TAIPEI: Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday vowed to seek justice for a corporal who died after allegedly being abused in the military, in a case that sparked anger across the island. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated outside the defence ministry in Taipei, after Hung Chung-chiu died of heatstroke apparently caused by being forced to exercise excessively earlier this month. Allegations of abuse and misconduct have snowballed in local media, including Hung’s superiors refusing to give him water during an exercise session despite his repeated requests.
President faces rights pressure
HANOI: Vietnam’s president yesterday today starts a visit to the US to boost trade and security ties between the former war foes, but activists urged the US to press him on human rights. President Truong Tan Sang will today become only the second Vietnamese head of state to visit the White House since the countries normalised ties. He will meet yesterday with business leaders and Secretary of State John Kerry. US officials said President Barack Obama hoped to work with Sang on trade, as Vietnam is one of a dozen nations negotiating the potentially ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership, and on global efforts to fight climate change.
Blasphemy probe begins
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) has begun its investigation against several individuals for allegedly insulting Islam over the participation of four Muslim women in the Miss World Malaysia 2013 beauty pageant. Jawi Director Che Mat Che Ali confirmed the matter and said the department had already questioned several individuals over the issue since yesterday. Those found guilty of committing the offence will be liable to face the maximum RM3,000 fine and two years’ jail or both.
Three dead in boat mishap
JAKARTA: Rescuers searched the seas off Indonesia’s Java island yesterday for possibly dozens of asylum-seekers missing after their Australia-bound boat sank, leaving three dead, with 157 saved. Officials estimated there could have been “up to 200” people on the boat, while a survivor said some 250 had boarded the vessel. “The rescued people have been taken to an immigration centre, where they have been given food and water,” officials said. The dead included two children and one woman. Indonesia’s rescue agency was alerted to the incident by Australian authorities.
Bo’s trial could start this week
BEIJING: The trial of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai could begin this week, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said yesterday, marking the beginning of the end of China’s most sensational scandal in decades. The trial is most likely to take place in the eastern city of Jinan, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid repercussions for talking to a foreign reporter about elite politics. Bo has been charged with accepting bribes, corruption and abuse of power, the source said. The charges against Bo were read out at meetings of officials in his former power base of Chongqing and other cities.
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