11/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 11, 2026

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Myanmar ex-top general sworn in as president

Indonesia urges probe on death of peacekeepers JAKARTA: Indonesia said yesterday it has submitted a joint statement on peacekeeper security with allied nations to the United Nations (UN) after three of its blue helmets were killed in Lebanon. The countries urged the UN Security Council to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents in Southern Lebanon that killed three Indonesian peacekeepers and wounded several others, including from France, Ghana, Nepal and Poland. The Foreign Ministry in Jakarta said 73 countries and UN observer nations supported the statement, delivered by Indonesia’s permanent UN representative Umar Hadi in New York. “The safety and security of UN peacekeepers are non-negotiable. We urge the UN Security Council to use all available instruments to boost protection for peacekeeping forces amid an increasingly dangerous situation,“ the ministry quoted Umar as saying. “Troop-contributing countries also call for an end to violence in Lebanon and de-escalation of tensions, and encourage all parties to return to the negotiating table to achieve a peaceful settlement.“ Three Indonesian peacekeepers died in two separate blasts in southern Lebanon in late March. A third blast less than a week later, inside a UN facility in southern Lebanon, injured three more Indonesian soldiers. The incidents sparked calls from Indonesian authorities for a probe and security guarantees for peacekeeping forces. The Foreign Ministry has called the attacks “unacceptable”. It urged the UN Security Council “to immediately convene a meeting of troop-contributing countries to Unifil (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) to conduct a review and take measures to enhance the protection of personnel serving with Unifil”. President Prabowo Subianto said he “strongly condemns every heinous act that undermines peace and causes the deaths of our nation’s soldiers”. – AFP to prevent misuse. “This is important because we are not only addressing transport costs. We are also preventing increases in the prices of food and other essential goods,” said Marcos. The measure forms part of the government’s broader response to a national energy emergency, as global oil prices surge following disruptions in supply routes, including tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz. Marcos said the intervention aims to protect transport workers and consumers from the ripple effects of rising fuel costs. The government previously rolled out a fuel cash subsidy programme and is studying possible fuel excise tax adjustments to slash pump prices. – Bernama-PNA

government will provide a PHP10 (RM0.66) per litre fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles for up to three months as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr on Thursday. He said the subsidy will cover up to 150 litres per week per vehicle, Philippine News Agency reported. The programme will initially be rolled out in Metro Manila next week, starting along Commonwealth Avenue, before expanding to major corridors, including Quezon Avenue, España, Zapote, E. Bonifacio, Rizal Avenue and Marcos Highway. The subsidy will be implemented through accredited petrol stations monitored by the Energy Department The junta-organised re-run of the vote excluded parties that won more than 90% of seats in 2020 and punished protest or criticism of the poll with prison time, according to the Asian Network for Free Elections. Voting did not take place in swathes of the country that have been seized by rebels battling the military and rejecting the vote, further undermining Aung Hlaing’s mandate, according to rights monitors. – AFP Hlaing’s 30 ministers, also sworn in yesterday, are either retired or serving members of the military. A similar proportion served in the post-coup junta leadership while more than 10 have been subject to international sanctions. Myanmar’s post-coup leaders have been considered pariahs by many nations abroad. Analysts say one aim of the election was to normalise their image with a veneer of legitimacy, unfreezing foreign engagement, including investment projects. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the neighbouring nations of China, India and Thailand. This week, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sent a congratulatory message, according to Myanmar state media, saying under Aung Hlaing’s “able leadership” the nations’ relations would “grow from strength to strength”. China was the election’s biggest backer and discussions over stalled Beijing-backed infrastructure projects are now being revived, analysts say. Myanmar’s military has ruled the country for most of its post-independence history. A rare decade-long interlude starting in 2011 saw the top brass loosen their grip and Suu Kyi’s civilian government tentatively take the reins in a burst of optimism and reform. Analysts say the military snatched back power in 2021 out of anxiety about their waning influence after her landslide victory over pro-military parties in 2020 elections.

Aung Hlaing resigned as top general to take over as president of the new government ahead of Myanmar’s Thingyan holiday starting on Monday, which celebrates the new year with water-splashing ceremonies of renewal and rejuvenation. Democracy watchdogs deride the transition as a rebranding of military rule in an unconvincing civilian disguise. AFP reporters saw bomb squads patrolling Naypyidaw hotels ahead of the ceremony and Parliament sequestered by rings of checkpoints. The junta trumpeted the election as a return of power to the people and a chance for reconciliation in the civil war. But more than two-thirds of Aung

Aung Hlaing ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and triggering a civil war. After a half-decade of ruling by diktat, he organised an election concluding in January that excluded her party and secured a walkover win for military allies in civilian politics who backed him into the top office. A parliamentary ceremony in the capital Naypyidaw saw the 69-year-old read a presidential oath promising to “strive for further flourishing of the eternal principles of justice, liberty and equality”. “I will dedicate myself to the service of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” he said upon starting his five-year term.

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president yesterday, continuing his rule from a civilian post five years after snatching power in a military coup. As the nation’s armed forces chief, o Democracy watchdogs deride transition as rebranding of military rule in unconvincing civilian disguise

Aung Hlaing (centre) and vice-presidents Nyo Saw (left) and Nan Ni Ni Aye arriving at the ceremony during a session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) in Naypyidaw yesterday. – AFPPIC

Thailand sets toll waivers for Songkran BANGKOK: Thailand has rolled out toll waivers and other travel measures for the Songkran festival to ease travel costs and improve safety, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul urging the public to avoid drink-driving during one of the country’s busiest travel periods. concern over the safety of travellers as many people have already begun returning to their hometowns for the festive period. “He reiterated the message‘do not drink and drive’ and instructed all relevant agencies to facilitate travel and ensure public safety to the fullest extent.”

Philippines to grant fuel subsidy MANILA: The Philippines

The Burapha Withi Expressway and Kanchanaphisek Expressway (Bang Phli-Suksawat) waived toll from yesterday to Thursday, while the Udon Ratthaya, Si Rat and Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressways will be toll-free from Monday to Wednesday. Motorists will also be able to use major motorways free of charge for seven days from yesterday to Thursday. These include the M7 route linking Bangkok, Chonburi, Pattaya and Map Ta Phut, the M9 Bangkok Outer Ring Road and the M81 Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi route. “These measures reflect the government’s aim to reduce travel costs and ensure public safety so that Songkran remains a joyful occasion for all.” Ratchada said Anutin expressed

The Transport Ministry has announced a temporary waiver of toll fees on several expressways to ease the financial burden on travellers and reduce traffic congestion, said Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek. “Songkran is a peak travel period when many Thais return home to reunite with their families, but rising fuel prices have increased travel costs, prompting some to adjust their plans,” she said yesterday.

Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, will be observed from Monday to Wednesday and is marked by family reunions, paying respects to elders and ancestors, and the cleansing of Buddha images. The Unesco-recognised festival is a highlight of the tourism calendar, attracting visitors from around the world to take part in water-splashing celebrations that showcase local culture and heritage. – Bernama