Thailand drafts law to speed up US$29 billion transport link

BANGKOK: Thailand unveiled draft legislation to create a special economic zone in the south of the country that would pave the way for a multibillion-dollar transport project linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The bill would establish a commission to speed up development of the Southern Economic Corridor in the provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Suratthani and...

Urgent need for comprehensive political financing legislation, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must urgently implement comprehensive political financing legislation to mitigate corruption risks and enhance transparency, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Speaking at the Political Financing International Conference on Tuesday (Jan 14), Azalina highlighted that the absence of specific laws governing political financing in...

There shouldn’t be a gag order, says Azalina on Najib’s royal addendum

PETALING JAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said disagrees with the Attorney General's Chambers’ (AGC) recent application to obtain a gag order on a purported royal addendum that allows Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest. "Honestly, in my...

South Korea military brought live ammunition to parliament during martial law: Reports

SEOUL: Troops mobilised under the Dec 3 martial law decree brought with them thousands of rounds of live ammunition for their operations, reports revealed on Dec 17. The 707th Special Missions Group of the Army’s Special Warfare Command brought 3,960 live ammunition rounds, 1,980 blank rounds and 100 cartridges for stun guns when they were deployed...

South Korea looks to assuage tourists spooked by political chaos

SEOUL: South Korea is urging tourists to continue visiting the East Asian country, as also actively engaging with foreign governments regarding the safety of tour groups following political tensions triggered by a failed martial law attempt. "There is a slight concern that tourist arrivals may decline next year,” Culture Minister Yu In-Chon said in an interview...

Singapore consumers to have greater flexibility on imported food items under proposed law

SINGAPORE: Consumers will have greater flexibility to import food – whether meat or processed goods – for personal consumption, under a new law proposed in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 12). Under the Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB), each person will be allowed to bring in a total of 15kg of food across all categories for...

Thailand seeks clampdown on recreational cannabis by year-end

BANGKOK: Thailand wants to ban recreational use of cannabis by the end of this year, the nation’s health minister said, threatening to put thousands of marijuana shops and farms that have sprung up around the country since a decriminalisation drive two years ago out of business. The nation will seek to get a new cannabis bill...

Govt has not abandoned its reform agenda, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fact that his own party members were free to openly question the government's policies and actions was a testimony that his administration has not abandoned its promised reform agenda. This came after CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour questioned him on recent criticism leveled by fellow...