Southeast Asia News

“What we are sending in by road is in addition to the supplies we have already procured locally in Yangon and the 100 tons of supplies we started airlifting today from Dubai.”

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said its first trucks had arrived in Burma Saturday from Mae Sot without a problem, carrying 20 tonnes of emergency aid for survivors of the cyclone. via Bangkok Post

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“If (the government) deny (treatment to Uthayakumar and do not release the ISA detainees), then we will have a bigger gathering, that is definite”

Malaysia's ethnic Indian activists on Sunday warned the government to provide medical aid to one of its leaders and free those detained under tough internal security laws or face more street rallies. via Hindustan Times

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“The government says vote, so we vote”

The military junta forged ahead yesterday with a constitutional referendum intended to cement its power after a campaign of arm-twisting and intimidation, even as it continued to restrict foreign aid shipments ... via Boston Globe

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“Many of the residents here feel so angry at the government when we see victims of the storm coming to our town”

People arrive to vote in a nationwide referendum in Hlegu. Myanmar's junta held a referendum on a new constitution Saturday, despite warnings more people would die unless it focussed on delivering emergency aid ... via TurkishPress.com

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“I am very confident that the situation on the ground”

The first group of Malaysian peacekeepers left the Philippines on Saturday as peace talks between the government and Muslim rebels were stalled.

The stalled talks raised fears that clashes could escalate again in the troubled south.

Malaysian Maj. Gen. Datuk Mat Yasin Bin Mat Daud _ leader of an international monitoring team _ said he hopes a peace agreement will be signed soon. The withdrawal is a sign of Kuala Lumpur's impatience with the slow pace of negotiations that it has brokered to try to bring an end to more than 30 years of Muslim separatist insurgency. Read more

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“The size of this is simply extraordinary and, in terms of its impact, much greater than the tsunami impact in Sri Lanka or Indonesia.”

This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Saturday May 10 2008. It was last updated at 11:10 on May 10 2008. via Guardian Unlimited

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“By 2013, this project combined with Dung Quat refinery would ensure 65 percent of Vietnam oil and gas demand. It will contribute to ensure the nation's energy security”

Energy-hungry Vietnam started building its second oil refinery on Saturday, a 6.2 billion dollar complex, in a bid to feed the nation's booming economy, the State Oil company announced. via Maktoob Business

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“Things are almost certainly not going to get any better in the next few days”

Myanmar has made it clear they will accept foreign aid but not foreign aid workers. via The New Zealand Herald

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“Now we can repay the (Myanmar people) for all the warm hospitality and enriching experiences we have in the past enjoyed there.”

Myanmar's refusal to let foreign aid workers into the country has not stopped donors around the world, both large and small, from trying to help. via Slam Sports

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A nationwide referendum on a draft constitution commenced in Myanmar this morning as scheduled with people across the country starting to go to poll to cast votes on the charter. via English.eastday.com

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