INDONESIA
GOOD NEWS
INDONESIA PLANS TO CUT DOMESTIC SEDAN
SALES TAX, AIMS TO BUOY PRODUCTION
JAKARTA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia plans to lower
taxes on domestic sedan sales in a bid to promote the
country, the biggest car market in Southeast Asia, as a
manufacturing hub for sedans, a finance ministry official
told Reuters on Monday.
Sedans have so far been included in the luxury goods
category and is subject to higher taxes of about 30-40
percent, versus multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) that carry a
10-20 percent tax, making them less attractive to car makers
and buyers.
The plan to cut the sales tax for sedans has been included in
a revision to the country's Value Added Tax and Luxury-
Goods Sales Tax Law, which the government will propose
to parliament soon, said Goro Ekanto, who heads revenue
policy study at the finance ministry's fiscal policy office.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/indonesia-autos-
idUSL4N1L026M
BAD NEWS
EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF INDONESIA COAST
A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of southern Sumatra
in Indonesia, causing panicked residents to run from their homes
but no major damage.
The US Geological Survey said the quake on Sunday morning
had a magnitude of 6.4 and occurred at a depth of 35km.
It was centered 74km west of the coastal city of Bengkulu and
also felt in Singapore, about 590km from the epicenter. It did not
generate a tsunami.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo
Nugroho said the quake was felt for about 10 seconds in coastal
cities and was strong enough to shake belongings from shelves
and topple furniture.
Source:
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/asiapacific/2017/08/13/
earthquake-strikes-off-indonesia-coast.html
 THAILAND
GOOD NEWS
RECYCLED LIPSTICK BRIGHTENS UP
THAILANDS JAILS
BANGKOK, Thailand Desperate to brighten up the
gloom of Thai prison life, Prontip Mankong and her fellow
female inmates used to sneak food coloring from the kitchen
and mix it with Vaseline to create a homemade lip gloss.
After serving two years for violating Thailands royal
defamation law, the former political prisoner is now on the
other side of the prison gate.
But she is drawing on the same spirit of ingenuity to make
recycled cosmetics for those still stuck in Thailands
notoriously bleak jails, which are bursting at the seams in a
country with the highest female incarceration rate in the
world.
The lip gloss boosted our confidence and gave us a sense of involving Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and
self-expression in a place where freedom is limited, said
Prontip Mankong, who was jailed for her role in a satirical
play that authorities said mocked the royal family.
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/919991/beauty-behind-
bars-recycled-lipstick-for-thailands-inmates
BAD NEWS
RIGHTS GROUPS CALL FOR JUSTICE AHEAD OF
MAJOR THAILAND TRAFFICKING VERDICT
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand should ensure those involved
in trafficking migrants are brought to justice, rights groups said
on Tuesday, ahead of a verdict in a major trafficking trial
involving 103 defendants that has been beset by allegations of
intimidation.
Thai and Myanmar nationals were arrested in 2015 following the
discovery of graves in jungle camps used by traffickers to hold
migrants near the Thailand-Malaysia border.
The grim discovery prompted a Thai crackdown on smuggling
and trafficking networks which led to smugglers abandoning
boatloads of migrants at sea. That led to a regional crisis
Indonesia which initially refused the boats permission to land.
The trial, which began in 2015, has been beset by allegations of
threats against witnesses, interpreters, and police investigators.
The verdict reading at a Bangkok court begins on Wednesday
and is expected to last three days.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-07-
18/rights-groups-call-for-justice-ahead-of-major-thailand-
trafficking-verdict
 VIETNAM
GOOD NEWS
VIETNAM WAR VETERAN RECEIVES MEDALS
AFTER A 45-YEAR WAIT
A Vietnam War veteran has finally received medals for his
service after 45 years of waiting.
Francis McKenna was presented with the National Defense
Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Air
Force Longevity Service Award, the Vietnam Service Medal
and a Vietnam Gallantry cross during a ceremony in
Tarentum, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, according
to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
McKenna, 67, joined the Air Force in 1969. He said he was
originally designated for stateside service but volunteered to
go overseas after another airman was expecting a baby.
While he participated in campaigns in Thailand, Laos and
Cambodia, many of his missions were classified, leaving
little proof he served.
McKenna returned to the U.S. and tried to get his records
changed. He said the government denied his request over
and over again. He eventually enlisted the help of veterans
representatives Curt Hetrick and Greg Heinle.
Source: http://wesa.fm/post/vietnam-war-veteran-receives-
medals-after-45-year-wait#stream/0
BAD NEWS
STOCKS STAY DOWN ON LOW INVESTOR
CONFIDENCE
H NI Vietnamese shares have had a rough losing week
and the next five trading sessions at least are likely to trade
negatively, according to analysts and brokerage companies.
The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange and the
HNX Index on the H Ni Stock Exchange respectively inched
down 0.2 per cent and 0.1 per cent to close Friday at 772.08
points and 100.86 points.
The two stock indices have posted losses of 2.6 per cent and 1.5
per cent in four consecutive sessions. They also declined by 2.1
per cent and 1 per cent from the previous weeks closing levels.
The decline has been attributed to investors affected by rising
tensions between the US and North Korea and by false news
about the arrest of a former bank executive on Wednesday
Source: http://vietnamnews.vn/economy/381923/stocks-stay-
down-on-low-investor-confidence.html#Lkasa2XMfPkhIuUP.97
 SINGAPORE
GOOD NEWS
SINGAPORE BANK STOCKS BATTERED BY MORE
O&M BAD NEWS
SINGAPORE banks' exposure to the oil and gas sector is
back in the spotlight after the surprise suspension of Ezion
Holdings and heavy quarterly losses - totalling almost S$1
billion - suffered by Nam Cheong and Marco Polo Marine.
In the stock market on Tuesday, DBS, OCBC and United
Overseas Bank fell by as much as 1.5 per cent and dragged
the benchmark ST Index into the red.
When asked about their exposure to the three beleaguered
firms, DBS said the bank does not comment on specific
names while UOB declined to comment.
Source: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-
markets/singapore-bank-stocks-battered-by-more-om-bad-
news
BAD NEWS
TWO STAFF JAILED FOR TAKING $5.1M FROM CO-
OP FOR OWN USE
Driven by greed, two employees of one of Singapore's oldest
cooperatives treated its funds as their own personal expense
account, defrauding it of more than $5.1 million of members'
savings.
In five years, the duo systematically abused their position of
trust by reaching into its coffers to feed an "extravagant
lifestyle" beyond their means, said the prosecution.
Yesterday, assistant manager Arni Ahmad, 42, who
misappropriated funds and cheated the Singapore Statutory
Boards Employees' Cooperative Thrift and Loan Society of $4.3
million, was sentenced to 12 years in jail. She pleaded guilty to
20 charges, with 447 other charges taken into consideration.
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-
crime/two-staff-jailed-for-taking-51m-from-co-op-for-own-use
 MALAYSIA
GOOD NEWS
MALAYSIA TO IMPROVE TOURIST EXPERIENCE
STARTING FROM FIRST CONTACT WITH
IMMIGRATION DEPT
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is revving up efforts for tourists to
have more positive experiences when they visit the country,
starting from the first contact with those in the Immigration
Department.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said tourists would
have a good perception about Malaysia if they have pleasant
experiences with those manning the country's entry points.
"Our efforts should actually start even before the tourists'
arrival itself. By making it a hassle-free experience to obtain
visa, they will already have a good notion about this
country," he said at the launch of Electronic Visa (eVisa)
and Visa Communication Centre (eVCOMM) today.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah
Aman and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr
Ali Hamsa.
Source:
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/268219/mala
ysia-improve-tourist-experience-starting-first-contact-
immigration
BAD NEWS
MALAYSIA RECORDED RM15.2 MILLION IN LOSSES
DUE TO ILLEGAL LOGGING
KUALA LUMPUR: Illegal logging activities in Peninsular
Malaysia between 2006 to 2016 led to losses totaling RM15.2
million.
This was revealed by Deputy Natural Resources and
Environment Minister Hamim Samuri in the Dewan Negara
sitting today, in reply to Senator S. Bagiam Ayem Perumals
question on losses incurred from illegal logging in the country.
Hamim said, during the same period, 256 illegal logging cases
were recorded, with 229 arrests made in connection to them.
Illegal logging refers to any activity that is conducted without a
license, is planned and uses heavy machinery.
Replying to a supplementary question on the use of the latest
technology to curb illegal logging activities, as done in other
countries, he said the ministry employs the use of drones,
satellite observations and remote sensing.
Source
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/268225/malaysia-
recorded-rm152-million-losses-due-illegal-logging
 PHILIPPINES
GOOD NEWS
HEALTH DEPARTMENT: NATIONWIDE SMOKING
BAN STARTS JULY 23
The nationwide smoking ban will take effect on July 23, the
Department of Health said on July 21.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said on July 17 that the ban
will start even if the Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR) the set guidelines to assure compliance with the
executive order are still being finalized.
"Unfortunately there's a lot of vetting that has to be done
with all the key stakeholders, the other government
agencies. So it's taking quite some time to issue the IRR,"
she said.
Ubial said local government units will take the lead in
implementing the nationwide smoking ban. All local
governments are required to create a task force that will
oversee the ban's implementation.
She admitted it is a challenge for both private establishments
and local governments to comply with the executive order.
Source:
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/07/17/nationwide-
smoking-ban-Philippines.html
BAD NEWS
AFTERNOON CLASSES, GOVERNMENT WORK
SUSPENDED
Malacaang on Thursday announced the suspension of classes in
public schools and government work in Metro Manila starting 1
p.m. due to bad weather.
"The Office of the Executive Secretary announced work
suspension in all government offices in NCR starting at 1 p.m.
today. The same with classes in public schools in all levels,"
presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
Agencies involved in delivery of basic services, preparedness
and disaster response and other vital government services,
however, will continue their operations.
As for private institutions, Abella said the discretion is with
school officials.
Source:
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/27/1722020/afternoo
n-classes-government-work-suspended
 CAMBODIA
GOOD NEWS
TOURISTS EYE CAMBODIA'S NEW WORLD
HERITAGE SITE
Tourists flocked to Cambodia's newest world heritage site
on the weekend, the 16th and 17th century forest temple of
Sambor Prei Kuk after it was recently added to the U.N.
cultural organization's heritage list. Cambodia attracts
tourists from around the world who often make a beeline for
the Angkor Wat temple complex, another world heritage
site. On July 8 UNESCO added Sambor Prei Kuk or 'temple
in the richness of the forest' in the Khmer language to its
heritage list. Located 206 km (128 miles) north of the capital
Phnom Penh, it is home to numerous temples, 10 of which
are octagonal. Global Good News service views this news as
a sign of rising positivity in the field of culture,
documenting the growth of life-supporting, evolutionary
trends.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-
unesco-idUSKBN1A209U
BAD NEWS
IN CALL TO CANCEL DEBT, CAMBODIA ASKS: WHEN
WAR IS OVER, WHO CLEANS UP THE MESS?
On Aug. 15, 1973, a flurry of American planes flew at least 225
military missions over Cambodia. It was the last day of a years-
long covert bombing campaign, and it was ending because the
secret was out Congress demanded an end to the onslaught.
The Vietnam War was right next door, and the United States
aimed to stop the North Vietnamese from moving troops and
equipment into South Vietnam along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, part
of which ran through Cambodia. To that end, US forces dropped
2.7 million tons of ordnance on more than 100,000 Cambodian
sites more than Allied forces dropped during all of World War
II.
Source https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-
Pacific/2017/0815/In-call-to-cancel-debt-Cambodia-asks-When-
war-is-over-who-cleans-up-the-mess
 MYANMAR (BURMA)
GOOD NEWS
NOBEL LAUREATE AUNG SAN SUU KYI GETS
HUMANITARIAN AWARD
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi (ahng sahn soo chee)
has been honored as the 2016 humanitarian of the year by
students and faculty at the Harvard Foundation.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate gained international
prominence as the General Secretary of the newly formed
National League for Democracy in Myanmar in 1990. She
became one of the worlds most well-known political
prisoners during her 15 years of house arrest for
participating in anti-government protests. Her country later
supported her, and she was appointed to the newly created
position of state counselor, which is similar to prime
minister.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-
unesco-idUSKBN1A209U
BAD NEWS
BROKERS TRICKING ROHINGYA CHILDREN ONTO
TRAFFICKING BOATS
Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing persecution in
predominantly Buddhist Myanmar for years, but that was not the
central reason Mohammad Tayub ended up on the ship anchored
off the coast of western Rakhine state two weeks ago. He said he
was simply tricked by brokers, now capitalizing on poverty and
a growing sense of desperation. Tayub had no way of knowing
there is little chance of an exit for thousands of Rohingya and
Bangladeshis stranded in the sea since a crackdown on human
trafficking networks in Thailand earlier this month left the
region grappling with a monumental humanitarian crisis. They
are growing weaker each day as the navies of three Southeast
Asian nations have pushed crowded rickety boats out of their
respective waters, each nation fearing that any sign of
acceptance could trigger a mass exodus that would swamp its
shores. Global Good News service views this news as the failure
of modern business and government systems. Such 'flops'
highlight the need for more intelligent, evolutionary, Natural
Law based, life-supporting systems.
Source https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-
Pacific/2017/0815/In-call-to-cancel-debt-Cambodia-asks-When-
war-is-over-who-cleans-up-the-mess
 LAOS
GOOD NEWS
LAOS TEMPLE TOWN EXCITED IT'S ON WORLD
MAP WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA VISIT
Growing up in Wisconsin, Son Inthachith's classmates in
school had no idea where his native Laos was. Thanks to
President Barack Obama, not only is the little landlocked
country on the world map but so is Inthachith's sleepy
hometown of Luang Prabang. The town of about 50,000
people, known to a relatively small number of international
tourists for its stunning temples and quaint streets,
welcomed President Obama on Wednesday as he made a
side trip from the capital, Vientiane, where he is attending a
regional summit on Thursday. President Obama also held a
town-hall meeting with 350 young leaders from the 10
countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, or ASEAN, which is hosting him at Thursday's
summit.
https://apnews.com/b78a0eaedabf4767b5645a62f764e161/m Source: http://www.globalgoodnews.com/environmental-news-
yanmar-trafficking-fed-greed-well-persecution a.html?art=140116571612165067
BAD NEWS
LAOS 'LAND GRABS' DRIVE SUBSISTENCE FARMERS
INTO DEEPER POVERTY
'Land grabs' in Laos are driving poor farmers, including ethnic
minorities, off their land, away from livelihoods they know and
into further poverty, activists and experts say. 'When these lands
[are given] to companies and converted to industrial agriculture
or other uses, it destroys the foundation of rural people's lives,
livelihoods and knowledge systems, as well as their access to
food, nutrition, medicines, and incomes,' Shalmali Guttal, a
senior analyst with Focus on the Global South, a Bangkok-based
NGO which campaigns for social justice in Laos, told IRIN.
Large-scale land leases in Laos -- or 'land grabs,' as campaigners
call them -- are driven by foreign investment projects brokered
between the government and private companies, which have
increased in frequency in the past decade and encroached on the
land occupied by hundreds of communities, according to
researchers at the University of Bern's Centre for Development
and Environment (CDE) in Switzerland.