Australia boosts Myanmar aid

Australia will boost humanitarian aid to Myanmar while maintaining sanctions on the military regime, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Monday.

Mr Smith said it was important to help Myanmar prepare for a time when it would have a civilian government.

The country is expected to hold its first parliamentary election in two decades sometime this year, the first step in what the ruling generals call a 'road map' to democracy to end nearly 50 years of military rule.

'Burma's capacity cannot be allowed to completely atrophy to the ultimate disadvantage and cost of its people,' Mr Smith said in a statement to parliament.

He said Australia would increase its aid allocation by 40 per cent to A$50 million (S$31.4 million) a year, to help fight extreme poverty and improve child health and education in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

'The international community needs to start the rebuilding now. This is not a reward for Burma's military, but a recognition of the immense task faced by current and future generations of Burmese,' he said. Australia has banned military exports to Myanmar, and imposes travel and financial transaction sanctions against its military rulers.


AFP

Malaysia warn 'Stop meddling' in trial

Malaysia on Monday warned foreign governments not to criticise its justice system or 'meddle' in the sodomy trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The trial, which Anwar says is a political plot to undermine the opposition, is being closely watched by Western governments whose diplomats have attended the hearings that began last week.

'Foreign diplomats and missions must respect Malaysia's legal and judicial system,' deputy foreign minister A. Kohilan Pillay told AFP. 'They are welcome to follow Anwar's trial as closely as they want but they must observe our laws and not meddle in our internal affairs by hurling all sorts of accusations,' he said.

'The case has only just begun so these foreign countries should please leave it to Malaysia's judges to decide rather than creating their own trial by making damaging comments about our system.'

Mr Kohilan did not single out any countries for criticism but the government-linked New Straits Times on Monday reported a speech to Australia's parliament by Mr Michael Danby, chairman of its sub-committee on foreign affairs.

'The Malaysian legal system is being manipulated by supporters of the incumbent government to drive... Anwar Ibrahim out of national politics,' Mr Danby told parliament last week. 'Perverting the legal system for political ends by charging Anwar with sexual offences is an affront to human rights,' he added.

The New Straits Times quoted Mr Kohilan as saying he would summon representatives of countries deemed to be interfering in the Anwar affair.


AFP

Google warns Goojje

GOOGLE has warned a copycat Chinese website to stop using a logo that resembles the US Internet giant's or face possible legal action, state media reported on Monday.

The warning issued to the 'Goojje' website comes as Google is contemplating its future in China after saying it would no longer obey government censorship rules and could pull out entirely over alleged cyberattacks.

Google accused Goojje of infringing on its trademark rights, saying the logo of the Chinese website could make users believe it was authorised by or linked to the US company, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.

In a letter sent to Goojje by Google's lawyers, the US Internet firm demanded the Chinese site stop using the logo by Monday, the report said.

Reports have said Goojje was launched last month by a 20-strong team led by a college student identified only by the surname Wen, after Google issued its threat to pull out from China. The operators of Goojje have posted vague statements on the website construed by some media as offering support for Google.

Goojje's homepage imitates Google's design and its Chinese name ends with a character that means 'big sister'. Google's Chinese name, meanwhile, ends with a character that is a homonym for 'big brother'.

AFP

20,000 Thai forces deployed in Bangkok

The Thai government has begun to deploy at least 20,000 extra security forces across the country ahead of a court ruling on the fortune of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a spokesman said on Monday.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said protests would be allowed but violence was a concern, in the event of a populist backlash if the court seizes Thaksin's US$2.2 billion (S$1.6 billion) wealth when it rules on Feb 26.

Thaksin loyalists are stepping up anti-government demonstrations ahead of the court date. 'The security will intensify before and after the ruling because the government does not think it will be over,' Mr Panitan told reporters.

More than 13,300 security forces will be deployed in pro-Thaksin provinces across the country, while at least 6,500 will be in place in Bangkok and the surrounding area, with up to 200 checkpoints planned in the metropolitan area.

The total number of extra police and soldiers on the streets could be as high as 35,000, Mr Panitan said. 'Extra security laws will (also) be announced if needed to prevent any violence,' he added.

On Feb 26 the Supreme Court will decide whether the fortune of the telecoms tycoon - frozen in the months after he was deposed in a coup in 2006 - can be seized by authorities.


AFP

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi rejects release comment

Pro-democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday described as 'unfair' a minister's comment that she would be released in November as it pre-empted a court decision, her lawyer said.

Home Affairs Minister Maung Oo reportedly told a meeting of local officials in central Myanmar last week that the release of the 64-year-old, who has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years, would come in November.

Ms Suu Kyi 'said the home affairs minister's comment was totally unfair,' her lawyer, Nyan Win, told AFP after meeting her on Thursday.

A decision is expected from Myanmar's top court within three weeks on an appeal against her conviction last August. The conviction related to an incident in which a US man swam to her house and led to her being sentenced to another 18 months under house arrest.

'She said the case has not reached the end yet. She said the court has the right to make its own decision. Saying this is hurting the court decision,' Mr Nyan Win said.


AFP

Myanmar's Junta may free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be freed when her house arrest ends in November, according to a government minister quoted by witnesses on Monday, but critics said that may be too late for this year's elections.

Home Minister Major General Maung Oo told a Jan 21 meeting of local officials the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner would be released in November, a month after many observers expect the country to hold its first parliamentary elections in two decades.

The information could not be verified independently but three people who attended the meeting said the comment was made to an audience of several hundred people in Kyaukpadaung, a town about 565km (350 miles) north of the former capital, Yangon. The three witnesses requested anonymity.

Ms Suu Kyi, detained for 14 of the past 20 years, was sentenced to a further 18 months of detention last August for harbouring an American who swam uninvited to her lakeside home, raising questions over whether the election will be a sham.

Mr Maung Oo also said detained NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo would be released on Feb 13, and that the government would pursue an international-style market economy after holding 'free and fair' elections, including loosening restrictions on car imports.

Mr Tin Oo, 82, a former defence minister and retired general, has been in prison or under house arrest for more than a decade.


REUTERS

Foreign workers must pass English test to qualify for skilled status

To qualify for skilled levy status, foreign workers in the hotel, food and beverage (F&B), and retail sectors in Singapore will have to pass a listening and oral English test.


The Manpower Ministry said the two components will form the Service Literacy Test (SLT) that will be made compulsory starting this July.


English language lessons will come in handy for foreign workers who are working in the hotel, F&B and retail sectors, for them to communicate better with tourists and Singaporeans.


New work permit holders or those who are renewing their work permits will have to sit for the SLT. But those from Malaysia are exempted.


Each worker will undergo a test where they will listen to a conversation or an instruction, and then select a suitable response from a list of multiple-choice answers.


Meanwhile, the oral component will see candidates responding to questions such as "What type of job will you like to do and why?" The test will be conducted by ex-teachers or English language professionals.


Each candidate will be assessed thoroughly, and then informed if they have passed or failed the test. If they have failed, they will be able to retake the test.


The Manpower Ministry said the aim of the test is to make workers proficient in English at a basic level.


Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry, said: "We do not expect foreign workers to be able to speak perfect English after passing the SLT. However, we do expect them to be able to understand and be understood by most Singaporeans and tourists."


The Manpower Ministry believes employers will be motivated to send their workers for the test which costs some S$70. Those who hire workers who have passed the test and are given the skilled status will enjoy a lower levy of S$150, compared to S$240 for an unskilled worker.


This translates to a monthly cost-saving of some S$90 per worker. And industry players like Conrad Centennial hotel which hires over 50 foreign workers welcomed the initiative.


Heinrich Grafe, general manager, Conrad Centennial Hotel, said: "(The fact) that it is combined with the financial benefit is secondary, but I think the most important part is that the service to the guests will improve."


NTUC Learning Hub, which provides English language courses, is already hiring more trainers to anticipate more demand for places.


Employers can register their workers for the test from April. The Manpower Ministry said this is to give employers sufficient time to send their work permit holders for English language courses before they sit for the test.


The new criteria is in addition to all other skilled levy requirements, such as possessing the requisite academic qualifications or passing certain skill/trade tests.


CNA

Sentosa sees 10% increase in visitor numbers since opening of IR

There has been a 10 per cent increase in the number of visitors to Singapore's resort island of Sentosa since the country's first integrated resort opened on Wednesday.


For now, traffic into the island is smooth but the island's management said it expects visitor numbers to triple when Resorts World Sentosa is fully operational.


Traffic flow was manageable when MediaCorp was at Sentosa on Saturday afternoon.


Cars were cleared in about 10 seconds with the flat fee pricing, instead of the 20 to 30 seconds it took to process each car when fees were based on the number of passengers in each vehicle.


Currently, Sentosa receives about 24,000 visitors on a regular weekend.


It expects the numbers to go up to 40,000 to 60,000 when Resorts World Sentosa is fully operational.


David Goh, director, Operations & Retail, Sentosa Leisure Group, said: "We actually over-prepared to ensure that there is enough staff to handle things in case there is a surge. As and when the crowd is manageable, we (will) step down our manpower.


"We usually have about 10...admission hosts, who manage the cars coming in; we added 50 per cent of the manpower this morning, just in case there is a surge. Likewise at Express Station, we also increased our manpower there.


"The planning started months or even more than a year ago. (We worked)...with LTA to manage the road improvement works and also coordinated with Maple Tree where our Express Station is located within VivoCity.


"So there has been a lot of coordination work being put in place way back and more recently, we have worked with Police as well to work on crowd management plans, traffic management plans. So we are ready for the increase."


Within Resorts World itself, there were day trippers aplenty.


One visitor said: "We are here to explore the Resorts World in Sentosa and also to check out the other attractions."


The Victoria's Secret boutique, the first in Asia, attracted its fair share of crowds.


A visitor said: "We want to see how big is the shop itself. Actually it is a bit small, there is no fitting room but it is okay."


Another commented: "The casino is not yet open but the place, the branded products like Victoria's Secret, we love it!"


The resort's hotels were also busy.


Robin Goh, assistant director, Communications, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "Festive and Hard Rock hotels are both fully booked this weekend. We are looking at a 90 per cent occupancy rate.


"We saw a surge in bookings towards the end of the week, and I can say that occupancy will average about 80 to 90 per cent for the following four weeks as well."


However, there are still some kinks to be ironed out. Mr Goh said: "With a resort this size, we are experiencing what we call opening pains. We have received complaints about the car park being too huge, not enough signage, something we are working on. I think some people get a little lost with regards to where the four hotels are. In time, these things will be worked out".


And of course apart from the theme park, many are also waiting for the casino to open.


One person said: "So far the casino here hasn't opened yet, actually I want to go down and take a look."


At the casino's main entrance - much like the immigration lanes at the airport - visitors will be segregated according to whether they are Singaporeans and PRs or overseas guests.


And locals will have to pay the S$100 levy to enter the casino hall, located just a few metres from the casino check-in lanes.


Resorts World Sentosa has said that it expects up to 13 million visitors annually when it is fully operational. That is about 35,600 visitors daily.


CNA