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April
India's new COVID-19 infections hit record, deaths at over five-month high
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. India reported another record number of new COVID-19 infections on Friday with daily deaths also hitting their highest in more than five months as the country battles a second wave of infections and states complain of a persistent vaccine shortage.
The world’s second most-populous country reported 131,968 new infections and 780 deaths on Friday - the biggest daily increase since mid-October.
That took India’s overall caseload to 13.06 million - the world’s third-highest after the United States and Brazil - and total deaths from COVID-19 to 167,642. India’s total number of infections inched closer to Brazil’s 13.28 million.
With several states having expanded curbs to control the rapid spread of the virus, migrant workers have started packing into trains towards their villages from major cities such as Mumbai, potentially risking a wider outbreak in smaller towns.
The government blames the resurgence mainly on crowding and a reluctance to wear masks as businesses gradually reopened since the middle of last year.
“We all know that it’s because of the casual approach that has been adopted unfortunately by the society and some sort of laxity everywhere in following the discipline of the COVID- appropriate behaviour,” Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told a news conference.
He said on Thursday there was no shortage of shots for the groups eligible for vaccination, with more than 43 million doses in stock or in the pipeline. India has been inoculating about 4 million people a day.
The surge in cases has been far sharper than last year, triggering widespread calls for the vaccination of younger people. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected the idea on Thursday, citing the need to prioritise the more vulnerable, elderly population.
Inoculations are currently limited to those aged over 45 and health and frontline workers.
Much of the country has fallen behind safety protocols, the most glaring example being election rallies, where politicians including Modi and Interior Minister Amit Shah have greeted hundreds of thousands of supporters, most of whom were not wearing masks.
The government has refused to impose another national lockdown, but Modi said night curfews were an effective way to keep people alert. (Reuters)
April
Eyes on next generation as Singapore succession is thrown into question
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Singapore’s typically staid politics has been unsettled by an announcement from the chosen successor for prime minister that he was taking himself out of the running, renewing questions over the city-state’s leadership planning.
Stability has long been one of wealthy Singapore’s greatest strengths, making it a haven for investors and businesses in a region where political upheaval is not uncommon.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, whose promotion to deputy prime minister in 2019 put him first in line for the top job, said on Thursday he wanted to make way for someone younger because the COVID-19 pandemic meant he would be too old to take over by the time the crisis had settled.
“The lack of clarity can be challenging for it may indicate uncertainty and potential instability in future,” said Eugene Tan, a former nominated member of parliament.
The pandemic has pushed Singapore, which thrives on open trade and finance, into its worst recession even though it has managed to virtually eliminate the virus with border controls and contact-tracing.
The country was already facing problems of an aging population, rising protectionism and the need to reshape the economy to focus on technology.
“As the Singapore model itself faces pressures for change, so does its politics,” said Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia.
A younger team from the “fourth generation” of leaders since independence in 1965, or 4G, has to choose a replacement for Heng and give that person enough time to prepare. Heng, who turns 60 this year, had led the team since 2018.
Chan Chun Sing, trade and industry minister, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung and Lawrence Wong, the education minister and co-head of a virus-fighting taskforce, are seen as strong contenders for the job, analysts say.
“Succession remains an urgent task and cannot be put off indefinitely,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 69, said after Heng’s announcement.
Lee said he was hoping a new leader would be identified before the next general election, due by the end of 2025.
Lee, who had previously dropped a plan to retire by 70 to see Singapore through the pandemic, will remain until a successor is chosen.
“I have no intention of staying on longer than necessary,” said Lee, who has twice survived cancer.
‘VOTERS’ VIEWS’
Lee’s People’s Action Party (PAP) has ruled since independence. Singapore has only had three prime ministers, including Lee’s father and founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.
Lee Kuan Yew’s successor, Goh Chok Tong, was identified five years before he took over. The younger Lee was groomed for the top office long before he took over in 2004.
The process of selecting leaders within the PAP is opaque but that may be changing.
“If there is a lesson to be learnt from the past processes, though, it may be that greater account needs to be taken of what voters’ views are,” said Garry Rodan, honorary professor of political science at the University of Queensland.
In a general election last year, the PAP recorded its worst-ever result, with Heng himself scraping through with only 53% of votes in his constituency.
Analysts said the result cast a pall over Lee’s hope to secure a mandate for the next generation and raised questions over whether there was a long-term decline in PAP support.
Still, the PAP holds an overwhelming majority in parliament. Experts do not see much risk of Singapore heading into a political crisis or leadership change bringing any major shifts in policy.
But with no obvious 4G leader, the process of finding a new one could itself carry danger for the party.
“The PAP risks looking weak as the leadership transition gets delayed,” Inderjit Singh, a former PAP lawmaker told Reuters in emailed comments.
“I hope the 4G leaders realise that the future of the PAP is at risk should they not show strong unity.” (Reuters)
April
Britain allows ousted Myanmar ambassador to stay on
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Britain will allow Myanmar’s ousted ambassador to stay on while he decides his future after being locked out of his own embassy, it said on Friday.
“We condemn the way the Myanmar military in London barred their ambassador from entering the embassy yesterday evening,” the Foreign Office said.
“We pay tribute to the courage of Kyaw Zwar Minn in standing up for the people of Myanmar. Given the bullying behaviour towards Mr Minn, we are seeking to ensure he can live safely in the United Kingdom while he decides his long-term future.” (Reuters)
April
Indonesia urges D-8 to boost inter-regional trade, vaccine production
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged the Developing Eight Group (D-8) countries to help free the world of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursue global economic recovery by augmenting their vaccine production capacity.
Addressing the 10th D-8 Summit, held online on Thursday, President Jokowi highlighted the rising vaccine nationalism amidst efforts to promote equitable access to vaccines at affordable prices for all countries.
"This means that the world must be able to multiply the (vaccine) production capacity. There must not be restrictions on vaccine production and distribution. Here, D-8 countries can play a role by offering their production capacity," he said.
The D-8 member states can ramp up vaccine production to promote equitable access to vaccines and push for transfer of technology, he told leaders of the D-8 grouping, which includes Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
"Some of us, including Indonesia, are in the process of developing vaccines on their own, and D-8 must be open to cooperate in developing and producing vaccines in the future," President Jokowi said.
The Indonesian leader also urged D-8 member states to aid global economic recovery efforts, saying they hold an inter-regional trade potential of more than US$1.5 billion
"Inter-regional trade facilities within the scope of D-8 need to be pushed and trade barriers must be reduced. Strengthening inter-regional trade among D-8 member states is the key and will serve as the engine of economic development," he said.
Digital technology, digitization, artificial intelligence, computing power, and big data are also sectors that need to be developed, he noted.
He said technology has given birth to various breakthroughs and D-8 should use technology for the benefit of the people's welfare, considering that the sector reflects the picture of economy in the future.
The issue is in line with the theme of the 10th D-8 Summit — Partnership for Transformative World, Using the Power of Younger Generations and Technology — which highlights the need for younger generations of D-8 to benefit from the fourth Industrial Revolution and adapt to the changing information and communication technology landscape.
Indonesia has been a vocal proponent of equal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The country is among the co-chairs of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment Engagement Group (COVAX AMC EG).
Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar had also pushed for vaccine multilateralism during the 17th Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers meeting, held on Wednesday (April 7, 2021). He had said that the D-8 must ensure that vaccines can be distributed fairly for all without any hindrance.
“In this regard, we need to support the COVAX platform as the only platform to ensure equal access and affordable prices of vaccines for all,” he stressed.
He also called on the D-8 to prioritize strengthening research and development, as well as the health and pharmaceutical industry and network, in the D-8 countries. (Antaranews)
April
We must reject growing vaccine nationalism: Widodo tells D-8
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sought support from the Developing Eight Group (D-8) countries for vaccine multilateralism amid increasing vaccine nationalism and protectionism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“D-8 must continue to promote equitable access to vaccines. Vaccine affordability and availability is key to exit the pandemic. However, we are witnessing an increase in vaccine nationalism and we must reject this. We must support vaccine multilateralism,” said President Widodo at the 10th D-8 Summit, held online on Thursday.
He said he believes that in the time of a global pandemic, vaccines are global public goods, which means the world must seek to produce and distribute vaccines for all.
Speaking to leaders of the D-8 grouping, which includes Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Widodo said the world must be able to multiply its vaccine production capacity and that there must be no restrictions on vaccine production and distribution.
“This is where the D-8 can play a role in offering its production capacity to increase production to promote equitable access to vaccines and encourage the transfer of technology,” he remarked.
He further said that the D-8 must be open to future cooperation in vaccine development and production, as a number of its member countries, including Indonesia, are in the process of developing their own vaccines.
At the meeting, Bangladesh, which has assumed chairmanship of the D-8 after Turkey, voiced its support for President Widodo’s statement on vaccines.
“I think we should work on it together,” Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated.
Indonesia has been a vocal proponent of equal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The country is among the co-chairs of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment Engagement Group (COVAX AMC EG).
Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar had raised similar concerns as Widodo during the 17th Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers meeting, held on Wednesday (April 7, 2021). He had said that the D-8 must ensure that vaccines can be distributed fairly for all without any hindrance.
“In this regard, we need to support the COVAX platform as the only platform to ensure equal access and affordable prices of vaccines for all,” he stressed.
He also called on the D-8 to prioritize strengthening research and development, as well as the health and pharmaceutical industry and network, in the D-8 countries. (Antaranews)
April
China says U.S. to blame for tensions over Taiwan
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Beijing blamed the United States on Thursday for tensions over Taiwan after a U.S. warship sailed close to the Chinese-claimed island, asking rhetorically whether China would sail in the Gulf of Mexico as a “show of strength”.
The democratically-run island has complained of repeated military activities by Beijing in recent months, with China’s air force making almost daily forays into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.
On Monday, China said an aircraft carrier group was exercising close to the island, and on Wednesday a U.S. warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait that separates the island from its giant neighbour.
Speaking at a daily news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said U.S. ships engaging in “provocations” “send a seriously wrong signal to the forces of Taiwan independence, threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
“Would a Chinese warship go to the Gulf of Mexico to make a show of strength?” he added.
In 2015, five Chinese Navy ships sailed in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska, in an apparent first for China’s military that came as then-U.S. President Barack Obama toured the U.S. state.
The U.S. Navy has been regularly conducting what it calls “routine” transits of the Taiwan Strait.
Washington has expressed its concern about a pattern of Chinese intimidation efforts in the region, including towards Taiwan, reiterating that the U.S. commitment to Taiwan is “rock solid”.
China believes the United States is colluding with Taiwan to challenge Beijing and giving support to those who want the island to declare formal independence.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says they are already an independent country called the Republic of China, the island’s official name.
Taiwan is China’s most sensitive territorial issue and a major bone of contention between Beijing and Washington.
The widely-read Chinese state-backed tabloid the Global Times, published by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said on Thursday China’s carrier group had been drilling near Taiwan “amid U.S. provocations”.
It published what it said was a conversation between a Chinese fighter pilot and a Taiwanese one, who was warning China’s aircraft to turn around.
“This is China’s airspace,” the Chinese pilot says, in a recording the paper said was made on Tuesday while he was on duty cruising southwest of Taiwan. (Reuters)
April
New Zealand suspends entry for travellers from India due to high COVID-19 cases
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. New Zealand on Thursday temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India, including its own citizens, for about two weeks following a high number of positive coronavirus cases arriving from the South Asian country.
The move comes after New Zealand recorded 23 new positive coronavirus cases at its border on Thursday, of which 17 were from India.
“We are temporarily suspending entry into New Zealand for travellers from India,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a news conference in Auckland.
India has recorded 12.8 million COVID-19 cases, the most after the United States and Brazil. It is now battling a deadly second wave of infections, and this week the number of daily new cases passed the peak of the first wave seen last September.
The suspension will start from 1600 local time on April 11 and will be in place until April 28. During this time the government will look at risk management measures to resume travel.
The suspension applies to anyone who has been in India during the past 14 days. It is the first time that New Zealand has extended any bar on entry to its own citizens and residents.
“I want to emphasize that while arrivals of COVID from India has prompted this measure, we are looking at how we manage high risk points of departure generally. This is not a country specific risk assessment...,” Ardern said.
New Zealand has virtually eliminated the virus within its borders, and has not reported any community transmission locally for about 40 days.
But it has been reviewing its border settings as more infected people have been arriving recently, most of them from India.
Pre-departure testing requirements reduced the number of positive cases coming from other countries but that’s not been the case with India, Ardern said.
“We have looked into whether or not we have issues with accuracy of the pre-departure tests. That has not demonstrated that that’s where the problem lies. So this suspension gives us the time to look at the problem more generally,” she said.
New Zealand on Thursday also reported one new locally infected case in a worker who was employed at a coronavirus managed isolation facility. (Reuters)
April
Australia recommends the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to people under 50
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Australia said on Thursday it now recommends the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine over that produced by AstraZeneca. for people under the age of 50.
Europe’s drug regulator on Wednesday found a possible link between AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and rare blood clotting issues in adults who had received the shot and said it had taken into consideration all available evidence.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said that while the risk is extremely low, the country’s experts have changed their advice for those at greatest risk.
Australia will continue to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 70. (Reuters)
April
Japan, UAE to collaborate on hydrogen technology, supply chain
Written by Nur YasminJakarta. Japan and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday agreed to work together on technology to produce hydrogen and create an international supply chain, Japan’s industry ministry said.
The collaboration, marked by a memorandum of cooperation between the oil-producing UAE and energy-importer Japan, reflects mounting enthusiasm for investment in hydrogen, which offers potential to help fight climate change.
Japan’s government set a goal in December to boost its annual hydrogen demand to 3 million tonnes by 2030, from about 2 million tonnes now, and to 20 million tonnes by 2050, as part of a green growth strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The aim of Thursday’s agreement is that Japan should be able to import hydrogen produced in the UAE, which may be produced from fossil fuel but whose emissions are captured and used in industry.
The two countries will also cooperate to boost hydrogen demand in the UAE.
Hydrogen, mostly extracted from natural gas or coal production, has long been used in applications ranging from rocket fuel to making fertilisers.
But as goverments seek to address climate change, the goal is to shift to emissions-free green hydrogen produced using renewable power and to broaden its use to include replacing fossil fuel energy in industrial processes and using it as transport fuel. But there are still many hurdles involving cost and infrastructure. (Reuters)
April
Russian foreign minister visits Pakistan in search of Afghan peace
Written by Nur Yasmin
Jakarta. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday met Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country’s army chief for talks on the troubled peace process in Afghanistan, where both countries have long histories of involvement.
It was the first time a Russian foreign minister had visited Pakistan in nine years and comes at a sensitive time for neighbouring Afghanistan with peace talks making little headway and a deadline looming for the United States to withdraw its forces.
Khan highlighted the importance of a negotiated political settlement to the war in Afghanistan during the meeting, according to a statement from his office.
“Pakistan appreciated Russia’s efforts in promoting the Afghan peace process through the hosting of the recent meeting...in Moscow,” the statement said, referring to a recent summit on the peace process that Pakistan attended.
They also discussed economic relations, the COVID-19 pandemic and progress on a major gas pipeline project.
Lavrov also met Pakistan’s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, at army headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi, according to a statement from the military.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including enhanced defence and security cooperation, regional security, particularly Afghan Peace Process were discussed,” the statement said.
In the 1980s, Pakistan and the United States were the main supporters of the Islamist fighters who battled occupying Soviet forces.
Now, Russia is concerned about Afghan instability spilling over into central Asia as the United States seeks to extricate itself from a war in Afghanistan against the Islamist Taliban.
Russia hosted an international conference on Afghanistan in Moscow last month at which the participants, including the United States, China and Pakistan, issued a statement calling on the warring Afghan sides to reach a peace deal and curb violence.
“A common concern is the situation in Afghanistan,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Lavrov’s visit to Pakistan.
“We look forward to an early finding of a constructive solution in order to end the civil war in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan through agreements on the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of the Taliban movement.”
The United States signed an agreement with the Taliban last year allowing it to withdraw its forces in exchange for a Taliban guarantee to prevent international terrorism.
But fighting between the U.S.-backed Afghan government and the Taliban still rages.
The United States is pushing for an interim Afghan government between the two sides as a May 1 deadline approaches for it to withdraw its forces under the pact.
President Joe Biden has said that date will be hard to meet despite Taliban threats of more violence if it is not. (Reuters)