CALD & FNF |
Photo set: CALD Secretariat Trip to Haiyan-Devastated Areas
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.657135551000061.1073741855.167155769998044&type=1 |
BURMA |
Burma’s NLD and 88 Generation Team Up to Push for Charter Reform
10 February 2014 Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), and a major group of former students who led the country’s 1988 uprising have agreed to work together toward constitutional reform before elections next year. NLD Chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi has been leading a campaign to have the military-drafted 2008 Constitution amended. The charter guarantees the military a role in national politics and 25 percent of parliamentary seats, bars Suu Kyi from becoming president and is opposed by ethnic leaders who want a federalist system in Burma. http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/burmas-nld-88-generation-team-push-charter-reform.html NLD supporters in Mandalay rally for charter change 10 February 2014 Hundreds gathered in central Burma’s Mandalay on Sunday demanding abolition of Article-59(f) of the 2008 Constitution, which bars opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency. Mandalay journalist Min Htet Nyein Chan said the rally, organised by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), was staged in Chanmyay Tharzan Township with official permission by local police. “The main objective of the protest is charter amendment; abolish Article 59(f) of the Constitution, as well as Article 18 [of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law],” said Htet Nyein Chan, adding that the initial proposal would have also included a march, but permission was denied. http://www.dvb.no/news/nld-mandalay-rally-for-charter-change-burma-myanmar/37041 NLD leader backs new constitution review body 09 February 2014 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has backed the formation of a new committee to draft a bill on constitutional change, despite complaints from smaller parties that missed out on representation. MPs agreed to form the 31-member committee on February 3. Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann had proposed the new body be established to implement the findings of the 109-member constitutional review committee, which submitted its findings to parliament on January 31. NLD’s National Health Network to mark first anniversary with music fund-raiser 07 February 2014 A fundraising music show, kicked off with a speech by National League for Democracy chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi, will be held tomorrow to mark the first anniversary of the NLD’s National Health Network. The NLD will be inviting state level guests to the special fundraiser, which will take place at the Shwe Htut Tin grounds owned by the Shwe Than Lwin Company in Tamwe Township in Yangon. The Shwe Than Lwin Company is now broadcasting Sky Net Channel and Shwe FM radio programmes. “The ceremony is our [NHN] one year anniversary. At the music show, we will sell tickets for the NLD’s fund. The National Health Network needs the fund to carry out health development programmes. And we are going to promote the health sector. Aunty [Suu Kyi] will attend the ceremony. Now, she is sure to come here,” said Dr. Mya Thaw, vice-chairperson of the NHN and a spokesperson for the Network. Yangon protesters support constitutional change 07 February 2014 Scores of demonstrators marched in Yangon’s Ahlone Township on February 6 to demand changes to Articles 59(f) and 59(d) of the 2008 Constitution. The protest march, which was organized by activists from the People’s Service Network and the Democracy Forces Group and attracted participants from throughout Yangon Region, was held in response to a report presented to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw by the joint parliamentary constitution review committee on January 31. The committee said in its report, based on submissions from the public, that 106,102 people had opposed amendments to Article 59(f) and that 592 people were in favour. |
CAMBODIA |
Phl seen growing 6.5-7.5% in next decade
10 February 2014 The Philippine economy is expected to continue expanding between 6.5 and seven percent in the next decade but London-based Capital Economics warned that the change in leadership in 2016 could be a major setback for the country. “Overall, we remain fairly upbeat on the Philippines and believe growth will average around 6.5 to seven percent over the next decade,” Gareth Leather, economist at Capital Economics, said in the latest Emerging Asia Economics Weekly. http://www.philstar.com/business/2014/02/10/1288495/phl-seen-growing-6.5-7.5-next-decade The Philippines says “Thank You” to the world 08 February 2014 On February 8, 2014, at 4:40 a.m., Manila time, exactly three months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, the country launched a global campaign expressing its gratitude to the world, having received an outpouring of support following the devastating effects of the typhoon. http://www.gov.ph/2014/02/08/the-philippines-says-thank-you-to-the-world/ |
TAIWAN |
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party gains ground on Kuomintang ahead of local polls
09 February 2014 DPP urges MOE to reveal decisionmaking process 07 February 2014 The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday again called for the Ministry of Education (MOE) to abolish its adjustment to the high-school curriculum and disclose the process of how the adjustment was made, as well as the complete list of members of the task force. The party was referring to the ministry’s plan to revise the nation’s high-school curriculum. When the revisions are implemented in September next year at the beginning of the academic year, among the major changes will be the addition of the word “mainland” in references to China in Chinese-language history textbooks and the 50-year period of Japanese rule over Taiwan would be referred to as “Japanese colonial rule.” The DPP said that it passed a resolution on Wednesday that the six DPP-governed cities and counties — Greater Kaohsiung, Greater Tainan, Yilan County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County and Pingtung County — would boycott the revised curriculum. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/02/07/2003582947 |
THAILAND |
Thai Opposition Turns to Farmers as Political Stalemate Lingers
10 February 2014 Thailand’s opposition movement is reaching out to rice farmers to break a political stalemate as the nation awaits official election results, seeking to turn a source of support for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Thailand Election Indicates Ruling Party Lost Support 07 February 2014 Voter turnout in Thailand’s February 2 election was dampened by a boycott by the main opposition party as well as anti-government protesters who tried to block voting. But as ballot counting continues, analysts say the lower turn-out also appears to show the ruling Pheu Thai party lost some support. Out of 43 million eligible voters in Thailand, 20 million, about 47 percent, cast their ballots, according to unofficial results. That compares to a 75 percent voter turnout in 2011, the last election in Thailand’s ongoing political turmoil. |
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