[Asia Round-up] Samuragochi’s shameful deception

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

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

Samuragochi’s shameful deception

The deception by the supposedly deaf composer Mamoru Samuragochi is twofold. Takashi Niigaki, a lecturer at Toho Gakuen School of Music, disclosed he had ghostwritten 20 music scores credited to Samuragochi for the past 18 years and cast doubt on Samuragochi’s claim that he is deaf. It amounts not only to a betrayal of fans, but outright fraud. He must consider how to take responsibility for his actions, which now may lead to criminal charges. The Japan Times, Japan

(Photo : Xinhua/NEWSis)

My hero is your enemy

Indonesia has touched off a regional row by christening a new frigate “KRI Usman Harun” to respect national heroes. The problem is that it shows huge disrespect for its neighbours, Singapore and Malaysia. The name comes from two Indonesian marines who in 1965 placed a bomb in Singapore that killed three people and wounded 33. They were captured and executed in 1968. Indonesia’s decision has earned criticism as insensitive and diplomatically indefensible. Bangkok Post, Thailand

Changing the school year schedule

Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines announced their shift of the academic calendar from August to May, instead of the June to March. It was reported that De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas were likewise mulling over the shift. The change might indeed be a wise move in consideration of the onset of the rainy season or a typhoon. The new schedule also aligns them with their overseas partners. The Manila Times, Philippines

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

Sushil Koirala sworn in as Nepal’s new PM

Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, 75, was sworn in as the country’s 37th prime minister, Feb. 11, 2014. Koirala was elected as the new prime minister by mustering 73 per cent of the votes in the 601-member parliament cum Constituent Assembly. Koirala, nicknamed as ‘Mr Clean’ in Nepali politics, said that he would concentrate all his efforts to promulgate the new constitution within a year. Nepal became a republic in 2008 by abolishing the 240-year monarchical system. The Rising Nepal, Nepal