Talk around town

Where the walls have ears...

HRH Princess Arun Rasmy was in Bali on Wednesday as a special guest of honour to attend the inauguration of the new Sukarno Centre there, named after Indonesia's first president for those readers who don't know diddly. She read a statement from HM King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Some excerpts:

"I met Sukarno for the first time in April 1955 during the historic Summit of the Afro-Asian Nations' Conference held in Bandung. He was a great host, a charming personality and an accomplished linguist. We became close friends since our first encounter.

"An exceptionally gifted speaker, Sukarno knew how to stir up the enthusiasm of the Indonesian people, while charming and captivating foreign audiences.

"The problems faced at the time by our respective countries, Cambodia and Indonesia, were similar in nature, how to balance the growing rivalry between our right-wing military and revolutionary Communists. He was persuaded to follow a benevolent policy towards the Indonesian Communist Party, undoubtedly to counterbalance the powerful military, while I remained tough in my opposition to the revolutionary movement, later known as the Khmer Rouge.

"My country, Cambodia, had a special place in Sukarno's affections, and I remember that he visited us in Cambodia several times where he enjoyed our traditional dishes and the hospitality of our people.

"I pay a respectful and fond homage to the memory of my regretted friend, and I sincerely hope that through the noble activities of the Sukarno Centre, his name will continue to be the symbol of Indonesia's independence and great achievements in all fields of its national development."

A moderately reliable source says that about two months ago there was a meeting of all Police Department heads to discuss the possibility of dividing the National Police into four separate units, each with its own independent director. Currently, there are over 20 separate police departments, including Economic, Border, Immigration, National, Passport, Traffic, White Tiger, Anti-Trafficking, Judicial, Flying Tiger, Intervention, Heritage, Anti-Drug, and Tourism Police among others. Hok Lundy is said to have been against the plan.

The flags along the riverfront closest to the temporary portable toilets installed for the Water Festival are, in order of proximity, those of Thailand, the United Nations, Great Britain, Vietnam and the US.  It's just a total coincidence. The port-o-potties had to go somewhere!