[Asia Round-up] Never-ending rape of Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands

Editor’s note: Followings are summaries of editorials from major Asian media on current issues.

The never-ending rape of the Camerons
[Malaysia, The Star, 22-05-2013]

Once a destination to getaway crowds, the Cameron Highlands, one of the most prominent hill resorts in Malaysia, is now swamped by tourist crowds and being threatened by reckless development around the resort. The once pristine virginal greenery has turned into strip of red earth. The once romantic image of small, old-fashioned resthouses, tea plantations, and vegetable farms has turned into hills full of poor planned ugly high-rise structures here and there to accommodate the large crowds.

Later, the area experienced an agricultural boom and large of areas of land were cleared to feed the local and export demand. During this development process, legal and illegal clearing brought about naked slopes, landslides and poisoned highways.

Recent images of Camerons have angered the public and shook many to horror and anguish. The hills of the Camerons are dying, but there are no measures being taken. When the issue is raised, the authorities only see the culprits at work. However, instead of later trying and punishing the criminals, we need to stop the destruction now. This is the only way to save the majestic nature of the Camerons before it completely vanishes before our own eyes.

Myanmar’s road to democracy not without challenges
[Singapore, The Straits Times, 22-05-2013]

Two weeks before Myanmar hosts its first World Economic Forum on East Asia, Myanmar President Thein Sein made a landmark visit to the United States where he discussed the following matters: an end to inter-communal violence in Myanmar, developing a national identity of religious tolerance and sharing power and resources to bring about peace with Kachin ethnic minority.

Thein Sein also discussed the military’s special role in the country’s history and admitted that the military’s role must change. The military continues to play a major role in the economy and politics.

President Barack Obama praised Thein Sein for his “genuine efforts to resolve longstanding ethnic conflicts,”yet also raised concerns over recent violence directed at Rohingya Muslims, who have fled the country in thousands. Thein Sein publicly
announced that this was a tragic incident and that all sort of discrimination needed to be eliminated.

Even though much of Thein Sein’s rhethoric brings hope of Myanmar’s road to democracy, analysts raise concerns of the
obstacles ahead.

Squaring the Arctic Circle

[China, China Daily, 23-05-2013]

On May 15, China has finally joined the Arctic Council which decides the rules for the Arctic region. China was granted observer status, which is seen as a victory for China’s geopolitical diplomacy in issues such as polar research and cooperation, and the Arctic’s sustainable development in the light of climate change.

The council’s decision reflects the expectations of the council’s member states: becoming more influential in natural resources and climate change issues and exploiting the mineral resources in the region.

Being the biggest exporter and second largest importer – as well as leading importer of mineral resources – China has given special importance to opening new shipping routes and importing mineral resources because of the threats posed by climate change. And since China is expected to be one of the most frequent users of the shipping routes and a leading resource developer in the Arctic region, it deserves to be part of the decision-making process.

Also, as the Arctic greatly influences the world’s weather and climate patterns, China’s participant to the Circle is important since it was suffered the devastating effects of famine that led to the death of tens of millions of people from the 1920s to the 1940s.

History teaches us to prepare for natural calamities, and increasing our inputs in research on the Arctic is part of that preparation. Therefore, the international community has no reason to stop a country with one-fifth of the world’s population from conducting scientific research for every human’s benefit.

Even though resource development in the Arctic Circle seems a lucrative proposition, high cost makes China not attracted by mineral resources and natural resources in the region. The real value of Arctic lies elsewhere: shipping routes and climate research.

In China, bloggers push for freer media

[Hong Kong, South China Morning Post, 23-05- 2013]

A Chinese journalist Luo Changping’s decision to reveal details of a high-ranking official’s wrongdoing in a microblog message would appear to be a game-changer. Instead of censoring the allegations and punishing the reporter and those who spread his claims, authorities have given praise and the target, Liu Tienan, deputy director of the powerful National Development and Reform Commission, has been sacked. Luo’s high profile and his timing as Xi was stepping up calls to fight corruption made silencing or ignoring his claims difficult. It cannot be an isolated incident, though; if his aims are to be attained, the media – social and otherwise – have to be given free rein.

Lesser officials have been brought down by microblogs. A video posting of Lei Zhengfu, party chief of Chongqing’s Beibei district, engaged in sex with a woman hired by developers seeking favours recently led to penalties against him and 20 others. Never before, though, has anyone of Liu’s seniority been dealt with as a result of a microblog message.

The tactic skilfully gets around the censorship that is so much a part of the government’s strategy for controlling information. But only a privileged few benefit from such censorship. It has led to corruption, neglect of the rule of law and ignoring of human rights. Allowing an independent media promotes transparency and accountability. There can also be informed public discussion and the government has a better chance of meeting the aspirations and concerns of society.