Portal:Southeast Asia/2008 January highlights

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Headlines in January 2008 edit history watch

Surin Pitsuwan assumes his post as secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Singapore becomes the first member to ratify the ASEAN Charter. Chairmanship of ASEAN is passed to Indonesia. Satellite television license fees have been increased 16,600% from 6,000 kyat to 1 million kyat by the Burmese junta, a move that critics say limits access to foreign media for most Burmese television viewers. Actress Mia Farrow is barred by Cambodian police from holding a memorial service for Darfur conflict victims in protest of China's links to Sudan at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh. Former Indonesian president Suharto (pictured), 86, dies from multiple organ failure on January 27. He was admitted to Pertamina Hospital on January 4 in critical condition. His condition had been fluctuating almost daily. Malaysian Minister of Health Chua Soi Lek resigns his post after admitting he is in a widely circulated sex DVD, made with a woman he describes as a "personal friend". People's Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej is named prime minister of Thailand in a 310-163 vote by the National Assembly.