Asia in 3 minutes: A song for bitcoins in Japan, a cardboard cutout for Thai journalists, and a palace for Indian gays
Rakine state papers land two journalists in jail; Thai leader’s antics confound reporters; Malaysia hires firm to find MH370
Reuters journalists charged with colonial-era secrets law in Myanmar
Two Reuters journalists were charged in Myanmar this week with violating a colonial-era secrecy law, and now face 14 years’ jail if found guilty. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested on December 12 after police accused them of acquiring “important secret papers” from two officers who had worked in Rakhine state, where Myanmar forces are blamed for rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims – a conflict that triggered a mass exodus of more than 650,000 people to Bangladesh. Friends and family gathered outside the Yangon court on Wednesday demanding their release, while inside prosecutors successfully charged the pair for breeching the Official Secrets Act – a law widely used by the previous military junta to muzzle critics and media.
What next: The journalists’ lawyer, Than Zaw Aung, filed an appeal for their bail release, but the judge will only rule on that request on January 23. Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler demanded their release, while the UN and rights groups expressed fears that press freedom was threatened under de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
‘Ask this guy’: Thai PM dodges media questions with cardboard cut-out
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha avoided questions from journalists this week by bringing out a life-size cardboard cut-out of himself, and ordering them to direct their queries to it instead. The awkward moment between the PM and the media came after he had attended an event promoting Thailand’s upcoming Children’s Day, and before journalists were expected to quiz him on a number of pressing political issues. “If you want to ask any questions on politics or conflict, ask this guy,” he said. Prayuth has in the past dumbfounded the media by fondling the ear of a sound technician for several minutes during a news conference, throwing a banana peel at cameramen, and threatening to execute any journalist who criticises his government.
What next: When it took power in 2014 in a bloodless coup, his military government enjoyed public support. But criticism has grown of its often-repressive policies and lack of transparency. Prayuth has promised elections in November, but he has made similar promises several times previously and delayed the vote.
Malaysia promises exploration firm US$70 million to find missing MH370
The Malaysian government has promised to pay US exploration company Ocean Infinity up to US$70 million to find the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 within three months. The “no cure, no fee” deal was signed on Wednesday, nearly four years after the plane disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board. The Texas-based firm will resume the search in the Southern Indian Ocean a year after Australia and China called off efforts. “The primary mission by Ocean Infinity is to identify the location of the wreckage and/or both of the flight recorders,” Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said.
