Indonesian diplomat: migrant crisis is regional problem

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has described the current migrant crisis a problem for the entire Southeast Asian region.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has described the currentmigrant crisis a problem for the entire Southeast Asian region.

Shemade the statement on May 19 ahead of a key regional meeting with hercounterparts from Thailand and Malaysia – which, together withIndonesia, are facing increasing pressures to let the marine refugeesland.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 20.

She noted that Indonesia has hosted nearly 12,000 migrants from over 40 countries awaiting resettlement.

Indonesia, like Thailand and Malaysia, is not a signatory to the 1951UN Refugee Convention that would oblige it to resettle a certain numberof refugees.

Nearly 3,000 migrants from Bangladeshand Myanmar’s ethnic Rohingya community have reached the shore inIndonesia, Thailand and Malaysia in recent days after Thailand crackeddown on a human-trafficking ring.

According to theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at least 2,000 othermigrants are supposed to be adrift on waters off Indonesia , Thailandand Malaysia without food and drink.

TheMyanmar Government on May 19 pledged to collaborate with regional andinternational partners to address the boat migrant crisis.

The same day, the Philippines Government said it is willing to assist Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will send a military ship to back the rescue efforts.

On May 29, Thailand will organise a conference on boat migrant crisis,with the participation of 15 countries, including Bangladesh,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Australia and the US.-VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.