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☆ Why This Presidential Front-Runner Is Stirring Fears of the ‘Death of Democracy’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Even so, Prabowo Subianto has spent the past two decades trying his hand at democratic politics, donning different personas in multiple attempts to become Indonesia’s leader. Now, a month before the next election, nearly every poll shows Mr. Prabowo, 72, leading in the first round of voting. A victory for Mr. Prabowo, his critics warn, would revive a dark past. “What will happen is the death of democracy,” said Hendardi, the director of the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace. “We have long been against Prabowo,” he added, “and with our limited power, we were still able to prevent him from moving forward.

Persons: Indonesia’s, Subianto, Prabowo, Joko Widodo, Suharto, Prabowo’s, ”, Hendardi Organizations: Setara Institute for Democracy Locations: East Timor

☆ In a Rare Move, Singapore Charges a Government Minister With Corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was an unprecedented set of events in Singapore: a government minister charged with corruption and then hauled to court. Allegations of impropriety involving Mr. Iswaran became public in July. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ordered him to take a leave of absence while the authorities investigated Mr. Iswaran’s dealings involving a billionaire who helped bring the Formula 1 auto race to Singapore. The charges unveiled against him include two counts of corruption and one charge of obstructing justice. He is also facing 24 counts of “obtaining, as a public servant, valuable things” worth more than hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Persons: Hamilton, Iswaran, Lee Hsien Loong Locations: Singapore, Britain

☆ Fireworks Factory Explosion in Thailand Kills at Least 20
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A fireworks factory exploded in central Thailand on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people and injuring many others, according to the Thai police. After the blast, the factory, in the middle of a field in Suphan Buri Province, collapsed, leaving nothing but rubble, photographs posted online by Thai media outlets showed. “Nobody could get out. Nobody could get out,” said a distraught female resident, who was weeping as she spoke into her mobile phone, in a video posted by Channel 7, a Thai broadcaster. Another resident who was interviewed by Channel 7 said the blast was so loud that it could be heard almost a kilometer away.

Persons: ” Organizations: Thai, Channel Locations: Thailand, Suphan Buri Province, Thai

☆ Kissinger’s Legacy Still Ripples Through Vietnam and Cambodia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Mike Ives | More About Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Mr. Kissinger, who died on Wednesday, shared the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the peace accords that ended American involvement in the Vietnam War. The fighting between North Vietnam and U.S.-backed South Vietnam did not end until the North’s victory in 1975. Mr. Kissinger defended his wartime decisions for years afterward. Within Vietnam, Mr. Kissinger’s role in the war was contentious well before the fighting ended. When President Barack Obama visited in Hanoi in 2016, he said the United States would rescind a decades-old ban on sales of lethal military equipment to Vietnam.

Persons: Henry A, Kissinger, Mr, Lyndon, Richard M, Le Duc Tho, Duong Quoc, Hun Sen, ”, “, Pen, Sok, Hun Sen’s, Barack Obama, Biden’s, Chau Doan, Sun Narin, Lee Wee Organizations: Communist, Johnson Library, Museum, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, U.S, Cambodian People’s Party, Vietnam’s Communist Party Locations: Cambodia, Vietnam, U.S, China, Southeast Asia, North Vietnam, Saigon, United States, America, Austin , Texas, Vietnamese, Hanoi, “, Khmer, Khmer Rouge, ” Vietnam, Washington, United, Russia

☆ Vietnam Relied on Environmentalists to Secure Billions. Then It Jailed Them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The nine nations had announced in December that Vietnam would receive $15.5 billion in grants and loans in exchange for a commitment to renewable energy. Ms. Nhien, 48, never got the chance to see Vietnam present the plan. While two activists have since been released, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights said in September that the “prosecutions and the arbitrary application of restrictive legislation are having a chilling effect” on environmentalists in Vietnam. Activists and academics say that Vietnam appears to be emboldened by its growing importance to the West and has taken the opportunity to clamp down, knowing there will be few repercussions. President Biden visited Vietnam in September, elevating ties to a new strategic relationship that he said would “be a force for prosperity and security in one of the most consequential regions in the world.”

Persons: Nhien, Biden, ” Organizations: Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, United Nations Locations: United States, Japan, Vietnam, China

Twelve of those newly released were among the roughly 75 people who had been kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7. Ruth is a retired hairdresser and seamstress, according to Kibbutz Nir Oz. Danielle Aloni; Amelia Aloni, 5Danielle Aloni and her daughter Amelia were taken hostage while visiting Ms. Aloni’s sister, Sharon Cunio, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz. She was kidnapped from her safe room in Kibbutz Nir Oz after her husband, Sa’id Moshe, was killed during the Hamas assault. Hanna Katzir, 76Ms. Katzir helped oversee child care in Kibbutz Nir Oz for many years, according to a niece, Dalit Katzenellenbogen, who lives in Tel Aviv.

Persons: —, Kibbutz Nir Oz, Keren Munder, Munder, Ruth Munder, Ohad Munder, Ruth, Abraham Munder, Nir Oz, Abraham’s, Roee, Ohad, Abraham, Keren, Danielle Aloni, Amelia Aloni, Amelia, Aloni’s, Sharon Cunio, Sharon, David Cunio, Emma, Yuli, ”, Aloni, Adina Moshe, Moshe, Sa’id Moshe, Naama Ben, Moshe’s, ” Yaffa, Adar, Tamir Adar, Hanna Katzir, Katzir, Katzenellenbogen, Elad Katzir, Rami, Hanna Peri, Peri, Ms, Margalit Moses, Moses, Doron Katz Asher, Raz Asher, Aviv Asher, Katz Asher, Raz, Efrat Katz, Katz, Yoni Asher, Asher, Khan Younis Organizations: Nirim Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, Kfar Saba, Palestinian, Nirim, South Africa, Norway, Mozambique

☆ Israel-Hamas War Indonesia Calls for More Pressure on Israel After Deadly Hospital Attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Retno Marsudi, the Indonesian foreign minister, in Beijing this week. Indonesia’s foreign minister condemned on Tuesday an attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip as a “violation of international humanitarian law” and called on other nations to step up pressure on Israel. The attack on the Indonesian Hospital killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens, according to two members of the hospital staff and the Gaza health ministry, which blamed Israel. The strike on the Indonesian Hospital dominated the front pages of the country’s newspapers and news sites on Tuesday. The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, was built in response to the Gaza war of 2008.

Persons: Retno Marsudi, ”, Israel, Joko Widodo, Biden, Mr, Rofiul Haq, Reza Aldilla Kurniawan, Farid Zanzabil Al Ayubi, Sarbini Abdul Murad, Basem Naim, Retno, ” Hasya Nindita Organizations: Indonesian Hospital, Emergency, Indonesian, Israel Locations: Beijing, Gaza, Israel, Indonesia, Jakarta, Washington, United States, Beit Lahia, Malaysia

☆ A Dying Anticorruption Crusader Considers His Life’s Own Misdeeds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

His anticorruption crusade has made him a household name in Thailand, but Chuwit Kamolvisit would be the first to tell you that his own life has been neither admirable nor one others should emulate. A self-professed “super pimp” — and known to others as “the godfather of sex” — Mr. Chuwit, 62, once owned six massage parlors in Bangkok where 2,000 women worked for him. And he got his start as a whistle-blower, some two decades ago, by relying on his insider’s knowledge of bribery schemes. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, and to get the authorities to look the other way, he says he gave police officers cash delivered in black bags, as well as Rolex watches and free services in his establishments.

Persons: Chuwit, ” — Organizations: Rolex Locations: Thailand, Bangkok

Mr. Joko, who arrived in Washington fresh from a summit in Saudi Arabia where he condemned the war, has been vocal in criticizing Israel’s role. After Mr. Biden welcomed him to the Oval Office by celebrating a “new era of relations between the United States and Indonesia,” Mr. Joko ended his own set of remarks by calling for an end to the conflict. “Indonesia also wishes our partnership contributes to regional and global peace and prosperity,” Mr. Joko said. “So Indonesia appeals to the U.S. to do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza. On Monday, Mr. Biden and other officials called for the protection of hospitals in Gaza from attack.

Persons: Biden, Joko Widodo, Joko, Israel’s, Mr, ” Mr Organizations: White Locations: Indonesia, Gaza, United States, Washington, Saudi Arabia, “ Indonesia

She remains in limbo because divorce — and the possibility of a new marriage and a clean slate in life — is forbidden by her country’s laws. Thousands of people like Ms. Nepomuceno are trapped in long-dead marriages in the Philippines, the only country in the world, other than the Vatican, where divorce remains illegal. Partly because of their growing numbers and plight, attitudes in the country, where nearly 80 percent of the population is Catholic, have changed. Even the president has signaled openness to the idea, and the Philippines is the closest it has ever been to legalizing divorce. The powerful Catholic Church has deemed pro-divorce activism to be “irrational advocacy.” Conservative lawmakers remain steadfast in their opposition.

Persons: Mary Nepomuceno, —, Nepomuceno Organizations: Catholic, Conservative Locations: Philippines

The attacks prompted Israel to launch an intensive bombing campaign against the Gaza Strip, which is governed by Hamas. “I cannot remember a time when Israel’s struggle for security was not at the forefront of my mind,” Mr. Lew said. If confirmed, I will uphold President Biden’s commitment to deny Iran a nuclear weapon.”But his declarations did little to deter Republican senators. Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, accused Mr. Lew of acting as the Iranian government’s banker by negotiating deals to release funds in exchange for American prisoners. “Preventing this from becoming a multifront war is hugely important for Israel, for the region, for the world,” he said.

Persons: Jacob J, Lew, Biden’s, Biden, Obama, Jim Risch of, Lew of, Lew’s, —, Chuck Schumer, Israel, Thomas R, Nides, Schumer, “, Mr, ” Mr, fides, Marco Rubio, John Barrasso, Barrasso, ” Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Israel, Hamas, Republican, Foreign Relations, Mr, Jewish, Investigations, State Department Locations: Israel, Gaza, Jim Risch of Idaho, Iran, United States, Florida, Oman, Tehran, Wyoming, Iranian, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ Biden in Vietnam Biden Visits Hanoi on Mission to Forge Deeper Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Katie Rogers | Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Mr. Biden’s trip to Hanoi, which includes a news conference scheduled for Sunday, is centered on signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with the Vietnamese, a symbolic but significant status long coveted by the United States. Since taking office, Mr. Biden has sought to enhance relations with several Southeast Asian nations because of their tactical value as a bulwark against rising Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken accompanied Mr. Biden to the presidential palace, where honor guards marched to martial music before the meeting with Mr. Trong began. Earlier on Sunday, Mr. Biden concluded an eventful trip to New Delhi by joining the Group of 20 leaders at the memorial of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the champion of nonviolent struggle. The G20 summit managed to produce a surprise consensus declaration before the end of its first day.

Persons: Biden, Jon, ”, Nguyen Phu Trong, Antony J, Blinken, Mr, Trong, Narendra Modi, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Lee Wee Organizations: Air Force, U.S ., Communist Party of Vietnam, Group Locations: Vietnam, Russia, Hanoi, United States, New Delhi, U.S, China, India, Ukraine

☆ Vietnam and U.S. Forge Deeper Ties as Worries Rise About China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

During his state visit to Vietnam on Sunday, Mr. Biden is expected to oversee the signing of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Hanoi, a symbolic but significant status long coveted by the United States. Vietnam has until now reserved this status for only four countries: China, Russia, India and South Korea. For years, it had resisted granting this distinction to the United States out of fear of offending China. But as Beijing continues to encroach on waters claimed by Vietnam and as the United States looks for more partners to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, the former enemies have found common ground. “Whenever they try to upgrade any significant bilateral relations, they normally tend to do it step by step because of the fear that it may cause some concern, especially from Beijing.”

Persons: Biden, ”, Nguyen Khac Giang, Yusof Organizations: Institute Locations: Vietnam, Washington, Hanoi, United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, Beijing, Singapore

☆ From Rock Star to Bodyguard to Resisting Myanmar’s Coup in Film
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Long before he became an award-winning filmmaker, Lynn Lynn was already a star. His voice was ubiquitous on the radio, belting out rock songs, and he played sold-out shows in stadiums across the country. But all that fame was confined to Myanmar, a country he had to flee after a February 2021 military coup. He was also close to the country’s now-imprisoned civilian leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, having once served as her bodyguard. Now living in the Thai city of Mae Sot, bordering Myanmar, the 39-year-old rocker has taken on a new identity: refugee.

Persons: Long, Lynn Lynn, selfies, Daw Aung, Suu Kyi Locations: Myanmar, Suu, Thai, Mae Sot

☆ A Global Cyber-Scam Industry Is Booming in Plain Sight in Cambodia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Around the world, reports of cyber-scam schemes targeting unsuspecting victims online have proliferated rapidly. Southeast Asia has become a center of gravity for those criminal syndicates, often in remote and war-torn corners. But in Cambodia, the scam industry has been flourishing well within the reach of officials. Instead, they were forced to work for online scam mills while under intense surveillance in nondescript compounds, part of a multibillion dollar industry that has entrapped victims on both sides. Despite the crackdown and well-documented evidence linking well-known Cambodian officials to the mills, the country has not arrested any major figure.

Organizations: New York Times Locations: Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Cambodian

☆ After Thais Vote to Move Forward, the Old Guard Just Shifts Its Grip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia and an ally of the United States, Thailand was once a powerful player in the region. More recently it has suffered from a period of prolonged economic stagnation, brought about by nine years of military rule under Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the general who seized power in a coup in 2014. For the first time, disaffected young Thais questioned publicly the relevance of the country’s powerful monarchy, a topic previously considered taboo. Move Forward capitalized on this anti-royalist, anti-military sentiment, which became the bedrock of the party’s progressive platform. It announced more than 300 policy proposals, including shrinking the military budget and breaking up big business.

Persons: Prayuth Chan, Prayuth, Thais, “, It’s, ” Organizations: University of Sydney Locations: Southeast Asia, United States, Thailand, Australia

Dozens of countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, a group encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa that views itself as a counterweight to the West, and is meeting this week in Johannesburg. Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia are thought to be among those most likely to be admitted. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is said to be concerned about adding nations close to Beijing; India and China have border disputes and tend to consider each other potential adversaries. Here is a look at some of the nations vying to join. Saudi ArabiaThe addition to BRICS of Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s leading oil producers, would add economic clout to the group and bolster its chances of positioning itself as a rival to the U.S.-led financial order.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi Locations: BRICS, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Johannesburg, Argentina, Egypt, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Beijing, U.S

☆ Thai Ex-Prime Minister Returns From Exile, Adding to Political Chaos
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier who was ousted in a coup and has been living in exile since 2006, returned to Bangkok for the first time in 15 years on Tuesday, adding to the country’s political drama on a day that Parliament was to vote for a new prime minister. Mr. Thaksin was living in self-imposed exile in part to avoid facing corruption and abuse of power charges affiliated with his telecom business. While in exile, he shuttled between England, Hong Kong and Dubai, avoiding Thailand for fear of not receiving a fair trial. He was tried for most of these cases in absentia and found guilty of several charges. Mr. Thaksin’s private jet arrived Tuesday morning at the Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin Organizations: Don Muang International Locations: Bangkok, England, Hong Kong, Dubai, Thailand

☆ After 38 Years, Cambodian Leader Hands Power to His Son
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But the transition of power has significant implications for Cambodia’s future, Southeast Asia and for the United States and China, which are jockeying for influence in the region. When Mr. Hun Sen became prime minister 38 years ago, the country was emerging from the destruction of the Khmer Rouge movement. He ushered in an era of strongman rule that has included the eradication of opposition parties and independent media. claimed it had clinched a “landslide victory” in elections that international observers said were stage-managed and unfair. As leader, Mr. Hun Sen embraced China, which he described as Cambodia’s “most trustworthy friend.” Beijing, Cambodia’s largest trading partner, supplied loans to finance airports, roads and other infrastructure projects.

Persons: Hun Manet, Hun Sen, Mr, ” Organizations: West Locations: Southeast Asia, United States, China, England, Khmer, ” Beijing

The NewsThailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition to renominate Pita Limjaroenrat, a leading candidate, as the country’s next prime minister. Mr. Pita, 42, led the progressive Move Forward Party to a surprise victory in the general election in May. But last month, the military-appointed Senate voted against him when he was nominated as prime minister by a new coalition. Pheu Thai, a populist party co-founded by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said on Tuesday it would nominate Srettha Thavisin, a real estate tycoon, as its prime minister candidate. The next vote for prime minister will take place in Parliament on Aug. 22, the House speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, said.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Pita, Pita’s, Thaksin Shinawatra, Srettha, Mr, What’s, Sansiri, Pheu Thai’s, Phumtham Wechayachai, Wan, Matha Organizations: Party Locations: Thailand

☆ Aung San Suu Kyi’s Prison Sentence Reduced in Myanmar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | More About Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The military government in Myanmar has reduced the prison sentence for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Southeast Asian nation’s ousted civilian leader, by six years, a military spokesman said on Tuesday. The announcement came as a surprise but would not significantly change the fate of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed by Myanmar’s military in a February 2021 coup. Her lawyer said that Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, 78, still has to serve 25 more years in prison. Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi has been serving a 33-year sentence on corruption and other charges since December 2021. Rights groups and supporters say the charges were trumped up and meant to keep the Nobel Peace laureate, who is extremely popular in Myanmar, from elected office.

Persons: Daw Aung, Suu Kyi, Aung Organizations: Myawaddy TV Locations: Myanmar, Suu

☆ They Spoke Up for Free Speech. Now They Are Being Sued for Defamation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Thai activist, Sutharee Wannasiri, knew the poultry company had violated labor laws. The poultry company hit back, suing Ms. Sutharee for defamation and libel. While the case was still pending, her colleague at their human rights organization spoke up for Ms. Sutharee on Twitter and Facebook. She, too, ended up being sued for defamation and libel. Now the colleague, Puttanee Kangkun, is facing a maximum of 42 years in prison as she awaits a verdict.

Persons: Sutharee Wannasiri, Sutharee, Puttanee Organizations: Twitter, Facebook Locations: Thai, Thailand

☆ He Promised Change in Thailand. But Will He Be Allowed to Lead?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In order to take the role, Mr. Pita needs to gather enough support in the 500-member House of Representatives to overcome a 250-member, military-appointed Senate. Already, several senators have said they would not support a candidate who so threatens the status quo. Thai generals rewrote the Constitution in 2017 so a Senate stacked with military allies could jointly determine the top leader. So far, Mr. Pita has brushed off the petition to investigate him, saying he had already reported the shares to the authorities. He also said he believed there was a group of senators who had “felt their conscience” and understood the consequences of going against the 25 million Thais who voted for change.

☆ New Coalition in Thailand Challenges Military Rule After Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | Muktita Suhartono | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

The two opposition parties that won the largest share of the vote in Thailand’s general election over the weekend said on Monday that they had agreed to form a coalition government. The results of the election were a stinging rebuke to the country’s military leaders, who have governed Thailand since seizing power in a coup in 2014. Although Thailand is a nation where coups are not uncommon, it had never been under military rule for so long. Many voters, disillusioned with the never-ending cycle of putsches and protests, used the election on Sunday to demonstrate overwhelmingly that they wanted change. “People have been through enough of a lost decade,” Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, told reporters on Monday.

☆ In Blow to Junta, Thai Voters Overwhelmingly Back Opposition Parties
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Sui-Lee Wee | Muktita Suhartono | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With 97 percent of the votes counted early Monday morning, the progressive Move Forward Party was neck and neck with the populist Pheu Thai Party. In most parliamentary systems, the two parties would form a new governing coalition and choose a prime minister. But under the rules of the current Thai system, written by the military after its 2014 coup, the junta will still play kingmaker. The election had widely been seen as an easy victory for Pheu Thai, the country’s largest opposition party founded by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Polls had showed that Mr. Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, was the leading choice for prime minister.

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