Burma declared a state of emergency in western Rakhine state following an uprising by the Muslim Rohingya people—for generations denied citizenship by both Burma and Bangladesh, each considering them “illegal” immigrants from the other.
Cambodia’s most outspoken activist against illegal logging was shot dead while escorting journalists near a protected forest in Koh Kong province, where he has repeatedly attempted to expose outlaw timber rackets that include military officials.
The Naga people, whose homeland is bisected by the India-Burma border, are slated to be massively relocated by the giant Tamanthi hydro project—even as Delhi tries to broker peace with Naga separatist guerillas.
The high-tech industry hopes the new rare earth refinery in Malaysia’s Pahang state will break China’s “stranglehold” on the essential precious metals. But local residents concerned about radioactive contamination have launched a protest campaign.
Some 50 black-clad gunmen armed with grenades and bombs stormed the city jail at Kidapawan, Mindanao. They were repulsed by police in a chaotic night battle that killed three—two civilian by-standers and an ambulance driver.
Accused Indonesian terrorist Umar Patek went on trial for the 2002 Bali bombing and other attacks. He was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan, just a few weeks before US special forces killed Osama bin Laden in the same town.
Buddhist monk Shin Gambira, recently freed under a government amnesty, was again arrested in Rangoon. Wildcat strikes have meanwhile hit two Rangoon footwear factories, and ceasefires with Shan and Karen rebels have broken down in Burma’s north.
Indonesia opened the trial of five pro-independence activists on makar (treason) charges in the West Papua capital of Jayapura—amid protests from international human rights groups, who say the five were exercising free expression.
Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a warning that Hezbollah militants could be preparing an attack in Bangkok. Thai authorities have arrested one suspect, and are reportedly conducting a manhunt for others.
The government of Burma signed a ceasefire agreement with ethnic Karen rebels who have been fighting for regional autonomy since independence from Britain in 1948. Some 100,000 have been displaced by the conflict.
Local environmentalists and Philippine opposition lawmakers charge that unbridled logging and mining activities in Northern Mindanao are behind the devastating floods that have left nearly 1,000 dead and hundreds missing.
Unknown gunmen opened fire on a helicopter carrying Freeport-McMoRan mining company workers in Indonesia’s restive West Papua, injuring one passenger. The attacks comes as thousands of workers settled a months-long strike.
