Latest posts by Mong Palatino from January, 2009
Flashfloods and landslides in south Philippines
More than 115,000 people in the Philippines’ northern Mindanao region had fled to safety due to flashfloods and landslides. The local government reported that the series of flashfloods that struck the region have reached humanitarian crisis proportions
Malaysia: Worst flooding in years
Malaysia’s State of Sarawak suffered from severe flooding last week. The two hardest hit areas were Kuching and Sibu. Almost 10,000 people were forced to move to higher ground because of rising water level. In some parts of the state, flood waters rose to 14 feet.
Indonesia: Flooding in 13 provinces
Thirteen Indonesian provinces experienced flooding the past week due to torrential rains. The disaster has claimed the lives of 14 people while three others are still missing. More than 50,000 people have to be evacuated. Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, is under up to two meters of water.
Philippines: Top surf sites
There are more than 20 surfing sites in the Philippines. Bisean identifies the 10 best surfing sites in the country.
Vietnam government to use OpenSource
“100% of government servers must run Linux by June 30, 2009,” the Vietnamese government ordered. Chip 2.0 sees nothing wrong with this plan but questions the time and resources the government will invest in it.
East Timor: Missing government funds
Timor Online posts a translated transcript of letters from East Timor's Minister of Finance asking certain public officials to account for missing funds in their departments.
East Timor pictures
The Flickr page East Timor Pool provides a good collection of pictures from East Timor.
Singapore activists show support for Burmese patriots
Two Singapore activists were arrested for staging a protest in support of Burmese patriots whose working visas were cancelled by the Singapore government.
Cambodia plans to regulate internet and blogging
Cambodia’s Ministry of Information is drafting a law that will extend the current print media regulations to other forms of media, including the internet. Some bloggers and media groups are worried that the law might be used as a tool to silence critics in the internet
Cambodia: Liberation Day or Invasion Day?
The Cambodian government commemorated the 30th year of the downfall of the Khmer Rouge regime. But opinion is divided whether this day should be celebrated as Liberation Day or Invasion Day since Vietnam, which helped in removing the Khmer Rouge, occupied Cambodia until 1988
Myanmar: 2008 Blog Awards
The first ever Myanmar Blog Awards recognized 11 bloggers from Myanmar. More than 150 blogs were nominated for the year 2008. At least 7,000 votes were casted.
Senior citizen sets on fire a Singapore lawmaker
Politicians should be more careful these days. Angry citizens are using extraordinary measures to express their rage against leaders. Last month a journalist from Iraq threw his shoes at U.S. President George Bush. Last Sunday, a 70 year old taxi driver lit a bottle of kerosene and threw it at Singapore lawmaker Seng Han Thong in a community club.
Cambodian leader's collection of doctorate degrees
The Son of the Empire comments that the numerous Honorary PhDs given to Cambodian leader Hun Sen are unnecessary: “Hun Sen doesn’t need such many fake Honorary Doctorate Degrees to be recognized as an educated and competent leader to Cambodian people if he can prove himself as a REAL Leader...
Singapore: Chambermaid vs foreign maid
Kaffein-nated from Singapore criticizes the inconsistency of a government minister who argues that it is honorable to be a chambermaid but working as a maid in other countries is a demeaning job.
Living in Hanoi 20 years ago
Caroline Finlay uploads a translated article by a Vietnamese blogger who reminisces his childhood years in Hanoi.
Indonesia: Facebook users on the rise
Budiputra reports that Facebook in Indonesia registered a growth rate of 645 percent in 2008. Indonesia has been the fastest growing country on Facebook in Southeast Asia. However, Friendster is still the most popular networking site in the country.
Indonesia: Ferry capsizes with 250 people
A passenger ferry with 250 people onboard sank in bad weather in Indonesia. Rescuers are still looking for survivors.
Malaysia: Campaign to boycott US goods
As a form of protest against Washington’s support for Israel, some Malaysians are boycotting U.S. products. Opinion in the Malaysian blogosphere is divided over the campaign.
Philippines: Funding cuts for higher education
mind-a-now reports that the Philippine Senate has reduced the funding of 21 state universities.
Laos: Plain of Jars
Maikulian posts a picture of “Plain of Jars” taken in Phonsavan, Laos. “Plain of Jars” refers to historic sites in Laos containing thousands of stone jars.
How is Laos related to Netherlands?
Lao Voices cites various historical, geographical and cultural facts which point out the similarities of Laos and The Netherlands.
