ASEAN News

Hong Kong – On Thursday, a Hong Kong court convicted three renowned pro-democracy activists of unlawful assembly in connection with a June 4 vigil last year to commemorate Beijing’s 1989 crackdown on protestors in and around Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong has long staged the world’s biggest annual June 4 vigils, as part of the broad freedoms granted when it reverted …

Singapore – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has urged for the release of Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as other political inmates, following her conviction by the country’s military junta for a two-year prison sentence. The ministry has also asked for the release of ousted President Win Myint and foreign detainees in a media statement …

Malaysia – People in Malaysia who earn low wages can get help getting back home through the Singapore-Malaysia Land VTL thanks to a fund set up by Maybank and the Malaysian Association in Singapore (Masis). The fund is called the “Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) Support Fund.” People who work in Singapore and have a valid work permit from Maybank can …

Myanmar – Myanmar’s junta head met with a prominent leader of Aung San Suu Kyi’s defunct party, the first major meeting since the February coup. Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party were overthrown by the military, forcing many of her closest political friends into hiding and others detained. The junta has used allegations of electoral fraud in last …

ASEAN – Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday that Asia-Pacific nations should increase their healthcare capacity and completely vaccinate their citizens in order to prepare for a spike in Covid-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant, which has been identified in the region. Scientists are still collecting data to determine how infectious Omicron is, as well …

Laos – Laos is scheduled to launch a US$6 billion (RM25.4 billion) railway constructed by the Chinese on Friday, despite worries over the country’s debt and expectations that it would help to restore the country’s faltering economy. The construction of the 414-kilometer (260-mile) route, which is part of China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, took five years. The potential economic …

Myanmar – Myanmar’s urban poverty is on track to quadruple next year, bringing almost half of the population below the poverty line, the United Nations warned today, as the epidemic and a military takeover threaten to reverse decades of progress. On Feb. 1, the army overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected civilian administration, causing political and economic chaos and jeopardizing …

Taiwan – Following a heated visit to the island by a delegation of American congressmen, the Chinese army conducted a navy and air force combat readiness patrol in the Taiwan Strait, a spokeswoman said. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have risen significantly over the destiny of democratic self-ruled Taiwan, which China has pledged to reclaim one day, by force if …

Singapore – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, praised his first official visit to Singapore as a success. He expressed gratitude to the Singapore government, particularly his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, for the warm greeting he received, which he described as “family-like.” “Ties between the two nations are quite strong, since we are neighbors with a long history,” …

ASEAN – As close, immediate neighbours the deep relationship between Malaysia and Singapore is of immense importance to both sides, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. “More active multi-level engagements and a much stronger cooperation are certainly the way forward for our two countries,” said Ismail Sabri at a joint press conference with his Singapore counterpart Lee …