On 15 December 2016, the Indonesian parliament (DPR) ratified a sea border treaty between Indonesia and Singapore to demarcate the maritime boundary in the eastern section of the Singapore Strait, covering a 9.45 km stretch between Changi and Batam. This ratification, achieved 27 months after this treaty was signed in September 2014, took place during a recently-concluded month-long parliamentary session in which DPR legislators passed only two bills into law, one of them being this bilateral maritime treaty, while delaying forty others. What then were the reasons for prioritising the ratification of this treaty bill?
The Guardian’s exposé of severe worker exploitation in Samsung, Panasonic and McDonald’s shines an accusing spotlight on Malaysia’s labour practices again (please click here and here to read more). This investigative report by the UK newspaper comes two years after the NGO Verité’s extensive survey (please click here to read more) concluded that about one third of workers in electronics factories experience forced labour conditions, and five years after Malaysia pronounced a policy decision to phase out indirect recruitment through labour outsourcing, a systemic factor in violations against decent work and human rights.
The recently launched Kuala Linggi International Port (KLIP) will complete the Malacca Port Development Masterplan. Already on the cards are the Melaka Gateway Port (tourism), the Sungai Udang Port (military), the Tangga Batu Port (oil and gas), the Sungai Rambai Port (mining and minerals), the Tangga Batu Port (oil and gas) and the Umbai Port (fishing). These plans were proposed to “spur the state’s economic activities and relive the glory of Malacca Port of the 15th Century”.
Yesterday, the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia witnessed the signing of a legally-binding bilateral agreement to build a high-speed rail (HSR) between their two economic capitals. The agreement signed yesterday is thus the latest step towards the construction of the transport link.
2016/81 13 December 2016
The services sector is deemed to drive the future growth of the Asia Pacific region. The importance of services is attributed to its use as inputs in the production of both goods and services. For manufacturing, services are needed to facilitate the shift up global value chains. Efficient services can have a positive impact on the productivity, competitiveness and the growth of an economy. The sector also promotes inclusiveness as it provides opportunities for female workers to be gainfully employed, thereby improving the utilization of a country’s labour force.
“Vietnam Strengthens Ties with China amidst Regional Uncertainty” a Commentary by Le Hong Hiep