Indonesia establishes military elite unit to fight terrorism
The Indonesian military launched on July 30 a new elite unit designated to carry out special military missions, particularly in addressing terrorism issue.
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesianmilitary launched on July 30 a new elite unit designated to carry out specialmilitary missions, particularly in addressing terrorism issue.
The launching ceremony of the super eliteunit called Special Operation Command, or Koopssus, was held at the Indonesianmilitary headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
Indonesian Military Commander Air ChiefMarshal Hadi Tjahjanto said at the ceremony that each of Koopssus personnel isa determined one, shortlisted from special units owned by each of three forcesin the military.
The former director of Indonesian militarystrategic intelligence body, Brig. Gen. Rochadi, was appointed to command the newly-establishedmilitary elite unit.
The establishment of the Koopssus is tofollow suit revisions of the anti-terrorism law enacted by the Indonesianparliament in May last year that endorses the military in carrying outanti-terror missions.
Legal basis for the military's Koopssuselite unit was officiated through a presidential decree signed by PresidentJoko Widodo earlier this month.
In its anti-terror missions, the Koopssuswould coordinate with national police to handle terrorism issue in the country. -VNA
A volcano erupted near Indonesia's third-biggest city of Bandung on July 26, sending ash several hundred metres into the air and triggering warnings for people to stay away.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said that there is an urgent need to build a giant sea wall around Jakarta to prevent the coastal capital from sinking.
Indonesia has returned seven shipping containers of illegally imported waste to France and Hong Kong, said the country’s authorities on July 30, marking the latest move by a Southeast Asian nation to send back rubbish to their places of origin.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
