kemah Daud Christian Church during prayers. Local Church officials call on the authorities to treat the matter seriously. Just last month, Indonesia’s president slammed “violent” acts at a conference with district officials.

The data from the latest report by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which does not include anti-regime fighters . More than 15 thousand people are still held in prisons. Violence against women has been reported in some prisons. Shelling continues in Chin State after the militias' territorial gains.