February 19, 2024 |
SOUTHEAST ASIA ROUNDUP

 

By API Desk | Date 02-17-2024

 

Indonesian defense minister set to win presidential elections

 

Indonesia’s defense minister is on track to win more than 50 percent of the votes in the Indonesian elections, succeeding the popular two-term president Joko Widodo.

 

Academics, journalists, and civil society groups warned of the possible return of authoritarian rule as Prabowo Subianto has a history of human rights abuse as the commander of the military’s special forces under former president Suharto, his former father-in-law.

 

Prabowo was the only presidential candidate who did not attend a press freedom event in the run-up to the elections. He also did not respond to a questionnaire by Human Rights Watch on key rights issues facing Indonesians. 

 

The two other candidates– former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) — are not conceding.

 

Both candidates were accusing the administration of harassment, intimidation, and possible vote fraud.

 

 

Singapore begins simulated ‘total defense’ exercise

 

Singapore has begun a two-week exercise to test its “total defense” concept, simulating disruptions in utilities, food, and connectivity.

Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said it was essential to test the state’s emergency responses as conflicts flared in Europe and the Middle East.

 

Singapore introduced the concept of “total defense” four decades ago.

More than 500 organizations were taking part in the exercise through simulated disruptions of power, water, food supply or digital connectivity.

 

The exercise would also simulate a civil emergency arising from widespread cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and drone attacks. 

 

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Thailand offers accident insurance to tourists

 

Thailand has offered up to 1 million baht in insurance coverage to foreign tourists in the event of an accident, the tourism minister said as the Southeast Asian state seeks to lure travelers back after the pandemic.

 

Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, the Thai tourism minister, said the government would cover expenses up to 500,000 baht for accidents and up to 10 million baht in case of deaths. 

 

However, the insurance will not cover accidents caused by negligence, risky behavior, or illegal acts. 

 

“The campaign aims to assure foreign tourists that Thailand is safe and everyone will be under good care,” the Thai tourism minister said. The government is eyeing 35 million visitors this year, and a $55 billion revenue.

 

 

Myanmar starts drafting citizen’s army

 

Myanmar’s military government would start drafting annually about 60,000 young men and women for military service under its newly-activated conscription law.

 

General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the ruling military council, ordered the activation of the conscription law this month. The recruitment would begin in April, Myanmar’s new lunar year. About 5,000 people will be drafted every month, and women will be called starting by the fifth batch. 

 

The conscription confirmed that the military has been stretched thin by increasing pressure from armed pro-democracy resistance forces that emerged after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

 

Under the law, men aged 18 to 35 and women 18 to 27 can be drafted into the armed forces for two years. However certain roles such as medical doctors and engineers have a higher age limit and longer term of service.