Phase One of Syariah Penal Code Order to be enforced tomorrow, May 1

Al-Haadi Abu Bakar
Bandar Seri Begawan

HIS Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has announced that the enforcement of phase one of the Syariah Penal Code Order in Brunei will commence with effect from tomorrow, May 1, 2014.

During a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) this morning, the monarch, in his Titah, announced the first phase of the Order, which outlines offences punishable by hadd, will begin tomorrow.

The implementation comes into force six months after His Majesty announced the gazette of the Islamic criminal law last October.


Sumber - The Brunei Times


A new era for Brunei

Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is expected to announce the official enforcement date of the first phase of the Syariah Penal Code Order today at a special ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

The monarch announced the phased introduction of the Order six months ago during the opening of the Knowledge Convention.

“The code is a special guidance from Allah (SWT) to us all... This Act without doubt, is now part of the great history of our nation,” he said last October.

The Order outlines several offences which are punishable by hadd, where the penalty has been set out by the Quran or the hadith (traditions) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Hadd offences cover six areas – theft, illicit sexual relations, making unproven accusations of illicit sex, causing physical hurt, drinking intoxicants, apostasy, and acts contrary to Islamic beliefs.

Since the announcement was made, Brunei has captured headlines both at home and abroad due to some of the punishments prescribed by Islamic law, such as stoning, flogging and amputation of limbs.

The government has carried out several public briefings on the new legislation, but confusion and speculation is still rife among the population about the effect the laws will have on day-to-day life.

The law states that the Order shall apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims, except where expressly provided.

The first phase will be enforced at a date determined by the Sultan and the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.

The second phase will introduce corporal punishment, and will only be enforced 12 months after the Syariah Courts Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) is gazetted.

The Syariah CPC outlines procedures for law enforcement to carry out investigation and prosecution.

The third phase, which sees the enforcement of the death penalty, will be in place 24 months after the Syariah CPC is finalised.

According to legal officials, the Syariah CPC is in final reading and will be codified into law in the near future.

Doa selamat and thanksgiving prayers will be held at all places of worship in the country from 5.45pm.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

Mangsa kebakaran terima bantuan

Oleh Hajah Saemah Zulkefli

TUTONG, 25 April – Bantuan dan sumbangan untuk membantu meringankan kesusahan ibu tunggal yang merupakan mangsa kebakaran di kediamannya di Kampung Rambai terus dihulurkan.

Ibu tunggal itu, Dayang Siti Mariani binti Abdullah Merikan yang tinggal sehelai sepinggang setelah rumahnya ranap dijilat api pada Khamis lalu, hari ini menerima sumbangan daripada keluarga prihatin, Dayang Dr Hajah Ra’yah binti Haji Mohd Ali yang juga merupakan Ketua Biro Pendidikan Parti Pembangunan Bangsa (NDP) dan suaminya.

Dayang Dr Hajah Ra’ayah binti Haji Mohd Ali (kanan) dan suami serta sahabat handai
dan keluarga mengumpulkan kutipan untuk sumbangan membantu Dayang Siti Mariani.

Bantuan berupa wang tunai, makanan asasi dan pakaian keperluan disumbangkan kepada mangsa yang kini menumpang di rumah kakaknya.

Menurut Dayang Dr Hajah Ra’yah setelah mengetahui kejadian yang menimpa salah seorang ahli wanita NDP itu, beliau telah mengumpulkan kutipan sumbangan daripada adik beradik, sanak saudara dan sahabat handai dengan hasrat sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu meringankan kesedihan dan kesusahan yang dihadapi Dayang Siti Mariani pada masa ini.


Sumber - Media Permata

PHILIPPINES AGREE TO INCREASE U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE ON SOIL FOR NEXT DECADE

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States announced they would sign an agreement on Monday to allow a greater U.S. military presence on Filipino soil for the next decade. The deal will be signed in Manila a few hours before U.S. President Barack Obama is due to arrive for a two-day visit to the Philippines, one of the United States' most loyal but militarily weakest Asian allies which is embroiled in an increasingly hostile territorial row with China.

U.S. officials in Malaysia travelling with Obama said on Sunday the agreement would be inked between the two nations, which are already bound by a pact to come to each other's aid if attacked and engage in regular war games together.

Evan Medeiros, senior director for Asian Affairs on the National Security Council, said the deal was a "skeletal and muscular" framework that would allow the two sides to discuss more rotations of U.S. troops, naval visits and training exercises.

He said it was "the most significant agreement that we have concluded with the Philippines in decades".
 It is also another part of Obama's much-publicised strategic and military "pivot" to Asia.

The deal with the Philippines comes in the month before the United States sends 1,150 Marines to Australia to bolster a roughly 200-member force already in Darwin. Those U.S. troops are part of a deployment that will see a garrison of up to 2,500 by 2016-2017, in another prong of the rebalancing strategy. U.S. officials said the exact composition of US forces to be rotated through the Philippines remained to be worked out.

"The scope, the duration and the location of our rotational presence in the Philippines is something that we are going to be working out with them in the coming weeks and years," said Medeiros. But U.S. officials said the agreement would last for 10 years, with provision for renewal. They said it would be signed by the Philippine Minister of Defence and U.S. ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg.

The Philippine government released a short statement on Sunday saying the agreement would be signed, without giving details.

But Filipino negotiators had previously said it would allow more U.S. troops, aircraft, and ships to pass through the country.

It would also allow the United States to store equipment that could be used to mobilise American forces faster -- particularly in cases of natural disasters. The deal would not allow Washington to establish a permanent base or bring in nuclear weapons, according to the Filipino negotiators.

The Philippines had been pushing for the agreement to help bolster its military as it engages in an increasingly tense row with China over rival claims to parts of the South China Sea. But Medeiros dismissed the notion that Washington saw the agreement through a prism of containing China's rising military might.

"We are not doing this because of China. We are doing this because we have a longstanding alliance partner. They are interested in stepping up our military-to-military" interaction, he said.

The Philippines hosted two of the largest overseas U.S. military bases until 1992, when the Filipino Senate voted to end their lease amid growing anti-U.S. sentiment. President Benigno Aquino has led a warm re-embrace of the United States in recent years, insisting that greater U.S. military support is needed to fend off China's actions.

China claims most of the South China Sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other countries in the region. Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as Taiwan, also have overlapping claims to the sea. The Philippines has protested repeatedly at what it says are bullying tactics by China in staking its claims, including by taking control of a shoal far closer to the Filipino land mass than the Chinese.

Chinese ships also last month tried to block vessels bringing supplies to a Philippine military outpost on a tiny reef claimed by China.

The Philippines has angered China by asking a United Nations tribunal to rule on the validity of China's claims to the sea. China has refused to take part in the case, and said the Philippines' move had "seriously damaged" bilateral ties.


Sumber - Daily Sabah

Hudud Brunei: PBB tak perlu campur tangan

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat berpandangan bahawa pihak Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) tidak perlu campur tangan dalam perlaksanaan hukuman hudud di Brunei.

Ketua Penerangannya Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, berkata PBB tidak wajar untuk prejudis terhadap hak asasi umat Islam dalam melaksanakan undang-undang agama mereka.

"Bantahan PBB terhadap hak negara berdaulat Brunei mengkanunkan undang-undang jenayah Islam menggambarkan kegagalan PBB memahami erti hak asasi manusia yang sebenar.

"Malah banyak tindakan-tindakan oleh PBB di pentas antarabangsa membayangkan sikap "double standard" dalam isu-isu hak asasi manusia dan tidak mencerminkan mereka memahami konsep keadilan dan slogan ‘human right’ yang dilaung-laungkan. Ia hanya menjadi omongan kosong," katanya.

Berikut kenyataan penuh beliau yang juga Ahli Parlimen Kuala Nerus.


1. Saya merujuk kepada kenyataan Pesuruhjaya Hak Asasi Manusia (OHCHR) PBB yang mengkritik keputusan Brunei yang mahu melaksanakan hukuman hudud di negara itu.

2. Kenyataan itu menyebut dengan jelas kritikan PBB mengenai hukuman mati dalam pelaksanaannya itu sebagai bertentangan dengan prinsip undang-undang antarabangsa.

3. Malah, PBB juga mengklasifikasikan hukuman rejam sampai mati itu sebagai kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan. Ini ditambah pula dengan tindakan boikot oleh kumpulan LGBT terhadap sebuah hotel di Brunei.

4. Perlu ditegaskan bahawa Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) tidak perlu prejudis terhadap hak asasi umat Islam dalam melaksanakan undang-undang agama dan kenegaraan mereka.

5. Bantahan PBB terhadap hak negara berdaulat Brunei mengkanunkan undang-undang jenayah Islam menggambarkan kegagalan PBB memahami erti hak asasi manusia yang sebenar.

6. Malah banyak tindakan-tindakan oleh PBB di pentas antarabangsa membayangkan sikap "double standard" dalam isu-isu hak asasi manusia dan tidak mencerminkan mereka memahami konsep keadilan dan slogan ‘human right’ yang dilaung-laungkan. Ia hanya menjadi omongan kosong.

7. Saya mendesak PBB untuk tidak campur tangan terhadap keputusan yang diambil oleh Brunei yang mahu melaksanakan hukuman hudud di negara itu apatah lagi menjadi ‘hero’ kononnya atas nama hak asasi manusia atau ‘human right’.

8. Masih banyak isu-isu kemanusiaan sebenar yang tertunggak tidak diuruskan oleh PBB terutamanya melibatkan jenayah kemanusiaan oleh negara haram Yahudi yang telah merampas tanah, mengusir serta membunuh umat Islam Palestine sejak sekian lama untuk tempoh yang panjang melebihi 60 tahun. Apakah ianya bertepatan dengan prinsip ‘human right’ yang sering digembar-gemburkan?

9. Rampasan kuasa di Mesir terhadap pemerintahan presiden Dr Muhammad Mursi yang dipilih secara sah oleh rakyat Mesir melalui jalan demokrasi, adakah ianya juga seiring dengan slogan ‘human right’ yang kononnya diperjuangkan PBB? Tiada pula tindakan atau sekatan ekonomi dibuat.

10. Begitu juga isu penghapusan etnik umat Islam di Myanmar dan Republik Afrika Tengah yang hanya didiamkan PBB walaupun mereka mempunyai kuasa untuk bertindak lebih daripada itu.

11. Ironinya, tiba-tiba PBB tampil membuat kenyataan berhubung ‘human right’ kepada sebuah negara yang ingin mengamalkan undang-undang Islam. Saya kira tindakan itu tidak perlu. Brunei juga tidak memerlukan nasihat dan pandangan daripada PBB.

12. Malah, saya juga ingin menegaskan dalam pentadbiran PBB itu sendiri mengalami krisis ‘human right’. Kuasa veto dan kuasa pembatal yang diberikan ‘khas’ kepada 5 negara tetap anggota keselamatan PBB seperti Amerika Syarikat, China, Rusia, United Kingdom dan Perancis sebenarnya juga tidak bertepatan dengan semangat demokrasi dan ‘human right’.

13. Saya juga menggesa mana-mana pihak yang tidak mempunyai maklumat yang tepat mengenai hukuman jenayah Islam khususnya Hudud tidak membuat sebarang spekulasi atau kenyataan yang menyeleweng terhadap pelaksanaan hukuman hudud.


Sumber - Harakahdaily

Future of Southeast Asia remains unpredictable, says Brunei's Sultan

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah says in the coming decades, the region will be confronted with different and possibly more intense challenges than it currently faces

SINGAPORE: Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has said the future of Southeast Asia remains unpredictable.

He said in the coming decades, the region will be confronted with different and possibly more intense challenges than it currently faces.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is in Singapore as part of a three-day state visit, was speaking at the 34th Singapore Lecture on Tuesday on "The Future of ASEAN".

The Singapore Lecture was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is ASEAN's longest-serving leader.

In his opening address, Mr Teo said following Brunei's successful ASEAN chairmanship last year, the Sultan is eminently qualified to speak about the future of the grouping.

During the lecture, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pointed to the shift in economic and political weight towards Asia, and the emergence of new major and middle powers.

Together, he said changes in their relationship will influence the strategic landscape.

The challenge for ASEAN will be to find its place in this new environment.

He added that the situation in Asia is unprecedented, and expressed concerns on several fronts, including current territorial and maritime disputes in the region.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said: "We are seeing worrying trends of weakening confidence and trust. We are concerned with the return of explicit major power rivalry.

"Historical and political divides still continue to fuel nationalistic sentiments between countries. Difficulties in meeting economic commitments, and unresolved maritime disputes are risking the regions' potential."

He said it is crucial that regional problems are addressed through peaceful dialogue and initiatives.

He added that ASEAN must continue to be more responsive and strive to be a people-oriented organisation.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said: "Our community will not succeed merely through the creation of layers of structures and endless acronyms, nor should it serve solely as a vehicle for government officers to meet."

He also urged ASEAN to enhance internal coordination and cooperation.

Earlier this month, Singapore offered to host a centre to coordinate regional humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

In his lecture, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah applauded Singapore's effort, saying it will do much more to enhance cooperation.

He said such practical cooperation will help ASEAN and its partners address impending regional challenges.


Sumber - Channel NewsAsia

‘Move deferred due to unavoidable circumstances’

Rabiatul Kamit and Quratul-Ain Bandial
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE implementation of the Syariah Penal Code Order has been “deferred” from April 22 to a later date “due to unavoidable circumstances“, said the assistant director of the Islamic Legal Unit yesterday.

While delivering a briefing on the new legislation to the Malaysian expatriate community, Dk Hjh Jauyah Pg Hj Mohd Zaini said the enforcement is slated to take place “in the very near future.”

However, the official date for the implementation of the Syariah Penal Code Order was not disclosed. The assistant director added that the deferment was a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office. “April 22 was only a tentative date.

The Syariah Penal Code Order will not be enforced on that day, but sometime in the very near future,” she said. During a session of the Legislative Council in March, Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman said the first phase of the Order will be enforced six months after the legislation was gazetted by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam on October 22, 2013.

The second phase - which covers the enforcement of corporal punishment - will come into force 12 months after the Syariah Courts Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) is gazetted.

The third phase - which covers the enforcement of the death penalty - will begin 24 months after the CPC.

A draft of the CPC - which outlines how law enforcement should conduct investigation and prosecution - is still being finalised by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council.

The law states that the Syariah Penal Code Order shall apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims, except where expressly provided.

The Brunei Times sought clarification from government officials regarding the exact date of implementation of the Order, but no response was received.


Sumber - The Brunei Times

JEJAK EHSAN HIMPUNAN WANITA PARTI PEMBANGUNAN BANGSA (HAWA NDP) SUMBANG MANGSA KEBAKARAN DI KAMPUNG RAMBAI LAMUNIN

Saemah Kepli

TUTONG, Jumaat-   Salah seorang ahli Exco Himpunan Wanita Parti Pembangunan Bangsa telah menjadi mangsa kejadian kebakaran tempat tinggal di Kampung Rambai Jalan Tasek Marimbun Lamunin dalam kejadian yang berlaku kira-kira pukul 8:00 pagi kelmari (Khamis).

Dayang Siti Mariani binti Abdullah Marikan, 64, tinggal sehelai sepinggang, ekoran kejadian tersebut yang berlaku semasa beliau sedang mengetam padi di sawahnya di kawasan yang mengambil masa kira-kira 25 minit berjalan kaki.

Ekoran kejadian itu Dayang Siti Mariani kehilangan harta benda termasuk dokumen-dokumen penting dan menganggarkan kerugiannya sejumlah lebih $50,000 termasuk nilai rumah yang telah didiaminya sejak tahun 2002.

Rombongan HAWA NDP yang mengunjungi beliau yang pada masa ini menumpang di rumah kakaknya tidak jauh daripada rumahnya yang hangus, disertai sama rombongan daripada Badan Perhubungan NDP Daerah Tutong yang diketuai oleh Naib Presiden Dato Paduka Haji Ismail bin Haji Ibrahim.

Sementara itu mengetuai rombongan HAWA NDP Ketua Himpunan Wanita Pusat, Hjh Sa’emah Kepli dan Timbalan Ketua Hawa Pusat Dayang Kartini Abd Manap, serta beberapa orang ahli Exco Hawa Pusat dan ahli-ahli Hawa Daerah Tutong.

Menyertai sama ialah Setiausaha Agong NDP Awang Haji Mohd Jefri bin Haji Daud, Ketua Jawatankuasa Disiplin dan Hisbah Awang Mohamad Peter bin Abdullah, Ketua Biro Kemasyarakatan Dayang Hajah Asmah binti Haji Pulut selain turut hadir ialah Penasihat NDP Awang Mohd Bajau bin Abdullah serta Ketua Ranting Kampung Rambai Awang Gandu Garip.

Semasa lawatan rombongan telah turut menghulurkan sumbangan berbentuk pakaian dan wang tunai yang dihasratkan sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu meringankan kesusahan dan kesedihan yang dihadapi oleh Dayang Siti Mariani pada masa ini.

Dayang Hjh Sa’emah memberitahu, dia telah mendapat tahu kejadian yang menimpa Dayang Siti Mariani petang kelmarin, dan telah menghubungi ahli-ahli Hawa NDP serta ahli-ahl Majlis Tertinggi Wanita NDP untuk sama-sama membuat kunjungan demi memberikan sokongan moral kepada ahli wanita yang juga merupakan seorang yang begitu aktif menyertai apa jua aktiviti yang dianjurkan oleh pihak parti.

Selain Naib Presiden Daerah Tutong Dato Paduka Haji Ismail semasa menyampaikan ucapan rengkas pada majlis penyerahan sumbangan hari ini, menyampaikan rasa takziah dan menasihatkan supaya Dayang Siti Mariani dapat bersabar dan redha akan apa yang telah ditakdirkan oleh Allah SWT.

Seramai sembilan orang anggota bomba Balai Bomba Lamunin yang diketuai oleh Ahli Bomba Kanan Juin bin Gunugn telah dikejarkan ke tempat kejadian kelmarin, bomba menyatakan telah menerima panggilan kecemasan pada kira-kira pukul 8:39 pagi dan punca kejadian bagaimanapun katanya masih dalam siasatan.

Bantah TPPA: M’sia must discuss its fears with Obama

PETALING JAYA: An anti-TPPA movement today expressed its fear that the government would embrace the contentious Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clause and sign the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

“President Barack Obama will be visiting Malaysia at the end of this month and there is a general fear that this will cause the government to agree with ISDS,” said Bantah TPPA chairman Mohd Nizam Mahshar in a press conference today.

In concurring with his statement, Malaysian Aids Council policy manager Fifa Rahman added: “However, we fear this will not be in our favour”.

TPPA is a secretive free trade agreement made to tie 12 countries with the United States as the head to a restrictive global law that will dictate trade terms from medicines to internet use.

The TPPA which has been in negotiations since 2008 has received protest from all the countries involved in the ongoing negotiations.

To date, the TPPA negotiation is still shrouded in secrecy and is lacking in transparency. Even the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) has gone on record to affirm that notion.

Fifa further reiterated that lack of synchronised information from the various governments and bureaucrats has led to more discrepancies on the matter.

“At first they (government) want to stand their ground on the matter, but now, they want to negotiate. However, I have received different information on that matter,” she said.

Adding to that, Nizam claimed that although Miti was apologetic, the ministry has not done anything to resolve the problems.

Meanwhile, Fifa also said that if TPPA was realised, the price of medicines would soar.

“Not every Malaysian can afford to pay RM10,000 a month to cure a disease. We hope when Obama is here, this negotiation will be brought forth and discussed,” she added.

It will be deadly for Malaysia to accept the agreement in the absence making solid amendments that benefits the public and the nation, said Nizam.

Malaysia is currently in negotiation with 11 other countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, Vietnam and Japan to conclude the TPPA


Sumber - Free Malaysia Today

Indonesia keeping close eye on developments in South China Sea

The Indonesian military is evaluating its troop deployment in its territory closest to disputed islands in the South China Sea. The Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces said he was closely monitoring developments there, as any conflict would spillover to Indonesian territory.

JAKARTA: Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) General Moeldoko said that he has been keeping watch on territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea.

While Indonesia does not have competing claims over islands in those waters, the four-star general has met his counterparts from several ASEAN countries which do, and he has relayed their concerns to his Chinese counterparts.

General Moeldoko said: "We in ASEAN do not want a situation that would lead to instability in this region. That is our firm position. And Indonesia will contribute to ensure stability. Second, Indonesia will be following the situation from time to time."

The Indonesian military anticipated that any conflict in the area would naturally spillover to Indonesian territory.

He said: "It's quite certain there will be a spillover if something happens in the South China Sea. And for that, we will certainly re-evaluate the deployment of our troops in the Natuna and Riau Islands. Those are the areas closest to the South China Sea."

General Moeldoko also warned that the rebalancing of power in the Asia Pacific, which includes the United States, could also potentially lead to instability.

He said: "We do not want rebalancing turned into provocation for people in ASEAN because it will lead to an uncomfortable situation for us."

The TNI commander's commitment to ensuring stability in the region underscores and complements Jakarta's ongoing diplomatic efforts at finding a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea disputes.

With Indonesia soon to see a change in government, its ASEAN neighbours are likely to find General Moeldoko's resolve reassuring.


Sumber - Channel NewsAsia

What does the AEC really mean?

While the trade bloc aims to boost the region’s competitiveness, Thailand stands to gain as well as lose

The advent of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in late 2015 has been in the limelight in recent years, but how many people are truly aware of it or understand the effect it will have on the economy, businesses, the workforce, education or even society as a whole?

The AEC is not just about setting up free trade zones within Asean. It aims to create a single market and production base in order to boost the competitiveness of Asean countries. It is expected to create free mobility of goods, services, investments, capitalisation and skilled labour.

Free mobility of labour is a significant element as all businesses and economies rely on manpower. And since the agreements have been signed, the 10 Asean members — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand — have tried to create a single clear standard for professional qualification screening in order to help the free flow of seven key professions plus one sector (hotel and tourism) within member countries and ensure standards of quality.

The professional services are medicine, dentistry, nursing, engineering, architecture, surveying, accounting and hotel and tourism.

Background

Although the AEC comprises only 10 countries, the total population stands at 600 million — a gigantic market with ample opportunities. Nevertheless each country possesses different scales of economy, business characteristics, laws and regulations, cultures, languages and customs.

Based on research by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), 50% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines comes from a service sector. But half the GDP of Thailand and Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) is contributed by the agricultural sector. In 2009 Singapore had the highest professional employment, accounting for 36.44% of overall employment, followed by Malaysia (20.8%), Thailand (8.12%) and the Philippines (7.4%), while most CLMV employment was in the agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors.

In 2010 the International Institute of Management Development did a survey on the competitiveness of 58 countries, taking into account the economy, efficiency of government and private sector, and infrastructure. Singapore had the highest score while Thailand ranked 26.

Thailand scored higher in all areas against Indonesia and the Philippines, but lower than Singapore in all areas. Against Malaysia, Thailand scored better only for the economy; it lost over competency of government and the private sector and infrastructure.

EU precedence

The formation of the AEC is similar to the establishment of the EU in 1993, which has expanded to 28 countries. Advantages of the union include free trade agreements which have encouraged mobility of the workforce within the region, easing labour scarcity in many countries.

It has also promoted equality of professions and improved benefits and welfare of labour. This has also resulted in improved GDP of member states.

According to some studies, the union has also improved education standards and promoted higher education in many countries resulting in improvement in quality of people and professionals.

But the free mobility of labour has not happened in all professions. In order to protect their own labour markets, several countries have implemented rules and regulations screening entrance to their workforce.

Labour mobility within the AEC

For skilled labour mobility within the 10 Asean states, based on industry’s experts and academics, Thailand has  advantages over several of the other member countries, such as better education, good infrastructure and living conditions as well as higher salaries and remunerations.

“All these positive factors are likely to keep our talented professionals at home,” said Yongyuth Chalamwong, research director at the TDRI.

“Most Thai professionals don’t want to leave the country to work elsewhere. But they may have to when their companies relocate,” said Aat Pisanwanich, dean of the economics faculty at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Thai professionals in the hotel and tourism sector are the most likely to  explore new opportunities in countries with a serious shortage and high demand for their professions.

Meanwhile, there is also the possibility of semi-skilled and low-skilled labour from CLMV seeking work in Thailand to meet demand for lower level jobs in the tourism sector.

According to industry experts there is a high chance that professionals from Singapore and Malaysia will move to Thailand, particularly in the engineering and architectural sectors.

Regulations and barriers

Under the AEC, mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) are intended to ease the flow of professionals within member countries. To do so, standards of professional qualifications are set so all countries will have the same clear standards.

Before migrating to another country, a professional must register to work through the regulatory authorities in that country, pass a professional test in the local language to get a licence and follow other local rules and regulations.

These strict procedures and requirements are needed to screen the quality of professionals before entering the country.

“Though it is a free flow of skilled-labour, it’s not really a free flow in practice,” said Acharn Yongyuth.

On top of that, English proficiency is obviously a barrier for Thais entering English-speaking countries.

Additionally, under the mutual agreements signed in 2011, foreign business ownership will be allowed to more than 70% up from the previous 49%.

“Foreigners will definitely bring in their own people to work in their companies in Thailand.

"This may affect opportunities for Thai professionals. And our language handicap will even further lessen our chances,” said Acharn Yongyuth.

Medical, nursing and dentistry

The quality of Thailand’s medical services, including doctors, nurses and dentists, is higher than many other Asean countries. Yet its medical fees are considered moderate or even cheaper than many countries including Singapore. The earnings of these professionals are considered competitive compared with other Asean countries.

Thailand has established itself as a “medical hub”. The large number of foreign patients have boosted medical tourism. On top of that, a number of Thai physicians and nurses working abroad have been lured back home.

According to Chalerm Harnphanich, president of the Thai Private Hospital Association and CEO of Bangkok Chain Hospital Plc, medical tourism earned about 140 billion baht in 2012, up 18% from a year earlier. And the figures have kept increasing.

According to Acharn Aat, the focus group interview revealed that it is unlikely that medical professionals will migrate to other countries in Asean, but if they do so Singapore will be the first destination.

There is a severe shortage of these professional services in Thailand particularly in remote provinces as a large number of practitioners have opted to work at private hospitals where the pay is better. He added that Thailand is short of 10,000 nurses.

Meanwhile, he continued, the Philippines is a key producer of nursing professionals and there has been a high rate of migration of them to other countries.

However, under AEC restrictions the free flow of talents may not easy as they must obtain licences and pass tests in the local language. This is viewed as a reasonable screening measure and also a barrier.

Architecture

Generally speaking, the quality of Thai architect is second to none. The AEC will definitely open doors for professionals to migrate to other countries such as Brunei, the Philippines, Laos and Myanmar at senior levels while it also offers opportunities for professionals in other countries to enter Thailand’s labour market.

According to Pongsak Vadhanasindhu, Thailand Monitoring Committee, Asean Architect Council, competition in this field should not be fierce as the mutual agreements stress that foreign registered architects must work in partnership with local architects in an equal manner.

“This means there will be less competition among local and foreign architects as they will have to work in collaboration than alone,” said Prof Pongsak, adding that Thai architects should continue to develop their skills and know-how in order to stay competitive.

Prof Pongsak believes the competitive situation will boost the quality and proficiency of local staff. “And working with foreign staff will definitely enhance skills and experience of local staff.”

But he acknowledged that Thai architects need to improve their English proficiency as they may lose out to Singaporeans and Malaysians who speak English well.

Engineering

According to Nitaya Chanruang Mahabhol, secretary-general of the Consortium of Professional Council of Thailand and member of the executive board of the Council of Engineers, engineers from Singapore and Malaysia are likely to aggressively enter the Thai market. Hence it is necessary to enhance Thai engineers’ capability, know-how and English proficiency in order to gain acceptance for big national projects.

“On top of that, standards used to gauge registered architects must be Asean standards and not others in order to be fair,” she said.

Liability of construction projects is another key concern. “It’s important to define or share liabilities with those foreign engineers who enter Thailand to work on projects. That’s because they will also need to be responsible for their projects even when they leave Thailand. These liabilities must be shared accordingly,” Ms Nitaya said.

She also expressed concern over small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “I don’t worry about big construction companies, but the small ones might not be able to fight the battle. So I’m not very sure if we’re ready to compete with others in this field.”

Accounting

Although accounting is currently guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), there are still differences in accounting and taxing regulations among countries.

According to Sira Intarakumthornchai, chief executive officer at PwC Thailand, the challenge for Thai accountants will be English proficiency and knowledge about taxation and business acts in different countries.

“If they can overcome these limitations then they will become strengths. And then they will be in high demand for local and overseas employment,” said Mr Sira.

While he has no worries about big accounting firms, small and medium ones may face problems due to local language and some restrictions.

“Hence small and medium-sized firms will need to adjust themselves fast for this competition. In the future there may be mergers among local firms or with foreign ones in order to stay competitive,” said Mr Sira.

Hotel and tourism

Within Asean, Thailand is considered the best in hotel and tourism services.

Surapong Techaruvichit, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), says Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are tourism leaders among Asean members. But demand for professionals in this sector in CLMV is high and there is a high chance that Thai professionals will migrate to these countries as many are offering high remuneration particularly Myanmar.

“However, we don’t expect to see many Thais migrating as our tourism industry is much bigger than those of CLMV. Last year we welcomed 26.7 million tourists, while only slightly more than 2 million visited Laos and about 1 million visited Myanmar,” said Mr Surapong.

According to Acharn Yongyuth, there is still no clear mutual competency standards for professionals in this sector as several parties are involved with no recognised certified body in charge.

Meanwhile, Thailand is trying to solve labour shortage in this sector through developing education in the field and staff training.


Sumber - Bangkok Post