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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402880

US urges Myanmar junta to yield power after protester death 

Feb 21. 2021

By The Jakarta Post / ANN

Washington has urged the leaders of Myanmar’s new military regime to refrain from violence and relinquish power, after the death of a young anti-coup protester sparked new anger against the junta.

Much of the country has been in uproar since troops deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, with large street demonstrations in both urban centres and isolated villages.

Security forces have responded with increasing force, deploying troops against peaceful rallies and firing tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets.  

Condemnation of the violence has been fierce, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held talks with allied countries in recent days to press for a firm international response.

“We reiterate our calls on the Burmese military to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters,” spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Friday. 

“We will work with partners and allies to press the Burmese military to reverse its actions.”

A doctor in Naypyidaw had earlier announced the first confirmed death in the protests.

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who turned 20 last Thursday as she lay unconscious in a hospital bed, was shot in the head during a demonstration in the capital last week. 

She has since become a symbol of resistance for protesters, who have hoisted her photos high in demonstrations and even unfurled a massive banner of artwork from a bridge showing the moment she was shot. 

“We will regard you as our Martyr,” said one social media tribute to the young grocery store worker. “We will bring justice for your loss.”

A memorial has since appeared in the streets of Yangon, with residents of the commercial capital laying flowers and messages to the victim. 

Her sister Poh Poh told reporters on Friday: “Please all join this protest movement to be more successful. That’s all I want to say.”

Hundreds arrested

Nearly 550 people have been detained since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Among those arrested are railway workers, civil servants and bank staff who have walked off their jobs as part of a civil disobedience campaign aimed at crippling the army’s ability to govern. 

The country emerged from its sixth straight overnight internet curfew on Saturday, a measure imposed as neighbourhoods around the country began setting up watch groups to guard against evening arrests. 

Internet monitor Netblocks reported that Wikipedia had been blocked in the country, joining a list of banned content that includes Facebook and other social media services. 

A small group of protesters were forcefully dispersed by police and military wielding batons in the northern city of Myitkyina on Friday, according to video posted online and witnesses.

One teacher at the scene said she saw dozens arrested in the scuffle, including two of her colleagues.

“They arrested those who tried to take photos and videos,” she told AFP. 

The military regime has so far weathered a chorus of international condemnation.

The US, Britain and Canada have all announced sanctions targeting the country’s top generals. 

The junta has justified its power seizure by alleging widespread electoral fraud in November’s elections, which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide. 

The Nobel laureate — who has not been seen since she was detained in dawn raids — has been hit with two charges, one of them for possessing unregistered walkie-talkies. 

Her hearing is expected on March 1. 

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402879

Myanmar’s use of lethal weapons against unarmed civilians ‘inexcusable’: MFA

Feb 21. 2021

By The Straits Time / ANN

SINGAPORE – The use of lethal weapons against unarmed civilians by Myanmar’s security forces during protests is inexcusable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 20).

“We are dismayed by the reports of civilian casualties following the use of lethal force by security forces against demonstrators in Myanmar. The use of lethal weapons against unarmed civilians is inexcusable,” said MFA.

“We strongly urge the security forces to exercise utmost restraint to avoid further injuries and loss of lives, and take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and restore calm. The authorities must prevent further violence and bloodshed.”

Three people have died so far during the protests against the Feb 1 coup by the military. Police fired gunshots, tear gas and water cannons to quell demonstrations throughout the country which saw hundreds of thousands of protestors.

Twenty-year-old student Mya Thwate Thwate Kaing died on Friday in Naypyitaw, the first fatality in the unrest. A bullet had struck her in the head. At least 20 protestors were injured.

Two people were killed in the second largest city Mandalay on Saturday, with another 20 injured, according to media reports.

MFA said: “All parties should seek a political solution for national reconciliation, including a return to Myanmar’s path of democratic transition, through dialogue without resorting to violence.”

“If the situation continues to escalate, there will be serious adverse consequences for Myanmar and the region,” it added.

The ministry also said that the Singapore embassy in Yangon has been in touch with Singaporeans in Myanmar.

“In view of the volatile situation, Singaporeans in Myanmar are advised to remain indoors as far as possible and avoid unnecessary travel to areas where protests are occurring,” it added.

MFA reminded Singaporeans to remain vigilant and monitor local news closely. They should take necessary precautions for their personal safety, and register immediately at this website, so that the ministry can contact them should the need arise.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402878

G7 leaders support Japan in going ahead with Olympics

Feb 21. 2021

By The Japan News / ANN

LONDON — The leaders of the Group of Seven advanced nations agreed, in a statement issued after a virtual meeting on Friday, to “support the commitment of Japan to hold the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 in a safe and secure manner this summer as a symbol of global unity in overcoming COVID-19.”

The seven also agreed to tackle the global distribution of vaccines against COVID-19, including in developing countries.

The videoconference, held late Friday (Japan time), was the first meeting of the G7 leaders since a videoconference in April 2020.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga explained his intention of holding the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, and the leaders expressed in their joint statement that the G7 would support Japan’s commitment.

The meeting, called and chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was the first G7 meeting to feature Suga, U.S. President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as the heads of their respective governments. The G7 also includes Canada, France and Germany.

The G7 was thrown into disarray when the U.S. administration was led by then President Donald Trump. Friday’s G7 talks were aimed at reaffirming the solidarity of the G7, a group that shares common democratic values, and at rebuilding international cooperation. The joint statement included their pledge “to make 2021 a turning point for multilateralism.”

Suga explained Japan’s policy of contributing $200 million (about ¥21.1 billion) to COVAX, an international project for joint purchase of vaccines against COVID-19, and stated his opposition to “protectionism in the area of public health.”

With the latest pledges by the G7 leaders, including Biden, the overall contributions that the G7 has pledged to make to COVAX — and to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), an international initiative dedicated to the rapid development and equitable deployment of vaccines and therapeutic drugs, — has been raised by more than $4 billion (or about ¥422 billion) to total $7.5 billion (or about ¥791 billion).

The G7 leaders pledged to raise their contributions to these international frameworks, such as COVAX, because developing countries, in which vaccinations against the virus have been delayed, feel discontented by a belief that developed nations have been hoarding the vaccines. The increased contribution is meant to dispel such a viewpoint among developing countries and to unite the G7 in countering China and Russia, which are promoting their own vaccine diplomacy. Biden was said to have also highlighted the importance of advanced nations taking the initiative in bringing the global economy back to a recovery track from the coronavirus pandemic.

As for the Tokyo Games, Suga expressed his bid to hold the events as “testimony that human beings will have won the battle with the novel coronavirus.” He also explained to other G7 leaders that to realize a safe and secure Olympics, Japan would advance its preparations for the Games, including measures against infections with the virus, in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402845

[Myanmar] Soldier joins anti-coup protest in Monywa

Feb 20. 2021

By KAUNG KHANT LIN (MONYWA)
Eleven Media/ANN

A member of the military joined the ongoing anti-coup protest in Monywa, Sagaing Region, on February 18. 

He is a sergeant of Light Infantry Battalion-16 in Monywa. In the protest, he called on servicemen to stay out of the dictatorial rule. 

“I want to get more military personnel to stay out of the dictatorship. Look at the faces of people. I couldn’t bear being looked down on by the people when I went out of my battalion to buy some food. I felt compelled to join the CDM (civil disobedience movement). Since some police are also joining the CDM, the rest should also do it,” the sergeant said. 

The protests are being joined by students, education and health staff, private employees and political activities. 

Moreover, hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets in protest in other townships of Sagaing Region such as Katha, YeU, Ayadaw, Shwebo, Kani, Pale, Yinmabin, Salingyi, Indaw, Bamauk, Myaung and Sagaing.   

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402844

Japan’s health ministry says seriously ill COVID-19 patients must be hospitalized longer

Feb 20. 2021

By The Japan News/ANN

The health ministry decided Thursday to revise its criteria for hospital discharge of COVID-19 patients, extending the days in a hospital from the current 10 days from the onset of symptoms, regardless of seriousness of the symptoms, to 15 days for seriously ill patients who once needed a ventilator.

The revision is based on recent study results that seriously ill patients are likely to be able to infect others for a longer period than 10 days.

The decision was approved by the ministry’s advisory panel on the same day, and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry was to soon inform local governments and others of the revision.

Some COVID-19 patients, who have remained hospitalized for rehabilitation and other reasons even after recovery, have not been transferred to other hospitals, causing shortages of hospital beds for seriously ill patients. By specifying the criteria for such hospital stays, the ministry aims to dispel anxieties over infections among hospitals that are to accept transferred patients.

Under the new criteria, seriously ill COVID-19 patients will have to stay in a hospital for 15 days after the onset of symptoms and also three days after they feel better. It is desirable for them to be in a private room for 20 days from the onset, just in case.

Still included are the existing criteria that patients can leave the hospital 24 hours after having negative results in two PCR tests taken after their symptoms have ended.

Domestic and overseas research has shown that patients with mild or moderate symptoms lose infectiousness about 10 days after onset. Severely ill patients are said to remain contagious for about 15 days, but often stay in the hospital longer than that.

The National Center for Global Health and Medicine’s data shows that among seriously ill patients, the median number of days from the onset of symptoms to discharge is about 30 days.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402843

S. Korea to introduce contact-free boarding at airports

Feb 20. 2021Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom speaks at an economic meeting held in central Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap)

By Choi Jae-hee
The Korea Herald/ANN

Contactless, airport check-in systems will be set up across the country by next year, South Korea’s Vice Finance Minister said on Friday, in a bit to digitalize the nation’s social infrastructure.

“By 2022, (the government) will implement a contactless check-in system at 15 airports across the nation, which automatically confirms identification of passengers via biometric data, in order to increase convenience of residents using local airports,” Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom said in a meeting with economic officials to discuss policy drives for the Korean New Deal initiative.

“Also, the government will invest more than 14.8 trillion won ($13.3 billion) in applying AI technology to social infrastructure, including roads, railways, airports and water quality management,“ he said.

The proposed scheme to launch contactless boarding procedures is part of the Moon Jae-in administration’s New Deal drive which comprises two pillars — the Digital New Deal and the Green New Deal. The initiative, announced last year, aims to foster digital transformation of national infrastructure as well as environment-focused business portfolios across industries.

In addition, authorities are preparing to implement a high-tech traffic management system, known as the Intelligent Transport System, in a nationwide rollout by 2025. It notifies drivers of accident-related information, such as traffic conditions or where drivers have braked abruptly, in real time through smartphones or other electronic devices in vehicles, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Kim also noted that prices of agricultural goods continued to show an upward trend due to a supply shortage, vowing to encourage local food companies to expand their imports of farm products by reducing import tariffs. 

Prices of agricultural products surged by 7.9 percent on-year, the fastest pace since August 2018, mainly due to cold spells and the outbreak of avian influenza, according to data from the Bank of Korea. 

“Not only prices of agricultural products but also those of raw materials, including crude oil and nonferrous metal, have continued to rise,“ Kim said. “(The government) will step up monitoring price trends and come up with countermeasures against price increases, if needed.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402842

S’pore residents aged 60-69 to get Covid-19 vaccine from March, rest of population from April

Feb 20. 2021Members of the public getting their Covid-19 vaccine at the vaccination centre in Jalan Besar Community Club on Feb 19, 2021. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

By Linette Lai and Clara Chong
The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE – Covid-19 vaccinations for people aged 60 to 69 will start around the end of March, with the rest of the population to follow suit in April, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday (Feb 19).

If all goes well and there are no disruptions to the supply, one million more people would have received shots by April.

Some 250,000 Singapore residents have been vaccinated to date, with around 110,000 having received their second dose, Mr Gan added.

The aim is to get another one million people to take their first dose of the vaccine by early April, added Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who co-chairs the task force tackling the pandemic with Mr Gan.

“If all goes according to plan, then we can progressively roll out to the other age groups beyond March,” said Mr Wong. “We will continue to monitor the supply of vaccine, because that’s the critical issue that will enable us to get vaccines out… We will try our best to ensure that we can get these vaccines to Singapore.”

The ministers were speaking to reporters at a vaccination centre at Jalan Besar Community Club. The centre began operations on Thursday (Feb 18), and is open daily from 8.30am to 10pm.

The Health Ministry said that Covid-19 vaccination for seniors aged 70 years and above will start on Monday (Feb 22), following a pilot for those living in Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar.

More than 5,000 seniors from both towns have received their vaccinations.

Over the next three weeks, others in that age group can expect to receive letters inviting them to sign up for vaccination.

Mr Gan noted that Singapore currently has 11 vaccination centres in operation, with three more slated to open next week. More than 30 centres will be up and running by the middle of March, with the full complement of around 40 centres to be in full swing by end April.

He said: “We will watch the progress and if need be, we will open up additional vaccination centres to cater to the needs of the population.”

Asked about the recent incident of a 72-year-old who suffered a cardiac arrest after getting his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, Mr Gan reiterated Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s initial assessment – that there is no evidence the vaccine had led to the episode. The man was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

“I want to assure Singaporeans that we do take these very seriously,” he stressed. “Whether they are related to vaccinations or not, we want to know if there are any such incidents so that we can investigate in-depth and better understand the situation.”

Mr Gan also said that the Government will continue to refine its processes to ensure that vaccination will remain safe.

Before getting vaccinated, people will have to answer questions such as whether they have medical conditions that have compromised their immune systems, or if they have had severe allergies.

Volunteers like 70-year-old Agnes Teo have been going from door to door to explain vaccinations to seniors and help arrange their vaccination appointments.

“I explain vaccinations to them and let them know things like whether or not they should wear long sleeves,” said Ms Teo, who speaks English, Mandarin, Malay and a few Chinese dialects.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/ann/30402841

China slams Canada over its so-called detention declaration

Feb 20. 2021[Photo/Agencies]

By ZHOU JIN
CHINA DAILY/ANN

China accused Canada on Thursday of rallying some countries to issue a so-called declaration against arbitrary detention, saying that using “megaphone diplomacy” or ganging up to suppress China is futile and will only lead to a dead end.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remark after Canada on Monday issued the declaration. At its launch, the executive director of Human Rights Watch accused China of the “arbitrary detention” of two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

China firmly opposes the declaration, which it calls a distortion of facts, Hua said. She added that Beijing has lodged stern representations with Ottawa over the issue.

According to Hua, some countries were coaxed by Canada and already have canceled their decisions to sign. There also are some countries on the signing list that said they were not aware of signing the declaration, she said.

Canada’s claim that it gained support from other countries is just a “spiritual victory”, Hua said.

She said Canada’s ulterior motives have caused it to confuse right with wrong by equating the case of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, with those of Kovrig and Spavor, which she said are completely different in nature.

Hua said Canada has arbitrarily detained Meng, who she said has violated no Canadian law, for over two years.

“What Canada has done in Meng’s case is an exact testimony to arbitrary detention of foreign citizens,” Hua said. The so-called declaration is more like a confession of Canada’s mistakes in Meng’s case, she added.

While boasting about upholding the rule of law, Canada acts as an accomplice of the United States in arbitrarily detaining Chinese citizens, an act that is hypocritical and despicable, she said.

If Canada truly opposes arbitrary detention, it should match words with actions by releasing Meng and ensuring her safe return to China, Hua said.

Kovrig and Spavor were arrested and charged by competent authorities in China in accordance with laws against undermining China’s national security, she said, adding that Chinese judicial organs handle the cases independently according to law, and the two Canadians’ lawful rights have been guaranteed.

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Malaysia maintains its hard ‘no’ to cannabis, says PM

Feb 19. 2021National goal: Muhyiddin said the government has targeted to control drugs by 2025, in line with the national drug policy.— Bernama

By HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM
The Star/ANN

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will not change its stance on cannabis and cannabis resin as the two substances are still considered harmful to society, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said although the 63rd United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drug in Austria recently decided to drop the two substances from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 (1961 Convention), it does not change Malaysia’s control status of the two substances.

“On behalf of the government, I would like to stress that we will not change the control status of cannabis and all drugs classified under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 as it brings a lot of harm to society.

“The issue of drug abuse is a global and complex matter that is hard to be completely eradicated following changes in trends and emergence of new type of drugs in the global market, ” he said yesterday in a live televised address in conjunction with National Anti-Drugs Day 2021, which falls today.

Muhyiddin noted that the government has targeted to control drugs by 2025, in line with the national drug policy.

The policy includes mobilising the public and private sectors along with civil society organisations towards developing drug-free communities in the country, he said.

Among the main objective is to target 155 high-risk areas nationwide and widen the treatment to increase recovery rates among drug addicts, said Muhyiddin.

It will also involve community empowerment, apart from mobilising related government agencies as well as NGOs in dealing with drug-related issues, he added.

“The government is committed to eradicating the drug problem in the country.

“Apart from that, the National Anti-Drug Agency is also developing an Anti-Drugs Index to measure the effectiveness of enforcement, ” he said.

In line with National Anti-Drugs Day, Muhyiddin also urged Malaysians to play their role by taking part in various social support programmes organised by their residential committees or community leaders, to create neighbourhoods that are safe and free of drug abuse.

He said the programmes focusing on youth should emphasise personality and identity development.

Educational and religious institutions, he added, are among the best intermediaries to educate and raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction.

Meanwhile, he said drug prevention programmes can also help addicts to recover.

He called on people to play a role in ensuring treatment and rehabilitation services are fully utilised.

“For example, if you know any individuals or family members who are involved in drugs, then please try to send them to the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre in Sungai Besi for them to receive the right treatment for free, ” he added.

Muhyiddin said support from family, friends and the local community is pivotal as it is part of the recovery treatment for those involved in drugs.

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ASEAN to allocate $10.5m from response fund to buy COVID-19 vaccines

Feb 19. 2021The sixth meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Working Group on Public Health Emergencies (ACCWG-PHE) held via teleconference on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

By Viet Nam News/ANN

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and ASEAN countries on Thursday agreed to spend US$10.5 million to purchase COVID-19 vaccine via the ASEAN response fund.

The vaccine doses will be distributed equally among the group’s members, members agreed at the sixth meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Working Group on Public Health Emergencies (ACCWG-PHE) held virtually on Thursday, with discussions focusing on effective control of coronavirus outbreaks and sustainable, comprehensive recovery.

The ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, an initiative adopted in 2020 during the year Việt Nam held the chairmanship role, has so far received $15 million from ASEAN members and partners.

The implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework with 24 out of 193 initiatives completed and 127 to be underway in 2021, includes a specialised committee to be established within the ASEAN Secretariat in charge of coordination and support for recovery efforts.

ASEAN member countries have also agreed to soon build the ASEAN Travel Corridor, which Indonesia proposed and has been chosen to lead the arrangement task force, in order to soon facilitate essential travel of ASEAN people given the current complex developments of the pandemic.

Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of Việt Nam’s delegation, at the meeting expressed support for the use of the fund for purchasing COVID-19 vaccines, and noted that each country must identify the vaccine needs, demands, types, and the groups to be inoculated.

The Vietnamese diplomat also welcomed the initiative by 2021 ASEAN chair Brunei to utilise the WHO-led COVAX mechanism to meet ASEAN’s COVID-19 vaccine demand.

Dũng said Việt Nam is completing its internal procedures to announce the contribution commitment to the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and is actively cooperating with other ASEAN members in selecting the host country of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), to be set up with support from Japan.

Việt Nam has also pledged to closely coordinate with other members and the ASEAN Secretariat to implement the recovery framework to minimise the adverse impacts of the pandemic on people. — VNS