c

Ê
 
   Vietnam is the rotating ASEAN Chair for 2010. The
Fourth ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting has just been held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.
Before the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting convened in Hanoi, China has sent out a strong
message to warn Vietnam and ASEAN that if Vietnam insisted on discussing the territorial dispute in
South China Sea at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting, China would not participate in the ASEAN
Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Partner Dialogue to be held later on.
The diplomatic circle in Hanoi was shocked that China would send out such a message to Vietnam
and to ASEAN countries before the Fourth ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting convened in Hanoi.
China said that if Vietnam insisted on discussing issues relating to the South China Sea territorial
disputes in any of the ASEAN meetings, including the ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting, China wo uld
not want to participate in ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Partner Dialogue to be held later
on.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Feng Guangqing who chaired the press conference said that the Fourth
ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting did not address the issues relating to the territorial disputes on
South China Sea. He was responded to China Press reporter's query on this issue.
Ever since Vietnam took over the ASEAN Chair this year, the relationship between Vietnam and
China has turned into a stage of 'becoming tense internally but distancing apart externally.'
Following China's sending out such a message to ASEAN, we can expect China's relationship with
ASEAN over defense issue to tense up in the coming days.
Vietnam will host the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Partner Dialogue. This ASEAN Defense
Ministers' Meeting Plus Dialogue is expected to be held in October this year. Eight countries have
become ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting's dialogue partners. They are Australia, China, India,
Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
a 
     


   
 
Is response to China's accusation that Vietnam has 'internationalized 'or 'ASEAN -ized ' the South
China Sea territorial dispute issue, a senior defense official from Vietnam defended that Vietnam was
not the initiator to turn the South China Sea marine territorial dispute issue into internationalized or
ASEAN-ized issue. He said: 'China should aware of the fact that marine territory and land territory
are two different things. Marine territories are in the open seas and public waters. It will most
frequently involve the strategic interests of many countries. As such, it is natural for the superpower
to come forward and carry out strategic game. China should not hold the opinion that it was
Vietnam that has internationalized the South China Sea territorial dispute issue.'
He stressed that bringing the South China Sea marine territorial right issue up at ASEAN meeting did
not mean that ASEAN wanted to collectively confront China over the South China Sea territorial
issue. Instead, ASEAN wanted to form a united front to discuss issues concerning regional security.
'We do not understand why someone would think that Vietnam wanted ASEAN to collectively
confront China. Did Vietnam ever say that Vietnam want ASEAN to take collective military action on
China over the South China Sea marine territorial conflict? Vietnam will adhere to the use of a
harmonious approach to resolve this problem.'
  

  a
   


c
c
c
Vietnamese Defense Minister Feng Guangqing who is also the chair for the 2010 ASEAN Defense
Ministers' Meeting said ASEAN countries would, in the near future, carry out an 'ASEAN jointed
simulation of humanitarian relief operations' exercise. This would allow ASEAN nations to have good
preparation to cope with the threat of natural disasters.
In his opening remarks for the Fourth ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting, Vietnamese Defense
Minister Feng Guangqing poi nted that that since the inaugural of ADDM held in Malaysia in 2005, the
defense and security cooperation of ASEAN countries has become more mature and closer as years
went by.
He pointed out that 'having close and effective defense cooperation among ASEAN countries could
create a stable region so that people in ASEAN can live in a peaceful, stable and sustainable regional
environment.'
     
At this juncture a phenomenon was observed. This phenomenon is that among ASEAN nations there
are indeed some ASEAN countries who feel that the South China Sea is of common interest to
ASEAN as a whole. During the reporter's stay in Hanoi to cover the ADDM event and talked to some
ASEAN nations' senior defense officials, these senior defense officials frankly acknowledged that as a
matter of fact, they did share the common view that South China Sea was indeed a part of ASEAN.
In addition, these officials also shared the view that South China Sea would also fall into the
peripheral interest of countries near the ASEAN region. This is a very interesting finding because this
phenomenon has reflected that the 'new ASEAN Spratly Islands' consensus is implicitly possible to
form given more time. What is lacking is only an official declaration.
Basically, deep within us, we all agree that the dispute over marine sovereignty right in the South
China Sea can shake the security and stability of ASEAN countries. This is because the South China
Sea is located within the ASEAN sea waters. There is a political responsibility for all ASEAN nations
to jointly safeguard the harmonious beauty of this part of the sea. China should understand that
once the 'New ASEAN Spratly Islands' becomes an official consensus and exists as an
institutionalized consensus; this shared solidarity on South China Sea does not mean that ASEAN is
trying to challenge China.
Before leaving Hanoi, the writer of this report ponders upon this question: 'When a harmonious and
united ASEAN body tries to use a harmony voice to discuss with China ove r the marine territorial
dispute in South China Sea, what sort of threat can ASEAN pose to China? Why should China always
be so resistant not wanting to talk about this issue? Why cannot China adopt a broad mindset to
hear the harmonious voice of ASEAN?

 
   !"# #
   Ê  
a
 Malaysia's

geographical location, along with its promising economic climate, political stability , freedom from
any threat and riot, and attractive tourist destinations have drawn many foreigners' interest to visit
this country for various purposes.
Unfortunately, all these uniqueness have also attracted foreigners here to seek an easy life; worse

c
c
c
yet, foreign criminals have fled themselves to this country to escape from the pursue of the
authorities of their own countries.
  $% a  
Although these foreign criminals only make Malaysia as a hiding place and do not intend to set up
their operation headquarters here to plot their illegal activities; even though cases like this are
considered isolated cases, it should not be overlooked in the effort of preserving harmony,
prosperity, security and public order in this country for the futur e.
It was right for the Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to make the revelation that
Malaysia has now become a popular hiding location for foreign criminals. That was an early move to
prevent the issue from becoming more thorny and serious.
In December 2009, the police successfully captured three men of Thai nationality, believed to be the
members of the separatist groups in southern Thailand, and found a number of homemade bombs in
an old house in Kampung Gebeng, Pasir Mas, Kelantan. The inc ident was one of the early alerts to
the Malaysian authorities in relation to the threat of foreign criminals hiding in Malaysia.
  a
  & 
We have also heard some unpleasant stories about the other countries' perception of Malaysia, such
as the US Report on Human Trafficking 2009, which named Malaysia as one of the 17 countries with
bad records of human trafficking activities, besides being a transit for drug trafficking syndicates.
We do not want to be persistently labeled as a hiding place for foreign criminals. It is not impossible
for foreign criminals to flee into this country as they can slip through our many main entrances by
sea, land and air.
Malaysia is surrounded by sea with the waters covering an area of 614 sq km, with a coastline of
4,492 km under maritime zone. This attribute also gives those foreign criminals a chance to easily
flee into Malaysia if an organized monitor and control system is not in place.
This view was echoed by Dr Ravichandran Moorthy, senior lecturer of Strategic Studies and
International Relations Program, School of History, Politics and Strategy, Faculty of Social Sciences
and Humanity, National University of Malaysia (UKM). He said, Malaysia has to take an initiative to
boost up the confidence of the international community in the country's capability to eradicate
regional violence, including the issue of becoming a hiding place for foreign criminals.
He said, the image of Malaysia had deteriorated in the eyes of the world when it was implicated as a
transit of human trafficking and drug trafficking to other countries. Worse yet, Malaysia was further
burdened with the need to handle the issues of illegal migrants, and abuse of visa by tourists and
foreign students involving in illegal activities and cri mes.
No doubt, at present, the issue of foreign criminals hiding in this country is still under control, but
we must not adopt a half-hearted attitude. On the contrary, due attention must be paid to ensure
the people's safety and public order in the future.
The enforcers -- the Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Marine Fisheries Department, the Customs
Department, the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysian Police -- should step up their
concerted efforts to guard the entrances of the country from being penetrated by certain quarters.
  


c
c
c
The existing deterrence operations to detect foreign criminals and outlaw elements can be done
more effectively by collecting detailed information to facilitate the work.
At the same time, Dr. Ravichandran said, the Coast Guard of Coastal Countries participated by
countries in this region was an advantage to benefit the work of identifying and gathering
information about foreigners entering and leaving this country.
Information can be shared among countries to facilitate the work of identifying criminals wanted in a
certain country. He believed foreigners, criminals especially, were always looking for opportunities to
enter into Malaysia in whatever possible way.
Maybe it is rather difficult to distinguish whether they are wanted criminals or not as they are crafty
in confusing the enforcers, for example, by using fabricated documents or visa.
Moreover, some foreign citizens from several countries such as Indonesia, India and Middle East,
have similar look with Malaysians. Therefore, when they mingle with local people, chances are, there
may not be any suspicion. Before this, some members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) entered
into Malaysia to seek refuge to escape from separatist group in Indonesia.
Basically, Malaysia can play a role in providing asylum to foreign citizens seeking refuge and
sympathy, as long as it does not jeopardize fundamental human rights or have any relation with
crimes.
    


To strengthen our national security to prevent penetration of certain quarters, Malaysia and
countries in this region need to step up their cooperation to identify foreign criminals who make this
country their hideout.
At present, countries concerned have had strategic cooperation and sharing in guarding the country
borders from pirate activities in Malacca Straits, South China Sea and the waters of Sabah and
Sarawak.
What we can be certain is, there is also a need to enhance Malaysia's capacity in preserving security
and public order in the country by preparing sophisticated and high -technology assets such as multi-
role aircraft and submarine to equip ourselves to handle any form of threat.

      ' 
  ( ÊChinese Ambassador to
Malaysia Liu Jian said that although some sectors were concerned that the ASEAN-China Free Trade
Area Agreement would constitute an impact to their businesses, nevertheless, as a responsible big
country, China has been using its own means to help the world economy out of recession and to
walk toward economic recovery.
% 

) * 
Ambassador Liu Jian pointed out that based on statistics, from 2003 to 2009 at the 'early harvest'
stage of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), the average annual growth rate of two-way trade
between China and ASEAN was 18.2 per cent. The volume of trade between Malaysia and China has
been rising.
'In particular, Malaysia's exports to China have been strong. For two consecutive years, Malaysia has
continued to become China's largest trading partner within the ASEAN region. In 2009, China has

c
c
c
also become Malaysia's biggest trading partner. Such statistics speak louder than words.'
Ambassador Liu Jian said this in his address delivered at a forum titled 'A Strong China --
Implications and Challenges', which was organized by the Associated Chinese Chambers of
Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM). It was held on 27 April in Kuala Lumpur.
Among the participants who attended this Forum were the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia
(DPMM) President Syed Ali Alatas and DPMM Secretary General Datuk Syed Hussein, ACCCIM
Secretary General Datuk David Chua, and Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk
Mukhriz Mahathir. Earlier, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also given a speech
at this Forum.
Ambassador Liu Jian said that as China and ASEAN gradually moved toward the process in the full
implementation of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, what the Free Trade Area brought would not cause
negative to ASEAN and China would create more trade opportunities to the region.
D (D  $ 

'Of course, we should be aware that in the process of building up the ASEAN -China Free Trade Area,
all parties are required to make certain adjustments. These changes and adjustments are conducive
to enhancing national competitiveness to order to achieve bigger and better development.' He said
that China and ASEAN are both friendly neighbors and strategic partners. Through years of mutual
understanding and years of mutual support, China and ASEAN had overcome major challenges one
after another, and obtained glorious and fruitful achievements together one after another.
China envoy to Malaysia Liu Jian added that in today's post global financial crisis era, as an
important new economic power, China and ASEAN should follow the emerging flow of trade and
catch hold of the opportunities through the full implementation of ASEAN -China Free Trade Area as
both parties continue to expand and deepen economic and trade cooperation together. 'We should
promote each other's economy towards a larger scale, a higher quality, a more sustainable direction.
We should enhance the position of this regional economy in the world economy and make greater
contribution for the growth in global economic recovery and toward greater economic prosperity and
stability.'
Ambassador Liu Jian also said that China would firmly stick to the policy 'to spread goodwill wit h its
neighbors and to take neighbors as partners and companions'. He said China would insist on
adhering to the principle of reaping mutual benefit together and to develop mutual ground together.
He said that China would continue to deepen the strategic p artnership between ASEAN and to push
the East Asian cooperation framework to a higher step.
  $  
On the other, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, who presented his address earlier at the
Forum opined that China would become the world strongest country. He said this was a trend that
no one or no country could avoid. As such, he said countries should not treat China as enemy but
instead treat China as their cooperation partner. He said that with the continual economic growth in
China, China would certainly become a world power in the future and that China's achievement
could supersede the United States. He said:
'This is not something that cannot happen. As such world major powers, including the United States,

c
c
c
must accept such a fact. At the same time, they should also show their concern in this development.
This is because nobody can prevent China from becoming the world strongest nation.'
Mahathir also opined that with the gradual emergence of China, other countries should only take
China as friend and not as enemy. He said: 'If you consider China as your enemy, then China will
become your enemy.'
'Although China has many opportunities and although China has the capability to invade other
countries, but China did not do so. As s uch we should not worry about this issue. Instead we should
strengthen our trade ties with China.' In addition, Mahathir also remarked that with the exception of
extravagant and luxurious items, no other country could compete with China in their production low
cost items.
On Sino-US relationship, Mahathir said both countries should co -exist peacefully. Otherwise, once
these two countries that process nuclear weapons stage war with each other, the whole world could
be destroyed by them.

' +  $) %    The United Progressive Alliance (UPA)

Government, led by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, celebrated first anniversary of its second
term on 24 May. Looking back on its first anniversary, UPA second term can draw some satisfaction
from the fact that it has survived in a turbulent political environment and has added a few feathers
to its cap.
Clearly, a major trump card for it has been the image of Dr Singh. The Opposition indeed has no one
who is even remotely a match for Dr Singh's reputation for integrity and efficiency.
This is not to say that expectations have not been belied and everything is hunky dory for the UPA
government. During UPA first term, the intelligentsia in particular painted the Left as the ultimate
villain that stood in the way of economic reforms. Now, with the Left out of the way, there are
nagging questions being asked as to why the stagnation in reforms continues.
The UPA government's achilles heel is, however, food inflation which is running uncomfortably high
and is eroding the government's support base.
%* $  
It is, in fact, occasioning a frenzied review of its performance. The following is a brief look at its
report card of some major areas of common people's concern.
   
 , Inflation known as price hike, is one monster which the Manmohan Singh
government is unable to tame. And this is despite the fact it is being grappled with by men ha ving
proven track records in farming, finance and economics and Congress President Sonia Gandhi whose
commitment to the 'Aam Admi' is the pride of the ruling UPA second term.
Be it arhar dal, sugar, potatoes, onions, and to a lesser extent rice and wheat, the prices are
spiralling out of control. In 2008, it was estimated that India loses Rs 58,000 crore worth of
agricultural food items due to lack of post-harvesting infrastructure such as cold chains,
transportation, and storage facilities. If the Government had ensured proper storage facility, food
inventory would have been plentiful, leading to prices remaining under control.
Singh is a renowned economist, who has headed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and held top level

c
c
c
posts at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and above all is hailed as the father of
India¶s globalization and liberalization that pulled the country out of an impending financial collapse
in 1991.
For Agriculture and Food Supplies Minister Sharad Pawar, farming and farmer s are close to his heart,
while his portfolio has thrust on him the onerous task of making farm produce available to the
people easily and at affordable prices and at the same time ensuring remunerative returns to
cultivators.
Above all, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is known for his politico-economic skills and, while
holding the same portfolio decades ago, was credited with choosing Manmohan Singh to head the
RBI.
Then what is holding them back from reining in the galloping prices of essential commodi ties? While
the overall inflation is ruling around 10 per cent, the rise in the prices of food articles is much
higher, adding to the woes of the poor and much to the embarrassment of the government.
The commitment to maintaining the economic growth rate (GDP) around the double digit figure had
taken away the government¶s liberty to curtail money supply as high growth means more disposable
income in the hands of the people.
   , With the Indian economy's growth rate at an impressive 8-9 per cent and the
economic slowdown hitting the economy much less severely than in most countries, there is
something to gloat about. Industrial production and exports are both on the upswing, the latter after
a long period of deceleration. With the worldwide slow down, the job market had been severely hit
but there are clear signs that it is picking up.
As we move on however, much more needs to be done to shake off the inertia that has plagued
economic reforms for the last several years.
With a normal monsoon forecast, a booming economy growing at 8.5 per cent and foreign capital
flowing in despite the economy opening up any further and an unexpected Rs 68,000 crore windfall
from the G3 spectrum auction, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sits pretty.
Few finance ministers in the world are that comfortable with their job these days. Most are rattled
by the European debt crisis as the economic recovery lands in the danger zone. Pranab is not doing
much except talking, giving interviews lauding his own government¶s fi scal prudence. There are no
demands on him to push economic reforms.



, Nothing could be worse than the fact that growth in the agriculture and allied sector
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) vis-à-vis total GDP has been continuously declining.
The Food Security-Act is also unlikely to be implemented for another year. The legislation is now lost
because of political considerations, differences over poverty numbers and logistical hurdles. But
what kept the NCP boss and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and his Ministry in the dock was the
government¶s inability to control spiralling prices of essential commodities.
Pawar blamed bad monsoon, states¶ and international conditions. The late decision to import sugar,
Pawar attributes to 'noble intentions' of protecting the interests of farmers besides consumers.
The contention for his statement also comes in the form of continuing farmers¶ suicide with most
prosperous agrarian state Punjab registering more than 50 farmers¶ suicide in 2009.

c
c
c
It can be said without doubt that in the first year of the UPA's second term the agriculture and allied
sector GDP has shown a negative growth.

  , With the setbacks of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, Home Minister P.
Chidambaram, in the past one year, has come under fire from his own party colleagues and the
opposition. However, it would be unfair to judge his work in the light of Naxal violence alone.
The Minister also announced the setting up of a national counter terrorism centre and this will be in
place by the year end.
Among the path breaking projects is the Rs 2,000 crore crime and criminal tracking network and
systems (CCTNS), a national databank of crime and criminals with their biometric profiles. In
addition to the enforcing agencies, the courts, jails, immigration and passport authorities will have
access to it. The second project is the Natgrid. Eleven designated intelligence agencies will have
online inter-connected access to details of phone calls, credit card transactions, visa and
immigration records, property records and driving licences of all citizens in the country.
  

 , Indian foreign policy has been undergoing subtle transmutation since
1991, with the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Narasimha Rao began the
repositioning of India; the National Democratic Alliance government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee
consolidated it. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh¶s task was complicated as UPA's first term was
dependent on the Communist Party of India-Marxist, for whom United States was anathema. During
UPA's first term it was the Indo-US nuclear deal and now Pakistan. And after repeatedly telling
Islamabad that it could not be business as usual between the two countries until the Mumbai
attackers faced the law, New Delhi agreed to revive bilateral talks at the Thimphu meeting between
the two Prime Ministers in April 2010.
The United States today desperately need Pakistan more than India, given the troubles they are
facing in Afghanistan, where the security situation is deteriorating at a frightening pace. India, the
largest donor to Afghanistan, has almost been reduced to a mere spectator as Hamid Karzai
vigorously pursues a Pakistani-propagated proposal to reintegrate the Taliban into the mainstream
of the Afghan society, with the blessings of the US and its Western allies.
There has been success with Bangladesh; stalemate in Nepal; and new policy dilemmas over post-
Prabhakaran Sri Lanka (as elections loom in Tamil Nadu). With China, trade expanded, rhetoric
fluctuated and distrust was concealed. The public perception, however, of the success or failure of
Indian diplomacy hinges on the two dominant themes.
The former Soviet Union played the role of a balancing factor in world affairs. It was Russia¶s eclipse
in the 1990s which made New Delhi turn to the US for strategic support. Perhaps it¶s time for the
Indian establishment to reinvent the time-tested Indo-Russia friendship and not put all its eggs in
the American basket.

   
 , When Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal
promised to draft nine education reform legislations in the first 100 days of assuming office, he was
mocked for being in tearing hurry. In June 2009, Sibal unveiled his 100 -day agenda, promising to
de-traumatise and de-regulate education. The radical measures Sibal proposed ran the risk of falling
by the wayside, given the system¶s inherent ability to resist change.

c
c
c
While one of the major achievements is the Foreign Education Providers¶ Bill 2010, which saw the
Left¶s opposition at the time of introduction, the others sailed through with ease. These include the
law to accredit higher educational institutes through the National Accreditation Authority Bill 2010; a
law to establish national and state educational tribunals to adjudicate disputes related to the sector
and a law to prohibit malpractices in education by penalising charging capitation fee, made a
cognizable offence for the first time in history. Sibal he has delivered on his promise to de -stress the
school system by making Class X boards optional and replacing marks with grades at school.
Also in force is the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Elementary Education Act, which rolled
across India from 1 April. However, the action is awaited on the law on innovation universities and
dematting of educational degrees on the lines of share certificates.

 , Undoubtedly, it is difficult to say which of Defense Minister AK Antony¶s pursuits will

secure India¶s long-term strategic interests. Will it be his quest of seeing the 'made in India' tag to
high value defense equipment or his near fanatic trait of enforcing honesty and probity?
The languid pace of reforms and delay in the induction of key equipment has its fair share of
detractors. Antony, has however, set some sort of a pace. The intention is to reduce the import bill
for procuring defense equipment. About 70 per cent of the nearly Rs 50,000 crore of the annual
procurement budget is spent on imports. Thus, the stress on indigenously equipment, inc luding the
nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant, a stealth warship and the Arjun tank.
a
, More than anything else, Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad¶s first year in office will be
remembered for his move to wind up the scam-hit Medical Council of India. Azad dissolved the MCI
within a month of the CBI arresting MCI chief Ketan Desai on corruption charges.
How the government goes about regulating medical education will determine how it is perceived in
the future.
In June 2009, the Health Ministry received the report of the taskforce to create an overarching
regulator for human resources in health. It was called the National Council on Human Resources in
Health and was meant to subsume the existing regulators ²MCI, Dental and Pharmacy Council of
India.
Ironically, Azad and Desai worked closely together when the government allowed private companies
to open new medical colleges. They also relaxed norms for creation of more postgraduate doctors.
Teaching experience requirements for professors and associate professors were relaxed by one year
to 'increase the availability of faculty.'
To encourage doctors for rural stints, Azad announced several incentives including 50 per cent
reservation in PG diploma courses for those who serve three years or more in villages. The Minister
gave the MCI permission to start a controversial three and a half year Bachelor in Rural Medicine
Course. Despite stiff opposition from the Indian Medical Association, which said the course would
legalise quackery, Ketan Desai and Azad sealed the deal.
National Rural Health Mission has managed to achieve some heartening goals ² Maternal Mortality
Rate fell to 254 per 1000 as against 301 in 2003.
Fertility rate remains a challenge at 2.7; the goal is 2.1 by 2012, with Himachal, Delhi, Punj ab,

c
c
c
Andhra, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal reaching the target.
Another major development of the past year has been the revival of vaccine PSUs, which former
Health Minister had closed down. Crackdown on spurious drug makers is also on eve n as India this
year produced its first indigenous influenza vaccine following the H1N1 outbreak.
Environment: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh announced the setting up of the National
Institute of Himalayan Glaciology at Dehradun (Uttarakhand). Another step was the Indian Network
on Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), a network of scientists to publish peer-reviewed findings
on climate change in India.
The ministry can also be credited for setting up of specialised 'green benches'. The Parliament
recently approved the long-pending National Green Tribunal (NGT) Bill to quickly dispose
environmental protection cases. Recently, the Ministry and the Survey of India also launched an
initiative to map the hazard line along India¶s coast.
 
* , Indian Railway has been as usual a success for the UPA government. It achieved higher
growth targets and implemented policies, which would attract train travel. It also suffered a few
accidents that showed lack of emphasis on safety.
The earnings of Indian Railway hav e been on the rise. Progress has also been made in the
implementation of various projects.
 
To conclude it can be said that, the undercurrents are positive but there are lessons to be learned
from UPA's experience in the six years that it has been in office in two innings. The major challenges
of inflation, of internal and external security, of raising the levels of manpower productivity and of
speedier justice need to be addressed more strongly and effectively. The coming next four years will
be more tough testing time for the UPA government's second innings.

  "-"# #

. Ê 
  
    
 Ê  

Not abandoning the fishing ground regardless of the unilateral and illogical fishing ban of China
(from 16 May to 16 August 2010) on the Hoang Sa sea waters belonging to Vietnam, fishermen
from the central region bravely stand side by side together to hold on to the sea for their living and
determined to keep the Vietnamese traditional fishing ground.
"What direction are you heading? Stay close to Danang then steers out: "Never before are fishermen
updating information on radio frequencies regularly as they are, now. And in the context that China
unilaterally and absurdly decides to close the sea, until now, the majority of fishermen from Quang
Ngai Province still head to Hoang Sa direction.
According to the statistics of the Quang Ngai Border guards Command, to until today, there are 50
vessels with nearly 500 fishermen operating at the sea waters of Hoang Sa and 113 other vessels
with 2,204 fishermen fishing in Truong Sa (Spratly) sea.
One of the localities that have the highest number of fishermen going to Hoang Sa is the Binh Chau
Village (Binh Son District) with 24 vessels and 235 fishermen. The locality possesses two community
radio stations at Chau Thuan and Dinh Tan communes. Information from Hoang Sa are updated
c
c
c
every minute to the inland.
According to fishermen, to protect each other, they have to carry out watch while operating. This is
the reason why all vessels operating in Hoang Sa waters are closely linked via radio to share
information. When a black dot appears on the sea, immediately all Icom sets on the vessels would
air the warning so the vessels can take appropriate actions.

Quang Ngai Province has 13 community watch outposts at coastal places plus the one of the Border
guards. These watch outposts continuously monitor the operations of fishermen on the sea. At
present, fishermen from Binh Son and Ly Son Districts often go in groups of three or four vessels
together to support each other in their operations as well as in case of need, should they be
captured by the Chinese.
Ê )
 
 
It is still early dawn but the Tho Quang wharf (Son Tra -- Danang) is already busy with vessels
unloading their catches. After a few days of rest, they will be refueled for the next seagoing trip.
"We will hold to the sea" declares Tran Bay (from Duc Pho District, Quang Ngai), captain of the QNg
48759 TS vessel.
Almost 50-year-old, Bay already has 30 years of seafaring, mostly to the fishing ground at Hoang
Sa. The hardships of a fisherman's life, from weather calamities to enraging storms, have not been
able to break down the weathered man, but he cannot accept the fact that China has unreasonably
put a ban of fishing in areas belonging to Vietnam's territorial waters and sovereignty and causes
difficulties for thousands o f fishing people in the central region.
Bay said: "Since the day the Chinese ban takes effect, we must move from 200 to 300 miles farther
from Hoang Sa archipelago to operate. The banned area starts from coordinate 12º north parallel to
113° east longitude covering an area from near Hainan Island to Nhatrang sea and this means they
block our way to the sea. Meanwhile, during this season, fish were coming to coral reef areas near
Hainan Island and Hoang Sa and if we could not fish here, the catches would be reduced
dramatically."
Not being able to reach his traditional fishing ground near Hoang Sa archipelago, Bay's vessel
returned to land incurring heavy losses. Having spent VND 60 million for two weeks at sea, he only
caught a few tons of fish and with the price going down drastically, he did not get any profit. Sharing
the same situation, Nguy Bon (Duc Pho, Quang Ngai), captain of vessel QNg 98948 TS pointing to
the small catch and said: "Before, we can freely fish at area near the Hoang Sa archipelago about
10-20 miles without any problem. But since the last five years, our fishing ground has receded
gradually. We fishermen now are passing the word that everywhere we go near Hoang Sa we would
find Chinese navy which makes our work more and more difficult". Talking about his recent trip, he
said that he has spent more than VND 60 million in expenses for 16 days at sea while his catch of
mackerel only brought back more or less VND 20 million. The ship mates have to put up their own
money to cover the balance.
The estimates of the management of the Tho Quang fish port and dock show that the numbers of
vessels leaving port and the catch volume have diminished drastically in the last few days. On

c
c
c
average, each day, only approximately 10 vessels leave the port for the sea and the volume of fish
catch is more or less 100 tons. It was partly due to the fact that it is not the main catching season
yet and partly because the Chinese fishing ban in the East Sea has affected Vietnamese fishing
vessels.

In Danang City alone, many owners of fishing equipment have sold out their vessels as scrap to "go
out of the business." Nguyen Van Ly, owner of a ship building and repairing facility in Nai Hien Dong
ward, Son Tra, Danang City informed that his workshop has received five v essels that the fishermen
have dismantled and sold as scrap. "These days, many others have offered their boats for sale, but I
cannot accept as my place is too small to accommodate. The prices are so cheap but the fishermen
still want to sell as they have encountered so much pressure on each sea going trip."

   Ê    

While hurrying to bring his vessel to Sa Ky port for overhaul as he prepares for a new sea going trip
after a long detainment by the Chinese at Phu Lam Island, Mai Phung Luu, owner of the QNg 66478
vessel (Ly Son, Quang Ngai) still grudges over the new of China's fishing ban. After his calculation,
he would be going out to the sea in two weeks.

Luu said: "We fishermen are familiar with this type of ban. They can ban the sea groundlessly but
they cannot ban the determination of fishermen folk. At Ly Son, if we do not go out to Hoang Sa
what can we have for living when fishing near the coast only gives small catches. But more
important is the fact that it is our (Vietnam's) sea, if we give up the sea now for fear of the ban,
then it might be that our future descendents would not have any sea to earn a living."

In other fishing ban periods, Luu was captured twice, each time with a different boat. "The first time
was on April 2005 when they seized my vessel QNg6426 with nine workers onboard and fined me
RMB 70,000. The second time was on July 2005 with my new vessel QNg 6437 and 11 persons.
They held people and increased the fine up to RMB 100,000. And with the re cent events, to be frank
with you, I almost went bankrupt. But I have to borrow money to keep on going out to the sea. If I
stay home, I would have spent all my life and not able to pay back the debts" Luu confided.

Luu said: "When we talked to the fishermen with their vessels mooring at the Tho Quang dock site,
they all told us that though the fishing activities are encountering a lot of difficulties from restricted
fishing ground and reduced catches that sometimes are not enough to cover the expenses, th ey are
determined to continue to go out fishing and defend the territorial waters. Bon, a fisherman said:
"Whatever the difficulties may be, we will sail out to the sea soon as this is the undisputed
traditional territorial waters of Vietnam."

Although still haunted by the last year illogical repression by Chinese navy vessel at the Hoang Sa

c
c
c
waters of Vietnamese sovereignty, but Pham Le (from Duc Pho, Quang Ngai) captain of the QNg
94734TS and his shipmates still choose Hoang Sa as their next destination.

"In May 2009, we were operating at coordinates17°30 North and 110° East, about 300 miles from
Hoang Sa, when the Chinese vessels started to attack us, confiscate all the fish, destroy the
equipment and harass the shipmates causing us a heavy loss that time. The fishing ban on the East
Sea this time is aimed at creating difficulties for our fishermen but we are determined to go out to
the sea as an act to assert our sovereignty" said fisherman Pham Le from Quang Ngai.

   ###$  
$     
/


The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has recently forward to the National
Assembly the "Comprehensive report of proposals and petitions from the constituents and people of
the country". Before the 7th session of th e Danang City (12th tenure), the Board of Chairmen of the
Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Standing Committee of the National
Assembly have compiled 1,157 opinions and petitions of constituents and people sent to the National
Assembly.

Particularly, people and constituents are very concerned about the fact that seizures by foreign
vessels of our fishing vessels operating in Hoang Sa waters belonging to our national sovereignty
are on the rise and affect the living and production of our fishermen. The constituents and people
petition to the National Assembly and the government to implement effective measures to protect
and support fishermen operating at sea to help settle their living conditions, develop the economy
and contribute to the safeguarding of national sovereignty over territorial waters and islands of our
fatherland.
 
  """# #

0 &  % 
  ) %      
 0%

Sri Lanka has urged European governments not to extend any moral or political support for any
efforts by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Diaspora to establish a transitional
government of Eelam in exile.
Ravinath Aryasinghe, Sri Lanka's envoy in Brussels for Belgium, Luxembourg and the European
Union has said that the LTTE, in collaboration with certain groups in western countries, are
proceeding with plans to establish a provisional Tamil Eelam state in exile. This is another strategy
to resuscitate the terrorist struggle.

   

These groups have mushroomed through bogus elections and are comprised of a large number of
LTTE members and activists. These groups have been formed with the support of sever al Tamils who
had illegally entered western nations. They should have been repatriated to Sri Lanka by now since
normalcy has returned to the country, he said.

c
c
c
Aryasinghe added that these elements are involved in a move to establish a rogue Tamil state in
exile as an exercise aimed at stoking anew the interest of the Tamil Diaspora and thereby create an
atmosphere that will also enable them to extend their stay in those countries. Aryasinghe was
addressing the "2010 Diplomatic Security Conference on the Ter rorism Situation and Trends in the
EU" held in the Colonial Palace in Brussels on 11 May. The conference was attended by diplomats,
academics, members of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice society.
D   0
"The Sri Lankan story relating to the war waged against terrorism has in it two dominant facts which
are of relevance to this conference. First, the victory achieved in the war against the LTTE is a well
known fact. Second is the fact that the LTTE is not only a terrorist organizat ion but is also an outfit
that maintains an efficient worldwide network.
This organization is multifaceted and they have assets worldwide. They also maintain links with
leading organizations. Although the organization has lost its leaders and their core ac tivists have
been destroyed, we should not forget the fact that they have adequate wealth, expertise and links.
You must not forget that all of these positives which they have are all in your countries", Aryasinghe
said.
He said: "There are even some schools which encourage terrorism and sacrifice. Some students
from such a school were charged with an attack on the Sri Lankan embassy in Norway."

 D D



 Ê D 

Hillary Clinton is the secretary of state of the United States. During the last US elections, she tried
her best to be nominated presidential candidate from the platform of Democratic Party; however,
she did not succeed. Incumbent President Obama was declared to be the most suitable candidate for
the election of the president and he also won the election. The lobbies that wanted to see Hillary
elected as president adopted another way in order to avoid disappearing from US political scene.
They devised several plans and finally Hillary was nominated for the position of secretary of state.
These lobbies succeeded here and Hillary was appointed secretary of state.
Hillary Clinton is wife of former President Bill Clinton. Bill Clint on was a Democrat president. Even
during that time, Hillary was politically very active. Her husband had his own view about the global
issues. He did his level best to change the political landscape of South Asia; however, he did not
succeed. Practically, he was influenced by the Indian lobby. Hillary's mindset forces her to bend
toward India. She appears to be very close to the think tanks who look upon the joint and individual
influence of China and Pakistan as a major obstacle in the way of long -term US policy and consider
India to be the most important power of this region or want to give India that status, which is
nothing but a figment of their imagination.

/  
(1  0 
Very recently, Hillary Clinton gave a very harsh statement against Pakistan. In this statement, she
said some of the people in Pakistani Government know about the whereabouts of leadership of
Afghan Taliban and Al -Qa'ida. She threatened that if Pakistan continued to be negligent toward this
matter, the United States, itself, will strike in Pakistani areas. This statement of hers induced a
c
c
c
strong reaction in Pakistan. The Senate, too, approved a resolution against it.
The United States is the only superpower at this time. There is no second power in the world that
could defy any of the steps it takes on international level. Therefore, the US political attitudes have
changed. Ever since the era of former President Ronald Reagan, the US administrations started to
change their attitude in global politics and the principle of waging war for the sake of preventing war
was introduced. It became the foundation of Reagan Doctrine later. The strategy of war proved
successful against Russian expansion. Pakistan, during the era of President Ziaul Haq, played a key
role in the success of this strategy. Russia suffered defeat in Afghanistan. Not only was Russia
defeated but the Russian communist empire was also shattered to pieces. Former President Bush
and the presidents elected after him continued the policy of might is right.
D *
 Ê Ê    
The American nation is sick of the aftermath of this strategy of war. They elected Obama as their
new president. Obama had raised the slogan of change. However, the change for which the
American people had elected Obama president never came about. President Obama, who had
promised to withdraw forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, did not fulfill his promise. On the contrary,
despite the public pressure, he decided to commit fresh troops to Afghanistan. He had taken this
decision under the pressure of Pentagon, Department of State and Zionist lobbies. However, it did
not bear any positive fruit. The major operation which was launched in Helmand, after the arriv al of
these troops, failed.
When President Obama became president, the same lobbies that had clutched George Bush, Bill
Clinton and George W Bush, closed in on him. The United States had accused Iraq of possessing
destructive weapons and developing weapons of mass destruction and said that these weapons were
a threat to the neighboring countries, which are friends of the United States. It did not remain a
secret any longer that this accusation was false and baseless. Intoxicated by power, the United
States ripped through Iraq and proved that might is all right. In Europe, the United States destroyed
Czechoslovakia because it was the only communist government left. It wanted to do the same to
Afghanistan. However, here they failed.
In Afghanistan, the United States went even further than the principle of waging war for the sake of
preventing war. In this case, the United States went on a war as a precautionary measure. The
American and Israeli Jews call it right to preventive war. They used the same technique in
Afghanistan. They thought that if the Taliban, who claim to have formed an Islamic government,
succeeded here, the entire American and European civilization would be jeopardized.
   &
The Sikhs are very lighthearted and they enjoy jokes. They like to tell and listen to the jokes about
themselves. They do not mind it the slightest bit. One of their jokes is very famous. There were
several villages of Sikhs spread around at small distances at a place. The Sikhs of one village
thought that they should cultivate sugar cane, as it earns a lot of profit. A wise Sikh said: although,
it is something very profitable but if the people of the neighboring village chewed all sugar cane, we
will suffer huge loss. Then, with mutual consultation, they decided to teach the neighbors a lesson.
Therefore, they raised the slogan of Sat Sri Akal (victory belongs to them who recite the name of

c
c
c
God with true heart) and invaded the neighboring village and annihilated everything. The villagers
asked the invaders: brothers, what was our fault that you inflicted this misery upon us? The
invaders brandished their clubs and said: "Chew more sugar canes!"
The United States have been doing since 1981 what the Sikhs did here. The invasion of Afghanistan
had a similar reason; and now the United States is thinking the same about Iran. However, it cannot
do the same to Iran; nor can it drive Pakistan with this whip because the US and Pakistani military
leaderships are in harmony.
$ & (
In this statement, Hillary said: "The relations between Pakistan and the United States have
improved. Pakistan's efforts against terrorism are appreciable." It appears that Hillary issued this
comparatively soft statement under the pressure of US military leadership. Thus, the diff erences
between US military and civil leaderships have started to become visible.
Unless President Obama gets rid of his present advisors, he will not succeed in establishing peace
and the Afghan war will blast the United States and Europe from within.
Ê  " "# # *
       

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has developed a new draft of sanctions against Iran --
the fourth in number. Most of the points do not legally obligate the countries to take harsh steps
against the Islamic Republic. However, the present sanctions may prove to be the most effective.
This time, Russia and China are promising to follow most of the n onmandatory recommendations.
The UNSC members coordinated a draft resolution on introducing new sanctions against Iran. US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking before journalists at the conclusion of the negotiations,
particularly noted that Washington had managed to secure even the support or Russia and China.
Both of these countries have the right of veto in the UNSC, and up until now had called for
diplomatic methods of struggle against the Iranian nuclear program. The threat that they might
block tightening of sanctions against Iran forced the US to opt for significant concessions on its part.
#($ 
 

 
The 10-page draft resolution is the result of a compromise of the five permanent members of the UN
Security Council (Russia, the US, China, Great Britain and France). On 19 May, the document was
sent for familiarization to the other 10 interim members of the Security Council, which change by a
system of rotation. It is expected that the Security Council will finally approve this docu ment in
June.

The main concession that the US had to opt for to appease the moderate Russia and China consisted
of the fact that most of the points of the draft resolution are recommendatory, and not compulsory,
in nature.
Initially, Washington had insisted on 'blacklisting' major cargo shippers of Iran - the Iran Shipping
Lines and the IranAir Cargo airline company. Both companies, as the US suspects, play a leading
role in Iranian arms deliveries, including to the fighters of Hamas and Hezbollah, and in acquisition
of equipment for development of a nuclear program. The final version of the resolution merely

c
c
c
recommends that countries perform inspections of Iranian vessels, which may be transporting the
forbidden cargo.
Nevertheless, the draft calls for a ban on providing access to ports for Iranian ships if there are
justifiable suspicions that they are carrying arms on board. The proposed sanctions also prohibit Iran
from selling certain types of arms (beginning with fighter planes and ending with antimiss ile
systems) and technologies, which are associated with ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads.
The resolution recommends that the participant countries refrain from transfer of capital to Iran,
including to Iranian bank branches. Furthermore, the draft resolution introduces additional sanctions
in regard to insuring deliveries of Iranian raw materials, but, again, only on a voluntary basis.

    
Despite the relatively mild variant of the resolution, this time the US Administration did not express
dissatisfaction with the Russian and Chinese positions on this matter. Furthermore, Susan Rice, US
Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized that this document was the result of many
months of fruitful consultations with partners. Previ ously, the US diplomats had repeatedly signaled
that Russia and China were assuming a harsher position in regard to Teheran's nuclear ambitions,
and that this time they are ready to actually fulfill the instructions of the Security Council resolution.
©

©

, reported on 19 May that the US had conducted negotiations with Russia and
China up until the last moment. Russia had insisted on its right to supply conventional weapons to
Iran, while China was striving to get guarantees of retaining its energy investments in the Islamic
Republic.
As a result, Vitaliy Churkin, Russian Federation's Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
announced that the current draft resolution is written 'in entirely acceptable language.' His Chinese
counterpart, Li Baodong, in turn, called the text well balanced, and added: 'The significance of the
sanctions is to return the Iranian side to the negotiating table. Sanctions should not hit at the
ordinary people, and should not hinder trade.' Judging by the stateme nts of the Chinese diplomat,
the People's Republic of China is prepared to return Iran to dialogue.

   
%*

Speaking in an interview with GZT.RU, Near East Institute President Yevgeniy Satanovskiy stated
that, at the present moment, all of the prerequisites have been formed for Russia and China to
review their mild approach to the Iranian authorities.
'For Russia, unlike China, Iran is a direct competitor on the international arena. First and foremost,
this is manifested in the dispute on delineation of boundaries in the Caspian Sea. Iran is
uncompromisingly demanding a radical review of these territories, which is unacceptable for
Moscow,' the expert said. 'Furthermore, the uranium deal between Iran, Brazil and Turkey has
become an obvious 'slap in the face' of Moscow on the part of Tehran, and this forced the Russian
Federation to seriously ask: How long can it give the Islamic Republic a helping hand?'
This agreement, concluded by Tehran, Brazil and Ankara on 17 May, allows Iran to exchan ge its low-
enriched uranium for supplementally enriched fuel on Turkish territory. Citing diplomats who are
familiar with the text of this agreement, Satanovskiy called it a bad copy of the first uranium deal,
which Russia and France had proposed to the Islamic Republic at the end of last year. The

c
c
c
negotiations on that agreement were discontinued by Tehran for no apparent reason.
   $ 
The position of Brazil and Turkey in regard to Iran remains unclear. Both sides are non -permanent
members of the UN Security Council, and may hinder the ratification of the resolution in order to
avoid conflict with Iran. At the same time, the desire of these countries to play a more significant
role in the international arena may influence the ratification process. Similar uncertainty is also
noted in regard to China.
On one hand, Beijing has approved the tightened sanctions against Tehran, and on the oth er, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China previously highly appraised and welcomed the conclusion of the
agreement between Iran, Turkey and Brazil.

 ( 

 
The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) has drawn up a plan to establish MACC branches
in all states in Malaysia. The intention is to allow MCCC to achieve comprehensive development and
to maximize the potential of MCCC branches at state level to reap business advantage while serving
the interest of the Malaysian Government.
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce President Datuk Yang Tian Pei (Datuk Yong Ah Pwi) said that
with the increase of two branches, namely, Sabah and Terengganu MCCC b ranches that have
already received approval from the Registrar of Societies to begin operation, the total number of
MCCC branches in Malaysia has been increased from four to six. Datuk Yang said that he was happy
that MCCC has continued to grow along a pos itive path.

Ê / "##  

MCCC President Datuk Yang Tian Pei also disclosed that while the formation of another MCCC branch
in the state of Sarawak in East Malaysia is being worked out, at this moment, other states were also
getting ready to form their respective MCCC branches. He said such initiative should pave the way to
help the MCCC building branches in all the states in the country. He said that at this moment, the
four well-established the MACC branches were the ones in Malacca, Perak, Johor and Penang.
Datuk Yang Tian Pei has taken over the presidential leadership of MCCC since 2004. He will soon
complete his two terms or a total of six years as the President of the Malaysia-China Chamber of
Commerce. In conjunction with the 20th anniversary celebration of MCCC to be held on 22 May,
Datuk Yang Tian Pei has accepted an exclusive interview with Nanyang Siang Pau. In this interview,
Datuk Yang shared with us his days with the MCCC in the past 12 years and his expectation of MCCC
in the coming years.
Datuk Yang said that the present MCCC membership consists of 1,200 enterprises which include
many small and medium size enterprises coming from different ethnic groups in Malaysia. The MCCC
membership also includes many large corporations and multinational companies.
(  / 
In this interview with the Nanyang Siang Pau, Datuk Yang Tian Pei said that the MCCC membership
coming from the non-Chinese enterprises were on the rise. It was especially so at the newly
established MCCC branch in the state of Terengganu. To him it was a good and positive

c
c
c
development.
He said that with such a development, MCCC would also follow the trend to transform while
expanding its function. This was because in the days to come, MCCC might be required to handle
more and more bilingual and even trilingual business affairs as well as business operations. He
added that in the coming days, MCCC would also need a stronger and bigger Secretariat that could
provide multilingual services to the vast and varied MCCC membership.
According to Datuk Yang Tian Pei, there were already many younger members willing to join the
MCCC Board in recent years. He said it was the design of the MCCC leadership to gradually moving
toward bilingual operatio nal structure. He said it was a good phenomenon when all board members
could master Chinese and English bi -lingual skills in addition to mastering the Malay language as a
third language.
  (   

   
MCCC President Yang also said that his organization also assisted enterprises from other ethnic
groups besides ethnic Chinese based enterprises to explore the market in China. He said that to the
non-Chinese enterprisers and businessmen from Malaysia, doing business in China would not face
language barrier because nowadays, many Chinese businessmen in China could communicate in
English.
Datuk Yang Tian Pei said that in addition to helping the Malaysian enterprises from all ethnic groups
to do business in China, MCCC also made arrangement for Chinese enterprises to invest in Malaysia.
He said what MCCC could help was to make arrangement for the enterprises in China to make direct
contact with relevant authorities in the Malaysian Government so that they could enjoy the one stop
service provided by the MCCC
According to Yang, with the help of the MCCC, the Chinese enterprises were able to find the right
channel and government department to approach for assistance. In this regard, the Malaysian
Investment Promotion Board and other related government bodies had also become more energetic
in dealing with these enterprises coming from China. After these relevant government bodies
reduced the red tapes on business application procedure, the complaints coming from the
enterprises and businesses from China toward the relevant Malaysian Government bodies hardly
happened.
2
 343    
 '
 
  $    (
 
 
 
Datuk Yang recalled that before the 4 June 1989 Tiananmen incident that happened in Beijing,
Malaysia and China did not have any direct business dealing. He said that prior to 4 June 1989,
Malaysia's business dealing with China had to go through Hong Kong or Singapore. He said that,
although Malaysia had established diplomatic ties with China in1974, for a long period of time the
bilateral exchange between Malaysia and China remained at teething period with no breakthrough
until after the Tiananmen student revolt incident broke out on 4 June 1989. He said the pe riod after
4 June 1989 was the real turning point of Malaysia's trade advancement with China.
Datuk Yang recalled that soon after the Tiananmen incident that happened on 4 June 1989, Rafiidah
Aziz, then international trade and industry minister led a Malaysian trade mission to pay an official

c
c
c
visit to China. It could be said that the Malaysian trade mission to China was the first foreign
government trade mission the Beijing Government received after the Tiananmen incident. As such,
the Malaysian trade mission to China was given high -level of attention and high-level of hospitality.
Datuk Yang was with that trade delegation. He could still relate the details of the success of that
trade mission to China.
Yang disclosed that as a matter of fact between June and July of 1989, he had already led a trade
team to attend the trade fair held in Dalian in northern China. Two month later, Rafidah Azis then
led the official trade mission representing the Malaysian Government to make trade contacts with
Chinese business community.
He added that it was during that time that the Malaysia-China relationship became closer. It was
from that period onward that the trade volume between the two countries had gradually increased.
Such development has made Malaysia the largest ASEAN trading partner with China. The trade
foundation between Malaysia and China was solidly established since then.
Datuk Yang Tian Pei recalled that in June 1990, Chen Kai Xi, the Group Managing Director of Hai -o
(Seagull) corporation, led a group of Malaysian companies to explore business opportunities in
China. This group of the Malaysian businessmen initiated and established the Malaysia -China
Chamber of Commerce that has been in operation until today and for the past 20 years.
According to Datuk Yang, the original name of MCCC was known as the Malaysia-China Import and
Export Association. Later on, since the members of this Association also involved in business
investment activities, the Association was renamed the present Malaysia-China Chamber of
Commerce.
*56  5

  
$
 
   
Although the trade relationship between Malaysia and China is growing very well as days to by, the
bilateral trade between the two countries is not without concern to the Mala ysian businesses and
enterprises. The special concern about doing business with China at this moment is the "zero tariffs"
rule (as result of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Agreement) imposed on Malaysian businesses at the
beginning this year.
To Malaysian businesses doing business with China, this is a critical challenge. Many Malaysian
businesses are overwhelmed by such 'zero tariffs' pressure because goods imported or exported to
China are now subjected to this free trade agreement. In response, Datuk Yang Tian Pei said that in
Malaysia, there were just too many business opportunities available. He advised Malaysian business
community not take a pessimistic outlook at such new trade rule. He said that Malaysian businesses
must move with time and if necessary to carry out business transformation. Yang's philosophy was
that if we could not change the macro environment, we should change the micro environment and to
change ourselves to fit into the bigger environment.
He said that Malaysia was a country without major natural disaster and that basically all ethnic
groups could get along harmoniously. He said that with good living environment, low domestic
prices and rich natural resources, Malaysian businesses could in fact export large quality of goods to
China. He said that for example, in recent years, Malaysian businesses were able to export
chocolate, white coffee, bird's nest and other local products to the huge and massive market in

c
c
c
China. Such success cases of business venture to China should inspire the la ter comers in wanting to
do business with China.
He opined that at present time, the world prices for primary community such as rubber and palm oil
were pretty high. That was the main factor for China to buy in large quality of rubber and palm oil
from Malaysia.

 (  .


 

  
Datuk Yang Tian Pei said that during the past six years he served as the MCCC President, what
pleased him most was the care, help and support the MCCC members had given him and MCCC.
Moreover he said the MCCC Board members were able to work in solidarity with him for the good of
MCCC. He said that both MCCC members and Board of Directors were all keen to assist in MCCC
affairs. As such although his work as MCCC President was forever busy, he was very happy and felt
rewarded in serving MCCC as its president for two terms or a total of six years since 2004. Yang said
that he joined the MCCC Board in 1990.
On current Malaysia-China trade, Yang Tian Pei said that the development of trade and economic
ties between Malaysia and China were moving ahead very fast. The overall relationship between
Malaysia and China has also become more intimate than in the past. He said that as the business
interaction between the Malaysian and Chinese corporations had become e xtremely large lately, the
work load of MCCC had also become particularly heavy and huge.
Throughout this special interview with the Datuk Yang Tian Pei, although Yang has talked about his
involvement with the MCCC at ease, nevertheless, through his conversation, the Nanyang Siang Pau
reporter observed that due to his involvement with MCCC and his own business that requires him to
spend most of the time in China, the time he has left for his family is limited. He also did not have
very much time to accompany his family members to visit other countries.
In closing, Datuk Yang said that the bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and China had indeed
gone through substantial growth in recent years. He said that for example, in 2008 the total
Malaysia-China trade volume was $53.5 billion dollars (approximately170 billion ringgit [M$]). In
2009, because of global financial crisis, the total trade volume between the two countries was $ 51.9
billion (approximately M$ 164.9 billion). However during the first quarter of 2010, the total trade
volume between Malaysia and China has already reached $16.1 billion (approximately M$ 51.2
billion). It was much higher as compared with the same quarter in 2009. Yang said he expected the
annual trade volume between Malaysia and China to exceed $60 billion (approximately M$ 190.7
billion) in 2010.
Datuk Yang also predicted that the tourists coming from China in 2010 could exceed 1.2 million. He
also forecasted that within the next five years, tourists coming from China could reach the target of
2 million and that within the next 10 years Malaysia could expect to receive 5 million tourists coming
from China.
%
 
 

 
     Prof Sibghatullah Mujaddidi, chief of
Afghanistan's elders' Jirga (assembly of elders) has said that the killers of country's citizens will be
made accountable.
It is indeed a convincing discourse but it requires practical measures b ecause only issuing

c
c
c
statements and making protest will not help solve this issue. Because for the last several years
sometimes marriage ceremonies are bombed in different provinces and areas of Afghanistan and
sometimes shrines are bombed and sometimes foreign troops enter houses and get the Afghan
children bitten by dogs.
$ %'
 
After every such incident, forceful statements are issued, protests are made; members of parliament
stage walk outs (from the parliament), but so far no positive outcome has been achieved. Neither
bombing on civilians halted nor the life of common man was protected. Sometimes Afghan President
Hamid Karzai announces that foreign troops will not carry out operations at night. He issues a
decree but soon after its issuance sometimes civilians, threshing wheat crop in Ningarhar, die in
bombing and sometimes marriage ceremonies are bombed.
What is actually needed to protect the lives of common people? Practical measures are needed in
this regard. This can also be done that religious scholars, prominent elders along with the President
and authorities sit down with commanders of foreign troops. Public representatives should discuss in
detail with foreign troops and government and evolve a permanent solution. They should listen t o
people's complaints and in the light of these complaints a policy should be adopted to reach an
immediate and practical solution as this issue cannot be solved through a mere statement or by
making protest. This issue can neither be solved by making apologies nor by financial
compensations for the families of the deceased and injured.
$

 

 /
 
Being head of the state and being public representatives, the President and members of the
parliament respectively have the responsibility to protect the lives of the citizens and avoid the
situation from getting worse as the protection of lives of the citizens is their moral, political and
religious responsibility. Practical steps are needed to be taken to achieve this goal and to give their
citizens a feeling that there leaders are attentive to their problems.
Therefore, the authorities must hold serious talks with chiefs of foreign troops and make them
understand that mostly civilians are being killed in their operations. They (foreign troops) have also
clear proofs of this (civilian casualties). The foreign troops have to be convinced that if this series of
civilian casualties continues, its outcome will not be in the interest of present government and
foreigners.

  "#"# #   $
  

If East Asian countries recognize the existence of the United States in East Asia; or to use the
expression of realism, if East Asian countries do not have the ability to exclude the United States
from the East Asian region, East Asian countries would have to consider the issue of how they can
'digest' the United States. It is similar to the US engagement policy on China. Its main purpos e is to
'digest' the emergence of China.


  

During the Clinton presidency, the US Government introduced this concept known as the
'engagement' diplomatic strategy on China. During that period, China's power was not as strong as

c
c
c
it is today. China was still in what the West perceived as 'emerging' stage then. This 'engagement'
diplomatic strategy on China has played a significant role in the US diplomatic dealing with China
then. Before the United States came out with this 'engagement' strat egy, the United States also has
the choice to use strategies such as 'containment' and 'repressive' policy on China.
Nevertheless, even the United States came out with its 'engagement policy' on China, the choice of
the US strategies, including the use of 'containment' and 'repressive' policy on China have never
disappeared. In any case, we can say that in whatever strategies the United States uses on China, it
will still unfold circling around the 'engagement' theme. Yet, in the actual operation process, many
US policies toward China have reflected the characteristic of 'repressive engagement' nature.

  )
/
  

The US engagement policy on China can be rated as very successful. It meets the needs of
economic globalization and regional ization. It is also in line with China's own policy choices. Since
China began to open up and carried gradual economic reform, China has chosen to accept the
existing world system and adapt to the concept of peaceful emergence. The US engagement policy
on China and China's open-door policy meet each other's need. This has allowed China to quickly
enter the international community and become one of the important members.
From a more macro perspective, the inter-reaction of the US and China policies has effectively
prevented the type of Cold War that happened between the United States and the former Soviet
Union. During the Cold War period the reaction between the United States and the former Soviet
Union has turned the United States and the former Soviet Unio n into two confrontational
international groupings. But today, the relationship between China and the United States has in fact
reflected the reality that the two countries are indeed a de facto G2 group.
    


    
However, recent development in China-US relations has the tendency to reflect the reality that
China can no longer continue to be 'engaged,' but instead it has taken the initiative to 'engage' the
United States. While on one hand, the United States is still unprepar ed to take the initiative to,
based on the interest of China, make suitable adjustment especially in making appropriate policy
adjustment to China's core interest, China's solid strength has, on the other hand, already
developed into the stage of demanding the United States to make such adjustment to China's core
interest. For a long period of time in the future, the interaction between China and the United
States, as well as the development direction in China-US bilateral relationship is critical to the
international community.
Although the coexistence between the China and the United States is still under one framework,
which is what many referred to as the G2 group, but the structure of this G2 framework is not solid.
This is because the essence of international politics is such that it is easy for two countries to
confront but it is difficult for two countries to cooperate. Moreover, when two countries have
conflicting national interest areas, it will even be more difficult for these two countries to seek
mutual cooperation. However, in the event of any form of confrontation between China and the
United States, whether it is 'cold war' or 'hot war,' such development will not do any good to the two

c
c
c
countries as well as to the international community.
Ê  0    ( 

The initiative of China to engage the United States is to avoid confrontation. Factors leading to
China-US conflicts include objective interest factor as well as psychological factor. China's
engagement with the United States is a desire to establish mutual trust between the two countries.
China hopes to redefine both nations' interest on the basis of mutual trust.
However, whether it is in China or in the United States, for many years, the academia and political
circles have all been talking about the competitive strength between the United States and China, on
who among the two is on lead. They talk about the theory that 'China wants to overtake the United
States in power, but the United States will not want to be overtaken by China.' They also make it
sounds like 'if China does not overtake the United States in power, then China will be bullied by the
United States.' These are but the typical traditional international relations thinking. In theory when
two countries with compatible strength cannot get along with each other, they might seek it out with
war. But there are many cases for confronting nations to sort out their difference with peaceful
cooperation measure.
  


  
 /
 
The latest political crisis in Thailand in these few days has plunged into a worse state since its
eruption in April. The figure of casualties has reached 35 in the p ast four days of clashes and is
expected to increase if the military is given the green light to attack the fortress of the pro -former
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Red Shirts.
Abhisit Vejjajiva administration should give due attention and immediately resolve the bloodshed
conflict. If the conflict prolongs, there will be a huge potential or tendency towards a more severe
conflict.

 
/

 
 
In fact, some predict that a civil war may erupt in Thailand if the crisis is not resolved immediately.
We have seen traces toward that direction when the government spokeperson Panitan
Watanayagorn said the authorities would continue to attack the Red Shirts' fortress because the
military wanted to crush the 'armed terrorists' among the Red Shirts. Like the conflict took place
about 1,000 km away, which involved the Malays in the provinces of southern Thailand since 2004,
it is said that some 'third party' has taken advantage of the current turbulent situation in Bangkok
as well.
If this happens, Thailand is certainly on the verge of a civil war as predicted by security and
strategic experts lately. Therefore, Abhisit should utilize all the strengths and wisdom to immediately
restore the situation and bring Bangkok back to order and economic activiti es as it used to be. If
Abhisit fails to restore the situation, it will expose his administration to new opposition from the
business community who have been badly affected for almost two months already.
$

 /
    
Bangkok is the center of administration, tourism and trade, as well as the main entrance and exit for
Thailand to connect with the outside world. Thailand is also one of the main cities in Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The domestic confl ict may also undermine the performance and

c
c
c
image of the organization of Southeast Asian countries in the eyes of the international community.
ASEAN has a bigger goal to create a developed and prosperous community, and in turn become an
active economic player on the global stage.
All these will be influenced by political stability and economic strength of every member states.
Assuming a civil war erupts in Thailand, it will increase the burden to the current government which
has not managed to bring the conflict in the southern region of the country to an end yet. When this
happens, it is worried that foreign countries or superpowers which have their interest in this region
may have concrete reasons to interfere into the country. If this happens, Southeast Asia, a region
declared as independent and neutral, may eventually be forced to accept interference of foreign
powers which purportedly want to restore political stability and peace in this region.
   Ê  $ * 
The concern about 'third party' taking advantage of the situation in Bangkok is well -founded,
especially if the group is linked with the label of 'Islamic extremists' or Al -Qa'ida. This will instantly
beckon certain foreign power to 'help' eradicate the group and this will become the starti ng point
when Southeast Asia will no longer be a peace, independent and neutral region.
It will instead become a region that is forced to follow the command of foreign power forever.
D    3"# #
 
 a) *     
  .   
Recently, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has requested that State Bank needs to have
consistent measures of positive monetary policy solutions, ensure macroeconomic stability, control
inflation increase and boosting economic growth rates as Congressed had proposed.
 
     /

At the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung chaired a meeting with the
SBV on the implementation of directions given by the government and the prime minister, which
aimed to ensure macroeconomic stability, control inflation increase and achieve the economic
growth level of approximately 6.5 percent in 2010.
In attendance at the meeting, were the State Bank Governor Nguyen Van Giau, Finance Minister Vu
Van Ninh, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, leaders of the government office, the
Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Committee of National Finance Monitoring and other State -
owned commercial banks.
 ) *  )
$
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly praised the efforts of the entire banking sector, which have
positively contributed to the economic growth rate with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching
5.83 percent in the first quarter of 2010, fundamental macroeconomic stability is firm, social
security and people's lives have improved, and market rate premises are declining.
Emphasizing on future tasks, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested the banking sector to
continue to try harder, thoroughly and firmly manage in a timely manner, base on the foundation of
having a firm grasp of the reality to uniformly coordinate so that economic targets proposed by
Congress can be implemented.
 
  % 

c
c
c
The SBV was asked to have consistent measures of positive monetary policy solutions to execute
comprehensively, practically, uniformly and effectively, to ensure that credit growth rate at about 25
percent and liquidity growth at approximately 20 percent. In addition, the SBV was asked to
proactively apply necessary measures to improve efficiency, credit quality and financial capacity of
credit institutions.
The prime minister also asked SBV to actively and flexibly manage, be cautious in the use of
monetary policy tools following market principles, to ensure that they are consistent with
development objectives and realistic circumstances of the financial market, the currency and the
economy of our country.
Furthermore, the SBV was requested to pay attention in directing and guiding commercial banks to
process loans according to the interest rate mechanism in agreement with production projects and
efficient trading as outlined in the Resolution of Congress.
The SBV was asked to flexibly manage exchange rates and the foreign exchange market in relation
to interest rates of the Vietnam Dong and foreign currencies, the consumer price index, trade
balance and channel investments towards stability, contribute to encouraging exports and limit
imports over exports.
 /
  
In addition, the SBV was requested to strengthen the strict control of business activities of credit
institutions; strengthen inspection and supervision to assess actual operation of each credit
institution and the entire system of credit institutions, to gradually improve the competitiveness of
domestic commercial banks, to ensure stability and safety of the financial and banking system.
In adjacent to that, the SBV was asked to be more proactive and active in providing official
information, especially the financial sector, currency and price to guide public opinion, to contribute
to fulfilling the duty of propaganda about the guidelines, policies, direction and operation of the
government in the economic and social development. The prime minister had requested a monthly
report by the SBV to the government on implementing measures of monetary po licy.
Ê
     (
   
Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has announced that the US -
Afghanistan relations have been strengthened after his visit to the United States, adding that the
United States has pledged its long -term cooperation with Afghanistan, even after the end of the war
on terror.



  
&

Addressing a press conference on 18 May, the president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
briefed the media persons about the results of the strategic talks between Afghanistan and the
United States. He said that the main points of the agenda were the avoidance of civilian losses and
respecting the administrative and judicial sovereignty of Afghanistan in the night raids. He said that
the US President completely consented with the Afghan point of view. In particular, Karzai said, the
US President was completely aware of the concern of Afghanistan over the civilian losses.
The Afghan president added: "In the course of our talks, we put forward the points of view of the

c
c
c
Afghan people to the US Government, and a decision was made that the process of handing over the
prisons in Bagram and all other parts of Afghanistan to the Afghan Government, which are at the
moment in control of the United States, will be initiated from July 2011. It was also decided that top
officials from both sides will be nominated to fix the time for handing over all prisons and
investigation centers to the Afghan Government. Afghanistan will appoint its delegation very soon."

  
About the scope of the US-Afghan relations, the Afghan president said: "In this regard, talks with all
levels of the US Government took place for more than one time. Afghanistan acknowledges the
importance of its strong political, security and economic ties with the United States, as these
relations will lead to sustainable development and security of Afghanistan. On this very basis, unlike
its isolating Afghanistan during the jihad against the Soviet Union, this time the United States
pledged a long-term support with Afghanistan.
The Afghan president added that the long-term US support will be extended in the fields of
strengthening the bases of Afghanistan economy, and support starting from road construction to
exploration of mines and mineral resources. Similarly, they would extend support in agriculture,
education, health, and in enhancing the standard of instituti ons. In the same way, Hamid Karzai
announced that the US Government had pledged that 50 percent support would be extended on
permanent basis through the Afghan Government, so that the reconstruction funds are spent
through the government. The president also said that the United States had pledged to extend long -
term support for strengthening the Afghan National Army, the National Police and the Air Force of
Afghanistan.
 
   
Hamid Karzai termed the results of his US visit multiaspect and basic. He added that the foundation
of the US-Afghanistan relations, which was laid down a few years ago, had further strengthened
because of the recent talks. He said that the US side was briefed on the history of Afghanistan and
the unique traits of the Afghans. He said that the US authorities were convinced on respecting all
values of Afghanistan. He hoped that the foundation of US -Afghan ties laid down in United States
would help in avoiding civilian losses, search of houses and handing over of the pri sons to the
Afghan Government.
Similarly, the Afghan president said that the US Government showed its support to the national
consultative peace jirga (assembly of elders) and expressed similarity with the point of view of the
Afghan Government regarding civilian losses.

   4"# # (0 & a
One question that often
comes to people's mind is: "Who have turned Thailand into its today's sad condition?" But that is not
as depressing as that the people who are hurting Thailand have been asking "outsiders" like the
United Nations to intervene their home country's internal affairs. In fact, the situation that is as bad
as a civil war could be ended earlier if leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against
Dictatorship (UDD) accepted the national reconciliation road map proposed by Prime Minister Aphisit
Vejjajiva.
$  a
 

c
c
c
The United Nations or UN is known to be an i ndependent organization with an aim to promote peace
in the world. Its key roles are to host dialogues to end disputes, to promote peace and security, to
protect human rights and to offer humanitarian assistance to member countries around the world,
including other countries. For this reason, it is not surprising or irregular to hear reports that UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concern about violent situation in Thailand.
But it is rather shameful that Thais, both leaders of the UDD and m embers of the parliament from
Puea Thai Party, have demanded the United Nations to help mediate problems in their own home
despite the fact that it was red-shirted leaders' fickleness that has caused violence, the scenarios
that fully armed military troops paraded to surround Ratchaprasong Road, and utilities cut off in
areas around red shirt protest sites. They did not keep their promise by ending the protests after
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has surrendered to the police in the investigation team of
the Department of Special Investigation.

   
 
Violent situation in Thailand was triggered by riots in Bangkok, and it has been intensified,
prompting 25 people to be killed and over 200 people injured since May 15. But for people who are
neutral and who have followed the development of the situation, they would have seen red shirt
people began their protests at Phan Fa Road in March and later on moved to Ratchaprasong Road in
April. The situation has turned violence after terrorist attacks on Silom Road and Saladaeng.

Protesters have troubled doctors, nurses, and service users at Chulalongkorn Hospital. Eventually,
Major General Khattiya Sawatdiphon, or Se Daeng, has been shot in the head and has been in coma.
It is hard to deny that UDD leaders who have been irresponsible towards their own action over the
past two months have caused all the violence.
For these reasons, if the UDD want to see peace being restored in our country and do not want to
see more local residents, pro red shirt communities and other innocent people being at risk of
injuries and losing their loved ones, they may solve the problems themselves. They do not need
assistance from the UN, or use it as a way to survive the government's stringent operation, in spite
of the fact that the UN was once being demeaned by the UDD (big boss) with the sentence: "The
UN....not my father," when he was leading the government.
Ê    
We affirm that UDD's request for assistance from the UN would only cause damage. For the first
damage, it is the same as handing out our country into the hands of other peoples. Should outsiders
be invited to manage our country's internal affairs? For the second damage, the move underlines the
fact that UDD leaders did everything for their own interest. They protect themselves with human
shields.
Once facing immediate threat of danger, they reached out for assistance from other people and did
not care that they have once severely criticized those people. They are real evils
   Ê71
 /
 0 & 
 
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao recently said India stood ready with more funding for Sri
Lanka's rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the war affected northern region.

c
c
c
India has continued funding the northern reconstruction and economic development process ever
since the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was concluded on 18 May 2009.
India has poured in billions of dollars for Northern Province reconstruction and rehabilitation projects
undertaken by the Sri Lankan Government and recently announced more funding for the
reconstruction of the Palali Airport in the Jaffna Peninsula and development of the Kankesanturai
Harbor.
. '%0
There is no gainsaying the fact that India's liberal assistance for the economic restoration effort in
the Northern Province, which was completely devastated by the three-decade long war, deserves
commendation. But the dominant question that begs an answer today is whether her liberal funding
for the development and reconstruction projects in the north will in any way help restore an
enduring peace in this war-torn nation. It is an open secret that India extended to the Sri Lankan
Government her unreserved support to help bring the war against the LTTE to a decisive end.
The Sri Lankan Government would certainly have not been able to so conclusively deal a death blow
to the LTTR militarily had India's unreserved support not been forthcoming on all fronts. The Sri
Lankan Government celebrates the first anniversary of the military victory over the LTTE on 18 May.
But the same government has not taken any credible action to resolve the enduri ng ethnic grievance
which in the first place triggered that brutal war.
$ $
  
At the outset President Mahinda Rajapaksa publicly held out a personal commitment to unveil a
solution to this outstanding issue after the holding of th e presidential election. Then, after the
presidential election was concluded, he modified that commitment to say he would iron out an
agreement on an equitable solution through negotiations with the Tamil MPs who would be elected
to parliamentary in the parliamentary general elections. When that point was reached he then said
the negotiations with the Tamil MP's would begin after his return from the SAARC Summit in Bhutan.
The SAARC Summit is also past us. Instead of inviting the Tamil National Alliance for talks to explore
a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community, the government seems to be instead occupied
with attempts to weaken the Tamil National Alliance politically.

   -  
Earlier official commitments to implement a 13th Amendment plus solution to remedy all Tamil
grievances are now in limbo and the government is guardedly tight lipped on the 13 plus topic.
At the time that the government emerged the victor in the war against the LTTE in 2009, India was
actively pressing for a solution based on the 13th Amendment. India also insisted that the solution
offered now should surpass the provisions of the 13th Amendment.
However, what has happened now? We see a subtle yet unmistakable change of attitude on the part
of the Indian Government toward the nature of a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community.
While India is at pains to compete with China and Pakistan in helping Sri Lanka on several fronts,
Delhi does not now seem to be concerned about a settlement to the ethni c issue that will satisfy the
aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils living in the north and east. Instead, India seems content to be
a mere unconcerned listener to all that is said by the Sri Lankan government.

c
c
c
 /
 $  $ 
Peace and harmony cannot be ushered in purely through financial assistance extended by the Indian
government to Sri Lanka. India's contribution is more direly required to bring about a lasting
solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. India should understand this reality . Her current backing of
Sri Lanka will never help establish a permanent peace in the country.
India should also understand that all the economic development in a country which lacks peace will
not only be an illusion of a solution, but will ultimately pro ve to be a wasted effort.
    8"# # 
 


 )  
  0 & $
 When Prime Minister Najib returned to
Malaysia from his official trip to Japan, he said he was impressed by the Japanese's meticulous,
detailed and serious working attitude. He said the sharp precision of the characteristics of the
Japanese society was the attribute that led to the success for Japan. Prime Minister Najib said such
characteristics of the Japanese society should be a model for Malaysians to emulate. Prime Minister
Najib also called on Malaysians to abandon the easy going attitude and learn the positive working
attitude of the Japanese in order to become an advanced country.
Moreover, Prime Minister Najib said that both the Japanese and Malaysian government felt the need
to revive and revamp the Look East Policy and in the new and innovative fields, strengthen bilateral
exchange cooperation and opportunities in what all world nations consider as cutting edge
technologies, green industries and other bio -technological fields.

Therefore, there is a need and urgency for Malaysia and Japan to strengthen new cooperation
projects. He said on international commitment to resist global warming, it was particularly important
for Malaysia and Japan to work together and make commitment to reduce gas emission and to
conserve energy. He said such cooperation with Japan should help Malaysia to accelerate the pace in
development of low-carbon green industries.
    
As a matter of fact, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also suggested that Malaysia and
Japan should establish new exchange mechanism in the university and academic fields. In response,
Prime Minister Najib welcomed the Japan national leader's suggestion and described such a
cooperation mechanism could become the sustainable legacy of both countries. He added that as
Malaysia is now going through the process of economic transformation, Japan's suggestion to
deepen the bi-lateral academic exchange mechanism to enhance research and development in
various academic fields would carry with it significant meaning.
In the 80's the Look East policy as a familiar slogan for all Malaysians. This Look East policy
encouraged Malaysians to learn from Japan. Since former premier Mahathir Mohamed mooted this
Look East Policy in 1982, this policy has already produced as many as 15,000 Malaysian graduates
from Japanese and South Korean universities.
Many Malaysians have also gone to these two countries to receive all types of technical trainings.
Under this Look East policy, Malaysia has, in the pasts 28 years, succeeded to attract many leading
Japan and South Korea corporations to invest and set up their plants in Malaysia. These Japan and

 c
c
c
South Korea corporations have benefited Malaysia's industrial development. Among them there were
many large scale joint venture projects between Malaysia and the Japanese or South Korean firms.
Such joint venture has given birth to Malaysia's Proton, the national car project.
/.   
After Prime Minister Najib's visit to Japan, in addition to Malaysia and Japan' s cooperation in
industrial, commercial and academic fields, we feel there is also a need for the Malaysian
Government to deepen the learning process of Japanese style of high efficient management and
Japanese workers' disciplined and highly responsible wo rk ethic as well as the Japanese's
commitment to strive forth for progressive innovation. Japan's noble moral concept and its people's
courageous spirit to venture and explore into new fields can help to reinforce the implementation of
Prime Minister Najib's economic restructuring model and to put emphasis on Najib Government's
national building motto that stresses on performance first.
Moreover, Malaysian Government should further explore the way how we can implement the
essence of the good qualities of th e Japanese and Koreans and inject these good qualities into the
local universities and the massive civil workforce. These good qualities can help to stimulate the
creativity and momentum of Malaysians in various research and development fields and to ensur e
that Malaysia can fulfill its vision objective to become an advanced country in 2020 as planned.
In addition, the implant of the good qualities of the people in Japan and South Korea can also help
Malaysia to build a public administration mechanism that is highly effective, serious in the
management and with macro and open mindset workforce. Through this process, Malaysia can hope
to get rid of the unhealthy bureaucratic culture, corrupt practice and a civil workforce with outdated
mindset but without a good disciple to work hard diligently.

  
The target of Malaysian Government's Look East policy is Japan and South Korea. However, with the
change in time, Malaysian Government should begin to explore and expand the geographical scope
of this Look East Policy beyond Japan and South Korea. This is especially so now that China has
emerged as the world largest economy and on international trade and economy, military affairs and
diplomatic arena, the role of China has become more and more important and influential with the
advance in time.
Similarly, in the case of Taiwan, the research and development of Taiwan's computer hardware and
software and the production of them are at a world leading standard. The success of Taiwan and
China in many research and development fields can serve as learning models for Malaysia to follow.
As Malaysia's enterprises are now facing critical global challenge, Malaysia absolutely cannot ignore
the importance of the China and Taiwan platforms.
   0 & $

In the process of globalization, China plays an important role and part. As a matter of fact, the
Indian Government is also gradually pushing ahead and gradually implementing its own forward -
looking "Look East" policy. Through India's cooperative atti tude and competitiveness, the Indian
Government now focuses in strengthening its Look East process by engaging China in the
cooperation in science and technology, culture, education, security, and exchanges in diverse areas

 c
c
c
so as to create a mutually beneficial balance with China.
China and India's economy have entered a rapid development stage. These two countries assume
important role in Asian region's economic integration process. Since the ASEAN Ten Plus China Free
Trade Area was formally established at the beginning of this year, this free trade agreement signifies
that the greater East Asia economic integration age with ASEAN as hub of economic activities has
arrived.
As Malaysia explores and repositioning its Look East policy, the step to include Chin a, Taiwan and
Hong Kong into the geographical scope of the Look East policy will help the Malaysia -China bilateral
relationship to enter a more dynamic and lively phase. Through cooperation and understanding of
China, Taiwan and Hong Kong's economic develo pment, Malaysia can come out with a more forward
looking new economic layout to effectively deal with the enormous economic integration, challenges
and opportunities within the region.
)



D 
D  
Extremist groups such as Al-Qa'ida, pro-Nazi and racial extremists hiding behind Non-Governmental
Organizations may cause the Third World War in the future. Former Foreign Minister Tan Sri S yed
Hamid Albar revealed, the Third World War is not impossible as it may be launched by the extremist
groups who are not bound by boundaries and would bring destruction to anywhere.
  a   

These groups employ sophisticated technology to spread messages of hatred and conflicts. Their
weapons may not as high-end as the arsenal of military forces, but the destruction could be
terrifying, he said. He said so when met after he delivered his keynote address in the International
Conference on the Second World War and Emergence of Multilateralism organized by World Futures
International Pte. Ltd. (Worldfuture). Also present was the organizer of the conference, Mustafa
Latif.
The one-day conference featured 13 working papers from antiwar activists from the United States,
the Netherlands, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. About 200 participants attended
the conference. Among the speakers who had presented their working papers were Prof Dr Hasan
Yahya from the US, Professor Albert Jansen from the Netherlands and former Chief the Malaysian
Armed Forces (MAF), General (B) Tan Sri Mohammad Hashim Ali.
 
(1  
Syed Hamid said, the situation had happened right now between the US and Al -Qa'ida as the former
is now pursuing the group all the way to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle Eastern countries. This
can be a start for a bigger war between superpowers and those groups, he said.
Syed Hamid stressed, he predicted a war between nations would also happen like the war in Balkan
countries which involved different ethnic groups in the same country or neighboring countries. He
stressed, it was out of the expectation of the whole world when the war erupted in Balkan countries
which witnessed massive killing of Muslims.
a * $% 
The key step to prevent war in this world is to establish more regional organizations such as ASEAN
and so on because these organizations will forge cooperation and can resolve problems by means of


c
c
c
the good relationship between two countries. "I believe such regional organizations are the best
forum to resolve all problems between neighboring countries," he stressed.
He said, the world also has a proper mechanism to prevent war, that is, to use the media, whether it
is mainstream or alternative media. He said, the mechanism needs to be use to educate the world
inhabitants about the culture of peace, mutual understanding and give -and-take, as well as the
culture of a society.
.
 a
 
With regards to the Second World War, Syed Hamid said, the world had never learned from the
destruction and sufferings caused by the Second World War which had killed approximately 60
million people, including 40 million civilians. He said, war must not be made as a tool to resolve any
differences and conflicts. There is no winner or loser in a war because both sides will suffer losses.
Today we still witness people encroaching on others' sovereignty and violating human rights, he
said. He added, the United Nations was founded as a means to prevent war but it had no t achieved
its goal as it failed to prevent and deal with military conflicts within a nation and between nations.

   9"# # 
 
    0 & ) %  $
 
The allegation of the Sri Lankan Army shooting dead members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) who surrendered to them, carrying white flags in their hands, has become, since then,
the most talked about topic in the global diplomatic circuit.
/
  
Attempts made to raise this issue at the UN General Assembly sessions were thwarted by a
diplomatic maneuver of the Sri Lankan Government. Of late, the efforts of UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon to appoint an advisory committee to brief him on a course of action to be taken in this
connection, against Sri Lanka, have also been largely unsuccessful. Undoubtedly, the Sri Lankan
Government has been working behind the scenes to nip Ban Ki -moon's efforts to appoint that
advisory committee in the bud.
The same Sri Lankan Government that has foiled all efforts relating to the intended international
inquiry into these allegations is not in the least bothered about probing those allegations with any
semblance of sincerity in spite of its utterances to the effect that it will conduct its own independent
probe into the matter.
 /
 D 
The government continues to tout the news about a Sri Lankan Presidential Commission being
appointed to establish facts relating to the allegations purportedly for the objective of deciding on
whether it was necessary for the government to acknowledge responsibility for those war crimes.
But the government has done nothing meaningful in this connection to d ate. Anxiety prevails in
several quarters as to why the government has not yet appointed the commission as announced.
There was a sudden report on 12 May that a reconciliation commission has been appointed and
would commence its investigations immediately.
However, it is now said that the commission appointed to probe the allegations leveled by the US
Department of State regarding the war in Sri Lanka and establish facts about whether indeed there

c
c
c
were war crimes committed or not -- and hence a violation of international laws- will only inquire
into 300 charges falling under five categories. Commission Secretary S.M. Samarakoon, has
revealed this fact. So far, so good. The government has at least revealed the names of the members
of the commission and the matters to be investigated. A Tamil and a Muslim have also been
appointed to serve on this six-man commission.
Samarakoon has also acknowledged that the commission has been tasked to probe into the
hardships suffered by the public and children in particular, those who disappeared, killings of those
who surrendered and humanitarian matters. But he goes on to say in the same breath that since the
commission has not been vested with adequate powers the commission had still not decided to
probe the alleged killings of those who surrendered and those who disappeared.
  



This certainly is a shocking understatement of double-speak. The announcement that the
commission has not yet decided to probe the two most vital issues which are at the core of
international speculation and deep concern, is rather amusing. It is also an attempt to conceal a fact
that the whole world is aware of.
No matter what name is given to this charade, it's clear that the Sri Lankan Government is resorting
to mental games aimed at fooling the whole world. But then, for how long can the government lead
everyone down the garden path?
Eye washing does not always succeed.

c
c