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.