REPUBLIC OF BETUTU LATEST NEWS, CURRENT AFFAIRS & EVENTS

[Betutu]

All police leave frozen to ensure full enforcement of lockdown, says Betutu's police chief

Inspector-General of Police Mr Filip Puralupa

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 12 — All police personnel nationwide have had their leave temporarily frozen effective immediately until further notice, Inspector General of Police Mr Filip Puralupa announced today.

Mr Filip said the official directive would effectively allow the police to fully commit to the enforcement of the movement restriction order (MRO) and the monitoring of standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance beginning tomorrow.

“On Betutuan police’s part, all leave applied by senior and low-ranking police officers are frozen immediately with the exception of extraordinary circumstances,” he told a press briefing at the police headquarters here.

This comes as the MRO was announced by President Duim Kimpos starting at midnight tonight, which will last until January 26 barring further extensions.

Mr Filip said roughly 4,000 police personnel will be deployed for duty, with 1,000 more on standby.

He also lauded the government’s decision to reimpose the MRO, adding that it was a drastic measure that was necessitated by the spike in Covid-19 cases recently.

“We understand the level of threat and my men are motivated. I can give you my assurance on that,” Mr Filip added.

Separately, he also reminded the public to obtain permission from the police before travelling despite the government allowing special leeway to those with bus tickets scheduled for later this week.

“I have issued an order to my men to use their own judgement to allow those trapped outstation to return home including those who have purchased tickets,” he said, adding that those who felt they were treated unfairly during a roadblock inspection can submit their complaints to the police headquarters for a review.

Yesterday, the president said that inter-district movement was disallowed during the MRO, with roadblocks to be imposed from January 13 onwards.

Movement is limited to only a 10km radius with only two persons from the same household allowed out in the same vehicle when buying essentials from nearby supermarkets or grocery stores, with a maximum 1,000 Betutu Taler (about US$200) fine if the restrictions are breached, the president said.

[Betutu]

Betutu Armed Defence Forces to receive three MD530G helicopters in June this year


Betutuan Defence Minister Mr Michael Ilus said the assets would need to undergo evaluation test and meet BADF’s criteria before Betutu proceeds to accept them.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — The Betutu Armed Defence Forces (BADF) is expected to receive three MD530G helicopters in stages beginning from June this year, said Defence Minister Mr Michael Ilus.

MD530G is a next-generation armed scout-attack helicopter developed by American company MD Helicopters.

Mr Michael said, however, the assets would need to undergo evaluation test and meet BADF’s criteria before Betutu proceeds to accept them.

“This is to find out whether the helicopters are suitable to become BADF’s asset or not.

“Today, a team has departed for the United States (US) to carry out the test before the helicopters are certified as BADF assets,” he said after appearing as the guest of Bona TV’s programme Chat at Bona Studios here, last night.

Mr Michael said another team would be sent to the US to carry out the certification process if the helicopters were suitable to become BADF’s asset.

If the procurement is accepted it would cost 191 million Betutu Talers (about US$38.2 million), he added.

[Betutu]

Betutu lockdown: All open court trials, hearings postponed until Jan 26

All trials and hearings of criminal cases in open court initially scheduled for tomorrow until January 26 have been postponed following the re-implementation of the lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — All trials and hearings of criminal cases in open court initially scheduled for tomorrow until January 26 have been postponed following the re-implementation of the movement restriction order (MRO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.

A statement from Betutu's Supreme Court Chief Registrar’s Office today said that the new dates for the trials or hearings would be announced later.

“In urgent cases, the approval of the Chief Justice of Betutu is required prior to holding the trials or hearings of the cases in open court,” the statement read.

Betutu President Duim Kimpos in his special announcement yesterday said that the MRO will be imposed nationwide for two weeks starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the statement said that for proceedings for criminal cases at all levels of court (Supreme, Appeals, High, Sessions and Magistrate’s), the case management would be held via video conferences and emails.

It also said that the trial or hearing of civil cases across the country will also be held using long-distance communication technology.

“For registration of new cases, the investigating officer is required to inform the court beforehand for preparation purposes and the date of mention should be fixed after the lifting of the MRO,” it said.

The statement said applications for remand order under Section 109 of the Betutu Criminal Procedure Code (BCPC) and under the Betutu Immigration Act 1967/1971 will be done as scheduled, while applications for remand extension under Section 251 of the BCPC will be done using long-distance communication technology.

“For bailable offences, the Court Director should ensure that the bail transaction could be processed as usual and the use of e-bail is encouraged,” it added.

[Betutu]

Betutu lockdown: Manufacturers' group calls for govt to allow certain manufacturing sectors to continue operating


The Federation of Betutuan Manufacturers says export-oriented industries should also be allowed as they have export obligations to meet.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — The Federation of Betutuan Manufacturers (FBM) has called for the government to allow certain manufacturing sectors to continue operating during the movement restriction order (MRO) due to prohibitive costs to shut down and recommission equipment.

While FBM welcomed the Betutuan trade, industry and commerce ministry’s (BTICM) announcement of the list of economic sectors in the essential services allowed to operate during the MRO period earlier today, the group noted that several key manufacturing sectors have not been included.

“(This) includes the non-PPE (personal protective equipment) related textile and apparel manufacturers, the majority of the ceramic product manufacturers including sanitary ware manufacturers, glass manufacturers, toy manufacturers, stationery product manufacturers and footwear manufacturers – who are all mainly export-oriented industries and would have export obligations to meet,” FBM president Mr Joshua Lai Peng said.

“Included in this group are also industries that have processes/equipment that must run on a 24-hour basis like the cement, ceramic and glass manufacturers and cannot be shut down as the cost to shut down and recommission the equipment will be very costly to the industry.

“Due consideration should be given to these companies to continue to operate during this MRO period,” he added.

FBM president Mr Joshua Lai Peng

FBM also urged the government to continue relief assistance packages – more so for those companies not allowed to operate – in the form of wage subsidies and targeted bank loan moratoriums.

Mr Joshua said the government should also consider an exemption, reduction or delay of some statutory payments such as the Betutu Provident Fund, Betutu Social Security contributions, Human Resources Development Fund levy and others.

Further energy cost discounts to mitigate some of the cost implications during the MRO period was another suggestion Mr Joshua raised.

He added that the manufacturing industry is cognisant of the fact that all efforts must be taken to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 infections and will continue to strictly observe SOPs and relevant precautionary measures.

[Betutu]

Betutu to set up facility for commercial aircraft maintenance

The setting up of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility will be a catalyst for the development of the aerospace industry in the country, said BAC’s new chairman Mr Titus Guntingan.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — Betutu Aviation Company Pte. Ltd. (BAC), a government-linked company (GLC), aims to soar higher in the aviation industry by setting up Betutu’s first independent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the maintenance of commercial aircraft.

The move is in line with the call by the Government to develop high value and high-tech industry in the state, with the MRO based in the state capital, initially catering for single aisle commercial aircraft and for heavy maintenance that would attract major aerospace industry players to Betutu.

The setting up of the MRO will be a catalyst for the development of the aerospace industry in the country, said BAC’s new chairman Mr Titus Guntingan.

“Our nation is blessed in the sense that we’re strategically located in the region. Commercial aircrafts would have to go to places like Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong for maintenance, repair and overhaul services. But once we have the MRO facility set up in Betutu, they could just do the services here instead,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Betutu President Duim Kimpos on Tuesday.

Mr Titus, a former Member of the Betutu Parliament, briefed the president on the company’s current and future plan with focus on new business strategy transformation which would open up more job opportunity to Betutuans especially in the aviation industry.

Mr Titus Guntingan

BAC has been in the aviation industry since 1967 and is one of the pioneer aviation companies in the island nation.

Among the services it provides are flying doctor service, passenger transfer, aerial city tour, aerial mapping, aerial filming, border survey, VIP jet passenger transfer, helicopter maintenance services and ground handling services.

Recently BAC has consolidated its full control over its subsidiary, Betutu Air Transport and Logistics (Betal), that provides offshore helicopter operations services.

In addition to Betutu’s ideal location, Mr Titus noted that the country is already well placed on the regional aviation map as it has been a popular tourist destination, has air links with many other regional hubs and administered by a business-friendly government.

“Of course, the aviation industry is currently affected by Covid-19. But once the situation improves, we’ll be ready to take Betutu to the skies again through this MRO project.

“We’re also looking at the MRO project with an eye on the economic development in our Borneo neighbour, Kalimantan,” he said adding that the MRO project is expected to open up employment opportunities for locals and create an opportunity for Betutuans to acquire high skills in aviation so they can increase their value in the job market in the future.

He said to embark on the project, BAC will be negotiating with investors and relevant parties that have the expertise in the setting up of an MRO facility.

“Considering the importance of the MRO for Betutu, the current Government is fully supportive of our commitment in pursuing it and making it happen. This is also in line with our President’s aspiration in wanting to make Betutu a progressive state,” said Mr Titus.

According to the Betutu Aerospace Industry Report 2019, the country’s aerospace industry recorded an annual revenue of 1.35 billion Betutu Talers (about US$270 million) that year and produced 2,000 highly-skilled workers.

On a related matter, Mr Titus said BAC is also planning to revive the Flying Doctor’s service to provide health services to rural communities in the country.

“Many village residents in the rural areas are still found to be facing difficulties in seeking treatment at clinics or hospitals due to the distances.

“And now, as we continue fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic, the need to revive this service for our rural communities has become a matter of importance and urgency,” said Mr Titus adding that BAC is also planning to go into chartered cargo flight services to diversify its business activities.

The Flying Doctor’s service for isolated villages in the interior of Betutu was discontinued by the Betutu Health Ministry in 2008 after 41 years.

Mr Titus, who was recently appointed to the post, also disclosed that there are other development plans in the pipeline to propel BAC, which was incorporated in 1983, to greater heights in the aviation industry.

“I thank the President for having the faith in me to take this post and for his confidence in me to lead this agency.

“I’ll be working closely with BAC management and staff to take BAC to greater heights for the good of the state and its people,” said Mr Titus.

He revealed that one of his main tasks is to help BAC secure more job contracts, especially from national oil company BetOil.

“We’re eyeing for certain jobs in BetOil. We hope we can get them...we have a very good relationship with BetOil. This good relationship is important because we want to be able to create more jobs for the people in the country,” he said.

According to Mr Titus, BAC has existing job contracts with BetOil but is hoping to secure more.

[Betutu]

COVID-19: Betutu's Covid-19 curve should be flat by May using maximum four weeks of lockdown, says Betutuan health authorities

Betutu Health Department director general Dr Albert Idden said it was still too early to see the effects of the lockdown but insisted that it was the right move to help Betutu suppress the growth of Covid-19 infections.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — Health authorities expect to control Betutu’s Covid-19 infection rate in 12 weeks now that the movement restriction order (MRO) has been reintroduced, Betutu Health Department director general Dr Albert Idden said on the first day of the renewed lockdown.

In a press briefing today, he said it was still too early to see the effects of the MRO but insisted that it was the right move to help Betutu suppress the growth of Covid-19 infections.

He also disclosed that the authorities do not plan to keep the MRO in place for longer than four weeks.

“With these procedures, we hope we can reduce the curve — based on our projection — by 12 weeks but we will implement two weeks first and see what the developments are in these two weeks and whether there is a need (to extend the MRO) or otherwise, it will depend on the data.

“And our projection is that by May, we can flatten the curve of Covid-19 cases in our country,’’ he said.

On Monday (Jan 11), Betutu President Duim Kimpos announced that an MRO will be reintroduced nationwide until January 26.

In his special address on Monday, Mr Duim stated the Covid-19 pandemic was starting to overwhelm the island nation’s major public hospitals, which he said was already nearing their maximum capacity.

Betutu reported 249 new Covid-19 cases in the country today compared to yesterday’s record high of 275 infections. No new Covid-19 related fatalities were reported today.

[Betutu]

Betutu police rescue 43 women from forced labour

Inspector General of Police Mr Filip Puralupa said police conducted five separate raids around the capital and arrested 18 men and a woman, aged between 25 and 60.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 13 — Police here rescued 43 foreign women, all believed to be victims of forced labour by a cleaning service company, early this morning.

The rescued victims comprised 37 Indonesians and six Cambodians aged between 20 and 43.

Inspector General of Police Mr Filip Puralupa said police conducted five separate raids here and arrested 18 men and a woman, aged between 25 and 60.

He said of the 19 detained, three were believed to be the owners and managers of the company while the others acted as guardians of the workers’ hostels and transporters.

Mr Filip said all the victims who were rescued worked as cleaners and were believed to have been exploited according to the definition of forced labour.

“The results of the investigation found that all the victims had valid travel documents and only a few had expired documents while the initial police investigation revealed that there was an issue with salary payments,” he said.

Mr Filip said the suspects, comprising 14 foreigners and five locals, have been remanded for a day to assist in investigations.

[Betutu]

Stressed out by noisy vehicles, Betutuan man blows retirement funds on 11 speed bumps on street next to home

Mr Chuchu Yassin said he installed the speed bumps because he was often disturbed by the noise of vehicles using the street.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 14 — A man who illegally installed 11 asphalt speed bumps on the street next to his house in Balat district, about 40km southeast from here, on Monday have apologised for his action.

Mr Chuchu Yassin, 40, admitted his mistakes of building so many speed bumps for a distance of less than 40 metres and creating an unnecessary hassle for other residents to get to the main road.

“Police officers have come to see me yesterday morning and asked me to remove all the speed bumps that I installed.

“So, I hired a bulldozer operator to remove all the speed bumps on the street including the two original ones,” he told Island Bulletin.

The case went viral on social media a few days ago after a man uploaded a picture of the “new speed bumps” on the street heading to his house, which he claimed to have been installed by his neighbour.

Mr Chuchu said he installed the speed bumps because he was often disturbed by the noise of vehicles using the street.

“The noises from cars and motorcycles are disrupting my sleep. I’m so stressed out and I also have other health issues.

“Actually, I wanted to make speed humps, but the asphalt hardened so quickly before they could be flattened, causing them to become bumps and made the road inaccessible to all cars except four-wheel drives,” he said, adding that he spent 1,080 Betutu Talers (about US$216) of his Betutu Provident Fund (BPF) money to install the speed bumps.

[Betutu]

Betutu receives second littoral mission ship from China

Gundang Emas, which was built in Wuhan, China, was launched on July 12, 2019.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 14 — The Betutu Navy (RBN) has announced that it received the second littoral mission ship (LMS) from China today.

The vessel, which has been named Gundang Emas, is the second of four LMSs under a contract signed between Betutu and the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co Ltd in 2017.

In a statement, the navy’s strategic communications branch said the ship will sail to Betutu in the third week of this month and will be commissioned at the navy’s Apaon base on a later date.

“A committee of three government representatives, led by Commander Lin Yoke Chan, the head of the navy’s LMS project, has checked the vessel’s documents, physical tests and went on a demonstration of its abilities,” it said.

“Gundang Emas has successfully passed several tests in port and on the sea before being handed over to the government.”

The construction of the Gundang Emas began on Oct 23, 2018, in Wuhan, China, and the vessel was launched on July 12, 2019. Betutu was scheduled to receive the vessel on April 12 last year, but construction work was postponed until January due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project was reactivated on May 18, 2020 and designated crew members of Gundang Emas were sent to Qidong, Shanghai, on Oct 16 to resume work on the ship.

The remaining two vessels will be handed over in September and November this year.

[Betutu]

COVID-19: Betutu hits another record high with 278 new cases, 1 death reported



GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutu today reported a new high of 278 Covid-19 daily infections, while 1 death have been reported nationwide in the past 24 hours.

The Betutu Health Ministry said the country’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 48.

Betutu Health Department director-general Dr Albert Idden in a statement today said the number of people with active Covid-19 infections in Betutu now stands at 2,832 with 12,321 total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

He said all of the 278 cases were local transmissions.

On recoveries, Dr Albert said 143 Covid-19 patients were discharged in the past 24 hours which means 9,441 people in the country have recovered from the virus.

Currently, there are 16 patients in intensive care, with seven requiring ventilator support.

On the latest death toll, the health director-general said the sole fatality was a Betutuan, adding that the deceased had preexisting health conditions.

[Betutu]

COVID-19: If you’re a healthy Betutuan under 60 and not a frontliner, expect to be vaccinated only by Q3 2021 or even later, says Betutu Health Minister

Betutu Health Minister Dr Liu Jing Fei said the first batch of vaccines to arrive will be prioritised to inoculate those within vulnerable groups.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutuans who are not active frontliners, below the age of 60 and in relatively good health can expect to receive their dose of Covid-19 vaccinations only by the third-quarter of this year or later, the Betutu's health minister revealed today.

Dr Liu Jing Fei, also the Betutu Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (SCVS) co-chair, said this is because the first batch of vaccines to arrive will be prioritised to inoculate those within vulnerable groups.

“Frontline workers from the healthcare and security sectors will go first. Then senior citizens and people with chronic illnesses.

“Only then we will move on to the general population in order to get to a meaningful herd immunity threshold.

“If you are a healthy adult under 60 and not a frontline worker, it is safe to assume that your turn will come by Q3 or after,” she wrote in a statement today.

Dr Liu explained that only the first batch of vaccines from US company Pfizer will arrive at the end of February, and stressed that additional doses will arrive in staggered batches based on quarterly schedules, and not all in one go.

“First, no country receives their entire order in one shot. For our Pfizer order, we will receive 83,000 doses in Q1 of 2021, 141,000 doses in Q2, 483,000 doses in Q3 and 358,000 doses in Q4.

“The delivery of our orders with other manufacturers will also be staggered. This is the reality of global manufacturing capacity for Covid-19 vaccines and demand outstripping supply,” she wrote.

She then cleared the air, presumably dashing the hopes of those expecting the entire population to receive their vaccination jabs by March.

“When we announced our first delivery for some time before the end of February, some people assumed that all our vaccines would arrive then.

“A February delivery schedule does not mean everyone is vaccinated in February.

“In fact, Betutu’s vaccination plan will span 18 months. While we will try our best to get as many people vaccinated within one year, we want to be prudent in our timeline,” she added.

Dr Liu assured Betutuans that adequate research will be conducted on all vaccines procured by the country and subject to approval from the Betutu Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.

This was in response to doubts being raised about the efficacy of the Chinese Sinovac vaccines after tests in Brazil showed it to have only a 50.4 per cent effective.

“In the Sinovac case, our Vaccine Selection Technical Working Group (TWG) chaired by Dr Lutina Sundongi, Director of the Betutu Clinical Research Institute, is analysing the announcement and will subsequently advise me on the way forward.

“Whatever the decision, I want to assure you that we will only get vaccines that are safe and efficacious for Betutuans,” she said.

She then added how procurement plans are to some degree flexible, saying decisions could change along the way depending on the release of clinical data, commercial terms, and ultimately its availability.

She also promised to regularly update the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on the ongoing developments in the interests of accountability and legislative oversight.

“Let me end this update by again managing expectations that the vaccine is not a silver bullet.

“Until and unless we can get to meaningful herd immunity, where as many people are vaccinated as possible with effective vaccines, we will still need non-pharmaceutical interventions.

“This means face masks, physical distancing and good personal hygiene will be part of our daily lives even when we roll out the vaccines,” she added.

[Betutu]

Betutu police arrest three men over alleged involvement in murder



GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutu police arrested three men in two separate raids over their suspected involvement in a murder case following the discovery of a man’s body in a car near a public housing flats in Amalgandang district, about 52km south from here, on January 7.

Betutu's Inspector General of Police Filip Puralupa said the first suspect, 39, was arrested at 10pm the same day the body was found following a police report lodged by the victim’s wife after he failed to come home.

He said the arrest of the man led to the the arrests of two other male suspects, 34 and 42, here around 9pm last Monday (January11) in a special operation.

“Investigations revealed that the victim was believed to have been murdered within a 48-hour period in a rented house of one of the suspects based on blood stains found at the premises, before the body was dumped in the back seat of a car owned by the victim.

He said the police believe that the motive for the murder was dissatisfaction among them after robbing a convenience store in Rakaot district, near Amalgandang on January 4, adding that the autopsy revealed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head in addition to stab wounds on the abdomen and neck areas.

He added that the victim and the three suspects were criminal associates who were believed to be active in the last two months robbing 24-hour convenience stores. All the arrested suspects possessed previous criminal records relating to drug offences and they tested positive for methamphetamine, he said.

“The suspects have been remanded for seven days from Tuesday till January 18 to facilitate investigations under Section 294 of the Betutu Penal Code for murder,” he said, adding that the police managed to solve the murder within 24 hours, with the arrest of the first suspect.

[Betutu]

Amid accussation of substandard workers' housing, Betutu glove-maker may stop supplies to customers who complain

Factory workers from Chanchu, a Piguca subsidiary, were found to be housed in a three-storey building made up of shipping containers.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutu glovemaker Piguca Holdings is playing hardball. It has threatened to stop supplying its products to companies which speak out about its failure to comply with various housing standards.

The Betutu Labour Department last month said it will open investigation papers on Piguca after raids on two of its subsidiaries revealed various offences under the Betutu Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act (Act 438).

In a statement today, Piguca Holdings managing director Mr Jumain Aripin said the company was in contact with its “major customers” and had been providing them updates on the various plans and upgrading work at its hostel facilities.

He said the company had found land to build hostels for its workers in Simpuur and Nyapad district, near here and was working towards getting the relevant approvals from the government.

“Hence, press reports that a ‘stern warning’ has been issued to us is overkill.

“We will reconsider supplying our products to companies going about issuing such comments, especially when no assistance or consideration on their part was extended to assist us along the way to resolve the issues at hand,” said Mr Jumain.

Among Piguca’s importers include American personal care giant Kimberly-Clark and Australian safety and personal protection firm Ansell, both of which have told Free Betutu Press they were re-evaluating their relationship with the firm in light of the latest developments.

Kimberly-Clark produces household brands such as Kleenex, Scott and Huggies. Ansell’s biggest buyers include the National Health Service in the UK.

Betutu's human resources minister Mr Shao Ruo Lan had described the squalid living conditions for foreign workers as akin to “modern day slavery” during the Labour Department’s raid on Chanchu Pte Ltd, a Piguca subsidiary here.

The Labour Department said it found 65 workers living in two blocks of shipping containers stacked three storeys high, a statement which Mr Jumain said was false.

“We categorically refute the allegations of 65 workers being cramped into three stacked containers. The total number of workers at the Chanchu factory is only 45 and the so-called ‘containers’ is a three-storey building used as workers’ quarters,” he said.

“We do not dispute that the hostels at Chanchu experienced some congestion but this has come about due to the Covid-19 situation.

“The workers were previously housed at ‘hotspots’ and they had requested that we move them to the hostel close to our factories where they are able to access all the amenities provided for their immediate use and consumption.”

Mr Jumain said prior to the pandemic, the Chanchu workers were housed in 10 shoplots acting as hostels in areas where Covid-19 was on the rise.

He also noted that the 1,000 Betutu Taler (about US$200) fine which another subsidiary, Yinjing Xipan, had to pay after a raid on its premises near Gaguk Port was misconstrued by the public.

After the raid on Dec 24, 2020, Ms Tina Animan an environmental health officer at the Gaguk health office, told Free Betutu Press that Yinjing Xipan was issued a 1,000 Betutu Taler compound fine for two offences under the Betutu Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.

Apart from failing to ensure physical distancing in its accommodations, the company also did not disinfect and sanitise the accommodations three times a day – or record the cleaning – as required.

The company risked being handed a seven-day closure notice if it committed three or more offences under the Act, but she said an inspection of the factory found that it had complied with all relevant Covid-19 standard procedures.

Mr Jumain said health ministry officials “did not find any serious omissions” from the standard procedures during the raid.

However, the company was told it needed to increase the number of sanitisers and provide liquid soap in press-type dispensers. They were given until the following morning to have them installed.

“Due to this minor setback, we were served with a 1,000 Betutu Taler fine. The following day, six officers inspected the upgrades and gave us the green light to continue operations.

“Unfortunately, the public did not understand the real reasons for the1,000 Betutu Taler compound fine.”

The multi-agency raid found workers staying in a warehouse which were partitioned into tiny rooms, each with 12 bunk beds. A worker told Free Betutu Press that while only 12 people were supposed to stay in the room, it regularly held up to 18.

Another warehouse a few hundred metres away had been converted into a hostel and had an additional storey constructed above the ground floor to accommodate more beds.

Betutu's human resources minister later revealed that the raid on Yinjing Xipan was compromised after details of the surprise visit were leaked, leading to workers being allegedly moved to another location.

Piguca Holdings has a total of four lines and is capable of producing 28 million gloves per month.

[Betutu]

27 immigration officers among 46 held as Betutu's Anti-Corruption Agency busts syndicate

The arrests were made in a joint BACA and Betutu Immigration Department sting operation.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — The Betutu Anti-Corruption Agency (BACA) has crippled an immigration syndicate with the arrest of 46 people, including 27 Betutu Immigration Department officers, says a source in the know.

According to the source, the suspects were arrested in a joint BACA and Immigration Department sting operation.

Aside from the 27 immigration officers, 14 foreign worker agents and five members of the public acting as middlemen were arrested.

The syndicate, which has been active for the past year, operated out of the island nation’s main gateways including Gaguk International Airport and Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) building.

“They have been on BACA’s radar since the first movement restriction order (MRO) came into effect on March 18, 2020 and during the lockdown, they ramped up their corrupt activities,” said the source.

The syndicate catered to employers of foreign workers who wanted them to remain here or return to their home country.

The source explained the syndicate had two modus operandi, the first being a “flying passport” for those who came to Betutu using social visas but were working here illegally. This he said, included those working in bars and massage centres.

“The agents will collect their passports and pay the immigration officers to stamp their passports to indicate that they have left the country after three months and re-entered legally. This way they can stay for another three months.

“But none of the passport holders actually went to immigration offices nor left the country.”

The second modus operandi, the source said, was “setting counters” for migrants who have been blacklisted for immigration offences.

“These migrants would go to the ‘setting counters’ at Gaguk International Airport and pay up to 6,000 Betutu Talers (about US$1,200) to be allowed to leave the country even though they have been blacklisted from travelling.”

BACA director general Ms Jannah Dzulkipli confirmed the arrests but declined further comments.

[Betutu]

Betutu External Trade Development Agency readies 334 programmes in 2021

Agency's newly appointed CEO Ms Wineh Kindayoh said it will focus on helping Betutuan firms penetrate international markets in these challenging times.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutu External Trade Development Agency (BETDA) will engage around 1,000 Betutuan companies through its Exporters Development (ED) and Export Promotion (EP) programmes in the post-pandemic period this year.

BETDA has outlined 334 programmes in 2021, 277 of which are related to ED and 57 EP that will be focused on the creation of more export champions in high-value sectors, the utilisation of digital platforms, inclusiveness, tapping current market trends and forging strategic collaborations.

The ED programmes, in particular, are aimed at equipping companies with the skills to develop a strategic advantage and promote the values of sustainability as stipulated in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

BETDA's newly appointed CEO Ms Wineh Kindayoh said the agency will focus on helping Betutuan companies penetrate international markets in these challenging times.

“The year 2021 will see BETDA doubling its efforts in engaging digital tools to provide more business opportunities for Betutuan companies, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and mid-tier companies (MTCs),” she said in a statement.

“This will be carried out through strategic engagements with the public and private sectors in Betutu and abroad to identify new export opportunities in both conventional and emerging sectors,” she added.

“Our engagements with companies will also be focusing on driving Betutuan SMEs and MTCs to be more prepared in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, Internet of Things, IR4.0 and artificial intelligence,” she said, stressing that these factors play significant roles in ensuring the companies’ success in the international stage.

In addition to providing updated market insights, BETDA will virtually link foreign buyers with Betutuan companies through its 46 overseas offices.

For EP, a total of 57 programmes will be held throughout the year to enhance Betutuan companies’ export performance.

It will include participation in international trade fairs and trade missions (export acceleration and trade and investment missions). It also includes the International Sourcing Programme, Betutu’s business matching programme; and eBizMatch, a virtual format of business-to-business pre-arranged meetings which was introduced last year.

According to BETDA, physical participation in the programmes will be dependent upon the latest developments of health and safety regulations throughout the year.

2021 EP programmes will focus on Betutu’s key export sectors such as food and beverage, services, building materials, lifestyle, oil and gas, aerospace, machinery and equipment, and medical and pharmaceutical, among others.

Just over half (32 programmes) from EP will be held in the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) economies.

Meanwhile, BETDA said the appointment of Ms Wineh as the agency's new CEO took effect on Jan 1, 2021, following the retirement of Mr Akmadin Mohdali.

Ms Wineh, previously the deputy CEO (Export Acceleration) of BETDA, has extensive knowledge in international trade and has held various positions within the organisation, including leading the markets of Asean and Australasia, China and Northeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia and Africa.

She also led the Professional and Business Services section as well as the Mid-Tier Companies Development and SMEs Go-Ex section.

She was also actively involved in various committees for trade and export development to the economic advancement of Betutu.

Ms Wineh began her 30-year career in the civil service where he started in the Betutuan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by the Economic Planning Unit in the Office of the Presidency before joining BETDA in June 1994, where she played integral roles in export promotions.

Her career highlights included serving 14 years abroad as a Trade Commissioner at BETDA Paris, Dubai and Tokyo, and as a Senior Trade Commissioner in New York and Dubai for the second time, where she accumulated extensive skills and experience in international trade.

Passionate in initiating and leading change, strengthening operations, driving results and innovating, Ms Wineh is committed to transforming BETDA by creating more value through collaborative efforts for both exporters and the respective stakeholders.

“Even with the current challenging pandemic situation, we will continue not only to forge strategic partnerships with stakeholders in both private and public sectors but also to continue to connect Betutuan exporters with the global buyers,” she said in the statement.

[Betutu]

•BUSINESS & FINANCE NEWS•

Foreign inflow of Betutu bonds widens to US$60 million in December 2020

Foreign investors remained net sellers of the equity market for 18 consecutive months.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Foreign investors remained net buyers of Betutu's debt securities for eighth successive month, with the inflow widening to 300 million Betutu Talers (about US$60 milliin) in December from 158 billion Betutu Talers (about US$31.6 million) in November 2020.

Bumitokou Investment Ltd (BI Ltd) said the larger inflow was mainly due to a greater net increase in holdings of Betutu Government Securities (BGS) and Government Investment Issues (GII).

Foreign holdings share of total BGS rose to 200 million Betutu Talers (about US$40 million), while GII stood at 116 million Betutu Talers (about US$23.3 million) during the month.

Total foreign debt holdings rose to its highest level in over four years to 18.58 billion and its share to total outstanding debt securities increased to an 11-month high at 13.7 per cent.

"Demand was driven by the dollar bear trend, with the Betutu Talers reaching a 30-month high in December.

"The Betutu 2021 Budget sat well with investors while the impact of the Fitch Ratings sovereign downgrade was relatively muted," BI Ltd said in a report today.

However, foreign investors remained net sellers of the equity market for 18 consecutive months.

"Investors offloaded funds at a slower pace in December (50 million Betutu Talers/about US$10 million) amid recovery optimism following progress in Covid-19 vaccine distribution.

"Overall, the capital market registered the largest net foreign inflow in two months (250 million Betutu Talers/US$50 million in December and 75 million Betutu Talers/US$15 million Betutu Talers in November).

BI Ltd said the equity market had registered a total net outflow of 566 million Betutu Talers (about US$113 million) in 2020 with bonds marking a net inflow of 1.525 billion Betutu Talers (about US$305 million), while equity registered a net outflow of 2.09 billion Betutu Talers (about US$418 million).

"The debt market is expected to continue experiencing a net foreign inflow in 2021, on the back of favourable yield differentials and sustained risk-on sentiment."

The bank said the US 10-year Treasury average yield had risen by nine basis points (bps) to 0.93 per cent in December, while the 10-year BGS average yield increased by five bps to 2.71 per cent, narrowing the average yield spread to 178 bps.

"Foreign inflows will sustain in 2021 as demand for higher-yielding bonds is expected to remain strong and Covid-19 vaccine optimism is likely to encourage global risk-on sentiment."

BI Ltd said the current Betutu Taler upside was projected to continue due to the persistently weak US dollar and a possible improvement in commodity prices.

"We forecast US dollar/ Betutu Taler year-end to settle at 4.95."

As economic conditions improve and the distribution of vaccines become imminent, Betutu Central Bank could keep the overnight policy rate unchanged at 1.75 per cent in the near term, it added.

[Betutu]

Prominent Betutuan businessman and accomplice arrested for allegedly assaulting couple after being told to keep it down at restaurant



GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Betutu police have arrested two men, one of whom is a prominent Betutuan businessman, after a video of them allegedly assaulting a young couple at a hotpot restaurant went viral on social media.

Betutu's Inspector General of Police Filip Puralupa said the businessman, 42, and his accomplice, a 39-year-old man, were taken into custody today.

“The police will obtain a remand order for the two suspects to facilitate investigations. We will also conduct a background check to see if they are involved in underworld activities,” he said.

Mr Filip said the police are investigating the case under Section 498 of the Betutu Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 315 of the Betutu Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

The incident purportedly took place on Tuesday night at Smokin' Hotpot restaurant located in Sapat district, near here, where the victim and his girlfriend were having dinner.

According to witnesses, the businessman and his friends had entered the restaurant and appeared to be visibly drunk.

The group were reportedly heard talking loudly and seen shouting at restaurant employees repeatedly.

The victim is said to have confronted the purportedly inebriated group and asked them to keep their voices down so as to not disturb other patrons.

However, his actions appear to have angered the businessman who then left the restaurant to make a phone call.

Shortly thereafter, witnesses said two men clad in black T-shirts entered the restaurant and asked the employees to point out the person who had told the purportedly inebriated group to keep it down.

After identifying the couple, the men reportedly proceeded to physically assault them.

A video recording said to be of the incident has been widely shared on social media. In it, a couple can be seen being slapped multiple times across the face by men clad in black T-shirts.

Victim assaulted turns out to be son of another prominent Betutuan businessman

In a related development, the victim who was assaulted turned out to be the son of a prominent figure in the construction industry.

It was learnt that the victim's father is Betutuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce's deputy president Mr Sam Ah Lee.

Mr Sam, when contacted by Free Betutu Press, confirmed that the victim was his son and that a police report was lodged the same night after the incident.

"It is regrettable that this happened. I am not going to deny it was my son, because I do not wish to see unfair posts made about him being circulated online," he said.

He said at the moment there are no plans to initiate any legal action against the assaulters.

[Betutu]

Allow dine-in customers during lockdown, plead Betutu restaurant groups

Restaurants and eateries in Betutu are only allowed takeaways during the movement restriction order period.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — Associations representing some 2,500 food and beverage (F&B) establishments in Betutu are hoping to see the government relax restrictions to allow dine-in customers during the movement restriction order (MRO) period.

The Betutu Restaurant Proprietors’ Association (BERAPA) said it is planning to send a joint memorandum to Betutu President Duim Kimpos with associations such as the Betutuan Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (BMROA) and the Betutuan Indian Restaurant Owners Association (BIROA).

BERAPA has about 1,600 members, Presma about 800 and Primas about 100.

“We have arrived at a common stand over the last two days and will be sending a joint memorandum to the government to appeal for looser restrictions,” said BERAPA president Mr Alvin Sukur.

“Rental alone takes up about 20% to 30% of our members’ total costs each month, and our businesses cannot carry on if we are limited to takeaways.

“If the government doesn’t encourage people to come out and spend, the economy is going to get even worse.”

The first MRO, which started on March 18 last year, also saw restrictions on dine-in customers before President Duim Kimpos announced that restaurants and eateries would be allowed to welcome patrons back from May 4.

Apart from fewer customers at each table, strict SOPs also meant tables had to be placed 2m apart, the 1m physical distancing rule had to be observed at all times, and contract tracing was a must.

The limit on the number of diners ended last month before Mr Duim’s announcement on Monday led to the second MRO, and a ban on dine-in customers once again.

With his members’ sales now just a fraction of their usual figure, BIROA president Mr S. Subramaniam said he hoped to see the two diners per table rule introduced once again.

“Now with takeaways, we’re only making 20% of what we used to.

“What about our rental and workers’ salaries? This is going to further damage the economy.

“It’s not just us. There are a lot of other companies like the vegetable, seafood and poultry suppliers. We’re all going to be affected,” he said.

The Betutu Statistics Department valued Betutu's F&B sector’s output at 6.9 billion Betutu Talers (about US$1.38 billion) in 2017, during which it employed 79,900 people.

[Betutu]

Betutuan man claims trial to planting cannabis tree

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 15 — A 25-year-old unemployed man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to having and planting a cannabis tree.

Mr Fook Yu Tai, who appeared before Judge Mr Dean Ampeng via video conferencing proceedings, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mr Fook is accused of having and planting the 44.7cm canabis tree that weighed 6.38gm at 2.40pm on Aug 19, 2020, in a room of a house in Uboar district, near here.

The offence under Section 14 of the Betutu Dangerous Drugs Act 1960 carries a lifetime jail sentence and six strokes of the cane, if convicted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor, Mr Russel Tang, applied for a pre-trial case management and trial date.

The court set Feb 18 for pre-trial case management and fixed June 2-4 for trial.

Mr Fook was first produced in court on Sept 2, 2020 but no plea was recorded from him pending the chemist’s report.

He has since been held under remand as no bail was offered to him.

Mr Fook was represented by counsel Mr Harry Ting.

[Betutu]

9 arrested, BT50,000 worth of kratom leaves, cough mixture, kratom juice seized in Betutu

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — Nine members of a kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves syndicate were detained by Betutu police during a raid in Palu district, 45km northeast from here, today.

The nine, all locals, aged between 28 and 41, were resting in a house during the raid.

Also seized were 131 bags of kratom leaves, 100 bottles of cough mixture and five bottles of kratom juice worth nearly BT50,000 (about US$10,000).

Betutu police chief Inspector General Filip Puralupa said a team raided the house at about 9.30am following tip-offs.

"After raiding the house, the GOF members saw nine men inside the house.

"Some of them were resting while the others were packing the kratom juice.

After questioning, the raiding team discovered about 1,464 kg of kratom leaves and juice and about 10 litres of cough mixture believed to contain codeine inside bushes at the back of the house," he told a press conference here today.

Mr Filip said initial investigations showed that the kratom leaves, the cough mixture and kratom juice were sourced locally.

"The drugs were to be distributed throughout the country. The syndicate has been active since last year," he said, adding the seizure was the biggest made by the police so far this year.

[Betutu]

Betutu Customs Dept foils attempt to smuggle BT6.3mil red sandalwood

Betutu Customs Department director general Mr. Jorden Belingi

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — The Betutu Customs Department foiled an attempt to smuggle BT6.3 million (about US$1.26 million) worth of red sandalwood at Gaguk Port, near here, recently.

Its director general Mr Jorden Belingi said the department seized a container weighing 11 tonnes which was declared as 'other households and hand tools' on Jan 12.

The red sandalwood, scientificly named aterocarpus santalinus, is classified as an endangered species under the Betutu International Trade in Endangered Species of 2000 (Act 678).

"We have identified the shipping agent involved and tracking them to assist with the investigations," he said.

The case is being investigated and upon conviction under Section 127 of the Betutu Customs Act 1975, the party involved can be fined up to ten times the value of the item or BT100,000 (about US$20,000), whichever higher, or not more than 20 times or BT500,000 (about US$100,000), whichever higher.

They may also be jailed between six months to five years, or both.

Meanwhile, the department also seized BT108,000 (about US$21,600) worth of liquors with unpaid taxes of BT613,440 (about US$122,688), at Gaguk Port yesterday.

The case is being investigated under the Betutu Customs Act 1975 and Betutu Excise Act 1984 for smuggling.

"We have also identified the shipping agent and action is being taken to trace them.

"People are reminded to help the Customs Department in their war against the smuggling of illicit trade items such as cigarettes, liquors and others." he said.

[Betutu]

Not right that food outlets in Betutu must close at 8pm since dine-in not allowed, says opposition MP

People's Alliance Kemalai MP Mr Winton Qoriat

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — The operating hours for food outlets under the movement restriction order (MRO) were needlessly restrictive since dine-in sales have been prohibited, Kemalai MP Mr Winton Qoriat argued today.

The leader of the opposition People's Alliance youth wing said forcing such outlets in MRO zones to close by 8pm daily not only hurt their takings but could also leave working Betutuans without sufficient time to purchase their dinner at the end of each day.

“We understand if dine-in is not possible. But at least allow people to get takeaways until 10pm. People are just getting off work at 7pm and have no time to stop by stores.

“Traders, food deliverers, patrons are all affected. This SOP is incorrect,” he said on Twitter.

On Jan 11, Betutu President Mr Duim Kimpos announced that the MRO would be reintroduced nationwide until January 26.

Essential businesses including food outlets and food delivery services within MRO areas are only allowed to operate between 6am and 8pm daily.

[Betutu]

Long-haired Betutuan students sitting for exams will not be penalised during lockdown

Betutu Home Affairs Minister Mr. Lee Fatt Tan

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — Male students who will be attending school to sit for the Betutu Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination 2020 and 2021 during the movement restriction order (MRO) will be given flexibility, if they sport long hair.

Betutuan Home Affairs Minister Mr Lee Fatt Tan said the matter was decided in a special session of the Betutu Security Council (BSC) today, which agreed that no action would be taken against long-haired students.

"The Betutu Ministry of Education has made a decision as a result of discussions in a special session of the BSC, that despite long hair, students will be allowed to go to school without receiving any reprimands from teachers as barbershops are still not allowed to operate," he said in a press conference on the developments relating to the MRO here today.

Mr Lee said the economic sector, involving barber shops, in affected areas was still closed for two weeks, and this (rule) would be evaluated by the Betutu Health Ministry depending on the situation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same press conference, Mr Lee said institutions of higher learning or schools should not impose conditions on students to undergo Covid-19 screening tests in order to enter dormitories or to sit for examinations, except for students with symptoms.

He said this after a complaint about the issue that students have to bear the costs of Covid-19 test screenings.

In the meantime, for the operation of optical shops, he said, permission was given by the Betutu Trade, Industry and Commerce Ministry after examining the appeal of industry players but they were only allowed to operate with strict standard operating procedures or they would face appropriate action and punishment.

Betutuan president Mr Duim Kimpos previously announced the implementation of the MRO nationwide for a period of 14 days from Jan 13 to 26.

Some economic activities are allowed throughout the MRO with operating hours between 6am and 8pm, except for certain activities including restaurants, eateries, roadside hawkers and open-air (eateries), as well as food courts where dining at the premises is disallowed but only deliveries, packing food and drive-throughs are allowed.

In addition, kiosks, grocery stores, convenience stores and those for daily necessities, as well as laundrettes except for self-service ones, are allowed to open within the same time limits.

[Betutu]

Betutu Public Works Ministry: No construction work during lockdown

The Betutu Public Works Ministry says construction work needs to be stopped during the movement restriction order (MRO) period.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — Construction work needs to be stopped during the movement restriction order (MRO) period, according to the Betutu Public Works Ministry.

However, exemptions will be given for work on the list of essential services including maintenance and critical repairs such as slope and road repairs; construction of major public infrastructure as well as building construction for projects that provide complete accommodation of workers on construction sites or Centralised Labour Quarters.

In addition, there will be exemptions for the operation of professional services/consultants as well as other services within the supply chain such as supply of building materials and delivery of materials, limited to construction sites approved for operation.

According to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the MRO issued by the ministry, all operating permits must be obtained from the Betutu Trade, Industry and Commerce Ministry (TICM) through TICM's Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) portal.

Employers must also stick to the operating hours set by local authorities.

In the meantime, the ministry stressed that construction workers are not allowed to move from one construction site to another, apart from the fact that they need to bring a valid employee pass or employer's authorisation letter and TICM CIMS operation approval letter for any movement.

According to the FAQ, the project's supervising officer is responsible for ensuring full compliance with standard operating procedures as well as controlling movements in and out of the construction site during the MRO period.

The ministry also said that Covid-19 screening is mandatory for all foreign workers as they have to undergo the Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag) tests even if they have done the Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) screening tests.

However, the frequency of the RTK-Ag screening test has not been set.

“For Betutu Social Security Fund (BSSF) contributors, employers only need to fund the cost of services charged by the clinic because the RTK-Ag test kit has been supplied by BSSF to the panel clinic,” according to the FAQ.

For foreign workers who are not BSSF contributors, the screening cost must be fully borne by the employer.

[Betutu]

Tajik woman jailed for getting treatment while posing as Betutuan

A Tajik woman pleaded guilty to using a Betutuan woman’s ID to obtain treatment at Gaguk General Hospital for seven years.

GAGUK, Republic of Betutu, Jan 16 — A single mother from Tajikistan was jailed for three years by the magistrate’s court here today for cheating Gaguk General Hospital by using an identity card belonging to another person to obtain treatment at the hospital for seven years.

The action of the accused, Ms Forozenda Gawhar, 39, came to light when she passed herself off as one Ms Majana Sabran, 48, and submitted a copy of an identity card bearing the name of Majana Sabran for the purpose of seeking treatment at the hospital at 10am, on Dec 31, last year.

Ms Forozenda pleaded guilty to the charge which was read to her by a court interpreter.

She was also jailed a month after pleading guilty to a charge of entering the country without a valid pass.

The two jail sentences will run concurrently from her arrest on Dec 31.

The prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence. However, the accused, who was not represented, appealed for a light sentence as she was a single mother with four children.