OPINION

Asean lame duck

Re: "Speaking out on Myanmar", (Editorial, Dec 6).

Most Asean countries are still either being ruled by authoritarian and corrupt regimes or are run by the military. Although the Asean experiment started with good intentions, it now looks more and more like a lame duck and a toothless tiger. The current violence in Myanmar and the South China Sea conflict make Asean look like a hendecagon (an 11-sided shape) filled with hot air.

Asean has not been able to act as a cohesive power bloc. In a world where economies and societies are closely intertwined in keeping mum about human right violations, abuse of authority and corruption will only produce more slime and saliva. Because of its shape and form, it is quite impossible for Asean to act as a unified bloc as some members want a unilateral and good relationship with China and other countries in Asia. Since its inception, it has remained afloat like a nice-looking hot air balloon. Other than that, it has no other charm.

Re: "No home for Rohingya", (PostBag, Dec 6).

When you make a "broader point", you tend to lose a lot of details in your argument. Mr Jellison has made his point with little regard for the religious makeup of the region or the world.

Islam, with 1.6 billion adherents, is the second most populous religion globally. How can he make the statement that Islam has "worn out its welcome around the world"?

Malaysia, one of its closest neighbours, is over 60% Muslim while Bangladesh, Myanmar's next-door neighbour, is composed of almost 90% Muslims. Indonesia, another close neighbour, is the world's largest Muslim country.

What the world has grown weary of are Muslim extremists, not Muslims per se. Mr Jellison used a wide brush that unfairly tarred an entire group of people when he really should have put a finer point on his argument.

Re: "Let's make Thailand a safe haven for kids", (Opinion, Dec 3).

There was a factual error in this article. The A21 Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, does not fund Haven Children's Home in Pattaya as reported. We do assist victims who were placed there but we do not fund the home.

It is truly amazing how China reacted to President-elect Donald Trump's call to the president of Taiwan. Chinese leaders might be decked out in expensive Savile Row suits, but that does not change their image. Deep down they are a bunch Middle Kingdom feudal lords who never really came into the twenty-first century.

While world leaders communicate, China still threatens, and their leaders still try to play that kid's game, "King of the Mountain". China loves dialogue, as long as it is favourable to its own self-image and self-interests. Did their leadership ever listen to, or try to talk to the Dalai Lama? Of course not. It contravenes their own ideology of whose territory belongs to China and whose does not.

Re: "Bank welcomes GPS plan to combat cash van heists", (BP, Dec 6).

The Central Investigation Bureau chief recommends that banks and financial institutions should have GPS tracking devices fitted to bags used to take money to ATMs.

A good idea, but isn't there one tiny glitch? As soon as such a bag is stolen, the thieves remove the cash from it, rendering the idea meaningless. Or did I miss something?

Re: "A tallow argument, indeed", (PostBag, Dec 4).

In his ignorance, Martin R doesn't know you can buy vegan shampoo and soap. Therefore, he is the one who is off the wall to suggest that vegans are opposed to using shampoo and soap.

Still, it is nearly impossible to be 100% vegan, 100% of the time. And no one is saying that you should be. All we're saying is that as compassionate human beings we should strive to reduce animal suffering as much as possible.