Putin says Russians are united in 'sacred' battle with West over Ukraine - CNA

As many as 354,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured in the Ukraine war, which is now in its 15th month and could well grind on well beyond 2023, according to a trove of purported US intelligence documents posted online.

VICTORY DAY

No Western leaders attended Tuesday's parade, which was much reduced in scale and came less than a week after Russia said Ukraine had attacked the Kremlin with two drones in an attempt to kill Putin. Kyiv denied any involvement.

Putin said "Western globalist elites" were sowing Russophobia and aggressive nationalism, while the Ukrainian people had become "hostages to a state coup" and to the ambitions of the West.

Putin said the memory of World War II was sacred and paid tribute to those who fought against Nazis, including the armies of the US and Britain, and also to China's fight against the Japanese.

Along with the 1812 defeat of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the crushing of Nazi Germany is Russia's most revered military triumph, though both catastrophic invasions from the West left Russia deeply sensitive about its Western borders.

"We want to see a peaceful, free and stable future," Putin said, adding that memorials to Soviet soldiers were being destroyed in a number of countries.

"We have repulsed international terrorism, we will protect the inhabitants of Donbas (in eastern Ukraine), we will ensure our security," said Putin, who was joined in Red Square by leaders of several ex-Soviet republics.

He did not address the challenges facing Russia as its forces prepare for an expected major counter-offensive by Ukraine, or outline any path to victory. 

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2023-05-09 10:10:07Z
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Commentary: With Trump topping presidential polls, deja vu hangs over US-led trade talks in Singapore - CNA

Business community support, even for an agreement that contains more understandings than binding agreements, will result in IPEF partners becoming more inclined to implement an agreement. While the business community can invest regardless of IPEF surviving the next election, a sustainable IPEF brings needed scale and intensity of investment.

SINGAPORE WEEK CRITICAL FOR IPEF

The IPEF negotiators have a tougher task than usual. They must reach an agreement that provides not just a win-win, but a win 14 times. And they must do it such that a change in US administration after the framework has been agreed upon will not cause the “new” government to abandon any outcomes.  

As an agreement like IPEF has little chance of getting concluded during next year’s US presidential campaign, the four pillars need to be closed this year. This will be a heavy lift under the best of circumstances.

No one wants a TPP repeat. While a formal mechanism may not be easily available, the IPEF negotiators need to think about implementation, enforceability and follow-through.

For the agreement to straddle a change in governments, it must be clear on what the implementation obligations are, for instance, what should be incorporated into domestic law such that it’s difficult for new governments to make changes.

The negotiators have a critical question to grapple with this week: What sort of vehicle should IPEF be such that it has a higher chance of survival?

Not only will the negotiators be dealing with each other in answering this question, they need to do so with the proverbial 800-pound orange gorilla in the room as well.

Steven R Okun is CEO of Singapore-headquartered APAC Advisors, Senior Adviser for global strategic consultancy McLarty Associates and Chair of the AmChams of Asia Pacific. He served in the Clinton administration as Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Transportation.

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2023-05-08 22:02:14Z
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2 Singapore embassy employees in Yangon part of Asean convoy that was attacked in Myanmar: MFA - The Straits Times

LABUAN BAJO - Two staff members of the Singapore embassy in Myanmar who were in a humanitarian convoy that came under attack on Sunday are now safe.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said that the Asean convoy was in Shan State, in the eastern part of the country.

“Two staff of the Singapore Embassy in Yangon were part of the convoy. They are safe and have returned to Yangon,” he said.

Local Burmese news outlets reported on Monday that the aid convoy had come under fire on a road through the Hsi Hseng township.

The convoy was reportedly heading to a discussion with various groups on providing assistance to internally displaced persons, but had to turn back.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Singapore condemns this attack, said the MFA spokesman, noting it is critical to safeguard the safety of humanitarian and diplomatic personnel, so they can carry out their operations to aid those in need.

Myanmar has been plagued by violence since the country’s military overthrew the democratically elected government in a coup in February 2021.

In April 2021, Asean drew up a five-point consensus (5PC) peace plan with Myanmar, but there has been little progress in restoring peace. The violence has killed thousands.

“Singapore urges all parties to refrain from violence, in accordance with the Five-Point Consensus. Only constructive dialogue among all key stakeholders in Myanmar can facilitate a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of Myanmar,” said the MFA spokesman.

At a press conference in Labuan Bajo, a fishing town on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, on Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo criticised the attack, and said it would not deter efforts to end the violence. Labuan Bajo is the venue of the 42nd Asean Summit, which starts on Wednesday.

Although he did not give details, Mr Widodo said that the AHA Centre (Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management), accompanied by the Asean monitoring team, was on its way to hand over aid supplies, when the “shoot-out” happened.

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2023-05-08 16:26:49Z
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Security officer at City Square Residences injured after alleged group assault - CNA

According to SAS, the officer was injured in the attack and is now recuperating. A police report has since been made, while the incident has also been brought to the attention of the Union of Security Employees.

Trek Managing Director Suresh Ponniah said: "Our company takes the safety and security of our employees very seriously, and we are deeply concerned about this incident.

"We are cooperating with the authorities to investigate the matter and identify the culprits responsible for this heinous act.

"We are committed to ensuring that our employees can perform their duties safely and without fear of harm.”

Following the incident, the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) of City Square Residences provided immediate support to the officer. 

"At City Square Residences, we consider all staff and crew as members of our community. This incident clearly goes against our community values based on mutual respect, inclusivity, and harmony," said MCST Chairman Barathan Pasupathi. 

"We emphasise zero tolerance for any verbal or physical abuse to all frontline teams including security personnel."

He added that MCST will fully support the authorities in their investigations and extend its duty of care to the injured officer. 

"We should collectively condemn this abuse and ensure the maximum extent of the law and enforcement is served," added Mr Pasupathi. 

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2023-05-08 09:52:00Z
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Woman allegedly urinates behind closed Johor immigration counter, authorities investigating - CNA

JOHOR BAHRU: Johor’s Immigration Department will carry out an investigation following a viral video of a woman caught urinating behind a closed counter at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI). 

According to The Star, department director Baharuddin Tahir said on Monday (May 8) that the investigation would help to identify when the incident took place. 

He added that this is because the department has yet to receive any reports relating to the matter.

Mr Baharuddin also condemned the alleged incident and advised that the person could have asked the authorities for assistance. 

“It is wrong to relieve yourself in public especially since BSI is a highly secured government building.

“If the person could no longer hold her bladder, then she should have asked for assistance from authorised personnel at BSI to go to the public toilet,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.  

In a 23-second video, a woman wearing a face mask is caught relieving herself behind a closed immigration counter. 

A man filming the video can then be heard shouting at the woman and asking her to clean up the mess. The woman apologises briefly before walking off. 

The video was reposted at least twice to Twitter over the weekend, garnering over 800,000 views.

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2023-05-08 08:27:47Z
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Indonesia president condemns attack on ASEAN officials during aid delivery in Myanmar - CNA

JAKARTA: Indonesia's President Joko Widodo on Monday (May 8) condemned an attack in Myanmar on ASEAN officials delivering humanitarian aid, but did not provide details of the incident.

Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, which is allied with the anti-junta militias, the People's Defence Forces (PDF), said it was not aware of any attack.

The PDF in Taunggyi District, Shan State where the attack reportedly took place did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At a press briefing in Labuan Bajo, a fishing town in East Indonesia where the 42nd ASEAN summit will be held this week, Mr Widodo on Monday stressed the need to end the violence. 

"What I want to emphasise is that (the attack) does not affect ASEAN and Indonesia’s resolve to once again call for an end to violence. Stop using force ... Because the citizens will be the victims, nobody will emerge as winners in such conditions," he said in Bahasa.

"I urge that we sit together (and) create space for dialogue to find a solution together."

As chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, Indonesia had launched a quiet effort to make a breakthrough in the crisis in Myanmar, with its diplomats having held more than 60 "engagements" with all parties involved, said its foreign minister earlier this month. 

Additional reporting by Taufiq Zalizan and Grace Yeoh.

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2023-05-08 07:56:00Z
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Bersatu dismisses claims that opposition has parliamentary support to oust Malaysia PM Anwar - CNA

He was also quoted as saying by Berita Harian: "Why does Anwar feel the need to think about rumours and gossip (being spread by people) outside the political arena? He shouldn't be having to think about numbers we may have as his government is strong and stable, with 148 seats.

“It's difficult for the opposition to bring down the government with those sort of numbers. Only if the opposition leader makes a statement that we have the numbers should Anwar dare us to show proof.”

Following speculation of attempts by the opposition at toppling the government, Mr Anwar on Sunday challenged the opposition to file a motion of no-confidence in the next parliament sitting. 

“We must preserve political stability. Parliament will sit within the next two weeks and I challenge anyone or any party who wants to table a no-confidence motion, please do so. We will face off in parliament to see who has the strength,” said Mr Anwar.

Mr Razali, however, reportedly said that the Bersatu MPs have no plans to submit a motion of confidence against Mr Anwar in the coming parliamentary meeting. Bersatu is a component party of PN. 

The next parliamentary sitting is on May 22.

According to The Star, Parliament Speaker Johari Abdul said last Friday that no MP had submitted a request to table a motion of confidence in the coming meeting after the deadline ended at 5pm that day.

However, any MP could still reportedly submit an emergency motion for a vote of confidence during the meeting but it would be up to the speaker to allow it.

Local media recently reported on talk that opposition leader Mr Hamzah has clinched enough statutory declarations (SDs) from MPs backing him as the next prime minister. 

News portal The Vibes on Apr 24 alleged that there were plans to remove Mr Anwar from his position via by-elections among Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who did not support him.

According to the report, several BN MPs were being wooed and persuaded to quit their parties and sacrifice their seats. The MPs would then reportedly seek re-election under the PN banner.

In December, Mr Anwar secured a vote of confidence during his first parliament session, confirming the legitimacy of his leadership and the unity government he leads. The vote of confidence was done via a voice vote only, with no call for a bloc vote.

Mr Anwar currently leads a unity government comprising his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and the previous ruling coalition BN, among other parties. Other parties and coalitions that currently back the unity government include Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Parti Warisan (Warisan).

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2023-05-08 05:11:00Z
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