Diplomacy defence

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington, DC last Thursday. Photo supplied US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will pay an official visit to Thailand in June, a source at the Thai Defence Ministry revealed yesterday. Gen Austin is set to arrive next month for his first visit to the kingdom since being appointed last year, although the dates have yet to be finalised. Observers expect he will discuss ideas about improving the Thai armed forces, weaponry and defence industry, the source said. He met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Washington, DC on May 12 during the Asean-US Summit. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Gen Prayut and Gen Austin discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation through the capacities of the armed forces, military education and joint military exercises. Mr Thanakorn said the two sides also hope to forge new partnerships to deal with cybercrime and increase defence industry … [Read more...] about US defence secretary to visit kingdom

- A + A (May 18): The defence chief of Myanmar's shadow government has called for international help to arm its resistance forces fighting the ruling military, requesting support similar to that being given to Ukrainians battling invading Russian troops. The people of Ukraine and Myanmar's pro-democracy militias are all fighting for freedom and giving their lives, but those taking on Myanmar's well-equipped army need more than international solidarity, said Yee Mon, the National Unity Government's (NUG) defence minister. "The stance of international community for Myanmar is moral support for us and we are grateful for it. We will be much more appreciative if we get physical support such as arms and funding," he said in handwritten remarks provided to Reuters. "With that support, we will be able to end the revolution sooner, minimising the loss of people and their property." Western allies have been arming fighters in Ukraine to resist Russia's invasion, which … [Read more...] about Myanmar resistance urges West to provide arms for fight against junta

Azmi Tahir (File photo by Sam Fong/The Edge) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief financial officer (CFO) Azmi Tahir told the High Court that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had neither reprimanded nor called him to enquire about the misappropriation of monies at the state-owned strategic investment company even after the controversy had erupted in the media. Azmi, who was testifying as the 12th prosecution witness in the graft trial of Najib involving over US$2 billion of funds allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB, said under re-examination by lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram that Najib had never reprimanded him and in fact had renewed his contract. Sri Ram: It was put to you (by the defence) that you had never gone to raise your concerns to Najib. It was put to you that you could have done it several times. Throughout [your] time [in] 1MDB, when you did what you did and were accused of what you were … [Read more...] about Former 1MDB CFO: Najib never reprimanded me over irregularities but extended my contract

JOHOR BARU: The Rohingya man known as Long Tiger has been discharged not amounting to an acquittal by the Tangkak Magistrate’s Court. Magistrate Zaridah Y. Abdul Jaapar ordered Long Tiger, whose real name is Abdul Hamim Ab Hamid, to be discharged over his case under Section 388 of the Penal Code for extortion on Tuesday (May 17). ALSO READ: Long Tiger jailed 12 months for fleeing police custody His lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali said the magistrate made the order after both the prosecution and defence made their lengthy oral submissions as to the effect of the untimely death of the prosecution's star witness, Luqman Hakeem Othman, in the middle of the trial. “The defence has yet to complete its examination of the said witness,” he added. ALSO READ: ‘Long Tiger' was looking to flee to neighbouring country, say police Abdul Hamim, 32, was represented by Shaharudin and Azfar Azmi, while deputy public prosecutor Nor Syamilah Jalaluddin prosecuted the case. The accused is … [Read more...] about Long Tiger escapes extortion charge after star witness dies during trial

KUALA LUMPUR: Three temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have been opened in two states to accommodate 138 flood victims from 48 families. In KEDAH, 28 flood evacuees from six families in Baling are taking shelter in SK Tawar as of 9am on Tuesday (May 17). Baling Civil Defence Force (APM) chief Captain (PA) Rasidah Kassim said all evacuees were villagers from Mukim Tawar. "This morning, the weather is sunny in Baling. The water level has receded and the victims will return to their respective homes,” she said in a statement. She added that Baling APM is always in a state of preparedness and will continue to monitor the situation from time to time. In NEGRI SEMBILAN, according to the latest data on the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) InfoBencana application, two PPS have been opened at SK Undang Johol and Dewan Desa Dangi, Johol, Kuala Pilah, involving 110 individuals from 42 families as of 8am today. Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan APM director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Syukri … [Read more...] about Floods: Three relief centres opened in Kedah, Negri to house 138 evacuees

Nam Jeong-ho The author is a columnist of the JoongAng Ilbo. A 21st century event as powerful as the inventions of letters, the wheel or steam engine — or as devastating as a world war — could be the breaking out of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Its spread transformed the centuries-old practice of reporting to work into working from home. The international order is not free from the cataclysmic shift. As we move into the third year of the pandemic, let’s take a look at global challenges ahead. Most noticeable is the retreat of globalization and the shutting down of borders, which wreaked havoc on international exchanges and multinational enterprises. Globalization on the political, economic and cultural fronts suddenly came to a halt. The biggest victim of the pandemic was the tourism industry, which saw the number of global tourists drop to 381 million in 2020 from 1.46 billion in 2019. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates the resulting losses … [Read more...] about Global challenges for 2022

Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (front, left) and wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad (The Edge filepix) - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): The prosecution in the corruption case of Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad closed its case on Tuesday (May 17), after calling 30 witnesses. Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Law Chin How told Sessions Court Judge Rozina Ayob after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Assistant Superintendent, Norsharil Saharom, 37, who is the 30th witness finished giving his statement. Rozina ordered the prosecution and defence to file their written submissions on or before June 17. She also set June 24 for both parties to give their oral submissions, before deciding whether the couple would be acquitted or ordered to enter their defence over corruption charges amounting to RM2.8 million to obtain approval for Felcra Bhd to invest RM150 million in Public Mutual Bhd unit trust. … [Read more...] about Bung Moktar and wife corruption case: Prosecution closes case, oral submissions on June 24

Muay Thai star Superlek Kiatmoo9 will meet Japan's Taiki Naito in Singapore on Friday. x Superlek "The Kicking Machine" Kiatmoo9 is intensely preparing for the One flyweight Muay Thai world grand prix, which kicks off its quarter-final round at One 157: Petchmorakot vs Vienot on Friday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Thai fighter is ready to take out anyone to earn the tournament's silver belt and also make a claim for the divisional gold. Superlek has drawn Japan's Taiki Naito in the opening round. Even though he is not underestimating his opponent completely, the No.2 ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is confident that the "Silent Sniper" doesn't have what it takes to score a win when they meet. "I see that he has a good kicking speed, and I think he's probably faster than me because he has a karate background," Superlek said. "But when it comes to damage power, I believe that my kicks are heavier than him. Let's see in the ring. I would say that I haven't got just … [Read more...] about Naito poses a serious threat to Superlek

MANILA, Philippines — True to his word that more would be coming, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea filed on Tuesday four more counts of  libel against Special Envoy for Public Diplomacy to China  and journalist Ramon Tulfo. “Yes. [I filed] four counts,” Medialdea told INQUIRER.net in a text message. The complaints were filed before the Manila Prosecutors Office. Medialdea earlier filed a libel complaint against Tulfo over his column piece titled “Self-purgation should start with the Cabinet,” which appeared in the Manila Times July 25, 2019 issue. In a phone interview, Medialdea’s lawyer, Elvis Balayan said two counts of libel under the Revised Penal Code and two counts under the anti-cybercrime law were filed against Mr. Tulfo. “This is the second set of libel that we filed. We already filed one last June 17. We filed another libel for the two articles that was published by Mr. Mon Tulfo last July,” Balayan said. Balayan was referring to the July 20 and 23 … [Read more...] about Medialdea files 4 more counts of libel vs Ramon Tulfo

This year (2020) will go down in history as the year the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 changed our lives. Even now, we are still surrounded by this new enemy lurking within our midst that has turned out to be more sinister and aggressive than anticipated. Despite many countries having decreased their case numbers after locking down their communities, we are now seeing this infection re-emerging around the world as countries relax their lockdown measures and open their borders. While reintroducing the strict restrictions of the earlier movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia might help to protect us from the virus, the effect on our economy and the livelihoods of many Malaysians would be quite severe. Therefore, the burden of preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is very much ours to bear as individuals and responsible citizens, especially now as our country is being threatened with the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19 cases. When it comes to … [Read more...] about Balancing your immune system to help fight off Covid-19