Category: Asia News

Monday’s development comes nearly two months after Lai, the founder of Apple Daily newspaper who is a fierce critic of China’s authorities, was granted bail and was placed under house arrest…reports Asian Lite News

Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who has been charged with foreign collusion under the controversial national security law, will continue to remain in custody after a court decided to adjourn his bail ruling.

The decision was taken by the Court of Final Appeal on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Monday’s development comes nearly two months after Lai, the founder of Apple Daily newspaper who is a fierce critic of China’s authorities, was granted bail and was placed under house arrest.

He was also ordered to pay a $1.3 million bond.

The 73-year-old became the most high-profile person to be charged under the national security law, which was enacted on the city by China on June 30, 2020, to ban acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces

He had appeared in West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for trial on December 3 and 12, 2020 respectively.

The two cases were adjourned and Lai’s bail applications were rejected.

One of the city’s most prominent supporters of the pro-democracy movement, Lai is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.

Having made his initial fortune in the clothing industry, he later ventured into media and founded Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily – a tabloid that is critical of the mainland Chinese leadership

Also read:Japan to impose fines for breaching curbs

Japan’s lower house of Parliament has approved bills making it possible for the government to impose fines on people and businesses for violation of the restrictions imposed against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Initial plans to introduce prison sentences for Covid-19 patients in Japan refusing to be hospitalised were abandoned last week by ruling and main opposition parties following criticism that the punishment was too severe, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under a new agreement between the ruling and main opposition party which was approved on Monday, Covid-19 patients who refuse hospitalization could soon face fines of up to 500,000 yen, while those who do not comply with health officials’ surveys could be fined up to 300,000 yen.

Previous plans were also to introduce fines of up to 500,000 yen for businesses that refuse to shorten their opening hours and close earlier under a state of emergency, and up to 300,000 yen for businesses not under a state of emergency but where anti-virus requests have been made by local prefectures.

The fines have now been lowered to 300,000 yen and 200,000 yen, respectively.

The lowered fines along with the other revisions to the infectious disease law and the coronavirus special measures law will be enacted by the upper house of parliament on Wednesday.

Under the state of emergency that is now set to be extended, restaurants and bars have been ordered to close by 8 p.m. and people asked to refrain from making unnecessary trips outdoors, especially in the evenings.

The government has also urged people to work from home and large events will have their capacity capped.

Japan is still grappling to bring the virus’ spread under control.

On Monday, 1,792 new infections were reported across the country, bringing the nation’s total tally of cases to 392,475.

The country’s death toll has now risen to a total of 5,846, according to the latest statistics.

The Tokyo metropolitan government on Monday reported 393 new confirmed cases, with the capital city’s cumulative total of infections rising to 100,234.

Health officials in the capital of 14 million said that 133 hospitalized patients are designated as being in a “serious condition”.

Also Read-‘No increase in petrol, diesel prices’

It is said that history repeats itself first time as a tragedy and second as a farce. But when it happens the third time around it can be called Myanmar. The third takeover of power by the Army (1962, 1990 and 2021) in the strategic Southeast Asian country raises more than just a few pointed questions.  

Besides restructuring Myanmar’s political trajectory, the coup risks destabilising the geopolitics of South and Southeast Asian region.

But why does the Myanmar Army need a coup to take over power? The 2008 constitution guarantees the military 25% seat share in the parliament and does not permit constitutional amendments without a 75%-plus majority. With unyielding power why should the Army usurp power now?

One reason could be the Army feeling uncomfortable with Suu Kyi who has become popular with the Bamar-Buddhist majority. The group has found a leader in her who has been a willing conduit during the Rohingya crisis. Moreover, the powerful group’s support could help Suu Kyi in bringing about the required percentage to amend the country’s constitution.

However, what doesn’t escape the eye is the possible role of China in the coup. Myanmar, which has largely been isolationist, has never hidden the fact about its growing ties with Beijing. Myanmar holds a crucial key for China’s influence in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Malacca Strait, which is the gateway to South China Sea.

Besides the murder of democracy, for India, the military takeover is of serious concern due to two crucial reasons. India shares a 1,468 kms border with Myanmar stretching from China to Bangladesh along with its strategic northeastern states. Another key concern is the mere 641 kms of sea separating Myanmar from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

However, much rests on the shoulders of Mayanmar’s 64-year-old military chief Min Aung Hlaing, who is considered a conservative who is deeply suspicious about democracy and concerned over the rising influence of Beijing.

The members will be briefed by Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener in a closed video-conference (VTC), according to an official UNSC statement….reports Asian Lite News

UN Security Council (UNSC) members will be briefed on Tuesday on the situation in Myanmar where the military has staged a coup after detaining top government officials, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the declaration of a year-long state of emergency.

The members will be briefed by Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener in a closed video-conference (VTC), according to an official UNSC statement.

The UK, which takes over the rotating Security Council presidency for the month of February, has circulated a draft press statement that may be issued following the meeting if members are able to agree on it, it added.

Tomorrow (2 February) #UNSC members will be briefed on #Myanmar by Special Envoy @SchranerBurgen1 in a closed VTC. Read more: https://t.co/o9JUhlyA46

— Security Council Report (@SCRtweets) February 2, 2021

“We had it on the program of work originally for discussion later this week. In discussion with council members, we have agreed now that we will move it up to discussion tomorrow, given the developments in Myanmar over the weekend,” the UK’s Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward said in a statement

“We want to address the long-term threat to peace and security, of course working closely with Myanmar’s Asian and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbours.”

The last Security Council discussion on Myanmar was in September 2020, before the disputed general elections in the country.

Besides Suu Kyi, the military, known as the Tatmadaw, on Monday detained President U Win Myint, regional and state ministers, as well as some central executive committee members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

The coup was staged following escalated tensions between the government and the army that erupted due to the outcome of the November 2020 parliamentary polls, the first to be held since the end of the Army’s rule in 2011.

Monday’s actions reversed a 10-year period of democratic transition following 50 years of military rule.

The events took place the same day the new parliament was to convene for the first time following the November 8, 2020, elections, where the NLD obtained more than 80 per cent of the democratically contested seats and increased its parliamentary majority.

Parliament was expected to endorse these results.

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Since the election results, the Tatmadaw had called for an investigation into voting lists, alleging fraud and discrepancies.

The Election Commission rejected the allegations of election fraud on January 29.

Tensions had risen in recent weeks as the Tatmadaw continued to contest the election results and had threatened of staging a coup.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the detention of the civilian leaders and expressed his grave concern regarding the declaration of the transfer of legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military, calling this “a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar”.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that she was alarmed by reports that 45 people have been detained and urged their immediate release.

Also read:India expresses “deep concern” over military coup in Myanmar

A statement issued by the government said that Modi spoke to Netanyahu on the phone, conveying his strong condemnation of the attack near the Israeli Embassy here on January 29….reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Indian government’s efforts to safeguard Israeli diplomats following the recent terror attack near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Modi on Monday had called Netanyahu assuring him of safety and security of Israeli diplomats in India. The official Twitter handle of Israel’s Prime Minister confirmed it, saying that Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India “would continue to cooperate with Israel in the fight against terrorism”.

A statement issued by the government said that Modi spoke to Netanyahu on the phone, conveying his strong condemnation of the attack near the Israeli Embassy here on January 29.

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India accords the highest importance to the safety and security of Israeli diplomats and premises, and would deploy all its resources to find and punish the perpetrators, Modi assured Netanyahu.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction about the close coordination between Indian and Israeli security agencies in the case.

Modi and Netanyahu also briefed each other about the progress in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in their respective countries, and discussed possibilities of further collaboration in this regard, as per the statement.

Also read:Israel extends lockdown

India on Monday expressed “deep concern” over the military coup in Myanmar which has been placed under a state of emergency for one year, urging the neighbouring country to uphold the rule of law and the democratic process.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that the government was monitoring the situation closely.

“India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar,” the government said.

Monday’s coup came just two months after State Counsellor Aung Sun Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept the November 8, 2020, general elections in Myanmar.

Myanmar’s military-backed opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) had disputed the results, in which NLD secured way above the 322 seats required to form the government.

It was the second general polls since 2011, when the military rule ended in the country.

Earlier this week, the military had warned that it will take action if the complaints about “election fraud” were not addressed. It had also hinted the possibility of a coup.

On Monday morning, the military seized control of the country after it detained Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials of the NLD party.

Last week, IANS had reported that the coup appeared to be a likely outcome given China’s grip over the internal situation in the country.

Myanmar’s military junta, which ruled the country through the 90s and 2000s, has had the backing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

After a long struggle against the military regime for nearly two decades, Suu Kyi had led Myanmar’s transition to a partial democracy in the last five years.

Also Read-Suu Kyi arrested, military takes control of Myanmar

Myanmar’s de facto leader and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has asked people to protest against the coup staged by the military on Monday, hours after it detained her and other senior members of her ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

The military seized control of the South Asian nation following escalated tensions between the government and the army that erupted due to the outcome of the November 2020 parliamentary polls, the first to be held since the end of the Army’s rule in 2011.

In a statement issued under Suu Kyi’s name, she said: “I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military.”

She added that Monday’s development has put the country back under dictatorship, the BBC reported.

According to a declaration signed by First Vice President U Myint Swe, who is currently serving as the Acting President, and issued following the coup on Monday morning, the state power will be handed over to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing because of “election fraud”.

According to the declaration, which was first announced on the military-owned Myawady TV, a state of emergency has also been declared for a period of one year.

The legislative functions of all Parliaments and leading bodies will be suspended from the day of the declaration, it added.

In a televised statement following the declaration, the military said that it will again hold the multi-party general elections after the emergency period expires.

The Union Election Commission will be reformed and the electoral process in the parliamentary elections held on November 8, 2020, will be reviewed in accordance with the laws.

Meanwhile, regarding the detentions, Myo Nyunt, spokesperson of the NLD, told Xinhua: “I received internal reports about our State Counsellor and President (U Win Myint) being taken by the military. As far as I was informed, Shan State’s Planning and Finance Minister U Soe Nyunt Lwin, Kayah state’s NLD chairman Thaung Htay and some NLD representatives of the Ayeyarwady region’s Parliament have been detained.”

He added that two other members of the Central Executive Committee of the party were also taken and was awaiting his turn.

According to a BBC news report citing family members, soldiers also visited the homes of Chief Ministers in several regions and took them away.

Telecommunications in capital city of Nay Pyi Taw and some other regions and states had also been cut off.

In the largest city of Yangon, the city hall building has been seized by the military, and army personnel could be seen sitting inside the gate holding guns.

The state-run Radio and Television (MRTV) said on its social media that it has also stopped operations.

In the disputed elections, theNLD won 83 per cent of the available seats in Parliament, enough to form a government.

But the military-backed opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed that the result was fraudulant.

It had also filed complaints about “election fraud” at the Supreme Court against the President and the Chair of the Electoral Commission.

But the Election Commission last week dismissed the allegations.

Earlier this week, the military had warned that it will take action if the complaints were not addressed. It had also hinted the possibility of a coup.

Reacting to the development, India on Monday expressed “deep concern” and urged the neighbouring country to uphold the rule of law and the democratic process.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said: “India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar.”

Condemning the coup, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the release of all government officials and civil society leaders and said that Washington “stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development. The military must reverse these actions immediately”.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the coup and slammed the “unlawful imprisonment of civilians”, adding “the vote of the people must be respected”.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said “we call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and other who have been detained unlawfully”.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing hoped that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework, while safeguarding political and social stability.

The spokesperson added that China “is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar’s” and are in the “process of further understanding the situation”.

Also Read-Suu Kyi arrested, military takes control of Myanmar

Sunday which was the first day of the 10-day ‘Fajr’ (Dawn) celebrations marked the return of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, to the country from exile…reports Asian Lite News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV3HGraPAdE

Iran has kicked off 10-day long celebrations marking the 42nd anniversary of victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Sunday which was the first day of the 10-day ‘Fajr’ (Dawn) celebrations marked the return of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, to the country from exile, reports Xinhua news agency.

Earlier in the day, the country’s incumbent Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid tribute at Khomeini’s mausoleum in the suburbs of the capital Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Visiting the shrine of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the tombs of the martyrs on the 42nd anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution#RevolutionEid 🇮🇷 pic.twitter.com/UW0S3yQaWJ

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 31, 2021

Khamenei also attended the martyrs’ tombs and greeted the souls of the defenders of Islam and Iran, according to the report.

For the past decades, the Iranian governments have launched important civil projects on the 10-day celebrations, and the officials have held international sports competitions and cultural festivals.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran resulted in the overthrow of the US-backed regime of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi on February 11, 1979.

During the revolution, 52 Americans were held hostage after Khomeini’s supporters seized the US Embassy in Tehran.

Also read:Western weapons main cause for Gulf instability: Iran