scobydoo
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Not in one order, but within 5 years term. It means 500 ships per year that cost 2 million each.
Impor 2.500 kapal logistik, Kadin siapkan Rp15 triliun | SINDOnews
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Impor 2.500 kapal logistik, Kadin siapkan Rp15 triliun | SINDOnews
nufix
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It is one order, but the production scheme takes 5 years to complete the total ships ordered. It is like the Indonesian Lion Air's biggest order for Boeing's 737 MAX, it is one order, but the production takes 6 years to complete those 230 units.
Malaya
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Aquino says investors lining up for PH
ZURICHGone are the days when the Philippines had to beg for investments. Now, investors are lining up to ride on the countrys economic momentum, President Aquino said here on Saturday.
Speaking before a crowd of about 500 members of the Filipino-Swiss community, Mr. Aquino said the market back home was soaring to all-time highs and that the main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) may hit the 7,000 milestone within the year.
If we further help each other, I wont be surprised if we make it to the Guinness Book of World Records because of the strong performance of our stock exchange, said the President, who earlier attended the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He said in jest that when he celebrates his birthday on Feb. 8, the index may have hit 6,500.
As of Friday, the PSEi closed at 6,167.64. The indexseen as an advanced barometer of how the economy and corporate Philippines will farehas hit new record highs for over 70 times since the Mr. Aquino assumed the presidency in mid-2010.
Momentum
The President was applauded when he reminisced the situation during the term of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. I joined some of her trips. We went to Japan and we were almost begging for them to put up businesses in the Philippines.
But these days, theres a long line of investors for us, Mr. Aquino said. They are eager to invest in a wide array of sectors from education and infrastructure to information technology, he said.
These big corporations are one in saying: Wed like to join you, he said.
But on the other hand, Mr. Aquino said that for the longest time, he was still thinking why there were still Filipinos trapped in extreme poverty no matter how hard they tried. This, he said, was what his administration was trying to address.
Were trying to fix the conditions so that people who work hard will earn a good living. Were dismantling the system where only those with connections, those who engage in bribery or fraud, benefit, he said.
No magic
Were trying to build a society where if you get into the line, you will move forward; when you work hard, you can live with dignity and without getting hungry, he said.
The President said the Philippine transformation did not need any magic potion. He said he had just done what was right: Use public funds to worthwhile programs; follow the rule of law and make violators accountable.
Mr. Aquino again took a potshot at his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is now facing plunder charges.
Citing that the previous administration had entered into a contract to dredge Laguna Lake, he said: It would have been goodgetting rid of sediments to increase the holding capacity of this lake. It sounds good, right, because thats where we get bulk water for the National Capital Region.
But, he said, it was discovered that one part of the lake would be dredged but the sediments would be dumped to another side. You may think its a joke but it isnt. Its whats there in the contract, he said.
Level playing field
The President said Juan de la Cruz would, of course, wonder how the Laguna Lakes holding capacity would improve that way.
The contract, he said, would cost the government P18.7 billion just to play with mud, adding that those responsible would be held accountable. He said he aborted it because any contract must go through a proper bidding.
Why did anybody agree to this foolishness? Who will benefit? And I think, very soon, someone will face prosecution for this, he said.
These days, theres a level playing field not just in government projects but in the financial markets, the President said.
This is what the global community is seeing now. This is why despite the global economic crisis, our gross domestic product (GDP) has been growing rapidly, he said. He noted the 7.1-percent GDP growth in the third quarter of 2012 and the robust performance of the stock market.
7,000 points
Before I assumed office, whenever the PSEi hits 4,000, its always only a blip and then it would go down. At that time, there was not enough confidence to pass the 4,000-mark. But now, were past 6,000. So, I asked market players, Whats next, maybe 7,000? I was told, maybe 6,500, and maybe that will happen by my birthday next month, he said.
He said he was later told that the index would hit 7,000 before the end of the year. This broker never missed his forecast, so theres a big chance this will happen.
The Presidents stock market view was within the range expected by the market. Based on recent forecasts from eight financial institutions recently culled by the Inquirer business section, the PSEi could climb further to at least 6,200 to as high as 7,100 this year.
Averaging their forecasts, the consensus level is about 6,580 on an assumed growth in earnings per share of 14 percent.
Mr. Aquino arrived in Manila on Sunday.
Summary of forecasts: 2013 PSEi outlook
* Macquarie Group 7,100
* BPI Odyssey 6,500-7,100
* First Metro Investment Corp. 6,800
* COL Financial 6,500
* Banco de Oro 6,500
* TradeAsia.com 6,500
* UBS 6,250
* Maybank ATR-Kim Eng Securities 6,200
Average 6,581
Aquino says investors lining up for PH | Inquirer Business
ZURICHGone are the days when the Philippines had to beg for investments. Now, investors are lining up to ride on the countrys economic momentum, President Aquino said here on Saturday.
Speaking before a crowd of about 500 members of the Filipino-Swiss community, Mr. Aquino said the market back home was soaring to all-time highs and that the main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) may hit the 7,000 milestone within the year.
If we further help each other, I wont be surprised if we make it to the Guinness Book of World Records because of the strong performance of our stock exchange, said the President, who earlier attended the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He said in jest that when he celebrates his birthday on Feb. 8, the index may have hit 6,500.
As of Friday, the PSEi closed at 6,167.64. The indexseen as an advanced barometer of how the economy and corporate Philippines will farehas hit new record highs for over 70 times since the Mr. Aquino assumed the presidency in mid-2010.
Momentum
The President was applauded when he reminisced the situation during the term of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. I joined some of her trips. We went to Japan and we were almost begging for them to put up businesses in the Philippines.
But these days, theres a long line of investors for us, Mr. Aquino said. They are eager to invest in a wide array of sectors from education and infrastructure to information technology, he said.
These big corporations are one in saying: Wed like to join you, he said.
But on the other hand, Mr. Aquino said that for the longest time, he was still thinking why there were still Filipinos trapped in extreme poverty no matter how hard they tried. This, he said, was what his administration was trying to address.
Were trying to fix the conditions so that people who work hard will earn a good living. Were dismantling the system where only those with connections, those who engage in bribery or fraud, benefit, he said.
No magic
Were trying to build a society where if you get into the line, you will move forward; when you work hard, you can live with dignity and without getting hungry, he said.
The President said the Philippine transformation did not need any magic potion. He said he had just done what was right: Use public funds to worthwhile programs; follow the rule of law and make violators accountable.
Mr. Aquino again took a potshot at his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is now facing plunder charges.
Citing that the previous administration had entered into a contract to dredge Laguna Lake, he said: It would have been goodgetting rid of sediments to increase the holding capacity of this lake. It sounds good, right, because thats where we get bulk water for the National Capital Region.
But, he said, it was discovered that one part of the lake would be dredged but the sediments would be dumped to another side. You may think its a joke but it isnt. Its whats there in the contract, he said.
Level playing field
The President said Juan de la Cruz would, of course, wonder how the Laguna Lakes holding capacity would improve that way.
The contract, he said, would cost the government P18.7 billion just to play with mud, adding that those responsible would be held accountable. He said he aborted it because any contract must go through a proper bidding.
Why did anybody agree to this foolishness? Who will benefit? And I think, very soon, someone will face prosecution for this, he said.
These days, theres a level playing field not just in government projects but in the financial markets, the President said.
This is what the global community is seeing now. This is why despite the global economic crisis, our gross domestic product (GDP) has been growing rapidly, he said. He noted the 7.1-percent GDP growth in the third quarter of 2012 and the robust performance of the stock market.
7,000 points
Before I assumed office, whenever the PSEi hits 4,000, its always only a blip and then it would go down. At that time, there was not enough confidence to pass the 4,000-mark. But now, were past 6,000. So, I asked market players, Whats next, maybe 7,000? I was told, maybe 6,500, and maybe that will happen by my birthday next month, he said.
He said he was later told that the index would hit 7,000 before the end of the year. This broker never missed his forecast, so theres a big chance this will happen.
The Presidents stock market view was within the range expected by the market. Based on recent forecasts from eight financial institutions recently culled by the Inquirer business section, the PSEi could climb further to at least 6,200 to as high as 7,100 this year.
Averaging their forecasts, the consensus level is about 6,580 on an assumed growth in earnings per share of 14 percent.
Mr. Aquino arrived in Manila on Sunday.
Summary of forecasts: 2013 PSEi outlook
* Macquarie Group 7,100
* BPI Odyssey 6,500-7,100
* First Metro Investment Corp. 6,800
* COL Financial 6,500
* Banco de Oro 6,500
* TradeAsia.com 6,500
* UBS 6,250
* Maybank ATR-Kim Eng Securities 6,200
Average 6,581
Aquino says investors lining up for PH | Inquirer Business
Reashot Xigwin
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Squatters get homes, official gets the boot
Sita W. Dewi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Thu, January 31 2013, 10:56 AM
Home sweet home: New neighbors chat at the low-cost Marunda apartments in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The Jakarta administration fired a top housing official as part of its efforts to improve services and woo poor residents from slum areas into clean, safe housing. (JP/P.J. Leo)Home sweet home: New neighbors chat at the low-cost Marunda apartments in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The Jakarta administration fired a top housing official as part of its efforts to improve services and woo poor residents from slum areas into clean, safe housing. (JP/P.J. Leo)
Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has removed the official in charge of Marunda low-cost apartments in North Jakarta as ex-Pluit Dam squatters, made homeless in the floods, began relocating.
In the administration’s first tough move to clean up bureaucracy, Ahok announced on Wednesday that he had uncovered brokerage and subleasing practices that made it difficult for squatters to move into the refurbished apartment complex.
“It has been said that nobody wants to move into the apartments. Actually, lots of them want to but have been denied. We have reports from residents and we ran checks,” Ahok said at his office.
“This man has been disrupting our efforts to move the squatters into the apartments so it is time for him to leave.”
Ahok was referring to Kusnindar, head of apartment area I technical operations unit with the housing agency.
The agency has appointed Jati Waluyo to replace Kusnindar. Kusnindar’s next assignment remains undisclosed.
The administration has collaborated with relevant agencies to promote a healthy lifestyle among residents.
“They will start learning how to live in a clean area as we relocate them to the apartments,” he said.
The buildings meant for Jakarta’s low-income households, most of which were built between 2007 and 2009, have been neglected for years.
Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo blamed mismanagement for the vacant units.
“What was needed was proper promotion for the complex,” Jokowi told reporters at City Hall on Wednesday.
“Once the deputy governor provided buses and took the squatters on a tour of the apartments, they became interested in moving in.”
The administration will prioritize flood victims and residents affected by the city’s projects, he said.
Jokowi blamed a lack of supporting facilities as a factor that might have made people reluctant to live there.
“Who wants to live in an area where there’s no health center, no market, and no buses to connect them to other places? But the situation has improved. Even I want to live there now,” he said.
Ahok lured the squatters by promising to give the first few families furniture, a TV and staple food. Ahok also provided free buses for the families who agreed to move in.
According to Jakarta Housing and Building Agency chief Novizal, 10 out of the 15 apartment blocks owned by the administration, with 100 units each, were inhabited as of Tuesday.
There are 26 blocks in total at the complex. The remaining 11 are owned by the central government. Each unit is subsidized and rented for between Rp 150,000 (US$15.50) and Rp 200,000 per month.
Novizal said the agency was still renovating the administration’s 500 remaining units.
“500 units have yet to be connected to electricity and water,” he said, declining to specify a deadline for the work to be completed.
Meanwhile, the administration is restoring the 80-hectare Pluit Dam, which has silted up to a depth of only 3 meters from an initial 10 meters.
“The Sanitation Agency will handle the process. Hopefully, it will be completed by October,” he said.
The administration will spend Rp 2 billion on the work.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/01/31/squatters-get-homes-official-gets-boot.html
Thank you Mas Jokowi
Sita W. Dewi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Thu, January 31 2013, 10:56 AM
Home sweet home: New neighbors chat at the low-cost Marunda apartments in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The Jakarta administration fired a top housing official as part of its efforts to improve services and woo poor residents from slum areas into clean, safe housing. (JP/P.J. Leo)Home sweet home: New neighbors chat at the low-cost Marunda apartments in Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The Jakarta administration fired a top housing official as part of its efforts to improve services and woo poor residents from slum areas into clean, safe housing. (JP/P.J. Leo)
Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has removed the official in charge of Marunda low-cost apartments in North Jakarta as ex-Pluit Dam squatters, made homeless in the floods, began relocating.
In the administration’s first tough move to clean up bureaucracy, Ahok announced on Wednesday that he had uncovered brokerage and subleasing practices that made it difficult for squatters to move into the refurbished apartment complex.
“It has been said that nobody wants to move into the apartments. Actually, lots of them want to but have been denied. We have reports from residents and we ran checks,” Ahok said at his office.
“This man has been disrupting our efforts to move the squatters into the apartments so it is time for him to leave.”
Ahok was referring to Kusnindar, head of apartment area I technical operations unit with the housing agency.
The agency has appointed Jati Waluyo to replace Kusnindar. Kusnindar’s next assignment remains undisclosed.
The administration has collaborated with relevant agencies to promote a healthy lifestyle among residents.
“They will start learning how to live in a clean area as we relocate them to the apartments,” he said.
The buildings meant for Jakarta’s low-income households, most of which were built between 2007 and 2009, have been neglected for years.
Jakarta Governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo blamed mismanagement for the vacant units.
“What was needed was proper promotion for the complex,” Jokowi told reporters at City Hall on Wednesday.
“Once the deputy governor provided buses and took the squatters on a tour of the apartments, they became interested in moving in.”
The administration will prioritize flood victims and residents affected by the city’s projects, he said.
Jokowi blamed a lack of supporting facilities as a factor that might have made people reluctant to live there.
“Who wants to live in an area where there’s no health center, no market, and no buses to connect them to other places? But the situation has improved. Even I want to live there now,” he said.
Ahok lured the squatters by promising to give the first few families furniture, a TV and staple food. Ahok also provided free buses for the families who agreed to move in.
According to Jakarta Housing and Building Agency chief Novizal, 10 out of the 15 apartment blocks owned by the administration, with 100 units each, were inhabited as of Tuesday.
There are 26 blocks in total at the complex. The remaining 11 are owned by the central government. Each unit is subsidized and rented for between Rp 150,000 (US$15.50) and Rp 200,000 per month.
Novizal said the agency was still renovating the administration’s 500 remaining units.
“500 units have yet to be connected to electricity and water,” he said, declining to specify a deadline for the work to be completed.
Meanwhile, the administration is restoring the 80-hectare Pluit Dam, which has silted up to a depth of only 3 meters from an initial 10 meters.
“The Sanitation Agency will handle the process. Hopefully, it will be completed by October,” he said.
The administration will spend Rp 2 billion on the work.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/01/31/squatters-get-homes-official-gets-boot.html
Thank you Mas Jokowi
Viet
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New headquarters for Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia
Updated : 2/1/2013 1:04:13 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - A ceremony was held on January 31 in Putrajaya- the administration capital of Malaysia to hand over a land ownership certificate to the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia.
Among the guests were Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, Counselor-Minister Le Thi Hoang Cuc and representatives of Vietnamese agencies in Malaysia.
Ambassador Thao thanked the Malaysian Government and Putrajaya administration for helping the Vietnamese Embassy buy the two plots of land for the building of its new headquarters.
Thao said there will be diverse activities marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Malaysia during the year. Perbadanan Putrajaya Group President Aseh bin Haji Che Mat said 25 foreign embassies have purchased 49 out of 61 plots of land in Putrajaya so far.
Vietnamese nationals in Thailand welcome new headquarters
Updated : 1/25/2013 11:18:55 AM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - The new headquarters of the Vietnamese Association in Thailand were inaugurated in Sakon Nakhon province on January 24. The Vietnamese community in Thailand was founded before the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976. The Association of Vietnamese nationals was founded in October 2010 and was recognized by the Thai administration in July 2012.
Boonsong Techamanisathit, governor of Sakon Nakhon province, said the recognition laid a firm legal foundation for the association and its chapters across Thailand to operate officially. The event, he said, also helps strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Located on Nakhoon Ratchasima (Korat) Highlands, northeast of Thailand, Sakon Nakhon has a population of 76,000. It borders Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin and Udon Thaini provinces of Thailand.
It is home to more than 10,000 Vietnamese nationals, many of whom are successful business people or are holding key posts in provincial administration agencies.
Lao leaders pay Tet visit to Vietnamese embassy
Updated : 2/1/2013 1:01:02 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - Deputy Prime Ministers of Laos Thoonglun Sisulith and Somsavad Lengsavat attended a Lunar New Year party hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane on January 31.
In his speech, Somsavath Lengsavat congratulated Vietnamese people on the tremendous achievements they have recorded during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.
Politburo member and Deputy PM Somsavath Lengsavat extended best Tet wishes to Vietnamese people
Updated : 2/1/2013 1:04:13 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - A ceremony was held on January 31 in Putrajaya- the administration capital of Malaysia to hand over a land ownership certificate to the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia.
Among the guests were Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, Counselor-Minister Le Thi Hoang Cuc and representatives of Vietnamese agencies in Malaysia.
Ambassador Thao thanked the Malaysian Government and Putrajaya administration for helping the Vietnamese Embassy buy the two plots of land for the building of its new headquarters.
Thao said there will be diverse activities marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Malaysia during the year. Perbadanan Putrajaya Group President Aseh bin Haji Che Mat said 25 foreign embassies have purchased 49 out of 61 plots of land in Putrajaya so far.
Vietnamese nationals in Thailand welcome new headquarters
Updated : 1/25/2013 11:18:55 AM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - The new headquarters of the Vietnamese Association in Thailand were inaugurated in Sakon Nakhon province on January 24. The Vietnamese community in Thailand was founded before the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1976. The Association of Vietnamese nationals was founded in October 2010 and was recognized by the Thai administration in July 2012.
Boonsong Techamanisathit, governor of Sakon Nakhon province, said the recognition laid a firm legal foundation for the association and its chapters across Thailand to operate officially. The event, he said, also helps strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Located on Nakhoon Ratchasima (Korat) Highlands, northeast of Thailand, Sakon Nakhon has a population of 76,000. It borders Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Kalasin and Udon Thaini provinces of Thailand.
It is home to more than 10,000 Vietnamese nationals, many of whom are successful business people or are holding key posts in provincial administration agencies.
Lao leaders pay Tet visit to Vietnamese embassy
Updated : 2/1/2013 1:01:02 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - Deputy Prime Ministers of Laos Thoonglun Sisulith and Somsavad Lengsavat attended a Lunar New Year party hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Vientiane on January 31.
In his speech, Somsavath Lengsavat congratulated Vietnamese people on the tremendous achievements they have recorded during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.
Politburo member and Deputy PM Somsavath Lengsavat extended best Tet wishes to Vietnamese people
Viet
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Thai documentary series features Vietnam
Updated : 2/1/2013 6:13:54 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - Thailand’s national TV channel will begin broadcasting a series of documentaries introducing Vietnam’s land and people from February 2.
The series, directed by multitalented Thai artist Naowarat Phongphaiboon, comprises 40 short documentary films lasting 4 minutes each. They will be aired in primetime every Saturday.
The documentaries are part of an agreement signed in 2013 between Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Thai relevant agencies.
Updated : 2/1/2013 6:13:54 PM Voice of Vietnam
(VOV) - Thailand’s national TV channel will begin broadcasting a series of documentaries introducing Vietnam’s land and people from February 2.
The series, directed by multitalented Thai artist Naowarat Phongphaiboon, comprises 40 short documentary films lasting 4 minutes each. They will be aired in primetime every Saturday.
The documentaries are part of an agreement signed in 2013 between Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Thai relevant agencies.
nufix
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Liberia Supports Mari Elka To Become WTO Director General
Anggi Oktarinda
MONROVIA, Liberia--Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gave her support to former Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu as the representative of Indonesia to become the Director General of WTO in the period 2013-2017.
"Liberia supports Mari Pangestu leading the WTO," Sirleaf said after a bilateral meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Monrovia, Liberia, Thursday (1/311) at 15.00 pm local time or 22:00 WIB.
Sirleaf said she appreciates Indonesia's role in global development. In addition, she also appreciated the role of Indonesia participated in sending peacekeepers to Africa.
Mari Elka Pangestu - Former Indonesian Minister of Trade
Mari who currently serves as the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Indonesia nominated as deputy to the Director General of the WTO period from 2013 to 2017.
Previously, in order to respond to her nomination as Director General of the WTO, Mari attended meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, January 22 to 26, 2013.
On that occasion, she expressed her views and exchange ideas about the importance of maintaining confidence in the multilateral trade agreements.
After Davos, Mari went to Geneva to attend the WTO General Council on 29 to 31 January 2013.
At the event, all candidates WTO Director-General had been given the opportunity to present its vision and mission, followed by a question and answer session. (tw)
Liberia supports Mari Elka to become WTO Director General - Bisnis.com
Anggi Oktarinda
MONROVIA, Liberia--Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gave her support to former Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu as the representative of Indonesia to become the Director General of WTO in the period 2013-2017.
"Liberia supports Mari Pangestu leading the WTO," Sirleaf said after a bilateral meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Monrovia, Liberia, Thursday (1/311) at 15.00 pm local time or 22:00 WIB.
Sirleaf said she appreciates Indonesia's role in global development. In addition, she also appreciated the role of Indonesia participated in sending peacekeepers to Africa.
Mari Elka Pangestu - Former Indonesian Minister of Trade
Mari who currently serves as the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Indonesia nominated as deputy to the Director General of the WTO period from 2013 to 2017.
Previously, in order to respond to her nomination as Director General of the WTO, Mari attended meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, January 22 to 26, 2013.
On that occasion, she expressed her views and exchange ideas about the importance of maintaining confidence in the multilateral trade agreements.
After Davos, Mari went to Geneva to attend the WTO General Council on 29 to 31 January 2013.
At the event, all candidates WTO Director-General had been given the opportunity to present its vision and mission, followed by a question and answer session. (tw)
Liberia supports Mari Elka to become WTO Director General - Bisnis.com
nufix
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Timah to set up two subsidiaries in Myanmar
Publicly listed Indonesian tin mining company PT Timah says it will establish two subsidiaries to support its operations in Myanmar.
PT Timah president director Sukrisno said one subsidiary would operate the firms tin mine in Tanithary province in Myanmar and the other would market its tin produced in Myanmar.
We expect the two new business units, which will be fully owned by Timah, to begin operations in 2014, Sukrisno said in Jakarta.
Timah, according to Sukrisno, expected to start exploration in Myanmar in June. The firm is currently processing needed permits.
There are several steps before we can really start exploring reserves there. Right now, the focus is to obtain all necessary permits from the local government in accordance with their mining procedures, he said.
In November, Timah secured a concession in Pubyien-Tamok in Myeik, Tanithary, from Myanmars energy ministry.
The company has allocated US$18 million to develop the 10,000-hectare site over a three-year period, expecting to produce 10,000 tons of tin per year from the mine, which would make the firm the largest tin producer in the world.
The cost of the firms expansion plans into Myanmar would be sourced internally, Sukrisno said.
He added that Timah might receive offers of financial assistance from other institutions if it could collect dependable data on the concessions tin reserves.
Timahs plans in Myanmar were part of efforts to increase the firms tin reserves, as its reserves from concessions in Bangka and Belitung islands have started to lessen significantly.
The firm would also consider building a smelter in Myanmar, Sukrisno said.
Timah will operate its concession in Myanmar mine under a production sharing contract. The company has envisioned reaping 80 percent of the production with the remainder going to the Myanmar government. The firm is currently still waiting for the local governments response to its proposal.
When asked about his expectations for tin prices this year, Sukrisno said he hoped the commoditys price would increase to between $25,000 and $30,000 per ton.
Tin prices have been hovering about $24,000 per ton as of January, up from the all-year average price of $21,000 per ton for 2012.
We dont have any plan to boost production, as tin prices are still changing, he said.
Timah has said that it wants to produce 30,000 tons of tin this year, which would be up from the 29,600 tons it produced in 2012.
Timah (TINS) is one of several Indonesian state-owned corporations that have eyed expanding their business into neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
The other firms include publicly listed cement producer PT Semen Gresik (SMGR), telecommunications company PT Telkom Indonesia (TLKM).
Indonesian state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has also pondered expanding its business in the Southeast Asia region.
Sukrisno said previously that Timah would also cut costs to boost earnings.
We want to press down costs from between $16,000 and $18,000 per metric ton on average to below $15,000 next year, he said.
The company is expecting to operate a modified dredging ship converted from a bucket line dredger to a bucket wheel dredger (BWD), which would be able to operate in waters up to 70 meters deep with a lower cost of production and power consumption and higher productivity.
Only seven out of its 11 BLDs are currently in operation. A BWD dredger uses new technology that enables it to carry out mining activities at a depth of up to 70 meters. The BWD ships dredging capacity is two times higher than that of BLDs.
The BWD is one of the companys development projects. Timah will develop two more BWDs next year after it reviews the operation of the first BWD.
Timah is also planning to develop an industrial zone in Bangka Belitung, which will host a tin chemical processing facility and other concerns, including coal power plant project.
Timah to set up two subsidiaries in Myanmar | The Jakarta Post
Publicly listed Indonesian tin mining company PT Timah says it will establish two subsidiaries to support its operations in Myanmar.
PT Timah president director Sukrisno said one subsidiary would operate the firms tin mine in Tanithary province in Myanmar and the other would market its tin produced in Myanmar.
We expect the two new business units, which will be fully owned by Timah, to begin operations in 2014, Sukrisno said in Jakarta.
Timah, according to Sukrisno, expected to start exploration in Myanmar in June. The firm is currently processing needed permits.
There are several steps before we can really start exploring reserves there. Right now, the focus is to obtain all necessary permits from the local government in accordance with their mining procedures, he said.
In November, Timah secured a concession in Pubyien-Tamok in Myeik, Tanithary, from Myanmars energy ministry.
The company has allocated US$18 million to develop the 10,000-hectare site over a three-year period, expecting to produce 10,000 tons of tin per year from the mine, which would make the firm the largest tin producer in the world.
The cost of the firms expansion plans into Myanmar would be sourced internally, Sukrisno said.
He added that Timah might receive offers of financial assistance from other institutions if it could collect dependable data on the concessions tin reserves.
Timahs plans in Myanmar were part of efforts to increase the firms tin reserves, as its reserves from concessions in Bangka and Belitung islands have started to lessen significantly.
The firm would also consider building a smelter in Myanmar, Sukrisno said.
Timah will operate its concession in Myanmar mine under a production sharing contract. The company has envisioned reaping 80 percent of the production with the remainder going to the Myanmar government. The firm is currently still waiting for the local governments response to its proposal.
When asked about his expectations for tin prices this year, Sukrisno said he hoped the commoditys price would increase to between $25,000 and $30,000 per ton.
Tin prices have been hovering about $24,000 per ton as of January, up from the all-year average price of $21,000 per ton for 2012.
We dont have any plan to boost production, as tin prices are still changing, he said.
Timah has said that it wants to produce 30,000 tons of tin this year, which would be up from the 29,600 tons it produced in 2012.
Timah (TINS) is one of several Indonesian state-owned corporations that have eyed expanding their business into neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
The other firms include publicly listed cement producer PT Semen Gresik (SMGR), telecommunications company PT Telkom Indonesia (TLKM).
Indonesian state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina has also pondered expanding its business in the Southeast Asia region.
Sukrisno said previously that Timah would also cut costs to boost earnings.
We want to press down costs from between $16,000 and $18,000 per metric ton on average to below $15,000 next year, he said.
The company is expecting to operate a modified dredging ship converted from a bucket line dredger to a bucket wheel dredger (BWD), which would be able to operate in waters up to 70 meters deep with a lower cost of production and power consumption and higher productivity.
Only seven out of its 11 BLDs are currently in operation. A BWD dredger uses new technology that enables it to carry out mining activities at a depth of up to 70 meters. The BWD ships dredging capacity is two times higher than that of BLDs.
The BWD is one of the companys development projects. Timah will develop two more BWDs next year after it reviews the operation of the first BWD.
Timah is also planning to develop an industrial zone in Bangka Belitung, which will host a tin chemical processing facility and other concerns, including coal power plant project.
Timah to set up two subsidiaries in Myanmar | The Jakarta Post
Reashot Xigwin
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Indonesia assists cassava chips project
Ropate Valemei
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Rejeli Nailakolakovou, 7, stores away cassava bought from the market, at her home at Nasese in Suva.
THE Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia is working with the Fiji government on the cassava chips project.
The project, which started a year and a half ago, not only focuses on cassava chips but on other varieties of food and preparation such as cake, ice cream among others.
Ambassador Chandra Salim said it also covered other vegetable and fruit crop such as bread fruit, dalo, banana and orange.
"This project started over a year and a half ago. These crops are chosen because they are in abundance in Fiji.
"So we would like to share how Indonesians prepare them in varieties of ways," Mr Salim said.
Providing or enriching people with knowledge on how to prepare dishes in a variety of ways, he said would also enrich the diets in Fiji households.
"The embassy has collaborated with an Indonesian nun and sister as an expert in food nutritionist (temporary visit of two to three years) and the Ministry of Agriculture through the Koronivia Research Centre."
He said the successful rate would be as many as possible household in Fiji and the way they had to reach these household was through the support of the media.
"The objective is to reach a relative level of food security in Fiji by utilising local food crops in varieties of ways in preparing the food."
He said the budget for the project was not significant because the expert was in Fiji.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest chief economist, Ilimeleki Kaiyanuyanu confirmed the project.
Indonesia assists cassava chips project - Fiji Times Online
Anjrit kita bakal ngajarin Fiji buat masak Singkong
...
Ropate Valemei
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Rejeli Nailakolakovou, 7, stores away cassava bought from the market, at her home at Nasese in Suva.
THE Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia is working with the Fiji government on the cassava chips project.
The project, which started a year and a half ago, not only focuses on cassava chips but on other varieties of food and preparation such as cake, ice cream among others.
Ambassador Chandra Salim said it also covered other vegetable and fruit crop such as bread fruit, dalo, banana and orange.
"This project started over a year and a half ago. These crops are chosen because they are in abundance in Fiji.
"So we would like to share how Indonesians prepare them in varieties of ways," Mr Salim said.
Providing or enriching people with knowledge on how to prepare dishes in a variety of ways, he said would also enrich the diets in Fiji households.
"The embassy has collaborated with an Indonesian nun and sister as an expert in food nutritionist (temporary visit of two to three years) and the Ministry of Agriculture through the Koronivia Research Centre."
He said the successful rate would be as many as possible household in Fiji and the way they had to reach these household was through the support of the media.
"The objective is to reach a relative level of food security in Fiji by utilising local food crops in varieties of ways in preparing the food."
He said the budget for the project was not significant because the expert was in Fiji.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest chief economist, Ilimeleki Kaiyanuyanu confirmed the project.
Indonesia assists cassava chips project - Fiji Times Online
Anjrit kita bakal ngajarin Fiji buat masak Singkong
...
nufix
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Wuih jago juga tuh biarawatinya, jadi expert nutrisi.
Viet
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News Analysis: Philippines' unemployment problem remains though GDP up 6.6 pct in 2012
English.news.cn 2013-02-06 17:43:01 Xinhua
By Alito L. Malinao
MANILA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine economy grew by 6.6 percent in 2012, one of the strongest economic growths in Asia.
The full-year growth was pushed up after the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a higher-than-expected 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority ( NEDA), the economic policy-making agency of the government, from October to December last year, all major sectors of the economy registered remarkable growth.
Paradoxically, while there was a sizeable GDP growth in the fourth quarter, the country's unemployment rate worsened to 6.8 percent in October, up from the 6.4 percent recorded during the same month in the previous year.
Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), the government agency in charge of monitoring economic data, showed that there were 2.76 million unemployed Filipinos in October, 2012, 120,000 higher than the 2.64 million jobless individuals in October 2011.
NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan has said that despite the country's robust economic growth this year, generating more jobs and quality employment remains a challenge.
"Achieving rapid economic growth is one thing, and inclusive growth is clearly another. Given the latest labor and employment figures, generating employment and ensuring that these are of good quality remain our greatest challenges," Balisacan said.
The government will continue to improve the country's competitiveness "as this will lead to more investments that will create the needed employment in the medium to long term," Balisacan added.
"In addition, we, at NEDA, have been collaborating with other agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment, to identify strategies to boost employment in the short term," he added.
The NSO said that the country had around 63.3 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and above in October 2012. Of this figure, 40.4 million persons were in the labor force.
This translates to a labor force participation rate of 63.9 percent in October 2012, down from the 66.3 percent recorded during the same month last year.
The number of employed persons decreased to 37.67 million from the 38.55 million with jobs last year.
Ibon Foundation, a Manila-based independent think tank, said that despite the respectably high economic growth rate in the Philippines, the country has the worst unemployment rate in Southeast Asia.
"The Philippines' average economic growth is reportedly higher than some Southeast Asian countries but at the same time, it also has the worst unemployment rates in the region," Ibon Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa said in a statement issued recently.
"The country's unemployment rate of 7 percent in 2011 was more than double the regional average of 3.2 percent and higher than in Indonesia (6.6 percent), Myanmar (4.0 percent), Malaysia ( 3.1 percent), Singapore (2.7 percent), Brunei (2.6 percent), Vietnam (2.0 percent), Cambodia (1.7 percent), Laos (1.4 percent) and Thailand (0.7 percent)," Africa said.
He added that the disparity between the high GDP growth and the unemployment rate "further highlights the exclusionary character of the country's growth."
"The country's unemployment crisis will remain unresolved without a genuine thrust to develop Filipino manufacturing and domestic agriculture," Africa said.
Unfortunately, Africa said, the Philippine government persists in promoting low employment and low value-added sectors such as business process outsourcing (BPO), mining, tourism, enclave manufacturing for export, and cheap labor export.
"These are sectors where foreign investors and economies benefit disproportionately more than Filipinos," he said.
Rene Ofreneo of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of the Philippines said that more than half, or 51. 2 percent of unemployed Filipinos, were in 15-to-24 age group, " which only validates the difficulty faced by fresh graduates looking for work."
Ofreneo said that a third, or 33.3 percent of those unemployed, were high school graduates, 13.9 percent were college undergraduates, and 19.2 percent were college graduates. "The pattern of the labor force did not change. A major change will happen if there will be a major structural change in the economy like an industrial transformation and an agricultural modernization," Ofreneo said.
Meanwhile, Balisacan said while the 2012 growth of 6.6 percent was above the government target of 5 percent to 6 percent, this does not mean that growth would be much higher in 2013.
He said that there is still no reason to revise the 6-percent to 7-percent official growth assumption for 2013, although the economic managers will continue to monitor the progress on the fiscal side and developments abroad to determine if there is a need to change the forecast.
"We think 6 percent to 7 percent is more realistic given the risks. The global economy is more receptive to expansion now but the risks are quite high," Balisacan added.
Editor: Hou Qiang
English.news.cn 2013-02-06 17:43:01 Xinhua
By Alito L. Malinao
MANILA, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine economy grew by 6.6 percent in 2012, one of the strongest economic growths in Asia.
The full-year growth was pushed up after the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a higher-than-expected 6.8 percent in the fourth quarter.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority ( NEDA), the economic policy-making agency of the government, from October to December last year, all major sectors of the economy registered remarkable growth.
Paradoxically, while there was a sizeable GDP growth in the fourth quarter, the country's unemployment rate worsened to 6.8 percent in October, up from the 6.4 percent recorded during the same month in the previous year.
Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), the government agency in charge of monitoring economic data, showed that there were 2.76 million unemployed Filipinos in October, 2012, 120,000 higher than the 2.64 million jobless individuals in October 2011.
NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan has said that despite the country's robust economic growth this year, generating more jobs and quality employment remains a challenge.
"Achieving rapid economic growth is one thing, and inclusive growth is clearly another. Given the latest labor and employment figures, generating employment and ensuring that these are of good quality remain our greatest challenges," Balisacan said.
The government will continue to improve the country's competitiveness "as this will lead to more investments that will create the needed employment in the medium to long term," Balisacan added.
"In addition, we, at NEDA, have been collaborating with other agencies, including the Department of Labor and Employment, to identify strategies to boost employment in the short term," he added.
The NSO said that the country had around 63.3 million Filipinos aged 15 years old and above in October 2012. Of this figure, 40.4 million persons were in the labor force.
This translates to a labor force participation rate of 63.9 percent in October 2012, down from the 66.3 percent recorded during the same month last year.
The number of employed persons decreased to 37.67 million from the 38.55 million with jobs last year.
Ibon Foundation, a Manila-based independent think tank, said that despite the respectably high economic growth rate in the Philippines, the country has the worst unemployment rate in Southeast Asia.
"The Philippines' average economic growth is reportedly higher than some Southeast Asian countries but at the same time, it also has the worst unemployment rates in the region," Ibon Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa said in a statement issued recently.
"The country's unemployment rate of 7 percent in 2011 was more than double the regional average of 3.2 percent and higher than in Indonesia (6.6 percent), Myanmar (4.0 percent), Malaysia ( 3.1 percent), Singapore (2.7 percent), Brunei (2.6 percent), Vietnam (2.0 percent), Cambodia (1.7 percent), Laos (1.4 percent) and Thailand (0.7 percent)," Africa said.
He added that the disparity between the high GDP growth and the unemployment rate "further highlights the exclusionary character of the country's growth."
"The country's unemployment crisis will remain unresolved without a genuine thrust to develop Filipino manufacturing and domestic agriculture," Africa said.
Unfortunately, Africa said, the Philippine government persists in promoting low employment and low value-added sectors such as business process outsourcing (BPO), mining, tourism, enclave manufacturing for export, and cheap labor export.
"These are sectors where foreign investors and economies benefit disproportionately more than Filipinos," he said.
Rene Ofreneo of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of the Philippines said that more than half, or 51. 2 percent of unemployed Filipinos, were in 15-to-24 age group, " which only validates the difficulty faced by fresh graduates looking for work."
Ofreneo said that a third, or 33.3 percent of those unemployed, were high school graduates, 13.9 percent were college undergraduates, and 19.2 percent were college graduates. "The pattern of the labor force did not change. A major change will happen if there will be a major structural change in the economy like an industrial transformation and an agricultural modernization," Ofreneo said.
Meanwhile, Balisacan said while the 2012 growth of 6.6 percent was above the government target of 5 percent to 6 percent, this does not mean that growth would be much higher in 2013.
He said that there is still no reason to revise the 6-percent to 7-percent official growth assumption for 2013, although the economic managers will continue to monitor the progress on the fiscal side and developments abroad to determine if there is a need to change the forecast.
"We think 6 percent to 7 percent is more realistic given the risks. The global economy is more receptive to expansion now but the risks are quite high," Balisacan added.
Editor: Hou Qiang
Reashot Xigwin
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This is just an opinion piece.
Building the ASEAN Political-Security Community
Roby Arya Brata, Jakarta | Opinion | Tue, February 05 2013, 9:54 AM
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem (C front) addresses the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) held in Danang, Vietnam, Jan. 14, 2010. (Xinhua/Han Qiao)
ASEAN member states (AMS) are facing challenging political and security issues in the region, including an arms race, corruption, the development gap and the impact of it, ethnic clashes and intolerance, human trafficking, human rights abuses, an illicit drug trade, migration, money laundering, social injustice, terrorism, territorial maritime disputes, and other forms of transnational crimes.
Through political and security development cooperation among the AMS, the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) is institutionally framed to effectively manage these issues. The APSC constitutes one of the three pillars supporting the ASEAN Community ─ alongside ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). Under the APSC blueprint, which provides a roadmap and timetable, the APSC will be established by 2015.
Promoting political development based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms — as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter — the APSC, according to its blueprint, will “ensure the people and member states of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment”.
However, in a recent interview with Channel News Asia, ASEAN’s newly-installed secretary-general, Le Luong Minh, voiced concern over the slow progress toward building an ASEAN Community, including the APSC, by 2015. “We are not on track. A lot of work still needs to be done,” he said.
One of the major problems impeding the progress of establishing the ASEAN Community and the APSC is the slow pace of ratification and program implementation by the AMS.
In addition to the weak political commitment of the AMS, this slow progress may also be attributed to the insufficient power of the ASEAN Secretariat to coordinate, monitor and “direct” the policies, programs and activities of the ASEAN and the AMS in achieving the APSC. With its inadequate operational budget, the ASEAN Secretariat functions like an ASEAN post or liaison office.
The ASEAN Secretariat cannot correct and direct the AMS policies, programs and activities from the proposed actions and programs planned in the APSC Blueprint. The ASEAN Summit, as the highest decision-making body, is also weak in enforcing and “punishing” the AMS to comply with the rules, principles, and purposes contained in the ASEAN Charter.
Moreover, the recent conflicts affecting the AMS show that the institutional framework of the APSC is weak in resolving disputes and maintaining peace in the region. The cases of the South China Sea and Cambodia-Thailand territorial disputes, trans-boundary haze pollution and Rohingya human rights issues demonstrate how such an institutional framework is not effective in managing and resolving the problems.
“To maintain and enhance peace, security and stability in the region”, as stipulated in Article 1 of the ASEAN Charter, the institutional and legal framework of the APSC should be strengthened. The ASEAN Charter should be reviewed to give more power to the ASEAN secretary-general to act not only as a liaison officer, but also as a coordinating “minister” for ASEAN Community and foreign affairs. He or she and the ASEAN Secretariat would function as a policy-coordinating and policy-making body. However, this Secretariat may also propose new policies or revisions to the ASEAN Summit for approval.
As a “foreign minister” of the ASEAN, the secretary-general may also act as an intermediary to settle the conflicts and disputes among the AMS. For instance, in the case of the ASEAN’s failure and disunity in making a joint communiqué on the South China Sea dispute at the Phnom Penh Summit last year, he should have done “shuttle diplomacy” to resolve the conflicts.
ASEAN cannot rely on an AMS foreign minister to take the initiative for acting on such preventive diplomacy. In such an event, what if the Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa or other qualified high officials from the AMS were not willing to take the initiative to settle the difference or other forms of conflicting interests? The
secretary-general, therefore, should be empowered to do the job.
To strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, the political and legal cooperation under the APSC blueprint should be designed and directed to “integrate” the political and legal systems of the AMS. For this purpose, ASEAN should adopt strong conventions on anticorruption and good governance, maritime disputes, environmental protection, human trafficking, illicit drug trade, extradition and mutual legal assistance, money laundering and other forms of transnational crimes.
To enforce these conventions, ASEAN must have a court that has the power to adjudicate disputes among the AMS and punish (transnational) crimes committed in ASEAN’s jurisdiction. Therefore, to make this court work effectively, the AMS should carefully and clearly redefine and reinterpret the scope and definitions of “sovereignty”, “non-interference”, and “territorial integrity” principles stipulated in the ASEAN Charter.
The writer is an international law and policy analyst at the Cabinet Secretariat of Indonesia. The views expressed are his own.
Building the ASEAN Political-Security Community | The Jakarta Post
I hope this $hit will never pass
Building the ASEAN Political-Security Community
Roby Arya Brata, Jakarta | Opinion | Tue, February 05 2013, 9:54 AM
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem (C front) addresses the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) held in Danang, Vietnam, Jan. 14, 2010. (Xinhua/Han Qiao)
ASEAN member states (AMS) are facing challenging political and security issues in the region, including an arms race, corruption, the development gap and the impact of it, ethnic clashes and intolerance, human trafficking, human rights abuses, an illicit drug trade, migration, money laundering, social injustice, terrorism, territorial maritime disputes, and other forms of transnational crimes.
Through political and security development cooperation among the AMS, the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) is institutionally framed to effectively manage these issues. The APSC constitutes one of the three pillars supporting the ASEAN Community ─ alongside ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). Under the APSC blueprint, which provides a roadmap and timetable, the APSC will be established by 2015.
Promoting political development based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms — as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter — the APSC, according to its blueprint, will “ensure the people and member states of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment”.
However, in a recent interview with Channel News Asia, ASEAN’s newly-installed secretary-general, Le Luong Minh, voiced concern over the slow progress toward building an ASEAN Community, including the APSC, by 2015. “We are not on track. A lot of work still needs to be done,” he said.
One of the major problems impeding the progress of establishing the ASEAN Community and the APSC is the slow pace of ratification and program implementation by the AMS.
In addition to the weak political commitment of the AMS, this slow progress may also be attributed to the insufficient power of the ASEAN Secretariat to coordinate, monitor and “direct” the policies, programs and activities of the ASEAN and the AMS in achieving the APSC. With its inadequate operational budget, the ASEAN Secretariat functions like an ASEAN post or liaison office.
The ASEAN Secretariat cannot correct and direct the AMS policies, programs and activities from the proposed actions and programs planned in the APSC Blueprint. The ASEAN Summit, as the highest decision-making body, is also weak in enforcing and “punishing” the AMS to comply with the rules, principles, and purposes contained in the ASEAN Charter.
Moreover, the recent conflicts affecting the AMS show that the institutional framework of the APSC is weak in resolving disputes and maintaining peace in the region. The cases of the South China Sea and Cambodia-Thailand territorial disputes, trans-boundary haze pollution and Rohingya human rights issues demonstrate how such an institutional framework is not effective in managing and resolving the problems.
“To maintain and enhance peace, security and stability in the region”, as stipulated in Article 1 of the ASEAN Charter, the institutional and legal framework of the APSC should be strengthened. The ASEAN Charter should be reviewed to give more power to the ASEAN secretary-general to act not only as a liaison officer, but also as a coordinating “minister” for ASEAN Community and foreign affairs. He or she and the ASEAN Secretariat would function as a policy-coordinating and policy-making body. However, this Secretariat may also propose new policies or revisions to the ASEAN Summit for approval.
As a “foreign minister” of the ASEAN, the secretary-general may also act as an intermediary to settle the conflicts and disputes among the AMS. For instance, in the case of the ASEAN’s failure and disunity in making a joint communiqué on the South China Sea dispute at the Phnom Penh Summit last year, he should have done “shuttle diplomacy” to resolve the conflicts.
ASEAN cannot rely on an AMS foreign minister to take the initiative for acting on such preventive diplomacy. In such an event, what if the Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa or other qualified high officials from the AMS were not willing to take the initiative to settle the difference or other forms of conflicting interests? The
secretary-general, therefore, should be empowered to do the job.
To strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, the political and legal cooperation under the APSC blueprint should be designed and directed to “integrate” the political and legal systems of the AMS. For this purpose, ASEAN should adopt strong conventions on anticorruption and good governance, maritime disputes, environmental protection, human trafficking, illicit drug trade, extradition and mutual legal assistance, money laundering and other forms of transnational crimes.
To enforce these conventions, ASEAN must have a court that has the power to adjudicate disputes among the AMS and punish (transnational) crimes committed in ASEAN’s jurisdiction. Therefore, to make this court work effectively, the AMS should carefully and clearly redefine and reinterpret the scope and definitions of “sovereignty”, “non-interference”, and “territorial integrity” principles stipulated in the ASEAN Charter.
The writer is an international law and policy analyst at the Cabinet Secretariat of Indonesia. The views expressed are his own.
Building the ASEAN Political-Security Community | The Jakarta Post
I hope this $hit will never pass
Reashot Xigwin
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Solidarity between 10 country is one thing political marriage between 10 member state is another.
NiceGuy
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So, what make u worry abt building ASEAN Political-Security Community??
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