ASEAN News

ASEAN – One year after the military seized control in Myanmar, Singapore said that the situation there remained “very concerning” and that it is disappointed by the lack of progress on an ASEAN strategy to address the humanitarian crisis. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement that the people of Myanmar’s situation “continues to deteriorate,” and urged Myanmar’s …

Myanmar – According to a source, a court in army-ruled Myanmar will begin an election fraud prosecution of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 14, after she was accused of manipulating the 2020 election to secure a second term in government. Suu Kyi is on trial in over a dozen crimes and has already been sentenced to a …

China – Daily Covid-19 cases at the Beijing Winter Olympics, showed a rise in the number of infections among athletes and team officials. The csesa surged to 19 from two a day earlier, while organizers warned that additional cases would be reported in the following days. There were a total of 36 people infected with the virus, including athletes and officials, according to the …

Cambodia – The Cambodian Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information and Media has dismissed the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights’ (APHR) “blind allegations” over Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen‘s trip to Myanmar on January 7. The panel claimed Hun Sen’s visit was part of his endeavor to resolve the turmoil in Myanmar, and that “only an evil-minded individual and …

Singapore – In a statement to a district court, his lawyer said Dee Kosh, a Singapore radio DJ and YouTube celebrity, had opted to file a guilty plea to various sex-related offenses, five months after he was initially charged. He is charged with seven criminal counts in total, including three counts of communicating with a minor under the age of …

Cambodia – Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen calls on Myanmar’s junta leader to allow a visit by an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) special envoy and to facilitate humanitarian aid access. Hun Sen, in his capacity as Asean chairman, video called military military leader Min Aung Hlaing and made a plea with him to adhere to a five-point agreement to resolve …

Thailand – According to Thailand’s narcotics board, cannabis would be removed off the drugs list of the country which in turn resulted to clearing the door for individuals to cultivate the plant in their own homes. Thailand became the very first nation in the Southeast Asia region to legalize marijuana for medicinal use as well as for scientific purposes. People may …

South Korea – Today, the daily total number of new coronavirus cases in South Korea surpassed 8,000 for the first time, as the highly infectious Omicron strain spreads swiftly despite the recent expansion of tight social-distancing measures to reduce infection. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) recorded 8,571 cases yesterday, surpassing the previous high of 7,848 in mid-December. The …

Singapore – Community members lined a huge canal in Upper Bukit Timah, where their bodies were believed to have been recovered, with candles and flowers a day after word of their deaths came. “May your spirits rest in peace and offer your family closure. No one deserves this, and we are all in mourning.” One sign said, scribbled on a …

Afghanistan – Two staff members stated that the Taliban’s religious police had threatened to kill women NGO employees in a northern district of Afghanistan if they did not wear the all-covering burqa. Since the Taliban retook control in August after deposing the US-backed government, Afghans‘ rights, particularly those of women and children, have been significantly restricted. Women are being pushed …