Malaysia names ex-diplomat Othman Hashim ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar crisis

15 Sept 06:31 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia, serving as the new ASEAN chair, appointed former diplomat Othman Hashim as the bloc's special envoy to address the escalating crisis in army-ruled Myanmar.
Othman's core responsibility is to implement ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus peace plan, which emphasizes a cessation of violence, fostering inclusive political dialogue, and delivering humanitarian aid.
Under its chairmanship, Malaysia prioritizes the Myanmar peace process, aiming to facilitate a resolution by ensuring the envoy can engage with all relevant parties.

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.