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How Much Integrity Exists Within The Malaysian Media?


BANGKOK, Thailand: The appointment of prominent media figure and journalist Wong Chun Wai as chairman of the government owned media organization Bernama, has come with some controversy. Wong was seen as a propagandist during his tenure at The Star. 
 
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Re-introducing The GST Would Be Highly Irresponsible


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: There recently has been a spate of announcements and opinion pieces in the mainstream media supporting the re-introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that was repealed in June 2018. This option is touted as the most sensible and responsible thing to do as the federal government deficit has ballooned to about RM 100 billion per year, and total federal debt (not including contingent liabilities) is now about RM 1.2 trillion. 
 
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ASEAN’S China Dilemma

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.

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Unwilling To Choose, Southeast Asia Is Spoiled For Choice


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.

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Getting To Know The Madani Government


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.

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Zahid Hamidi’s DNAA: Political Expediency And The Need To Separate The PP And AG


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. 

 
 
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Will The Anwar Government Continue Shielding Those Behind Enforced Disappearances?


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.

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Repeal SOSMA, Not Small Amendments


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.

 

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Police Mythology Goes On Trial In The Raymond Koh Civil Suit


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.

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Noor Hisham’s Private Cyber Army

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.

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The Kratom (Ketum) Industry In Southern Thailand

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.

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Wang Yi’s Visit A Reflection Of Beijing’s New Soft Power Scramble

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.

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From Ashes To Riches: Profiting From Peatland In Indonesia

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).

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