1.

Malaysia's leadership must clear up troubling controversies: Najib Razak has begun his seventh year as Malaysia's sixth prime minister. When he was sworn in on April 3, 2009, he could not have envisaged the current state of affairs that would besiege his administration.

Business Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/malaysias-leadership-must-clear-up-troubling-controversies

2.

Malaysian DPM in Indonesia for 3-day visit: Malaysia watcher Musni Usma of the Jakarta-based Eminent Persons Group noted that the goodwill being fostered between the two countries could allow for more fruitful resolution of issues."The important step going forward is to encourage people-to- people cooperation," Dr Musni said."Second, is the educational and cultural aspects. We need to enhance cooperation in culture so that similarities in the cultures of Indonesia and Malaysia do not become a source of discord."

Straits Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/asia/story/malaysian-dpm-indonesia-3-day-visit-20150408

3.

Pakatan should have been there in full against Pota: The Prevention of Terrorism Bill issue is not a surprise issue that took Parliament by storm a few minutes before voting commenced. A copy of the Bill was made available on the Parliament's website last week.There had been plenty of time to see what the proposed Act entails and why it should be opposed. The outcome may have been inevitable but the show of fighting it counts, too. The MPs should have been there to express the opposition of those they represent, because absence indicates apathy.Simply put, Pakatan Rakyat let 57 per cent of Malaysians down that night.At the end of the day it is simple. You are elected to represent your people in Parliament so be in Parliament.

Khairie Hisyam Aliman
The Malay Mail, 8 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/khairie-hisyam-aliman/article/pakatan-should-have-been-there-in-full-against-pota

4.

Security must not come at the price of liberty, Suhakam tells Putrajaya: While expressing support for government efforts to combat the risk of terrorism, the commission insisted that laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2015 (Pota) must still be consistent with local and international human rights standards."Although the government has an obligation to ensure that the constitutional rights of its citizens are protected by taking positive measures to counter threats of terrorism and extremism, the Commission reiterates that such measures must not pose disproportionate challenges to fundamental human rights and the rule of law, and jeopardise the principles of democracy," Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, the chair of Suhakam, said in a statement yesterday.

The Malay Mail, 8 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/security-must-not-come-at-the-price-of-liberty-suhakam-tells-putrajaya

5.

Sedition Act revisions worst ever attack on free speech, lawyers say: Amendments to the Sedition Act 1948 that allow people to be jailed up to 20 years for their remarks is an attempt to stifle all dissent, according to lawyers who dubbed these the "most serious" attack on freedom of speech Malaysia has ever seen.Civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan also questioned the denial of bail for suspects charged with sedition offences that cause bodily injury or property damage, saying that while prosecutors may try to justify this, it should be the courts' discretion to decide.

The Malay Mail, 8 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sedition-act-revisions-worst-ever-attack-on-free-speech-lawyers-say

6.

Ignoring critics, Paul Low pursues a better Malaysia: Senator Datuk Paul Low shares his vision for a better Malaysia as he marks two years in office with an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider.

Julia Yeow, News Editor
The Malaysian Insider, 8 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ignoring-critics-paul-low-pursues-a-better-malaysia

7.

Ku Li best person to take over from Najib, says Zaid: Former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said out of all current Umno leaders, Razaleigh, also known as Ku Li, was the best person to take over due to his honesty and integrity.

In his latest blog post, Zaid also called on Razaleigh's one-time nemesis Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to back Razaleigh for prime minister, saying that both have to bury the hatchet for a greater purpose. "If he truly wants to see some improvements in curbing the systemic corruption, Tun should endorse Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as the one to take over as prime minister after Najib," said Zaid, a former Kelantan Umno leader. "Tengku is from the old school. He values integrity and honesty. A person like him is therefore needed to start the reformation in the country," said Zaid of the Gua Musang MP.

The Malaysian Insider, 8 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ku-li-best-person-to-take-over-from-najib-says-zaid

8.

Pota is needed now, say Barisan MPs: PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional MPs believe this is the right time to enforce the proposed Prevention of Terrorism Act, especially in face of threats from the Islamic State (IS).Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said that compared to other countries, Malaysia was in fact late in implementing the proposed Act."For example, Singapore had this Act earlier. We should have brought this up around that time because threats were ongoing, especially those related to IS."Anyone can have the intention to disrupt our country's peace and this should be stopped."If the Government wants to do any amendment, it can be done later. But let it be utilised first and eventually, be embraced by all," she said.

The Star, 8 April 2015
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/08/Pota-is-needed-now-say-Barisan-MPs/

9.

Dewan Rakyat passes three bills: The Dewan Rakyat today passed three bills in its effort to strengthen the law in fighting terrorism and militant activities. They are the Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Bill 2015, Prison (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Prevention of Crime (Amendment) Bill 2015.

The Sun Daily, 8 April 2015
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1377868

10.

Where are Umno's top guns in Najib's hour of need?Hishammuddin is in a bit of a dilemma as well. On one hand, he scored points when a Merdeka Center survey showed him as a preferred future candidate for the post of Prime Minister. At the same time, he is also cousin to Najib, and betraying blood may lead to losing support among the Umno grassroots.Shafie seems to have no aspirations to rise to the position of Prime Minister, but hidden teeth remain teeth nonetheless.Najib is at his weakest. Mahathir represents perhaps an even greater threat than Anwar Ibrahim ever was, and now the role of the fractured opposition has been usurped by Mahathir.

Scott Ng
Free Malaysia Today, 7 April 2015
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2015/04/07/where-is-umno-in-najibs-hour-of-need/

11.

Najib launches Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education): Najib said the higher education system's overarching goal was to achieve three main targets, dubbed the three Bs: Bakat (talent), Benchmarking to global standards , and Balance. The system, he said, must be able to generate talent in order to be globally competitive. "In order to do that, we must monitor our performance against international benchmarks. We want to be among the top third in the world in higher education - that is our target," he said while launching the blueprint at Royale Chulan Hotel here....Najib stressed that the government's biggest challenge will be implementing the blueprint's recommendations. "It's all about the execution, execution, execution," he said.

[news contains 5-minute video clip]

New Straits Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.nst.com.my/node/79727

12.

Malaysia uses specious terrorism threat to regress on human rights: The passage of Malaysia's new Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has been approved by the lower house of parliament, deals another heavy blow to the cause of human rights in south-east Asia. Three years after the hated colonial-era Internal Security Act was repealed, the government will once again have the power to lock people up arbitrarily and indefinitely, without trial and without legal redress.The ostensible justification for this stark anti-democratic regression is the perceived threat posed by Malaysian Muslims who support Islamic State. Opponents claim the government has failed to demonstrate a threat from Isis. "My biggest fear is that the law may be abused," N Surendran, an opposition MP, told Agence France-Presse. "I don't think there is any basis for the government's claim that this law is needed to contain [Isis]."

The Guardian, 7 April 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/07/malaysia-najib-razak-terrorism-threat-human-rights-detention-without-trial

13.

Backing Dr M, Zaid says Malaysia must change value system to flush out corruption: Malaysia must change its value system to truly stop systemic corruption, former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said today when supporting Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's assault on graft in the country's administration.Zaid said the country has to recognise that being corrupt is wrong instead of tolerating long-entrenched corrupt practices - including those involving high-ranking public servants."Corruption has flowed into our national bloodstream to such an extent that it will take generations - if at all - to cleanse the system."Our values must first change. We must first feel that it's wrong to be corrupt," the former Umno member said in a blog post today.

The Malay Mail, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/backing-dr-m-zaid-says-malaysia-must-change-value-system-to-flush-out-corru

14.

Law minister: Amending Sedition Act now disrespects Federal Court, but not unlawful: "Yes, it may be a case of disrespecting the Federal Court review, but disrespecting is not against the law, and this is just an opinion, an interpretation," the minister told reporters today."For now, there is nothing to stop us from amending the Bill," Nancy said.She insisted that the judicial review of the Sedition Act was unrelated to the amendments being sought, adding that it would "take years" to alter the law if Putrajaya were to wait until all pending cases are disposed of.

The Malay Mail, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/law-minister-amending-sedition-act-now-disrespects-federal-court-but-not-un

15.

Ministry says anti-crime law still lets courts review malicious detention orders: Detention orders under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) may be challenged in court if they are made in bad faith, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Jaafar after amendments removing parliamentary oversightDuring the parliamentary debate to amend the law, he expressed confidence that the independence of the inquiry board, known as the Prevention of Crime Board, was "guaranteed" to be free from influence from "any parties"."If proven these matters were done in bad faith based on the actual inquiry, to me, it can be reviewed in court; any lawyer can bring this to court if they find elements of mala fide regarding any of the inquiry officers or the board," he said.

The Malay Mail, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/ministry-says-anti-crime-law-still-lets-courts-review-malicious-detention-o

16.

MPs missing from Pota fight could disenchant Pakatan backers, analysts say: The absenteeism risked being interpreted as a betrayal of public trust, as it suggests that the MPs were not committed to carrying out their duties in representing their voters on crucial issues, they added.

The Malay Mail, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/mps-missing-from-pota-fight-could-disenchant-pakatan-backers-analysts-say

17.

Pakatan MPs want Sedition Act amendments shelved pending judicial review: Tabling amendments to the Sedition Act in this Parliamentary session is "subjudice" as the Federal Court is currently reviewing the constitutionality of the law, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs said today.The MPs will seek to meet Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia today to ask for the postponement in order to respect the Federal Court, since tabling the Bill will go against the House's Standing Order 36(2)."We will call for this Bill to be deferred, because it is clear that we are not allowed to debate something that is currently pending in court," DAP MP Gobind Singh Deo told reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat.

The Malay Mail, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pakatan-mps-want-sedition-act-amendments-shelved-pending-judicial-review

18.

Does the head of state know? A good friend from Singapore was upset that PM Najib Abdul Razak did not attend the state funeral for the late Singapore leader, Lee Kuan Yew. I then did some research and found out that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong attended; and he is our head of state. I suppose the PM could have attended, but the government wanted the highest and most symbolic form of representation for Malaysia.

Now, is that the only important role and responsibility of the head of every state in Malaysia? Not really. In the peninsular Malay states, they are also head of religion and they are called upon by the constitution to uphold Malay rights and ensure Malay development. In other states, the governors assume similar responsibilities.

KJ John
The Malaysiakini, 7 April 2015
http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/294475

19.

Dr M says his financial mistakes not as bad as Najib's: In a blog posting today, Dr Mahathir attempted to defend some of the ill-fated decisions of his 22-year administration in a bid to counter the argument that he should not criticise Najib's policy mistakes such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. "I admit that during my time there was also loss of the country's funds. But the public and the world knows how the money went missing," Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog posting today. He then went on to briefly explain some of the financial scandals of his tenure such Perwaja Steel, Bank Bumiputera Finance and the Maminco affair, which cost the country billions in losses.

The Malaysian Insider, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dr-mahathir-says-his-financial-mistakes-not-as-bad-as-najibs

20.

I criticised the leader, not the party, Dr M tells detractors: After being criticised for attacking the prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hit back at his detractors saying that he only disagreed with Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not Umno. "I am still an Umno member. My disagreement is with the leader, not with the party. I criticised the leader, not the party. It is simply because I want to see the party win. It will not win if Najib is the leader," Dr Mahathir wrote on his blog chedet.cc today.

The Malaysian Insider, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/i-criticised-the-leader-not-the-party-dr-m-tells-detractors

21.

Lawyers, activists alarmed by Sedition Act amendment: Lawyers and activists are alarmed at Putrajaya's plan to amend the Sedition Act by denying bail to those charged under the colonial-era law. They feared that the amendment would give Putrajaya a new tool to silence its critics as most of those charged under the act were political dissenters. The amendments will introduce new sections, 5A and 5B, which clearly state that bail can be rejected for those who have been charged under it. Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director Eric Paulsen said if the amendments were adopted by Parliament, more opposition leaders would be forced to rot in jail for politically motivated charges.

Md Izwan
The Malaysian Insider, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/lawyers-activists-alarmed-by-sedition-act-amendment

22.

PM U-turned on Sedition Act out of pressure, says law minister: She said many people were worried about the state of Malaysia, as certain "minority" sections of the society were provoking others and threatening harmony. "Therefore it is the role of the government to come in. That's why the people criticised the government for having made a U-turn," she told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby. "Why was the PM having the U-turn? It was because the pressure was too much for PM to not make the U-turn. Because people are talking about (how other) people are forgetting about their values, they no longer have the belief of respecting each other. Certain groups of people are beginning to worry," she said.

The Malaysian Insider, 7 April 2015
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pm-u-turned-on-sedition-act-out-of-pressure-says-law-minister

23.

Malaysia Resurrects Detention Without Trial, Alarming Government Critics: The government, which arrested 17 people this week for what the chief of police said was a plot to attack army camps and police stations, has sought to justify the law as necessary to combat the threat of terrorism in Malaysia. Critics say the law is a further slide toward authoritarianism in Malaysia and a definitive reversal of personal freedoms that Prime Minister Najib Razak vowed to introduce soon after assuming power in 2009.

The Prevention of Terrorism Act bypasses the judiciary and allows for detention for as many as 59 days at the discretion of the police. Suspects can be held for two years, renewable for an unlimited period of time, on the decision of a Prevention of Terrorism Board, whose members are appointed by the country's sultan.

Malaysian lawyers are among the most vocal critics of both the antiterrorism law and planned changes to the Sedition Act, which are likely to pass, given Mr. Najib's comfortable majority in Parliament.

Thomas Fuller
The New York Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/world/asia/malaysia-resurrects-detention-without-trial-alarming-government-critics.html?ref=asia&_r=0

24.

Dr Mahathir: Many scandals surrounding Najib: "A Prime Minister must be seen to be clean and able to explain and answer questions and to be good for the country. "Najib cannot even answer and has not answered any question, beyond exercising elegant silence, or saying the allegations are not true," he added. Dr Mahathir also claimed that there is an attempt to divert attention from his questions by saying that he is siding with the Opposition. "If saying something that is similar to the Opposition makes me aligned with them, then Najib must be more with the Opposition than me because he agreed with the Opposition to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA), the prevention of crime law, and ignore the National Economic Policy (NEP). "He also wanted to abolish the Sedition Act as demanded by the Opposition. If Umno did not object, the Sedition Act would have been abolished. So, is Najib a member of the Opposition?" questioned Dr Mahathir.

The Star, 7 April 2015
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/07/Mahathir-blog-Najib/

25.

MCA slams opposition party for condoning PAS' hudud agenda: "The move by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has shown that DAP has failed in stopping PAS from presenting the hudud law and has allowed a Private Member's Bill regarding hudud to be included in Parliament," Liow told reporters at a press conference in Parliament lobby yesterday."DAP has always said that they will ensure that PAS will not move forward with their intentions without the consensus of all three Pakatan Rakyat components. However, looking at the hudud Bill, it is clear that their words are false and has shown that Pakatan is not united," said Liow.

[news contains 3-minute video clip]

The Star, 7 April 2015
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/08/DAP-has-failed-to-kill-Bill-MCA-slams-opposition-party-for-condoning-PAS-hudud-agenda/

26.

New Sedition Act allows criticising the government: The act of inciting hatred, contempt or causing dissatisfaction against the government will no longer be offences under the Sedition Act when an amendment to the act is approved. The proposed amendments in the Sedition (Amendment) Bill 2015 was tabled by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat today, Bernama reported.

The Sun Daily, 7 April 2015
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1377856

27.

PDI-P: Megawati to Remain Chairman: Acting Secretary General of Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hasto Kristiyanto, suspected that there are several parties wanting to break down his party by proposing names as chairman candidates other than Megawati Soekarnoputri. He claimed that all PDI-P cadres agreed that Megawati will remain the chairwoman in the upcoming national conference. Hasto added that several names such as Joko Widodo, Pramono Anung, and Gandjar Pranowo began emerging in light of the national conference. However, the idea of proposing other names is against national work meeting in Semarang, which resulted in reelecting Megawati as chairwoman.

"There is an outside party attempting to break us," said Hasto. Despite criticism, Hasto claimed that Megawati is successful in leading the PDI-P, resulting in victory at legislative and presidential election.

Tempo, 8 April 2015
http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/04/08/055656093/PDI-P-Megawati-to-Remain-Chairman

28.

Indonesia Should Relish Asean Banking Integration: Josua Pardede, an economist at Bank Permata, said that Indonesian banks would do well abroad, especially in certain developing Asean economies. "There are some markets in Asean that is prospective to pursue such as Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam which are markets that our national banks can penetrate," he said.

However, in order to be able to match their regional competitors, Mr Pardede said that it was vital that Indonesian banks make substantial improvements. The quality of human resources, he argued, is one of the things that need drastic improvement. The other is the infrastructure of the country's banks.

Ardi Wirdana
The Establishment Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.establishmentpost.com/indonesia-relish-asean-banking-integration/

29.

A Second Term for Surabaya Mayor Ibu Risma? The 53-year-old mayor's focus on improving Surabaya's environment has won her both local and international recognition. In 2011 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations awarded Surabaya with the Environmentally Sustainable City Award and the Indonesian government presented Ms. Rismaharini with the country's highest green award, the Adipura Kencana, in 2012. She was also recently named one of the world's 50 greatest leaders by Fortune magazine and was one of the top mayors listed last year by the City Mayors Foundation, an urban research institute.

In December Ms. Rismaharini's five-year term will end, and already a few names have been put forth as her replacement. The mayor was in Jakarta on Monday to talk about Surabaya as a digital city at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. She also spoke to reporters about her time running Surabaya and whether she would run for a second term. Edited excerpts...

Anita Rachman
Wall Street Journal, 8 April 2015
http://blogs.wsj.com/indonesiarealtime/2015/04/08/a-second-term-for-surabaya-mayor-ibu-risma/?mod=WSJ_SEA_Blog&mod=WSJ_SEA_Blog

30.

PDIP congress expected to mend relations between Megawati and Jokowi: The public will see whether Jokowi will come and appear at the congress as a president or as a party cadre , he said.

"If Jokowi came as a cadre of the party , the partys general policy would be the guidelines to be implemented by the president for the public interest. Jokowi is part of a big family of PDIP that are supposed hear the instruction of its leader and implement the instruction for the welfare of the people," he said.

Therefore, communications between Jokowi and Megawati would be an important moment awaited by the cadres and sympathizers of the party as well as the public in general, he said. "Communications between Jokowi and Megawati would give color to the political landscape of Indonesia ahead," he said.

Antara News, 7 April 2015
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/98386/pdip-congress-expected-to-mend-relations-between-megawati-and-jokowi

31.

Indonesia's Generals Invent a Shadowy New Threat: Since 2014 a new ideology has been rising in Indonesia. "Fear of foreign proxies" emphasizes that Indonesia is threatened by proxy wars. According to Indonesian Army chief of staff General Gatot Nurmantyo, the "proxies" to be feared by Indonesians include what appear to be shadowy organizations that defy identification but nonetheless constitute an unspecified but growing threat -small countries, NGOs, civil society organisations, mass media or individuals, acting as stand-ins for more powerful hidden entities to attack Indonesia's interests.

These threats, Gatot implied, could include Indonesian organizations and individuals. In fact, his list seemed to include most organizations that might demand accountability from the rapidly consolidating power of the oligarchy. As "fear of foreign proxies" spreads, these organizations or individuals may find it more difficult to criticize corruption, environmental pillaging and trampling of marginal ethnic groups because oligarchies may label them as proxies for foreign interests.

Asia Sentinel, 7 April 2015
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/indonesia-generals-invent-shadowy-new-threat/

32.

96.5% of Indonesians want Cabinet reshuffle: A survey commissioned by the Indonesian Public Opinion Study Group (kedaiKOPI) suggests that 96.5 percent of Indonesians want an immediate Cabinet reshuffle as a result of the poor performance of several government ministers.

A survey commissioned by the Indonesian Public Opinion Study Group (kedaiKOPI) suggests that 96.5 percent of Indonesians want an immediate Cabinet reshuffle as a result of the poor performance of several government ministers. "It seems that people want President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to immediately reshuffle his Working Cabinet," said Hendri Satrio, a communication and political analyst from the University of Paramadina, as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Conducted from April 1 through April 6, the survey collected opinions of 368 public respondents.

Jakarta Post, 7 April 2015
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/07/965-indonesians-want-cabinet-reshuffle-survey.html

33.

Echoes of Middle East Strife Rattle Indonesia: Concerns abound that the Sunni-Shiite hostilities may spill over in moderate Indonesian society: It wasn't until a few years ago that the word "Shiite" suddenly began to inspire a negative, if not hateful, tone among some members of the Indonesian Sunni community.

In the country with the world's biggest Muslim population, where the majority who practice the faith identify as Sunni, the word "Shiite" probably struck as something foreign and strange - but never had it triggered so hateful a tone in sermons at mosques or daily conversations among Indonesian Sunni Muslims.

The Jakarta Globe, 7 April 2015
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/echoes-middle-east-strife-rattle-indonesia/

34.

Editorial: A Divided Islam Will Threaten Indonesia: The global conflict between Shiites and Sunnis is being felt here in Indonesia.

The country has witnessed a series of clashes and deadly attacks across the archipelago, while its majority Sunni population continues to deliver public statements of condemnation.

Some preachers have even gone so far as to claim the Shiites are not part of Islam, and must therefore be expelled from the country - with violence if need be.

The Jakarta Globe, 7 April 2015
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/editorial-divided-islam-will-threaten-indonesia/

35.

Tjahjo: One Leader Is Enough for the PDI-P: The former secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, has confirmed that no deputy chair will be elected during the party congress held in Bali this week.

"The congress will put into effect the recommendation of last year's national gathering: to appoint Megawati as the party chair for the upcoming period," Tjahjo said on Tuesday. "One leader is enough for the party; all PDI-P members will support Megawati Soekarnoputri's leadership."

The Jakarta Globe, 7 April 2015
http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/tjahjo-one-leader-enough-pdi-p/

36.

Lee Kuan Yew and Suharto: Friends till the end:Cooler heads prevailed in Indonesia. Strong diplomatic and personal appeals were made but Singapore proceeded with the executions, which led to mass demonstrations in Jakarta and the sacking of the Singapore embassy.Bilateral relations improved significantly when Mr Lee made his first official visit to Indonesia in May 1973. His 'four-eyes' private meeting with the Indonesian leader convinced Mr Lee that Mr Suharto was determined to focus on Indonesia's economic recovery.While Mr Suharto demonstrated a willingness to treat Singapore cordially, Mr Lee highlighted the need for mutual trust. Mr Suharto observed that Indonesia had no territorial claims on Singapore and Mr Lee won his confidence by pointing out that Singapore did not see itself as a Third China (after the People's Republic of China and Taiwan) and emphasised Singapore's rightful role as a South-east Asian state.

Barry Desker is Distinguished Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. He was Singapore's Ambassador to Indonesia from 1986 to 1993.
Straits Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/opinion/story/lee-kuan-yew-and-suharto-friends-till-the-end-20150408

37.

University at your doorstep: SIM University (UniSIM) - the main university here for working adults - has drawn up a plan to bring university learning to the homes, offices and neighbourhoods of Singaporeans. Singaporeans can study for the courses at home, as much of the teaching will be conducted online. This will be supplemented with classes at the UniSIM campus in Clementi Road.The university will also look at bringing some of the industry- specific courses to workplaces.UniSIM president Cheong Hee Kiat said: "Over the last decade, we have built up a range of industry-relevant courses for working adults and expertise on how to help adults work and study at the same time."We will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that our courses stay relevant. At the same time, we will continue to conduct research on how adults learn best and how technology can be used to enhance their learning."

Sandra Davie
Straits Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore/story/university-your-doorstep-20150408

38.

LKY's route to power and premiership of Singapore: I was an admirer of LKY when I was an undergraduate in the heady days of the 1960s. I remember queuing at university campus and eventually crammed into a lecture hall that was holding probably three times its capacity to hear LKY speak. I was caught up with great hope for our future when LKY was championing Malaysian Malaysia. However, after more than 50 years, documents in the public domain that prove conclusively that there were no basis for LKY's allegations that his political opponents and the Barisan Socialis Party (which subsequently was absorbed into The Workers' Party in 1988) were involved in a communist conspiracy to topple the PAP government by illegal means.

The above is NOT to deny the very many positive aspects of Singapore today. If others had had the opportunity to learn what I was fortunate to have learnt from about 45 years ago until now, there would be no material difference in the bulk of our views about LKY. However, in a civilised society, we must not hide from the truth and, based on one-sided information fed to us and baseless false allegations, continue to dishonour and discredit those who made huge sacrifices, including sacrificing their lives, for social justice.

Stephen Chang
The Online Citizen, 8 April 2015
http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/04/lkys-route-to-power-and-premiership-of-singapore/

39.

LEE KUAN YEW: A TOWERING INSPIRATION FOR CHINA - ANALYSIS: Today, 'Singapore in China' projects have spread to other cities including Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shenyang. In numerous other Chinese industrial zones and beyond, the Singaporean presence is strong. The value of these projects goes beyond statistical records of trade and investment. Throughout the times of uncertainty that the outside world had perceived China as a global economic partner, Lee Kuan Yew and his government cast a vote of confidence.

The one thing Lee Kuan Yew had for sure shown China and the Chinese society is that countries do not have to be large and strong in the conventional sense of the term to be valuable. Mr. Lee is going to be remembered as a towering source of inspiration.

Zha Daojiong is Professor of International Political Economy, School of International Studies, Peking University. He was a Visiting Senior Fellow at RSIS in 2009 and 2011.
Eurasia Review, 7 April 2015
http://www.eurasiareview.com/07042015-lee-kuan-yew-a-towering-inspiration-for-china-analysis/

40.

Singaporeans have to learn to pick up after themselves to keep city clean: Singapore, a "garden city," is internationally famous for its green space, clean environment, various amenities and vibrant culture. The city-state is also working hard to transform itself further by growing greenery, building recyclable infrastructures and incorporating eco-friendly facilities. This tropical island, however, has also suffered from a deluge of litterbugs over the past several years.

The city-state is famous for its ubiquitous fines for various misbehaviors. The Environmental Public Health Act was amended in 2014 to double the maximum court penalties for littering in the streets, pavements, and parks, and the fines have risen and more for repeat offenses. The Corrective Work Order was introduced in 2012, and littering offenders may also be sentenced to clean up public areas to reform themselves through labor. The National Environment Agency (NEA) also installed surveillance cameras in over 1,000 locations to capture high-rise litterbugs.

Ma Liang
Global Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/915621.shtml

41.

天窗亮话：李光耀是何许人？根据《回忆录》的描述，李光耀敢怒敢言令人侧目。例如他在新加坡脱离马来西亚时说："自己辜负了马来西亚数百万人民.......因为抗拒马来霸权，而马来霸权正是导致我们发生争执的根源........。"又说"东姑的法科学位简直是剑桥大学给的。"这都是很尖锐、敏感和大胆的批评。然而，时至他寿终正寝的那一刻，一点也不容许别人公开批评他，所有批评他的人都被"整"得走投无路，甚至倾家荡产。这不由得让人想起中国前总理朱镕基在一项专访中说的话："我只批评人，绝不整人。"；"准备好一百口棺材，九十九口给贪官污吏，也给我留一口。"

《回忆录》显示，李光耀的政治生涯，由始至终都在依靠他所说的"共产党人"为他打天下，然而他憎恨共产党人，有如希特勒憎恨犹太人，而且无时无刻处心积虑要置他们于死地才甘心。他的江山埋藏着无数曾经与他并肩作战的伙伴的尊严与人权。当年李光耀资政，对林清祥被流放国外多年后，忧郁绞心而逝时的赞美与颂词，叫人哭笑不得。林清祥即使地下有知，也当会迷惑不解："请问阁下是何许人？"

许运发
南洋商报, 5 April 2015
http://www.nanyang.com/node/691803?tid=490

42.

西方NGO渗透缅甸方方面面深入普通百姓生活: 处在"民主转型"中的缅甸成了全球形形色色非政府组织（NGO）的"试水天堂"。从2014年11月到2015年4月，《环球时报》记者在缅甸，尤其缅北地区深入采访，接触到不同NGO，发现它们在当地社会扮演着不同角色，并切身感受到它们的直接政治影响力和其支撑国所收获的"民间外交"与"软实力"，这其中又以美、日、欧的NGO最为活跃。不过，对于渴望摆脱内战噩梦和极度贫困的缅甸各族民众来说，他们只希望NGO少些政治色彩，多做有利于和平与发展的实事。"我们欢迎一切真心帮助我们的朋友，反对打着援助旗号谋私利的人，更恶心借人道帮助名义隐藏政治目的的各种势力"，克钦独立学者龙东在接受《环球时报》记者采访时坦言。

环球网, 8 April 2015
http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2015-04/6120215.html

43.

Students of ABFSU (Ba-Ka-Tha) stage protest calling for immediate release of all detainees in front of court: The students of All Burma Federation of Student Union (Ba-Ka-Tha) staged a protest in front of Letpandan township court on April 7 demanding an immediate release of the students and supporters detained in the custody as they demonstrated against the national education law in Letpadan during March.

Apart from 69 students and supporters formerly detained at Thayawady Prison, Nanda Sit Aung who is one of the leaders of Ba-Ka-Tha arrested by the police in Yangon was also brought to the third trial at the same time.

Eleven Myanmar, 7 April 2015
http://elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9596:students-of-abfsu-ba-ka-tha-stage-protest-calling-for-immediate-release-of-all-detainees-in-front-of-court&catid=44:national&Itemid=384

44.

'If We're Going to Compete, We Need the Support of Our Regulator': With the gradual introduction of the Asean open skies agreement, which will over time open domestic airlines to regional competition, local carriers are facing increasing competition and regulatory pressure. One temporary casualty of the rapidly evolving aviation market was the joint venture airline Air Mandalay, which suspended its chartered flight services in December last year due to unmet upgrade requirements and delays in receiving new aircraft from overseas suppliers. After reintroducing chartered flights in March, and with plans to resume scheduled flights after a nine-month hiatus at the beginning of May, Air Mandalay CEO Sai Kham Park Pha spoke with The Irrawaddy about the challenges facing the airline industry in Burma.

The Irrawaddy, 7 April 2015
http://www.irrawaddy.org/interview/if-were-going-to-compete-we-need-the-support-of-our-regulator.html

45.

Union Parliament Passes Population Control Bill: A bill that opponents say threatens to curb women's reproductive rights was passed by Burma's Union Parliament on Monday, with the controversial legislation now awaiting the president's signature before it goes into effect.

The government-run Myanma Alinn newspaper reported on Tuesday that the so-called "Population Control Bill" was approved by lawmakers during the 12th parliamentary session in Naypyidaw.

The Irrawaddy, 7 April 2015
http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/union-parliament-passes-population-control-bill.html

46.

Vietnam, China pledge to mend ties: Official Chinese media reported that the two sides held talks and stressed the need to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea.Mr Xi, noting that the two neighbours are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, emphasised the ideological ties between the two parties and states. "Ties have benefited people of both countries and brought peace, development and prosperity," he noted.Mr Trong echoed his sentiments, saying that "now, more than ever, we need to strengthen cooperation and handle differences appropriately".The differences had plunged bilateral relations to the lowest point in years after China deployed an oil rig last May in disputed waters near the Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam.

Straits Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/asia/story/vietnam-china-pledge-mend-ties-20150408

47.

Samsung Set To Become Vietnam's Largest Foreign Employer: It is estimated that by July the appliance and electronics giant will have expanded its current workforce from 85,000 to 100,000. Taking account of attrition and retirement, this will involve the recruitment of 60,000 new employees from the local Vietnamese workforce. As well as encouraging Vietnam to develop its infrastructure and workforce to meet growing demands in the high-tech sector, this latest initiative by Samsung highlights key areas of concern for investors looking to take advantage of this promising Southeast Asian manufacturing center.

The Establishment Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.establishmentpost.com/samsung-set-to-become-vietnams-largest-foreign-employer/

48.

VIETNAM'S TOP LEADER TRONG IN CHINA TO REPAIR TIES - ANALYSIS: Apparently, Vietnam has been playing a smart diplomatic game, which is called "diplomatic balancing". Hanoi has been sending strong signals to Beijing that if China continues its assertiveness, it will look west to seek strong support from the US and Japan. If China makes concessions like a legally-binding code of conduct and provides "strategic trust", Vietnam will be ready to forge a new friendship and strategic partnership with China. Vietnam is always cautious when dealing with China. It feels that its growing relations with global powers will not affect its traditional ties with Beijing.

China, on the other hand, is not in a mood for a major conflict, which could badly affect its rise as a new global power. Xi's move to invite Trong to Beijing is the right step in the right direction. If both Xi and Trong agree on putting aside their differences on the South China Sea issue, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and push forward new initiatives to maintain peace and security in the region, it will certainly boost the image of both Xi and China.

Veeramalla Anjaiah
Eurasia Review, 7 April 2015
http://www.eurasiareview.com/07042015-vietnams-top-leader-trong-in-china-to-repair-ties-analysis/

49.

Viet Nam, Russia agree to boost two-way trade to $10b by 2020: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev have agreed to promote the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all fields in an effort to bring two-way trade to US$10 billion by 2020.

Dung and Medvedev, who spoke yesterday morning in Ha Noi during Medvedev's official visit, agreed that ministries, sectors and enterprises in both countries should enact proper measures to reach the goal, including speeding up the signature of a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Viet Nam News, 7 April 2015
http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/268692/viet-nam-russia-agree-to-boost-two-way-trade-to-10b-by-2020.html

50.

Exchange rate fluctuations affecting Vietnamese businesses: The weaker euro and lower consumer spending are making it more difficult for Vietnamese exporters to enter the European market. Garment, footwear and seafood companies are concerned that their exports to the EU, the Vietnam's second largest export market followed by the US, are forecast to fall sharply.

VietNamNet Bridge, 7 April 2015
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/127369/exchange-rate-fluctuations-affecting-vietnamese-businesses.html

51.

Foreign investors scampering for a share in garment industry: A series of foreign direct investment projects in the garment sector will be started in the central region of Vietnam over the next months. Some of the more outstanding projects include the Delta Galil fiber-dyeing and garment plant, the Onewoo garment plant and the Tam Thang textile-garment and dyeing plant.

Voice of Vietnam, 7 April 2015
http://english.vov.vn/Economy/Investment/Foreign-investors-scampering-for-a-share-in-garment-industry/290290.vov

52.

Vietnam's Impossible Bind: How to Stand Up to Beijing: On a fence-mending visit to Beijing this week, Vietnam's top Communist official will face a dilemma that has dogged his country's leaders for much of the past millennium: how to show deference to China without appearing meek back home.To pull this off, Vietnamese rulers have resorted to all kinds of diplomatic contortions and outright deceptions during a long history of domination by China. In the 18th century, the emperor Nguyen Hue sent a double to the Chinese court. Earlier, the Vietnamese installed two emperors-a boy who dealt with Beijing and a "senior emperor" who took care of other business.Such tricks confirmed Beijing's view of Vietnam as cunning and duplicitous. But there's no getting around Vietnam's bind: It can't escape the demands for humility from its much more powerful neighbor any more than it can run away from its own ancient culture, which is shaped by heroic resistance to Chinese bullying.

Andrew Browne
Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-world-vietnams-impossible-bind-how-to-stand-up-to-beijing-1428397027

53.

Vietnam faces pension system crisis as it tries to calm strikers: The new law prevents laborers from being eligible for lump-sum social insurance payments when they leave companies. To bring back those on strike, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's government will propose amendments to the law to meet worker's demands of payouts when they quit a job.

The factory protests underscore the hard choices Vietnam's government must make to revamp its pension system. The country's social security fund is forecast to have deficits beginning in 2021 and risks being depleted by 2034 without reforms, according to the International Labour Organization. "The challenge is the government cannot bear a sustainable pension system if there are no contributions," Gyorgy Sziraczki, Vietnam director of the International Labor Organization, said by phone. "It's a very, very hard dilemma."

Thanh Nien News, 6 April 2015
http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/vietnam-faces-pension-system-crisis-as-it-tries-to-calm-strikers-40772.html

54.

What Vietnam Must Now Do: Vietnam now risks being stuck at the middle-income level. G.D.P. growth rates have slowed down significantly in recent years. Vietnam now ranks last among T.P.P. candidates in terms of economic development, with a G.D.P. per capita of about $1,910, compared with about $6,660 for Peru, the next lowest. The T.P.P. provides a road map for the second phase of Vietnam's economic and social development. As Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in February, citing this and other trade deals: "These agreements require us to be more open. So our market must become more dynamic and efficient."

Tuong Lai, also known as Nguyen Phuoc Tuong, is a sociologist and former adviser to two Vietnamese prime ministers. This article was translated by Nguyen Trung Truc from the Vietnamese.
The New York Times, 6 April 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/opinion/what-vietnam-must-now-do.html

55.

NCPO promotes Section 44 to foreign diplomats, media: The government and military junta assured foreign diplomats and media at a press briefing Tuesday that Section 44 of the interim charter will be exercised with care and with respect for human rights. Speaking at the Foreign Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Section 44 was invoked after the lifting of martial law because Thailand is still "under special circumstances"

Prangthong Jitcharoenkul
Bangkok Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/521235/ncpo-promotes-section-44-to-foreign-diplomats-media

56.

PM's absolute power no land woes cure-all: Anand Duangruenkaew has every reason to be happy. For two decades, Anand and thousands of farm families in tambon Mae Tha in Chiang Mai's Mae On district have been fighting for their land rights with forest officials. Now they can go to sleep without fear of arrest and forced eviction.

Sanitsuda Ekachai
Bangkok Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/521711/pm-absolute-power-no-land-woes-cure-all

57.

Thailand needs to be open to adopting foreign ideas: Thailand is part of the international community. It is important to recognise this and understand how the English-speaking public sphere operates, regulates, forms a system of checks and balances, and balances, and acts as a source of ideas.

John Draper & Peerasit Kamnuansilpa
Bangkok Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/521987/thailand-needs-to-be-open-to-adopting-foreign-ideas

58.

It's not new... and it's constructive': THAILAND'S military government, heavily criticised for lifting martial law only to introduce even more draconian rules, argued yesterday that its source of power has roots in the French Constitution.Article 44 of Thailand's interim Constitution, which grants junta chief Prayut Chan-o-cha absolute power, "is not new" in Thai politics and has been used six times in history, Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam pointed out in a briefing for foreign diplomats.The first time Thailand's military rulers used a similar clause was in 1959, and they had drawn inspiration from the French Constitution, which grants power to the president in an emergency.The Thais "copied it with some modification", he said.

Straits Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/asia/story/its-not-new-and-its-constructive-20150408

59.

Thai Junta Goes on a Teaching Expedition: Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told local reporters Sunday that he would be involved personally in briefing the foreign legations and that he was ready to answer all questions that the envoys might have, betraying what appears to be an essential misunderstanding of the outrage western diplomats in Bangkok have displayed publicly since last year's coup, which dismantled a popularly elected democracy led by Pheu Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The former premier, having been impeached by a government she had never led, now faces trial on corruption charges. The international community remains deeply skeptical, with some calling the new law merely a cosmetic cover-up that has fooled no one.

Coup leader and current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the lifting of martial law on March 31 in an attempt to forestall international criticism over a lockdown of the country so severe that it has cut into tourism revenues and gross domestic product, although the government continues to insist that public opinion polls remain favorable.

Asia Sentinel, 7 April 2015
http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-junta-teaching-expedition/

60.

Partisan Patterns and Malapportionment in Thailand's Party List (Part II): In part one we discussed the high degree of malapportionment in the distribution of seats across the 6 regions. In part two we showed that the primary motivation behind the malapportionment does not appear to be giving one of the two largest parties an advantage over the other.

Again, a couple of caveats. Neither of us have any first-hand knowledge of the drafter's and/or the EC's motivations. We are merely inferring intent from the nature of the proposal-and it is certainly possible that we are wrong. It is also possible that the current proposal will be modified before becoming codified.

Bangkok Pundit
Asian Correspondent, 7 April 2015
http://asiancorrespondent.com/131951/partisan-patterns-and-malapportionment-in-thailands-party-list-part-ii/

61.

Thai schools adopt European framework to boost English language proficiency: Regardless of how long it takes before the majority of Thai students are able to realise these goals, there is general consensus among educators that the adoption of the CEFR is a vital step towards clarifying language goals and raising English language standards. Prior to this, the Thai MoE foreign language curriculum has been ambiguous and often interpreted differently from school to school. This ambiguity had hindered efforts to raise English language standards across the country.

Daniel Maxwell
Asian Correspondent, 7 April 2015
http://asiancorrespondent.com/131944/thai-schools-adopt-european-framework-to-boost-english-language-proficiency/

62.

South Korea Bans New Charter Flights From Thailand: South Korea has started banning new charter flights from Thailand after the International Civil Aviation Organization flagged significant concerns about the Southeast Asian country's aviation safety."We won't allow Thailand-based charter and budget airlines to add new flights to Korea," an official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday. Existing flights aren't affected, he said.Thailand is facing bans on new international flights and increased inspections after a report in March by the international aviation regulatory body revealed safety concerns.

Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korea-bans-new-charter-flights-from-thailand-1428391069

63.

Thailand's Martial Rule: Thailand's military dictator Prayuth Chan-ocha says he realized martial law was hurting the country's reputation abroad. So last week he lifted martial law and declared instead that his orders will have the force of law.Instead of only being able to hold dissidents for seven days without charge, the Thai military can now do whatever it likes. The last dictator to hold such powers, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, used them to summarily execute his opponents in the 1960s.To the junta's dismay, some disloyal Thais have "misunderstood" Gen. Prayuth's magnanimous lifting of martial law. So Deputy Chairman Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan reassured the public that his boss's invocation of Article 44 of the military-imposed provisional constitution-which allows the junta leader to issue any order deemed necessary for national security-won't change anything.

Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/thailands-martial-rule-1428448751

64.

Thailand's struggle for democracy: Rather it is a specific set of rules and regulations describing in great detail how Thailand is to be governed, right down to the mandatory attendance of the prime minister in parliament. The new constitution includes sections on reform, reconciliation, education policy and even agricultural policy.

Critics have heaped scorn on the exercise, pointing to the preponderance of conservatives in the various reform bodies, including the Constitution Drafting Committee. The 219-member National Legislative Assembly, which is busy drafting and passing new laws under an interim constitution, is stacked with military officers. The 236-member National Reform Council, which will eventually deliberate and decide on the draft constitution, is similarly dominated by members of the conservative elite.

Nikkei Asian Review, 6 April 2015
http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Perspectives/Thailand-s-struggle-for-democracy

65.

Agent of dismemberment: President Aquino's satisfaction rating in the first quarter of this year fell to its lowest level since he took office in 2010 as a result of the Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre, according to Social Weather Stations. The SWS survey, conducted on March 20-23, showed that 47 percent of respondents nationwide were satisfied with the President's performance, while 36 percent were dissatisfied, resulting in a "moderate" net satisfaction rating of 11, down 28 points from last December's "good" 39 (63 percent satisfied minus 24 percent dissatisfied).

Amando Doronila
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 April 2015
http://opinion.inquirer.net/83923/agent-of-dismemberment

66.

Privatization is key: Power outages are expected, especially this summer when the supply-demand gap thins. However, the massive blackout that hit Mindanao on April 5 did not fall in that category.

While the Department of Energy investigates the cause of the island-wide outage, initial reports indicate that the problem started at the old Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric complex, which supplies more than half of the power requirements of Mindanao. National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, operator of the transmission backbone across the country, initially reported that the trip-off occurred in Agus 6 and 7 plants. This, in turn, affected a major grid line that plunged the whole of Mindanao into an unscheduled blackout early on Easter morning.

Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 April 2015
http://opinion.inquirer.net/83925/privatization-is-key

67.

Senators in 2016: Who's running for what: The senate has usually been fertile ground for the country's next crop of executive leaders and several of its 24 members might just be major players in next year's elections for the presidency and vice presidency.

Half of those speculated to throw their hat into the political ring in 2016 ultimately have nothing to lose, as they are in the middle of their terms and would return to the Senate if the odds do not fall in their favor.

Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 April 2015
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/684174/senators-in-2016-whos-running-for-what

68.

What it takes to promote peace: Mamasapano may have "sunk" President Aquino's approval and satisfaction ratings (according to the Social Weather Stations' latest survey), but will the peace process likewise get caught in the eddies swirling about the debacle?

Analysts say the negative public reactions to P-Noy's handling of the post-Mamasapano scenario, particularly his perceived lack of empathy with the survivors of the 44 Special Action Force members killed in the police action, and his contradictory statements on his exact role in the outcome of the raid, could very well spell doom to the chances of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law even making it out of Congress.

Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 April 2015
http://opinion.inquirer.net/83921/what-it-takes-to-promote-peace

69.

Property Zooms Ahead in Philippines: In a metropolis clogged with traffic and where millions still live in slums, Manila's affluent buyers particularly favor newly built "townships"-self-contained districts where homes, offices, shops and schools are packaged together in tidy, linked communities, said Jericho Go, senior vice president at Megaworld Corp., the real-estate subsidiary of the Alliance Global Group. While foreign buyers are showing more interest, the growth is being driven mainly by two groups of Filipinos: the 11 million overseas Filipino workers who last year sent home $24.3 billion in cash, plowing about $7 billion of it into property, according to Colliers, and the 1.1 million people working in the country's flourishing outsourcing sector.

Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/property-zooms-ahead-in-philippines-1428423295

70.

At Bridge Opening, Hun Sen Praises Japan, Self: Speaking to a crowd of more than 8,000 people gathered near the bridge, a jovial Mr. Hun Sen noted the transience of the Japanese prime ministership-the country has had 18 leaders since Mr. Hun Sen took power in 1985-and then thanked the country for its continued support of the development of Cambodia."The important thing with Japan is that [it] has consensus in politics," Mr. Hun Sen said. "No matter which party is ruling or who is the prime minister, the aid to Cambodia keeps coming, continuously."Peppering his praise for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with jokes, Mr. Hun Sen also explained the economic importance of the Tsubasa Bridge, which is part of a long-term plan to build a road link between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, via Phnom Penh and Poipet City.

Cambodia Daily, 7 April 2015
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/at-bridge-opening-hun-sen-praises-japan-self-81528/

71.

Gov't requests to double rice exports to China: The Ministry of Commerce is working with its Chinese counterparts to renew a rice trade agreement, which will likely expire this month, and has requested to double the existing 100,000-tonne quota of rice Cambodia is currently able to export to China, a ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Minister Sun Chanthol, in a letter to the vice minister at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, has asked for the rise in rice export quota for the period of May 2015 to April2016. The letter comes off the back of the successful implementation of the current 12-month quota ahead of time. Cambodia had signed a one-year agreement last August to export 100,000 tonnes of rice to China.

Phnom Penh Post, 7 April 2015
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/govt-requests-double-rice-exports-china

72.

Parties discuss NEC: Opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng yesterday met to discuss the selection of members for the new National Election Committee, but declined to comment on the substance of their talks. Instead, the majority and minority party leaders in the National Assembly said that their discussions had gone smoothly according to the "culture of dialogue" and told reporters to wait until the assembly votes on the committee's nine members on April 13.

Phnom Penh Post, 7 April 2015
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/parties-discuss-nec

73.

Stand guard against the IS: It is not news that the impressive propaganda arm of the so-called Islamic State (IS) is operating in our region. During the past several months, authorities in the Philippines, Malaysia and especially Indonesia, have had to step up efforts against the violent, Mideast-based group. Credible reports say hundreds of men, and even a few women, from those countries have travelled to join the IS. The government would be well advised to monitor the situation and remain alert.

Bangkok Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/521743/stand-guard-against-the-is

74.

China, Vietnam to cooperate on new trade corridor: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong have agreed to work together on the Maritime Silk Road trade initiative as China attempts to woo Vietnam and strengthen its own economic influence in the region. Xi and Trong focused on economic cooperation for the planned trade corridor at a meeting Tuesday in Beijing. They agreed to jointly set up expert task forces for infrastructure and financial cooperation.

China and Vietnam also intend to build port facilities, highways and other infrastructure with the help of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Xi welcomed Vietnamese participation in the Maritime Silk Road initiative and expressed hopes to establish a comprehensive, long-term strategic relationship with the Southeast Asian country. Trong replied that Vietnam would greatly value a sustained, stable relationship with China.

Tetsuya Abe and Atsushi Tomiyama, Nikkei staff writers
Nikkei Asian Review, 8 April 2015
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/China-Vietnam-to-cooperate-on-new-trade-corridor

75.

"中国模式"依旧走钢丝: 在对比中美两国差异时，人们还经常注意到这样的现象：中国的主要街道和广场等都搞得比较光鲜，但胡同弄堂却经常脏乱不堪，难以入目；美国的主要基础设施很少大广场和步行街一类，但小街小巷都弄得整洁清新，柳暗花明。为什么呢？因为美国的小街小巷多为私家领地，由户主自觉自愿打点；而中国的胡同弄堂却往往是责任不清的"三不管"之地。

历史的发展证明，人民强大，国家民族才能真正强大。人民这张"王牌"打不出来，所谓"中国模式"就只能跌跌撞撞继续走钢丝，中国的前途也依旧显得扑朔迷离。

伟达是在美国的国际文化战略研究和咨询专家
Zaobao, 8 April 2015
http://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/opinion/story20150408-466244

76.

Editorial: Textbooks should make children think, not memorize government stance: School textbooks should not serve as the government's public relations materials.

Starting with this screening process, the ministry used new rules for the authorization of school textbooks. It has revised its guidelines for textbook editing and demanded that textbooks describe the government's views about Japan's territorial disputes with other countries.

Asahi Shimbun (AJW), 7 April 2015
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/editorial/AJ201504070038

77.

Emerging market banks face tough challenge as growth slows: The recent growth of Asian credit has been precipitous. Bank credit as a percentage of gross domestic product rose from 70 per cent in 2008 to 95 per cent now. Add in credit from the capital markets and the figure is considerably bigger. Last year, emerging markets issuance in international debt capital markets hit $359bn, or twice as much as developed markets, according to Bank for International Settlements data. Much of the lending to Asia outside of China assumed the region would grow on the back of insatiable demand from China.

Henny Sender
Financial Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dc084de4-dd16-11e4-975c-00144feab7de.html

78.

Pleasing the emperor: At the National People's Congress early last month, premier Li Keqiang promised that greater resources would go into education and into research and development. Education matters critically to the Chinese leadership as they seek to create an economic model based more on services and less on manufacturing. Investment is no longer going to be overwhelmingly directed towards tangible, fixed assets, but towards human capital. China's 2500-plus universities, and its tens of thousands of schools, have never been the target of so much attention and support.

As the demand for more entrepreneurialism rises, just how far can China go with an education system that remains inhibitive and unfit for producing the sorts of skills the country will increasingly need?

Kerry Brown is Director of the China Research Centre at the University of Sydney
Inside Story, 7 April 2015
http://insidestory.org.au/pleasing-the-emperor

79.

Beijing's fake islands test: The Barack Obama administration has been very busy dealing with nuclear negotiations with Iran, a war against the Islamic State, a new conflict in Yemen and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Yet the understandable focus on these other crises has obscured China's efforts to speed up its militarisation of the South China Sea.

Josh Rogin
Bangkok Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/522015/beijing-fake-islands-test

80.

Why Kissinger's South China Sea Approach Won't Work: Put simply, China has clearly calculated that it has the capabilities now to employ a strategy of incremental assertiveness to change the status quo in the South China Sea and put its nine-dash line into practice. It sees little reason to table the issue until it is satisfied that it has successfully advanced its claims, which Chinese officials say other claimants have been doing in previous years.

Given this reality, other claimants are also beefing up their capabilities and protecting their claims because the situation on the ground is changing so rapidly - as evidenced most recently by China's land reclamation activities. If these claimants simply wait around, the South China Sea could become closer to a Chinese lake in a few years. As for waiting for another generation, if this is how China is behaving in the South China Sea now, how might it behave with an even stronger military further down the line?

Prashanth Parameswaran
The Diplomat, 7 April 2015
http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/why-kissingers-south-china-sea-approach-wont-work/

81.

U.S. Defense Chief Heads East, Talking Tough on China: "We and many other countries are deeply concerned about some of the activities China is undertaking," Mr. Carter said, speaking at Arizona State University's McCain Institute."Its opaque defense budget, its actions in cyberspace and its behavior in places like the South China Sea raise a number of serious questions."Zhu Haiquan, the Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington, responded in a statement that dialogue between the Pentagon and Beijing would help "dissipate mistrust" between the two nations. Mr. Zhu said that China pursues a policy that is "defensive in nature, and plays [a] positive and constructive role in regional and global security affairs."
Wall Street Journal, 6 April 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-defense-chief-heads-east-talking-tough-on-china-1428356632

82.

China, Japan finance ministers likely to talk AIIB at June meeting: While Tokyo says there's no change to its position on the China- led development bank, meet could allow exchange of views.

THE China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is likely to figure large in June talks planned between China's finance minister Lou Jiwei and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso in Beijing - the first such meeting in three years - opening the way for cooperation on the AIIB.

Anthony Rowley
Business Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/china-japan-finance-ministers-likely-to-talk-aiib-at-june-meeting

83.

亚投行现象令美国尴尬日本纠结: 美国和日本这次确实有很严重的误判，不然不会产生如此一面倒的结果。例如，一是参加亚投行这一崭新机构的国家出乎意料地踊跃；二是美国和日本已完全无法抵挡这股变革旋风；三是不仅亚洲新兴国家反应积极，老牌欧洲发达国家更是一窝蜂涌向东方，确实显示了亚洲新时代已经到来。

日本媒体的反应，比如承认其政府外交失策，出现了一连串的误判，说明它还是清醒的。但主张日本既然已经陷入进退两难的困境，唯有静观其变，又显得缺乏自信，特别在以美国马首是瞻的思想熏陶和外交技术训练下成长的日本当权派看来，继续仰赖美国似乎是其唯一的出路。

[Link to the article "亚洲倒向亚投行是对美国的警告": http://cn.nikkei.com/columnviewpoint/viewpoint/13792-20150403.html.]

黄彬华是新加坡退休报人
Zaobao, 8 April 2015
http://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/world/story20150408-466238

84.

Interview/ Fred Bergsten: U.S., Japan made big mistakes in opposing AIIB: China has been working hard to create a new financial institution, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and major U.S. allies, including the U.K. and Germany, announced their intent to join.

How should Japan and the United States, neither of which plans to join for now, deal with this new bank? We asked Fred Bergsten, director emeritus at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a major U.S. think tank.

Asahi Shimbun (AJW), 7 April 2015
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/opinion/AJ201504070098

85.

How Not to Deal With China: China has two goals in building this new international lender. First, it wants an additional conduit for its surplus of savings -- a way to lend abroad that deflects resistance from borrowers worried about being under China's thumb. (Lately, Chinese-led construction projects have prompted protests from Sri Lanka to Zambia.) Second, China's rulers crave the respect of other nations and seek the global standing they believe should come with their growing economic strength.

Neither goal is unreasonable. Neither needs to be resisted by the West as a strategic imperative -- and there'd be little prospect of long-term success in that effort anyway. The worst thing, though, is to oppose China's plans and then fail, especially in a way that divides the West against itself. That is what just happened.

Bloomberg, 7 April 2015
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-07/how-not-to-deal-with-china

86.

Japan and China to discuss AIIB in June: More than 40 countries have applied to join the AIIB, with the United States and Japan as notable absentees. Japan shrugged off the March 31 deadline to become a founding member of the Beijing-based institute, arguing that it would attach greater importance to conditions being met to ensure its credible governance, rather than when to join.

Japan is caught between the misgivings about the AIIB expressed by its biggest ally, the United States, Tokyo's rivalry with Beijing, and the desire of some officials and businesses to partner with the rapid growth of China, the world's second-biggest economy. The next key juncture is seen at the end of June when participants sign the charter of the AIIB.

[news contains 6-minute video clip]

CNBC, 7 April 2015
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102564259

87.

AIIB dissent may mark shift away from compliance with US hegemony: US failure to prevent much of the global financial community from joining the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) marks not just a setback for US efforts to dominate global financial affairs. It also provides the precedent whereby would-be US allies can begin to dissent from US hegemonistic demands.

From the beginning the rationale for Washington to oppose the Chinese move was weak. A China excluded from the G7 grouping of major industrial powers, despite China's industrial sector far exceeding that of most G7 members, was bound to want to assert itself globally. Did Washington really think that a China, that was denied any real role in the US-dominated World Bank, the European-dominated IMF and Japan-dominated Asian Development Bank, would want meekly to submit for ever to this global triumvirate despite having reserves of around $4 trillion and already having a superior record in providing infrastructure aid to developing nations around the globe?

Gregory Clark is a former Australian diplomat with China and Soviet experience. He is now based in Japan.
Global Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/915638.shtml

88.

The State and the Ulama: Comparing Indonesia and Malaysia - Part 1: In many Muslim societies fatwas are non-binding religious opinions issued by Islamic religious scholars (ulama). However, in Malaysia, fatwas published in state's (negeri) gazette are legally binding, and Muslims are liable to imprisonment, fine, or both for violating them. This fatwa, published in the Selangor Gazette on 31 July 2014, is an example of the Malaysian "official" ulama's (religious scholars functioning in state-sponsored institutions) attempts to silence progressive groups that challenge their authority. In fact, SIS is not the only group that has been targeted.

Although MUI made several inroads during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) government (2004-2014), such as securing a formal role in overseeing shariah banking and finance in 2008 and getting the state to restrict Ahmadiyahs in the country, MUI's role in the religious domain remains marginal.

Norshahril Saat is a Research Officer at ISEAS, currently completing his PhD degree at Australian National University (ANU).
The Establishment Post, 8 April 2015
http://www.establishmentpost.com/state-ulama-comparing-indonesia-malaysia-part-1/

89.

Pentagon chief backs TPP deal: Ashton Carter warns that Asian markets are being gobbled up by global competitors

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter threw the weight of the Pentagon behind President Barack Obama's fight to push a trade deal with Asia through Congress, warning that Asian markets are being gobbled up by global competitors.

Business Times, 8 April 2015
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/pentagon-chief-backs-tpp-deal

90.

TPP, security reforms key issues for Abe's US visit: The Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to revise Japan's security framework will take the spotlight during his upcoming U.S. visit, Richard Armitage, a former U.S. deputy secretary of state, said in a recent interview with The Nikkei. Abe will head to the U.S. on April 26 and meet with President Barack Obama. Armitage also talked about Abe's plans to address a joint session of Congress.

Edited excerpts from the interview follow..

Nikkei Asian Review, 8 April 2015
http://asia.nikkei.com/Japan-Update/TPP-security-reforms-key-issues-for-Abe-s-US-visit

91.

Ashton Carter on the TPP and rebalance: Carter's reference to runway repair suggests a few things. First, it could be an indicator that the US accepts it will be too difficult to protect its air bases from missile strikes with missile-defence systems alone. The numbers just don't stack up, so America needs to supplement its 'active' defences (missiles to take out incoming missiles) with 'passive' measures such as rapid runway repair. Second, it might indicate that the US wants the flexibility to not respond to Chinese strikes on its bases with counter-strikes on Chinese territory. If the US can instead blunt such strikes by rapidly returning its facilities to working order, it can avoid taking action that might escalate a regional skirmish to a world war.

These seem like lurid military fantasies, and it's true that the chances of US-China relations deteriorating to this point are remote. But it is fair to say that they are less remote than they were a decade ago.

Sam Roggeveen
Interpreter, 7 April 2015
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/04/07/Ashton-Carter-on-the-TPP-and-rebalance.aspx?COLLCC=889400996&

92.

The TPP and intellectual property rights: Protecting intellectual property is complex and contentious: it's not just a matter of rewarding people for having a bright idea. The key issue is how to foster innovation, and creating a monopoly through intellectual property protection isn't a first-best answer. Let's hope our negotiators have more guidance than is provided here.

If the TPP goes ahead as scheduled, Ian Harper's recommendation will be overtaken by events, at least as far as the TPP goes. Would we pull back from signing if the intellectual property arrangements heavily favour intellectual property-owning countries such as the US? Not likely.

Interpreter, 7 April 2015
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/04/07/The-TPP-and-intellectual-property-rights.aspx?COLLCC=871652588&

93.

Museums Begin Returning Artifacts to India in Response to Investigation: Several American museums have begun returning possibly stolen artifacts to India in response to a major federal investigation into the activities of Subhash Kapoor, a dealer identified by authorities as having once run the largest antiquities smuggling operation on American soil.

"Having Kapoor's name on an item means it smells bad enough for us to get rid of it," said Stephan Jost, director of the Honolulu museum. "We wanted to send a really clear signal that owning tainted art is not part of our mission." Some experts said the returns illustrated the kind of rigorous review all institutions with Kapoor items should be undertaking. Maxwell L. Anderson, director of the Dallas Museum of Art and chairman of the Association of Art Museum Directors' task force on archaeological materials and ancient art, said museums "have a special research burden" with regard to any Kapoor acquisitions, "and should redouble their efforts to establish whether they have clear titles."

Tom Mashberg
The New York Times, 7 April 2015
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/arts/design/museums-begin-returning-artifacts-to-india-in-response-to-investigation.html

94.

What Asia's leaders should (but won't) say about the 70th anniversary of the Pacific War: Although it is popular now to read World War II as a global war, I think the term 'Pacific War,' used in Asia for the regional war against Japan, is more accurate. The conflict that culminated with Hiroshima has its direct roots in Japan's post-Meiji turn toward imperialism with the first Sino-Japanese war in the 1890s. German and Italian fascism, by contrast, were more clearly products of the interwar period and the rise of Stalin.

The term 'Pacific War' puts the regional focus where it belongs - on Japan.

Robert E Kelly

Interpreter, 8 April 2015
http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2015/04/08/what-Asias-leaders-should-but-wont-say-70th-anniversary-Pacific-War.aspx