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Malaysia’s new king is an outspoken billionaire in a role with growing political influence

Asia

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February 2, 2024

Malaysia’s new king is an outspoken billionaire in a role with growing political influence

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The billionaire sultan who rules Malaysia’s Johor state was sworn in as the nation’s new king Wednesday under a unique rotating monarchy system.

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, 65, took his oath of office at the palace and signed the instrument of the proclamation of office in a ceremony witnessed by other royal families, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Cabinet members. A coronation ceremony will be held later.

One of the richest men in the country, Sultan Ibrahim has an extensive business empire ranging from real estate to telecoms and power plants. The candid monarch has close ties with Anwar and his rule could bolster Anwar’s unity government, which faces a strong Islamic opposition.

Nine ethnic Malay state rulers have taken turns as king for five-year terms under the world’s only such system since Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. Malaysia has 13 states but only nine have royal families, some that trace their roots to centuries-old Malay kingdoms that were independent states until they were brought together by the British.

Sultan Ibrahim’s election to the national throne by his fellow rulers in October was widely expected based on an established rotation order. Sultan Nazrin Shah, the ruler of Perak state and next in line to the throne, was reelected as deputy king.

WHAT IS THE KING’S ROLE?

Known as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, or He Who is Made Lord, the king plays a largely ceremonial role, as administrative power is vested in the prime minister and Parliament. The monarch is the nominal head of the government and armed forces, and is highly regarded as the protector of Islam and Malay tradition. All laws, Cabinet appointments and the dissolution of Parliament for general elections require his assent. The king has the power to proclaim an emergency and pardon criminals.

Sultan Ibrahim succeeded Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang state, who presided over a tumultuous period that included COVID-19 lockdowns and political instability.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, left, salutes the guard of honor besides Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (Hasnoor Hussain/Pool Photo via AP)
Military band perform during a welcoming ceremony of the 17th King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar at National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. (Hasnoor Hussain/Pool Photo via AP)

The political influence of the king has grown in recent years. Sultan Abdullah intervened in the past to decide who became prime minister, including naming Anwar as prime minister after 2022 general elections led to a hung parliament.

Sultan Ibrahim has indicated he will maintain a hands-on approach. He said in an interview with the Singapore Straits Times published last month that he would not want to waste five years on the throne as a “puppet king” but will focus on fighting graft and deepening unity in the country. The sultan and other rulers have also warned against attempts by the opposition to oust Anwar’s government, calling instead for political stability.

WHO IS SULTAN IBRAHIM?

Sultan Ibrahim, whose mother is English, is also vocal about welfare issues and takes annual road trips on his motorbike to meet the people in his state.

He has also made no secret of his wealth. Earlier Wednesday, the sultan flew from Johor to Kuala Lumpur on his private jet, a gold -and-blue Boeing 737. Apart from a fleet of jets, he has an extensive collection of cars and motorcycles, as well as properties abroad. Sultan Ibrahim is also the only ruler with a private army — a condition agreed upon for the state to join modern-day Malaysia.

Sultan Ibrahim’s high corporate profile — including a stake in the multibillion-dollar Forest City development project in Johor with China’s beleaguered developer Country Garden — has raised eyebrows amid concerns of a possible conflict of interest. He told the Singapore Straits Times that he plans to revive a high-speed rail link project with Singapore and bolster the troubled Forest City project.

But the sultan has defended his business dealings. In 2015, he quipped that he has to “earn a living, like ordinary Malaysians” as he cannot rely on his 27,000 ringgit ($5,700) monthly state allowance.

His wife Raja Zarith Sofiah, who is from another royal family, is an Oxford graduate and a prolific writer who has authored several children’s books. They have five sons and a daughter.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Diplomat Times staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

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Biden issues order at Israeli settlers who perpetrate violence in West Bank

United States

Endrit Pjetri

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February 2, 2024

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Biden issues order at Israeli settlers who perpetrate violence in West Bank

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to issue an executive order targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been attacking Palestinianns in the occupied territory, according to four people familiar with the matter.

A senior administration official, who like the others was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the White House was expected to announce the order later Thursday.

The order comes with Biden facing growing criticism for his administration’s strong support of Israel as casualties mount in the Israel-Hamas war. The move is rare step against America’s closest ally in the Mideast whom Biden says has the right to defend itself.

But the Democratic president has pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to show greater restraint in its military operations aimed at rooting out Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza and struck Israel on Oct. 7.

Biden has spoken out against retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers and pledged that those those responsible for the violence will be held accountable. He said in late October that the violence by “extremist settlers” amounted to “pouring gasoline” on the already burning fires in the Middle East. “It has to stop. They have to be held accountable. It has to stop now,” Biden said.

Israel Defense Forces stepped up raids across the West Bank after the war began. Hamas militants are present in the West Bank, but largely operate underground because of Israel’s tight grip on the territory. Palestinians complain that the Israeli crackdown in the West Bank have further blurred the line between security forces and radical, violent settlers.

The executive order is expected to set the ground for imposing sanctions on individuals who have engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met on Wednesday at the White House with Ron Dermer, the Israeli minister of strategic affair. It was not clear whether the executive order was discussed.

The order will give the Treasury Department the authority to impose financial sanctions on settlers, but is not meant to target U.S. citizens. A substantial number of the settlers in the West Bank hold U.S. citizenship.

Attacks by Israeli settlers have intensified since the war started, and some Palestinians have been killed, according to Palestinian authorities. Rights groups say settlers have torched cars and attacked several small Bedouin communities, forcing evacuations to other areas.

Biden’s expected order was first reported by Politico.

The new executive order comes as Biden was set to visit Michigan on Thursday to rally support from union members in a key presidential battleground state. The Democratic president has faced sharp criticism from Arab and Muslim leaders over his handling of the war with Hamas, and the shadow of the conflict has some Democrats worrying that it could have a major effect on the outcome in the November election.

The president’s campaign team has already seen alarming signs of the growing rift with Michigan’s Arab American community.

Last week, the president’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez traveled to suburban Detroit and found a number of community leaders unwilling to meet with her. Some frustrated by Biden’s Israel policy are working to discourage voters from supporting the president in the general election.

The State Department announced in December it would impose travel bans on extremist Jewish settlers implicated in a rash of recent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The department did not announce individual visa bans. But officials said at the time the bans would cover “dozens” of settlers and their families, with more to come if the violence continued.

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

(This story has not been created by Diplomat Times’s staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed, edit by Endrit Pjetri )

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Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh attended the Indonesia-India Business Forum in New Delhi

Diplomacy

Diplomat Times

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February 1, 2024

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Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh attended the Indonesia-India Business Forum in New Delhi

New Delhi, INDIA (DT) – Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, participated in the Indonesia-India Business Forum held in New Delhi.

The forum served as a platform to bolster economic ties and foster greater collaboration between the two nations. Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships across various sectors.

The event witnessed discussions on key areas of cooperation, including trade, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Representatives from both Indonesian and Indian business communities exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for enhancing economic engagement. Dr. Singh reiterated India’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Indonesia and promoting greater economic integration between the two countries.

India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. Both countries are neighbours, India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.

The Indian-Indonesian relationship stretches back for almost two millennia. In 1950, the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno, called upon the peoples of Indonesia and India to “intensify the cordial relations” that had existed between the two countries “for more than 1000 years” before they had been “disrupted” by colonial powers.

India has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia operates an embassy in Delhi. India regards Indonesia as a key member of ASEAN. Both nations had agreed to establish a strategic partnership. The two countries have significant bilateral trade.

India and Indonesia are among the largest democracies in the world. Both are member states of the G-20, the E7 (countries), the Non-aligned Movement, and the United Nations.

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Diplomat Times Editor Shasi Kumar Engages with Indonesian MFA Director General H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani to Delve into India-Indonesia Relations

Interviews

Shasi Kumar

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February 1, 2024

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Diplomat Times Editor Shasi Kumar Engages with Indonesian MFA Director General H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani to Delve into India-Indonesia Relations

NEW DELHI/JAKARTA (DT) – In a bid to deepen understanding and foster stronger ties between India and Indonesia, Shasi Kumar, Editor of Diplomat Times, recently engaged in discussions with H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General(APA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Indonesia.

The meeting, held at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Headquarters aimed to explore various facets of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. With India and Indonesia sharing historical, cultural, and economic bonds, DG acknowledged the importance of enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors.

During the dialogue, Editor Shasi Kumar and Director General Abdul Kadir Jailani exchanged insights on the potential areas of collaboration between India and Indonesia. They emphasized the significance of diplomatic efforts in promoting trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations.

In his speech video, Director General emphasized that Indonesia and India are more than just close friends, but have become special strategic partners.

Q. What initiatives is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia undertaking to attract tourists from India ?

Ans. He highlighted that Bali draws a significant number of tourists from India, and our government’s policy of offering free visas to Indian travelers has contributed to an increase in the number of Indian travelers.

Facts. Indonesia is actively developing its tourism sector to significantly contribute to the national GDP. In 2022, the sector accounted for about 3.6 percent of GDP, equivalent to US$6.7 billion.

For 2024, Indonesia aims for 9.5 to 14.3 million foreign arrivals, aiming to contribute approximately 220 trillion rupiah (US$14.1 billion) to GDP.

The tourism industry presents lucrative opportunities for foreign investors, with a projected annual growth rate of 12.03 percent until 2026. This growth is driven not only by foreign tourists but also by domestic travelers. Infrastructure development and a growing middle class are key factors fueling the rise in domestic tourism. Indonesia recorded 734 million domestic trips in 2022, marking nearly a 20 percent increase from 2021.

Q. Were there any economic gains for Indonesia during its G20 presidency?

Ans. Yes, Indonesia experienced various economic benefits during its G20 presidency, including increased international visibility and opportunities for investment.
The economic gains for Indonesia during its G20 presidency were significant, contributing to enhanced trade relations and diplomatic stature on the global stage.
Indonesia’s G20 presidency led to economic advantages such as improved access to global markets and strengthened partnerships with other member countries.
Indeed, Indonesia benefited economically from its G20 presidency through initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and fostering economic cooperation among member nations.

Insights into the Family of Director General Abdul Kadi

As the conversation veered towards personal anecdotes, our editor gently broached the topic of family. With a candid smile, the seasoned diplomat revealed that he is a proud father of two sons, showcasing the human side behind his diplomatic persona.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== — His Excellency Abdul Kadri Jialani appears joyful while discussing family matters. Photo : Manvir Singh

“Galance the Life of H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani Before His Appointment as Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa”

Abdul Kadir Jailani, the current Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been honored with the prestigious award for Best Ambassador in Southeast Asia during his tenure in Ottawa, Canada.

Before assuming his current role, Abdul Kadir Jailani served as the Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, where he exhibited exceptional diplomatic skills and fostered strong ties between Indonesia and Canada. His dedication to promoting bilateral relations and advancing mutual interests earned him recognition as an exemplary ambassador in Southeast Asia.

Renowned for his distinguished white hair, Abdul Kadir Jailani is esteemed as a skilled negotiator and diplomat, known for his adept use of social media in diplomatic endeavors.

During his tenure in Ottawa, Abdul Kadir Jailani played a pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic cooperation between Indonesia and Canada across various sectors, including trade, education, culture, and tourism. His efforts contributed significantly to enhancing the partnership between the two countries and deepening understanding between their peoples.

Prior to his ambassadorial role in Canada, Abdul Kadir Jailani also served as the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), further showcasing his expertise and commitment to international diplomacy.

Throughout his distinguished career at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Kadir Jailani has held key positions, including Director of Economic and Socio-Cultural Agreements and Deputy Director of Political and Security Agreements. His notable accomplishments have underscored Indonesia’s proactive engagement in regional and global affairs.

Abdul Kadir Jailani’s recognition as the Best Ambassador in Southeast Asia reflects his exemplary service, diplomatic finesse, and unwavering commitment to advancing Indonesia’s interests on the international stage. His contributions continue to inspire and set a high standard for diplomatic excellence in the region and beyond.

He shared insights about his diplomatic career with editor Kumar and said journey within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been remarkable. Having completed his education from elementary school to university in East Java, he pursued his diploma education in Jakarta after college.

Commencing his career as a foreign service officer (diplomat) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jailani assumed various pivotal roles. From diplomatic postings in the Netherlands to serving as an expert in disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva, his assignments were diverse. Subsequently, he assumed responsibilities at the Security Council in New York City, further enhancing his diplomatic expertise.

The historical background of relations between India and Indonesia

India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951. Both countries are neighbours, India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.

The Indian-Indonesian relationship stretches back for almost two millennia. In 1950, the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno, called upon the peoples of Indonesia and India to “intensify the cordial relations” that had existed between the two countries “for more than 1000 years” before they had been “disrupted” by colonial powers.

India has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia operates an embassy in Delhi. India regards Indonesia as a key member of ASEAN. Both nations had agreed to establish a strategic partnership. The two countries have significant bilateral trade.

India and Indonesia are among the largest democracies in the world. Both are member states of the G-20, the E7 (countries), the Non-aligned Movement, and the United Nations.

Some contents From Wikipedia and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia

Manvir/Rias Mansuri reported from Jakarta, and Roshan from New Delhi.

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Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BNI Encourage Collaboration for State-Owned Enterprises to Go Global on Indonesia Incorporated Day

Asia

Diplomat Times

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January 31, 2024

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Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BNI Encourage Collaboration for State-Owned Enterprises to Go Global on Indonesia Incorporated Day

Bali, INDONESIA (DT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, along with the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises and PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (Persero), organized Indonesia Incorporated Day in Nusa Dua, Bali (27/1). Under the theme “Collaborating Towards State-Owned Enterprises To Go Global,” the event aims to foster collaboration among the government, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), private sector, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) to realise the vision of Indonesia Going Global.

The meeting was attended by 11 state-owned enterprises from strategic sectors, 5 private companies, and the Indonesia Eximbank. The event was opened by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Pahala Mansury, and the Secretary of the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, Rabin Inrajad Hattari.

In his remarks, Vice Minister Mansury emphasised the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders to achieve the vision of Indonesia Going Global. It is hoped that Indonesia Incorporated Day can produce a joint action plan to achieve concrete deliverables. “The action plan resulting from Indonesia Going Global activities must be actionable, time-bound, and followed-up,” said Vice Minister Mansury.

Vice Minister Pahala outlined current geopolitical trends that should be a collective concern. Policies of de-risking and friendshoring, the competition between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, disruptions in trade routes, and the climate change crisis have a significant impact on the volatility of global economic growth. Moreover, the increasingly multi-polar world opens opportunities for Indonesia and other developing countries (Global South) to advocate for economic interests, including promoting downstream industries.

In response to these dynamics, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of formulating the Grand Design of Economic Diplomacy (GDDE) to support Indonesia’s economic transformation to achieve developed country status by 2045.

Efforts towards global economic integration, market access expansion, and the involvement of state-owned enterprises and the private sector are crucial factors in the Indonesia Going Global initiative.

The implementation of GDDE is expected to realise national energy, food, and health security, as well as secure critical mineral needs.

According to the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening the narrative to compete on the international trade map. “Stories matter. What we tell to our audiences matters. Therefore, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises is ready to contribute to strengthening Indonesia’s branding narrative,” said the Deputy Minister.

According to the President Director of BNI, Royke Tumilaar, Indonesia Incorporated Day marks a crucial moment in Indonesia’s global aspirations.

BNI is ready to support collaborative efforts between the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant institutions.

One manifestation of BNI’s commitment is by offering the Global Diaspora Banking Solution and fully leading the development of private business and Indonesian SMEs abroad, as explained by the Director of Wholesale & International Banking, Silvano Rumantir.

All participants in the event presented strategies, priorities, challenges, and proposals for strengthening economic diplomacy cooperation. This activity also resulted in an Action Plan document that identifies opportunities and challenges, as well as priority projects for state-owned enterprises that can be pursued in potential countries.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BNI are spearheading efforts to foster collaboration among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to expand their global presence on Indonesia Incorporated Day.

This initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia’s economic footprint on the global stage and promote the competitiveness of its SOEs in international markets.

Ministry’s diplomatic networks to facilitate global partnerships and market access for these enterprises.

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ASEAN has concurred to allow Laos to continue the outcomes of Indonesia’s chairmanship

Asia

Shasi Kumar

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January 31, 2024

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ASEAN has concurred to allow Laos to continue the outcomes of Indonesia’s chairmanship

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS (AGENCIES) – ASEAN Foreign Ministers held the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat in Luang Prabang, Laos, on (29/1).

The first ministerial-level meeting under Laos’ chairmanship agreed to continue the outcomes of Indonesia’s chairmanship from the previous year.

“Some of the agreements from the AMM Retreat include the continuity of various deliverables from Indonesia’s chairmanship last year, including support for the continuation of the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) and the ongoing implementation of the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a press statement after the meeting.

Additionally, the meeting agreed to continue prioritising the maritime agenda in ASEAN to promote regional maritime stability and cooperation, including blue economy initiatives and the organisation of the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF)/Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

Another agreement is to continue emphasising the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in various ASEAN-led mechanisms. In this regard, Indonesia’s Concept Note on AOIP-based Comprehensive Regional Architecture has been approved for further discussion.

The meeting also expressed support for the China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit plan. Regarding Palestine, the meeting conveyed concerns and a call for an immediate cessation of violence and a ceasefire in Gaza. It strongly condemned acts of violence against civilians, expressed support for a two-state solution, and urged Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s decision on Gaza.

The AMM Retreat was divided into two sessions: Session I discussed Laos’ priorities as the ASEAN Chair and follow-ups from the previous summit, including the implementation of the 5PC, while Session II addressed regional and international situations.

In Session I, Indonesia expressed support for Laos’ chairmanship this year. Indonesia also highlighted several important matters that need to be addressed under Laos’ chairmanship.

Regarding the situation in Myanmar, Indonesia welcomed the reaffirmed commitment of ASEAN foreign ministers to make the 5PC the primary reference for ASEAN’s efforts to help Myanmar out of the crisis. Indonesia also conveyed all notes on addressing Myanmar’s issues during Indonesia’s chairmanship last year to Laos as the Chair this year.

“Indonesia also expects no permissive actions that could hinder or setback the implementation of the 5PC. Engagement with stakeholders must be done carefully to avoid being politically capitalised by certain stakeholders,” said the Foreign Minister.

Indonesia expressed its readiness to contribute through the troika mechanism. Discussions within this troika mechanism are expected not only to be limited to consultations but also to include coordinating humanitarian assistance and facilitating inclusive dialogue.”

China Sea, seeking to “enhance favorable conditions for a peaceful and durable solution of differences and disputes,” but there has been little sign of adherence to that in recent years.

In Luang Prabang, the group “underscored the importance of the full and effective” implementation of the declaration, according to a statement issued by Laos after the talks.

“We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in, and overflight above, the South China Sea,” it said.

Under last year’s chair, Indonesia, ASEAN agreed with China on guidelines to accelerate negotiations for a South China Sea code of conduct, but that has yet to produce results.

In the talks Monday, Saleumxay said several ASEAN nations brought up the tensions in the South China Sea and that Laos hoped to have a third reading of the code of conduct with China “as soon as possible.”

“That would create an environment where both ASEAN member states, especially the claimant states, and China can build more trust and confidence,” he said. “Whatever happens in the South China Sea should be resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue and consultations.”

Saleumxay said all sides with claims in the South China Sea need to respect the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.

Under that convention, a U.N.-backed tribunal ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea on historical grounds were invalid and that Beijing had violated the right of Filipinos to fish in the shoal.

China has refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome and continues to defy it.

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Pakistani court sentences former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years for revealing state secrets

Diplomat Times

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January 30, 2024

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Pakistani court sentences former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years for revealing state secrets

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani court on Tuesday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and one of his party deputies to 10 years in prison each, after finding them guilty of revealing official secrets.

According to Zulfiqar Bukhari, spokesman for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, the court announced the verdict at a prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Khan, who was ousted through a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in a graft case.

The latest development comes ahead of the Feb. 8 parliamentary elections in Pakistan — a vote that Khan is barred from running in because of his previous criminal conviction.

Authorities say Khan and his deputy who also received a 10-year sentence, Shah Mahmood Qureshi ,have the right to appeal Tuesday’s ruling in the case, popularly known as the Cipher case.

Although Khan will not be on the ballot for the Febuary election, he remains a potent political force because of his grassroots following and anti-establishment rhetoric. He says the legal cases against him were a plot to sideline him ahead of the vote.

Pakistan has seen violent demonstrations since after Khan’s May 2023 arrest. Authorities have cracked down on his supporters and party since then.

Pakistan’s independent human rights commission has said there is little chance of a free and fair parliamentary election next month because of “pre-poll rigging.” It also expressed concern about authorities rejecting the candidacies of Khan and senior figures from his party.

The Cipher case is one of more than 150 cases pending against Khan, a former cricket star turned Islamist politician. Other charges range from contempt of court to terrorism and inciting violence.

Khan is alleged to have waved a confidential document during a rally after he was toppled as premier, claiming that it was proof he was being threatened and that his ouster was a U.S. conspiracy, allegedly executed by the military and the government in Pakistan. Washington and Pakistani officials have denied the claim.

The document he waved — dubbed Cipher — has not been made public by either the government or Khan’s lawyers but was apparently diplomatic correspondence between the Pakistani ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

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Brazil police investigate Former President Bolsonaro’s son for alleged spying on opponents

Latin America

Diplomat Times

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January 30, 2024

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Brazil police investigate Former President Bolsonaro’s son for alleged spying on opponents

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — Brazil’s federal police on Monday searched the home and office of Carlos Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a Rio de Janeiro city councilman, two days after the Supreme Court granted the warrants.

Police said in a statement that they conducted nine searches Monday as part of a broader investigation into the nation’s intelligence agency and alleged spying on political opponents during Bolsonaro’s term, which ended in Dec. 2022.

In a decision made public Monday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the police claim it has identified a group, of which Carlos Bolsonaro allegedly forms part, that “monitored ‘political enemies’ and sought information about the existence of investigations related to the children of the then President of the Republic Jair Messias Bolsonaro.”

Images broadcast on TV network Globo News showed Carlos and his father outside the latter’s residence in Angra dos Reis, south of Rio de Janeiro. Police searched the former president’s house for any electronic devices, including phones and laptops, belonging to Carlos.

The two men, along with two of Carlos’ brothers, lawmaker Eduardo and senator Flávio, had been on a fishing trip since 5:00 a.m. when they heard of the warrants, the former president’s lawyer, Fabio Wajngarten, said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, a federal lawmaker, complained on X that police also seized equipment belonging to an adviser of the former president, who happened to be in the house during the police raid, even though he was not targeted by a warrant.

In an interview with one of the country’s main independent newspapers, O Globo, Flávio accused the police of being on a “fishing expedition.”

Carlos Bolsonaro’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP, and had not publicly commented the raid.

Monday’s operation comes days after federal police searched the office and home of the former chief of Brazil’s intelligence agency under Bolsonaro, Alexandre Ramagem, and a dozen other people.

Police statements and Supreme Court documents show police are investigating an “organized crime” group that operated within the intelligence agency, known by its Portuguese acronym ABIN, during Bolsonaro’s term. The group allegedly used the agency’s tools and services for political use and personal gain.

The group is also suspected of seeking to interfere with ongoing police investigations, some of which targeted or involved two of Bolsonaro’s other sons, Jair Renan and Flávio.

Police suspect ABIN under Ramagem used a software known as FirstMile, developed by Israeli company Cognyte, “to monitor targets and public authorities … with the aim of creating false narratives,” according to Supreme Court documents.

The software allows the geolocalization of cellphones. De Moraes, the Supreme Court Justice, said in its decision that police had identified over 60,500 uses of the software between 2019 and 2021.

O Globo, which broke the story in May, reported that ABIN agents used to software to monitor political figures and journalists.

Monday’s police statement said the latest operation sought to advance the political side of the investigation, to “identify the main recipients and beneficiaries of illegally produced information.”

Sunday night, Jair Bolsonaro conducted a two-and-a-half-hour long live broadcast on social media, along with three of his sons, including Carlos. The broadcast was done from a house in the seaside city of Angra dos Reis.

In the video, the Bolsonaros defended Ramagem and criticized the investigation, with the former president calling the idea of a parallel intelligence unit “fantastical.”

Local outlets reported on Ramagem’s ties with the Bolsonaro family since the presidential campaign of 2018. Then a federal police officer, Ramagem served as one of Jair Bolsonaro’s security coordinators, O Globo reported. In one photo widely shared by local media, he appears all smiles at a 2018-2019 New Year’s Eve party alongside Carlos Bolsonaro and their then spouses.

Bolsonaro appointed Ramagem to lead ABIN in May 2019. The right-wing leader had previously appointed him to be federal police chief but quickly yielded to growing criticism around the nomination for Ramagem was widely seen as too close to the president’s family, and that he might give members preferential treatment.

In a March 2020 TV interview, Gustavo Bebianno, who had acted as one of the former president’s key aides and as a Cabinet minister before being fired, said Carlos had spoken to him about creating a parallel intelligence unit within the agency.

“One fine day, Carlos shows up with the name of a federal detective and three agents who would form a parallel ABIN, because he didn’t trust ABIN,” Bebianno told TV program Roda Viva shortly before his death in 2020. “We advised the president not to do anything of the sort… After I left, I don’t know if this was implemented or not.” Less than two weeks after the interview, Bebianno died suddenly from a heart attack, according to his family.

O Globo, which is based in Rio, reported that law enforcement had seized a computer that belonged to ABIN in one of the addresses mentioned in the warrants. The agency’s press department told the AP in an email it was investigating the claim.

US government pulls some of Venezuela’s sanctions relief after court blocks opposition candidate

Latin America

Mikey Peres

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January 30, 2024

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US government pulls some of Venezuela’s sanctions relief after court blocks opposition candidate

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. government on Monday pulled back part of the sanctions relief it granted Venezuela last year, following through on its threat after the South American country’s highest court blocked the presidential candidacy of an opposition leader.

The Department of the Treasury gave companies transacting with Venezuela’s state-owned mining company until Feb. 13 to wind down operations. The department had allowed transactions with the mining company in October after President Nicolás Maduro’s government agreed to level the playing field ahead of this year’s presidential election.

On Friday, however, the prospect of a free presidential election was dealt a heavy blow when the country’s highest court upheld a ban on the candidacy of María Corina Machado, a longtime government foe and winner of the primary held by the U.S.-backed opposition faction.

Machado, a former lawmaker, won the opposition’s independently run presidential primary with more than 90% of the votes. Her victory came despite the government announcing a 15-year ban on her running for office just days after she formally entered the race in June.

The longtime government foe was able to participate because the primary was organized by a commission independent of Venezuela’s electoral authorities. Machado insisted throughout the campaign that she never received official notification of the ban.

In December, Machado filed a claim with the tribunal, Venezuela’s highest court, arguing the ban was null and void and seeking an injunction to protect her political rights. Instead, the court on Friday upheld the ban, which alleges fraud and tax violations and accuses her of seeking the economic sanctions the U.S. imposed on Venezuela in the last decade.

Machado on Monday called the court ruling blocking her presidential candidacy last week “judicial criminality” and vowed to stay in the race, declaring that the decision embodies the ruling party’s fear of having to face her at the polls.

Machado, surrounded by supporters and other opposition leaders, told reporters she expects government repression to increase against her and her team, because it is “the only tool they have left” to stop adversaries. But, she said, “the best option” for Maduro and his allies is “to negotiate with us a peaceful transition.”

“It cannot be called a sentence. It is not even an arbitrary decision. This is called judicial criminality,” Machado said of Friday’s ruling by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. “If they believe that they declared my disqualification, then let them know well, they declared the end of this tyranny … because people are clear and are not going to allow themselves to be stripped of their Oct. 22 decision.”

Friday’s ruling came more than three months after Maduro and the U.S.-backed opposition, known as the Unitary Platform, reached a deal to work on basic conditions for a fair election. They agreed to hold the election in the second half of 2024, invite international electoral observers and create a process for aspiring presidential candidates to appeal their bans.

The agreement triggered some sanctions relief in the oil, gas and mining sectors. But the U.S. government, aware that Maduro has breached agreements before, threatened to reverse some of the relief if Venezuela’s government failed to reverse bans preventing Machado and others from holding office and did release political prisoners.

The impact of Monday’s decision affecting Compañía General de Minería de Venezuela, C.A, known as Minerven, was not immediately clear. The license authorizing transactions was intended to see some of the illegal trading of gold in Venezuela move to the legal market.

Sanctions relief in the oil and gas sectors remain in place.

“They need to make the right decisions here and allow opposition members to run for office and release the political prisoners that they’re holding right now,” White House National Security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday, mentioning some of the steps Maduro agreed to take as part of the agreement signed in October on the Caribbean island of Barbados.

The Organization of American States and about 30 political leaders from Spain and Latin America have also condemned the court’s decision.

The court and the National Electoral Council, the country’s electoral body, are stacked with people affiliated with the ruling party. The head of the electoral council is now Elvis Amoroso, who signed Machado’s administrative ban last year.

Ruling-party loyalists also include Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who after the primary election opened criminal investigations against some of its organizers and later issued arrest warrants for three of Machado’s campaign staffers. In addition, a longtime collaborator of Machado, Roberto Abdul, with whom she co-founded a pro-democracy group more than two decades ago, was detained after the primary.

A high-profile prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela led to Abdul’s release and allowed the three staffers to leave the foreign embassy where they sought refuge. But three other staffers were detained last week, and on Monday, Machado said that their whereabouts remain unknown.

Since the ruling was made public, the chief negotiators for the Unitary Platform, Gerardo Blyde, and the government, Jorge Rodríguez, have expressed their commitment to continue the negotiation process. But while Blyde on Saturday said the government has broken the terms of the Barbados agreement and it must reverse the ruling, Rodríguez on Monday insisted that his side has followed the accord, and the court’s decision “is a thing of the past.”

Rodríguez also warned the U.S. government to not “interfere” with Venezuela’s internal affairs.

“We will pay close attention to the actions they take in the coming days that may be considered aggressive toward the right of this country to live in peace, to progress and to have all unilateral cohesive measures, called sanctions, lifted,” he said.

Zeke Miller contributed to this report from Washington.

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Document spells out allegations against 12 UN employees Israel says participated in Hamas attack

Israel

Diplomat Times

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January 30, 2024

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Document spells out allegations against 12 UN employees Israel says participated in Hamas attack

BY TIA GOLDENBERG, NAJIB JOBAIN AND JACK JEFFERY

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli document obtained Monday spelled out allegations against a dozen U.N. employees the country says took part in Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault — claiming seven stormed into Israeli territory, including one who participated in a kidnapping and another who helped to steal a soldier’s body.

The allegations against staffers with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees prompted the United States and several other countries to freeze funds vital for the body, which is a lifeline for desperate Palestinians in Gaza. The White House indicated that funding could be restored depending on the agency’s investigation and subsequent actions.

The U.N. condemned “the abhorrent alleged acts” and fired nine of the accused workers, who include teachers and a social worker. Two are reportedly dead, and the last is still being identified.

The accusations come after years of tensions between Israel and the agency known as UNRWA over its work in Gaza, where it employs roughly 13,000 people.

UNRWA is the biggest aid provider in Gaza, where Israel’s war against Hamas has displaced the vast majority of the population within the besieged territory and plunged it into a humanitarian catastrophe. U.N. officials say a quarter of the population is starving.

With the majority of its budget in doubt, and because UNRWA spends contributions as they come in throughout the year, the agency says it will be forced to halt operations within weeks if funding isn’t restored.

‘SIGNIFICANT GAPS’ REMAIN IN CEASE-FIRE TALKS

The threat to the U.N. agency came as Israel said cease-fire talks held Sunday were constructive but that “significant gaps” remained in any potential agreement. The talks are meant to bring about some respite to war-torn Gaza and secure the release of more than 100 hostages still held in the territory.

Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan told reporters in Beirut that discussions are continuing but that the group is still insisting on a more permanent cease-fire before releasing any more hostages.

The prime minister of Qatar, which has served as a key mediator with Hamas, was more upbeat, saying U.S. and Mideast mediators had reached a framework proposal for a cease-fire and hostage release to present to the militant group. Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the mediators had made “good progress.”

Israeli forces are meanwhile still battling Palestinian militants in different parts of Gaza, even in areas where the army has been operating for months.

Israel issued an evacuation order to residents in the western part of Gaza City, urging them to head south. The military also said it had battled militants and carried out airstrikes in recent days in other parts of northern Gaza, which was pummeled in the first weeks of the war and where Israel has claimed to have largely dismantled Hamas.

Militants also fired a barrage of around 15 rockets at central Israel for the first time in weeks. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The war was sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw some 250 people taken captive, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel responded with an intense air, sea and ground offensive that has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, most of them women and minors, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

The war has also threatened to set off a wider regional conflict. In the latest example of high tensions, the U.S. announced that three of its troops were killed in a strike blamed on Iran-backed militias in Jordan.

DETAILED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST UNRWA WORKERS

The Israeli document, which has been shared with U.S. officials and was obtained by The Associated Press, lists 12 people, their alleged roles in the attack, job descriptions and photos. The findings detailed in the document could not be independently confirmed.

The document said intelligence gathered showed that at least 190 UNRWA workers were Hamas or Islamic Jihad operatives, without providing evidence.

It said of the 12 workers, nine were teachers and one a social worker. Seven of the employees were accused of crossing into Israel on Oct. 7. Of those, one was accused of taking part in a kidnapping, another of helping to take away a dead soldier and three others of participating in the attacks.

Ten were listed as having ties to Hamas and one to the Islamic Jihad militant group. Two of the 12 have been killed, according to the document. The U.N. previously said one was still being identified.

The allegations have stoked longstanding tensions between Israel and UNRWA. Israel says Hamas uses the agency’s facilities to store weapons and launch attacks. UNRWA says it does not knowingly tolerate such behavior and has internal safeguards to prevent abuses and discipline any wrongdoing.

Even before the latest allegations, the agency’s commissioner, Philippe Lazzarini, had announced that he was ordering an external review of the agency’s operations and its safeguards.

Israel has long been critical of the agency and accuses it of helping to perpetuate the 76-year-old Palestinian refugee crisis. Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he canceled a Wednesday meeting between Israeli officials and Lazzarini, and called on the UNRWA head to resign.

CALLS TO RESUME FUNDING

The U.N. says the entire agency should not be penalized over the alleged actions of the dozen workers, who it says will be held accountable. It has called for the donors to resume funding.

A coalition of 20 aid groups, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Save the Children, also called for funding to be restored, saying UNRWA’s delivery of humanitarian assistance “cannot be replaced.”

The United States, the agency’s largest donor, cut funding over the weekend, followed by more than a dozen other countries. Together, they provided more than 60% of UNRWA’s budget in 2022.

But National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said it would be wrong to “impugn the good work of a whole agency because of the potential bad actions here by a small number,” He appeared to leave the door open for a resumption of aid.

“I think a lot of it’s going to depend on what the investigation finds and what accountability measures and corrective measures UNWRA is willing to make,” he said.

UNRWA provides basic services for Palestinian families who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country’s creation. Refugees and their descendants now number nearly 6 million across the Middle East. In Gaza, they are a majority of the population.

UNRWA is unique in the U.N. system because it is only focused on one national group, with refugees from other conflicts falling under the purview of the agency known as UNHCR.

Since the war began, most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have come to depend on UNRWA’s programs for “sheer survival,” including food and shelter, Lazzarini said.

Communications Director Juliette Touma warned that the agency would be forced to stop its support in Gaza by the end of February.

Jobain reported from Rafah, Gaza Strip, and Jeffery from London.

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