Latest posts by Mong Palatino from July, 2014
Thai Junta Issues New Gag Order Against Media
A new order from the Thai military government bans "criticism of operations of the [Junta], its officials, or any related individual," among other things.
Victory Speech of Indonesia's New President
Indonesia's President-elect Joko Widodo or Jokowi delivered a victory speech recognizing the spirit of voluntarism among citizens: This presidential election has sparked new optimism for us, for this nation. Free souls and political responsibilities blossom within the souls of the new generation. The long-lost voluntarism is now back with a...
“Shrinking Democratic Space” in Myanmar
The new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, has concluded a visit in the country and issued an initial report about Myanmar's human rights situation: The opening up of democratic space for people to exercise their rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to freedom of assembly...
PHOTOS: Typhoon Glenda Left Trail of Destruction in the Philippines
Typhoon Glenda (International name: Rammasun) damaged many structures in Southern Luzon, located south of Manila in the Philippines. Photos shared by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.
Malaysia's Government, Opposition and People Unite to Demand Justice For MH17 Crash
Malaysia’s Parliament held an emergency session and unanimously approved a motion condemning those who are responsible for shooting down the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 which killed 298 people.
Was Singapore Airlines’ Facebook and Twitter Message After the MH17 Crash Insensitive?
After news broke out about the Malaysian Airlines MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine, Singapore Airlines posted this message on Facebook and Twitter: Customers may wish to note that Singapore Airlines flights are not using Ukraine airspace. — Singapore Airlines (@SingaporeAir) July 17, 2014 Many netizens accused the airline of being...
Malaysians on MH17 Crash: “Regardless of Nationality, We Are All United in Grief”
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, crashed in eastern Ukraine Thursday evening. The plane was carrying 298 passengers and crew members.
Singapore's Libraries Don't Want Kids Reading About Tango the Penguin and Her Two Loving Fathers
Singapore's National Library's has banned three children's books that feature same-sex couples after one person's complaint, calling the decision 'pro-family'. The reading public is not happy.
Typhoon Glenda Batters Luzon Island in the Philippines
Typhoon Glenda (International name: Rammasun) wrought havoc in Luzon Island in the Philippines. Netizens are using the Twitter hashtag #glendaph to monitor the situation.
Indonesians Light a Thousand Candles for Peace in Palestine
Scores of Indonesians gather in central Jakarta, the country's capital, to light 1,000 candles in protest to the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Strip. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
Hackers Mock Internet Speed in Myanmar by Replacing Logo of IT Ministry with Turtles
The website of Myanmar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was hacked on Friday morning, July 4, 2014. The hackers replaced two government seals with turtles alluding to the country's slow internet connection. The hacking also coincided with the Facebook blocking which many people believe was done by the government...
Singapore's ‘Pink Dot’ LGBT Rights Rally Was Bigger Than Ever, Despite #WearWhite Opponents
Singapore's Pink Dot gathered 26,000 people in support of LGBT rights. But conservative religious groups countered by urging people to wear white.
Vietnam Says China Oil Rig in Disputed Waters Violated International Laws
Nguyen Thi Lan Anh of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam explains why China made an error in moving an oil rig in the contested waters between China and Vietnam. China’s act of locating its oil rig in contested waters in the Paracels is more than a dispute over sovereignty. It...
Sexual Abuse of Children in Tourism in Southeast Asia
The Project Childhood Prevention Pillar, an initiative of the Australian government, has released a study about the prevalence of sexual abuse of children in the Southeast Asian region. It cited social factors such as “poverty and marginalisation, as well as lack of family support, education, opportunity, and protective factors” for...
