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South East Asia
Haze testing Asean solidarity, capabilities in tackling complex transboundary problem
By Ivan Lim Former AJA president Singapore: Microscopic specks of dust from forest fires have blanketed the atmosphere over South-east Asia, blotting out the sun, and painting the blue skies a dirty shade of grey. The worsening acrid haze, emanating from fires in the Indonesian territories of Sumatra and Kalimantan…
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South East Asia
Haze forces 890 schools in Malaysia’s Sarawak to close
Kuching: Haze has forced authorities in Sarawak, the largest among Malaysia’s 13 states, to shut down 890 schools in 17 districts. The decision meant that eight districts were added in one day to the forced shut down list. According to the state Education Department, the move involved 104 secondary schools…
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South East Asia
Government mulls amending law on conferring Malaysian citizenship
Petaling Jaya: Malaysia is looking at amending Article 14 of the Federal Constitution to allow Malaysian mothers to pass on automatically their citizenship to their children born overseas. Under the current law, only Malaysian fathers are allowed to obtain automatically the Malaysian citizenship for their children born overseas whereas mothers…
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South East Asia
Smog from forest fires could kill indirectly: Indonesia
Jakarta: Smog coming from forest fires is an indirect killer and therefore it should be tackled by all concerned parties, an Indonesian official has warned. Letting haze spread means allowing damage to the next generation, and the government, the public and the private sector must synergize to tackle and prevent…
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South East Asia
Malaysia: Note to Indonesia is to offer assistance, not to protest
Jakarta: Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Zainal Abidin Bakar stressed that Kuala Lumpur is not pointing fingers at Jakarta over the current haze problems. Malaysia in fact is offering some forms of assistance in tackling the forest fires in several provinces in Indonesia, he said referring to a recent official letter…
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South East Asia
Mahathir urges Malaysians to keep up spirit of goodwill, nationhood
Putrajaya: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged all Malaysians, regardless of their religion, race and culture, to reflect on how the spirit of goodwill and nationhood has helped Malaysia achieve independence and develop into a successful country. Malaysia was built on the values of tolerance, strong character, mutual…
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South East Asia
Malaysia’s King, Queen on friendship-boosting visit to Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will make a state visit to Indonesia from August 26 until Aug 29, the foreign ministry has said in a statement. He will be accompanied by Queen Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and the delegation will include Minister of Economic…
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South East Asia
Singapore election fever
By Ivan Lim Contributor to AsiaN Singapore: Election fever is in the air in Singapore. The worsening economy – GDP growth forecast down to 0.1 to .1 percent from 2 to.2.5 percent arising from global slowdown — has spurred talk of a snap election. Pundits say the government may…
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South East Asia
Malaysia’s King, Queen offer condolences over teen’s death
Kuala Lumpur: Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have expressed sadness over the passing of Nora Anne Quoirin. The Irish teenager was found dead on Tuesday, having been reported missing on August 4 after she and her family checked in at an eco-resort near…
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South East Asia
For Malaysia’s persons with disabilities, low-floor minibus provides opportunity
Kuala Lumpur: Ever come across a person on crutches or in a wheelchair, struggling to board a bus? Persons with disability (PWD) often struggle with public transportation as some are not designed with PWDs in mind. Hino Motors Limited, however, is cognisant of such challenges and has designed…
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