Maliki to be at defence chiefs' meeting

Senior Minister of State for Defence Maliki Osman will represent Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at a meeting of defence ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei in Indonesia tomorrow.

The meeting in Tarakan, Kalimantan, will see the launch of joint patrols by Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the seas south of Mindanao island in the Philippines, which borders Malaysia and Indonesia.

Singapore and Brunei will be attending the ceremony as observers at the invitation of the three member states of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol, said a statement from Mindef yesterday.

Relocation of Tsukiji fish market approved

TOKYO • Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike has approved the relocation of the world-renowned Tsukiji fish market to the Toyosu waterfront district after extra measures were taken to ease pollution concerns.

Sources familiar with the matter told Kyodo News yesterday that Ms Koike will consider converting the Tsukiji site into a different commercial development instead of selling it as originally planned, with a decision expected this week.

Scandal-hit don bows out of ministerial race

SEOUL • A scandal-hit law professor bowed out of the running to become South Korea's justice minister yesterday over his controversial views on women and admissions of drink driving and other transgressions. Mr Ahn Kyong Hwan withdrew his candidacy in the wake of an outcry over his book, What Is Man?, and past behaviour, including the forgery of a marriage registration.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE