Indonesia

Jokowi Moves to Release Abu Bakar Bashir, then Backpedals (18 Jan, 23 Jan)

President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) caused a stir on 18 January when he announced plans to release radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. Bashir was sentenced to jail for 15 years under anti-terrorism laws back in 2010, and is considered the spiritual founder of the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist group. Following protests from domestic and foreign audiences (including Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison), Jokowi ordered an evaluation of Bashir’s planned release on 21 January. Meanwhile, he assured observers that Bashir would only be released if he pledged allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia and the state ideology Pancasila, a requirement for all reformed terrorists.

Sources: Jakarta Post, Nikkei Asian Review, The Straits Times

Ahok Released, Causes Stir with Wedding Announcement (24 Jan)

Former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (“Ahok”) was released from jail on Thursday, 24 January, after nearly two years in prison for blasphemy. The 52-year old has not expressed any interest in returning to politics, hinting instead at a possible move in to the oil business. However, he has landed himself in popular crosshairs again with his upcoming marriage to Puput Nastiti Devi, a policewoman and his ex-wife’s bodyguard. News reports said that Puput was identified as a Christian in pre-marriage documentation, but that she comes from a Javanese Muslim family.

Sources: Jakarta Globe, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times

Malaysia

Confusion Over the Status of the East Coast Rail Link (18 Jan, 25 Jan)

After The Edge Markets reported on 18 January that the Malaysian government had terminated the contract awarded to China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC) for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), reports emerged on 25 January that the entire project had been terminated. Construction work on the project had been halted since last June pending a review of the project. Confusing matters, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali, and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng made different statements regarding the project’s status. As of 30 January, Dr Mahathir said that no decision had been made concerning the project. However, a gag order has been implemented to keep the negotiations, now at a government-to-government level, confidential for now.

Sources: The Edge Markets, The Star, The Straits Times, Malay Mail

Sultan of Pahang Named as Malaysia’s New Agong (24 Jan)

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was named as Malaysia’s new Yang di Pertuan Agong on Thursday, 24 January. The 59-year old was named Sultan of Pahang after the abdication of his father on 15 January for health reasons, and elected Agong at a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers spurred by the resignation of Sultan Muhammad V on 6 January. As Agong, he will be the foremost custodian of Islam, the commander in chief of the military, and technically wield veto powers on the appointment of key political office holders.

Sources: South China Morning Post

Singapore-Malaysia Negotiations over Air and Sea Borders Continue (24-28 Jan)

Following a mutual suspension of Instrument Landing System procedures and the restricted area of Pasir Gudang in Johor on 8 January, Singapore and Malaysia agreed to an extension of the suspension period until 31 March. Singapore had previously proposed an extension until 31 May, but Wisma Putra asked for a shorter extension. Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing. Working groups from both countries met in Putrajaya to discuss maritime issues on 28 January, and both Transport Ministers are expected to meet again after Chinese New Year to discuss the airspace issue.

Sources: South China Morning Post, The Edge Markets, Malay Mail

BN Candidate Ramli Mohd Nor Wins the Cameron Highlands by-Election in Landslide (26 Jan)

Barisan Nasional candidate Ramli Moh Nor triumphed over the Democratic Action Party’s M. Manogaran by 12,038 to 8,800 votes. The 3,200 vote margin was much larger than the 597 vote margin that Manogaran lost by in the 14^th General Election. The by-election, seen as Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s first electoral test since last year’s election, saw a clear retreat in Malay support for PH under an alliance between the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). Some sources also see a resurgence in popularity for former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has rebranded himself as a political force via social media.

Sources: Malay Mail, The Star, The Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today

Malaysia Fines Deloitte for Failing to Report 1MDB Irregularities (30 Jan)

The Malaysian securities commission imposed a US$537,000 fine on Deloitte on Wednesday, 30 January for four breaches related to a US$584 million sukuk (Islamic) bond issued by units of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Deloitte had acted as auditor for the units, Bandar Malaysia and 1MDB Real Estate, for fiscal 2015 and 2016. This is the first time an auditor for the scandal-ridden state fun has faced penalties.

Sources: Nikkei Asian Review, The Business Times

Myanmar

UNSC calls for Myanmar to ease and expedite return of Rohingyas (23 Jan)

The UN Security Council again called for Myanmar to render more social and developmental aid, while also facilitating the safe return of displaced Rohingya from Bangladesh. This follows a visit by UN Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener to Northern Rakhine state. On her return, Ms Burgener said Myanmar’s government had expressed a desire to expedite the return of the Rohingya, and that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was “aware about the difficulties and challenges.” Over 700,000 Rohingya remain encamped near Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh.

Sources: Straits Times, Myanmar Times

PTTEP outlines US$ 3.3bn investment into Myanmar (24 Jan)

The CEO of Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Phongsthorn Thavisin announced that US$ 3.3bn was earmarked for development expenditure in Myanmar in 2019, with 55% of that sum being channelled towards improving production and storage capacity. PTTEP announced last November that it would be involved in the upcoming international tender of up to 31 Oil and Gas exploration blocks.

Source: Myanmar Times

New Yangon City project to begin bidding process mid-February (25 Jan)

The New Yangon Development Company (NYDC) has announced that it will be accepting tenders on initial construction work on the New Yangon City project in mid-February. This move comes after the NYDC was criticised for not calling an open tender before awarding the contract to prepare an infrastructure proposal to China’s China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). It was noted that a company which put forward a lower bid would still have to pay CCCC for costs already incurred. The New Yangon City project is estimated to potentially be worth around US$ 1.5bn in investment in its first phase alone.

Source: Myanmar Times

Foreign Insurers to be allowed to operate in April (26 Jan)

Myanmar’s Financial Regulatory Department is due to begin granting licenses to foreign-owned insurance companies, and has announced that they will be allowed to operate by April. 31 foreign insurers from 14 countries have maintained representative offices in Myanmar from as far back as 2013, in anticipation of the opening of Myanmar’s insurance market. This move will allow for full foreign investment in life insurance, and joint ventures in general insurance.

Source: Insurance Business Magazine

Myanmar’s Parliament approves formation of joint committee on constitutional reform (29 Jan)

Myanmar’s parliament approved an urgent proposal to form a joint committee on constitutional reform. This proposal marked the NLD’s first official step towards moving towards amending the constitution since its election. Discussions of constitutional reform have in the past centred around amending Article 59(f), which bars State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming President, and Article 436, which mandates that any proposed constitutional change be passed by 75% of legislators. The NLD ran on the issue of constitutional change in 2015, but has refrained from pressing the issue since then, for fear of antagonising Myanmar’s powerful armed forces.

Sources: Irrawaddy, Channel NewsAsia

Myitsone Dam may move ahead with changes in size, scale or location (29 Jan)

Myanmar’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations has announced that negotiations to change the size, scale or location of the long-delayed Myitsone Dam are ongoing. The project was suspended in 2013 under U Thein Sein’s administration, in the face of popular discontent at its potentially adverse impact on the environment, among other factors. State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi had stated earlier in the month that investors would not trust a government that terminates projects established by its predecessor. These comments were in turn viewed as a response to recent, renewed calls for the dam’s cancellation.

Sources: Myanmar Times, Irrawaddy

Thailand

Thailand’s General Election Now Set for 24 March (23 Jan)

Following a royal decree by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Thai Election Commission announced on 23 January that a general election will be held on 24 March. The election, previously scheduled for 24 February, was rescheduled due to clashes with activities leading up to the royal coronation on 4-6 May. This delay prompted anti-junta protests in several parts of the country, including one with 300 protestors outside Thammasat University in Bangkok. The issuing of this decree allows political parties to officially launch their campaigns, and submit applications for candidates from 4-8 February.

Sources: Nikkei Asian Review, Bangkok Post

Strict Election Measures Deter Online Campaigning, and Prayuth Gets Nominated (25 Jan, 30 Jan)

In the lead-up to the election in March, politicians from parties such as Pheu Thai have retreated from their social media sites for fear of violating campaign rules. For example, online media channels that will be used in the campaign must be registered with the Election Commission, or risk up to six months in prison and up to a US$320 fine. One concern, however, is that such channels could include personal social media pages. In light of this, the Future Forward party has criticised the social media restrictions as “ambiguous and confusing”.

Sources: National Multimedia, The Guardian

The pro-junta Palang Pracharat party announced on Wednesday, 30 January, that it wants incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to run as one of its candidates for the Prime Minister position in the election. Separately, four key ministers (Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana, Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Kobsak Pootrakool) resigned on 29 January to commit themselves to the Palang Pracharat party’s campaign.

Sources: Nikkei Asian Review, The Straits Times

Schools in Bangkok Closed Due to Pollution (30 Jan 2019)

All 437 schools run by Bangkok’s City Hall and some public and private schools were closed from 31 January to 1 February due to high levels of air pollution. Bangkok has spent several weeks in a period of abnormally high air pollution, caused by seasonal atmospheric conditions, unfavourable winds and locally-generated fumes. Prime Minister Prayuth also said on 30 January that the government has done all it can to tackle to problem, including providing the public with information about dust levels and distributing masks. Measures to tackle the problem will continue at the local level.

Sources: Bangkok Post, Channel NewsAsia