HAZE OVER BURMA AND THAILAND

Part of Burma and north Thailand where covered, for weeks in March, in thick haze due to forest fires. The Thai Government declared on 3 northern province a disaster zone due to heavy haze caused by forest fire

NEW WINDS IN ACEH

Yusuf Irwandi, Aceh rebels commander delivered his anti tank rocket launcher to EU peace monitors.GAM (Free Aceh) rebells suronder the first 78 wepons to EU peace monitors. And year latter Irwandi run in election for governor of Aceh province. And against all odds Yusuf Irwandi was the vinner of governorship post

ACEH RELIGIOUS POLICE (WH) IN ACTION

Spoting two women without chilbab (head cover) WH jump to action.
Aceh is only province in Indonesia where sharia law (Islamic law) is rule of day. Sharia law was introduced in Aceh province by presidential decree in 2001 by then Indonesian president Gus Dur (Abdurahman Wahib) with hope to ease rebellion in Acehe. 2005 was year when sharia started to be implemented. Islamic dress code and behivior are enforced trough office of Wilayutul Hisbah (religios police) office trough Aceh province who are employed as civil servants. Banda Aceh town WH office has staff of 45 13 are women with salaries of about 110 US dollar a month.The first 3 time violater of Islamic dress code are warned and registered. Gambling and adulatory is punished by public wiping

THAILAND 2006