Indonesian Teen Rescued After 49 Days at Sea

By

-

25 September 2018, 11:45

Aldi Novel Adilang, 18, is seen on a wooden fish trap floating in the waters near the island of Guam. Photo: Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka

JAKARTA — An Indonesian teenager who survived 49 days adrift at sea after the wooden fish trap he was employed to mind slipped its moorings says he ran out of food within a week and survived on fish and seawater he squeezed from his clothing.

Aldi Novel Adilang told The Associated Press on Monday that he turned on a lamp every time he sighted another ship and can’t remember how many passed by “unaware of my ordeal.”

The Indonesian Consulate in Osaka, Japan, said the 18-year-old was rescued by a Panamanian-flagged vessel off Guam on Aug. 31, about 1,920 kilometers from his original location, and returned to Indonesia with officials earlier this month.

He was employed since age 16 in the one of the world’s loneliest jobs: lamp lighter on a rompong — a wooden raft with a hut on top that’s lit at night to attract fish — moored about 125 kilometers off the coast of North Sulawesi.

The coastline is not visible from the fishing rafts and the numerous rompong are miles apart, said Adilang’s mother, Net Kahiking. Supplies including food and fuel for a generator are dropped off about once a week. The minders, who earn $130 a month, communicate with fishing boats by hand-held radio.

“I was on the raft for one month and 18 days. My food ran out after the first week,” said Adilang. When it didn’t rain for days, “I had to soak my clothes in the sea, then I squeezed and drank the water.”

The boy’s father, Alfian Adilang, said the family is overjoyed at his return but angry with his employer. It was the third time the teen’s raft had drifted. The previous two times it had been rescued by the owner’s ship, the boy said.

The rafts are anchored with ropes and Aldi Adilang said strong friction caused them to break.

“I thought I will never meet my parents again, so I just prayed every day,” he said.

Adilang’s portable radio, known as a handy-talky or HT in Indonesia, would prove to be a lifesaver.

“It was early morning on Aug. 31 when I saw the ship and I lighted up the lamp and shouted ‘help’ using the HT,” he said.

“The ship had passed about one mile but then it turned to me. Might be because I used the English word,” he said. “Then they talked on the HT.”

The MV Arpeggio, which rescued Adilang off Guam, contacted the Indonesian mission in Japan when it docked in Tokuyama and officials from the Osaka consulate collected him on Sept. 6, the consulate said in a statement. He returned to Indonesia on Sept. 8.

Adilang, who is the youngest son of four siblings, said he no longer wants to work on a rompong.

“My parents agree,” he said.

Story: Ali Kotarumalos

Vietnam Jails Activist For Anti-Government Facebook Posts

By

Associated Press

-

25 September 2018, 11:00

An undated file picture of Hanoi. Photo: Luong Thai Linh / EPA

HANOI — A court in southern Vietnam has sentenced an activist to 27 months in prison for Facebook posts that judges say insulted the ruling Communist Party and government.

The Vietnam News Agency reported that Doan Khanh Vinh Quang was convicted by the People’s Court in Ninh Kieu District in Can Tho province after a one-day trial Monday.

The conviction comes as communist authorities step up a crackdown on dissent. Quang was third activist to be jailed in a week on similar charges.

Despite sweeping economic reforms over the past 30 years that opened up Vietnam to foreign investment and trade, the Communist Party tolerates no challenge to its one-party rule.

Myanmar Military Led ‘Extreme’ Violence Against Rohingya: US

By

Associated Press

-

25 September 2018, 10:32

A 2017 file photo of S, 25, mother of two, who says she was raped by members of Myanmar's armed forces in late August, is photographed in her friend's tent in Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. Photo: Wong Maye-E / Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — A U.S. government investigation has found that Myanmar’s military targeted Rohingya civilians indiscriminately and often with “extreme brutality” in a coordinated campaign to drive the minority Muslims out of the country.

The hard-hitting State Department report released Monday is based on a survey this spring of more than 1,000 refugees among the hundreds of thousands who have fled the crackdown to neighboring Bangladesh in the past two years.

The 20-page report does not say whether the abuses constitute genocide and crimes against humanity, as U.N. investigators have surmised.

But the U.S. findings make grim reading and are likely to reinforce calls for the Trump administration to make that determination and strengthen sanctions against the Southeast Asian nation.

Most of those interviewed had witnessed a killing, and half had witnessed sexual violence. Rohingya identified the military as the perpetrator in 84 percent of the killings or injuries they witnessed.

“The survey reveals that the recent violence in northern Rakhine State was extreme, large-scale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents,” the report says.

“The scope and scale of the military’s operations indicate they were well-planned and coordinated. In some areas, perpetrators used tactics that resulted in mass casualties, for example, locking people in houses to burn them, fencing off entire villages before shooting into the crowd, or sinking boats full of hundreds of fleeing Rohingya.”

The bloodshed has catapulted Myanmar, also known as Burma, back into the ranks of renegade nations where it languished for years when it was ruled by a military junta. The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor also announced last week she is launching a preliminary investigation into the deportations of Rohingya from Myanmar into Bangladesh.

Amnesty International USA said the State Department had missed an opportunity to make a legal determination of crimes against humanity, sending a worrying message about Washington’s willingness to seek justice for atrocities just under international law.

“The United States’ words mean nothing if it fails to pursue genuine accountability for victims and their families,” advocacy manager Francisco Bencosme said.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt hosted a meeting Monday of more than one dozen foreign ministers on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss the Rohingya crisis.

He said in a statement that Myanmar’s military leaders “must face full accountability for any atrocities committed” and that if conditions haven’t improved for the 1 million people affected by the crackdown in Rakhine State in a year’s time, “then we have failed as an international community.”

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced $185 million in new humanitarian assistance, mostly for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. She called on the Myanmar government “to do more to hold those who have engaged in ethnic cleansing accountable for their atrocities?.”

Myanmar, a majority Buddhist nation which is now formally under civilian rule, has denied abuses by its military.

But the U.S. report, coming on the heels of an extensive U.N. fact-finding mission that recommended military leaders be prosecuted for genocide, will make it increasingly difficult for the government to rebut international criticism.

The report found that in the two months following August 2017 — when attacks by Rohingya militants on security forces triggered massive retaliation — satellite imagery show that more than 38,000 buildings were destroyed by fire in Rakhine state. In many areas, refugees said security forces used flamethrowers or incendiary devices to burn down houses and to kill and injure Rohingya. Sexual violence is also reported as having been widespread.

“Two police from my village raped me,” the report quotes an unnamed 23-year-old woman as saying. “I know these men by sight, but not their names. After they were done, they told me to leave the country, this is not your country.”

Among the litany of abuses that refugees said they witnessed:

—Soldiers burning or urinating on Qurans.

—Victims of violence being decapitated or dismembered.

—Infants and children being beaten or killed

—Soldiers attacking women, and their infants, during or just after childbirth.

Wild Boars to Play Friendly at Youth Olympics in Argentina: IOC

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

-

24 September 2018, 18:19

The Wild Boars football team met with the press Sep. 6 at the Tham Luang exhibition in Siam Paragon.

BANGKOK — The Wild Boars football team and their families will make their first trip abroad next month to attend the the Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina, Thailand’s International Olympic Committee announced Monday.

All expenses for their stay in Buenos Aires, which will be the boys’ first trip overseas since being thrust into the spotlight, will be covered by the international committee, according to Thai committee member Patama Leeswadtrakul. The games will be held Oct. 6 to 18.

She said some Chiang Rai officials involved in July’s dramatic rescue operation may accompany the team. All will stay in the athlete’s village where no press will be allowed access to them.

Beside attending the opening ceremony and seeing the games, the young footballers will also play a friendly match with youth Olympic athletes, Patama added.

There are unconfirmed rumors the team will continue their journey with a trip to the United States to meet the press at the Thai Consulate in New York City and appear on television talk shows.

The 12 boys and their coach were rescued from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai province after an 17-day ordeal in July. Their situation captivated the world’s attention, and they had to turn down offers to be whisked to the World Cup, which was winding up at the time.

‘Pleum VRZO’ Follows Former PM Dad Into Politics, Democrat Party

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

24 September 2018, 17:44

BANGKOK — The scion of a former prime minister known for clean politics and frugal living has made the long-anticipated decision to follow in his footsteps by entering the political fray.

Surabot Leekpai, a well-known television host who grew up in the public eye as the son of former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, said he will join the Democrat Party his father once led with an aim to turn a new page in Thai politics.

“The time for us to use old scores and misunderstandings to stir conflict is over. These things should be over. Politics will not be about division, like in the past, as it belongs to an old era and is very melodramatic,” Surabot, 30, said.

Surabot in 2010 served as a spokesman for the Culture Ministry but has been mostly known as “Pleum VRZO” for programs he hosts on television and YouTube.

In his weekend announcement, Surabot said it was yet unclear if he would compete as a party list MP candidate or campaign for a constituency seat. Surabot said that it will depend on his consultation with the party.

Consistent with the oldest party’s “New Democrat Era” theme, he spoke of a need for more civil political discourse.

“We should seek to cooperate, no matter who is in government or becomes the opposition, to seek common ground and search for people who are best in their respective fields. I believe the future of politics will be like that,” he said.

Surabot said he seeks to communicate with the new generation in a simple manner. He added that he is well versed in the use of social media.

His father, a former party leader and now chairman of its advisory committee, said Monday that his son made the decision by himself. Chuan, 80, is credited with become Thailand’s first prime minister elected without the support of powerful elites in 1992. He was also the last Democrat to be elected to the post when his second term ended in 2001.

He remains a voice for clean politics.

“Do not think of seeking fortune by entering politics,” said Chuan, who is known for living frugally.

Surabot will join a party trying to find its step after nearly two decades playing second fiddle to Pheu Thai Party’s political power.

On Monday, one former Democrat MP, Ramree Mana, complained that he and a number of former MPs have been removed from the party’s Line chat group because they do not support Abhisit Vejjajiva’s continued leadership of the party when it comes up at at a party meeting set for Wednesday.

Ramee said he will seek clarification at the meeting, the party’s first in over four years.

The incident was followed by Chuan sending moral support and urging all to band together to protect the party despite differing opinions.

Masked Musician ‘Slow Magic’ Bringing Wild to a Bangkok Stage

By

Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

-

24 September 2018, 16:54

BANGKOK — Concealing his identity beneath a neon animal headpiece, musician and producer Slow Magic will take over a Bangkok stage next month.

Slow Magic, how performs as a fabulously striped fox-man, will pound the drums and perform a DJ set of electronic pop, distorted vocals with a mix of jazz, synth and more.

Earlier this year, the mysterious artist released his “Away” EP and performed at Coachella. Music fans who don’t know him yet can check out his “Girls,” “Waited 4 U” and “Corvette Cassette.”

Slow Magic’s name, age and hometown remain unknown as the artist wants audiences to focus solely on the music.

Slow Magic will perform live Oct. 11 at Noma BKK. The live music venue, which took over Cosmic Cafe’s former space, is located on RCA. Tickets start at 790 baht and are available online.

Related stories:

Noma BKK is RCA’s New Cosmic Cafe

For Thais or Friends of Thais? Pheu Thai Protests ‘Copycat’ Party

By

Teeranai Charuvastra, News Chief

-

24 September 2018, 16:35

BANGKOK — Less than a week since Pheu Thai Party saw its founder’s slogan stolen by an army unit, its logo and name also appear up for grabs.

That was the grievance aired Monday by some of the party’s politicians, who believe that a new rival party – called Pheun Thai – is imitating the name and emblem of the popular party to confuse voters into casting ballots for the wrong candidate.

“What could possibly be their intention? There are 44 Thai alphabet characters,” Pheu Thai spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said in an interview. “They could have chosen any name, but they intentionally chose a name and logo that resemble Pheu Thai as close as possible.”

Anusorn also called on the Election Commission to explain why it approved Pheun Thai’s registration of a name and logo despite the close resemblance.

“We are waiting to see what the EC will say,” Anusorn said. “If they are still silent or refuse to give an answer about this, we may opt to submit a formal protest.”

Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong said he will check whether Pheun Thai Party’s name was already approved or still under consideration.

The logo was first spotted three months ago when the party was registered, and now it graces its Facebook page.

Ittiporn, who was recently appointed to the job by the interim parliament, said that, as a general rule, party names cannot sow confusion among voters.

“Usually, we check their names and abbreviations to make sure they don’t cause confusion,” the top commissioner said. “That’s the principle. But as I said, I don’t know the specifics of this case.”

Pheun Thai was registered in June with the commission by Sira Pimklang, who identified himself as a former Redshirt sympathizer from the northeast. Like Pheu Thai, their logo features a Thai flag across the letter พ, which transliterates to P.

The party was noticed by the media and Pheu Thai members in recent days, causing leaders of the latter, which traces its history back to 1998, to lash out at what they see as a shameless knock-off.

In a Saturday interview with the media, the Pheun Thai founder hit back at the charge. Sira said the party means “Friends of Thais,” while the logo resembles the unity of Thai people from all walks of lives.

“The word Pheu and Pheun are different,” Sira has been quoted saying in news accounts. “The word Pheun means we are willing to be friends with all parties and colors.”

He could not be reached for comment Monday.

He also dismissed Pheu Thai’s accusations that his party aims to win votes through trickery.

“This kind of concern insults the public, like they cannot read and differentiate,” Sira said. “The path of Pheun Thai is clear. We want to build unity and reconciliation in our nation.”

Singapore Fines Uber, Grab for ‘Anti-Competitive’ Merger

By

Associated Press

-

24 September 2018, 16:03

A 2018 file photo of office workers walking past Uber and Grab offices during their lunch hour in Singapore. Photo: Wong Maye-E / Associated Press

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s competition watchdog has fined ride-hailing giant Uber and its regional rival Grab 13 million Singapore dollars ($9.5 million) for a merger in Southeast Asia that the agency says has driven up fares and reduced competition in the market.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore said Monday that Uber’s sale of its regional business to Grab in March violated the Competition Act.

As part of the deal, Uber took a 27.5 percent stake in Grab, a fast-growing Southeast Asian ridesharing, food delivery and financial services business, and was given a seat on its board.

Grab holds an 80 percent market share after the merger, which caused fares to rise by 10-15 percent, the watchdog said.

“The transaction has led to a substantial lessening of competition in the provision of ride-hailing platform services in Singapore,” it added.

Uber was ordered to pay a 6.6 million Singapore dollar ($4.8 million) fine, while Grab was fined 6.4 million Singapore dollars ($4.7 million).

The commission said the fines were meant to “deter completed, irreversible mergers that harm competition.”

The company has been ordered to use pre-merger algorithms for pricing and driver commission rates. It has also been asked to stop making exclusive contracts with drivers and taxi companies.

Lim Kell Jay, the Head of Grab Singapore, said the watchdog had used “a very narrow market definition in arriving at its conclusion.” He denied that fares have been raised.

“Grab completed the transaction within its legal rights, and still maintains we did not intentionally or negligently breach competition laws,” he said.

Grab provides services in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. It says it offers access to five million drivers and agents and handles over a billion transactions a year.

Story: Annabelle Liang

Commoner Party Vows to ‘Disarm’ Junta

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

-

24 September 2018, 14:29

LOEI — Environmental and Civil Rights activist Lertsak Kamkongsak has been elected leader of Commoner Party.

Almost 300 members of the new party from throughout the kingdom converged on Loei province for its first meeting, one of many since the junta partially eased its ban on civilian politics in the run-up to a possible February election.

Some army officers went to observe the meeting Saturday and warned them not to violate the regulations of the Election Commission.

Grassroots organizer Kittichai Ngamchaipisit was chosen by 294 members as secretary general and political activist Pakorn Areekul as party spokesman. Four deputies were elected on the same day, including LGBT and human rights activist Chumaporn Taengkliang.

“We expect elections next year. From now, we will launch a commoner caravan to listen to people’s aspirations and come up with policies. We will also disarm the junta’s weapons with our bare hands by pushing for the abrogation of their orders so they won’t pose obstacles,” Lertsak said.

“It’s time for commoners… We have started walking and we walk into the parliament to solve problems by ourselves,” Kittichai said Saturday in a brief statement read on behalf of the party.

“We are just performing our duty for common people,” said deputy leader Chumaporn, adding that the party will also push for gender equality. “As a deputy leader, let me reiterate that the voices of the people will be most important.

The party motto is: grassroots democracy, egalitarianism and human rights.

Kittichai said the party would allow its members to determine policy.

Other policies discussed included demilitarizing the junta, shutting down a gold mine blamed for sickening a Loei community and legalizing liquor production.

On Facebook, some praised the party for its unconventional meeting. Facebook user Midori Kikochi wrote:

“No suits, no hotel, just two bare hands.”

The meeting took place on the lawn of a Wat Noensawang. Many in attendance were rural residents wearing T-shirts printed with the party logo.

71 Killed as Dengue Deaths Spike

By

JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI

-

24 September 2018, 13:02

BANGKOK — Dengue deaths among Thais are up over 30 percent from last year, the health ministry said Sunday.

Low awareness about the disease was blamed by one official for the rise in deaths, but infections have also spiked by over 50 percent since January compared to the same period in 2017.

Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, permanent health secretary, said the increased mortality was partly due to people only seeking medical attention after their symptoms become severe.

People also self-prescribe medication before seeing a doctor or do not strictly follow the treatment schedule, he added. Those who have already suffered congenital diseases are also more likely to die from dengue if they don’t go to a hospital in the early stage of the infection.

The total number of infections so far this year has reached 57,129 people, 71 of whom have died.

He added that more adults have died from dengue than children, although the official statistics indicate children 5 to 14 are most likely to take ill.

Once considered a rural disease, the mosquito-borne virus has become increasingly endemic to urban areas.

Most cases this year are in the central region. Nonthaburi province has the highest death toll with six people killed, while five people have died in Bangkok since January.

Dengue high season runs June to August, as heavy rain feeds pools of stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

Almost 40,000 people were infected with dengue during that period this year, which is about 62 percent increase from the year earlier.

Hot News

LATEST NEWS