1.

Let's not shut the door on English option: SHOULD we go back to English-medium schools or not? This is one national education debate that has refused to go away since English ceased to be the medium of instruction in Malaysian schools in the late 1970s.

It resurfaced recently when the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, suggested that Malaysia should emulate Singapore's single-stream education system, which uses English as the medium of instruction.

Khaw Veon Szu, a former executive director of a local think tank, is a practising lawyer.
The Edge Markets, 24 June 2015
http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/my-say-let%E2%80%99s-not-shut-door-english-option

2.

Why activists reject 11MP plan for native land rights: On paper, the 11th Malaysia Plan has a plan that will grant the original inhabitants of the country, called the Orang Asal, recognition of their ancestral land rights. It should be welcome news to indigenous people in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, who have seen their native lands grabbed for plantations or infrastructure projects.

But in reality, Orang Asal activists fear that their fight for land rights will be made worse if a land policy proposal under the 11MP is carried out. They said the 11MP was another attempt to get the Orang Asal in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak to agree to a controversial plantation scheme that would rob them of most of their land claims and make them even poorer.

Sheridan Mahavera
The Malaysian Insider, 24 June 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/why-activists-reject-11mp-plan-for-native-land-rights - sthash.bBbAXuTS.dpbs

3.

G18 likely to replace PAS in Pakatan: Malaysia may soon see the birth of a new Islamist party that could potentially replace PAS in Pakatan Rakyat.The new party may evolve from the G18 action committee set up by the progressive front that suffered total defeat in the recent PAS election.Led by defeated PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, G18 aims to portray a friendly face of Islam as it forges ties with DAP and PKR to strengthen the opposition coalition.The G18 was coined from the 18 elected positions in the PAS central committee, which the progressive team failed to clinch."We want to show that Islam is not at war with others. We want to portray the friendly face of Islam that emphasises justice and fairness for all," said G18 secretary Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.G18 plans to forge ties with Islam-based non-government organisations such as Abim, JIM and Ikram, as well as non-Muslim civil movements such as Bersih to promote politics of inclusiveness accepted by people of all races and religions.
The Star, 24 June 2015
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/06/24/G18-likely-to-replace-PAS-in-Pakatan/

4.

Malaysia's PM Najib: Immovable Object: On June 17, the regular meeting of the United Malays National Organization's Management Committee, chaired by UMNO Vice President Muhyiddin Yassin, turned into a free-for-all, according a source in KL, with Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, the head of the party's women's wing, unloading bitterly on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Shahrizat reportedly said Najib was wrecking the party and looting the country. She also criticized Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, for her extravagance, the source told Asia Sentinel.  The meeting, which included the party's three vice presidents and other top members, appeared to have agreed with Shahrizat, the source said. Muhyiddin has been aligned with former Premier Mahathir Mohamad on a months-long, off-again, on-again campaign to push Najib out of office.
Asia Sentinel, 23 June 2015
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/malaysia-pm-najib-immovable-object/

5.

The Idris-Pesek debate goes under the microscope: Pesek mentioned Malaysia's "underlying economic distress" and "prolonged slow growth" caused by "race-based policies that strangle innovation, feed cronyism and repel multinational companies"Idris denies these allegations. He stated that economic growth expanded by 6% last year and will grow at an internationally projected 5.6% for the next 4 years. Therefore is not "slow growth"!Indeed, Idris is right. But that does not mean Pesek is wrong. Actually if not for some race based policies, expenditure wastage, extremism, cronyism and corruption, economic growth could have been greater, given Malaysia's rich natural and multiracial human resources. Then much more could have been done all these years after Merdeka, to better distribute income and spread the economic benefits wider across the 40% lower income group.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is Chairman of the Asli Centre for Public Policy Studies
Free Malaysia Today, 23 June 2015
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2015/06/23/the-idris-pesek-debate-goes-under-the-microscope/

6.

Malaysia: Opposition collapse offers new risks, opportunities: Only days after the somewhat inevitable dissolution of the opposition alliance in Malaysia, the disparate parties are jostling to create new partnerships.

For better or worse, the breakup of the People's Alliance or Pakatan Rayat is opening the door to new political opportunities. What deals are struck will have important ramifications for embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak's political future, but also for the cohesion of multi-ethnic Malaysia.

Anneliese Mcauliffe
Interpreter, 23 June 2015
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/06/23/Malaysia-Opposition-collapse-offers-new-risks-opportunities.aspx

7.

The State of the Nation: Minimum wage still below poverty line: WHETHER or not Vision 2020 is too ambitious to attain within the next five years, there is no doubt a quality workforce - properly skilled and compensated - is essential for Malaysia's transformation into an advanced, high-income economy, experts say.

Malaysia has acknowledged this in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), which detailed several measures to raise the share of compensation of employees to gross domestic product (GDP) from 33.6% in 2013 to 40% in 2020. According to the 11MP, employees' compensation is "expected to increase following greater compliance to minimum wage", which has been set at RM900 per month (RM4.33 per hour) for Peninsular Malaysia and RM800 per month (RM3.85 per hour) for Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan since January 2013.

Cindy Yeap
The Edge Markets, 23 June 2015
http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/state-nation-minimum-wage-still-below-poverty-line

8.

Dr M: With NEP, Malaysia did better job than US in creating racial equity: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today lauded Malaysia's New Economic Policy (NEP) for creating a society that he claimed was more equitable than other multiracial nations, including even the United States.Citing a feature in American magazine Foreign Affairs which included a study of Malaysia's record on race relations, Dr Mahathir said treating multiracial communities equally using meritocracy has failed to produce tangible results."India and South Africa have also tried affirmative action. But their results are not as good as in Malaysia," Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog."It would seem that Malaysia has done a better job of building a more equitable multiracial society than most multiracial countries including the US. The policy of equality of treatment i.e. meritocracy has not yielded tangible results."
The Malay Mail, 23 June 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dr-m-with-nep-malaysia-did-better-job-than-us-in-creating-racial-equality

9.

Minister: Made-in-Malaysia makes ringgit drop 'manageable': The impact of the sharply falling ringgit on Malaysians was "still manageable" as most local households primarily consumed food products manufactured in the country, according to Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar."In terms of the average households, most of the produced food is actually produced locally. For those imported food, obviously will go up slightly," the minister in the Prime Minister's Department said today."But I think overall, I would say that it is still manageable," he told reporters after a townhall meeting on the 11th Malaysia plan at the Content Malaysia Pitching Centre here.He also said the Malaysian firms' foreign exchange exposure was "very low".Abdul Wahid explained that one of the reasons the ringgit has depreciated more than the other regional currencies was because Malaysia is a net exporter of oil and gas products, the prices of which have fallen sharply since last year.
The Malay Mail, 23 June 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-made-in-malaysia-makes-ringgit-drop-manageable

10.

Subsidy for 'green bonds' crucial to grow economic cake, economists tell Putrajaya: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department Senior Economist Dr Thiam Hee Ng said that with renewable energy, the initial costs are often higher than conventional energy investment thus deterring investors from going down the green route.

"Renewable energy tends to be more pricey. So for the private sector to come in, most people would go for conventional energy because it's cheaper, unless the government comes in and levels the playing field by giving subsidies which is common in Europe."We need someone to be the catalyst, to show that renewable energy is profitable and the risks are manageable," Thiam said during the launch of ADB's 'Asia Bond Monitor'.Malaysia University of Science and Technology Business School Dean Dr Yeah Kim Leng added that the government could encourage renewable energy bonds by introducing some form of insurance for early adopters who face higher risk.
The Malay Mail, 23 June 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/subsidy-for-green-bonds-crucial-to-grow-economic-cake-economists-tell-putra

11.

Your biggest threat is now PAS, Perkasa chief tells Umno after Pakatan fallout: The president of the Malay rights group said PAS has gained an advantage on Malay voters now that they were no longer associated with DAP, whose members are predominantly ethnic Chinese."When PAS separates from DAP and PKR, this becomes dangerous to Umno, a dangerous threat. Before this, Malays voted Umno because they do not have an alternative," Ibrahim told a news conference here."If PAS starts speaking out on issues concerning Malays and Bumiputeras, this will attract Malay voters. If they start talking about economic issues for Malays, aside from Islamic agendas."He added one of the many issues that frustrated Malay voters on Umno included the recent 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) which he previously claimed have failed in giving adequate recognition to Bumiputera rights and policies.
The Malay Mail, 23 June 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/your-biggest-threat-is-now-pas-perkasa-chief-tells-umno-after-pakatan-fallo

12.

Councillor torches Umno for Ramadan flag-burning: Penang Island City Council (MBPP) member Ong Ah Teong has criticised the state Umno for being "rude and recalcitrant" by not respecting laws passed in Parliament by their own lawmakers. "Indirectly, their provocative action in Komtar today, where their members torched a DAP flag, showed that Penang Umno does not respect the Yang di- Pertuan Agong as the law which governs illegal structures was passed in Parliament with His Majesty's approval," he added in a statement.
The Malaysiakini, 23 June 2015
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/302861

13.

Vexed Umno members torch DAP flag: A DAP flag was torched at the ground level of Komtar, which houses the Penang state government office, today. The incident happened when some 50 Umno members and supporters led by Penang Umno secretary Musa Sheikh Fadzir went there to submit a memorandum to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). The protest was in retaliation to the local council's decision to tear down the Menara Umno signboard.

Low Chia Ming
The Malaysiakini, 23 June 2015
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/302807

14.

Can ulama-dominated PAS Youth reach out to young voters? The newly elected PAS Youth leaders appear to be no match for their Umno counterparts in terms of credibility, capability, and attracting support from young voters - a crucial vote bank in the next general election, an analyst said. The recent elections for the Islamist party's Youth wing saw the ulama faction take over the leadership at the expense of the "professionals and progressives" and the challenge they face now is trying to appeal to the nation's youth. The strained ties between PAS, DAP and PKR at the national level and the fact that the PAS top leadership is dominated by individuals from the east coast, only worsens matters.

Mohd Farhan Darwis
The Malaysian Insider, 23 June 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/can-ulama-dominated-pas-youth-reach-young-voters - sthash.Jj3sMFXO.dpbs

15.

Sarawak increases welfare aid to reflect higher cost of living: "Since Sarawak's revenue has risen slightly, in the coming Budget in November, we intend to add to welfare payments for the poor," Adenan said during a Buka Puasa gathering hosted by the federal Welfare, Women and Community Development Ministry."We'll increase because, it's true, things cost more (due to) Goods and Services Tax and others. As such, welfare payment needs to increase too. In the new year, you'll get higher welfare. I urge the Federal Government to follow our lead and also increase its federal welfare handouts."Last year, the Sarawak Government paid out RM175mil in welfare for 57,330 recipients. In the first quarter of this year, the state Government spent roughly RM45mil on welfare.
The Star, 23 June 2015
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/06/23/Sarawak-cost-of-living/

16.

Comment - The English-medium school - a panacea? It has also been argued that English-medium education is vital for the mastery of science and technology. If we look at nations that have developed a strong scientific foundation since World War II, the majority have done so through languages other than English. This would include countries such as China, South Korea and Cuba.Substantive investments in research and development (R&D), active promotion of patents, sustained support for academic research and the production of academic papers and continuous emphasis upon the creation of doctoral graduates in mathematics, science and engineering explain their success. Malaysia lags behind in all these spheres of scientific activity.

Dr Chandra Muzaffar is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan 1Malaysia.
The Sun Daily, 23 June 2015
http://www.thesundaily.my/node/316313

17.

MIC caught in a tangle over election poser: "Fresh" elections or "new" elections - that's the poser the MIC is currently caught in and it's not just about terminology, there are also plenty of strategic considerations.Datuk G. Palanivel, who has been "removed" from office by his deputy Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, wants a fresh election for the MIC in which all leaders will face the members and whoever gets a fresh three-year mandate, will get to run the MIC.Under his proposals, elections would start in August and a "fresh" team will be in place by December and the conflict in MIC will be over.Dr Subramaniam and his faction, on the other hand, want a "new" election to replace the Dec 2013 party elections that were declared null and void by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on Feb 6 because of irregularities.Under his proposal there will be one "replacement" election this year, and another "normal" election next year for the 2016-2019 terms.
The Sun Daily, 23 June 2015
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1468209

18.

Will the President Replace Poor-performing Ministers from Political Party? President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is rumoured to have the intention in reshuffling his seven-month old ministerial cabinet. The President's latest move of evaluating the 34-member cabinet was a strong indication that he will revamp his 'Work Cabinet'.

Whilst Vice President Jusuf Kalla has reiterated this possibility over the past weeks, Jokowi remains tight-lipped on this issue. Last Saturday (20/6), Jusuf Kalla told reporters that Jokowi would no doubt reshuffle the cabinet. The big question is which ministers will be replaced and when.
Global Indonesian Voices, 24 June 2015
http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/21298/will-the-president-replace-poor-performing-ministers-from-political-party/

19.

Port infrastructure, replanting issues challenge govt's CPO push: Indonesia, the world's top palm oil producer, still needs to improve its port infrastructure and boost replanting to increase competitiveness amidst a government push on the major industry, a business group says.

The two issues are expected to be addressed by the government's recent establishment of the crude palm oil supporting fund (CPO Fund), which will collect levies from CPO exporters to be channeled into the development of the industry, as well as biodiesel subsidies, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (Gapki).
Jakarta Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/24/port-infrastructure-replanting-issues-challenge-govt-s-cpo-push.html

20.

RI to break into global top 10 by 2050: Think tank: Mexico and Indonesia will replace Russia and Italy in the world's top 10 economies in the near future, with China, the US and India taking the top three slots, according to forecasts by the Economist Intelligence Unit as reported by Bloomberg Business.

The world's most populous nation will overtake the US as early as 2026 in nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in dollar terms. India and China will each be richer than the next five nations - Indonesia, Germany, Japan, Brazil and the UK - combined, representing "a scale of wealth relative to the rest of the top 10 that is unique in recorded history", according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Jakarta Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/24/ri-break-global-top-10-2050-think-tank.html

21.

Steel industry demands levies on imports: Local iron and steel processing companies have called on the government to provide comprehensive protection for the entire domestic steel industry as the existing and planned regulations protect only the upstream sector.

The government's recent plan to increase steel import duties under the Most Favored Nations (MFN) clause is seen as lacking protection for the downstream industry, the Indonesian Iron and Steel Industry Association (IISIA) executive director Hidayat Triseputro said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Jakarta Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/24/steel-industry-demands-levies-imports.html

22.

Revisionism: President Joko Widodo's rejection on revising the law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) last week, is no guarantee that this anti-graft organization is safe. There have been many instances when its power and authority have been undermined, from the criminalization of its leaders to the House of Representatives' (DPR) attempts to revise its legislation. So the statement by the president's communication staff, Teten Masduki, that the president rejected a revision to the KPK Law is no guarantee. The public is not convinced that he is serious about supporting the beleaguered KPK.
Tempo, 24 June 2015
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/06/24/080677820/Revisionism

23.

The Meddler: Minister for the Empowerment of State Apparatus and Bureaucratic Reform, Yuddi Chrisnandi, is not really a key player in the process of selecting echelon-I officials. He is only one member of the Final Selection Team, which is tasked with selecting candidates to be forwarded to the president. But he spotted a way of 'fixing' the results, even though this contravened the spirit of reforms mandated by law, to ensure that certain people he wanted could be selected.
Tempo, 23 June 2015
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/06/23/080677677/The-Meddler

24.

TNI Chief Mulls Policy to Protect Foreign Journalists: Indonesian Military Chief General Moeldoko said his institution is considering implementing a policy of having security personnel to accompany foreign journalists in Papua to avoid untoward incidents.
Tempo, 23 June 2015
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/06/23/055677448/TNI-Chief-Mulls-Policy-to-Protect-Foreign-Journalists

25.

Jokowi Said to Cave to Kalla on Issue of Watering Down KPK Law: A bill to rein in the powers of Indonesia's vaunted antigraft commission will go before a parliament historically inclined to that end, after President Joko Widodo reportedly relented to his deputy on the matter.

The bill, a package of amendments to the 2002 Law on the Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, was on Tuesday formally included in the docket of priority legislation, or Prolegnas, for this year, during a plenary session of the House of Representatives.

President Joko, whose advisers insisted was against any effort to amend the law on the KPK in the near term, apparently caved in to the persuasion of Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who painted the KPK's fearsome reputation as discouraging government officials from administering much-needed development projects, according to a spokesman.
The Jakarta Globe, 23 June 2015
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jokowi-said-cave-kalla-issue-watering-kpk-law/

26.

Unicef Reports Progress, But Poverty and Abuse Remain Problems for Indonesian Children: A recent report by a United Nations agency reveals that nations across the world, including Indonesia, have made significant strides in ensuring the basic rights and needs of children, but local activists say that child poverty and abuse remain significant issues in Indonesia.

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) on Monday issued its latest report, The Progress for Children, which charts international efforts to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in relation to the world's youth population.

According to the report, Indonesia has made vast progress in certain sectors of child protection and security.
The Jakarta Globe, 23 June 2015
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/unicef-reports-progress-poverty-abuse-remain-problems-indonesian-children/

27.

The Indonesian economy: dangers ahead: Indonesia's economic slowdown seems to be going from bad to worse with economists and business leaders blaming a lack of confidence in Joko Widodo government's policies as much as plunging exports and a drop in domestic consumption for the deepening malaise.

Economic nationalism has become an impediment to economic growth. Indeed, the President's criticism of international financial institutions at April's Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung may have pleased the nationalists, but it will do nothing to attract foreign investment.

John McBeth is a Jakarta-based correspondent who has covered SE Asian politics for more than 40 years.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 22 June 2015
http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-indonesian-economy-dangers-ahead/

28.

Businesses here find it more difficult to hire workers: Poll: Singapore Business Federation chief operating officer Victor Tay said many in Singapore aspire towards management roles. As such, positions such as receptionists and secretaries tend to be avoided, he said. Meanwhile, marketing and public relations professionals have "portable skill sets" that allow them to easily job hop, he said.As for fields such as engineering - which has long faced a high attrition rate - Mr Tay said the specialised skills needed are not easy to find.The IT industry faces a similar problem. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises president Kurt Wee noted there is a "brain drain" in the sector, with many workers moving to other industries. "They may find other industries more attractive from (the) remuneration perspective ... (and) their skill sets (are) applicable," he said.
Today, 23 June 2015
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/businesses-here-find-it-more-difficult-hire-workers-poll

29.

SDP to campaign on cost-of-living issues: The cost of living, manpower issues such as foreign workers, as well as the Central Provident Fund Minimum Sum will feature heavily in the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) campaign for the coming General Election (GE)."Up front on everybody's mind right now would be the cost of living. It's been getting worse through the years," party chief Chee Soon Juan said yesterday at an exhibition and panel discussion to mark the SDP's 35th anniversary.When asked how the SDP would differentiate itself from other opposition parties, Dr Chee said only that his party would focus on setting itself apart from the incumbent People's Action Party."(For the online community), it's really a matter of trying to work out some of the key points that we have and communicating them effectively to our voters," said Dr Chee."Then, you also have the (section) of the electorate that is not online and that's where our real challenge is. Getting to them would require more human resources."
Today, 22 June 2015
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sdp-campaign-cost-living-issues

30.

Expectations dip as army MP opposes loss of veto: The opposition from Brigadier General Tin San Naing suggests that the military bloc is likely to vote against the bill on June 25, although some MPs still expressed hope that they could convince their Tatmadaw counterparts to vote in favour of the changes.

NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was less optimistic, saying after the debate that the military's opposition to amending section 436 had been expected.
Myanmar Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/15189-expectations-dip-as-army-mp-opposes-loss-of-veto.html

31.

Government calls on ethnic Kokang rebels to surrender: The tough response to the rebels' June 11 unilateral ceasefire declaration came amid signs of a possible revival of the stalled nationwide ceasefire process as the government's chief negotiator met in Yangon for the first time with members of a new negotiating team representing 16 armed ethnic groups.

Demands by ethnic leaders that the three groups fighting in Kokang be included in a "nationwide" ceasefire pact have been one of several factors blocking progress with the government since a draft agreement was signed on March 31.
Myanmar Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/15188-government-calls-on-ethnic-kokang-rebels-to-surrender.html

32.

Military MP opposes charter reform due to Burma's 'democratic inexperience': Speaking during a debate on charter reform in the union parliament, Brig-Gen Tin San Naing said the provision "should be left in place as Myanmar [Burma] is still undergoing a democratic transition and is inexperienced with democratic procedures concerning national security, stability and national interest."

Article 436 is amongst the sections proposed for amendment by the main opposition party, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, and other parties, including ethnic-based groups.
Democratic Voice of Burma, 23 June 2015
http://www.dvb.no/news/military-mp-opposes-charter-reform-due-to-burmas-democratic-inexperience-myanmar-burma/52980

33.

Myanmar Parliament Begins Debate on Bill to Amend Constitution: Myanmar's Union parliament on Tuesday began debate on a bill proposing changes to the country's military-drafted constitution, with some democracy advocates saying its provisions fall short of hoped-for reforms, sources said.

Discussions by lawmakers on key points, including changes to procedures to amend the country's 2008 charter, will continue until June 25, when a final vote on the bill is expected.

Political opposition figures are seeking amendments to Article 436 of the constitution, which guarantees Myanmar's military a quarter of the seats in parliament through appointment, giving them an effective veto over proposed charter reform.

Thin Thirri
Radio Free Asia, 23 June 2015
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/amend-06232015164350.html

34.

Myanmar's Opposition Leader Seeks 'Landslide' Win in Upcoming Polls: At a meeting this past weekend, Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on her party to push for a landslide victory in upcoming elections.

We, the National League for Democracy (NLD) need to have a landslide win in the election," Suu Kyi said during the close of the NLD's two-day executive committee meeting in Yangon. "Whatever we continue to do, with the support of the people and the strong will of our party members we will be successful," she added.

Suu Kyi's party is expected to perform well at the polls to be held later this year, though exactly how well is still unclear. In May 1990, the NLD won the election by a landslide with Suu Kyi under house arrest, even though the results were not accepted and the military continued to rule the country. In 2012, the NLD swept parliamentary elections, winning 43 out of the 44 seats that it had contested.

Prashanth Parameswaran
The Diplomat, 23 June 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/myanmars-opposition-leader-seeks-landslide-win-in-upcoming-polls/

35.

It's Time for the Obama Administration to Get Tough on Human Rights in Vietnam: Nguyen Dang Minh Man is 30 years old, and has been in prison in Vietnam for a third of her adult life.

This month, I met her father, Nguyen Van Loi, who had come to Washington to talk about the fate of his daughter. Minh Man is one of at least 160 political prisoners the Vietnamese government convicted in the last few years under penal code provisions that criminalize criticism of the government. Her father came to Washington to raise awareness of his daughter's case, a timely trip with the General Secretary of the Vietnam Community Party, Nguyen Tien Trung, set to visit Washington in early July.

John Sifton is Asia Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch.
The Diplomat, 24 June 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/its-time-for-the-obama-administration-to-get-tough-on-human-rights-in-vietnam/

36.

Implementation of anti-corruption initiatives promoted: The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam launched a programme in Hanoi on June 23 to promote the implementation of anti-corruption initiatives in the country.

The programme is part of the project "Strengthening the implementation of the United Nations convention against corruption (UNCAC) and the role of non-state actors to support anti-corruption efforts" in Vietnam funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
VietNamNet Bridge, 24 June 2015
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/134127/implementation-of-anti-corruption-initiatives-promoted.html

37.

Vietnamese firms urged to tap fair trade potential: Fair trade certification would give Vietnamese exporters of tea, coffee, cacao, spices and handicrafts a huge advantage in expanding their market, but enterprises that qualify are far too few, experts say. The lack of a national policy on fair trade development meant that such practices were still sporadic and disjointed with very weak links between sellers and buyers, and even between fair trade firms, Nguyen Thi Hong Minh, a lecturer at the National Economics University, said at a workshop held in Hanoi last week.
Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper, 23 June 2015
http://dangcongsan.vn/cpv/Modules/News_English/News_Detail_E.aspx?CN_ID=719716&CO_ID=30113

38.

Vietnam's dirty growth: The prettiest route to the Vinh Tan 2 power plant follows the coast road in Binh Thuan Province, past endless foundering beachfront resorts and through some of the strongest coastal winds in the country.

Just five kilometers beyond Vinh Hao (the town where the namesake mineral water firm was founded) traffic comes to a crawl. Backhoes and bulldozers have dug a gully that separates the row of rice shops, motels and flophouses on your left from the National Highway.
Thanh Nien News, 23 June 2015
http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/vietnams-dirty-growth-46848.html

39.

National Assembly discusses Maritime Code:  In yesterday's discussions on amendments to the Maritime Code, National Assembly deputies called for concrete regulations on the dismantling of unused ships in Viet Nam to prevent the import of waste that would cause severe environmental damage.

On articles 38, 39 and 40 of the code, which deal with building, repairing and dismantling maritime vessels, many NA deputies said the Government or Prime Minister should approve master plans for the development of this industry, rather than Transport Ministry.
Viet Nam News, 23 June 2015
http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/272064/national-assembly-discusses-maritime-code.html

40.

Vietnam Seeks Investment Boost With Wave of Industry Opening: Vietnam is betting that the most significant easing of business regulation in 25 years and an accelerated sale of state-owned firms' shares will revive a flagging investment outlook.

The government on July 1 will reduce to six from 51 the number of areas in which firms are prohibited from operating, allowing fireworks manufacture and genetically-modified products, among others. It will also loosen regulations in more than 100 other areas in what will be the biggest overhaul of business rules in the economy since private firms were allowed in Vietnam in 1990.
Bloomberg, 22 June 2015
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-21/vietnam-seeks-investment-boost-with-wave-of-industry-opening

41.

CDC agrees to pare down draft charter: The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has agreed to trim down the draft charter, with more than 100 draft charter provisions targeted for change. CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn revealed Tuesday the CDC had agreed to ''back off'' from 10 key issues in the draft charter.
Bangkok Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/601628/cdc-agrees-to-pare-down-draft-charter

42.

Democracy with brakes on weakens govt? Since 1932 Thailand has had 19 constitutions. Each one has been longer than the one before. The current draft is 43,000 words (in Thai), 10 times as many as the first one written in 1932. If a constitution were a car, Thailand would be forever changing models. Now it seems the latest "carstitution", if we might call it that, is being asked to do an awful lot. In general terms, the new constitution has to both prevent and remedy some chronic problems of Thai public life. In particular, it is being asked to fulfil the ambitious hopes of the Thai people through such features as an anti-corruption mechanism to push forward reforms in 10 key areas of public life.
Bangkok Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/602368/democracy-with-brakes-on-weakens-govt

43.

Pay heed to farmers: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's relationship and reputation with rural dwellers has waxed and waned. Immediately after the May 22 coup last year, his first political act was to pay rice growers the money owed to them under the Yingluck administration's rice-buying scheme. Then, just eight months later, he had his first confrontation with southern rubber growers, telling them not to accept any help or benefits. But on Farmers' Day earlier this month, he expressed "shame" for not being able to help them more. Last Saturday, he warned farmers not to protest over the lack of water needed to grow crops - or the military would "enforce the law" against them.
Bangkok Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/602012/pay-heed-to-farmers

44.

Police out to prevent 'revolution' protest: Police will not allow students or activists to stage political activities to mark the 83rd anniversary of the 1932 Siam Revolution Wednesday, national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang said. Eight university students charged with breaking the NCPO order by staging an anti-coup gathering outside the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre on May 22 are reportedly planning to gather and report to Pathumwan police station.
Bangkok Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/601596/police-out-to-prevent-revolution-protest

45.

CDC decides to remove 10 touchy items from draft charter: The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has agreed to remove 10 contentious issues from the draft charter as well as amend more than a hundred articles, a source said yesterday.

As for the controversial issue of allowing a non-elected premier to take the reins, the CDC has added a clause stipulating that the PM candidate must attain votes from at least two-thirds of all MPs to secure the position in every case.
The Nation, 24 June 2015
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-decides-to-remove-10-touchy-items-from-draft-c-30262991.html

46.

China tough going despite 40 years of bilateral ties: Next week, the first day of July marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. The relationship has been meaningful and colourful over the past four decades due to the political and economic shifts of nations in the region and around the world.

Looking back on the relationship, the many prospects for the future development of ties between the two countries have become evident. As the world keeps changing, the relations between the two display a wide range of dynamics.

Thailand established relations with China 40 years ago as the spectre of communism spread fear in the region. The psyche of the Thai elite then found much difficulty in making friends with an evil entity that fostered communist ideals.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation, 24 June 2015
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/China-tough-going-despite-40-years-of-bilateral-ti-30263002.html

47.

Editorial: Without aid for seniors, we're heading for catastrophe: An individual planning ahead for retirement is an entirely different matter than planning for the future of the country's entire populace. And yet, as we speedily transform into a "grey society", Thailand is running out of time to get its retirement cottage in order.

Three years from now, it's been calculated, the elderly will outnumber the children, for the first time in the nation's history. Seven years from now, one out of every five citizens will be old. Drastic changes in every aspect of life are imminent.
The Nation, 24 June 2015
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Without-aid-for-seniors-were-heading-for-CATASTROP-30262954.html

48.

Binay should resign from BSP, too: Finally, Vice President Jejomar Binay did the right and decent thing: He resigned from P-Noy's Cabinet. He should have done that a long time ago. For five years he was like a bat in P-Noy's Cabinet: Was he a mammal or a bird?

Binay is one of the triumvirate, along with former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, behind the formation of the opposition party UNA (United Nationalist Alliance). But at the same time he was a member of the Cabinet. He was like a drop of oil floating on water: The two cannot mix.

Neal H. Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 24 June 2015
http://opinion.inquirer.net/86098/binay-should-resign-from-bsp-too

49.

Manila metro to issue notes to commuters late for work: The Philippine capital's decrepit train network will start issuing certificates of delay to tens of thousands who are late for work because of daily breakdowns, the government said yesterday."This is a transparency measure. People deserve to know what problems occurred, anything that could cause a stoppage, from a broken rail to air-conditioning that stopped working," Transportation Department spokesman Michael Arthur Sagcal told Agence France-Presse.The "incident report", however, will certify only the cause of the delay and will not be worded as a letter of excuse for tardiness, he said. "It's up to the requesting individual how to use it," he added.
Straits Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/asia/story/manila-metro-issue-notes-commuters-late-work-20150624

50.

Chea Sim: Power stayed: Some Cambodians will miss the politician's moderating influence: His death was not unexpected: he had been ill for some time, and Mr Hun Sen had announced in April that he would assume the party presidency on his passing. At the funeral last week, a tearful Mr Hun Sen spoke of the man's struggle for national independence, salvation and reconciliation; his death, he said, was distressing and heartbreaking. Still, by taking over his post as head of the CPP, Mr Hun Sen has positioned himself to install one of his sons as prime minister in the future.
The Economist, 23 June 2015
http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21654969-some-will-miss-politicians-moderating-influence-power-stayed

51.

Ongoing education improvement key to better human resources: Laos needs to further strengthen human resources development through ongoing improvements to the education system with the top priorities being to expand basic education and cutting dropout rates.

This was the message in a keynote speech delivered yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh at the annual National Administrator Education meeting on improving education standards held in Vientiane.

"Making sure that children are able to stay in school and complete the full five grades of primary schooling, remains a major challenge, especially in the rural areas of Laos," he said.
Vientiane Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Ongoing.htm

52.

Poverty reduction gaining pace, DPM reveals: The number of districts, villages and families officially classified as poor has fallen compared to 2011, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Asang Laoly revealed yesterday.

Mr Asang passed on the information at a meeting on the inspection and assessment of standards of poverty reduction and development from 2011 to 2015.

However, he said, the National Leading Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication must continue to roll out the Party's Three Builds (Sam Sang) directive on the elimination of poverty.
Vientiane Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Poverty.htm

53.

Heritage bid another way for Japan to beautify history of plunder: Japan was the first modernized Asian country - when its neighbors were still living in huts, it had built skyscrapers. These modern buildings certainly required the wisdom and diligence of the Japanese people, but it must be noted that at the initial stage, the Japanese grabbed basic materials from their neighbors. That is why although Japan is a highly developed country, its neighbors couldn't grant it full respect.

Trying every possible means to glorify its wartime history, even putting notorious war-related sites on the World Heritage List, Japan lacks a neighborly perspective to review its past. This perspective is essential to Asia's reconciliation over historical issues.

Ma Chengsan
Global Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/928569.shtml

54.

US 'welcomes' China to set rules on global affairs: Biden: The United States and China must be "honest and direct" about their future ties, and Washington welcomed Beijing at the table to set new rules for global affairs, US Vice-President Joe Biden said yesterday, launching key security and economic talks between the two countries.
South China Morning Post, 24 June 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1825439/us-welcomes-china-set-rules-global-affairs

55.

Monsoons on the New Silk Road: China must gain India's trust on the security front in order to win Indian cooperation for its ambitious regional economic initiatives.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China this May was predicted to bring remarkable developments in the security and strategic aspect of Sino-Indian relations, while China's grandiose "One Belt-One Road" project (OBOR, also known as the New Silk Road initiative) was expected to be on the agenda as well. The trip resulted in some notable achievements, such as the establishment of a military hotline and business deals estimated at more than USD20 billion, but there were no public remarks on the OBOR initiative.

D?niel Bal?zs is a graduate student at Tongji University in Shanghai.
Foreign Policy, 23 June 2015
https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/23/monsoons-on-the-new-silk-road/

56.

China's Indian Ocean strategy? From China's artificially created islands in the South China Sea to its ongoing negotiations for a naval base in Djibouti, the maritime domain has become central to Xi's great-power ambitions. Yet it is far from certain that he will be able to realize his strategic aims in the Indian Ocean Rim, given the lurking suspicions about China's motives and the precarious security situation in some regional states.

One thing is clear though: China wants to be the leader, with its own alliances and multilateral institutions, not a "responsible stakeholder" in the U.S.-created architecture of global governance. It is building naval power to assert sovereignty over disputed areas and to project power in distant lands. Determined to take the sea route to secure global power status and challenge the U.S.-led order, China is likely to step up its strategic role in the Indian Ocean - the world's new center of geopolitical gravity.

Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist, author and long-standing contributor to The Japan Times.
Japan Times, 23 June 2015
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/06/23/commentary/world-commentary/chinas-indian-ocean-strategy/ - .VYoXv_meAXA

57.

US, China exchange words over island building in South China Sea: The U.S. and China kicked off a two-day strategic and economic dialogue here Tuesday, where they are expected to hold heated exchanges on issues ranging from free trade to cyberattacks and security.

The U.S. is being represented by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. China's delegates are State Councillor Yang Jiechi and Vice Premier Wang Yang. The dialogue is split into separate tracks for economic and strategic matters. A joint statement will be issued Wednesday, covering results of the talks.

The U.S. has argued that China's island building in the disputed Spratly Islands is a destabilizing influence in the South China Sea and has called on Beijing to halt immediately. During his remarks at the start of the talks, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden asserted that open and protected sea lanes are more important than ever. China is expected to defend the project as within its sovereignty and push Washington to stop interfering.

Masahiro Okoshi
Nikkei Asian Review, 24 June 2015
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/US-China-exchange-words-over-island-building-in-South-China-Sea

58.

Let's Be Real: The South China Sea Is a US-China Issue: On June 18, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel offered a press preview of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue (S&ED) now taking place in Washington, D.C. During the briefing Russel fielded a question about U.S. efforts to reduce tensions with China in the South China Sea. His response was surprising: "As important as [the] South China Sea is ... it's not fundamentally an issue between the U.S. and China."

While Washington has long sought to avoid entanglement in the complex territorial disputes in the South China Sea, it has had plenty of "issues" with Chinese behavior there. Yet such concerns may pale in comparison to growing discord over a new Chinese initiative to build artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago. Although these "land reclamation" projects are now nearing an end, the episode has provoked new U.S. concerns about freedom navigation and risks drawing Washington more firmly into the South China Sea milieu than ever before.

Jeff M. Smith is the Director of Asian Security Programs and Kraemer Strategy Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, D.C.
The Diplomat, 24 June 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/lets-be-real-the-south-china-sea-is-a-us-china-issue/

59.

Beijing's Master Plan for the South China Sea: China has far greater ambitions for the region than just reclaiming some tiny islands.

In late 2013, Beijing started taking a very different approach to sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea - although few outside China noticed the change. Instead of directly confronting the other regional claimant states, Beijing began the rapid consolidation of, and construction on, the maritime features already under its control. And it did so on a scale and pace befitting China's impressive engineering prowess.

Feng Zhang is a fellow in Australian National University's Department of International Relations and a visiting scholar at the Guangdong Research Institute for International Strategies.
Foreign Policy, 23 June 2015
https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/23/south_china_sea_beijing_retreat_new_strategy/

60.

Prayut calls for ACMECS stronghold in Asean: Thailand has made great strides to adjust its rules and regulations to work seamlessly with the ACMECS member nations and their plan of action, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

The success of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) grouping was setting the pace for the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC), he said.

Prayut was speaking in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw at the ACMECS Summit. Also attending the one-day summit were the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Nation, 24 June 2015
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-calls-for-ACMECS-stronghold-in-Asean-30262993.html

61.

ACMECS leaders vow cooperation in investment, trade: The 6th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit kicked off Tuesday in Nay Pyi Taw, with all five Southeast Asian member nations affirming to promote investment and trade within the region.

Leaders from ACMECS nations Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam also agreed to increase cooperation in key areas including agriculture, energy, human resource development and the environment and adopted the ACMECS Plan of Action 2016-2018.

 At the summit, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mr Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Mr Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN also made keynote remarks.

In his opening address, President U Thein Sein called for the establishment of Mekong University in Kengtung, Shan State in Myanmar, in order to promote cooperation in education, social and cultural sectors.
Global New Light of Myanmar, 23 June 2015
http://globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/acmecs-leaders-vow-cooperation-in-investment-trade/

62.

AYEYAWADDY-CHO PHRAYA-MEKONG ECONOMIC COOPERATION STRATEGY PLAN OF ACTION 2016-2018: The Economic Cooperation Strategy Plan of Action (ESCPA) is a series of plan of action to realize the goals of the Ayeyawaddy-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) adopted at the 1st ACMECS Summit in Bagan 2003. Thus far, there have been four Plans of Action: the first covering the years between 2003 and 2005; the second from 2006 to 2008; the third from 2010 to 2012; and the fourth from 2013 to 2015.

As with previous ACMECS Plans of Action, the Plan of Action 2016-2018 will conform to the Bagan Declaration and the Declarations of all succeeding ACMECS Summits as well as continue to reflect the current circumstances, priorities and needs of the ACMECS Countries. It is an updated version of the ACMECS Plan of Action 2006 and it's meant to guide ACMECS cooperation forward towards the year 2018, The overarching aim of this current Plan remains to promote the creation of single production base in the ACMECS Countries, particularly along the border areas, that will support the greater ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and to enhance trade, investment and transport facilitation.
Global New Light of Myanmar, 23 June 2015
http://globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/ayeyawaddy-cho-phraya-mekong-economic-cooperation-strategy-plan-of-action-2016-2018/

63.

CLMV countries vow to deepen relations, cooperation: Four countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (CLMV), have vowed to deepen relations and cooperation in trade and investment to boost development in the region.

The heads of states and governments of the CLMV countries have concluded their 7th Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on Monday, reaching consensus on a number of issues of interest to the respective states and parties.

In a joint statement issued following their talks, the leaders reiterated their commitment to implementing all existing agreements between and among the CLMV countries in order to promote trade and investment, including trade and investment missions in CLMV countries and abroad.
Vientiane Times, 24 June 2015
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_CLMV_countries.htm

64.

PM encourages links with neighbours: The Vietnamese Government is committed to strengthening the CLMV bloc and hopes it would continue work together, promoting sustainable development in each country as well as peace, stability and prosperity in the region, the PM said.

Over the past 10 years, CLMV co-operation has made significant progress in enhancing trade, tourism, customs, transportation and economic corridor links, he said.

He added that the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of this year would offer both opportunities and challenges for the member states.
Viet Nam News, 23 June 2015
http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/272065/pm-encourages-links-with-neighbours.html

65.

Trans-Pacific Partnership: 'Fast track' passes clear hurdle in US Senate, paving way for vote: US president Barack Obama's call for "fast track" negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has cleared a key hurdle in the US Senate, paving the way for a final vote on the legislation.

The Senate is likely today to grant Mr Obama the power to speed trade deals through Congress, including the TPP, later this week.

If that happens, the fast-track measure would then go to the White House for Mr Obama's signature.
ABC News, 24 June 2015
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-24/us-senate-pushes-trans-pacific-partnership-forward/6568914

66.

TPP Update: TPA Poised to Clear Senate: Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), colloquially known as "fast-track," received consideration through the Senate with 60 votes in favor and 37 against. With 60 votes, the legislation received the exact minimum necessary to prevent a filibuster. At this point, the Senate will still need to officially pass the legislation, but it can do so with a simple majority. Today's procedural result basically ensures this outcome, meaning that after a dramatic few weeks on the House and Senate floors, the Obama administration's trade agenda will move forward unfettered.

Today's vote comes after the House voted on TPA, approving it, but voting down an accompanying provision known as Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). I covered the politics that led to that result (see: "TPP Update: What Happened in the House"). In brief, with the House under Republican control, TPA's passage was relatively uncontroversial. Meanwhile, Democrats, who are skeptical of the administration's trade agenda and in principle favor TAA as a "consolation" prize of sorts, voted down this measure because they knew that fast-track would head to the president's desk to be signed into law if and only if both TPA and TAA cleared the House. The House and the Senate needed to clear the legislation in the same manner (i.e., if the Senate packaged TPA/TAA - which it did when it first passed the legislation in May - the House had to do so too).

Ankit Panda
The Diplomat, 24 June 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/06/tpp-update-tpa-poised-to-clear-senate/