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Asia in Review

(3/5/2019)

Brought to you by CPG

Dear Reader,

Welcome to AiR’s second  issue in May 2019 providing you an update on the latest developments in geopolitics and international relations as well as constitutional politics, law reform and governance in Asia.

I wish you an informative read.

With the best wishes,

Henning Glaser

Director, German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG)

Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU/

Main Sections

• Law and Politics in East Asia

• Law and Politics in South Asia

• Law and Politics in South East Asia

• International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

• Background Reading

Law and Politics in East Asia 

China: President Xi demands political loyalty and usage of big data from Chinese police ahead of Tiananmen anniversary

(dql) Weeks ahead of the 30th anniversary of the student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square President Xi Jinping, speaking last week at the first public security conference since 2003, called on the country’s police to fulfill their duties and tasks  with discipline and loyalty to the Communist Party. He stressed the need to strengthen capabilities to maintain order and stability by taking advantage of new technologies, describing big data as “engine to push for an innovative and advanced public security work and as a new growth point for fostering combat capabilities” in the face of “complex circumstances at home and on international level”. [Xinhua, in Chinese]

China: Organizations supporting migrant workers raided

(dql) Chinese authorities last week conducted raids in three cities against organizations which provide migrant workers with training, social and advisory services. Besides seizing computers and documents, the authorities arrested at least three employees and labor rights activists. [Financial Times]

Observers raised concerns over these raids as reflecting tightened repression against labor rights activism in China in the wake of round-ups of labor activists in January and the arrest of editors of a labor rights website which covers news on internal migrant workers in China in January and March. [AiR 5/1/2019] [South China Morning Post]

China: High profile corruption cases

(dql) Yunnan province’s former Communist Party boss is under investigation over suspected corruption. 68 year-old Qin Guangrong, who held the position from 2011 to 2014, is among the highest ranking officials who turned themselves in to the authorities in the course of the nationwide anti-corruption campaign. [South China Morning Post]

Meanwhile, Chinese prosecutors filed formal charges last week against former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei. He is accused of abusing of his positions as deputy minister of public security and head of China's coast guard from 2004 to 2018 and from 2013 to 2018, and taking a large amount of bribes in return for doing favors for others. [Asia One]

Japan: ‘Anachronistic’ high school curriculum to be reformed

(dql) Citing unnamed officials familiar with discussions on the reform of Japan’s system of secondary education, Japan Times reports that the curriculum for general courses in high schools – unchanged since its inception after World War II – will undergo speedy reform, with reform proposals to be worked out by end of this month. According to plans of lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the government’s Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, the general course structure is expected to be split into a number of categories. Importance would be placed on math and science education or developing skills that could benefit local communities. [Japan Times]

Law reforms in Taiwan

(dql) Taiwan’s legislature last week passed amendments to two existing security-related laws aimed at bolstering the country’s safeguard against China.

The first amendment to the Classified National Security Information Protection Act, which deals with safeguarding sensitive government information from being leaked, extends a travel ban on former senior political and military officials from going to mainland China after they retire, resign, or step down from their public posts from three years to six years. IThe amendment was criticized by the opposition Kuomintang as politically motivated move targeting specifically its members. The party cited as example an official of the previous KMT administration of Ma Ying-jeou whose three-year travel restriction was due to expire in two weeks. [Focus Taiwan]

The second amendment to the treason section of Taiwan’s Criminal Code widens the scope of treason under the criminal procedures law. The section now covers collusion with China, Hong Kong and Macau, closing a loophole as prior to the amendment the criminal code defined collusion as collaborating with an “enemy state” or “foreign state” which technically doesn’t include China since Taiwan’s Constitution doesn’t define China as a foreign country. [Epoch Times]

In another move, Taiwan’s lawmakers also passed an amendment to the country’s criminal code according to which the penalties for child abusers will be stiffened. Among others, the amendment stipulates life imprisonment or a sentence of over ten years in case where the abuse results in the death of the child. So far, the criminal code punishes maltreating of a minor under the age of 16 or impairing the minor's mental or physical health or health development with not more than five years in jail, without stipulating penalties for more serious offenses. [RTI]

Furthermore, two amendments to the criminal code passed the legislature’s third reading. One scrapped the 30 year statute of limitations on crimes causing the death of the victims which now can be prosecuted indefinitely. Another amendment which passed the legislature’s third reading increased the punishment for those causing physical harm to or impairing the health of others to a maximum sentence of five years or a maximum fine of 12,820 USD, from the current maximum jail term of three years or fine of up to 26 USD. [Taiwan News]

On Friday this week will vote on the highly contentious legalisation of same-sex marriage. [Reuters]

Law and Politics in South Asia 

India: election enters sixth phase; protests emerge over continued power outages in wake of Cyclone Fani

(zf) More than 100 million Indians are eligible to vote in the sixth phase of elections, including citizens in the capital, Delhi. At the end of the upcoming vote, which will constitute the second-to-last phase in the 39-day poll, 483 of 543 Lok Sabha (lower house) seats will be settled. Results won’t be announced until May 23rd. Thus far, official turn out has hovered just below 70%, a similar number to the 2014 election that saw Prime Minister and his Hindu-nationalist BJP assume power. In the latest opinion polls, BJP remains the frontrunner, but is expected to lose some parliamentary seats. [Al Jazeera] [VOA]

Meanwhile, reports of protests have emerged in storm-affected areas of Odisha due to ongoing power outages. Last week, an intense cyclone pummeled into parts of India’s eastern coast, leading to widespread damage to local infrastructure. At least 42 people lost their lives in the storm. Bishnupada Sethi, special relief commissioner in Odisha, said that ‘half a million homes were damaged [and] we are still making efforts to restore the telecommunication’s network.” Some demonstrators, however, are reportedly making that job difficult by threatening power utility workers for not responding fast enough to the outages. Some have been without power since May 3rd. [Channel News Asia]

Although India was rightly praised for its swift evacuation efforts that moved millions of people out of the storm’s path, significant challenges remain. In addition to the power grid issues, millions have been left homeless or forced to contend with severely damaged homes in cities such as Cuttack, Khurda, Bhubaneswar, and Puri. [Forbes] After surveying the damage this week, Prime Minister Modi reiterated a government effort to distribute 1,000 crore rupees (nearly 145 million dollars) for the relief effort. [Hindustan Times]

India cuts off Internet to certain populations in attempt to prevent lawlessness during national elections

(zf) Although India’s national elections are the biggest democratic exercise in the world, with over 900 million citizens eligible to vote, some are being denied access to the Internet as the polls approach. According to the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), an organization based in Delhi, shutdowns of mobile Internet access were reported in the states of Rajasthan, West Bengal and Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to government officials the shutdowns are a part of cautionary efforts to ensure law and order. Some, however, are concerned that the shutdowns infringe on the rights of citizens to access information. This is especially troublesome since important national elections are underway. Along these lines, an SFLC spokesman argued that, "Internet shutdowns disrupt daily lives of residents of an affected area [and that] a functional democracy depends on the ability of citizens to exercise their freedom of speech, including the ability to freely access information.”

The debate serves as another example of the contentious ways issues surrounding security and freedom vis-à-vis technology continue to make headlines across the globe. Spurred by the rise of social media, governments the around the world are finding it difficult to find an appropriate balance. While the shutdowns seem to be affecting certain populations for limited times, the majority of Indians maintain their access to the Internet. [CNN]

India : Protests over Supreme Court committee’s decision to clear India’s top judge of sexual harassment

(jk) As reported last week, a committee of the Supreme Court of India has found “no substance” in the sexual harassment allegations against India's Chief Justice. The decision has led to protests about the inquiry which, according to the protesters, did not follow due process. Around 17 protesters were detained by the police as they were demanding a new and impartial probe into the sexual harassment allegations. [ATimes, Al-Jazeera]

Pakistan cracks down on Chinese trafficking of women 

(jk) Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said last week it has made several arrests of Chinese men who were allegedly involved in the kidnapping and trafficking of Pakistani (mostly Christian) women who are trafficked to China as prostitutes. The issue has become more visible last month after a Pakistani news channel reported on growing concerns about the issue and Human Rights Watch published a report calling on the government to pay close attention to the issue. [Al Jazeera ,HRW]

Asia Bibi leaves Pakistan

(jk) Asia Bibi, the Christian woman that was convicted in 2010 on blasphemy charges and then spent years on death row until she was acquitted in October last year, has left Pakistan for Canada. The decision to acquit her sparked violent protests and death threats against her and the authorities. She has been staying in safe houses since the ruling, whereas her family had already left the country with which she is now re-united in Canada, according to her lawyer [CNN].

Bangladesh: charges extremists over 2016 murders of gay activists

(jk) Back in 2016, the publisher of a Bangladeshi magazine for the gay and lesbian community and a fellow activist were hacked to death by unidentified men. Last week, eight extremists from the banned group Ansar al Islam were charged by Bangladesh police for the murder. While there was a claim of responsibility for the murders by an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Bangladeshi police has said the murders were committed by the local extremist group which had been involved in a series of murders since 2013. [Channel News Asia]

Sri Lanka: First mass in Colombo since Easter bomb attacks but religious tensions continue

(jk) After all regular services were cancelled across churches after the deadly suicide attacks over the Easter period for fear of renewed attacks, a fist service in the capital was held this past weekend under a very tight security protocol. Churches outside of Colombo resumed services last week, but only under very tight security measures. [Straits Times]

Religious tensions are palpable. Troops in the Catholic-majority town of Chilaw fired shots into the air and police imposed a curfew  last weekend after mobs attacked a mosque after "a resident misunderstood a Facebook post as a threat against Christians." People threw stones at mosques and Muslim-owned stores and a man was reportedly beaten. As an immediate response, authorities are again temporarily blocking social media networks and messaging apps like Facebook and WhatsApp. [NDTV]

Law and Politics in Southeast Asia 

Indonesian Rally in Jakarta as Widodo government rejects Prabowo’s continued election fraud allegations

(ls) Thousands of people supporting presidential contender Prabowo Subianto rallied in Jakarta on Friday to protest the preliminary results of last month’s presidential election that show Joko Widodo as the winner of a second term as president. While election authorities have until 22 May to announce the official result of the April 17 election, the count as it stands shows Widodo with a double-digit lead. [Bloomberg]

The government as well as independent observers have rejected Prabowo’s allegations of widespread voter fraud. The government also set up a national legal team to study verbal attacks, curses, hate speech and defamation made against the government or the general election commission (KPU). [Straits Times 1]

Meanwhile, the chairman of the opposition National Mandate Party (PAN), Zulkifli Hasan, distanced himself from Prabowo. After meeting with Widodo, he said that all parties need to reconcile and accept the winner of last month’s presidential election. The remarks have added to speculation that his party and another opposition party, the Democratic Party led by former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, might break away from the Prabowo camp. If the Democrats and PAN switch sides, Widodo’s coalition could occupy up to 80 percent of the parliament’s seats. [Straits Times 2]

Laos: Wildlife trafficking in the spotlight after undercover report on tiger farming

(zf) A scathing undercover Washington Post report outlined the ways Laos is failing to live up to its promises to shut down tiger farms within its borders. Often located in rural locations and hiding behind guises as zoos or conservation centers, the article describes in detail the ways corruption and a lack of regulatory standards allows breeders to operate unencumbered. These farms keep tigers in small enclosures and raise them in order to sell their body parts, including the animal’s claws, skin, and bones, to wealthy buyers, often in main land China.

Poor rule of law, coupled with a prime location in mainland Southeast Asia, are the main reasons why Laos emerged as a hub for wildlife trafficking across the region. The report outlined that the government has largely ignored the farms, even after public promises in 2016 to shut them down. Wealthy buyers across Asia prize tigers for various decorative items, and sometimes for their meat as a part of traditional Chinese medicine. [Washington Post] [Mongabay]

Malaysia: Next round in Mahatir vs. the Johor royals as Pakatan Harapan marks one year in office

(ls) In the next round of exchanges between Prime Minister Mahatir’s federal government and the Sultan and the Crown Prince of Johor, the government alleged that the Rulers’ family has been involved in land-grabbing and tax evasion. Whereas the Johor Crown Prince would usually respond with verve, he remained quiet this time. Previously, Mahatir even referred to the Crown Prince as a “stupid little boy”. [Straits Times 1] [Straits Times 2]

The powerplay between Mahatir and Johor’s royal family, which came to a peak in Malaysia’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) last month, illustrates the often-delicate relations between the government and Malaysia’s royalty, dating back to the late colonial era, the early years of independence and, in particular, Mahatir’s first Prime Ministership between 1981 and 2003, describes CPG’s Lasse Schuldt. [Verfassungsblog]

Meanwhile, almost exactly one year after Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) watershed election victory on 9 May 2018, the initial euphoria about a “New Malaysia” has largely given way to reality. Mahatir’s popularity has fallen to 46 per cent from 71 per cent last August. Three by-elections were won by the political opponent Barisan Nasional (BN). However, PH won its first by-election this year in Sabah in the Sandakan parliamentary seat. [South China Morning Post] [Straits Times 3]

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over the federal government’s fear of public opinion in failing to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). [Free Malaysia Today]

Nonetheless, the Sedition Act 1948 is expected to be abolished this year, said Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong. However, after the abolition of the act, Liew said new legislation would be introduced to replace it: “We want to ensure that not necessarily all statements made can be seditious because we want to ensure certain statements can enjoy some form of freedom… but not that we want to allow everybody to simply make statements that defame our rulers and leaders especially.” [The Star]

Myanmar: The controversial role of Aung San Suu Kyi in the Reuters reporters’ case

(ls) According to accounts of foreign diplomats in Myanmar, the biggest obstacle to releasing the two imprisoned Reuters reporters was not the country’s military, but its de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. She appears to have defied a quiet campaign by the Reuters news service, the United States government and other Western nations to free the two. Aung San Suu Kyi had herself been kept in house arrest by the military for nearly 15 years before her release in 2010. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. [New York Times]

Philippines: Duterte hopes to consolidate power in midterm elections

(zf/ls) President Duterte is halfway through a six-year term and looking to consolidate power. On Monday, 13 May, national elections took place across the country. 18,000 local and provincial posts were up for grabs, including all seats in the House of Representatives. 12 out of 24 Senate seats were also contested. Although not personally on the ballot, the election was widely seen as a referendum on Duterte’s time in office.

Despite strongman tendencies and implementation of a punitive war-on-drugs, Duterte’s approval ratings sat at 79% going into the elections. The main opposition party is made up of a coalition of candidates who oppose Duterte’s policies, including former Senator Max Rosas (who lost against Duterte in the 2016 presidential elections). More than 61 million Filipinos were eligible to vote. [Vice News]

The vote in the Senate is the most consequential for Duterte, especially in terms of legislative maneuverability in the chamber. In the first half of Duterte’s term, the Senate served as a temper to his more polarizing efforts, including attempts to reinstate the death penalty and amend the constitution to turn to country into a federal governmental system from a unitary one (a federal system would devolve some powers away from the central government to local provinces). Senate candidates supported by Duterte did very well in pre-election polling data, suggesting a good day for the president. [Al Jazeera] [PhilStar]

The election is not without troubles. At least 38 politicians have been killed over several months, including one congressman, Rodel Batocabe. In comparison, the 2016 presidential polls saw 14 pre-poll related deaths, while the 2018 village elections had 33 fatalities. In addition, police have reported widespread vote-buying. [South China Morning Post]

Meanwhile, an anonymous online whistle-blower who accused Rodrigo Duterte’s family of taking millions from the drug syndicates “Davao Group” and “Quadrangle Group” has revealed his identity. Himself an ex-convict, he claimed to have detailed knowledge of the financial transactions as a former member of a team that prepared a monthly record with recipients’ code names and amounts received. The government said his videos were “black propaganda”. [Rappler]

Singaporean Parliament passes Anti-Fake News Law 

(ls) Singapore’s Parliament, in which the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) holds a super-majority, has approved the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill, also referred to as the Anti-Fake News Law. Though MPs had asked for clarifications on technical aspects, such as how the law defines falsehoods and public interest, also raising practical concerns like whether people who inadvertently forward fake news will run afoul of the law, the bill was passed unchanged. [Straits Times]

The law includes a number of elements that will have further chilling effects on freedom of expression in Singapore. In addition, once enacted, its possible regional impact should not be underestimated. Countries in the region are currently considering or experimenting with different models of anti-falsehood legislation, some with the main goal of further criminalizing dissent. The Singaporean approach is likely to provide fresh input for these developments as the city state is often perceived as a role model for its fellow ASEAN neighbors. [Verfassungsblog]

Thailand:  After election results officially announced, discussion about coalition options abound

(ls) Thailand’s Election Commission has endorsed the results of the March 24 elections. Of the country’s 350 nationwide constituencies, 349 winners were endorsed. Pheu Thai led the field by winning 136 seats, followed by Palang Pracharat with 97. A Pheu Thai candidate in Chiang Mai was disqualified and the vote there will be repeated. [South China Morning Post]

As regards Parliament’s 150 seats allocated based on party-lists, the Election Commission announced that 26 parties had secured party-list seats. Overall, 27 parties will enter Parliament (Pheu Thai did not receive any party-list seats). 11 of them will have just one seat each. Some of these 11 parties did not win half of the 71,065 votes required – a figure that was obtained from the initial calculation widely supported by academics on the basis of the constitution itself.

However, the Constitutional Court ruled that the contentious stipulation in the MP election organic law, substantially lowering this threshold, only offered details of the calculation to make it possible to fill the 500-member House of Representatives and that it was not unconstitutional. [The Nation]

While the Future Forward Party lost several seats due to this calculation, it also tilted the overall majority in favor of a coalition led by the Phalang Pracharat Party which supports current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha. It reduced the number of seats garnered by the Pheu Thai-led bloc, which includes Future Furward, to 245, while the PPRP-led alliance is now expected to have 253. Ten of the 11 parties awarded one party-list seat have pledged to side with Palang Pracharath. [Bangkok Post 1]

However, a “third” alliance between the Pheu Thai bloc, the Democrat Party and the Bhumjaithai Party with Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister is currently discussed. However, it remains to be seen whether this is a realistic option. [Bangkok Post 2]

Meanwhile, 15 cabinet ministers and about 60 members of the National Legislative Assembly resigned to assume a new role in the appointed Senate. Among them is also the former permanent secretary for defence Preecha Chan-O-Cha, the Prime Minster’s younger brother. According the constitution, the Senate and the House of Representative jointly elect the new Prime Minister. [Bangkok Post 3]

Vietnam: Another pair of online activists sent behind bars

(ls) A Vietnamese court has jailed two activists on charges of publishing damaging anti-state propaganda about the communist-run country. The women, Vu Thi Dung and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Suong, were sentenced to six and five years respectively for posting videos and articles on Facebook against proposed special economic zones and the country’s new cybersecurity law. [Yahoo]

International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia

China-USA trade dispute: Tit-for-tat tariffs resumed

(dql) Chinese-US trade talks last Friday ended abruptly, with no deal concluded, after the Trump administration hiked tariffs on 200 billion USD worth of Chinese imports from 10% to 25%, along with threats to put 25% tariffs on 325 billion USD in Chinese goods that remain untaxed. In response, Beijing announced it would retaliate and raise tariffs on 60 billion USD worth of American goods, starting June 1. [CNBC]

For a list of targeted American goods, including hundreds of agricultural, mining, and manufactured products,  see [Quartz].

China’s third aircraft carrier under construction, satellite images suggest

(dql)  According to experts of the Center for Strategic and International Studies analyzing satellite images China is constructing the country’s third aircraft carrier. The carrier under construction is referred to as Type 002 and believed to be comparable with advanced US vessels, suggesting a major leap in naval capability compared to the two Type 001 ships so far in operation, which are variations of an older Soviet-era design. It also reflects China’s ambition to be the leading strategic power in Asia. [Foreign Policy] [CNN]

Japan-Russia relations: Standoff in territorial dispute confirmed at latest diplomatic talks 

(dql) Japan-Russia relations remain strained over contested northwestern Pacific islands. Speaking at a joint press conference following a meeting in Moscow Foreign Ministers Kono and Lavrov indicated their failure to bridge differences in their positions. While Kono said that "[i]t’s not easy to resolve the issue, which has remained for over 70 years since the end of the war" [Nippon] his counterpart was quoted as stating that despite a number of previous rounds of negotiations "extremely significant" differences between both countries still exit with regards to the conclusion a peace treaty to resolve the longstanding territorial dispute, adding that the “task is not easy, it’s clear it will only be solved by long, painstaking and creative work”. [Moscow Times] [Japan Times]

North Korea: Kim Jong-un calls for “full combat posture” after U.S. seizure of North Korean cargo ship

(dql) According to the US Justice Department, U.S. authorities last week seized a North Korean ship believed to be used by Pyongyang to illicitly ship coal in violation of U.S. and international sanctions. [Wall Street Journal]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un denounced the seizure as illegal act and gave order to boost military strike capability as he directed another missile firing on Thursday following earlier missile launches on May 4. [Reuters] [Morung Express]

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called North Koreas’ test launches a violation of UN resolutions, putting pressure on Washington to raise the issue with the Security Council. So far, the Trump administration, however, has refrained from declaring those missile launches a violation of the resolutions. [Bloomberg]

South Korea: “Biobots” to serve alongside soldiers by 2024

(dql) According to a document of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, which oversees the procurement of weapons systems for the military, military robots mimicking animals like birds, snakes, and insects will soon support South Korea’s human soldiers. According to plans of the agency, biomimetics equipment will be incorporated into military operations by 2024, with roles covering search and rescue operations as well as reconnaissance. [Yonhap]

Cross-Strait relations: Taiwan again blocked by China from attending WHO assembly

(dql) After failing to receive an invitation to the World Health Organization assembly, scheduled to next week, for a third consecutive year Taiwan has criticized the United Nations agency for bowing to pressure from Beijing which has used its clout to exclude the island from the world stage after independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016. [South China Morning Post] It is believed that China has more than 170 allies, supporting it in blocking Taiwan. [Voice of America]

Meanwhile, Beijing objected the United States House of Representatives’ passing of a bill to bolster Taiwan's defense capability and a nonbinding resolution reaffirming the US commitment to Taiwan last week, denouncing it as "boorish interference" in China's internal affairs. [Reuters]

Nepal to access 7 Chinese ports, theoretically ending dependence on India for third-country trade

(jk) A protocol signed at the recent Belt and Road summit in Beijing has ensured Nepal’s access to Chinese sea and land ports. It can now use these ports for third-country import and exports, ending the dependency on India to do such trade. Nepali officials have admitted however, that the "paperwork" of finalising this agreement was the easier part, whereas one still has a long road ahead in terms of implementation. [Asia News Network]

In addition to the protocol, talks are intensifying over a railway project which would connect China, Kathmandu and the Indian border, hugely increasing Nepal's connectivity with its northern neighbour. Nepal has sought a Chinese grant to prepare the detailed report on the project. [Kathmandu Post]

Pakistan reaches new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

(jk) After long negotiations, Pakistan has secured a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), securing a US$6 billion bailout and committing to structural reforms of its economy. The money comes in addition to US$2 to US$3 billion from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank over the next three years, according to the adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. [Dawn]

The agreement is yet to be formally confirmed by the IMF’s management and its executive board, which is widely expected after this "Staff-Level Agreement" has been reached. [IMF]

Pakistan: More violence in Balochistan - Terrorists storm Gwadar hotel

(jk) An attack on the Gwadar Pearl Continental Hotel in Balochistan this weekend was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which said that some of their fighters had managed to killed “a number of Chinese and Pakistani investors” present in the premises. Security at the port city has been increased with a special focus on the protection the employees of the Chinese Port Handling Company and others who are working on different projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Baloch militants have increased attacks on foreigners, especially Chinese, with the growing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. The BLA also claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Chinese consulate in Karachi in November last year and on a bus carrying a group of Chinese engineers in March. [Pakistan Today] [Dawn] [Balochistan Post]

In another incident in Balochistan this past week also claimed by the BLA, at least five people have been killed in a gun and bomb attack on a coal mine. Baloch rebels have long lamented the Pakistani state neglects and exploits the province for its mineral resources. [Al Jazeera]

India: Ongoing violence and uncertainty in Kashmir increases risks of extremism

(zf) ISIS claims to have established a ‘province’ in Indian-controlled Kashmir after a clash between militants and security forces this week. A militant who was killed in the clashes allegedly held ties with the terrorist group. A statement from ISIS said they inflicted casualties on Indian soldiers in the Shopian district in Kashmir. While Indian security forces deny any territory gains by the group, an official statement confirms that a militant was killed in the district. Speaking with Reuters, Risa Katz, director of the SITE Intel Group that tracks Islamic extremists, said that, “The establishment of a ‘province’ in a region where it has nothing resembling actual governance is absurd, but it should not be written off.“ The world may roll its eyes at these developments, but to jihadists in these vulnerable regions, these are significant gestures to help lay the groundwork in rebuilding the map of the IS ‘caliphate.’ [Reuters]

ISIS declared its extremist caliphate in parts of war-torn Syria and Iraq in 2014. By mid-year they held vast swaths of territory, taxed a civilian population of seven or eight million, and presided over significant economic recourses, including oil refineries, grain stocks, and smuggling routes. [The Guardian] After a strong pushback from local and international forces, the group has lost virtually all of its formal territory as of March 2019. [CNN] With that said, they still hold considerable influence over likeminded terrorist networks, especially by inspiring attacks and disseminating training, tactics, and weapons systems. [New York Times]

While the threat of large-scale ISIS gains in Kashmir may not be substantial, allegations of an ISIS foothold in the region are concerning. As noted by terrorism expert Hisham al-Hashemi, "They've cut the trunk of this malignant tree, but they haven't pulled up its roots, which are still capable of growing and spreading.” [CBC]

India: Delhi receives first U.S.-made Apache helicopter as part of 2015 deal 

(zf) In September 2015 the Indian Air Force inked a deal to buy 22 U.S.-made Apache helicopters. At a ceremony in an Arizona Boeing plant this week, India finally received its first order. The first wave of machines is set to be delivered to India by July of this year. [India Today] [NDTV]

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter given to Sri Lanka Navy arrives in Colombo

(jk) A former United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) has arrived at the port of Colombo last week and is taken over by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) from the US government. This is the second US Coast Guard Ship provided to Sri Lanka Navy and will be used for "patrol and surveillance missions around Sri Lanka providing the maritime security and assistance to search and rescue operations." [Colombopage]

Philippines, India, Japan, and U.S. hold joint military exercises in South China Sea

(zf) Last week a joint naval exercise between the four nations took place in the South China Sea. In a statement, the Philippine Navy characterized the event as […a] transit exercise [that] aims to strengthen the partnership and foster mutual understanding between participants.” Specifics of the event included formation exercises, communication drills, and a leadership exchange.

Notably, the U.S. is treaty ally with Japan and the Philippines, but not India. Their inclusion might best be seen as an example of the furthering relationship between Washington and Delhi on security issues. Days prior to the exercise, the U.S. provoked China’s ire by sailing the Taiwan Straits – an area that Beijing claims as its territory – as well as sailing too close to the Spratly Islands. The naval event was the first such exercise in the region that included all four countries. [The Diplomat] [Arab News]

Vietnam enhances defense cooperation with India and Japan

(ls) India and Vietnam agreed to further strengthen cooperation in defense and security, peaceful uses of atomic energy and outer space, oil and gas and renewable energy as India’s Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday concluded his four-day visit to the Southeast Asian country. With a clear reference to the South China Sea, both countries expressed their commitment to an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture based on freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded economic activities and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. [Economic Times]

In a separate development, Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Vietnamese counterpart, Ngo Xuan Lich, met to “advance cooperation” on maritime security. In October, they signed a “defense cooperation and exchange” memorandum that prescribed regular vice ministerial-level talks. Observers said that, while the Japanese public is generally not supportive of an assertive strategic role for their government, Japan could set up military exchanges, hold strategic dialogue and offer naval defense equipment. [VOA]

Indonesia sinks Vietnamese fishing boats, provoking condemnation

(ls) Indonesia sank a dozen fishing boats on Saturday in its territorial waters. Indonesia has accused Vietnam’s coastguard of endangering a crew’s life by ramming one of its naval boats. Jakarta summoned the Vietnamese envoy and warned him that the aggressive action violated the spirit of international law and Asean friendship. More than 50 trawlers from Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and China are scheduled to be sunk in Indonesian waters. Authorities say the action is necessary to warn neighboring countries that Jakarta is serious about fighting illegal fishing that causes serious economic losses. [The Nation]

A spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Indonesia’s actions were not appropriate for the bilateral relations between the two countries. She added that Vietnam has communicated with Indonesia on multiple occasions and has also asked the latter to act according to international law and to treat Vietnamese boats and crews with respect. [Asia Times]

An official from the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry said, in the period from 2014 to 2019, the Indonesian government sunk 539 foreign fishing ships operating illegally in Indonesian waters, 55 percent of which came from Vietnam. [Jakarta Post]

Background Reading

Malaysia: 50 years after 13 May 1969 

(ls) Malaysiakini has prepared an excellent multi-media special looking back on the Sino-Malay sectarian violence in Kuala Lumpur on 13 May 1969. The riot occurred in the aftermath of the 1969 Malaysian general election when opposition parties made gains at the expense of the ruling coalition, the Alliance Party. Official reports put the number of deaths due to the riots at 196, other sources suggested a toll of close to 600, with most of the victims Chinese. The event is significant as it led to the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman stepping down from office and eventually to a change in government policy that would favor Malays by the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP). [Malaysiakini]

Snapshots of Ramadan across Asia

(ls) The South China Morning Post portraits the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting from dawn till dusk, in three major Asian cities: Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The report describes the communal bonds and traditions that bind Muslim communities amid changing societies. [South China Morning Post]

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