ASEAN cities face uphill battle to preserve heritage

21 Sept 06:47 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN cities struggle to preserve cultural heritage against rapid urban development, leading to conflicts between developers and conservationists, and threatening historical sites and World Heritage bids.
Advocacy groups, youth movements, and alliances like SEACHA are emerging to broaden heritage protection beyond traditional monuments and integrate cultural wisdom into climate change solutions.
Experts highlight the economic and environmental value of heritage, emphasizing its role in creating vibrant, sustainable communities, attracting investment, and serving as a low-carbon strategy.
The path to successful preservation requires long-term planning, pragmatic government policies (like Singapore's carbon-neutral conservation incentives), and a shift towards people-centric urban development, fostering optimism for future generations to champion heritage.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.