Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, MONDAY, 1 April 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC

Monday, 01 April 2019

 

Firstly in INDONESIA

The presidential candidates’ fourth debate on March 30 was heated at times. Former military general Prabowo Subianto questioned the capability of the Indonesian military to protect the country. He said Indonesia’s defense is too weak because the budget allocated for defense is too small. President Joko Widodo retorted that Prabowo had no faith in the military. He said Indonesia is ready to anticipate a foreign threat but it should be more concerned with possible internal conflict. He added that Indonesia’s defense budget is the second biggest after the Public Works and Housing Ministry.

In attempting to discredit the Widodo government, Prabowo proposed a bigger budget for the defense ministry, thus projecting himself to be hawkish. Widodo, however, defended his government’s budget and pointed out Prabowo’s lack of faith in the military. Pre-election surveys show Widodo commands a comfortable lead over his rival.

THAILAND

King Maha Vajiralongkorn revokes all royal decorations awarded to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The move was announced in the Royal Gazette on March 30. The King made the move because Thaksin “was sentenced to jail by the Supreme Court, in addition to many other accusations, and he fled the kingdom, which is a highly inappropriate behavior,” the announcement said.

The revocation of Thaksin’s royal decorations followed the military’s recall of his armed forces alumni awards on March 28. The successive moves appear to signify that both the military and the King are one in discrediting Thaksin. The moves are also discrediting the political parties backed by Thaksin, such as the Pheu Thai party and the coalition it has formed after the March 24 election.

Small group of about 100 opposition activists protested near the Victory Monument in Bangkok. The group accuses the Election Commission of delaying and manipulating the results of last week’s election. The commission has said it will release the official full results of the election by May 9, after the coronation of the King. As of yesterday, an online petition on change.org, calling for members of the Election Commission to be fired, had reached 800,000 signatures.

At present, protests against the Election Commission are still minimal, but could gain ground should major parties back the rallies. They could escalate before and after May 9.

Clients in Bangkok are advised to avoid protests and to employ extra precautions near EC building, Parliament, Constitutional Court, and other government offices and police stations.

PHILIPPINES

14 suspected communists killed in Negros Oriental Province. 14 suspected communist rebels killed in Canlaon City and two other towns in Negros Oriental province in central Philippines on March 30. They claimed that the suspects were killed after they opened fire during anti-insurgency raids in the province. The military-backed police operations also led to the arrests of 15 other suspects. Human rights and peasant groups said, however, that the killed men were “farmers asserting their rights to land” and the latest victims of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte government. The Commission on Human Rights is now investigating the case.

The deadly operations against suspected insurgents came after President Duterte recently terminated the appointment of members of the government’s peace negotiating panel dealing with the communist movement. The deadly incidents highlight the risk that anti-insurgency operations, after the peace talks have been closed, can turn deadly, leading to potential protests.

Clients in the Philippines are advised to exercise high caution in communist hotbeds in the Philippines. These hotbeds include the Cagayan region in Northern Luzon, the Bicol region in Southern Luzon, the Negros island and Samar island in the Visayas, and parts of northern, central and southern Mindanao island.

MALAYSIA

Rantau by-election set for April 13. A four-cornered fight in the Rantau by-election in Negeri Sembilan has been set for April 13. The candidates are Dr. S. Streram of Pakatan Harapan; Mohamad Hasan, UMNO deputy president, of Barisan Nasional; and independent candidates Mohamad Nor and Malarvizhi Rajaram. The election was called after the Federal Court rejected a petition by Mohamad Hasan to set aside the Seremban Election Court’s decision on November 16 to declare his victory in the state constituency in the 2018 general election null and void.

UMNO-Barisan Nasional’s Mohamad Hasan is believed to have an edge in the upcoming by-election. UMNO has won Malaysia’s last two by-elections. Another by-election victory by UMNO will affirm the opposition’s recovery of strength as that of the ruling coalition shows signs of weakening.

Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, FRIDAY, 29 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA

FRIDAY, 29 March 2019

 

BANGLADESH

Fire at an office tower. A fire reportedly engulfed an office tower in Banani commercial district in Dhaka killing 25 people yesterday. More than 73 others were injured in the fire. The number of victims could increase as the blaze trapped others in the 24-floor building. Fire disasters regularly hit Bangladeshi’s major cities where safety standards are notoriously lax. On February 21, a fire killed 70 people and injured 50 others in Dhaka’s old quarter. In November 2012, a fire that swept a nine-story garment factory near Dhaka killed 11 workers. Clients are advised to avoid the Banani commercial district as the authorities are working to bring the situation under control. The site of the fire has been cordoned off and the emergency vehicles in the area are likely to cause traffic congestion and delays.

 

INDIA

No evidence on terror links with Pakistan. Yesterday the Government of Pakistan said it has found no links between militants detained during a crackdown on Islamist organizations and the February 14 suicide bombing in Pulwama. Indian government responded saying that Pakistan continues to be in denial about terrorists operating from its soil. Pakistan has said that the dossier with evidence on terror camps in Pakistan and terror groups involved in the February 14 suicide attack is unactionable. The response from Pakistan is likely to perpetuate the tensions between the two countries. India has been seeking concrete steps against the terror groups involved in the suicide attack.

 

PAKISTAN

FATF delegation dissatisfied with anti-terror operations. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over action against eight major proscribed organizations in Pakistan. The third and last round of the three-day talks between Pakistan and FATF’s Asia Pacific Group concluded today in Islamabad. The group was briefed by the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) about the steps taken to regulate suspected financial transactions. The delegation was apprised of various steps including the freezing of bank account and confiscation of property, as well as actions taken against financial institutions and companies. Pakistan has been under international pressure since the February 14 attack on Indian paramilitary forces at Pulwama to act on terror groups in the country. The FATF delegation expressed reservations over lack of cooperation among law enforcement agencies and their procedure of taking action against the terror groups. Pakistan confiscated properties owned by Islamists organizations including Jammat-ud-Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, FRIDAY, 29 March 2019

Paul Quaglia  – APAC Assistance Director

Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC

FRIDAY, 29 March 2019

 

THAILAND

The Palang Pracharat Party wins popular vote. The pro-military Palang Pracharat party has won Thailand’s popular vote with 100% of ballots counted. However, the results remain unofficial until final results are announced by the Elections Commission on May 9. The Palang Pracharat Party won 8.4 million votes while the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party garnered 7.9 million votes. This a significant part of Thailand’s history. It shows great fatigue and disappointment by Thai’s disenchanted with traditional political parties such as those aligned to corrupt businessmen and also to underperforming parties, most notably the Democrats. The success of new parties like the Palang Pracharat Party and the Future Forward party evidence that people want to change and want leadership. The military-led government, despite bias, bigoted and myopic commentary from Western countries, have proven to be both popular and effective. Of course, many people don’t want a military-led government. Thanathorn, the son of billionaire car part distributors met that need. The rise of both these new parties is a message to other people and parties in the lower house that Thais are tired of narcissistic greedy politicians and the voting public have matured whereby they are no longer idle pawns accepting empty false words that hide agendas that are not motivated in the interest of the Thai public.

The Election Commission’s announcement does not yet make clear the overall winner of the March 24 election. Both the Palang Pracharat and a Pheu Thai-led coalition of seven political parties have claimed a mandate to form the next government. The Phe Thai led coalition captured enough seats to form the majority with 255 members in the House of Representatives but is short of the required number of lower house and Senate seats to nominate the prime minister. The 250-member military-appointed Senate is expected to back the Palang Pracharat Party and retain Prayut Chan-ocha as the Prime Minister. The situation highlights the key role of the Senate informing the government under the new Constitution of 2017.

 

INDONESIA

Fourth presidential vote tomorrow. Indonesia will have its fourth presidential election debate tomorrow, out of five debates scheduled this year between President Widodo and his challenger Prabowo Subianto.  The topics for the debate are ideology, government, security, defense, and international relationships. The Jakarta Metro Police will reportedly deploy 5,000 officers to secure the debate, which will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel. Pre-election surveys show Widodo still commands a comfortable lead over his rival. Clients in Jakarta are advised to avoid the vicinity of Shangri-La Hotel tomorrow.

 

Papuan rebels vow to continue attacks. Papuan independence fighters have vowed to launch more attacks on Indonesian soldiers building the Trans-Papua Highway. In a video being circulated in the social media, liberation army commander Egianus Kogoya said: “We cannot step back. We will not hesitate to pursue the Indonesian military and the police until Jakarta gives us independence.” Kogoya taunts the military for being unable to find the Papuan fighters even though they are in the same mountainous area in Nduga. The Papuan rebels’ video signals that the clashes in Papua are likely to escalate. Clients in Papua are advised to avoid visiting the Nduga regency. Employ high-risk security measures in Papua, and be aware of the special travel permits required to go to the province, even for employment pass holders. These passes are called Surat Keterangan Jalan (Travel Permission Letters) and are obtained through an application to the police in Jakarta. They take several days to obtain.

 

MYANMAR

Conflicts flare in Shan state. Fresh fighting broke out on March 27 between the Myanmar military and two ethnic rebel groups in the eastern Shan State’s Namtu township. The military clashed with the Shan State Progressive Party and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, displacing more than 200 villagers. The clash signifies that more fighting between the government forces and armed ethnic rebels can be expected in the region. The clash happened even though the Shan State is part of the military’s unilateral ceasefire announced on December 21 that is due to end on April 21. Clients in Myanmar are advised to avoid visiting conflict-ridden states including the Rakhine and Shan states. For critical business missions in these states, contact APAC Assistance to plan and deploy appropriately trained security personnel for close personal protection.

 

CHINA

Bomb attack in Liaoning province. Three people were injured and the suspect was killed in an arson and bomb attack on a police station in Shenyang in northeastern Liaoning province yesterday. Authorities did not specify how the suspect died. Bomb explosions have occurred in China in recent years. In January, twin blasts rocked a high-rise building in the city of Changchun, killing one person and injuring another. The unrest prompted authorities to launch a sweeping campaign against terrorism and separatism in the northeastern region of the country.       Clients are advised to employ caution while traveling in China.

Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, THURSDAY, 28 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC

THURSDAY, 28 March 2019

 

THAILAND

The Palang Pracharat Party adamant on forming a government. The pro-military Palang Pracharat Party said it is confident it can form a government. The party has not named its allies in its coalition. The Palang Prachart Party won the most votes in the election and, together with the military-appointed 250-member Senate, the party is expected to muster the majority of the entire 750-member parliament. Yesterday, seven political parties, led by the Pheu Thai party and the Future Forward party, announced that they have formed a coalition with the support of 255 members in the 500-member House of Representatives. With the support of seven parties, the coalition will have a majority in the lower house but fall short of the 376 required seats to nominate the prime minister. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the parties cannot form a new government until the official results of the election have been announced on May 9 and the King’s coronation ceremonies have been completed.  It remains uncertain which political parties will form Thailand’s governing coalition. The insistence of both the Pheu Thai-led coalition and the Palang Pracharat party puts Thailand at a political standoff. The Palang Pracharat Party with its allies and the Senate can choose Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to stay on as premier. However, Prayut could face parliamentary deadlock if the Pheu Thai-led coalition controls the lower house and he would be vulnerable to a confidence vote.

Meanwhile, the military will reportedly explain its post-election stance today. The chief of the Defense Forces has reportedly called a special meeting with leaders of the three armed forces and the national police chief to discuss Thailand’s situation. The security forces are concerned about the unfolding political standoff between the Pheu Thai-led coalition of seven anti-military political parties and the pro-military the Palang Pracharat Party. Prior to the election, Thailand’s military chief did not rule out the possibility of intervening if the situation calls for it.

 

INDONESIA

Minister of Home Affairs seeks to suppress abstention votes. Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo ordered regional leaders and village leaders across the country to help suppress the number of possible abstainers in the April 17 presidential and legislative elections. The order was made after several pre-election surveys showed a high level of abstention in the upcoming election. Indonesia Study Circle Denny JA has predicted that voters’ participation will reach only 65.2% of voters. The General Election Commission data show that voters’ participation was 77% in 2009 and 70% in 2014. The Indonesia Ulema Council have also called on Muslims to vote in the upcoming elections, maintaining that voting a leader is a national and religious obligation. Leaders who are backing or sympathetic to President Joko Widodo are the ones urging Indonesians to vote. Widodo camp could be concerned that a big election abstention is likely to reduce votes for Widodo. Student and separatist leaders in Papua and West Papua have called for a boycott of the elections. There may also be voters who are not keen to vote on April 17 either because they are not inspired by the choices or they think their choice, the incumbent, is winning anyway.

 

 MYANMAR

Deputy chief warns against the constitutional reforms. Deputy Chief of the military Vice Senior General Soe Win warned that ongoing attempts to reform the Constitution must be constitutional to avoid “unnecessary political hardships and its spillover effects.” Soe Win aired the warning in a speech to mark Myanmar’s 74th Armed Forces Day yesterday. He said that simply implementing the wishes of the majority, without considering whether it is correct or not, is illegal. The statement highlights the military’s strong opposition to the ongoing efforts to change the military-scripted Constitution. It signals that the military will prevent any substantial changing of the Constitution. The Constitution reserves 25% of parliamentary seats and the control of three security and defense ministries is retained with the military. Clients in Myanmar are advised to avoid events related to amending the Constitution or all political and religious events.

 

CHINA

Former Interpol chief to be prosecuted. China’s anti-corruption watchdog said the communist state will prosecute former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei for graft. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said it found that Meng took bribes, spent lavish amounts of state funds, abused his power and refused to follow the Communist Party’s decisions. Meng was detained by China in September last year and was expelled from the Communist Party. Meng is the latest Chinese Communist Party official targeted by the anti-corruption crackdown under President Xi Jinping. Analysts believe the anti-corruption crackdown consists of efforts to crush threats to the leadership of President Xi.

 

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Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, THURSDAY, 28 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA

THURSDAY, 28 March 2019

 

PAKISTAN

Pakistan seeks de-escalation. Pakistan has reportedly requested China to withdraw the technical hold on the United Nations listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist on the condition that India carries out a military de-escalation on the border and resumes bilateral dialogue with Islamabad. The time for China to give specific reasons for its technical hold runs out this week. A ban on Massod Achar was proposed in the United Nations Security Council after JeM claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack at Pulwama which killed 44 Indian paramilitary soldiers.

 

INDIA

India successfully test fires anti-satellite missile. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has become the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to acquire the capability of space warfare. Indian scientists successfully conducted Mission Shakti shooting down a live satellite target in the low earth orbit (LEO). Low earth orbit refers to an altitude up to 2,000 km. A satellite in the LEO can monitor activities on the ground and water surfaces. Such a satellite can be used for espionage and pose a serious threat to the country’s security in the instances of war. The announcement comes a month after India and Pakistan were at the brink of a full-scale war after India conducted airstrikes at Balakot in Pakistan targeting Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group which claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on Indian paramilitary soldiers at Pulwama on February 14. The announcement is also being made weeks before the general elections in April, the Bharatiya Janata party-led government can possibly seek to garner wider support using such defense initiatives.

Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA

WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019

 

INDIA

Naxal attack foiled.  Yesterday police foiled a major attack on security forces and government vehicles in the Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. Security forces recovered an Improvised Explosive Device, containing four kgs of explosives which was planted below a small bridge in the interior rural areas of the district. There were intelligence reports that the Naxal rebels, under the leadership Central Committee chief Basavaraju could launch a major attack on the security forces in the district, the threat has not been ruled out. Last month, there were four incidents where government vehicles, construction material of ongoing road construction projects in the district were set on fire by the Maoists rebels. Last week, a school teacher was killed by the Maoists whom they suspected of being a cop. Claiming responsibility for the attack and mistaken identity, the rebels later released an apology to the family seeking forgiveness for their actions.

Meanwhile, in the central state of Chhattisgarh, four Naxals were killed by the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of the Central Reserve Police Force yesterday. A CoBRA unit was cordoning off the forest area near Karkanguda village in the Sukma District. when a group of Naxals started firing on them. This led to a gun-battle where four Naxals were killed. Clients are advised to avoid the Naxal infested areas of central India. Avoid the government offices and election centers before the general elections in April-May.

 

NEPAL

Communist cadre arrested. Police have arrested three cadres of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) from various parts of the central district of the Tanahun yesterday. Police have intensified the crackdown on the Chand-led party after it detonated a bomb at Ncell office in Lalitpur killing one person and injuring two others. The party was banned and labeled a terrorist organization by the government. Two key leaders of the party’s standing committee including Hemanta Prakash Oli and Mohan Karki have also been arrested.

Meanwhile, Nepali police said security has been increased in Kathmandu for Investment Summit-2019 being held from March 29 to 30. Nepal Police said that special security measures have been adopted at the venue for the summit and at other hotels where guests will be staying during the summit. Hotel Soaltee has been chosen as the venue for the summit. More than 600 guests from 40 countries are expected to attend the summit. Clients are advised to be aware of the security measure in Kathmandu and avoid the areas cordoned off by the police.

 

Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC

WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019

 

THAILAND

 Pheu Thai and PPRP claim the right to form government.  The pro-Thaksin Shinawatra Pheu Thai Party and the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party are staking claim to form a coalition government in the lower house. The Pheu Thai and at least five other so-called pro-democracy political parties, including the Future Forward Party, are set to announce their intention to form the government at the Lancaster Hotel in Bangkok this morning. The Pheu Thai party won the most number of seats, 137 out of 500 in the lower house of the parliament according to unofficial results. The other parties are the Future Forward Party (87 seats), the Thai Liberal party or Seri Ruamthai (11), the Pracharat party(6), the New Economics party(6) and the Puea Chart party (5). Together, these parties represent 252 seats, enough to form the government but fall short of the 376 required to choose the prime minister. The Pheu Thai party has said it was willing to support Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumiathai Party, which won 39 seats, as prime minister of a coalition government.

Meanwhile, the Palang Pracharat Party’s secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong insisted that it was on the verge of forming a coalition government. He said the party will nominate Prayut Chan-ocha as Thailand’s next prime minister. He insisted that Palang Pracharat has the legitimacy to form the government because it won the most number of votes.

It remains unclear which political parties will form Thailand’s next government. The Pheu Thai-led coalition has the majority of seats in the lower house of the parliament, but it is far from having the required number to nominate the prime minister, even if the Bhumiathai Party joins the coalition. A Palang Pracharat-led coalition, together with the mostly military-appointed 250-strong Senate, may have the number to nominate the prime minister, but the coalition does not have the majority of seats in the Lower House. At any rate, the Bhumiathai Party is emerging as a key party for the Palang Pracharat party informing the majority coalition in the Lower House. The Bhumiathai Party is yet to pledge support to either the Pheu Thai Party or the Palang Pracharat Party.

 

INDONESIA

 New poll shows marginal loss of lead. Another pre-election survey released this week shows President Joko Widodo’s lead over his rival, Prabowo Subianto, has been cut though not as much as in the Kompas poll. In the Charta Politika survey, Jokowi and his running mate, Ma’ruf Amin, secured 53.6% of the votes signifying little changed from 53.2% in January. Meanwhile, Prabowo and Sandiaga Uno received 35.4% of votes, up from 34.1% in January. The president’s lead was cut to 18.2%, from 19.1% in January.

 

Rebels call for boycott of elections. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has urged all Papuans in Indonesia to boycott the April 17 elections. The ULMWP Chairman Benny Wenda said the elections are not for the Papuan people but for Indonesia. The ULMWP’s call for election boycott follows similar advocacy by the Indonesian People’s Front for West Papua and the Papuan Student Alliance. The student alliance declared a boycott of the upcoming elections because both presidential candidates had not handled human rights violations in Papua well. Papua-based voters represent less than two percent of the country’s total voters. It is uncertain if the liberation movement’s call for election boycott will be heeded. In the 2014 election, Widodo garnered significantly more votes in Papua and West Papua than Prabowo.

 

 MYANMAR

 Ceasefire will not be extended. Myanmar military spokesperson said that the military’s four-month ceasefire in the country’s northern and eastern regions, which began on December 21, will end as planned on April 21 and will not be extended. He said that the ceasefire period would have yielded more results if the armed ethnic groups had taken advantage of the opportunity to pursue peace. More conflicts are expected to rage in Myanmar. Fighting between the military and the rebel Arakan Army has been intensifying in the Rakhine State, which is excluded from the temporary ceasefire zone. More clashes are now likely in other regions of the country, undermining the National League for Democracy-led government’s peace initiative. Clients are advised to avoid Rakhine and its neighboring states as fighting between the military and ethnic rebels continues.

 

Supreme Court to rule on journalist’s conviction. Myanmar’s Supreme Court agreed to rule on an appeal by two Reuters reporters who have been sentenced to seven years for their coverage of Myanmar’s violent suppression of Rohingya Muslims. Justice Soe Naing adjourned the case yesterday without setting a date for the ruling. The top court’s decision gives the two reporters the chance that their conviction would be withdrawn, their jail terms would be reduced or they would face new judicial action. It remains to be seen how the top court will rule.

 

MALAYSIA

Mahathir disappointed with a coalition MP. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat President Anwar Ibrahim defended Permatang Puah MP Nurul Izzah Anwar over her remarks labeling Prime Minister Mohamad a former dictator. Anwar said Nurul Izzah’s remarks were directed generally against the Pakatan Harapan government and not specifically at Mahathir. Anwar said he and his family were firmly behind Mahathir’s leadership and will allow the prime minister the space he needs to carry out his policies.  Anwar’s statement is both protective of his daughter and respectful of the prime minister. It again puts no pressure on Mahathir who has said he would honor his promise to transfer power to Anwar after two years as prime minister. Mahathir is yet to announce a definite plan on leaving the premiership.

 

Audio Overview of South Asia Issues, TUESDAY, 26 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

 

PAKISTAN

Pakistan Peoples Party leads a protest march.  The Pakistan Peoples Party has launched a protest march against the government from Karachi today. The symbolic march will commence from Karachi’s Cantonment Railway Station and proceed to Larkana where they will have a political rally. The party has planned several political events along the way. The protest march comes after the party leaders, Bilawal and Asif Ali Zardari were called-in for questioning by the National Accountability Bureau in corruption cases against them. Clients are advised to avoid all political and religious event in Pakistan.

 

China transfer USD 2.2 billion. China has transferred USD 2.2 billion in new loans to the State Bank of Pakistan as part of the economic assistant package. Pakistan’s debt to China has been mounting primarily from infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the total debt is reportedly more than USD 60 billion. The CPEC has been under attack by regional separatist groups in Baluchistan and the Chinese troops have been reportedly deployed to protect the projects from insurgent attacks. The new loan is likely to help Pakistan with the depleted foreign exchange reserves.

 

SRI LANKA 

Iranian vessel caught with heroin. An Iranian vessel was detained by the Sri Lankan Navy this week off the southern coast of the country. The vessel was escorted to Colombo harbor. Authorities recovered more than 100 kg of heroin worth more than USD 1 billion. Authorities have detained nine Iranians nationals. The vessel reportedly arrived from Pakistan when it was detected and detained in the southern seas. Investigators suspect that the vessel is linked to the underworld kingpin Makandure Madush who was detained in Dubai recently

Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues, TUESDAY, 26 March 2019

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant

Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC

TUESDAY, 26 March 2019

 

THAILAND

Parties start negotiations to form a coalition. Two political parties have started negotiations to form a coalition government in Thailand. The two parties are the Pheu Thai Party, which is linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party. The Pheu Thai Party won the highest number of parliamentary seats, while the Palang Pracharat Party garnered the most number of votes. The Pheu Thai Party captured 135 seats, but it won only the second biggest number of votes, 7.4 million (21% of votes), after the Election Commission’s unofficial 94% vote count. The Palang Pracharat won only 97 seats, the second biggest, but it won the popular vote, with 7.9 million votes (22.2%). The Pheu Thai Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Sudarat has demanded that the party with most seats should be given the first shot at forming a coalition government. There is a possibility that the liberal anti-military parties including the Future Forward Party will join the Pheu Thai Party to form a coalition, the parties combined have 215 seats in the lower house. Smaller parties in this scenario will play a crucial role, including the Bhumjaithai Party which has 51 seats.

It is unclear which of the two parties will be the first to form a governing coalition. A party or coalition of parties needs 251 seats to have a majority in parliament and secure the right to nominate the prime minister. If the parties fail to form a majority coalition, the 250-member Senate will come in to elect the prime minister together with the 500-member Lower House. Such a scenario will make Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha retain leadership of Thailand. While Prayut is may remain as the country’s premier, the country faces the likelihood of an unstable government. Irrespective of which party leads a coalition government, the opposition will have enough support to frustrate the government’s legislative efforts.

 

INDONESIA

Farmers support Widodo. The Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI), acclaimed as the biggest farmers’ group in the country, declared its support for President Joko Widodo in the April 17 presidential election. Widodo welcomed hundreds of HKTI representatives at the State Palace in Jakarta yesterday. The farmers’ backing of Widodo came a few days after some 10,000 businesspeople declared their support for the president and his running mate, Ma’ruf Amin in Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta on March 21. The president is expected to win re-election despite a recent survey by Kompas showing his lead over Prabowo Subianto has been cut to 11.2%. Other earlier polls show Widodo winning by as much as 20%.

 

Suspected terrorist arrested. Indonesian police arrested a militant allegedly belonging to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah in North Lampung on March 22. Police said that the suspect, identified only as K, was on the police’ most-wanted list and had undergone military training in Lampung. K was the 10th suspected JAD terrorist to be arrested this month. Continued arrests of suspected terrorists highlight pro-active efforts and preparedness against the Islamist terror groups. The arrests though also point to the possibility that there are some terrorists in the country waiting to launch their attacks.

 

 MYANMAR

Military meets with the political parties.  The Myanmar military has clashed with the Arakan Army in more than 100 different encounters in the Rakhine State since the militants attacked police outposts in early January. Three military leaders made this disclosure in a press conference yesterday. The military said that the military’s recent clashes with the Arakan Army, including the shooting of alleged civilians in Mrauk-U township, were counter-insurgency measures. Earlier the Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told 32 political parties in Naypyitaw that the military was exercising restraint and patience in order to avoid instability in Myanmar. The meeting was organized by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. The fighting in the Rakhine state is likely to intensify with the military justifying its reported shooting of civilians.  Clients are advised to avoid the Rakhine state and its neighboring states as fighting between the military and ethnic rebels continues.

 

MALAYSIA

Mahathir disappointed with a coalition MP. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad voiced his disappointment with the recent remarks of Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar about the Pakatan Harapan government. Nurul Izzah, Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter, told a Singaporean media that she was “brokenhearted” having to once again work with Mahathir. She said she would be serving her final term as a lawmaker due to her disappointment with the government’s slow reform efforts. Nurul Izzah could be unhappy with Mahathir’s leadership because the opposition, the United Malays National Organization party, has gained some grounds following its victory in two recent by-elections with the backing of Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). It is also unclear whether Mahathir will be transferring the leadership of the country to Anwar. Mahathir’s party is pressuring him to keep the premiership until the next general election and Mahathir is yet to announce a definite plan on leaving the premiership.

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