KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta are again a manifestation of distinct power plays, denting any aspired efficacy of the scramble to elevate conflict prevention mechanisms.
HONG KONG, China: A century ago, American humorist Robert Benchley quipped that there are “two classes of people in the world; those who constantly divide the people of the world into two classes, and those who do not.” Thomas Parks does not.
BANGKOK, Thailand:The Anwar Ibrahim administration aka the Madani government has been in power for more than nine months now. As a commentator trying to tell the people the reflections I am seeing, these have met push back with a number of standard criticisms.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) notes with great dismay the abrupt end to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Yayasan Akalbudi trial, where Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Dusuki Mokhtar successfully applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) with respect to Zahid’s 47 charges for criminal breach of trust, bribery and money laundering.
KUALA LUMPUR: On 3 April 2019, Suhakam, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, completed a thorough investigation into the disappearances of Shiite social activist Amri Che Mat and Christian pastor Raymond Koh. Suhakam issued two reports. Copies were supplied to all members of Parliament.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:The Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) is pleased that the BN-Pakatan Harapan government is looking at the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and may likely restore the bail granting discretion to judges.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Here, I’ll tell you what I heard in open court this week. I’ll tell you some mythology about activists, Christians, and Shiites propagated by an officer in the top echelons of the Royal Malaysian Police. I’ll tell you why I think the mythology is accepted by the Attorney General’s Chambers. I’ll tell you five things Raymond Koh’s son Jonathan told the judge, and I’ll tell you how the Senior Federal Counsel (SFC) responded. I’ll end with some questions.
BANGKOK, Thailand:A whistleblower from within the Ministry of Health (MOH/KKM) has outlined the workings of a private influencing and censorship network, set up and controlled by the former Director General of the MOH Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. This operation exists outside of government.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Aliran is disturbed by the appointment of a former developer as the Penang state executive councillor overseeing housing and environment.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Patriot takes serious note of a report that the four states under the Pas-Bersatu or Perikatan Nasional coalition – Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu – will have a different logo from that of the federal government’s to mark our 2023 national independence day.
BANGKOK, Thailand:Over the last 12 months, stalls have been opening up across southern Thailand to sell ketum leaves, syrups, and mixed drinks. In Thailand ketum is called kratom.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s travel to a three-country strategic engagement stint is aimed at shoring up public and diplomatic image of the country, deepening trust and strategic mutual dependence, and regaining soft power and geopolitical influence in the region amidst growing tension with the US and worsening tension in the South China Sea against the backdrop of the water cannoning incident with the Philippines.
NEW YORK, US:Farmers in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo are adapting their agricultural techniques with a more climate-friendly approach by ending the burning of land thanks to an initiative by Indonesia’s Peat and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM), with support from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Now that the state elections are over, it is clear the nation is still polarised, with Perikatan Nasional making sharp inroads at the expense of Umno and PKR.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia:Voters in the states of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will head to the polls on Aug 12. According to the Center for Market Education (CME), state elections are a good opportunity to propose economic reforms that may be beneficial for the country as a whole.