CALD

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) shifts to high gear as it prepares for its 20^th anniversary celebrations in Manila, Philippines on 8-11 November.  The four-day event aims to assemble more than a hundred international and local participants to discuss how global, regional and national developments impact on inter-regional cooperation, the state of freedom and political party reform.

CALD Gears Up for 20th Anniversary Events

BURMA

24th of October

Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has warned that the country, also known as Myanmar, still has a long way to go before becoming fully democratic.

In an interview with the BBC’s Mishal Husain, she said Buddhist and Muslim communities lived in fear because of ongoing ethnic violence.

The former political prisoner also called on the international community to put pressure on the government to improve the situation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24649697

Suu Kyi Says Myanmar Must End Military’s ‘Special Position’

21st of October

Myanmar needs constitutional changes that end the military’s “special position” in politics to foster democracy, said opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“This constitution is about preserving the privileged position not just of the military but of all those who were connected to it in the previous regime,” Suu Kyi told a joint meeting of two European Parliament committees today in Strasbourg, France. “We have a long way to go before we achieve genuine democracy and we have to start with amending this constitution, which is wholly undemocratic.”

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-10-21/suu-kyi-says-myanmar-must-end-military-s-special-position

At the helm of ASEAN, Burma needs authentic change

21^st of October

Burma or Myanmar has received a new great reward on 10 October for its over-the-top political changes, taking the wheel of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) even with critics’ warnings that the step was hasty. A long time ago, friendless rogue was properly granted the rotating chair of the ASEAN routinely for 2014. It won the seat at the end of the group’s summit in Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei.

When Burma/Myanmar became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian nations in 1997, many countries criticized ASEAN leaders because of its questionable human rights records.

http://www.asiantribune.com/node/65995

CAMBODIA

26th of October

Cambodia’s political opposition has wrapped-up three days of peaceful protests and marches on foreign embassies, demanding international support for its push to have an independent inquiry conducted into the controversial results of the July 28 elections.

The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) insists the ruling party of Prime Minister Hun Sen cheated at the poll, which gave opposition leader Sam Rainsy 55 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly, still a sharp improvement over its previous standing.

http://thediplomat.com/asean-beat/2013/10/26/cambodian-protests-continue-hun-sen-open-for-talks/

Opposition Demonstrators March on Western Embassies

24^th of October 

PHNOM PENH – In a second day of demonstrations Thursday, supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party marched on Western embassies, calling for support in its demands for improved elections and democracy.

CNRP leaders say irregularities and fraud in July’s national elections cost them a win at the polls

http://www.voacambodia.com/content/opposition-demonstrators-march-on-western-embassies/1776208.html

 Cambodia braces for more political protests over disputed poll

23rd of October

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Phnom Penh is bracing for yet another round of political protests, with 10,000 people set to rally over the next three days against alleged voting irregularities in July’s general election.

Security forces have begun demonstrating crowd control measures in Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park, which is the site of upcoming anti-government protests.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/cambodia-braces-for/857714.html

Kem Sokha won’t meet governor ahead of protest

21^st of October

Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy president Kem Sokha has again rejected an invitation to meet the Phnom Penh governor to discuss his party’s planned three-day protest starting on Wednesday.

Sokha was invited to meet Municipal Governor Pa So­cheatvong on Saturday, which he declined, and has now rejected a second meeting scheduled for today.

Yesterday, Sokha said he could not meet the governor due to a busy schedule.

“Today, I am in Siem Reap province, and tomorrow I will be busy in Takeo. But we will still hold the mass demonstration as scheduled,” he said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/kem-sokha-won%E2%80%99t-meet-governor-ahead-protest 

INDONESIA

25th of October

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) appointed Boy Bernadi Sadikin as Vice Chairman of Jakarta Parliament (DPRD), replacing Sayogo Hendrosubroto who is now entering pension period. The replacement proposal is based on letter from PDIP Regional Representative Council (DPD) No. 279/EX/DPD03/XI/2013 dated September 26, 2013, about PDIP Fraction’s request for Jakarta Parliament vice chairman replacement.

Jakarta Parliament Chairman, Ferrial Sofyan, announced the replacement of vice chairman position from PDIP Fraction in the plenary meeting held on Thursday (10/24). It was announced in the plenary meeting because such a thing has been regulated in Government Regulation Article 43 Verse 1 which says that replacement and change of Jakarta Parliament leaders must go through plenary meeting.

http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspix?idwil=o&id=30069

TAIWAN

24th of October

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday blasted President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for being rich in slogans, but ineffective when it comes to actually taking action in recurring food safety scandals.

“Ma is good at superficial talk, but is incompetent when it comes to action. When he talks, it is all rubbish,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2013/10/24/2003575263

DPP criticises sacking of Chinese democracy advocate 

21^st of October

Taipei, Oct. 21 (CNA) Taiwan’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) “highly regrets” Peking University’s decision to sack a scholar who called for democratic reforms in China, a DPP official said Monday.

“Unless the fundamental difference between China and Taiwan on the question of respect for fellow human beings is narrowed first, any talk of peace and common development across the Taiwan Strait is simply empty rhetoric,” said Hung Tsai-lung, the DPP’s director for China affairs.

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201310210032.aspx