Malaysia, India sign criminal assistance treaty; East Timor President lost in election; Indonesian police shot five suspected militants dead; World Bank: Philippines must accelerate reforms; Delhi Police team to visit Thailand, Malaysia for investigations
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • According to reports, Malaysia and India signed a treaty on mutual assistance in criminal matters on 12 March 2012. It took the tow countries four years to arrive at a mutually agreeable terms and conditions. The treaty is seen as a major step in fighting transnational crimes including drug trafficking and smuggling of migrants. 1

    In another development, Jose Ramos Horta, the President of East Timor, has lost his bid for the by- election. As per the preliminary results shown on 18 March, he has failed to make it to a run-off in the country’s second presidential vote as a free nation. The second round for the Presidential elections will be held on 16 April 2012. 2

    According to a 19 March 2012 media release by Indonesia’s national counter- terrorism agency and police, five suspected militants were shot dead. The militants were planning attacks in Bali and are believed to be members of Jemmah Islamiah. 3

    The World Bank on 19 March, 2012 said that to catch up with its Southeast Asian neighbours, Philippines must accelerate economic reforms. It was also said that sustained economic growth above five percent a year is required to improve the lives of weaker sections of the society. The report forecast economic growth of 4.2 percent in 2012 and 5 percent in 2013, up from 3.7 percent in 2011. 4

    An investing team of Delhi Police will visit Thailand and Malaysia in late March to find out if the Delhi and Bangkok blasts are linked. According to the reports, the investigating team wants to interrogate Sedaghatzadeh Masoud- an Iraninan believed to have links with planning and execution of the terror plot. 5

    In other developments, according to reports, the Thai government extended the state of emergency in Southern Thailand for another three months. The decision in that regard was taken on 13 March 2012. The provision gives security forces powers of arrest and detention in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces of Southern Thailand, which is affected by armed insurgency. 6

    Top