South East Asia

President Subianto's announcement came during his visit to the Turkish capital yesterday. Turkey’s first fighter jet is set to replace the F-16s. The Indonesian government also plans to participate in submarine development with Turkey. In February, in West Java, the two leaders signed several agreements on trade and defence.

Although mandatory death penalty was abolished in 2023, many death sentences in Malaysia still involve drug offences. Concerned about the situation, Amnesty International (AI) calls for a moratorium, highlighting human rights violations. For AI Interim Executive Director Vilasini Vijandran, the country’s credibility is undermined. The gap between lower and higher courts on this matter is growing.

The sector is growing rapidly in the country. Most of the patients come from Indonesia, but Kuala Lumpur aims to become a global medical hub challenging Thailand in Southeast Asia. To do so, it aims to optimise services, streamline immigration and invest in international partnerships.

With just a few months to go before elections in November, a poll reveals that only 44 per cent of voters have already made up their minds, with the largest number in favour of the Popular Action Party (PAP). The vote will test the government of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which is facing a political transition with many younger voters still undecided. The uncertain economic scenario risks slowing down economic growth in the city-state.

A humanitarian worker talks to AsiaNews about the situation in the areas affected by the earthquake that struck in late March. The military often blocks loads, fuelling fear and uncertainty. The regime, committed to rebuilding its own facilities instead of bringing relief to the population, would like to hide the displaced. No coordinated effort is being made to pull out the dead from the rubble. The needs are huge, but “with the right support, we can reach the most vulnerable.”

Paul Chambers, who teaches at Naresuan University, is accused of violating Article 112 of the Penal Code for publishing a controversial blurb. Anyone who defames the Thai monarchy risks three to 15 years. Until now few foreigners have been charged, but since 2020, the law has been used against 279 people, largely against participants in student-led protests.

Under pressure from Beijing, rebels left the capital of Shan State, northern Myanmar, although they will remain around the city. Meas fighting continues in the rest of the country, other rebel groups won some victories yesterday and today. Citing the earthquake, the regime suspends tourist visas.

The strategic infrastructure in the south-west had a makeover thanks to Chinese support. For Prime Minister Hun Manet, the country will not allow foreign military bases on its territory, but is open to Chinese aid. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the country to promote China as the only reliable partner for the region, taking advantage of US disengagement and Trump's tariffs.

The Hang Seng index is down by 13.22 per cent, its sharpest drop since 1997, in the wake of the trade war triggered by tariffs. Recession fears are also sinking Singaporean real estate companies. Massive interventions by a Chinese sovereign wealth fund contains losses on the Shanghai stock exchange.

The government is pushing for a quick approval of the Integrated Entertainment Business Act, which will go before parliament this Wednesday for first reading, taking precedence over the recent earthquake and Trump's tariffs. The Bishops' Conference warns that the bill has many potential negative consequences. Even many doctors and academics opposed it.

In the diocese of Dipolog, in the south of the country, Chrisma Bangaoil and a group of volunteers have already built 12 small churches in the most isolated mountain areas. ‘We are not just building buildings; we are building faith in these outlying areas’.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has begun consultations with ASEAN leaders to respond to US taxes: ‘Fragmented economic outlook. Respond with one voice.’ Malaysia - which holds the presidency of the Southeast Asian bloc of nations - is pushing for trade equity.