Day: September 17, 2021

COVID-19 is not stopping Hanusha Durganaudu and Wern Sze Goh in their movement to curb domestic violence. Throughout the ASEAN Youth Social Journalism Contest 2021, they have launched a campaign on “COVID Bukan Alasannya (CovBA)”, meaning COVID is not the reason.

Why did you decide on this campaign?

Since the start of Movement Control Orders (MCO) which was first implemented in March 2020, there has been a drastic increase (of more than three times) in the number of enquiries received by Women’s Aid Organization (WAO) domestic violence hotlines. Similar pattern was also noted in the number of calls received by Talian Kasih 15999, a national hotline set by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) where there was an increase of 57% compared to pre-MCO levels.

Domestic violence could result in various consequences for victims, survivors and their family members. In fact, some of the after-effects, particularly those relating to physical, mental and behavioral health may  persist long after the violence has stopped. In severe cases, the victim may end-up with debilitating physical injuries or worse, death.

Hence, it is clear that domestic violence has become an issue of great importance, warranting more attention than it currently receives. This, coupled with the fact that it is a highly sensitive issue which is still heavily stigmatized and frowned upon by the general community, makes it even more crucial for us to look into.

What is your campaign about?

In an effort to curb domestic violence and shed some light into this pressing issue, we launched the COVID Bukan Alasannya (CovBA) campaign, an initiative to raise awareness and discussions on domestic violence during COVID-19 lockdowns in Malaysia. As young women ourselves, we could deeply empathize with the challenges faced by women during these pressing times which spurred us to take a firm stance in combating the issue. On that note, we hope to utilize this platform to raise awareness and champion the plight of young Malaysian women affected by domestic violence.

As part of our campaign, we have organized numerous initiatives and structured our content in a manner that could be easily understood by the Malaysian public. Through initiatives such as CovBA Kisahku Survivor Stories and CovBA BITESIZE! Series, we intend to raise awareness, spark discussions and provide actionable information for our audience. We also encouraged active youth participation in our campaign through CovBA Ambassador Programme and CovBA I’ll Be Your Voice, through which our audience are able to express their thoughts and channel contributions in their own unique means. We also incorporated a fundraising element into our campaign whereby the funds generated by the CovBA Suppok Young Entrepreneurs initiatives were directly channeled to the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), to support the provision of free shelter, counselling and crisis support to women and children who experience violence.

Aside from that, as domestic violence is predominantly a societal issue which is condoned by certain cultural values and mindsets within the community, we have created the CovBA Solidarity Pledge to End Domestic Violence in Malaysia, as a means of uniting Malaysians from all walks of lives in the effort to combat domestic violence. Through this pledge, we aim to empower each individual to commit to raising awareness, speaking up, and taking action to ensure a better life for the victims, survivors as well as their families.

What did you do throughout the programme?

Prior to initiating our CovBA campaign, we had the privilege of attending the second ASEAN Youth Social Journalism Training 2021 which happened from 31st May to 3rd of June 2021.

The 4-day workshop was truly an eye-opener. Despite the short period, the full-fledged programme trained us aspiring social journalists on the essence of content creation and journalism. We gained insights on how to produce engaging, reliable and trustworthy contents, interview our survivors and become strong influencers, all while maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of our survivors to ensure that their safety is not compromised in any way. We also learned techniques to produce various audio-visual contents, create engagement and market our content creatively, courtesy of our trainer Mr Horea Salajan as well as other speakers in the training sessions.

What accomplishments are you most proud of throughout the programme?

It was a dream come true especially when we were able to apply this knowledge into practice during our campaign. Initially, our aim was to tackle this social issue by taking small yet steady steps to generate awareness, thoughts and discussions, with the ultimate goal of engaging the public into taking active actions against domestic violence. As we planned further into the campaign, we realized that there is so much more that we could do. Through our collaborations, we were then able to organize panel discussions and live sharing sessions. Our CovBA Ambassador Programme also enabled us to reach out and recruit 28 active youth ambassadors, who each contributed to our campaign in one way or another. It was also an honor to have artists and young entrepreneurs that endlessly supported our campaign.

Aside from the knowledge, experience and insight gained, the highlight of the workshop and programme is undoubtedly the opportunity to meet, interact and exchange ideas with our counterparts, i.e. youths from other ASEAN countries. We are truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to represent our country in this empowering and meaningful programme. Shout out to all survivors, pledgers, CovBA Ambassadors and our collaborators; Malaysia Medics International (MMI), ListenToMeLah, Sunny Shadowss Art, Do You Doodle – Doodle Malaysia, Artceso Monash, Abovewords.co, Jia Handmade and Leeya Paints. Without your true dedication and determination towards this cause, the COVID Bukan Alasannya campaign could not have gone that extra mile. A massive thank you to each of you again!

 

 

Source: ASEAN Foundation

On 13 September 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand invited H.E. Mr. Supattanapong Panmeechao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Governor of Phuket and team, to join a virtual meeting with Ambassadors, Consuls-General and representatives from Missions overseas, totaling 64 countries, on the direction of Thailand’s reopening plan and further steps of the Phuket Sandbox program. Director-General for International Economic Affairs and Director-General of Information also joined the meeting.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy reiterated the Prime Minister’s commitment to pursuing the 120-day reopening goal while giving precedence to public health and safety. Thailand has gradually opened more destinations for foreign visitors following the Phuket Sandbox program as part of the reopening plan. He stressed the need for sustainable economic recovery and repositioning of tourism sector, focusing on a higher-spending and niche segment and revitalising the tourism industry with sustainable footing, along with the promotion of trade and investment.

The Governor of TAT updated a plan to expand Thailand’s Sandbox program from Q4 2021 to Q1 2022, covering nationwide locations and border provinces. Relevant agencies are exploring possibilities to ease and update the Standard of Operation (SOP) for entering the Sandbox, to attract more European and North American tourists. The Phuket Governor and the President of Phuket Tourism Association unveiled the plan to adjust measures and facelift the Phuket Sandbox program towards the “Phuket New Normal” by 1 December 2021, the beginning of the high season in Phuket and nearby areas, with an aim to ensure the health and safety of travellers.

Ambassadors, Consuls-General and executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed readiness to work closely with relevant agencies to move forward ‘Thailand Reopening’ and promote international confidence in Thailand.

 

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand paid an online courtesy call on Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the close bilateral and deep-rooted Buddhist ties and emphasised on the promotion of trade and investment.

On 14 September 2021, H.E. Mrs. Colonne Appuhamillage Chaminda Inoka Colonne, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand, paid an online courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, upon her assumption of duty.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the close bilateral and deep-rooted Buddhist ties which marked the 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2020. The Permanent Secretary also expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka’s facilitation of Thailand’s repatriation flights. Moreover, the Thai side is also pleased to have contributed medical equipment to Sri Lanka in July 2021 to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emphasis was placed on the promotion of trade and investment as both sides agreed that there exist vast potential economic opportunities, and that expediting the FTA would help increase mutual trade. The Sri Lankan Ambassador also encouraged Thailand’s investment in the Colombo Port City Project, Sri Lanka’s new SEZ. In addition, the Permanent Secretary also expressed Thailand’s readiness to promote technical cooperation with Sri Lanka, while both sides agreed to organise the 5th Joint Commission meeting in the near future.

On regional cooperation, Sri Lanka stands ready to render support to Thailand as the incoming Chairman of BIMSTEC (2022 – 2023), as well as to Thailand’s priorities during the Chaimanship i.e. the finalisation of the Coastal Shipping Agreement and the promotion of the BCG Model. Thailand also acknowledges Sri Lanka’s wish to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

ateral and deep-rooted Buddhist ties and emphasised on the promotion of trade and investment.

On 14 September 2021, H.E. Mrs. Colonne Appuhamillage Chaminda Inoka Colonne, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand, paid an online courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, upon her assumption of duty.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the close bilateral and deep-rooted Buddhist ties which marked the 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2020. The Permanent Secretary also expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka’s facilitation of Thailand’s repatriation flights. Moreover, the Thai side is also pleased to have contributed medical equipment to Sri Lanka in July 2021 to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emphasis was placed on the promotion of trade and investment as both sides agreed that there exist vast potential economic opportunities, and that expediting the FTA would help increase mutual trade. The Sri Lankan Ambassador also encouraged Thailand’s investment in the Colombo Port City Project, Sri Lanka’s new SEZ. In addition, the Permanent Secretary also expressed Thailand’s readiness to promote technical cooperation with Sri Lanka, while both sides agreed to organise the 5th Joint Commission meeting in the near future.

On regional cooperation, Sri Lanka stands ready to render support to Thailand as the incoming Chairman of BIMSTEC (2022 – 2023), as well as to Thailand’s priorities during the Chaimanship i.e. the finalisation of the Coastal Shipping Agreement and the promotion of the BCG Model. Thailand also acknowledges Sri Lanka’s wish to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

Thailand and Albania, as the 2021 Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, will co-host the 2021 OSCE Asian Conference on “Common responses to emerging challenges in advancing comprehensive security” on 20 – 21 Sep 2021.

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

​The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued the governance policy for Operators of Payment System (OPS) as part of the phased-in implementation of Republic Act No. 11127 or the National Payment Systems Act (NPSA).

The issuance further supports the adoption of the governance standards under the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures, the internationally recognized standards jointly issued by the Bank for International Settlements and the International Organization for Securities Commissions. These international standards are applicable to financial market infrastructures which include payment systems.

The governance policy provides the regulatory expectations on the governance arrangements and standards to be adhered to by all OPS. It also provides the criteria for qualification and grounds for disqualifications of individuals elected or appointed as directors or officers of an OPS. In particular, the rules prohibit concurrent directorships among a clearing switch operator (CSO), its critical service provider and the payment system management body that governs the automated clearing house for which such CSO renders clearing services.

The guidelines also set governance standards that prescribe the quality of stewardship among OPS given that these entities have critical roles in ensuring the smooth circulation of funds in the economy in a safe, efficient, affordable and convenient manner.

While the policy seeks to address governance concerns that are particularly applicable to entities conducting business as OPS, the principles espoused under the policy issuance are broadly aligned with the governance standards applicable to BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) and the provisions of relevant domestic laws and regulations. Meanwhile, OPS that have concurrent authorities, such as a bank or an electronic money issuer, shall abide by the more rigid requirements prescribed by virtue of such concurrent authorities.

Consistent with the BSP’s proportional and risk-based approach to payment system oversight, more stringent requirements shall apply to operators of designated payment systems (ODPS) in view of the potential of designated payment systems to pose systemic risks to the financial system. Moreover, a failure in such designated payment systems could undermine public confidence in the national payment system.

Taking into consideration adjustments needed in the governance arrangements of OPS, the Circular provides a period of six months for OPS to comply with general provisions of the issuance, except for provisions on temporary disqualification of directors/officers of OPS which shall take effect immediately.

The issuance of the governance policy facilitates the creation of an enabling regulatory environment, through the proper implementation of the NPSA, consistent with the maintenance of the safe and efficient functioning of the national payment system in support of monetary and financial stability.

The NPSA provides a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework which supports the twin objectives of maintaining a payment system that is necessary to control systemic risks and providing an environment conducive to the sustainable growth of the economy.

 

 

Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

Myanmar’s currency reached an all-time low Friday, signaling growing concerns about the stability of a nation beset by civil unrest and teetering on the brink of a full-scale civil war, nearly eight months after the junta orchestrated a coup d’état.

The value of the kyat fell to 2,200 to the U.S. dollar—its lowest level in history—down from 1,330 on Feb. 1, when the military seized power from Myanmar’s democratically elected government. The cost of a tical of gold (0.578 ounces) soared to a new record of 1.9 million kyats, up from 1.3 million on the day of the coup.

In the more than seven months since, security forces have killed 1,108 civilians and arrested at least 6,591, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)—mostly during crackdowns on anti-junta protests.

The junta says it unseated Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government because the party engineered a landslide victory in Myanmar’s November 2020 election through widespread voter fraud. It has yet to present evidence of its claims and public unrest is at an all-time high.

Amid the nationwide turmoil, the cost of basic goods has skyrocketed.

A housewife in Myanmar’s largest city Yangon, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFA’s Myanmar Service that the depreciation of the kyat and rising food prices are having a severe impact on daily life.

“In the first few months, things were not so difficult, but recently, the cost of commodities has risenout of control, and you can’t buy nearly as much as you could before the coup,” she said.

“When prices go up, the sellers can’t provide discounts like they once could.”

According to the housewife, the cost of coffee has risen by 50 percent, while prices for condensed milk, cooking oil, and rice have doubled.

Soe Tun, a businessman in Yangon, said the rise in commodity prices was the result of a twinneddepreciation of the kyat and the appreciation of the dollar.

“A lot of people have been facing a hard time in the past few months—many have lost their jobs due to political instability and the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said.

“Unemployment is quite high. People have no income,but the prices of consumer goods has risen. Almost all medicines have had to be imported and paid for in U.S.dollars during the coronavirus pandemic and, as the U.S. dollar appreciates, everything costs more.”

Rising demand for dollar

The need for U.S. dollars has grown significantly since the military seized power, following a halt in exports and foreign direct investment. U.S. sanctions leveled against the junta have also stopped the flow of U.S.currency into the country.

The junta’s Central Bank sold a total of U.S. $144.8 million during the period from Feb. 3 to Sept. 15 to address the depreciation of the kyat against the dollar, according to the website Myanmar Now. However, money changers said that a rising number of foreign currency buyers has pushed the price of the U.S. up to meet the demand on the black market.

The Central Bank, which is trying to meet foreign exchange demands, issued a decree on Sept. 3, ordering local banks to sell their unused foreign currency to export banks at market prices within four months.

The depreciation of the kyat and soaring demand for U.S. dollars follows a World Bank report released at the end of July which said that the twin impacts of the military takeover and coronavirus pandemic could double the poverty rate in Myanmar, and suggested the economy is headed for a recession.

The Bank estimates that Myanmar’s economy will shrink by 18 percent between October 2020 and September 2021, pointing to domestic protests, labor shortages, telecommunications shutdowns, and a failing health sector as having the greatest impact.

Last month, a group of independent financial experts described the junta’s mismanagement of the country as “catastrophic,” and said it could spark a banking crisis.

Earlier this week, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) estimated that the junta has lost some 2 trillion kyats (U.S. $1 billion) in revenue from its military-operated power company since Februaryamid a widespread public boycott of the paying of electricity bills.

The junta’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy has acknowledged that it has had to purchase power from privately owned power plants to make up for shortfalls and warned that it would only be able to supply electricity to the country if the government can earn enough revenue.

Meanwhile, the military has stepped up offensives in remote parts of the country, triggering fierce battles with local People’s Defense Force (PDF) militias and some of the dozens of ethnic armies that control large swathes of territory along Myanmar’s periphery.

On Sept. 7, the NUG declared a nationwide state of emergency and called for open rebellion against junta rule, prompting an escalation of attacks on military targets by various allied pro-democracy militias and ethnic armed groups.

Need for urgent action

Joshua Kurlantzick, an expert on Southeast Asia with the Council on Foreign Relations, noted in an article Thursday that while prior to the pandemic, Myanmar’seconomy was on track to expand by an additional sixpercent in 2019–20, the economy is now “imploding.”

“Many banks have little cash and many multinational companies have left Myanmar as trade relations have soured between leading democracies and the country,” he wrote, adding that the country had lost 1.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2021.

He called for “rapid, concerted action, given the suffering inside Myanmar and the risks it poses to the world,” pointed to warnings by international experts that rising infections, population flight, and misgovernance threaten the country’s neighbors.

Zaw Pe Win, an economist in Yangon, told RFA that the junta must act to shore up the value of the kyat, or risk total collapse.

“The authorities are printing currency notes without any guarantees. The economic outlook is not optimistic and so domestic commodity prices will surely go up,” he said.

“If things continue in this fashion, low-income families are certain to face even harder times than they are now. If we cannot control the situation, the country will spiral downward uncontrollably.”

 

 

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