Difficult Post-Election Period Beckons for Malaysia
Published on Jun 23, 2013 by Luke Hunt
After a disputed election, Malaysia’s opposition appears to be in something of a bind as to what comes next ahead of the opening of parliament on June 24.On May 5, the Barisan Nasional (BN, or National Front) coalition held onto office in Malaysia’s 13th general election, meaning that if it stays in government for the full five year term to 2018, it will—with its forerunner the Alliance Party—top six continuous decades in office.Read more from Simon Roughneen in The Diplomat..
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Vietnamese PM Escapes Censure, Just
Published on Jun 13, 2013 by Luke Hunt
The relief within the Vietnamese Politburo must have been palpable. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, along with another 46 officials escaped censure in the country’s first-ever confidence vote. But the results were hardly a ringing endorsement of their leadership.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..
Malaysia Splits as UMNO Cracks Down
Published on Jun 3, 2013 by Luke Hunt
In the immediate aftermath of Malaysia’s controversial elections, Prime Minister Najib Razak appeared conciliatory. He made all the right moves and said all the right words to an electorate divided by race, religion and wealth, and overwhelmed by a “Chinese tsunami”.Yet Najib’s directives have proved as hollow as his victory in the May 5 poll was shallow. Amid the olive branches and well-rehearsed conviviality the government and police have embarked on a breathtaking crackdown on dissidence.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..
Malaysian Solidarity in Singapore
Published on Jun 1, 2013 by Luke Hunt
The candles were lit as the sun set over Hong Lim Park in Singapore’s Central Business District. The crowd of about 200, many dressed in black, was gathered for Singaporeans in Solidarity with Malaysians, a small gathering organized to support protests against election irregularities during the recent general election across the Causeway.The event had been organized after Malaysians had protested twice at Merlion Park, by the Singapore River, resulting in nine warnings in one case and 21 arrests in the other.Read more from Kirsten Han in The Diplomat..
Thai Deaths Cast Doubts over Malaysian Diplomacy
Published on May 28, 2013 by Luke Hunt
Signs of progress have been slow to appear in Thailand’s troubled south three months after Bangkok first publicly agreed to help Malaysia negotiate a resolution. Killings have also escalated, indicating the limits of Kuala Lumpur’s influence over Muslim separatists.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..