ASEAN NOW Content Team

Military tensions are strong in Pekon, Shan State, between Myanmar's regime and the Karenni insurgency. The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force is being attacked by the junta (KNDF). The operations follow a May 11 attack on a military checkpoint in Nyaung Shwe Township, Shan State, in which five junta troops, including a deputy battalion commander, were kidnapped along with weapons. On Wednesday morning, the KNDF 3 Battalion in Pekon led resistance forces against the junta's 422 Battalion pushing to the east of the Moe Bye dam near Pekon. According to the KNDF, artillery assistance was provided by Junta troops based in Loikaw. During the fighting, one KNDF fighter was killed and another was badly injured. Fresh violence is expected around Pekon at any time, according to the KNDF. From Hsi Hseng, Hopong, and Moe Bye in southern Shan State, the regime is attacking the Karenni resistance to the east of the Moe Bye dam. "To the east of Pekon is Pekon Lake. Junta forces with armoured vehicles arrived from Hopong and Pinglong in the north, and 422 Battalion and 66 Division from Loikaw in the south. "They're attempting to trap us east of the lake," a KNDF spokesman explained. Aung Kham Hti's Pa-O National Organization (PNO) is fighting alongside junta troops. According to witnesses, the junta is being fought by the KNDF, people's defence forces, and the Southern Shan Revolution Youth, a collaboration of five revolutionary groups. Although there was no fighting in the village, the KNDF reported both sides may have suffered losses, and junta and PNO troops burnt Saung Nan Ke village in Pekon. Thirty homes were reportedly destroyed by fire. On Tuesday, Junta troops airdropped reinforcements and ammunition to Pekon, implying that the regime considers the routes unsafe. On Wednesday morning, there was further fighting. The PNO was threatened by the KNDF. "We annihilate everybody who aids the dictatorship." "Anyone who works with the dictatorship is our enemy," the spokesman declared. On May 14, the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) published an open letter to the PNO, Pa-O National Liberation Organization, and Pa-O people on Facebook. It expressed gratitude to the Pa-O for looking after individuals fleeing Kayah State and stated that it appreciated the Pa-desire O's for peace and stability in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone. The Pa-O was warned in the letter to stay away from the government since it only hurts the ethnic group. "We will intercept junta reinforcements," a KNDF spokesman warned. It is our responsibility because junta attacks have harmed numerous villages. We will continue to attack them, and our attacks will get more intense."

Following encouraging international tourist arrivals following the reopening of the country's borders on April 1, the Bursa Malaysia reversed yesterday's losses to begin higher today on improving market mood, according to an analyst. Approximately 500,000 international tourists have arrived Malaysia since last week, according to reports, and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is sure that the two million tourist arrivals target would be met by the end of the year. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.59 points, or 0.36 percent, to 1,555.00 at 9:05 a.m. from its previous closing of 1,549.41. At 1,552.38, the benchmark index opened 2.97 points higher. Gainers outnumbered losers 176 to 105 on the broader market, with 190 counters unchanged, 1,810 untraded, and 22 others suspended. A total of 110.88 million units worth RM53.40 billion were sold. Investors may remain cautious in the near term, according to Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, as current market sentiment may be compounded by continuous Wall Street turbulence. According to a note released today by the research firm, Wall Street closed lower due to growing fears about the impact of persistently high inflation and future erosion of business profitability. "On a related issue, Indonesia's decision to abolish its prohibition on palm oil exports may provide relief to the world market, lowering the price of crude palm oil (CPO)." However, with this news, plantation stocks may see selling pressure. "In the meanwhile, investors may turn their attention to the banking sector in anticipation of firmer earnings that will fare well in the face of interest rate hikes," it said. The CPO is currently trading at roughly RM6,000, while crude oil is trading at around US$112 per barrel.

In the face of the COVID-19 problem, Malaysia and Singapore have remained solid, loyal, and dependable allies, according to Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (May 19). Dr. Balakrishnan spoke to the media on the final day of a three-day business visit to Malaysia, during which he met with key Malaysian lawmakers and personalities. "People on both sides of the causeway have had a rough time in the last two years. "However, one significant factor that has emerged is that both Malaysia and Singapore have been solid, loyal, and dependable partners throughout the crisis," Dr Balakrishnan added. "Despite the crisis, we maintained our supply networks open and the flow of basic services - food, medication, logistics, supply chains - was uninterrupted," he continued. Dr Balakrishnan responded that Malaysia's political environment has been "complex and complicated" since the 2018 General Election when asked if it has been difficult to maintain and build bilateral ties amid political uncertainty. Despite this, he claims that the pandemic has enhanced the bilateral connection and increased mutual trust between Singapore and Malaysia. "The fact that we can work together and support each other made all the difference since we came through for each other during important occasions." The minister went on to say that his lengthy friendships with people like Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Senior Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had enabled him communicate effectively for both countries' mutual benefit. "For almost two decades, I've known Prime Minister Ismail (Sabri) and Defense Minister Hishammuddin. And these friendships have endured through good and bad times... "I'll call us buddies," Dr. Balakrishnan replied. "I believe that our fundamental obligation as political leaders on both sides is to enhance the interests, security, and opportunity for our respective peoples," he continued. But, as friends with a long history of connection and participation, we are able to speak effectively, without misunderstanding, and collaborate successfully to bring ideas of mutual interest to fruition." Dr. Balakrishnan stated that he met with Mr. Ismail Sabri, Mr. Hishammuddin, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, and other political leaders during his tour. He also met with Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Deputy King. Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Ismail Sabri hailed the full restoration of land and air borders between Singapore and Malaysia, according to a statement issued by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. Dr. Balakrishnan and Mr. Saifuddin also "took stock of current bilateral cooperation, and agreed that it had proceeded apace even amidst the epidemic and travel limitations," according to the release.

More than 600 kilometres from Darwin, in the remote East Arnhem Land village of Nhulunbuy, 130 US Marines, Australian Defence Force, and Indonesian military troops engaged in a very elaborate game of pretend this week. In the imaginary nation of 'Belesia,' they're responding to 'Tropical Cyclone Sophia.' As part of the Crocodile Response training exercise, the three forces were dispatched to help a made-up village with no running water, cut-off roads, unsuitable airstrips, and displaced people. "A storm hit during the drill, and there was some very widespread damage," said Major Tim Murphy of the Australian Army. "There has been damage to the hospital system, the township's freshwater supply, and residences and basic infrastructure, so this is a difficult area for the local community to live under the present limits, and we're here to help." The Australian Army and Darwin-based US Marines participate in this yearly humanitarian relief training exercise. The fictional country, which is based in a decommissioned mining camp on the Gove Peninsula, was created exclusively for military training, with made-up countries like Belesia imitating actual ones with their own fictional governments, social issues, and currencies. The Australian Army received the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) simulation system from the US in 2018, and the make-believe training areas and scenarios were meant to mimic parts of the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions.

Following improvements in the domestic cooking oil supply situation, President Joko Widodo said on Thursday that Indonesia will suspend its palm oil export embargo on Monday, May 23. Despite the fact that the price of bulk cooking oil has not yet reached the anticipated 14,000 rupiah per litre, the government decided to relax the prohibition because the government is concerned about the wellbeing of 17 million palm oil workers, according to news agency Reuters. Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil exporter, has blocked edible oil shipments since April 28 in an attempt to flood the domestic market with supply in order to control rising cooking oil prices. According to reports, despite strict measures that have shook the edible oil markets and cost hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue, the price of cooking oil, a staple for Indonesian families, has not decreased, lowering President Joko Widodo's approval rating. The president, known as Jokowi, previously stated that the need for affordable food superseded income considerations, and that the export ban would only be repealed if domestic requirements were addressed. Palm oil dealers have speculated that the restriction may have been partially removed, especially when storage tanks fill up. Politics is almost certainly a factor in the timing. The president's approval rating is at a six-year low, according to a poll conducted this week by pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia, which is mostly due to rising cooking oil prices and inflationary impacts.

All travellers boarding a plane to Brunei Darussalam must fill out an arrival declaration form, stated Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Abu Bakar Apong at the daily press conference on Monday (May 16). This was in answer to an inquiry about what would happen if inbound visitors failed to fill out the arrival declaration form before arriving in the Sultanate. The minister emphasised the importance of completing the declaration form and advised all passengers to do so before boarding a plane. Awang Abu Bakar also provided updates on the country's Covid-19 issue. On Monday, he claimed, 297 new cases were discovered, 294 from antigen rapid test (ART) screenings and three from 282 RT-PCR laboratory testing conducted in the previous 24 hours. With the latest infections, the total number of confirmed cases in the country has risen to 144,956. A Covid-19 patient died, but not because of the coronavirus, according to the ministry. A total of 272 instances have been reported recovered, increasing the total number of cases recovered to 143,060. There are 1,675 active cases at the moment, with 15 individuals receiving treatment in hospitals and 1,660 on home self-isolation. There are no cases in Categories 4 and 5, according to Awang Abu Bakar. Because the vaccination centres are closed on Sunday, the inoculation figures from the previous day's news presentation remain unchanged: 74.4 percent of children aged five to 11 have received one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 23.1 percent have received two doses. The vaccine has been given to 68.4 percent of the population in three doses.

At the daily press conference in the capital, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar stated that no instances of the novel Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 have been discovered in Brunei. "When compared to the prior BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants, the sub-variants do not show harsher consequences in symptoms," the minister said, adding that the previous BA.2 sub-variant is the most widespread in the Sultanate. The new Omicron sub-variants have lately been found in neighbouring nations, and they have also expanded widely in the West, with a little faster rate of dissemination than the previous sub-variants. Although reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab testings have reduced, the minister stated that the government is continuously monitoring the issue through genetic sequencing. "If any positive instances with the appropriate CT-Value are discovered, genomic sequencing can be performed." "We've sequenced 800 to 1,000 cases from RT-PCR tests on average since the beginning of the year," the minister stated. Meanwhile, on Wednesday night (May 18), Brunei reported 300 new Covid-19 cases, increasing the national total to 145,521. 298 of the new instances were the result of Antigen Rapid Test (ART) tests that were submitted to the government, and two were the result of 343 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory tests that were completed in the previous 24 hours. Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm had given three doses of Covid-19 vaccine to 68.8% of Brunei's population as of May 17. In Brunei, 1,823 active cases are currently being treated and monitored, with 143,477 COVID-19 recoveries reported. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

A mine attack in Sagaing Region's Tigyaing Township killed around ten Myanmar junta soldiers on Wednesday. On the eastern banks of the Ayeyarwady River, on Wednesday morning, an alliance of local resistance organisations ambushed regime forces with three mines while they were going between Kyat Ta Kaung Village and Pay Kone Village. According to a member of the Special 9 Tigyaing People's Defense Force, over 100 military dictatorship soldiers were marching along the riverbank, providing security for three ships travelling upriver to Katha Township with junta reinforcements (PDF). The ships left Mandalay on Saturday, carrying approximately 100 troops as well as food and ammunition. As the ships went through Mandalay Region's Thabeikkyin Township on Monday, local opposition groups used homemade rocket launchers to attack the flotilla. According to local sources, one vessel was attacked, and a number of junta soldiers were killed or injured. The Irrawaddy was unable to independently verify casualty figures. The flotilla arrived in Tigyaing Township on Wednesday, the day of the mine strike. "The soldiers threatened local locals to pick up the injured soldiers with a motorboat," a member of the Special 9 Tigyaing PDF stated. Sagaing Region is one of the resistance movement's strongholds, and regime troops from Thabeikkyin Township's 13 battalion frequently raid villages in Tigyaing Township's east. Local PDFs have retaliated with mine assaults on regime forces on a regular basis.

Myanmar is experiencing fuel shortages as a result of the regime's monetary controls. The regime-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar issued an order in early April requiring foreign profits to be deposited with licenced banks and converted for kyats at the official rate within one working day. The dictatorship also mandated that gasoline be sold at set prices. The dictatorship has not sold off its US dollars while tightening its control over the currency markets. According to an oil importer, the lack of access to dollars has hampered gasoline imports, which have fallen. "Imports are about half of what they were. Major importers can no longer sell petroleum to the wholesale market, as they formerly could," the manager explained. Another fuel importer claimed that businesses lacked cash. "The paucity of US currency contributed to this fuel shortfall. Imports are down by more than half. Because we can't pay in dollars, no oil tankers have been unloaded. Market demand is stable, but supply are limited, and stocks may run out," the insider added. Fuel is mostly imported from Singapore, according to the regime's Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, with monthly volumes exceeding 200,000 tonnes of gasoline and 400,000 tonnes of diesel. According to market insiders, the government provides US dollars to major petroleum importers like BOC and Denko, but even these companies do not receive enough dollars to meet retail demand. On April 20, the regime's monitoring body for petroleum imports, distribution, and supplies instructed distributors to sell at set rates. In Yangon, 92 Ron octane cost 1,995 kyats per litre, 95 Ron octane cost 2,045 kyats, diesel cost 2,205 kyats, and premium diesel cost 2,235 kyats, with costs changing around the country. "Unlike in the past, I can't wait until I'm out of gas since I never know if I'll be able to refuel," a Yangon taxi driver remarked. In Yangon, we can still buy petrol, but I'm not sure about other places. "The costs are excessive."

According to a survey done by Ipsos Malaysia, as concerns about the Covid-19 outbreak fade, Malaysians are now more concerned about inflation. alaysia," found that the amount of Malaysians concerned about Covid-19 has decreased from 85 percent in April 2020 to 31 percent in May 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage of respondents who are concerned about inflation has risen to 27% this month, the highest level since the survey began in April 2020. "As Malaysia enters the endemic phase and the country opens up," says Lars Erik Lie, Associate Director of Ipsos Malaysia Public Affairs. "There's been a dramatic decline in people's fear about Covid-19; worry about the virus is at its lowest level since the beginning of the epidemic." According to the survey, as the 'new normal' gives way to the 'old normal,' comfort with spending on both household and large products is at an all-time high. "With the recovery in consumer demand, as well as heightened supply chain pressures brought on by global events such as the Ukraine conflict, inflation fears are on the rise." "Financial or political corruption is the top concern among Malaysians these days, with 53% of respondents concerned, up 5% from the previous month. For this topic, the Global Country Average (GCA) is 24 percent "According to the poll results, The next biggest source of concern is unemployment, which fell 3% this month to 34%, somewhat higher than the GCA of 27%. Following that are concerns regarding Covid-19 (31% nationwide, as previously indicated, with a GCA of 16%), poverty and social inequality (30% nationally, with a GCA of 31%), and inflation (as mentioned, 27 per cent nationally, and a GCA of 34 per cent). Malaysians' spending comfort has improved in the last six months, according to the report, which reveals that it fell last year from 43% in November to 38% in December for household goods. It is now at 44% as of May 2022. Major purchase data shows a similar pattern, with 40% for this month, up from 20% in June of previous year. "Comfort with both household and large purchases is at its best level in a year," according to Ipsos Malaysia. Due to anticipation of higher food inflation as a result of rising global commodity prices, MIDF Research boosted its Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast for the year to 2.5 percent from 2.1 percent just last month. "Headline inflation is estimated to average between 2.2 percent and 3.2 percent in 2022," Bank Negara Malaysia stated in a statement on May 11. Given the recovery in economic activity despite continuing cost pressures, underlying inflation, as measured by core inflation, is likely to rise in 2022, averaging 2.0% to 3.0%. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

Malaysia Airlines, the country's primary airline, has announced the start of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Doha, opening up additional links to Europe via its reciprocal oneworld Alliance codeshare with Qatar Airways. Malaysia Airlines will operate a daily direct route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH). The daily service will be flown by A330-300 aircraft with 290 seats, including 27 Business Class seats, 16 Economy with extra legroom seats, and 247 Economy Class seats. Customers travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Doha on Malaysia Airlines will have access to 62 codeshare destinations across Qatar Airways' extensive network in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. Customers flying Qatar Airways from Doha to Kuala Lumpur would be able to smoothly transfer to 34 Malaysia Airlines destinations, including the whole domestic network as well as significant Asian markets including Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City, subject to government permission. The partners hope to establish Kuala Lumpur as a premier aviation hub in Southeast Asia by connecting both route networks. Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways will also take use of synergies across different business areas and produce unique solutions for their global clients. "We have long planned to create a route to Doha, and I am glad this has come to fruition," said Daniel Bainbridge, Regional Director UK and Europe. As part of our increased offering, I am particularly excited about the possibility to exploit codeshares with our oneworld partner, Qatar Airways, via their global hub at Hamad International Airport. Travelers now have the option of three daily Doha flights to Malaysia, in addition to the existing MH DOH-KUL codeshare flights, providing seamless connection to and from any major European destination. This is another another indicator that Malaysia is welcoming international visitors, and I applaud this latest step in the country's tourism resurgence."

Ustaz Abdul Somad, an Indonesian Islamic preacher, was not deported from Singapore, despite his assertions, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryopratomo. "He was not deported, but he was requested to return (to Indonesia) since he did not have a permit to enter Singapore," Suryopratomo reportedly told Indonesian news site Tempo on Tuesday (17 May). Suryopratomo did not explain why the popular preacher was denied admission by Singapore officials. According to the Tempo story, he continued, "The actual explanation, perhaps, can be requested to the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta because they are more entitled to explain the reason." According to the story, the preacher, also known as UAS, who turns 44 on Wednesday, said that he was jailed in Singapore while awaiting deportation. In 2019, Indonesian authorities were investigating the preacher after two local organisations accused him of blasphemy against Christianity based on a video of his speech from several years ago. According to a report by Tempo, the preacher refused to apologise for his words, arguing that they were in line with Islamic principles. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been contacted by Yahoo News Singapore for comment on the matter.

Indonesia is suspending its outside mask ban since the COVID-19 outbreak is under control, according to President Joko Widodo. He noted that a mask requirement still exists for indoor activities and public transit. All fully vaccinated passengers would no longer be required to take COVID-19 testing to enter Indonesia, according to Widodo. The statements came two weeks after millions of Indonesians travelled to see their families for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marked the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and marked the end of two years of epidemic restrictions and travel restrictions. COVID- The government has relaxed its mask policy after 19 instances have continued to decline. "People are not allowed to wear masks when they are undertaking outdoor activities or in open spaces that are not congested with people," Widodo stated in a broadcast address. In March, Indonesia joined a number of other nations in the region, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines, in removing quarantine restrictions for international tourists. Since an omicron-driven spike peaked at roughly 64,700 instances per day in mid-February, the country has fully recovered. Daily confirmed infections have dropped to roughly 200, and nearly 80% of the 208 million people who are eligible have been properly vaccinated. Many limits on social mobility that had been in effect for two years have already been repealed by the government. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

The Brunei Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a warning against using Lianhua Qingwen and Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang products for the treatment or prevention of Covid-19, citing unfounded claims for the herbal remedy's ability to treat the virus. It claims that Lianhua Qingwen or Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang products include ephedra, a plant that contains active alkaloids like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. According to the ministry, long-term use of ephedrine without supervision can result in anxiety, headaches, sleeplessness, nausea, high blood pressure, irregular pulse, and heart attack. The Ministry of Health has cautioned the public against using it and/or continuing to use it without first receiving medical advice from a licenced medical practitioner. While some Lianhua Qingwen products have been listed as Chinese traditional medicine with approved use for the relief of cold and flu symptoms by a medicine regulatory authority in a neighbouring country, the products are not indicated for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19, according to the ministry. According to the Ministry of Health, any product claiming to treat Covid-19 must present sufficient scientific proof from clinical trials to prove its safety and efficacy. Before herbal items, such as Lianhua Qingwen, may be certified and imported into the nation, complete documentation must be presented to the ministry for evaluation, according to the MoH, which also stated that the government has not provided any approval for Covid-19 prevention and treatment. The ministry warned the public to be wary of herbal or supplement goods that make unsubstantiated promises. The government also reminds suppliers and retailers (including online retailers on social media) that making false or misleading statements about illness prevention or treatment is illegal. Conviction carries a fine of not more than BND5,000, or a sentence of not more than two years in prison, or both.

Incoming travellers, including returning citizens and residents, are now permitted to complete the obligatory three-day Covid screening using an antigen rapid test (ART) kit at home or at the hotel, rather than at the Brunei International Airport. Those who refuse to take the test will face legal consequences under Section 62 (A) of Chapter 204 of the Infectious Diseases Act. Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Mohd Isham Jaafar revealed the latest approach to relieve airport congestion at the daily press briefing on Tuesday (May 10). "All travellers' ART handling has been assessed by the Ministry of Health. "As a result, beginning this afternoon, passengers will perform ART on arrival when they get at their homes or lodgings." "Each traveller will be given three ART kits to use on the day of arrival, Day 2 and Day 3," the minister said, adding that the findings must be reported to the BruHealth app. "The BruHealth colour code for each traveller landing in the nation would instantly change to red," Dr Mohd Isham stated. Passengers who submit negative ART test results, on the other hand, will be awarded a day pass through the BruHealth app, allowing them to attend any facility in the country." The directive is based on Section 62(A) of Chapter 204 of the Infectious Diseases Act, which states that failure to comply may result in legal action. The minister urged the people to cooperate with the latest initiatives to relieve airport congestion and to follow the established standard operating procedures with the announcement (SOPs). "With the growing number of visitors entering the nation, the number of visitors could reach thousands at any given moment, causing delays of two to three hours." "Before boarding the trip to Brunei Darussalam, travellers must test for Covid-19 using ART or PCR, which is why the decision was made to allow them to take the test at home or in the hotel." "If a traveller fails to complete the test and upload the results to the BruHealth app, their code will turn red, banning them from entering any establishment," he explained.

In a search here on Tuesday (May 10) evening, police captured 50 undocumented Myanmar nationals who were hiding in a shophouse in Kampung Jelakong. Two local men, 48 and 65, were also arrested at the premises during the operation, which was undertaken by a team from Tanah Merah police headquarters Criminal Investigation Department (CID) around 5.30pm, according to Tanah Merah OCPD Supt Wan Zulfikri Wan Othman. "When inspected, a total of 43 Myanmar men and seven women, ranging in age from 18 to 45, were at the shop house and did not have any proper identification documents," he said in a statement on Tuesday. He stated the migrants were smuggled into the country three days ago from their hiding near the Malaysia-Thailand border to work in Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Genting Highlands, and Cameron Highlands, and that they thought the shop house was a transit point before being transferred out of Kelantan. "The two local males involved were later arrested under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) of 2007. "Meanwhile, 50 Myanmar nationals were arrested for violating the Immigration Act of 1963 and transferred to the Tanah Merah police headquarters for further action, he said, adding that a four-wheel-drive vehicle used to transport the migrants had also been seized.

Myanmar's military dictatorship briefly detained Daw Nang Lang Kham, the eldest daughter of famed business mogul U Aung Ko Win, at Yangon International Airport on May 8. Major Kyaw Myat Lin of the Office of Military Security Affairs held and questioned her for two hours as she prepared to fly from Myanmar to Thailand on a Myanmar Airways International (MAI) aircraft. She serves as the deputy CEO of Kanbawza Bank, one of Myanmar's largest private financial organisations. Her father, U Aung Ko Win, formed the Kanbawza (KBZ) Group of Companies in 1994, which controls a wide range of businesses including mining, banking, real estate, aviation, and insurance. MAI and Air KBZ are both owned by the KBZ Group. It's unknown why the dictatorship interrogated a relative of crony U Aung Ko Win, whose personal and commercial ties to successive military commanders are well-known. According to the Irrawaddy, the regime has ordered that no wealthy individuals be permitted to exit the country through Yangon International Airport. Daw Nang Lang Kham, who went to Thailand the next day and is currently in Bangkok, was detained by the regime, according to reports. Major-General Zaw Min Tun, a junta spokesperson, denied holding Daw Nang Lang Kham in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday. U Aung Ko Win is good friends with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, with whom he used to play golf. Daw Nang Lang Kham was seen representing the KBZ Group of Companies at state events during the now-deposed National League for Democracy government, with since-deposed State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The regime arrested U Chit Khine, the head of the Eden Group of Companies, and his son, U Win Min Khine, in April and accused them with bribery.

On Wednesday, Malaysia's central bank unexpectedly lifted its benchmark interest rate from an all-time low to calm inflationary pressures as the Southeast Asian country recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak. The Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) raised its overnight policy rate to 2% from 1.75 percent, the lowest level since July 2020. According to a Reuters survey of 18 analysts, rates will mostly remain steady, with the central bank likely to begin tightening next quarter to combat rising inflationary pressures. Only four economists predicted a rate increase. The central bank stated that the most recent statistics showed that economic development was on a more solid foundation, and that the extraordinary conditions that prompted rate reductions during the pandemic had passed. "Global commodity price movements, deriving primarily from the ongoing military situation in Ukraine and prolonged supply-related disruptions, as well as domestic policy actions on administered prices, continue to influence the inflation outlook," the central bank said. However, existing government pricing restrictions and economic spare capacity will help to limit price increases, according to the report. This year's headline inflation is expected to be between 2.2 and 3.2 percent, unchanged from the previous forecast. BNM's rate move, albeit earlier than expected, should not be interpreted as a sign of aggressive tightening, according to Capital Economics' Asia economist Alex Holmes. "While the economy should continue to rebound in the next quarters," he wrote in a note, "there is still a long way to go." Holmes anticipates two additional 25-basis-point rate hikes over the rest of the year, with a third at the start of 2023. BNM's next hike is expected in September, giving the central bank "space to judge whether upside risk to inflation or downside risk to growth will be the greater foe, before choosing whether to hike further from there," according to OCBC Bank analyst Wellian Wiranto. Following the rate hike, the ringgit gained 0.1 percent, while the Malaysian stock index gained 0.3 percent.

Due to COVID-19, nightclubs across Malaysia are expected to return this weekend after a two-year hiatus, while new laws prohibiting dancing may be implemented. In late April, Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin declared that nightclubs would reopen on May 15. David Gurupatham, the co-founder of the trade coalition Industries Unit, told Free Malaysia Today yesterday (May 10) that there may be a "no dancing, no close contact" rule in place. Despite the fact that these rules have yet to be confirmed, Gurupatham warned partygoers to expect "no dancing" and "perhaps a situation where we will have to exercise crowd control to ensure it is not too crowded." "We don't want any abrupt rises that could result in clubs being closed again," he continued. The safe reopening of clubs, according to Gurupatham, would provide stable employment to those in the business who have been unable to work regularly for the past two years because to COVID-19. The lockdowns, according to Gurupatham, affected between 150,000 and 250,000 nightlife employees. Jeremy Lim, vice-president of the Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association, told Free Malaysia Today that he agreed with the present "no dancing" rule in the sake of public health, but that it should be amended based on the country's hospitalisation and infectivity rates.

According to industry sources, Indonesia's "unpredictable" palm oil export policies may assist Malaysia emerge as the major supplier to India, the world's largest customer of the edible oil. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, but its inconsistent export policies, such as the most recent ban imposed on April 22, have driven Indian consumers to rely more on Malaysia, the world's second-largest producer with output less than half that of Indonesia. Malaysia's Commodities Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said on Tuesday that the country is preparing to take advantage of Indonesia's prohibition by slashing palm oil export tariffs in half. According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), a vegetable oil trade body, the combination of lower export taxes and the Indonesian ban may result in Indonesia's share of palm oil exports to India falling to 35 percent in the current marketing year ending on October 31, from more than 75 percent a decade ago. "The largest benefactor of Indonesia's unexpected policies is Malaysia," said SEA executive director BV Mehta. "Because Indonesia isn't selling, Malaysia is selling more, and at near-record high prices." According to SEA data, India purchased 1.47 million tonnes of Malaysian palm oil in the first five months of the 2021-22 marketing year, compared to 982,123 tonnes from Indonesia. India imported roughly 570,000 tonnes of palm oil in May, according to trade estimates, with 290,000 tonnes coming from Malaysia and 240,000 from Indonesia. If Indonesia's export restriction is extended for another two weeks, India's June palm oil imports, which are primarily from Malaysia, might drop to 350,000 tonnes.

Following recent criticism over having an English name while being a prominent national stadium, the Jakarta deputy governor indicated that the provincial authorities will entertain proposals for renaming the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) in Indonesian. "(We will) accept suggestions from people for the name of JIS, which is currently solely known in English," Patria said on Wednesday. According to the deputy governor, the provincial government would carefully evaluate all Indonesian names given by the public for the stadium's name. "We will pay attention to all public opinion and make the correct name decision," he stated. The deputy governor argued that the stadium's English name would reflect Jakarta's status as a global city. "This is because Jakarta is both our capital and a global metropolis," Patria explained. Meanwhile, Commission D Secretary Syarif of the Jakarta People's Representative Council (DPRD) underlined that regional heads should guarantee that government laws, particularly the language policy, are followed. "Because the regulation mandates the obligation (to name public sites in Indonesian), regional authorities must follow the law," Syarif explained. The regional legislator advised that the stadium's English name be kept while a new Indonesian name is chosen because the English name is popular among the population. Meanwhile, Anggara Wicitra Sastroamidjojo, Deputy Chair of Jakarta DPRD Commission E, asked members of the public to submit suggestions for the stadium's Indonesian name. "Public participation can be used to generate the names. They can just vote on names that they choose. As a result, this is yet another way to increase public interest in the stadium "Noted by Sastroamidjojo. JIS has hosted a number of events since its initial debut in April, including the International Youth Championship (IYC) and the large congregational Eid al-Fitr prayer earlier this month.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and Karenni Army (KA) attacked a military convoy in Hpruso Township, Kayah State, on Saturday, killing about 25 junta troops, including a lieutenant colonel. The KNDF and KA attacked a convoy of 20 military trucks from Bawlakhe Township in the state on Saturday morning, and the fighting lasted roughly two hours, according to the KNDF. The last four trucks were burnt, according to the armed rebel group, and 18 regime soldiers were murdered, including a lieutenant colonel. The report could not be independently verified by The Irrawaddy. Food, weapons, and the bodies of 66 Light Infantry Division (LID) soldiers were discovered on the trucks, according to the KNDF. Regiment soldiers returned in the afternoon, and two more hours of battle took place. A KNDF spokesman added, "Around seven regime forces were killed, bringing the total to 25." KNDF and KA personnel were seen firing near the military trucks in an online video. Along the road, some bodies of regime soldiers may be spotted. One of the KNDF's fighters was lightly injured, according to the organisation. On December 24, 66 LID soldiers are believed to have slaughtered 35 villagers in Hpruso Township, including children, women, and two Save the Children members, as well as burning seven vehicles. The UN Security Council condemned the massacre and demanded an end to all violence, as well as respect for human rights, civilian safety, and accountability for the deaths. The junta began employing airstrikes and artillery in Kayah State more than a year ago, displacing the majority of the 200,000 population.

Myanmar's military dictatorship has undermined democracy. Instead, the regime has launched an unlawful campaign of violence against an unarmed civilian population. Thousands have been slain, and many more have been arrested on false charges before military tribunals. The junta's actions are direct responses to a burgeoning opposition movement that has rejected the junta's botched power grab. Since 2004, the Myanmar Network for Human Rights Documentation (ND-Burma) has been documenting systemic human rights violations across the country. Its 13 member groups aim to use the truth about what communities in Myanmar have gone through to advocate for victims' justice. Following last year's attempted coup, it has continued to film crimes in the country in a safe and secure manner. Documenting human rights violations has always been tough for human rights advocates, but it has grown significantly more difficult in the last year. The junta has targeted anyone who attempt to collect evidence of its crimes as it expands its use of ruthless military techniques across the country. The regime's attempts to hide its tracks include internet bans and scorched-earth campaigns. Truth, justice, reparations, and non-recurrence are the four pillars of transitional justice (institutional reform). The regime in Myanmar, on the other hand, has blocked all avenues for providing and enforcing transitional justice. The basic function of institutions supposed to maintain and preserve the rule of law continues to be suffocated by a cloak of denial. Documenting human rights is a step toward transitional justice, allowing survivors to seek accountability through the international system. Allowing victims to share their stories in a secure and accessible environment guarantees that the reconciliation process is transparent from the start. ND-Burma, for example, serves as a facilitator for psychosocial counselling and an advocate for restitution. These possibilities, however, are no longer even faintly available under the current government. In Myanmar, there is no rule of law or effective transitional justice systems to hold the military accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. Innocent civilians continue to be attacked with impunity. It's critical to underline that transitional justice is about more than just convictions and penalties. Reparations for victims, recognition and acceptance of the truth of mass abuses, and legal and security improvements to ensure non-repetition are all part of justice. There is clear evidence that Myanmar's military forces have broken international law by committing grave crimes. In February 2022, ND-Burma and the Karenni Human Rights Group released "The World Must Know," a study detailing the junta's war crimes in Karenni State. These crimes were done without consequence: No one in the case studies offered has seen a single member of the military suffer any punishment for their unlawful actions, including the scores of civilians who were burned alive on December 24, 2021.

The Ministry of Justice of Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has condemned the junta's new prison sentence for corruption against State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a woman famed for her moral integrity. The jailed leader was sentenced to five years in prison by a special court established up by the junta in Naypyitaw on Wednesday. The sentence will be added to the six years she has already served for the regime's previous cases against her. She was found guilty in a corruption case in which she was accused of accepting a bribe in the shape of gold bars from Yangon's previous chief minister. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed by the military in February last year, has categorically denied the charges. In response to the latest sentencing, NUG Justice Minister and famous lawyer U Thein Oo said in a statement released on Monday that the junta pretended to have evidence that the nation's most respected leader had accepted bribes worth US$600,000 in gold bars. "Such a claim is clearly ridiculous," he responded, knowing that she has spent her entire life fighting for the freedom of Myanmar's people, including decades in prison and under house arrest. The 76-year-old leader is well-liked in Myanmar, both at home and abroad, for her moral principles and for sticking up for the people; they reject the junta's allegations of wrongdoing against her. NUG In an interview with The Irrawaddy, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs U Moe Zaw Oo, who is also the executive director of a charity formed by the ousted leader, said the jailed leader has given so much of her own money to charity that she no longer has a home or any financial assets. "I don't see how they could charge such a person with corruption," he added, adding that the prosecution appears to be motivated by a personal vendetta. The National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, scored a resounding win in the 2020 general election, defeating the military's proxy party and associated parties. The military staged a coup on Feb. 1 last year, arresting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and others only hours before the newly elected MPs were to take their seats, claiming electoral fraud despite independent election monitors finding no abnormalities in the election. Since then, she has been held in an unidentified location and has been subjected to a bombardment of 20 illogical court proceedings. Thirteen of them are related to corruption. In a statement released Monday, NUG Minister of Justice U Thein Oo described the junta's so-called trials of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as unjust, lacking in credibility, a farce, and a propaganda ploy. "Once again, this propaganda stunt illustrates two facts about this murdering junta. First, they are brazen about the charade of a judicial system they have imposed on Myanmar's people. Second, they are still afraid of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's authority as a symbol of daring in the fight for democracy," the minister continued.

There's good news for all Indian tourists planning a trip to Malaysia. Indians will soon be able to apply for visas on arrival in the Asian country. This is a move toward attracting more Indian tourists to Malaysia. Malaysia also intends to ease the Covid-19 limitations in the near future, allowing international tourists to enjoy a hassle-free visit to the country. Multiple Malaysian news outlets reported that Prime Minister Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the three key Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) setup to curb coronavirus cases will be relaxed soon. When entering the premises, the three SOPs are to wear masks, conduct Covid-19 detection tests, and scan the MySejahtera application. Manoharan Periasamy, a Tourism Malaysia delegate, is also in India to encourage travel to Malaysia. Mr. Periasamy, the Senior Director of the Malaysian International Promotion Division (Asia and Africa), told a news conference in Bengaluru that starting April 1, all travel restrictions have been eliminated and 76 flights per week are available between India and Malaysia. There are 59 of them accessible from South India. Bengaluru, he added, is one of the most important points of entry into Malaysia for tourists. While the visa on arrival programme is presently on hold because to Covid-19, it will reopen in two months. In the meanwhile, anyone planning a trip to Malaysia can get an e-visa in as little as 2-3 working days. Restriction relaxations and visa-on-arrival will make travel for Indians much easier, and individuals would be able to enjoy Malaysia once more. While Japan and Singapore have the world's strongest passports, allowing them to visit 192 of 227 countries without a visa, India is ranked 83rd.