South Korea hospitals on red alert as doctors ramp up protests - CNA

Some doctors say the increase in admissions will compromise the quality of medical education, a concern about 200 doctors and medical college students raised at a protest rally in the southwestern province of North Jeolla.

"We took to the streets like this because we are concerned that South Korea’s medical system, which is the most envied in the world, would collapse," Um Chul, head of the Jeonbuk Medical Association, was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.

"Doctors aren't playing turf wars," he added.

About 300 doctors in Seoul held a rally near the presidential office calling on the government to scrap its plan.

Government officials are calling on doctors to stop their protests and prioritise patients.

Many Koreans support the government's plan, with a recent Gallup Korea poll showing about 76 per cent of respondents in favour, regardless of political affiliation.

During a hearing in parliament, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo rejected claims by some doctors that the plan to increase the number of medical students was aimed at gaining votes ahead of April's general election.

The protesters say South Korea has enough doctors, and that the government needs to increase pay and reduce the workload, particularly in key areas such as paediatrics and emergency medicine, before recruiting more students.

Motel rooms and rental houses were fully booked near Seoul's major hospitals by patients from the countryside whose procedures have been delayed, newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported.

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2024-02-22 13:21:00Z
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MACC ready to charge Muhyiddin's son-in-law with CBT - New Straits Times

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1. MACC ready to charge Muhyiddin's son-in-law with CBT  New Straits Times
2. Muhyiddin's son-in-law to face CBT charges, MACC chief says  Malaysiakini
3. Muhyiddin's son-in-law to be charged for CBT, says MACC chief  The Star Online
4. MACC says set to charge Muhyiddin’s son-in-law with CBT once he returns home  Malay Mail
5. MACC ready to charge Muhyiddin's son-in-law with CBT  Free Malaysia Today

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Meta says not obliged to pay for news content in Indonesia following Jokowi's decree for big tech to do so - CNA

JAKARTA: Following a decree by Indonesian President Joko Widodo for digital platforms in the country to pay media that provide them with content, Meta Platforms – the parent company of Facebook – on Wednesday (Feb 21) said that the firm has no obligation to do so.

Mr Rafael Frankel, Meta's Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, said that despite the new regulation, the firm is not obliged to pay for news content posted by publishers voluntarily.

"After undergoing several consultations with policymakers, we understand that Meta will not be obliged to pay for news content posted by news publishers voluntarily to our platform," Mr Frankel was reported as saying by CNN Indonesia.

The media outlet further reported that Meta claimed that its users do not go to its platforms to look for news content. Instead, the tech giant said that news publishers have voluntarily decided to share its content on their various platforms and not the other way around.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Widodo signed the regulation that requires digital platforms to pay media that provide them with content, in a move the outgoing Indonesian president said is aimed at helping the media industry level the field with big tech, Reuters reported.

"The spirit of the regulation is ... to ensure a fair cooperation between media and digital platforms, provide clearer cooperation framework between them," said Jokowi, as the president is popularly known.

Digital platforms in Indonesia include Meta Platforms' Facebook, Alphabet's Google and some local aggregators.

Google said it will review the regulation. It has worked with news publishers and the government to build a sustainable news ecosystem in Indonesia, its spokesperson said.

Google had last year said that the regulation would restrict public access to diverse sources of news instead of promoting quality journalism.

Australia in 2021 became the first country to require digital platforms to pay for news, while Canada followed in June 2023. Other countries such as Brazil, New Zealand and the United States are also looking to pass similar laws.

Jokowi said the drafting process of the regulation, proposed three years ago, had been very long due to different opinions among media and digital platforms.

The regulation posted on the government's website suggests cooperation between digital platforms and media companies could be in the form of paying licenses or sharing data of news users.

A committee would be formed to ensure digital platforms fulfil their responsibilities to the media companies, it said.

The regulation, which takes effect in six months, would not harm content creators as it applied only to digital platforms, Jokowi said.

Following Jokowi’s announcement on Tuesday, the head of the country’s Press Council - an independent institution to protect press freedom in Indonesia – said that it will form a committee to support the new regulation, Tempo reported.

“This committee is tasked with making considerations, receiving input, and seeing developments," said Press Council Chair Ninik Rahayu, adding that it will be tasked with ensuring the fulfillment of the obligations of digital platform companies and the implementation of quality journalism practices in Indonesia.

Content creators had previously complained it could restrict their operations.

Indonesia's communication and information minister, Mr Budi Arie Setiadi, in a statement said the regulation was part of government efforts to ensure media companies "are not eroded" by digital platforms.

In Australia, the News Media Bargaining Code took effect in March 2021 and tech firms have since signed deals with media outlets compensating them for content which generated clicks and advertising dollars, according to a report by its Treasury Department.

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2024-02-22 03:20:24Z
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Reprieve for Mahathir's sons to declare assets amid former PM's recovery from infection - CNA

SINGAPORE: Two sons of Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad have been given more time to declare their assets to the country’s anti-graft agency, even as their father recovers from an infection at a Kuala Lumpur hospital.

Mr Mokhzani Mahathir was granted a 30-day extension to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Tuesday (Feb 20), Malaysian online news portal Scoop reported. Mr Mokhzani’s older brother, Mr Mirzan Mahathir, was granted the same extension on Feb 16.

News of the extensions follow Dr Mahathir’s admission to Malaysia’s National Heart Institute (IJN) on Jan 26 and ensuing rumours that the 98-year-old was in critical condition.

Providing an update to the media on Tuesday, an aide of Dr Mahathir’s said in a WhatsApp group: “Dr M is currently still being treated and is in the process of recovering from (an) infection.”

“I can't say when he will be discharged, until and unless the IJN is satisfied with his level of recovery,” added the aide.

The aide also shared pictures of Dr Mahathir reading newspapers and writing on a piece of paper in his hospital room. The photos have also been posted on his Facebook and TikTok accounts.

Dr Mahathir’s hospital admission came to light on Feb 13 at a hearing for his defamation suit against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to a report by Bernama, Judicial Commissioner Gan Techiong granted the postponement after an application by Dr Mahathir's lawyer, Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, cited that his client had been admitted to IJN. The hearing was adjourned to Jul 19.

The defamation suit was filed in July 2022, with Dr Mahathir accusing Mr Ahmad Zahid of slandering him during a United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) divisional meeting.

In his statement of claim, Dr Mahathir alleged that Mr Ahmad Zahid's comments were meant to imply that he was not born a Malay or a Muslim and that his original name was Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty.

The nonagenarian has been in and out of hospital in recent years. He has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgeries.

His sons Mr Mirzan and Mr Mokhzani were in January given 30 days by the MACC to declare their assets from 1981 – the year Dr Mahathir became prime minister for the first time under the Barisan Nasional coalition. Dr Mahathir stepped down in 2003 but returned as premier in 2018 under the Pakatan Harapan coalition, though his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting.

Businessman Mr Mirzan received the notice to declare his assets on Jan 18 amid an MACC investigation into entities linked to the Pandora Papers and Panama Papers. The two are leaked documents that reveal the hidden wealth of the rich and powerful around the world.

Mr Mokhzani is reportedly being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The investigation into Mr Mirzan is reportedly regarding business activities related to sales and purchases of government-linked companies (GLC). The investigation into Mr Mokhzani also involves a GLC. 

Additional reporting by Rashvinjeet S Bedi

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Driver Allegedly Beaten To Death By Motorcyclists After An Accident In Semenyih - SAYS

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1. Driver Allegedly Beaten To Death By Motorcyclists After An Accident In Semenyih  SAYS
2. 5 arrested in Malaysia after driver allegedly killed by motorcyclists after accident  TODAY
3. 5 arrested for allegedly beating driver to death | Free Malaysia Today  Free Malaysia Today
4. Five nabbed for assaulting motorist who was later found dead  The Star Online

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Nearly 8000 S. Korean doctors walk out to protest against more seats at medical schools - The Straits Times

Doctors holding placards that read “Stop populism medical policy,” near the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on Feb 14. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

SEOUL – Nearly 8,000 South Korean trainee doctors have not reported for work in a protest against a government plan to increase the number of seats at medical schools, which is aimed at reversing a shortage of physicians.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Feb 21 that 7,813 trainee doctors have left their work sites, a sharp increase from the 1,600 a day before when the labour action started.

The ministry has ordered 6,112 of the trainee doctors to return to work and said resignation letters submitted by 8,816 of the trainee doctors have not been accepted.

There are about 13,000 of the doctors nationwide who play key roles in providing emergency care and are similar to medical residents. 

The labour action appears to so far have caused only minor disruptions to the healthcare system.

The Seoul National University Hospital, a major hospital group, said it was functioning normally while there have been some delays in surgeries.

The Asan Medical Centre said about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of its surgeries were proceeding as planned, while there were staff absences affecting the remainder.

“The claim of the basic right of doctors to take collective action cannot take precedence over the right to life, which is an essential and fundamental right of citizens,” the ministry said in a statement.

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s government plans to increase the number of slots at medical schools from next year by 2,000 from the current 3,058 to alleviate the doctor shortage that ranks among the worst among developed countries.

It said the move would add medical professionals to more parts of the country and in more fields, which will be needed as the country is facing a demographic crisis with one of the world’s fastest ageing populations.

Polling shows about 75 per cent of the public supported the move that could help reduce waiting times and increase access to healthcare.

Mr Yoon has seen his approval rate increase as he has taken a tough stance in the dispute, which has provided a boost as his conservative People Power Party tries to take control of Parliament in April elections.

South Korean doctors rank as some of the best paid in the world, and could see their earning power drop if there are more doctors to see patients.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries showed the annual average gross income of a self-employed specialist was 6.8 times more than that of the average worker in South Korea as at 2021, which is the widest gap among OECD member countries.

The basic reason is “they think their value would fall if the number of doctors increases”, Dr Kim Yoon, a professor of health policy and management at Seoul National University College of Medicine, said of the labour action.

He expects a challenging fight ahead, as it appears difficult for both the doctors and the government to back down. 

“If this issue is not solved by the election, it could last for more than six months,” Dr Kim said.

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The doctors said the move to increase spots at medical schools would not address fundamental problems such as difficult working conditions, a lack of specialists in fields seen as lower paying and a concentration of doctors in urban areas.

The government has called on the trainee doctors to report to work and has a powerful weapon in the fight, because it could use the Medical Services Act to revoke the licences of doctors over prolonged labour actions that threaten the healthcare system.

Mr Yoon’s administration has opened emergency rooms at 12 military hospitals nationwide to the public in response to the labour action and implemented telemedicine plans across the country. BLOOMBERG

More On This Topic

South Korean trainee doctors walk out in protest against plan to raise medical school intake

South Korea PM asks doctors not to quit over planned medical student increase

• Doctors/Surgeons
• Strikes
• South Korea

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Taiwan says it has not stepped up military deployments on frontline islands - CNA

The ministry reiterated it will not intervene in the situation around Kinmen to avoid further escalation in tensions, but is making plans with the coast guard for possible "new scenarios".

"Our navy and the defence forces of the offshore islands will conduct exercises and preparations in response to the situation," said ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang.

"The purpose is to hope that in the face of the overall threat situation, it can be effectively and properly handled."

The US State Department on Tuesday said it was closely monitoring Beijing's actions, urging restraint and no unilateral change to the status quo.

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Kinmen is a short boat ride from the Chinese cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou and has been controlled by Taipei since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic of China.

Kinmen, where there was fierce fighting during the height of the Cold War but is now a popular tourist destination, is home to a large Taiwanese military garrison, but it is Taiwan's coast guard which patrols its waters.

In Kinmen, home to around 100,000 people and where signs of previous fighting with China including old bunkers and the odd bullet-pocked buildings are plain to see, there have been no obvious signs of alarm.

"I think it's an accidental occurrence, it's not the norm, and it also should not become the norm," said tourist Chen Yung-hung, 52.

Security sources in Taiwan have told Reuters they do not expect China to escalate the situation around Kinmen, but that it was likely part of Beijing's increased pressure campaign ahead of president-elect Lai taking office in May.

Su Tzu-yun, a research fellow at Taiwan's top military think tank, the Institute for National Defence and Security Research, said China's use of the coast guard was an act of "relatively low intensity".

"They have a two-handed strategy - on the one hand, putting political pressure on Taiwan, while on the other hand trying to avoid escalation," he said.

Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. 

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