Tengku on GPH, MILF: “same page now, but different paragraphs”

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Who is holding Asean hostage?

Kavi Chongkittavorn

After the Asean foreign ministers failed to issue a joint communique last week, a frequently asked question has been: Which countries are holding Asean hostage?

There are multiple choices, please pick one or more: a) the Asean claimants to disputed territories in the South China Sea; b) the Asean non-claimants; c) Cambodia, the current Asean chair; d) the US; e) China; or f) all of the above.

There are many reasons to choose f).

In support of answer a), Asean claimants are divided and lack unity – the groups’ weakest point. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei seldom hold meetings among themselves to discuss their common strategies. Back in 1995 they used to back and watch out for each other. As the national stakes are getting higher, their cooperation is shrinking, although, when they see fit, they use Asean as a front to counter external pressures. In Phnom Penh, they went their own ways to protect their turf.

For the first time in Asean's 45-year history, a joint communiqué was not released because it would have contained too many details on disputes in the South China Sea.

The foreign ministers from claimant members all pushed for their own bottom lines. They were more resilient previously. The Philippines wanted their dispute over the Scarborough Shoal to be included in the final communiqué, while Vietnam did not budge from pushing for its own version of China's alleged recent violations of its economic exclusion zone.

Malaysia, one of the most critical voices among the Asean claimants in the past regarding the South China Sea, has been missing in action this time. However, it insisted on adding "other shoals" to the statement at the Philippines' request. Brunei was quiet and waiting for its turn next year as the Asean chair.

Such divergent views provided an ideal opportunity for the Asean chair, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, to go for the kill and cut the whole debate short. He proposed to the claimants that all of the incidents raised by them should be referred to collectively as "recent developments in the South China Sea." Take it or leave it. Bang, bang, nothing came out. It was very interesting that he was not in the mood to find common ground – the virtue displayed by all previous Asean chairs. At the last minute, Philippine Foreign Secretary Roberto del Rosario even softened his wording with an offer of just mentioning "the affected shoal." Now the Asean leaders must be seriously pondering what will happen when the region's longest-serving leader, Prime Minister Hun Sen, chairs the November summit.

It is clear to those who opted for answer b) that the non-claimant countries are equally problematic, apart from the Asean chair. There are two kinds of non-claimant Asean countries – those who are concerned parties and those who are not. The concerned parties are Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the rest are not. The trio wants to see progress but they are now caught in a dilemma as their views and positions could impact on the future of Asean and the whole gamut of Asean-China relations.

Singapore has stressed from time to time that concerned parties in the disputes both within Asean and the international context must be engaged to ensure freedom and safety of the sea-lanes. So is Indonesia, which also wants Asean to show solidarity over the dispute.

Thailand's position is a bit tricky. It depends who the "real" foreign minister is, which is still very confusing. These core members backed the issuance of a separate statement on the South China Sea at the ministerial meeting. But the idea was later quashed as the Asean chair said that China and the Philippines held bilateral talks and the tension over the Scarborough Shoal, or Huanyan Island as the Chinese call it, calmed down. So, there was no need for such a statement. Thailand, the coordinating country for Asean-China relations for 2012-2015, was lobbied hard by both China and the US for support on their positions. There was even a suggestion that if there was such a statement on the South China Sea, both China and the Philippines should be mentioned and deplored for heightening the tension in the area.

Reasons to choose c) must be that the Asean chair this year at the Asean annual meeting is a veteran politician, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. He knows exactly when to pull the trigger. This time he managed to block the joint communique – it will be his legacy. His action upset several foreign ministers attending the meeting. The reporters widely quoted Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa's comment that he was "disappointed" with the outcome and that some Asean members acted "irresponsibly." Of course, he did not mention Cambodia by name. It remains to be seen how this will affect the role of Indonesia as observers in the Thai-Cambodian dispute over the Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Viharn Temple. There has been very little progress on this initiative since Indonesia served as chair last year.

In the next two years, Brunei and Myanmar will follow Cambodia as Asean chair in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Truth be told, both countries supported Cambodia on the South China Sea issue. Although Brunei is one of the Asean claimants, the oil-rich country has never raised any voice or stated its position outright in this squabbling. But Brunei and Myanmar have taken the position that the overlapping claims should be settled among the claimants without use of force and through dialogue. Such views mesh well with China's longstanding argument.

For the answer d), the reasons are simple. Everybody knows the US has shown more support for Asean even though it is cutting its defence budget in the future. With troops soon to be drawn down in Afghanistan, the US is shifting attention to the Asia-Pacific, which could be the next battleground. The Pentagon plans to increase the proportion of troops based in the region from the current 50 per cent to 60 per cent in the next 10 years. Where will the extra 10 per cent of troops make their first home base, or rather rotational base? With the US becoming more enthusiastic in associating with ongoing Asean efforts on security matters, some Asean members are feeling gung-ho while others are uneasy, as they know they could become pawns in the big power game. After all, Southeast Asia will remain in China's backyard.

Those who picked e) for an answer must be non-Chinese. Throughout the Asean ministerial meeting, the Chinese media accused the Philippines of holding Asean hostage and wondered aloud why Asean allowed such behaviour. Interestingly, only a few Chinese commentators mentioned Vietnam. The South China Sea row comes at a time when China is promoting a new diplomatic approach of peaceful rise and development. It will be further consolidated as a plan for regional harmony with the new leadership later this year. Therefore, Beijing does not understand why Asean would allow the Philippines and Vietnam to upend Asean-China relations. Beijing has already placed relations with developing countries in Southeast Asia as a major foreign policy priority. China's ties with major powers, especially the US, Russia and Europe are predictable and stable. However, tension between China and Asean now threatens to harm Beijing's relations with major powers.

Finally, the explanation for the last answer f) is rather self-evident. All of the above-mentioned players have effectively held Asean hostage in one way or another. Implementation of many decisions is now stuck because there was no joint communique to officially state their deliberations. All players have used Asean as a plaything for their own benefit, utilizing the rhetoric and tactics that Asean leaders are familiar with. The Asean chair knows full well his pejorative power to shape the agenda and content. He exercised it with prudence. Likewise, Asean claimants and non-claimants understand deep in their hearts that they would never be able to unite again on a common position on the South China Sea as in March 1995.

That was why the Philippines has taken all necessary steps to boost its own position, including increased defence cooperation with the US, much to the chagrin of other Asean members. The US and China will compete, confront and cooperate within the Asean framework. In the past, nobody was worried about such engagements because Asean spoke with one voice. From now on, all hell could break loose. Good luck, Asean.

Dipetik dari - Mizzima

Infrastructure development main focus of His Majesty

Rasidah HAB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE future looks very bright for Brunei Darussalam with the continuous development of infrastructure under the leadership and guidance of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

"Under His Majesty's guidance, we have been able to deliver," said Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman at the sideline of His Majesty's 66th birthday celebration at the heart of the capital on Saturday.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi, who oversees many of the country's development projects, said the most challenging task was meeting public demand for housing. He said the waiting period for house application has been reduced.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said there have been a lot of infrastructural development and they are very happy to get the budget they requested.

"We hope to see the construction of new roads, widening of roads and hopefully we will also be building a bridge across Kg Ayer," said the minister.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi hoped that the few other projects in the pipeline would be realised soon.

Infrastructural development is high on the monarch's agenda.

His Majesty, in his titah at the investiture ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman on Saturday, pointed out that his government will continue with the development agenda in achieving the country's National Vision 2035.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times


HM's announcement on Temburong bridge hailed

THE Temburong District's dream to have a bridge connecting it to the Brunei-Muara District is all set to become a reality, following the announcement made by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his 66th birthday titah at Istana Nurul Iman on Saturday.

His Majesty gave the people the good news of the completion of the feasibility study of the bridge and announced that His Majesty's Government was currently working on details of the project.

Yang Berhormat Hj Sulaiman Hj Ahad, Temburong Legislative Council representative, told The Brunei Times that the announcement was one of the greatest infrastructural developments for the district.

The Legislative Council member said the year 2012 had been a great year for the district.

The news comes on the heels of two big projects the construction of the transboundary Pandaruan bridge, dubbed the "Friendship bridge" between Brunei's Temburong district and Limbang, Sarawak, and the country's first Cooperative Complex in Mukim Batu Apoi due to be completed next year

YB Hj Sulaiman said words cannot express how he felt when he heard the news. YB Hj Sulaiman, who had been the district's Legislative Council representative, for two terms said: "This is something that we have been waiting for a long time."

The Legislative Council member said with the construction of the bridge, the (long-standing) problems relating to connectivity and access will be history.

The news was well received by residents of the district dubbed the Green Jewel of Brunei.

Norhazemah Kalong, a private sector consultant employee, said His Majesty listens to what the rakyat (people) want.

"InsyaAllah, the bridge connecting the capital and Temburong will provide numerous benefits to the people, especially those working in the district. It will also increase productivity in many aspects. Furthermore, the bridge will accelerate the development projects in Temburong," the 26-year-old said.

However, she had some concerns on the socio-economic impact it may have on some groups but she prefers to focus on the positive side.

Md Zool Fadli Hj Mahbub, a Mathematics and English teacher at the Sultan Hashim Batu Apoi Primary School, Temburong, expressing his gratitude said Temburong was his second home and he wished to continue to teach in Temburong.

The Brunei-Muara District resident, Md Zool Fadli said there would no need to queue up at Kuala Lurah Immigration post and pay the $12 fee for a return boat ride from the Brunei-Muara to Temburong. The news also meant a solution for the accessibility issues for Temburong residents.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Titah Sempena Hari Keputeraan KDYMM Yang Ke-66 Tahun

Titah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam sempena Hari Keputeraan Baginda Yang Ke-66 Tahun pada 25hb. Sya’aban, 1433 / 15hb. Julai, 2012

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Alhamdulillah Rabbil ‘Alameen, Wabihiee Nasta’eenu ‘Alaa Umuuriddunya Wadden, Wassalaatu’ Wassalaamu ‘Ala Asyarafil Mursaleen, Sayyidina Muhammaddin, Wa’alaa Aalihee Wasahbihee Ajma’een, Waba’du.

Alhamdulillah, syukur kita kehadrat Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, kerana dengan limpah kurnia-Nya jua, dapatlah istiadat bagi meraikan Hari Keputeraan Beta pada pagi ini berjalan dengan baik dan lancar.

Pertama-tama, Beta ingin merakamkan ucapan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada para tetamu khas Beta, yang sudi hadir ke Istiadat ini, dan juga kepada semua pihak yang telah menyembahkan perutusan ucap selamat kepada Beta serta keluarga, bersempena perayaan ini.

Dalam apa jua keadaan dan suasana ketika menyambut keraian ini, kita hendaknya jangan terlepas pandang dari mensyukuri nikmat Allah kepada kita dan negara, berupa keamanan dan kesejahteraan.

Beta juga bersyukur mempunyai rakyat yang bersatu-padu dan bertanggungjawab untuk sama-sama memelihara nikmat yang agung ini.

Dari keamanan akan wujud kestabilan, dan dari kestabilan memungkinkan kita lebih rancak untuk menggarap kemakmuran.

Oleh itu, semua lapisan rakyat adalah berkewajipan untuk memelihara dan mempertahankan kestabilan tersebut.

Dengan nikmat rezeki serta kestabilan yang ada, Kerajaan Beta insya Allah, akan meneruskan agenda pembangunan di dalam negara.

Pada tahun ini kita telah memulakan Rancangan Kemajuan Negara Ke-10 iaitu RKN kedua bagi membantu kita merealisasikan Wawasan Negara 2035. RKN pada kali ini lebih menekankan kepada usaha memperkasa keupayaan tenaga kerja, selari dengan teknologi baru dan innovasi, disamping memberikan perhatian kepada kemudahan prasarana, pendidikan, kesihatan, perhubungan, perumahan, riadhah serta tempat-tempat beribadat. Langkah ini diharapkan mampu untuk membantu mempercepatkan lagi pertumbuhan ekonomi, standing dengan kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi serantau.

Oleh itu adalah sangat mustahak bagi kita mempastikan perlaksanaan perojek-projek dibawah RKN Ke-10 ini berjalan dengan menepati sasaran waktunya. Janganlah ada yang tertinggal di belakang, apatah lagi yang terbantut.

Beta amatlah gembira mendapati, pendekatan baru kita dalam menyediakan perumahan untuk rakyat telah menampakkan hasil yang menggalakkan. Bilangan rumah-rumah yang telah siap dan yang sedang dalam pembinaan, ternyata berupaya untuk mengurangkan tempoh menunggu bagi pemohon-pemohon.

Dalam usaha meningkatkan kesejahteraan perumahan bagi rakyat ini, Beta telahpun memperkenankan beberapa inisiatif untuk dilaksanakan oleh Kerajaan, seperti berikut:

Pertama - Untuk tidak megenakan bayaran premium tanah bagi pembaharuan pajakan tanah yang tidak melebihi 1 ekar, yang diatas tanah berkenaan sudah terdapat rumah kediaman pemilik atau untuk didirikan rumah kediaman bagi tujuan yang sama.

Kedua - Satu Skim Tabungan Perumahan, diwujudkan khusus untuk ahli-ahli TAP rakyat Negara Brunei Darussalam. Keutamaan mengujudkan Skim ini ialah sebagai bantuan kepada ahli-ahli TAP yang berpendapatan rendah.

Skim sukarela atau voluntary ini, akan melayakkan peserta-pesertanya untuk menerima manfa’at-manfa’at tertentu, antaranya jaminan pemberian pulangan tahunan dengan kadar tertentu; dan bagi peserta yang pendapatan keluarganya (household income) tidak melebihi $4,000 sebulan, akan layak untuk dihulurkan bantuan Kerajaan berjumlah tidak melebihi $25,000.

Ketiga - Bagi anggota Perkhidmatan Awam, Beta juga telah memperkenankan satu Skim Pinjaman Kewangan Perumahan di Jabatan Perbendaharaan untuk dikemaskinikan dan disesuaikan dengan keadaan dan keperluan masakini. Melalui perubahan tersebut, jumlah kemudahan kewangan yang boleh dipohonkan bagi membina atau membeli sesebuah rumah, akan ditambah kepada 60 bulan daripada gaji pokok, berbanding hanya 48 bulan yang dibenarkan pada masa ini, tertakluk kepada syarat-syarat tertentu. Kemudahan kewangan tersebut juga akan dilaratkan bagi pembelian tanah bagi pembinaan rumah berkenaan dengan menggunakan peruntukan tidak melebihi 24 bulan daripada gaji pokok bagi kemudahan kewangan tersebut.

Dengan bantuan serta kemudahan-kemudahan yang disediakan ini, Beta percaya ianya akan dapat meringankan beban kos pemilikan rumah dikalangan golongan-golongan tertentu di Negara ini, terutama mereka yang berpendapatan rendah.

Walau bagaimanapun, Beta berharap, dengan adanya bantuan dan kemudahan ini, akan menggalakkan lagi orang ramai untuk sentiasa berjimat cermat dan berbelanja mengikut kemampuan.

Sebagai usaha Kerajaan dalam pembangunan Negara yang lebih menyeluruh, satu berita baik, setelah selesainya kajian feasibility, Kerajaan Beta sekarang ini sedang merancang dengan terperinci bagi pembinaan sebuah jambatan, yang akan menghubungkan Daerah Temburong dengan Daerah Brunei dan Muara.

Sejajar dengan tuntutan masa dan perkembangan global, Beta dalam bidang ICT, juga telah memperkenankan peruntukan sejumlah B$230 juta dibawah RKN Ke-10 untuk Kementerian Perhubungan melaksanakan projek “Fibre-to-the-Home”, yang pada asasnya akan menyediakan infrastruktur jalur lebar yang menyeluruh.

Ini tidak syak lagi akan membawa kepada kemajuan Internet yang lebih berkualiti yang mampu dimiliki oleh orang ramai. Pada waktu yang sama, kemajuan perkhidmatan ini juga akan turut mengangkat daya-saing negara bagi menarik pelaburan asing.

Namun perlu pula disedari, akan kesan-kesan buruk sampingan, yang boleh saja berlaku dari penyalahgunaan alat canggih ini. Kerana itu sangatlah wajar untuk diambil perhatian oleh pihak-pihak yang berkepentingan, supaya lebih meningkatkan lagi keupayaan dan kewaspadaan dalam perkara-perkara kawalan, pencegahan dan penguatkuasaan.

Turut sama berkewajipan itu, ialah para ibu-bapa, guru-guru, masyarakat, pertubuhan-pertubuhan bukan kerajaan, dan lebih-lebih lagi para belia, sekaku pengguna terbesar kemudahan ICT itu.

Ambillah langkah memanfa’atkan ICT itu dengan cara yang betul.

Kewajipan ini adalah kewaijpan semua. Kita mesti mengamalkan nilai-nilai murni dan memelihara jatidiri kita, dengan calak MIB.

Kita adalah bangsa yang membangun dengan undang-undang, pendidikan dan akhlak yang baik, serta bergerak maju diatas landasan ajaran ugama yang suci. Kita menawarkan persahabatan kepada semua warga dunia, sambil memberitahu, bahawa kita juga adalah rakan yang baik, yang sentiasa bersedia untuk menghormati sesiapa saja.

Demikian itulah pula, kita mengharapkan, agar rakan-rakan juga berpendirian seperti kita dalam menilai dan memahami aspirasi masing-masing, demi untuk keselamatan dan kesejahteraan, sekalipun tanggapan kita adalah berbeza.

Bersukut dengan 66 tahun keputeraan Beta ini, dengan segala kesyukuran, yang akan melepaskan kita semua terutama Raja, dari dituntut oleh Allah Ta’ala pada Hari Kandila kelak, maka Beta dengan Nama Allah Yang Maha Pengasih lagi Maha Pemurah, setelah meneliti dan mendapat nasihat daripada Badan yang berkenaan, sukacita memaklumkan bahawa Beta telah memperkenankan Perintah Kanun Hukuman Jenayah Syariah untuk dilaksanakan di Negara ini, namun dalam pada itu, peruntukan sivil atau ta’zir atau seakan-akan ta’zir akan terus juga diguna-pakai mengikut keperluan.

Masih berkait dengan undang-undang. Kerajaan Beta dalam menagani perbuatan-perbuatan curang, yang sepatutnya tidak berlaku, seperti jenayah penyeludupan keluar minyak bersubsidi seperti diesel, yang amat merugikan itu, tidak akan dibiarkan begitu saja. Kerajaan Beta adalah tidak teragak-agak untuk menggunakan undang-undang bagi membenterasnya.

Sebagai sebuah negara yang berkerajaan, Perkhidmatan Awam adalah jenteranya. Beta masih merasakan, bahawa kecekapan pengurusan dan disiplin dalam Perkhidmatan Awam itu masih saja tetap ditahap yang memerlukan peningkatan. Kemajuan kerjaya pegawai yang menitik-beratkan kepimpinan, masih memerlukan perhatian.

Kerana itu, sehubungan dengan ini, Beta telahpun memperkenankan satu kaedah kenaikan pangkat yang digelar “Kaedah Kenaikan Pangkat Laluan Laju”, sebagai keadah yang bukan eksklusif, dan juga sebagai sebahagian dari usaha dalam rancangan penggantian pegawai-pegawai Bahagian II keatas.

Kaedeh ini dianggap mampu untuk merangsang pegawai-pegawai yang berprestasi tinggi, rajin dan komited.

Dalam bidang kesihatan pula Kerajaan adalah tidak lalai untuk meningkatkan skop dan kualiti perkhidmatan. Namun kes-kes penyakit tidak berjangkit seperti kencing manis, buah pinggang, darah tinggi, jantung dan kanser, terus saja meningkat dan bahkan ditahap yang membimbangkan.

Pada hemat Beta, cara mencegah dan mengatasi penyakit-penyakit ini adalah banyak bergantung kepada kesedaran dan keazaman setiap individu. Untuk sihat, kita memerlukan disiplin gaya hidup sihat dan permakanan sihat. Diantara gaya hidup sihat itu ialah rajin beriadhah. Sementara permakanan sihat pula, ada dengan ketentuan-ketentuannya yang tersendiri.

Dalam hal ini, ingin juga Beta melihat, sejauh manakah sudah segala kempen atau promosi kita tangani, termasuk menilai keberkesanannya secara empirical?

Kematian bukan saja kerana penyakit, tetapi juga turut berlaku akibat kemalangan jalan raya. Ini juga amat membimbangkan, kerana bilangannya terus meningkat.

Orang ramai biasanya sangat berhajat kepada jalan raya yang berkualiti, tetapi ramai yang tidak mengedahkan harapan Kerajaan untuk melihat, supaya semua pengguna jalan raya juga mestilah berkualiti.

Walau macam manapun, setakat ini, Beta turut berpuas hati dengan pengenalan sistem demerit, yang dianggap berpotensi tinggi bagi usaha-usaha penggunaan jalan raya yang lebih berhemah dan selamat.

Di dalam arena antarabangsa pula, Beta juga sangat berpuas hati, kerana kita dapat memainkan peranan untuk kepentingan bersama didalam pelbagai bidang, khasnya bidang kerjasama serantau mahupun global, berasaskan kosep berbaik-baik dan hormat menghormati serta tidak campur tangan dalam urusan atau kepentingan masing-masing.

Pada tahun 2013, insya Allah negara kita akan menjadi Pengerusi ASEAN dan juga tuan rumah kepada Mesyuarat Kemuncak ASEAN dan mesyuarat-mesyuarat berkaitan.

Akhirnya, Beta dengan tulus ikhlas merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan ucapan terima kasih kepada seluruh lapisan rakyat dan penduduk, termasuk semua peringkat warga Perkhidmatan Awam, Pasukan-Pasukan Keselamatan serta mereka yang berkhidmat di sektor swasta diatas sumbangan dan sokongan mereka kepada Kerajaan Beta.

Penghargaan yang setinggi-tingginya juga Beta sampaikan kepada seluruh Ahli Jawatankuasa Perayaan di kedua peringkat kebangsaan dan daerah, atas segala khidmat usaha yang gigih pada menjayakan Perayaan Ulang Tahun Beta tahun ini.

Beta juga berdo’a semoga Negara Brunei Darussalam ini akan senantiasa kekal aman dan makmur, dikurniakan limpah rahmat dan lindungan dari Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala jua. Amin.

Sekian, Wabillahit Taufiq Walhidayah, Wassalamu‘alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Sempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Kebawah DYMM Kali Ke-66 Tahun

SE Asia meeting in disarray over sea dispute with China

A Southeast Asian regional summit ended in acrimony on Friday over China's assertive role in the strategic South China Sea, failing to agree on a concluding joint statement for the first time in its 45-year history.

Divisions between the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) follow a rise in incidents of naval brinkmanship involving Chinese vessels in the oil-rich waters that has sparked fears of a military clash.

The Philippines said it "deplores" ASEAN's failure to address the worsening row, and criticized Cambodia -- a close ally of China -- for its handling of the issue during the foreign ministers' meeting.

Without mentioning China, Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario told a news conference in Manila that one "member state's" intrusions into Philippine territory were part of a "creeping imposition" of its claim over the entire South China Sea and were raising the risk of a conflict.

The South China Sea has become Asia's biggest potential military flashpoint as Beijing's sovereignty claim over a huge, looping area has set it against Vietnam and the Philippines as the three countries race to tap possibly huge oil reserves.

The stakes have risen as the U.S. military shifts its attention and resources back to Asia, emboldening its long-time ally the Philippines and former foe Vietnam to take a bolder stance against Beijing.

ASEAN's divisions are an ominous sign for a bloc that wants to create a regional economic community by 2015 that would bring down barriers in trade, labor and financial markets -- partly to compete with China for investment.

China is a member of the East Asian Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum which also held meetings in Cambodia.

"The increasing assertion by this member state over the disputed and non-disputed areas poses a threat to the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," del Rosario said.

"If left unchecked, the increasing tension that is being generated in the process could further escalate into physical hostilities which no one wants."

China has been accused of using its heavy influence over summit chair Cambodia and several other ASEAN members to block regional-level discussions on the issue and attempts to agree a binding maritime Code of Conduct to manage the dispute.

The Philippines said it took "strong exception" to Cambodia's statement that the non-issuance of a communique was due to "bilateral conflict between some ASEAN member states and a neighboring country".

It said it had only requested that the communique mention the recent standoff between Chinese and Philippine ships at the Scarborough Shoal, a horseshoe-shaped reef in waters that both countries claim.

Indonesia, the biggest economy in Southeast Asia, played down the rift. "No doubt the South China Sea at the moment is a difficult issue but I'm sure ASEAN will find ways and means to be able to address that problem," Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told Reuters.

But the rising tensions were underlined on Friday when the Chinese navy said that one of its frigates had run aground on Half Moon Shoal, about 90 nautical miles off the western Philippine island of Palawan.

China said it was conducting a rescue mission and the Philippines said it was sending "assets" to the area to investigate and provide assistance if needed.

"That's a very strategic location to strengthen their claim over the Reed Bank, they are getting closer to our territory, putting one foot inside our fence," one military official told Reuters.

The Philippines scrambled aircraft and ships to the Reed Bank area last year after Chinese navy ships threatened to ram a Philippine survey ship.

"COMBAT READY"

China said last month it had begun "combat-ready" patrols in waters it said were under its control in the South China Sea, after saying it "vehemently opposed" a Vietnamese law asserting sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino told Reuters in an interview last week that he may ask the United States to deploy spy planes to monitor the disputed waters.

China, whose trade and investment ties with Cambodia have surged in recent years, has warned that "external forces" should not get involved in the dispute, which it says should only be discussed bilaterally. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the South China Sea.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said he was "very disappointed" over the failure to issue a statement.

In a statement issued late on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi repeated that there was "no dispute" about China's sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal.

"China hopes the Philippine side faces the facts squarely and stops creating trouble," he added.

The United States has stressed it is neutral in the long-running maritime dispute, despite offering to help boost the Philippines' decrepit military forces. It says freedom of navigation is its main concern about a waterway that carries $5 trillion in trade - half the world's shipping tonnage.

Dipetik dari - Reuters

Selamat Puja Usia Ke-66 Kebawah DYMM

Most Muslims Want Democracy, Personal Freedoms, and Islam in Political Life

Few Believe U.S. Backs Democracy

OVERVIEW

More than a year after the first stirrings of the Arab Spring, there continues to be a strong desire for democracy in Arab and other predominantly Muslim nations. Solid majorities in Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan believe democracy is the best form of government, as do a plurality of Pakistanis.

Indeed, these publics do not just support the general notion of democracy – they also embrace specific features of a democratic system, such as competitive elections and free speech.

A substantial number in key Muslim countries want a large role for Islam in political life. However, there are significant differences over the degree to which the legal system should be based on Islam.

The United States is not seen as promoting democracy in the Middle East. In newly democratic Tunisia, only about three-in-ten believe the American response to the political upheaval in their country has had a positive impact.

Despite the tumult and uncertainty of the last year, views about democracy are mostly unchanged since 2011, although support has declined somewhat in Jordan. Enthusiasm for democracy tends to be generally less intense in Jordan and in Pakistan. It is consistently strong in Lebanon and Turkey.

While democratic rights and institutions are popular, they are clearly not the only priorities in the six Muslim majority nations surveyed. In particular, the economy is a top concern. And if they had to choose, most Jordanians, Tunisians and Pakistanis would rather have a strong economy than a good democracy. Turks and Lebanese, on the other hand, would prefer democracy. Egyptians are divided.

There is also a strong desire for Islam to play a major role in the public life of these nations, and most want Islam to have at least some influence on their country’s laws. Majorities in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt believe laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Quran, while most Tunisians and a 44%-plurality of Turks want laws to be influenced by the values and principles of Islam, but not strictly follow the Quran.

About four-in-ten Lebanese say laws should not be influenced at all by the teachings of the Quran, although on this issue – as on many issues – views vary sharply along religious and sectarian lines. While 63% of Lebanese Christians and 38% of Sunni Muslims say laws should not be guided by the Quran, just 13% of Shia Muslims agree.

Just as opinions about religion and politics vary across these six nations, so do views about gender equality. Majorities in all six believe women should have equal rights as men, and more than eight-in-ten hold this view in Lebanon and Turkey. However, in Egypt – where the role of women in society has been a heavily debated issue throughout the post-Mubarak transition period – a slimmer 58%-majority favors equal rights, while 36% oppose the idea. Only 53% of Egyptian men endorse equal rights.

Moreover, while many support the general principle of gender equality, there is less enthusiasm for gender parity in politics, economics, and family life. For instance, many believe men make better political leaders, that men should have more of a right to a job than women when jobs are scarce, and that families should help choose a woman’s husband.

These are among the key findings from a survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, conducted in six predominantly Muslim nations March 19 to April 20.1 The poll, which is part of the broader 21-nation spring 2012 Global Attitudes survey, found considerable optimism – at least among Arab publics – about the prospects for democracy in the region. Solid majorities in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon said the 2011 popular uprising would lead to more democracy in the Middle East. Turks and Pakistanis, on the other hand, were less hopeful.

This report includes a special section on Tunisian public opinion (see Part II). In the nation where the Arab Spring began, large majorities say they are dissatisfied with the country’s direction and its economic situation. While Tunisians embrace their country’s nascent democracy, they are divided over whether things in their country have actually gotten better since long-running dictator President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali was forced from office. Still, most are hopeful about Tunisia’s future and optimistic that the economy will improve in the next 12 months. And despite the dissatisfaction with current conditions, the ruling Islamist party Ennahda receives positive marks from 65% of Tunisians.

Both Democracy and Economy Are Priorities

Majorities in five of the six nations polled (and a plurality of Pakistanis) believe democracy is the best form of government. Moreover, there is a strong desire in these nations for specific democratic rights and institutions, such as competitive multi-party elections and freedom of speech.

Other goals are also clearly important. Many say political stability is a crucial priority, and even more prioritize economic prosperity. When respondents are asked which is more important, a good democracy or a strong economy, Turkey and Lebanon are the only countries where more than half choose democracy. Egyptians are divided, while most Tunisians, Pakistanis and Jordanians prioritize the economy.

Overall, views about the economic situation in these countries are grim, although Turkey is a notable exception. Nearly six-in-ten Turks (57%) say their country’s economy is in good shape, but at least seven-in-ten in Pakistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan offer negative assessments.

A Major Role for Islam in Public Life

In five of six nations, solid majorities say Islam is already playing a large role in the country’s political life. In newly democratic Tunisia, where the Islamist party Ennahda won the largest share of votes in the recent parliamentary elections, fully 84% think Islam has a major role.

Similarly, in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood has won both parliamentary and presidential elections, 66% hold this view, up from 47% two years ago.

The view that Islam plays a large role in political life has also become more prevalent in Pakistan over the last two years. Meanwhile, more than six-in-ten in Turkey and Lebanon believe Islam is a major part of political life in their countries. This view is especially pervasive among Lebanese Christians – 75% think Islam has a major role.

The clear exception on this issue is Jordan. Only 31% of Jordanians believe Islam currently plays a large part in their nation’s political life, while 63% say it has a small role. Among the majority of Jordanians who say Islam is playing a small role, 80% say it is a bad thing that Islam has only a minor part in the country’s politics.

Support for Gender Equality – but Not in All Circumstances

While majorities in all six countries support the principle of gender equality, there are significant differences between men and women on this issue. The most striking gender gap is in Jordan, where 82% of women but just 44% of men say women should have the same rights as men.

Moreover, while there is majority support for the idea of gender equality, this does not necessarily apply to specific aspects of public and private life. For instance, at least half in Tunisia, Pakistan, Turkey and Jordan say men make better political leaders. When it comes to economics, most say women should be able to work outside the home, but most also believe that when jobs are scarce, jobs for men should be the first priority. And in the personal realm, many of those surveyed believe a woman’s family should help choose her husband, rather than the woman herself – indeed, in Pakistan and Jordan this is the majority view.

Limited Support for Extremist Groups

Extremist groups are largely rejected in predominantly Muslim nations, although significant numbers do express support for radical groups in several countries. For instance, while there is no country in which a majority holds a favorable opinion of the Palestinian organization Hamas, it receives considerable support in Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt.

The militant Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah receives its highest overall ratings in Tunisia, where nearly half express a positive opinion. Sizable minorities in both Jordan and Egypt also have a favorable view, but Hezbollah’s image has been declining in both countries in recent years. In its home country, views about Hezbollah are sharply divided along sectarian lines: 94% of Shia, 33% of Christians, and 5% of Sunnis give the group favorable marks.

Across all six nations, less than 20% have a positive opinion about al Qaeda or the Taliban. In Turkey and Lebanon, support for these groups is in the single digits. However, fully 19% of Egyptians rate these extremist organizations favorably.

Turkey and Erdogan Popular

Turkey, which has significantly increased its diplomatic profile in recent years, particularly in the Middle East, is held in high regard in the predominantly Muslim nations surveyed. Solid majorities in all six nations express a favorable opinion of Turkey. Moreover, its leader, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the moderate Islamist party AKP, also receives largely positive reviews.

Most of those surveyed believe Turkey favors democracy in the Middle East, including roughly three-in-four in the newly democratic nations of Egypt and Tunisia. Fewer say this about Saudi Arabia, although more than half in Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan think the oil-rich kingdom does support democracy in the region.

Yet, relatively few believe the United States wants democracy in the Middle East, including just 37% in Egypt, a major recipient of American democracy promotion funds in recent years. Exceedingly few think Israel favors democracy in the Middle East – just 10% or less in all six nations hold this view.

Tunisians Unhappy With State of Country, but Still Hopeful

Nearly eight-in-ten Tunisians (78%) are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country and a similar number (83%) describe current economic conditions as bad. And the country is split over whether it is better off now that Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is no long in power.


However, Tunisians show few signs of wanting a return to autocracy. A majority says a democratic government is preferable, even if that means some risk of instability, and large majorities deem rights and institutions such as a fair judiciary, honest elections, and free speech very important.

And while they are glum about current conditions, they are hopeful about the future. Two-thirds (66%) are optimistic about Tunisia’s future, and 75% think the country’s economy will improve in the next 12 months.

The ruling Ennahda party gets largely positive reviews – 65% have a favorable opinion of the Islamist organization, which was banned from politics during the Ben Ali era. Two Ennahda leaders, party co-founder Rached Ghannouchi and current Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, are viewed favorably by about two-in-three Tunisians.

The U.S. receives mixed reviews in Tunisia. Overall, 45% have a favorable and 45% an unfavorable view of the U.S. However, President Barack Obama gets mostly poor marks – 57% say they have little or no confidence that Obama will do the right thing in world affairs. And there is no consensus among Tunisians about how the U.S. has handled the political changes taking place in their country – 31% believe the American response has had a positive effect, 27% say it has been negative, and 25% volunteer that the U.S. has had no impact.

Also of Note

- While few in Tunisia and Egypt describe the current economy as good, there is optimism about the future – 75% of Tunisians and 50% of Egyptians believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months.

- On balance, opinions about Iran are negative, although Pakistan is a clear exception – 76% of Pakistanis have a favorable view of Iran, and 47% rate President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad positively.

- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad generally receives very negative ratings across the nations included in the survey.

Dipetik dari - Pew Global Attitudes Project

Non-compliant firms to lose out

Fitri Shahminan and Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Energy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office has reiterated that the Energy Department at the Prime Minister's Office (EDPMO) is not interested to "look after" oil and gas industry players who fail to comply with either of the two Local Business Development (LBD) directives.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar had, last week, warned oil and gas companies that failure to comply with the LBD Directives No 1 and No 2 would result in them losing their eligibility to contract renewals or extensions.

Of the two directives, the first is for Local Business Development, while the second is the Local Business Development Framework for the oil and gas industry.

In an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday, he lamented some instances where companies fail to provide information required by the EDPMO regarding LBD Directive No 2.

"Local companies must be transparent (in providing information)," he stressed. Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yasmin said that all taxes due to the government must be paid and that the workforce of the companies are looked after. "How can you have a workforce without TAP (Employees Trust Fund's)," he exclaimed, before adding that it is now a criteria in awarding a tender.

"Is this the sort of things we want to happen in our country, (where) the workers are not protected. Is this the sort of things we want?"

He also said firmly that the purpose of doing business in Brunei is not solely for profit, and that companies should abide by the law and strive for business with integrity.

The minister hinted some international firms that are falling out of favour might not even get a second chance.

"We already said, comply with directives 1 and 2, then only you can have business with us. You don't comply, you don't have business with us."

The minister stressed that these companies, "who reap profit from Brunei", are also not retaining a lot of the money in Brunei.

"Why should we look after these people? Give me a good reason why should we look after these people," YB Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yasmin said sternly.

These companies should not be protected as Brunei's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are struggling, he said, adding that there should be more focus on local SMEs and companies.

"We should be more focused on trying to give them incentives."

The energy minister also stressed that the initiatives carried out by the government, such as establishing a level playing field, stamping out corruption is integral to the country's drive for diversification.

"All we're trying to do right from the beginning, a level playing field, a system that is full of integrity... is that too much to ask?"

"We want to move on where we are, we have to be serious in terms of our commitment to diversify our economy to heed the call of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam," he said, adding that otherwise there would be no development in the sector, and that each year will see the same company bidding for all the major projects.

The minister then expressed his optimism with the presence of capable Bruneian companies.

"They are some good Bruneian companies, I have no doubt. And some of these companies had already been outside Brunei. I take this opportunity to congratulate these people, I'm happy with what they're trying to do but we need to develop more Bruneian companies," he said.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Mohd Yasmin also reminded local companies to be more transparent in giving out information required by EDPMO and to improve their communication with the department.

"Everytime we ask them on (their) commitment to taxes and their TAP system, you know some of them (would) have difficulties to reply," he said.

The minister called on SMEs to be more pro-active in this regard, highlighting that the EDPMO have established an office to cater towards local business development.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times

Asean will not displease China

Hopes to attain regional community in 2015

Barbara Mae Dacanay
July 11, 2012

Manila: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not take a united stand against China on pestering territorial disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea , as the 45-year old regional grouping aims to become a united community in 2015, sources said.

Asean member countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Instead of identifying China as a threat to the region because of the South China Sea issue, Asean should be prepared with other external problems such as a weakened US economy; Europe’s debt crisis; socio-political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen said at the start of the ministerial meeting in Cambodia, the transcript of which reached Manila’s foreign affairs office.

Oil price hike, food and energy security, disasters, and terrorism are other problems threatening Asean, Hun Sen said, adding, “These still pose a great threat to the sustainability of socio-economic development of Asean achieved over the last four decades and the success of our effort towards realizing a full Asean Community in 2015.”

Underlining Asean’s role as a global peace maker and not an enemy-maker, Hun Sen said that the regional grouping of 600 million people is an “influential player in Asia and an indispensable strategic partner of major countries and organizations in the world”.

“Those achievements underline the strong commitment and political will of Asean to continue working closely together in the Asean spirit of unity and solidarity, friendship and cooperation,” he explained

Noting China’s value to Asean, Xunpeng Shi, Energy Economist of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia told East Asia Forum, “Asean should be a fair, neutral and transparent facilitator of peace, rather than an aggressive opponent against China, when it comes to resolving the South China Sea dispute.”

“A united front [against China on the South China Sea issue] may provide short-lived, small-scale benefits to those Asean member states involved in the dispute, but it would be detrimental to Asean as a whole,” said Xunpeng, adding, “The Asean member states engaged in the dispute (in the South China Sea) may obtain more bargaining power and other political gains, but they may not get much more than this because China is unlikely to be able to succumb to Asean’s pressure.”

At the same time, China has been very supportive of Asean in resolving regional issues, including the South China Sea dispute. But China may not maintain its current policy toward Asean if the latter were to become China’s opponent,” Xunpeng explained.

“Asean may lose its centrality in promoting regional integration and its role in the region may be marginalised [as soon as it forms a united front stance against China],” warned Xunpeng.

Other sources said that the United States, an ally of the Philippines, which is still recovering economically will not waste energy to wage battle against China.

Moreover, Asean could not yet form a consensus on how to handle the South China Sea problem, despite strident complaints from the Philippines and Vietnam which have been complaining at China’s flexing of muscle in the contested area, other observers said.

Asean hopes to get China’s nod for the continuation of negotiations with China at the Asean ministerial meeting on Wednesday.

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam claim all of the South China Sea based on historical rights. Brunei, Malaysia, and Philippines claim some parts of the Spratly Archipelago in the South China Sea, based on the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone from their shores as provided for by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

At the same time, Asean is expected to sign the Asean Statement on the Protocol to the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) at the end of the 45th Asean foreign ministerial meeting, sources said.

Asean and dialogue partners will also hold the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), a security meeting, and the East Asia Summit in Cambodia on July 12-13.

During these meetings, the European Union and the United Kingdom are expected to sign Asean’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), said sources.

Dipetik dari - gulfnews