1.

M'sian Budget likely to focus on GST, subsidies: Economists say GST is equitable, and will reduce oil revenue dependence: IN exactly a month's time, Prime Minister Najib Razak will table Malaysia's 2015 Budget in Parliament which is likely to focus on the much-criticised goods and services tax (GST) and subsidy changes.

Mr Najib had already revealed during his last Budget speech that a flat 6 per cent GST would be implemented in place of the current sales and services tax. It has been roundly criticised by the opposition and some unions as burdensome to the poor and businesses by adding to the latter's costs and thereby impinging, in the nature of a vicious cycle, on the poor.

S. Jayasankaran
Business Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/malaysia/msian-budget-likely-focus-gst-subsidies-20140910

2.

Household income RM5,900 a month? Why it's a lie...: Similarly, when someone with the stature of the Economy Minister says that we are already earning RM5,900 a month, the government risks overlooking the actual problems of low wages, high cost of living, high debts among Malaysians and income inequality.Even with all the reports showing economic growth, we have failed in the last 20 years to achieve any significant improvement to close the gap on inequality.According to Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni, Malaysia's Gini Coefficient Index, which measures inequality (0 means perfect equality, 1 means perfect inequality), was 0.431 in 2012, one of the highest in the region, compared to countries such as Thailand 0.4 and Indonesia 0.37. Thus, the problem about telling lies is not that others will be convinced, rather its that the one telling the lies eventually believes it himself.

Steven Sim is the Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam
Free Malaysia Today, 10 September 2014
 http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2014/

3.

Are Malaysians racist? This video shows a series of interviews with ordinary Malaysians who refuse to utter racist remarks even when offered money. Never mind the fact that it is middle Malaysia that is interviewed and the voices of those in rural areas and the non-English speakers are not included. In less than six minutes the video is able to dispel the notion that the country is being ripped apart by the very characteristic that makes Malaysia special: its multiculturalism.

The video Are Malaysians racist? came at a time when Malaysia just celebrated Merdeka Day (Independence Day) on August 31 and is about to celebrate Malaysia Day on September 16. The latter is a new holiday to mark the formation of Malaysia in 1963. It is the time of the year when feel-good events are held to celebrate the multiculturalism but this video has done so much more and will be long remembered.

Response to this video was overwhelming. Activists and politicians have come out with statements ranging from relief that Malaysians do not condone racism, to "I-told-you-so" and criticism leveled at groups and individuals who have been spewing racist rants in mainstream media and social media. "Take that all you racists! Malaysians are just better than that," Marina Mahathir, the daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, wrote in her Facebook.

[news contains 5-minute video clip]

Mohammad Zulfan Tadjoeddin
The Establishment Post, 10 September 2014
http://www.establishmentpost.com/malaysians-racist/

4.

New harmony law definitely an 'improvement' to Sedition Act, NUCC man tells PM: Putrajaya is sure to find the "improvements" it seeks in the new law meant to replace the Sedition Act 1948, if it would only try to understand its contents first, a federal lawmaker in charge of drafting the fresh legislation said. Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who chairs the National Unity Consultative Council's (NUCC) working committee on law and policy, insisted their proposed National Harmony bill - and its two accompanying bills - is a clear "improvement" to the Act as they focus on harmony instead of sedition."As far as the doctrine is concerned, we consider this (new) Act as harmony. Sedition is negative, so we start off with something positive," he told Malay Mail Online when contacted."The very definition of sedition itself has opened up the gates of hell, where the government can practice total and absolute power on the people who they think is threatening them.

The Malay Mail, 10 September 2014
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/new-harmony-law-definitely-an-improvement-to-sedition-act-nucc-man-tells-pm

5.

'Talk to Sabahans and Sarawakians': "It is a good step for the Government to listen to the unhappiness among the people in the two states because it will help towards resolving their problems," he pointed out.State Opposition leader Datuk Lajim Ukin said Pakatan Rakyat had made the unanimous decision to be against secession as there was still a lot of room for discussion on the needs of Sabahans within the federation."Our decision is that we stay in Malaysia as there is still a lot of room for us to discuss state rights and needs under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and 20-point safeguards," Lajim told reporters here yesterday.However, Lajim, who is also the Sabah Pakatan chief, urged the Federal Government to look into the resolutions of various political parties in the state seeking greater autonomy.

The Star, 10 September 2014
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/10/Govt-urged-to-hear-them-out-Talk-to-Sabahans-and-Sarawakians/

6.

惟誠.志願巡邏隊的合法爭議: 在睦鄰計劃法(或已廢除的1975年睦鄰規劃條例)下設立的睦鄰管區(kawasan rukun tetangga), 在組織人數超過20名的睦鄰巡邏計劃(SRS) 時向團結局申請獲准即可享有管區保安權(睦鄰法第18條). 至於居協自發組織的巡邏隊，則和社團註冊法對於社團的詮釋相同，只要依據居協章程合法組織和運作，並不會面對法律問題，但若居協範圍內已有睦鄰管區，且巡邏員又超過20位，不妨參與可獲政府撥款的SRS，以保障當地居民的權益。在探討志工團和地方巡邏隊等組織的法律基礎後，PPS合法與否的問題就容易解釋了。首先，批准設立志願巡邏隊的權限在首相署，所以州政府顯然未通過SRS設立PPS，而這有兩個考量，即SRS的執法管區太小，州政府也不想其聽命於聯邦政府。鑒於朝野政治理念對立，這是可理解的，但州政府仍有通過州議會設立法定機構（state statutory body）的權力, 只是州政府在這四年內並未提呈PPS機構法案, 顯然，PPS已非法定機構。

既非法定機構，那即是附屬社團了。然而，州政府是政治實體（political entity），並非如行動黨般的社團，所以附屬社團豁免註冊的條款並不適用於PPS，更何況，其制服團體的性質非常濃烈，符合社團註冊法對單一社團的詮釋，因此這已和聯邦或州事務權限無關，堅稱其合法不需註冊的論述不過是在模糊焦點而已。所以，州政府與其和警方鬥嘴，不如直接向註冊局註冊，以行動堵住內政部的嘴，維護州政府聲譽的同時，更保障了PPS會員的權益. 不好嗎?

惟誠. 私立大學講師
星洲日報, 10 September 2014
http://opinions.sinchew.com.my/node/33968?tid=38

7.

重谈国投反对党，州投国阵: 自1980年代以来，世界各地均流行地方分权或权力下放，其中，分权的授权程度又高于权力下放，也享有更多更高层次的自主自决权。

大马虽说是个联邦体制，可在实际上却较像单一制的权力集中，以至地方政府权力有限。如在立法上（中央可宣布紧急状態，中止州议会）；在行政上（90%的公务员为中央公务员）；在財政上（各级政府的总收入，只有中央的约20%）。是以，从民主的正当性与决策及执行的有效性言，大马均有所不足。中央与州、地方的关係不像平等的伙伴（Partners），反而像由上而下的委託代理（Principal-Agency）的上下从属关係。

孙和声
Oriental Daily, 9 September 2014
http://www.orientaldaily.com.my/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=136698:&Itemid=203

8.

Datuk Seri, please do the right thing: The 1948 Sedition Act is a piece of colonial era legislation which was born during a time when our penjajah, the English, intended to suppress dissent, maintain power and continue the oppression and subjugation of the people of Malaya.It was intended to extinguish the flame of democracy which burned brightly amongst those who yearned for freedom and a better future for everyone in this country. It is an instrument born of fear, insecurity, is against democratic principles and aimed to tyrannise the ruled and to see and treat the rakyat as the enemy. It was used on the people who fought for this country's independence. How ironic is it that we have been independent for decades but continue to keep and utilise the tools of oppression and tyranny left by our colonial masters more than a century ago? Have we become today's colonial masters who brook no opposition, no contrarian opinions and no check and balance?

Azrul Mohd Khalib
The Malay Mail, 9 September 2014
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/azrul-mohd-khalib/article/datuk-seri-please-do-the-right-thing

9.

New movement 'Hasut' to launch street campaign against Sedition Act: In the first series of the campaign, Gerakan Anak Muda Hapuskan Akta Hasutan, or Hasut, comprising 11 student movements, will take to the streets in Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Day next week.

Hasut spokesman Muhammad Safwan Anang, who was convicted of a sedition charge and sentenced to 10 months' jail last week, said the first initiative called "Jalan-jalan hasut" will see members using public transportation to educate the masses. "We will use busses, trains and commuters on that day (September 16) to distribute flyers and pamphlets on the Sedition Act. This is our way of educating the public," said Safwan. Asked why they are using "hasut" (incite) as its name, Safwan said it is catchy, but said it is not meant to challenge the government.

Muzliza Mustafa
The Malaysian Insider, 9 September 2014
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/new-movement-hasut-to-launch-street-campaign-against-sedition-act

10.

Only God, not Sultan, has absolute power, says legal expert: Dr Abdul Aziz Bari told a forum organised by Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) that the 30 statutory declarations (SD) in support of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah should be enough for the sultan to consent to her appointment as the Selangor MB. "(This is) the first time in Malaysian history where people declared their support through SD. What else does he want? When he issued a decree, asking for other names, to me, that is wrong constitutionally. The only ones who are infallible (mutlak)... are Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. Humans, whoever they are, can make mistakes. To me, requesting more names when Dr Wan Azizah has the majority support is wrong," he said yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Speaking at the forum, titled "PAS and Umno - where are they headed?", Aziz said the sultan's discretion in choosing a menteri besar was limited to cases where there was a hung parliament.

"We stand by the principle of the constitution. There's no such thing as absolute power. We practise democracy. In Islam there is no absolute power (for humans). So where does the absolute power come from? Only Allah has absolute power," he said, adding that there was no precedent in Malaysian history for what was unfolding at the Selangor palace now.

Anisah Shukry
The Malaysian Insider, 9 September 2014
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/only-god-not-sultan-has-absolute-power-says-constitutional-expert

11.

PKR gives way to PAS in Pengkalan Kubor by-election：PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the party was prepared to step aside in solidarity with the Islamist party, despite having contested the seat in the past two general elections . " To face Umno/Barisan Nasional effectively, the bond and consensus in Pakatan Rakyat must be defended so that we are united in fighting Umno/Barisan Nasional. I believe this can only be achieved through compromising, understanding and magnanimity.  Because of that, Keadilan has decided to give way for the PAS candidate to contest the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, taking into account the compromise, understanding and magnanimity," she said in a statement today.

12.

PKR seeks Sultan's forgiveness, but insists giving one name for MB is correct: "Referring to the media statement by the Selangor palace media signed by the private secretary to the Sultan yesterday, we ask the Sultan's forgiveness if our decision to abide by the Selangor State Law and convention since 1957 offended the feelings of the Sultan," Anwar said in a statement today.

His statement comes hours after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng issued a similar statement this morning on the matter. Anwar added that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat stood by the principle of the supremacy of the constitution and upheld the constitutional monarch and system of parliamentary democracy.

Anisah Shukry
The Malaysian Insider, 9 September 2014
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkr-sees-sultans-forgiveness-but-insists-giving-one-name-for-mb-is-correct

13.

US companies see positive business outlook in Malaysia: American companies continue to have a positive business outlook for their businesses in Malaysia with some expecting to see higher profits in 2014 and 2015, according to a recent survey done by the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). However, the survey pointed out that American companies are reporting lower level of satisfaction on certain business elements such as declining quality of infrastructure, lack of skill labour and higher housing cost.

AMCHAM president Sanjeev Nanavati said it is important to look at the sources of strength and address the sentiments of US companies in order to retain investments."We find that Malaysian strength has been declining year-on-year. These elements of the business environment still remain as Malaysia's strength but it is just not as strong as before. "The survey represents sentiments at this point of time and sentiments are important because they drive business and what they do. Sentiments at the moment seem to be a little under threat, so it is important to recognise the sentiments that have been expressed." said Sanjeev.

The Malaysian Reserve, 9 September 2014
http://themalaysianreserve.com/main/news/corporate-malaysia/6392-us-companies-see-positive-business-outlook-in-malaysia

14.

Palanivel: India, Malaysia keen on enhancing bilateral ties: "We need to inject new dynamism and dimension to the relationship." "Malaysia will assume chairmanship of Asean in 2015 and we are looking to work closely with India in the platform as well," he told Bernama after the 30-minute meeting with Modi here.Also present was Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Naimun Ashakli Mohammad.He said India and Malaysia had the potential to further expand bilateral trade between the two countries, which should be pursued with greater interest. Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia stood at RM42.78bil in 2013. The target is to touch RM63.85bil by 2015. Among others, Palanivel said he conveyed that Malaysia was keen to secure more high impact infrastructure projects in India as well as attract more Indian companies to invest in Malaysia.

The Star, 9 September 2014
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/09/09/pala-india-msia-strengthen-bilateral-ties/

15.

DAP apologises to Sultan of Selangor: Just a day after the Selangor palace rapped PKR and DAP for nominating only one name for the mentri besar post, DAP has apologised to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Its secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, said the decision to nominate PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was made after discussing with PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Haikal Jalil
The Sun Daily, 9 September 2014
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1163535

16.

林瑞源. 雪州危機進一步深化: 雪州蘇丹訓斥公正黨和行動黨只提呈一名雪州大臣人選的做法，形同叛君和對王室無禮，這讓兩黨在君主立憲下面對巨大的壓力。可以預見的是，輿論將群起攻擊民聯兩黨，促使雪州大臣風波從"伊黨與盟黨貌合神離"的政治劇目進入"公正黨和行動黨與王宮對抗"的局面，恐怕將加速伊黨保守派離棄民聯的步伐。

開明派退出伊黨、籌組新黨，然後加入民聯，取代伊黨，是民聯支持者希望看到的結局，但是伊黨畢竟有數十年的歷史、基層組織強穩，任何新黨想要和伊黨及巫統抗衡並不容易。若伊黨退出民聯，馬來票將是民聯的軟肋，民聯在下屆大選就不可能奪取中央政權。民聯威脅的解除，也讓巫統再無壓力延續現有的政策。從最近巫統領袖及區部大會對煽動法令存廢課題的言論，可看出黨內保守聲音逐漸壯大，再加上雪州政局演變，不利於國家政治的改革。際此關鍵時刻，民聯和公民社會應發出民主自由的呼聲、阻攔保守力量，否則國家可能後退，但是民聯領袖自顧不暇，他們是否還有能耐化危機為轉機？若雪州危機演變成保守力量的大結合, 這將是國家的不幸.

林瑞源, 星洲日報副執行總編輯
星洲日報, 9 September 2014
http://opinions.sinchew.com.my/node/33959?tid=35

17.

New Jakarta governor to extend reforms, increase infrastructure: INCOMING Jakarta governor Basuki Purnama promises to extend the reforms and infrastructure spending initiatives that have become the hallmark of the administration he has helped lead since 2012 - when he was elected the capital's vice-governor on a joint ticket with outgoing incumbent Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi.

Jeffrey Hutton
Business Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/indonesia/new-jakarta-governor-extend-reforms-increase-infrastructure-20140910

18.

Jokowi able to face red-and-white coalition: Observer: President-elect Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, has the strategic capability to face the Red-and-White Coalition in the parliament, according to a political observer from Gajah Mada University, Erwan Agus Purwanto. "Jokowi has a wealth of experience in facing the parliament as Jakartas governor, when only a few factions supported him," Erwan stated here on Tuesday. He remarked that Jokowis strategy is a political experiment to build a coalition of people instead of political parties, thus empowering his leadership position. "Therefore, during Jokowis term in office, there will be many political experiments, and if these are successful, Indonesia will see political progress," he noted.

He warned that Jokowi should wisely face the permanent coalition existing in the parliament, because the system of government in Indonesia does not purely adhere to the presidential system but sometimes applies the parliamentary system. "With the current government system in Indonesia, I believe only 33 percent of the political parties that support Jokowi in the parliament will pose a great challenge to him, unless he balances it with a smart and mature political formula," Erwan stated.

Antara News, 9 September 2014
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/95573/jokowi-able-to-face-red-and-white-coalition-observer

19.

Foreign policy reforms under Jokowi： In accordance with Jokowi-Kalla's platform, the four center stages of Indonesian foreign policy are maritime cooperation, Indonesia's role as a middle power, regionalism beyond ASEAN that positions itself within the regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific region and the enhancement of diplomatic resources.

In terms of thematic approaches, the protection of Indonesian overseas workers, public diplomacy, economic diplomacy and the issue of Palestine are among the fundamental bedrocks of Jokowi's foreign relations agenda. The "mindset revolution" in areas of diplomacy will be mutually intertwined with the aforementioned programs on foreign policy and the foreign relations agenda.

These are some points of foreign policy reform that Indonesia under Jokowi's leadership can implement. First, reforms in human resources development are paramount to shape quality foreign policy and diplomacy. Our pressing need is the formulation of a Foreign Service Law, which will serve as a procedural mechanism for diplomatic positions. Ambassadorship, for instance, is the only state-appointed position where its designation has not yet been regulated under a law, despite the constitutional mandate.

Ben Perkasa Drajat, Jakarta
Jakarta Post, 9 September 2014
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/09/foreign-policy-reforms-under-jokowi.html

20.

Indonesia parliament mulls ending direct elections for local leaders: Indonesian lawmakers are expected to vote this week on legislation that ends direct elections for governors and mayors, a measure critics say would weaken the country's democratic advances and encourage patronage politics.But direct elections have also proved to be costly for candidates, limiting the field to those who can afford to pay for their campaigns."High costs are required sometimes to carry our fair elections," said Robert Endi Jaweng, executive director of Regional Autonomy Watch, a local non-governmental organisation."But the logic of democracy is not about the logic of efficiency, it's about the right of the people to choose their leaders."

Reuters, 9 September 2014
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/09/uk-indonesia-politics-idUKKBN0H40O820140909

21.

Opinion: Indonesia Gouges the Miners: After eight acrimonious months during which mines in Indonesia suspended operation, Freeport-McMoran and Newmont have both agreed to pay a 7.5% levy on mineral exports. At least now production can resume, thousands of laid-off workers can return to work, and Indonesia can begin recouping billions in lost revenue. But the government's shakedown will deter future investment, and not merely in mining.

It doesn't help that the official responsible for mining policy, Energy Minister Jero Wacik, was forced to resign last week after being named a suspect in an investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission. Another red flag: Jakarta has promised to cancel some 67 bilateral investment treaties with countries including Germany, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore and China.

Wall Street Journal, 9 September 2014
http://online.wsj.com/articles/indonesia-gouges-the-miners-1410195804

22.

Indonesia's New Leader Joko Widodo Seen Facing Foreign Policy Tests： Indonesia's foreign minister said President-elect Joko Widodo will face an increasing need for regional unity on security issues as global tensions worsen and pressure grows to resolve a multination maritime conflict with China.

"What has been good enough the past 10 years, or even 20 years, may not be sufficient for our immediate future," Marty Natalegawa said of security efforts among nations in Southeast Asia. "Look at what's happening all around us now, the tensions in East Asia, China, Japan, India, the U.S., Russia. Even U.S.-Russia relations over Ukraine may have an impact in our region."

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Indonesia is a member, doesn't have the "option of denying all this and assuming that we can simply focus on our Asean community building," Mr. Natalegawa said in a recent interview.

Mr. Natalegawa declined to disclose his plans for when Mr. Yudhoyono steps down in October after a maximum 10 years in power. Indonesia has a history of active foreign ministers. Under the authoritarian rule of former President Suharto, Ali Alatas helped broker a peace deal to end war with the Khmer Rouge and end Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia and for a time appeared to be a contender for the top spot at the United Nations. Hassan Wirajuda, Mr. Natalegawa's mentor, oversaw Indonesia's global re-emergence after tumult following Suharto's downfall in 1998.Mr. Natalegawa has positioned Indonesia as a mediator in regional conflicts, wading into ethnic strife in Myanmar and a long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Ben Otto
Wall Street Journal, 8 September 2014
http://online.wsj.com/articles/indonesias-new-leader-to-face-foreign-policy-tests-1410211922

23.

Qualifications must be right for the job one wants: Heng: The goal is to create opportunities for all, and not to create more competition for some, he said. But he stressed that qualifications sought ought to be of the right kind for the job a person wants.Likewise, employers and the industry should also make it known to those looking to enter the workforce just what it is that they are looking for in employees.Speaking in Parliament yesterday, when he joined the debate on the Aspire committee's report, he acknowledged that qualifications were a proxy measure for some competencies and attributes, "but cannot represent the full package of attributes each of us brings to the table".He noted that several MPs said members of the public had - in the light of the committee's report - asked if the Government was now saying qualifications do not matter, and, if so, why it was urging people to upgrade.The Aspire committee's recommendations, he said, were about "keeping pathways open for all, not blocking pathways for some".

Straits Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/qualifications-must-be-right-the-job-one-wants-heng-20140910

24.

Success is tied to workers' skills and autonomy: This is how Mr Heng, who is also a National Trades Union Congress leader, put it: "Good jobs must be created in Singapore, and Singaporeans must have the attitudes and competencies needed to take on those good jobs."Indeed, the two are inter-linked. If companies find that Singaporeans do not have the competencies needed for the better jobs, they will have less reason to create or bring those better jobs into Singapore."That may sound like common sense but the challenge lies in staying abreast of shifting demand for competencies and finding ways to equip current and future workers with them.Dr Tan said what he sees in the Aspire report is "a warning against leaving our students unprepared for the rigours of the workplace that is set to become more and more competitive".Cutting through the confusion over whether degrees are now less important than they used to be, he added: "Being fully prepared for the workplace is the key, and the reality is that given the right vocational training, some of our students will likely enjoy an equally - if not more - rewarding career over their university-trained counterparts.

Straits Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/success-tied-workers-skills-and-autonomy-20140910

25.

ASPIRE 'not about dissuading S'poreans from getting degrees'： In the wake of misperception by some about the Government's message in its drive to improve prospects of polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday set the record straight as he weighed in on the parliamentary debate on whether to endorse the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (ASPIRE) report.

"As several MPs have noted, some members of the public are asking: Is the government now saying that qualifications don't matter? Then why are we urging people to learn and upgrade? Let me be clear - ASPIRE is not about dissuading Singaporeans from upgrading ourselves or pursuing degrees or any form of qualifications," said Mr Heng.

Instead, ASPIRE is about creating opportunities and keeping pathways open for all, he pointed out. "It is about breakthroughs, not limits; widening opportunities, not narrowing them; addition, not subtraction; more, not less." It is not about one kind of qualification versus another, he stressed.

Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/aspire-not-about-dissuading-sporeans-getting-degrees

26.

Incoming SMU dean aims to turn S'pore into 'entrepreneurial destination': Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Professor Gerard George, who is academic director of the ELITE programme and is completing his stint as deputy dean of Imperial College Business School in London, said he aims to turn Singapore into an "entrepreneurial destination" and build an ecosystem of entrepreneurs - something the region lacks.

With his sights set on making the Lee Kong Chian School of Business one of the world's top 20 business schools - it is currently ranked 52 on the UT Dallas Top 100 Business School Research Rankings - Prof George, 43, said: "What I bring to the table, my thinking, would be to help create an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset - thinking about opportunities, how do you actually take that forward." Apart from focusing his efforts on practical research that helps solve problems among businesses, for instance, Prof George also hopes to better integrate the school with the community, such as through projects or internships with businesses or working with government agencies and social enterprises. He cited an example of how the UK programme has benefited students at Imperial College, where within six weeks, the case studies of companies under the ELITE programme would have been written and could be discussed in classrooms.

Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/incoming-smu-dean-aims-turn-spore-entrepreneurial-destination

27.

Punggol district first to trial smart technologies: Solar panels will sit atop Punggol Northshore blocks. They will also be directly connected to a Light Rail Transit station, with sheltered access to the waterfront. Smart technologies will enhance the planning and maintenance of HDB estates for a more liveable and efficient environment, the agency said. Besides lights equipped with sensors in common areas, the car parks in Punggol Northshore will have an intelligent parking demand monitoring system that automatically increases available lots for visitors during non-peak hours and decreases them in the evening when residents with season parking return home.

A pneumatic waste conveyance system - automated waste collection that uses a vacuum-type underground pipe network to collect household waste - will come with sensors to monitor waste disposal patterns. The data to be collected have yet to be decided on, but the aim is to optimise the deployment of waste-collection resources. The smart waste management system will also be deployed in the first housing precincts of Bidadari and Tampines North, said the HDB.

Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/punggol-district-first-trial-smart-technologies

28.

Society must play its part in changing education mindset: MPs: Fifteen MPs spoke during the parliamentary debate on ASPIRE's report released last month, including Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who weighed in on the topic. They included Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim and Singapore People's Party chairman Lina Chiam, both of whom expressed their respective opposition parties' support for the committee's recommendations - which included more opportunities to work and study concurrently and clearer pathways for career advancement for polytechnic and ITE graduates.

Pointing out that the economy has reached a stage where future progress depends on access to skilled manpower, Nominated MP (NMP) Randolph Tan said workers must broaden and deepen their skill sets as Singapore moves towards further labour market tightening.

Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/society-must-play-its-part-changing-education-mindset-mps

29.

Character advocates introduced for public transport campaign: Two new characters joining the entourage of cartoons advocating graciousness on public transport were introduced today (Sept 9), as part of the ongoing Graciousness Programme 2014 organised by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Named Hush-Hush Hannah and Bag-Down Benny, the characters aimed to be gentle reminders of considerate commuter behaviours like speaking softly and keeping the volume of their music down in public transport, as well as putting their bags down in the trains. They were the winning entries out of 800 submissions for the LTA's "Thoughtful-Me Creator" contest held between June and July this year, which invited commuters to create cartoons characters reinforcing positive commuter behaviours.

This would be an addition to the current three characters, Stand-Up Stacy to remind commuters to offer their seats to those who need it more, Give-Way Glenda to remind them to give way to others and Move-In Martin to encourage people to move in so more people can board.

Today, 9 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/character-advocates-introduced-public-transport-campaign

30.

LKY once said potential citizens are carefully vetted: Last month (29 Aug), quoting the Soufan Group which is a New York-based intelligence firm, the US Washington Post said that people from at least 81 countries are now fighting in Syria ('At least 81 nationalities are fighting in Syria'). Singapore has been cited as one of the 81 countries...It is not known when and how Mr Haja obtained his Singapore citizenship and on what basis the Immigration and Customs Authority granted him citizenship.

However, according to former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew some years ago, potential citizens are carefully vetted. Mr Lee said that the government looks closely at PRs' contributions to Singapore before deciding which ones can become citizens. "So please put up with the new immigrants. We are very careful about who becomes a citizen," he said. "We will look at their performance and slowly absorb those (PRs) who can help us. If they don't help us raise the level, they won't be citizens. We are not stupid," Mr Lee added. Going by what Mr Lee has said, people like Mr Haja must have helped Singapore "raise the level" before he was offered Singaporean citizenship. It is a mystery though what sort of "level" Mr Haja has helped Singapore to raise.

TR Emeritus, 9 September 2014
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/09/09/lky-once-said-potential-citizens-are-carefully-vetted/

31.

Singapore in no hurry to review economic pact with India: The Singapore government, in its effort to reduce reliance on foreign workers, passed the 'Employment Pass Framework' in 2010 under which the foreign share of the total workforce has to be brought down to around one-third by the companies located there, while encouraging employers to invest in productivity in return for incentives in the form of tax breaks. However, India has argued that while Singapore has done this to address its own domestic concerns, it had committed a separate provision under CECA, exempting India from such a rule. The matter has taken a political colour now. "The issue of achieving greater market access in services has become politically difficult," commerce secretary Rajeev Kher had said recently.

As far as banking cooperation is concerned, Indian banks such as ICICI and State Bank of India (SBI) have been trying to enter Singapore for several years now. However, banks operating in Singapore, one of the world's largest financial hubs, are required to meet very high qualifying standards in order to do business there. The qualifying standards in the form of Asset Management Ratio (AMR) is higher for Indian Banks compared to other international banks operating there such as BNP Paribas or Standard Chartered. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has set the AMR on the domestic banking unit (DBU) at 70% for SBI and ICICI as against 35% for other foreign banks.

Business Standard, 2 September 2014
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/singapore-in-no-hurry-to-review-economic-pact-with-india-114090200075_1.html

32.

MYANMAR'S NATIONWIDE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT: SECOND CHANCE AT PEACE? Myanmar's efforts to secure its first-ever nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) appears to be nearing fruition, as the fifth round of negotiations between the government's Union Peace Working Committee and the National Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT) representing 16 ethnic armed groups drew to a close in Yangon in mid-August.

Another round of talks is set to follow in mid-September, with both sides expecting the jointly drafted agreement to be signed by the end of October. The NCA aims to end internal conflicts, some older than the modern state of Myanmar itself, and pave the way for political dialogue on long-standing ethnic issues. While a herculean task lies ahead, the developments are encouraging.

Kyaw San Wai is a Senior Analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.
Eurasia Review, 9 September 2014
http://www.eurasiareview.com/09092014-myanmars-nationwide-ceasefire-agreement-second-chance-peace-analysis/

33.

All Myanmar children will receive education by 2015, says Education Minister: In 2015, every one of Myanmar's children will receive some form of education and the literacy rate will be raised above 95.5 percent announced Union Minister for Education, Dr Khin San Yi on September 8.

The Minister was speaking at a ceremony held in Nay Pyi Taw at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II Nay to mark International Literacy Day.

She said the Union ministry would cooperate with its equivalents in the regions and states and would also be working with the United Nations and other international organisations to achieve these aims.

Mizzima, 9 September 2014
http://www.mizzima.com/mizzima-news/education/item/12609-all-myanmar-children-will-receive-education-by-2015-says-education-minister

34.

There's hope yet for a Suu Kyi presidency: Aung San Suu Kyi's dream of becoming Myanmar's next president is not necessarily over, despite an article in the country's constitution preventing her from standing for presidency.

A committee charged with reviewing Myanmar's 2008 Constitution is submitting recommended changes to parliament during its next session, which begins on September 11.

Belinda Cranston
Myanmar Times, 9 September 2014
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/opinion/11607-there-s-hope-yet-for-a-suu-kyi-presidency.html

35.

Myanmar Reform Group Pushes for Transparency of Chinese Projects: Myanmar's 88 Generation Students Group, which is pushing for political and social reforms, held talks with visiting officials of the Chinese Communist Party and called on them to be transparent over Beijing's investments which have come under criticism for environmental and other concerns.

The 88 Generation said it wanted Chinese investors, most of whom are state-run entities, to take into consideration the local people's interests when making their huge-and at times controversial-investments in Myanmar.

Radio Free Asia, 9 September 2014
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/88-generation-09092014180946.html

36.

Japanese-Led Projects Risk Fueling Conflict in Burma: Activists: Dozens of Karen civil society groups are calling on Japan's international development agency to halt plans for development projects in southeastern Burma.

The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN), which includes 28 civil society groups, says the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has created a blueprint for development in Karen and Mon states that is intended to assist the eventual resettlement of refugees, but which could ultimately worsen conflicts in a region that is recovering from decades of civil war.

Yen Snaing & Saw Yan Naing
The Irrawaddy, 9 September 2014
http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/japanese-led-projects-risk-fueling-conflict-burma-activists.html

37.

Suu Kyi Is Wrong to Support Tin Aye's By-Election Decision: The by-elections scheduled to be held after the rainy season this year have been canceled, Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman Tin Aye announced Sunday, citing several reasons. This is hardly surprising. What is unexpected is that Tin Aye met with National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw before he made the announcement in a meeting with political parties in Rangoon.

At their meeting, Suu Kyi reportedly agreed to the cancelation of the by-elections. After Tin Aye announced the decision, NLD spokesman Nyan Win told news agencies that the party agreed with the UEC chairman's decision, since the NLD is also busy these days. But were Burma's main opposition party and its leader right to accept the abandonment of the by-election?

Sithu Aung Myint
The Irrawaddy, 9 September 2014
http://www.irrawaddy.org/contributor/suu-kyi-wrong-support-tin-ayes-election-decision.html

38.

Cement factories destroy town in southern Vietnam：Doctor Nguyen Dinh Hoe, the general secretary of Vietnam's Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment visited the cement town and says the evidence presented by the locals should be enough to shut the factories down.

Hoe said it seems like the environmental ministry and the provincial authorities haven't done a proper job of assessing the environmental impact of such a large number of cement factories before licensing them. Colonel Pham Trung Thanh, spokesman of Kien Giang Police, disagrees.

"The pollution has not reached a point that merits punishment," he said, adding that they've asked the factory to clean up their production.

Doan Huu Thang, head of the environment division of Kien Giang Natural Resources and Environment Department, also expressed sympathy for the factories. "They will have to invest a large sum of money (in treatment and the like), and haven't been able to do that yet."

Tien Trinh - Dinh Tuyen,
Thanh Nien News, 9 September 2014
http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/cement-factories-destroy-town-in-southern-vietnam-30862.html

39.

Vietnam's policy on foreign workers needs to be revised, analysts say: Attempts by foreign-invested enterprises to recruit foreign workers have been facing strong opposition from labor unions, which say that Vietnamese workers are losing jobs to foreigners.

Analysts, however, have said that Vietnam is pursuing a "closed policy" in its recruitment of foreign workers. Policymakers have tried to set limitations in legal documents on the recruitment of foreign workers.

VietNamNet Bridge, 9 September 2014
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/111433/vietnam-s-policy-on-foreign-workers-needs-to-be-revised--analysts-say.html

40.

Vietnamese, Indian coast guard forces promote ties: The General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army supports the strengthening of cooperation between the Vietnamese and Indian coast guard forces in delegation exchanges, training, search and rescue and environmental protection.

Vice Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, made the statement while receiving Inspector General KR Nautiyal, Deputy Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, in Hanoi on September 8.

VietNamNet Bridge, 9 September 2014
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/111526/vietnamese--indian-coast-guard-forces-promote-ties.html

41.

19 more cultural heritage examples to be recognised:The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has identified a list of 19 additional national intangible cultural heritages.These heritages focus on intangible aspects of culture including literacy, folk art performance, social practice and belief, traditional craftsmanship, traditional festival and folk knowledge.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/CultureSports/19-more-cultural-heritage-examples-to-be-recognised/281017.vov

42.

Hanoi hosts Asia-Europe roundtable on peace and security: Representatives from peoples' organisations in Asia and Europe are assembling in Hanoi for a two-day roundtable on peace and security in the two continents.At the opening ceremony on September 9, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) President Vu Xuan Hong called on delegates to work out measures to promote peace and ensure security in Asia and Europe.

Participants dilated at length on the peace and security situation in the regions in 2013 and early months of 2014, and pointed out a number of challenges facing citizens of both continents.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/Politics/Hanoi-hosts-AsiaEurope-roundtable-on-peace-and-security/281034.vov

43.

Promoting cooperation in Development Triangle Area: Experts from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos (CVL) gathered in Siem Reap on September 9, seeking ways to promote trade, investment and tourism in the three countries of the Development Triangle Area (DTA).

The Development Triangle Area holds a strategic position in economic, trade and tourism cooperation among the three countries. It aims to pool more investment resources to spur economic development of 13 provinces in the region and accelerate economic cooperation in the three countries.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/Economy/Promoting-cooperation-in-Development-Triangle-Area/281035.vov

44.

Rubber exports take a nosedive: Vietnamese rubber exports are forecast at 1 million tonnes, down 10% in volume and 25-30% in value compared to last year.

The Agro-Forestry Processing and Salt Industry Department (AFPSID) attributes the decline to low consumption and an excess supply in the world market.

AFPSID Director Nguyen Trong Thua predicts rubber prices will continue to drop in the long-run due to a slow recovery of the global rubber market. Rubber prices in Vietnam are often lower than that in several regional countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia because many batches of Vietnamese rubber products do not have the requisite quality certificates.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/Economy/Investment/Rubber-exports-take-a-nosedive/281030.vov

45.

Vietnam attends UN Human Rights Council's 27th session: Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, Vietnamese permanent representative to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations gave a speech at the 27th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 8.

Ambassador Thanh on behalf of ASEAN stressed that the promotion of human rights needs to be adapted to each country and region's situation and regional grouping has renewed its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/Politics/Vietnam-attends-UN-Human-Rights-Councils-27th-session/281010.vov

46.

Vietnam moves towards sustainable cities: Vietnam is shifting towards the creation of environmentally sustainable urban areas, which play a crucial role in the nation's economic development and contribute greatly to GDP growth.

This move comes at a time when numerous cities are struggling with environmental issues, such as air pollution, poor sewage management and a lack of green space, a seminar in Hanoi heard on September 9.

The central city of Danang and the imperial city of Hue won the "ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City" Award in 2011 and 2014, respectively, thanks to their clean air, water and urban spaces as well as the municipalities' efforts to improve and protect the environment.

Voice of Vietnam, 9 September 2014
http://english.vov.vn/Society/Vietnam-moves-towards-sustainable-cities/281029.vov

47.

Democrats urge scrutiny of government Abhisit denies saying reform process will take three years: Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed the need for more vigorous monitoring mechanisms to scrutinise the interim government and keep corruption in check.

Bangkok Post, 10 September 2014
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/431456/democrats-urge-scrutiny-of-government

48.

Reshuffle bulges with 1,092 generals: This year's military reshuffle which takes effect in three weeks will result in the appointments of 1,092 generals, more than ever before. Thailand's total military strength is 550,000 men and women, of whom about 245,000 are reserve or paramilitary.

Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post, 10 September 2014
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/431458/reshuffle-bulges-with-1092-generals

49.

The need to talk peace: Following more than a year of silence, the military authorities are providing a glimmer of hope with moves to revive talks with the separatists fomenting violence in the deep South. After more than 10 years of terrorism the only stable peace will be a negotiated one. A chief negotiator has been named, and both the National Security Council chief and the prime minister are due to visit Malaysia to arrange more details.

Bangkok Post, 10 September 2014
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/431461/the-need-to-talk-peace

50.

The two faces of Thai authoritarianism: These two sides of the authoritarian coin - electoral and military - represent Thailand's painful learning curve in political development.The most daunting challenge for the country is not to end up with one or the other, but to come up with a hybrid that combines electoral sources of legitimacy for democratic rule and some measure of moral authority and integrity that have been found wanting among elected officials.A long view is necessary to come to terms with Thailand's long crisis.One portrait of Thailand being painted is that of a society which saw the contentious rise in power of a few, to a pluralistic rule by the many. The latter heralded an era of mass politics in the 21st century no longer dictated by traditional power brokers such as the monarchy, but is, at the same time, susceptible to abuse and manipulation by newly vested power holders.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak
Straits Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/opinion/story/the-two-faces-thai-authoritarianism-20140910

51.

Thailand must take climate threat seriously: experts: THE GOVERNMENT has been urged to put "climate change" on the national agenda in order to boost the country's credibility in future international climate talks.

Dr Natarika Wayuparb, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management (TGO)'s deputy executive director, said the Kingdom should pioneer new policies by addressing climate change problems at a serious level.

Natarika was speaking yesterday at a "global joint action day on climate change", hosted by the EU delegation, the British Embassy and the German Embassy together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Nation, 10 September 2014
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thailand-must-take-climate-threat-seriously-expert-30242931.html

52.

In post-coup Thailand, what is happening with Prem? Prem Tinsulanoda, Chairman of the Privy Council, has been key player in Thai politics in recent decades, particularly in regards to military appointments. He was at the zenith of his powers and influence at the time of the 2006 coup. Prem was also the conduit between the military and the palace. However, since 2006, his powers and his ability to influence things have waned as Prayuth and the Eastern Tigers have their own connections and they have been able to bypass Prem.

One will have to wait and see over time what the real divisions are, but at least from what BP understands there is no doubt some tension between those aligned with Prem and those aligned with Prayuth. They each hold sway in different areas, but Prayuth's power as coup leader and PM mean his camp is in the dominant position now.

Bangkok Pundit
Asian Correspondent, 9 September 2014
http://asiancorrespondent.com/126517/what-is-happening-with-prem/

53.

Aquino to talk of good governance, economic growth in European trip: President Benigno Aquino III will parade his government's program for good governance as a foundation for good economics when he embarks on a four-nation European trip from Sept. 13 to 20.

Besides his meetings with top European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Fran�ois Hollande, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Mr. Aquino will get his opportunity in three major policy speeches he is to deliver in Belgium, France, and Germany.

Assistant Foreign Secretary for European Affairs Marie Zeneida Angara-Collinson said the President would discuss proposals on how the Philippines intended to make its relationship with these countries "look like and to be in the future."

Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 September 2014
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/110859/aquino-to-talk-of-good-governance-economic-growth-in-european-trip

54.

Solons cool to idea of impeaching Binay: No takers of Albay governor's proposal: DJ Yap, Gil C. Cabacungan: So who will bell the cat? From yellow to red, politicians across party lines in the House of Representatives on Tuesday showed no interest in impeaching Vice President Jejomar Binay as suggested by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to resolve charges of corruption being leveled at the clear front-runner in the 2016 presidential election.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said Salceda should address his impeachment proposal to his colleagues in the Liberal Party (LP).

Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 September 2014
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/636611/solons-cool-to-idea-of-impeaching-binay

55.

Think tank urges gov't to relax wage rules: A government think tank on Tuesday urged policymakers to relax wage regulations and allow small and medium businesses to pay salaries below the minimum wage when they hire unskilled workers.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said the imposition of a minimum wage had worsened unemployment, a conclusion reached by its labor policy analysis of Philippine job expansion and development. The unemployment rate in the country stands at 7 percent.

Vincent Cabreza
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 September 2014
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/636557/minimum-wage-worsens-unemployment-says-govt-think-tank

56.

Philippines seeks governmental deal to import up to 500,000 tonnes of rice: The Philippines' state grains procurement agency is seeking to import up to 500,000 tonnes of rice via a government-to-government deal with either Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia, a spokeswoman of the agency's chairman said on Tuesday.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has sent letters to the three countries seeking the lowest price offer, said the spokeswoman of NFA Council Chairman Francis Pangilinan, the country's food security chief. The agency rejected all bids in a tender that closed on Aug 27 for a 500,000-tonne deal because the prices offered by four suppliers were higher than the budget. No other details of the purchase plan were immediately available, but the spokeswoman said the NFA was seeking bids for a minimum volume of 200,000 tonnes.

Business Times, 9 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/asia/philippines-seeks-governmental-deal-import-500000-tonnes-rice-20140909

57.

Gov't urged to invest in education, infra to draw more investments, create jobs: The head of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urged the government to invest more in education and infrastructure for the energy and agriculture sectors to draw more investments that would open up more jobs for workers.

"The problem really is the lack of investment, both public and private," Ernesto Herrera, president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, said when sought for comment on the findings of the government think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies that the minimum wage has discouraged the creation of jobs and lowered the employment rate in the country.

Erika Sauler
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 9 September 2014
http://business.inquirer.net/178420/govt-urged-to-invest-in-education-infra-to-draw-more-investments-create-jobs

58.

Philippine port congestion is hurting the economy: Severe congestion at the Philippines' main seaport due to rules restricting truck access is hurting the economy, President Benigno Aquino said on Monday, hinting it could put this year's growth target at risk. Aquino said the government is doing all it can to ease congestion at the Manila port, and to prevent the supply chain problem from pushing up food prices, which have reached five-year highs. "We ask for forgiveness from the public," Aquino told reporters. "There is an impact of this congestion on the growth of our economy." Import growth fell for two straight months in May and June, a sign of the economic impact of the port congestion.

Business Times, 8 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/asia/philippine-port-congestion-hurting-economy-aquino-20140908

59.

Cambodian Parties Expect Draft Election Law by Month's End: Cambodia's ruling and opposition parties expect to finalize a draft of the nation's new election law by the end of the month as the centerpiece of key reforms promised in a July agreement that ended a nearly one-year political crisis, an official said Monday.

"The two parties hope to finalize the combined draft law by Sept. 29," Deputy Prime Minister Bin Chhin said following Monday's meeting between officials from Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in the capital Phnom Penh.

Radio Free Asia, 8 September 2014
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/draft-09082014171348.html

60.

AIPA preparations in final stages: The country's preparations to host the 35th Asean Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) meeting have reached the final phase with all the works of the responsible sub-committees now complete.The sub-committees yesterday met to finalise the preparations with National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathortou chairing the discussions. Following the meeting's conclusion representatives from the sub-committees and secretariat attended a press conference in the afternoon to inform the diplomatic corps and media about their progress.

Somxay Sengdara
Vientiane Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_AIPA preparations.html

61.

Is bigger better for ASEAN in a mega-regional world? All ASEAN countries are in RCEP and four are in the TPP. What should they do on mega-regionals? First, they should push for ambitious agreements that are wide (with maximum sectoral coverage) and deep (with strong disciplines on regulatory barriers), with relatively simple ROOs and open accession clauses for non-members. Only this type of mega-regional is likely to create significant trade and investment, and facilitate the expansion of global supply chains. Second, they should back this up with intra-ASEAN measures, such as accelerating progress on the AEC and strengthening provisions in existing FTAs.

But it must be recognised that mega-regionals, and indeed other FTAs, are not a universal remedy. Political realities will inevitably dilute their ambition and quality. Given their gaps and distortions, they are unlikely to deliver the huge gains that many pundits predict. This applies to the TPP, RCEP and the AEC. The key policy implication that follows is that ASEAN countries should go as fast, wide and deep as possible with unilateral liberalisation.

Razeen Sally is Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
East Asia Forum, 10 September 2014
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2014/09/10/is-bigger-better-for-asean-in-a-mega-regional-world/

62.

A caring ASEAN community：The Responsibility to Protect is a responsibility solemnly entered into by all UN Member States, including all 10 ASEAN Members at the 2005 World Summit in New York and a responsibility that converges with the commitment that these same governments have made to each other, through ASEAN's aspirations of "sharing and caring". R2P is already encapsulated in various ASEAN instruments, and definitely enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, in spirit, if not in letters.

A caring ASEAN Community is one that protects its own people from the very worst of crimes known to humanity, namely genocide and atrocity crimes. This is no less than what ASEAN Member States have pledged themselves to, through their various commitments to developing the ASEAN Community and through their unanimous commitment to the R2P at the 2005 World Summit. Now is the time for us to become proactive in delivering on these commitments for all our peoples.

Surin Pitsuwan is former Secretary-General of ASEAN. He chairs the High Level Advisory Panel on the Responsibility to Protect in Southeast Asia.
Jakarta Post, 9 September 2014
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/09/a-caring-asean-community.html

63.

Rice visit lends new vitality to Sino-US ties: Rice's China trip has once again activated the reasons to look at Sino-US ties from an optimistic perspective. In retrospect, we can find that the new type of major power relations between the two countries does exist. China and the US have avoided direct military conflict or cold war and established an unprecedented quasi-community of common interests between an established power and a rising country.

Now Beijing and Washington have forged an unusual relationship, with considerable causes for defense as well as cooperation. While continuing to suspect each other of malicious strategic intentions, they are propelled by the advantages of cooperation and gradually become closer in a variety of fields.

This is a power-to-power relationship at the crossroads. Precaution and collaboration are in a tug of war over the development trend of US-China ties. The two sides are likely either to return to the old path of a zero-sum game or to reinforce the concept of win-win progress.

Global Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/880677.shtml

64.

Reconciling Japan-South Korea relations: Japan is now discovering that history is too important to be left to newspaper editors. In the 1990s, the newspaper Asahi Shimbun caused a firestorm at home and in South Korea by publishing a series of articles, based upon testimony by the former Japanese soldier Seiji Yoshida, on "comfort women" - Koreans forced to provide sexual services to the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Asahi has now admitted that the soldier's confessions were unfounded and has disavowed the core supporting evidence for the articles.

That retraction appears to be causing as much embarrassment - and diplomatic vitriol - in Japan and South Korea today as the original series did.But it will take a committed leadership to transcend the history wars and tap the full potential of Japanese-Korean cooperation, something that both countries' key ally, the United States, strongly desires, as it seeks to draw China into a lasting and peaceful Asian order. For too long, intemperate historical debates - often driven by biased newspaper accounts - have poisoned bilateral relations.

Now, as another war of words heats up, Japanese and South Korean leaders need to step back, recognise where the real interests of their people lie, both today and in the future, and calmly begin to take the measures required to ensure durable reconciliation.

Yuriko Koike, Japan's former defence minister and national security adviser, was chairwoman of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party's General Council and is currently a member of the National Diet.
Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/reconciling-japan-south-korea-relations

65.

EIA SEES WORLD LIQUID FUELS RISING 38% BY 2040 ON GROWTH IN ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST, ANALYSIS: The potential for growth in demand for liquid fuels is focused on the emerging economies of China, India, and the Middle East, while liquid fuels demand in the United States, Europe, and other regions with well-established oil markets seems to have peaked.

After a long period of sustained high oil prices, efficiency and fuel switching have reduced or slowed the growth of liquid fuels use among mature oil-consuming countries. Developing Asian countries (including China and India) account for 72% of the world increase in liquid fuels consumption, with Middle East consumers accounting for another 13%.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Eurasia Review, 9 September 2014
http://www.eurasiareview.com/09092014-eia-sees-world-liquid-fuels-rising-38-2040-growth-asia-middle-east%e2%80%8f-analysis/

66.

Japan Still Hobbled by Racism and Militarism: Japan faces two monumental problems. First, the country will, sooner or later, find itself in the grip of an economic crisis. Its debt level is staggering, dwarfing that of supposed economic basket cases like Greece or Portugal. Indeed, it is the world's biggest debtor, its public debt reaching 226 percent of GDP in 2013, according to the CIA. So far as I can see, there is no realistic way that this money can be paid off. Even worse, the debt mountain is just going to keep expanding. This is due to the shrinking and ageing Japanese population, a deep-rooted suspicion of immigrants, and Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters.

Second, as is well-known, the country's relations with its neighbours are dire. This, it now seems to me, is largely the fault of the Japanese government, which has shown a consistent unwillingness to face up to the ugly side of the nation's history. There is a school of thought concerning Japan's imperialist past which effectively views the country as blameless. Such sentiments inform the displays in the obnoxious war museum situated beside the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, where the souls of Japan's war dead (Class A War Criminals included) are enshrined. Here the visitor is subjected to a distorted and offensive version of history.

A case in point is the museum's treatment of the notorious 1937 'Rape of Nanking', in which tens of thousands of Chinese were murdered and innumerable women raped by soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. In the museum, there is no mention of atrocities; we are instead told that the general in charge told his troops 'to maintain strict military disciplines [sic] and that anyone committing unlawful acts would be severely punished'.

Michael Walker has a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Foreign Policy In Focus, 9 September 2014
http://fpif.org/japan-still-hobbled-racism-militarism/

67.

Weak spending on education leaves East Asian parents with greater burdens: OECD: Weak public spending on education in East Asia is leaving families to pick up the tab, heaping huge burdens on parents who want to get children through college, a new global report has found.Improving academic results, particularly in maths, are being underwritten by pricey private tutoring despite the society-wide benefits of a better-educated population, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said.A common challenge for the region's governments is "to build better systems of public support to enable talented people from all sorts of backgrounds to take part in higher education", said Mr Andreas Schleicher, director of education at the OECD. "East Asian countries spend relatively limited public budgets for education," he said during a video conferencing for Tokyo-based journalists. "A lot of the burden for financing of education, particularly higher education, (falls on) parents, families. That's a chronic trend among East Asian countries," he said.

["Education at a Glance 2014" will be available on the next issue of Weekly News Alert]

Straits Times, 9 September 2014
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/weak-spending-education-leaves-east-asian-parents-greater-burdens-oecd-201

68.

Three Things for Xi Jinping and Shinzo Abe to Read: With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in early November approaching rapidly, hopes are high for a meeting between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. The downturn in relations between Japan and China has been a lose-lose proposition for both countries. Japanese investment in China has dropped off dramatically at a time when Beijing can ill-afford another hit to its sputtering economy, and many Japanese companies have hitched their future to China and are suffering as a result of current political tensions. Moreover, the potential for military conflict to erupt around the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands remains significant. The summit, which will be held in Beijing, offers an important opportunity for President Xi and Prime Minister Abe to begin to bring their countries' derailed relations back on track. In advance of such a meeting, political advisors on both sides should seek inspiration from a few sources...

Elizabeth C. Economy is C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Diplomat, 9 September 2014
http://thediplomat.com/2014/09/three-things-for-xi-jinping-and-shinzo-abe-to-read/

69.

Political unrest could hit Hong Kong economy: Ratings agency Moody's said Monday prolonged political discord in Hong Kong over China's refusal to grant the key financial hub full democracy could negatively impact the city's economy. But the agency added that the southern Chinese city would likely weather any storm caused by the current political crisis.

Activists in the former British colony had their hopes for genuine democracy dashed after China announced last week that the city's next leader would be vetted by a pro-Beijing committee. A coalition of pro-democracy groups, led by Occupy Central, have vowed to usher in a new "era of civil disobedience" against the decision, calling on followers to blockade major thoroughfares in the city's financial district.

Business Times, 8 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/asia/political-unrest-could-hit-hong-kong-economy-moodys-20140908

70.

Western lobbyists bring gentle touch to Asian financial reforms: Asia is proving new and fertile ground for Western lobbyists and public affairs consultancies who are helping shape post-crisis financial reforms in a region where regulators traditionally operate behind closed doors.

As the reform agenda has become increasingly global, regulators in Asia are having to juggle local issues such as poor corporate governance and rampant insider trading, while implementing extensive G20 reforms - from overhauling the derivatives markets to clamping down on shadow banking.

As the reform agenda has become increasingly global, regulators in Asia are having to juggle local issues such as poor corporate governance and rampant insider trading, while implementing extensive G20 reforms - from overhauling the derivatives markets to clamping down on shadow banking.

This is a potential gold-mine for lobbyists who have created an industry out of influencing policymakers in the West.

[news contains 3 video clips of 3-minute, 3-minute and 4 minute each]

CNBC, 8 September 2014
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101982145

71.

Why Is China Building Islands in the South China Sea? According to the report, China "is building substantial new islands on five different reefs." Wingfield-Hayes notes that no one is certain what China plans to do with the new islands. The Philippine government has expressed concerns that one, Johnson South Reef, will be the home to a new South China Sea airbase. However, it's equally possible that China plans to install civilian populations on the new islands to bolster its sovereignty claims. China, the Philippines, and Vietnam all maintain small civilian outposts in the South China Sea as a way of legitimizing their claims (and deterring military actions by other claimants).

It's also possible that building the "islands" is an end unto itself. Under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, submerged features (such as shoals) cannot be claimed by any party. The Philippines' request for arbitration on the South China Sea disputes is in part based on this fact; Manila requested clarification as to whether or not China (or any other state) can claim submerged or partially-submerged features under UNCLOS. In addition, Part VII of UNCLOS specifies that "Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf." Under this provision, even if China were to gain control over the Spratlys, its control would be limited to the 12 nautical mile territorial waters, without an accompanying exclusive economic zone.

If, however, China can create "islands" on top of previously submerged features and create conditions for these new islands to "sustain human habitation," then China would have strongly bolstered its claims to the South China Sea. This is exactly what the Philippines objects to. In an interview for the BBC report, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose called China's claims in the South China Sea "outrageous," "excessive," and "without basis under international law." He also accused China of trying to change the status quo to strengthen its claims before the arbitration court hands down its ruling on the Philippines' case. When asked about the BBC report, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reiterated China's position that "China's activities on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands fall entirely within China's sovereignty and are totally justifiable." When pressed on the purpose of the construction, Hua said that the work was "mainly for the purpose of improving the working and living conditions of people stationed on these islands."

Shannon Tiezzi
The Diplomat, 10 September 2014
http://thediplomat.com/2014/09/why-is-china-building-islands-in-the-south-china-sea/

72.

SOUTH CHINA SEA: ONE CONFRONTATION, THREE LEGAL QUESTIONS - ANALYSIS: Since there is no agreement between Vietnam and China on the question "Do the waters around the oil rig belong to Vietnam or China?" and both side have potentially valid answer from the legal point of view (even if, as shown earlier, Vietnam's case is much stronger), the waters around the oil rig is by definition disputed. This is where UNCLOS comes in.

Article 74(3) of the Convention stipulates that where there are unresolved conflicting EEZ claims,"the States concerned, in a spirit of understanding and cooperation, shall make every effort to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature and, during this transitional period, not to jeopardize or hamper the reaching of the final agreement. Such arrangements shall be without prejudice to the final delimitation." In the 2007 judgement on the Guyana-Suriname dispute, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that unilateral drilling in a disputed area is a violation of this Article. It is thus clear and undeniable that China's deployment of a giant drilling rig is a violation of this Article, and Vietnam was legally correct in opposing this act.

Unfortunately, China's rejection of UNCLOS's dispute settlement procedures to the maximum possible extent again means that no court or tribunal has the jurisdiction to uphold what is certainly right. However, if Vietnam unilaterally pursued these procedures, there is a possibility that an UNCLOS Annex VII tribunal will find that China's refusal to negotiate the waters around the Paracels with Vietnam is a violation of Article 279, which requires the two countries to "settle any dispute between them concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention by peaceful means in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations".

Duong Danh Huy
Eurasia Review, 9 September 2014
http://www.eurasiareview.com/09092014-south-china-sea-one-confrontation-three-legal-questions-analysis/

73.

Weak leadership remains Europe's Achilles' heel: Despite a severe economic crisis, a public debt bomb not yet defused, high rate of unemployment in several southern countries and an ageing population, the EU believes it has time to fix problems, and still sees communication, charisma and public diplomacy as tools rather than as agents of change.

This assessment is dead wrong. More than ever, Europe is in serious need of gifted political operators, capable of simultaneously addressing the challenges of economic divergence between the north of the continent and its Mediterranean fringes, the difficult constraints of a single currency for 19 of its member states and the reality of a declining military power challenged, to the east, by the Russian bear.

More than ever, in a world dominated by the likes of United States President Barack Obama, Mr Putin and the Islamic State, personalities and messages matter. To believe in Europe, Europeans need, therefore, to have leaders they see as capable of defending their cause and not politicians brought into Brussels' high positions by deals brokered between their national governments and the European Parliament, for the sole sake of preserving their respective powers. Experience, courage and vision are a must.

Richard Werly is an international correspondent for the Swiss Daily Le Temps.

Today, 10 September 2014
http://www.todayonline.com/world/europe/weak-leadership-remains-europes-achilles-heel

74.

What 9/11 taught us: AMERICANS will be marking tomorrow the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The horrifying images from that day had a devastating impact on the American people and were engraved on the nation's psyche. And not unlike the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, the strike by the Al-Qaeda terrorists on the American homeland amounted to a historical game-changer, transforming the direction of American national security and foreign policy. Thirteen years after the attacks and the launching of the war on terrorism by then-US president George W Bush, it's clear that much of the American response to Al-Qaeda's challenge proved to be on target and effective.

Business Times, 10 September 2014
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/editorial-opinion/editorial/what-911-taught-us-20140910

75.

《昭和天皇实录》被疑为天皇脱责日媒称编写随意: 日本《每日新闻》说，编著《实录》耗时24年5个月。日本时事通讯社称，《实录》可能删除不利于昭和天皇正面印象的内容。《朝日新闻》援引日本大学教授古川隆久的话称，《实录》内容是否属实第三方根本无法验证，《实录》中几乎没有直接引用天皇的讲话，涉及战争责任和退位问题上，措辞谨慎。而对于靖国神社合祭甲级战犯一事，《实录》也只是点到即止。共同社称，《实录》虽然在每条记述末尾写上所依据的资料，但仅列举资料名，没有说明哪些内容参考哪种资料。日本《每日新闻》援引《昭和天皇》一书作者明治学院大学教授原武史的话说："《实录》在引用史料方面显得比较随意。"《实录》在记述上存在问题，很多内容表达模糊不清。这种做法容易让人产生疑问--为引导公众得出"天皇没有战争责任"的结论而随意引用资料。

环球网, 10 September 2014
http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2014-09/5132799.html

76.

Before Pearl Harbor, Emperor Warned Against War: Before Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Emperor Hirohito criticized plans to go to war with the United States as "self-destructive" and opposed an alliance with Nazi Germany, though he did little to stop the war that Japan waged in his name, according to the long-awaited official history of his reign released on Tuesday. The 12,000-page history of Hirohito, who was emperor from 1926 to 1989, including during World War II, also shows him exalting over the victories of his armies in China.

Despite its length and some new details, the report contains little that will surprise historians or challenge the established view that Hirohito had little say in Japan's decision to go to war, according to the Japanese news media, which had first access to the report. It also confirms the dominant view that Hirohito was reluctant to go to war with the United States. The most controversial aspect of the report appears to be the fact that it took the Imperial Household Agency almost a quarter of a century to release its official history of Hirohito, who died in 1989 at age 87. The agency, which manages the affairs of the imperial family, explained the delay by saying it took time to put together the 61-volume history from 3,152 documents and records, some of them never previously made public.

Martin Fackler
The New York Times, 9 September 2014
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/world/asia/before-pearl-harbor-japans-emperor-cautioned-against-war-with-us-documents-show.html?ref=asia&_r=0