ASEAN govts act to stem possible social unrest
ASEAN govts act to stem possible social unrest
BANGKOK (Agencies): As the economic crisis worsens, several
governments in Southeast Asia are taking steps to prevent it from
causing social unrest.
Thailand warned workers yesterday it would take tough action
against violent or unruly protests following an outbreak of labor
unrest.
Police, armed with batons and shields, broke up a violent
demonstration early yesterday by hundreds of employees of an auto
parts company on the outskirts of Bangkok, injuring dozens and
arresting 58.
Twelve policemen were among those hurt.
"I will not tolerate further mob rule and will take tough
action against protesters who cause difficulties for the public,"
Interior Minister Sanan Kajornprasart told reporters.
It was the first time in several years that police had used
force to disperse protesters in Thailand, signaling a tougher
stand against unrest as the country goes through its worst
economic crisis in decades.
More than 3,000 workers of Thai Summit Auto Parts Industry Co.
had blocked the main Bangna-Trad road, about 20 kilometers from
the capital, in a dispute over bonuses Tuesday.
They were incensed after the company, citing the economic
slump as the reason, said it would cut their bonus payment this
year to one month from three previously.
Thailand's turmoil has led to substantial layoffs and pay cuts
in many sectors of the economy.
In Kuala Lumpur, police warned that people found spreading
rumors which aggravated tensions over the crisis could be
prosecuted under the country's draconian Internal Security Act
and other laws.
"There are certain parties that are fishing in troubled waters
amid the country's economic crisis," police public relations
officer Ghazali Mohamad Amin said in a statement received
yesterday.
He said these parties were spreading "false news and rumors
linked to increases in prices of essential goods that could
threaten peace and public harmony".
He warned the Internal Security Act allowed for a 1,000
ringgit (US$233) fine and one year's imprisonment for spreading
false rumors.
Ghazali said those convicted also faced up to three years in
jail and fines ranging from 5,000 ringgit to 20,000 ringgit under
two other laws, the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and
Publications Act.
But key opposition leader Lim Kit Siang slammed what he called
"scare tactics" yesterday, and called on the authorities to be
transparent in their dealings.
"The prevalence of rumors, particularly of the type mentioned,
is a reflection of an unhealthy economic system which could not
inspire the confidence of the people and is part of the crisis of
confidence in the country," he said in a statement.
Philippine President Fidel Ramos said yesterday the country
should brace for rising inflation and an economic slowdown,
warning the worst might not be over.
In his most pessimistic speech since the regional currency
crisis started last year, Ramos told foreign correspondents in
Manila that the once-thriving economy had been hobbled by the
downturn.
"We are living through tough times today, in our country and
in our region," Ramos said. "And we still do not know whether the
worst is already over."
Separately yesterday, in a first gathering of presidential
aspirants before the mid-May election, five politicians agreed
that the most important task for the next chief executive would
be to reestablish faith in the government and its programs
despite the woes.