Malaysia

Malaysia: Najib Razak names new Cabinet

Samantha Stainburn — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:09:32 +0000

“Now it is time for all of us, in government and beyond, to put the bitterness behind us, and work towards national reconciliation – and national unity," Najib said.

Malaysia's first-ever 'social media election'

Kate Lamb — Sat, 04 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR — As Malaysia gears up for its most tenaciously fought election in more than five decades, the internet is emerging as a new political battleground. This week, a number of online news websites — often critical of the government — and several websites of opposition candidates, including that of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, were the subject of strategic cyber attacks.

Malaysia: 31 Filipinos killed in Borneo

Priyanka Boghani — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:42:14 +0000

The clan is led by Jamalul Kiram III, who claims to be the sultan of the southern province of Sulu in the Philippines, which is predominantly Muslim.

Standoff between Filipino and Malaysian forces ends in violence

Faine Greenwood — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:32:00 +0000

A standoff between over 200 armed Filipinos and Malaysian police in the state of Sabah ended in violence on March 1, as the Filipinos continue to demand that Malaysia return portions of the state to them — against the wishes of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.

Nick Xenophon, Australian senator, detained and deported from Malaysia

Talia Ralph — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 17:30:26 +0000

Nick Xenophon, an Australian senator, has been detained and is awaiting deportation from Malaysia after being deemed a "security risk."

Ten endangered pygmy elephants found poisoned in Malaysia

Faine Greenwood — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:37:46 +0000

Ten critically endangered Malaysian pygmy elephants were found dead from what appears to be poison in Borneo in the past three weeks — and the mysterious deaths don't appear to be due to ivory poaching.

Malaysia's eastern coast floods, forcing thousands to flee their homes

Faine Greenwood — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Northeastern Malaysia is being pummeled by torrential rains this week, forcing thousands of locals to flee towards government relief centers to escape the deluge—and more rains are anticipated over the next few days.

Kuala Lumpur: 10,000 protest rare earth plant over health concerns

Talia Ralph — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:34:18 +0000

Nearly 10,000 people took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur Sunday to protest the opening of Australia-based mining company Lynas' new rare earth plant.

Vietnam says China's South China Sea oil bid "illegal"

Luke Browne — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:44:50 +0000

Vietnam’s foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the blocks on offer lay “deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone,” while its state-owned oil firm, PetroVietnam, called on foreign companies to boycott the invitation to tender.

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to be charged over rally

Luke Browne — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:48:00 +0000

The move comes just four months after the one-time deputy prime minister was acquitted of a second round of sodomy charges after spending six years in jail.

Malaysia’s Arab Spring?

Patrick Winn — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:01:00 +0000

In the Arab Spring’s wake, pundits and politicians have toyed with predicting where a Tahrir Square-style street upheaval might catch on next. Candidates, however implausible, have included Russia, China, North Korea and, of course, Wall Street. Add Malaysia to the list, with a massive rally this weekend. The parallels with Egypt are compelling.

Unhappy Valentine's Day for Malaysian couples, arrested for 'close proximity'

Jessica Phelan — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:33:00 +0000

You might think you hate Valentine's Day, but in Malaysia, some people really, really hate it.

The evidence: several Malaysian couples were arrested today for trying to get a little, y'know, closer. Local news site The Star Online reported that, starting from 12:30 AM Valentine's morning, police swooped on "budget hotels" in central Selangor state and carried off several young men and women in police vans.

Their crime? Alleged khalwat, or "close proximity," which for unmarried Muslims is a crime punishable with two years in jail and/or a 3,000 Ringgit ($984) fine.

Saudi blogger Hamza Kashgari may face execution for "blasphemous" tweets about the Prophet Muhammad

Tim Fitzsimons — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

BEIRUT — A Saudi blogger was extradited from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia to face charges of blasphemy, which is punishable by death, for tweets he wrote that Riyadh says insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Southeast Asia: migrant maids as modern day slaves

Paul Vrieze — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

PHNOM PENH — The complaints about mistreatment of Cambodian maids by their Malaysian employers has surged, as young women's jobs turn into harrowing ordeals.

Elite Asian students cheat like mad on US college applications

Patrick Winn — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

BANGKOK — Rapid economic growth across China and other parts of Asia has sparked an explosion in foreign students hoping to secure their ascent with a Western diploma.