Cambodia to stop weapons smuggling
Cambodia to stop weapons smuggling
CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh said on Sunday it is ready to take action if any evidence surfaces that weapons are being smuggled from its territory to separatist rebels in Indonesia's Aceh province.
"It is not the policy of our government to sell weapons to other countries," Maj. Gen. Khieu Sopheak, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said.
"But if there is information about this, we are very happy to cooperate with foreign governments. It's best if we can share information."
However, he said if it became known that Cambodians or people operating in Cambodia were trafficking in weapons, authorities would arrest and prosecute them.
On Friday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said there had been reports of weapons movement from southern Thailand to Aceh. --AP
;AFP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Malaysia-Brunei Mahathir seeks solution to Brunei's territorial claims JP/11/ASEAN
KL seeks solution to Brunei claims
MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is seeking a solution to long-standing territorial claims by Brunei over the Limbang area before he retires in October, reports said on Sunday.
Mahathir held talks on Saturday in northern Penang state with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who flew there on Friday for a three-day visit aimed at expanding bilateral ties.
The veteran premier said their meeting was fruitful and he was hopeful the Brunei Sultan would consider a formula submitted by the Malaysian government some time ago to resolve the territorial issue.
The 3,978 kilometer Limbang area is sandwiched between Brunei and Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo island. --AFP
;DPA;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-S'pore-SARS-Hotels Woman hoping for triplets snags free jacuzzi suite in hotel JP/11/ASEAN
Woman queues for amorous night
SINGAPORE: A woman hoping an amorous free night in a posh hotel suite would produce triplets queued for 29 hours to snag a free stay offered to boost Singapore's sagging tourism, it was reported on Sunday.
Rose Singh, 39, was rewarded for her wait amid mosquitoes and sweltering heat with the keys to a jacuzzi suite at Sentosa's Sijori Resort for herself and her husband.
"Hopefully, we'll be lucky," The Sunday Times quoted the excited woman as saying. "I'd like to have triplets."
The couple, who spent their honeymoon on Singapore's resort island, have no children.
Hundreds of people lined up on Saturday for a free night's stay in one of the resort's 60 rooms. Only the first five got the suites, and all had to check out on Sunday. --DPA
;AP;KOD; ANPAu..r.. Aglance-Thai-sexy child pageant Rights activists outraged by children's beauty contest JP/11/ASEAN
Rights activists outraged by contest
THAILAND: Child rights activists have condemned plans for a children's beauty contest that features a "sexy body" category and a swimsuit parade for competitors as young as 3 years.
But organizers as well as parents who have entered their kids maintain the pageant - scheduled for next Sunday (June 1) - will be innocent family fun.
Although beauty pageants for all ages are extremely popular in Thailand, critics say this one goes too far and runs against the country's attempts to wipe out its reputation as a popular stop for pedophiles and a significant source, destination and transit place in the international trafficking of children for sexual purposes.
Thailand's Department of Public Welfare estimates there are 12,000-18,000 child prostitutes in this Southeast Asian nation, although private voluntary groups say the number is in the hundreds of thousands. --AP