India must be dreaming. It wants a free trade treaty with ASEAN (tag) but at the same time wants too many stuff excluded from the FTA. What was India thinking? Did they think they can bully us into it?
I’m glad to know that ASEAN, represented by Malaysian trade minister, gives India a solid no today. I think India hasn’t realized that ASEAN doesn’t take shit.
No FTA is better than one-sided FTA. ASEAN deserves a better deal.
The current SEA Games (tag) has been rather entertaining so far. Diplomatically-wise, that is. Recently, Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, accused that the host, the Philippines of being biased in officiating the regional biennial game. And it doesn’t end there: Thaksin plans to raise the issue at the upcoming ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Me – WTF?
But anyway, the Filipino President Gloria Arroyo then ordered an investigation into the allegation. The investigation, concluded 24 hours later revealed no unfair officiating has occurred.
Yes – the Philippines is accused of cheating and the Philippines conducted the investigation and the Philippines cleared themselves up. I suppose “conflict of interest” is an unheard concept. Not that I’m accussing of anything but still, it’s fishy.
However, that’s not the best part. The best thing is that some Filipinos conducted a protest – yes, a real protest – in front of the Thai embassy in Manila over Thaksin’s remark. Soon afterwards, Filipino legislators are demanding apology from Thaksin.
Folks, cool down. Take a deep breathe and think. It’s just a game. Stop acting like kids.
I mean, look at Malaysia. Vietnam cheated Malaysia but Malaysians aren’t over the top about it. At most, the Malaysian delegates lodged an official, in game, protest. What happens in a game stays in that game. Be a sportman.
Hell, look at how Malaysians deal with real diplomatic issues – while Indonesians were willing to go up in arms against Malaysia over Ambalat not too long ago, Malaysians just took it easy. Have a cup of teh tarik. Chill out. Oh, you want to ganyang Malaysia? Mari, mari. No need to gaduh-gaduhlah.
Point is, relax. Even Malaysia and Singapore aren’t at each other throat, yet. If Malaysia and Singapore don’t plan to get into a little squabbling, then nobody should be. Please, there’s no need to outdo us.
Nevertheless, Thaksin does make a bad diplomat. Still, he brought up a legitimate concern. The Philippines needs to be more professional in hosting the Games. Already, several other countries are having some misgiving about this edition of the Games. Rigging your own election might be your internal matter but the SEA Games doesn’t quite fall into that category.
Early in the season, pundits predicted Group B of the 2005/06 Champions League would see both Arsenal and Ajax (tag) heading to the next stage. Pundits almost got it wrong went Thun overperformed and Sparta was giving Ajax a run on their money. Today however, they are vindicated. Both Arsenal and Ajax are both group champion and runnerup respectively.
I was sleeping when the match started and I dreamt that Ajax was losing 3-1 to Sparta. What a nightmare! I woke up in the middle of the night only to sleep again and dreamt Ajax lost 3-2 instead. Two nightmares in a row and I had to resist temptation to boot up my home computer and check on the score. But my sleep was what I need. Sleep.
Finally, when it was morning and the sun was up and smiling, ESPN greeted me with the sweetest news to start a Wednesday – Nigel de Jong scored two goals and made sure an Ajax win.
So, three cheers for de Jong.
Hup, hup, hooray!
Hup, hup, hooray!
Hup, hup, hooray!
Three cheers for Ajax.
Yip, yip, hooray!
Yip, yip, hooray!
Yip, yip, hooray!
Group D currently has the most interesting scenario – with one game left, anybody could qualify. You guys know which team I hope won’t make it.*
p/s – Not quite sure if this is a good news or a bad news to Malaysia.
U.S. Restores Military Ties With Indonesia
By CHRIS BRUMMITT, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 1 minute ago
JAKARTA, Indonesia – The United States has lifted an arms embargo against Indonesia, ending a six-year ban on military aid to the world’s most populous Muslim nation imposed due to human rights concerns.
The Bush administration has long argued that isolating Indonesia, which has been hit by several bombings by al-Qaida linked terrorists in recent years, was not in Washington’s strategic interests.
Oh well, there goes Ambalat.
pp/s – now we’re talking. A report from The Star on possible changes on Malaysian Wildlife Protection Act:
Under the Wildlife Protection Act 76/72, a poacher faces a maximum fine of RM15,000 or five years jail.
Sazmi also said the ministry was in the final stages of revamping the existing law and replacing it with the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act.
Under the new Act, poachers would face mandatory jail sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to 30 times the current amount.
Sweet.
While I was scouring the internet for the latest development on a possible new bridge to link Malaysia and Singapore together, I came across an Asia Times’ article that touches on India’s ambition in the Andaman Sea. I find the article a tad disturbing and it changes my perspective towards Malaysian and ASEAN’s defense and security. This might be a knee-jerk reaction but it convinces me of the need for Malaysia and ASEAN to strengthen its military forces.
The article highlights Indian motivation of establishing a major naval base near the Andaman Sea, a body of water located at the northern mouth of Strait of Malacca. Among the main reasons for such move are increasing Chinese influence in Myanmar, piracy in Straits of Malacca and trade. Concurrently, these three factors more or less concern ASEAN and Malaysia.
The author of the article states that China is controlling several ports in Myanmar and Chinese influence in the Andaman Sea is extraordinary considering the area is actually part of the Indian Ocean instead of the Pacific. Slowly, it seems that Myanmar is becoming a Chinse forward base. This is even more so when China and Myanmar agree to have better land links between themselves. This grants China access to the Indian Ocean.
In event of a confrontation between People’s Republic of China and Republic of China, the conflict might even affect Malaysia and ASEAN disproportionately badly. This is because if the conflict escalates to a stage that includes more than one large power, trade might be severely affected since China will be able to flex its muscle in both the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea. Both seas are important gateways to ASEAN.
Even if the fear of China controlling both seas is unfounded, piracy and the threat of terrorism by themselves should be enough to convince Malaysia to have a stronger military. Already Malaysia and Indonesia have been criticized for security lax in the Strait of Malacca and this has attracted eyes towards the region. Other than the United States that has been rebuffed by both Malaysia and Indonesia, India too is quietly observing the situation in the strait. The article further states that it seems that the US has given its “tacit approval of India’s assertion of naval control over the Andaman Sea”. All these might be steps taken to implicitly tackle piracy and terrorism.
If piracy and terrorism are indeed the case for the renewed militaristic attention on Southeast Asia, it would be wise for Malaysia and its neighbors to quickly build up their naval prowess. Stronger naval capabilities may bring about greater security and less piracy. More importantly, it would take away a reason for foreign military attention on Southeast Asia.
A Malaysian military buildup might invoke a Southeast Asian arms race. The last time such a thing seriously happened was back in the 1990s when Malaysia added a fleet of jet fighters and frigates under its command. If I remember correctly, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand themselves found themselves in the sedated fray.
In my opinion, an arms race might be the one thing ASEAN needs right now. An arms race will bring a net benefit to ASEAN members by discouraging any foreign power from exercising excessive influence on ASEAN borders.
Should Turkey be allowed to join the European Union?
Tony Blair believes Turkey EU’s answer for the future. Austria and a few others on the other hand don’t quite relish the prospect of Turkey as Euroland’s 26th member. I wish Turkey the best but halfway around the world, how would ASEAN member states react to East Timor as the grouping’s 11th member?
Currently, ASEAN has ten members with Papua New Guinea as an observer. In 2002, East Timor expressed its intention of gaining an observer status in ASEAN. The country proves its seriousness by informing ASEAN of its willingness to sign a non-aggression pact with the grouping.
In my opinion, the country’s greatest obstacle of gaining membership is Indonesia. Indonesia is like father of the bride. If the father hates you, you’re practically screwed. Maybe not father. Maybe just the older brother.
Reason is, the more influential ASEAN members – namely Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines – have traditionally stood by the Indonesian side whenever East Timor hit the headlines in the recent past. Though Indonesian atrocity was deplorable, the four nations had to refrain themselves from criticizing Indonesia in the name of solidarity.
Fortunately for East Timor, Indonesia doesn’t seem to hold any grunge against the tiny state despite the two countries’ turbulent past. Indonesia had previously annexed East Timor in 1975. East Timor later gained independence in 2002 via an United Nations-administered referendum in 1999. With Indonesia out of the way, East Timor can rest assured that the four members and the rest of ASEAN will not object save, maybe, Myanmar.
Myanmar currently disapproves the notion of East Timor as an observer – much less a membership – due to East Timor’s support for Aung San Suu Kyi. I do think however that if East Timor could somewhat water down its explicit support of Aung San Suu Kyi, then Myanmar might retract its objection.
Regardless, East Timor has a lot of catching up to do. With respect to that, I believe ASEAN has unique role to play in East Timor’s effort to build up itself. Yet, ASEAN has done little to aid East Timor. Instead, Australia is East Timor’s most active partner. ASEAN must play a greater role in East Timor if the 10-member group wishes to see a stronger ASEAN.
p/s – I saw this on BBC’s ticker last night. I thought it’s old news but heh, all hail to the greatest theocracy the world has ever known. LOL!
pp/s – cold feet?
Minnesota last defeated the Wolverines in 1986.
“You look at that whole series and it’s kind of lopsided,” Minnesota coach Glen Mason said. “If I had it my way, I wouldn’t play them anymore. Michigan has those types of series with a lot of teams.”
Let’s hope Michigan won’t do anything too interesting. Minnesota in the past few years is that kind of team which you think they gonna lose but somehow, due to final minutes miracles, we are the winner instead.
I hope Michigan will stop that trend and win outright. The best thing is, Michigan has the psychological advantage to do that.
Well, may the best team win. (BTW, the Little Brown Jug is ours).