The Philippines ‘ education department announced on Sunday ( Apr 28 ) that in-person classes will be suspended in all public schools for two days as a result of the country’s extreme heat and a nationwide jeepney driver strike. In recent weeks, Southeast Asia has been scorched by intense heat,Continue Reading
New York prosecutors announced on Friday ( Apr 26 ) that they had returned 30 antiquities to Cambodia and Indonesia that had been illegally transferred by networks of American dealers and traffickers. According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the artifacts were worth a total of US$ 3 million. InContinue Reading
PUBLISHED: 27 Apr 2024 at 06: 05
According to Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanit, the Ministry of Culture has sent a member to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to examine two documents before returning them to Thailand.
The Office of National Museums, which is run by the Department of Fine Arts, is currently in the United States to oversee the examination of the two old iron figures.
One of them is a Standing Shiva, known as the” Golden Boy”, and the other is a female figure in a kneeling position.
The’ Golden Boy’.
The facts and the timeline for the artefact relocation are to be discussed. The Met may make the costs of relocation, which is expected to take place subsequent month, the minister said.
After checking whether the two statues were connected to Douglas Latchford, an American antiquities businessman, who was in 2019 accused of running a significant system that snatched treasures from Southeast Asia, The Met made the decision to return them to Thailand.
A memorandum of understanding on gallery development assistance will also be signed by The Met Max Hollein and Director-general of the Fine Arts Department Phanombut Chantarachot.
Somjai Tapaopong, the Thai president- common in New York, will see the drafting of the MoU.
A kneeling woman statue.
“UNBEARABLE” In the past year, temperatures have reached more than 42 degrees Fahrenheit in Bangladesh. In response to the scorching heat, thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in capital mosques and remote fields to pray for relief from the scorching heat forecasters anticipate will last through the weekend. High school student MohuaContinue Reading
.JPG "Officiating the Grand Opening Ceremony of TTM Technologies Malaysia Facility (from left to right) Mr. Douglas Soder, Executive Vice President and President of Commercial Sector, TTM Technologies, Inc.; Teik Ming Ng, vice president and general manager, TTM Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Najihah Abas, executive director, Investment Promotion of MIDA; Chow Kon Yeow, chief minister of Penang; Loo Lee Lian, CEO, InvestPenang; Thomas Edman, president, and CEO, TTM Technologies, Inc., and Philip Titterton, executive vice president and chief operating officer, TTM Technologies, Inc.")
TTM Technologies, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions including mission systems, radio frequency ( RF ) components and RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, and quick- turn and technologically advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs ), has officially opened its first manufacturing plant in Penang, Malaysia with an investment of US$ 200 million ( RM958 million ).
Built on 27 acres in Penang Science Park, the firm’s condition- of- the- art facility boasts extremely impressive and integrated PCB manufacturing capabilities. The near collaboration between TTM and its customers has led to this job, which seeks to address the growing need for Circuit supply chain resilience and physical producing diversity.  ,
TTM added that the herb is customised to help large production requirements in various business finish markets, including network, data centre computing, medical, professional, and instrumentation.
The chief minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, stated,” Penang is proud to be the place where TTM’s first large-scale, highly automated, and modern Board manufacturing plant is set up in Southeast Asia. This also indicates the assurance that foreign traders have placed in the state.”
He continued,” Penang has the abilities and capabilities to meet the needs of professional players in next-generation technologies and development strategies. It is frequently praised for its well-developed technological ecosystem. I’m confident that TTM’s activity in Penang, the Silicon Valley of the East, may have a number of advantages.
Chow Kon Yeow, Pn., presided over the standard opening ceremony for TTM’s Penang flower. Najihah Abas, executive director, Investment Promotion of Malaysian Investment Development Authority ( MIDA ), Loo Lee Lian, CEO, InvestPenang, Thomas Edman, president, and CEO, TTM Technologies, Inc., Philip Titterton, executive vice president and chief operating officer, TTM Technologies, Inc., senior government officials, and TTM’s senior management.
By 2025, TTM’s Penang plant will enable the creation of about 1, 000 job opportunities for local talent in a variety of industries. The expansion will support cultivate the skills of native professional talent in cutting-edge PCB technology solutions and may lead to significant opportunities for TTM’s local suppliers.
TTM anticipates that the fresh plant may produce full move level income of about US$ 180 million ( RM855 million ) by 2025. However, the plant is built to help a Step two rise that could result in a 25 cent increase.  ,  ,
Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO, MIDA emphasised,” It brings me great pleasure to underscore the significant benefits TTM Technologies ‘ investment brings to Malaysia’s electrical and electronics ( E&, E) industry, especially within the semiconductor sector. Malaysia is now a significant player in the global semiconductor supply ring thanks to TTM’s skills in high-tech options and advanced printed circuit boards.
He added that TTM’s center in Penang improves Malaysia’s E& E industry’s capacity for growth and endurance as well as its ability to compete with other countries for the next generation of Circuit manufacturing.
This growth, which focuses on strengthening the silicon habitat, perfectly corresponds with the strategic priorities outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan 2030. It opens avenues for skill enhancement and information sharing among native talents, reinforcing Malaysia’s stature on the world stage as a dynamic, technologically advanced nation”, Sikh Shamsul said..jpg "TTM Technologies celebrates grand opening of its first manufacturing facility in Penang")
Meanwhile, Thomas Edman ( pic ) commented,” The opening of our flagship plant in Penang marks a significant milestone for TTM. With a state-of-the-art facility that underscores our commitment to providing our customers with specialized advanced technology PCB solutions on a global scale, we are thrilled to begin this expansion plan.
He added,” As we step into this new era of innovation and expansion, we are committed to elevating industry standards, meeting customer needs, and propelling TTM’s growth as a new contributor to the Malaysian economy”.
” Penang’s strong industrial eco-system, position as the hub for electrical and electronic equipment, strong talent pool, and conducive business environment have made it a preferred location for TTM,” said Penang. Only two years after our initial ground-breaking, TTM is now entering our production ramp due to the outstanding support of the government and the efforts of our employees. As TTM builds our presence in Penang, we eagerly anticipate a longstanding relationship and mutually rewarding partnership with the Malaysian government, our customers, and our critical vendors”, Edman said.
Besides contributing to the industry’s needs, TTM is strongly committed to protecting its staff, community, customers, and the environment. The new facility’s goal is to advance its sustainability efforts by reducing the amount of energy and water used while still adhering to stringent environmental operational requirements. It will also reduce the carbon footprint by 60 % when compared to a traditional PCB plant.
PUBLISHED: 26 Apr 2024 at 04: 00
Thailand and Australia have signed a pact for economic systems cooperation to advance the region’s banking sector.
The Thai Fintech Association and FinTech Australia signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) this week.
Thailand and the South Asian region have shown significant development opportunities for the American regional economic systems sector, according to Brian Collins, vice chair of FinTech Australia.
Thailand and Southeast Asia offer a sizable rise opportunity for our neighborhood banking industry. Due to the rapid growth of different types of finance, many of our users expressed interest in this region of the world. We look forward to working with the Thai Fintech Association to strengthen both nations ‘ results,” he said.
American Fintech members were in Bangkok to meet the Money20/20 Asia 2024, one of the nation’s leading networking websites and workshops, joined by thousands of banking and financial services professionals.
Chonladet Khemarattana, President of the Thai Fintech Association, said that Thailand was emerging as a hub for blockchain technology.
The East Asian market’s enormous growth potential is acknowledged by the Thai Fintech Association as “he warmly welcomes the relationship with FinTech Australia.” We are willing to collaborate with FinTech Australia to leverage our complementary strengths and improve the fintech ecosystems ‘ outcomes in both locations, he continued.
Angela Macdonald, the American ambassador, said during the signing meeting that Thailand’s economic technology industry is one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia.
” Coupled with Australia’s interesting and dynamic financial environment, this agreement is a delightful step in online business partnership with Thailand”, she added.
FinTech Australia is the not-for-profit peak industry body for the Australian fintech sector, according to the Australian embassy. The industry’s value grew from A$ 250 million ( about 6 billion baht ) in 2015 to A$ 45 billion in 2023.
She claimed that the MoU signing was in line with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s” Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040″ from last year.
A court in Manila has halted the commercialization of genetically modified golden grain because it believes that” severe” health and environmental health problems are brought on by contradictory scientific findings. In a pay to battle childhood blindness, the Philippines was the first nation in the world to approve beautiful rice,Continue Reading
Bangkok: Thailand issued new warnings about scorching hot weather on Thursday ( Apr 25 ), as the country’s government reported that heatstroke has already claimed the lives of at least 30 people this year. The heat index was anticipated to rise above 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so Bangkok city officials issuedContinue Reading
SEVERE HEATWAVES The UN’s World Meteorological Organization reported that Asia was warming at a particularly fast rate, with the effect of heatwaves in the area becoming more intense last year, reaching record highs for the area. The WMO’s State of the Climate in Asia 2023 record found Asia was warmingContinue Reading
By focusing on three important pillars: intelligence-sharing, appearance, and multilateralism, the US can strengthen faith and alliances in Southeast Asia and change the state’s prevailing attitudes toward the tremendous power.
The region is home to significant US allies and possible allies who are most susceptible to Chinese influence and power forecast, which makes perceptions especially important during this time of intense energy competitors.
According to the Yusof Ishak Institute’s” The State of Southeast Asia 2023″ record, elites in Southeast Asia now believe that China has greater economic, political, and proper influence than the US or any other country.
These perceptions have a significant impact on the decisions made by rulers and frontrunners in Southeast Asia, but the US needs to change how it is perceived. Luckily, there are a few straightforward activities that may change how Southeast Asia views the US, all of which can be put into practice almost right away.
The US does create an cleverness- sharing system with allies and partners in the Indo- Pacific, especially with Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) member states. This network will enable the US to immediately inform its allies about China’s revolutionary practices and increase accountability.
Each nation should be able to benefit from globalism when dealing with China. Information sharing may also show that the US is a trustworthy strategic partner who keeps the passions of allies and partners in thinking.
Through the “assertive clarity” program, where China’s intense tactics are exposed for the area and the world to see, Sealight’s Ray Powell and Dr. Benjamin Goirigolzarri have already demonstrated the effectiveness of increased knowledge sharing.
This program has encouraged cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines and raised awareness of the presence of other East Asian countries in the fight against Chinese aggression.
Collaboration among ASEAN member states will be encouraged by the visibility of Taiwanese tactics and US-driven predictive analysis, giving them a leg up in negotiations with China that solitary states would not have to do working just unilaterally.
The US currently supports places in Southeast Asia through various means, from international aid to humanitarian aid, joint military guards, exercises, and markets. Just being there frequently paves the way for faith and confidence.
To foster connectivity and mutually beneficial relationships, we should expand the integration of military and civilian organizations with South Asian partner countries. The more people and governments in Southeast Asia see Americans as a source of support, the more likely they will consider the benefits of extending their connection with the US.
However, providing assistance and being physically present is not enough; instead, the US needs to do better by highlighting the support it offers.
The US does a bad job of marketing the support it provides, its function and influence to other countries. A country in Southeast Asia was the target of a pandemic when I collaborated with the State Department to offer a plane total of Covid products, only to have the overshadowed by a Chinese public relations campaign that highlighted a much smaller aid package.
The benefits of the support and cooperation in the Indo- Pacific may be communicated better to local audiences, the recipient country’s public and government, and the global community. Making sure nations are aware of where aid comes from will help them remember the US as a trustworthy partner.
This will win the support of the general public, which could influence government decision-makers in favor of the US.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi famously stated,” China is a big country and you are small countries, and that is a fact,” during a speech to the ASEAN Regional Forum in Hanoi in 2010. This covert threat was intended to ensnare the gathered countries into following China’s instructions.
To combat this, the US must support multinational corporations like ASEAN or encourage the development of what Richard Heydarian refers to as “minilateral” cooperation in order to end the region’s long-standing paroxysm on crucial issues.
By promoting and ratifying multilateral cooperation, we encourage and strengthen partner countries ‘ economies by reducing their reliance on China for economic support. This leveled the playing field and creates more opportunities for multilateral cooperation on issues involving China.
Expanding cooperation and presence, increasing intelligence sharing, and promoting multilateralism in Southeast Asia will strengthen the region’s resilience and remind them that the US is a sincere and lasting partner.
These straightforward initiatives will help to boost confidence, change perceptions in Southeast Asia, and foster trust and cooperation with the US, thereby reducing China’s influence in the area.
Major David Geaney, a Logistics Officer for the Air Force, has spent the Middle East and Pacific on numerous occasions. His articles on China have been published in the Journal of Indo- Pacific Affairs, Foreign Policy, Task &, Purpose, and Defense News. He has also appeared on Air University’s Indo-Pacific Visions and as a panelist for the International Studies Association.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own, do not necessarily reflect those of the US government, Department of Defense, or Air Force.