Cambodia Evictions Unchecked

Published on Jan 23, 2012 by Luke Hunt

In fast-developing Phnom Penh, land is at a premium, and it’s the poor who pay the price for high-end development.It is not a new story. Around 250,000 Cambodians were evicted from their homes between 2005 and 2009, according to local human-rights groups.Read more from Faine Greenwood at Global Post..

Malaysian Sideshow

Published on Dec 10, 2011 by Luke Hunt

While there is that motion picture-like air of a “coming to a polling booth near you, the nation’s next blockbuster – the 13th General Election” – in the rapidly changing Malaysian state of Sabah, the people remain unmoved and cynical.“It may be a new election but like some movies the plot never changes … in Sabah it will be the same old story,” volunteered a middle aged man, on his way to drop his family of four off at a cineplex in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, to watch the latest offering.Like him, the nagging question on most locals’ minds as they prepare to countdown to elect a new government and Parliament anytime between now and 2013 – will the....

Feedback & Other Hate Mail

Published on Dec 9, 2011 by Luke Hunt

As part of an occasional series AsiaWATCH is publishing links to the more controversial articles of late and the sometimes terse response they elicited.AsiaWATCH won kudos for this piece on the Eurozone debt crisis as it spirals from one embattled bond market to the next.It said; It is becoming clear we are likely heading into a double dip global recession. Whilst economic fundamentals of the United States may in fact be improving, investor pessimism is quickly spreading across the globe.Headlined: Khmer Rouge: Vietnam Did It! The Diplomat’s Luke Hunt scored another lawyer of scorn from those opposed to the Khmer Rouge Tribnal currently underway in Phnom Penh.He wrote: Old hatreds die hard, and nowhere has this been more evident than....

Malaysia’s Militant Headache

Published on Dec 4, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Tawau is a quiet little place – and possibly the remotest city in Malaysia. Tucked away near the Indonesian border in the state of Sabah, it’s well known in diplomatic circles as a Malaysian transit hub between Indonesia and the Southern Philippines.It’s also a favorite stop over for pirates, smugglers, mercenaries, illegal workers and the Darul Islam movement, whose roots can be traced back to Indonesia’s independence almost 65 years ago. Since then, Darul Islam has spawned a litany of Muslim militant groups like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).Most who pass through continue on, but some stay to stock-up on supplies, reload and plan for another day as authorities found out when 13 suspected terrorists were arrested in Tawau last month under....

Malaysia, Maids & the Lash

Published on Oct 26, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hasn’t put a political foot wrong since speculation began an election could be called for as soon as November or early in the New Year. First, he announced an inquiry into electoral reforms, then repealed laws curtailing civil liberties and delivered an election friendly budget.But Najib pulled off a real coup last week, winning an agreement from Jakarta that will allow Indonesian maids to return to work in Malaysia. That decision will prove popular, particularly among the middle class Muslim women of Peninsula Malaysia who say they are suffering from a lack of domestic help after Indonesia banned its women from working there because of appalling treatment meted out by many employers.Read more in The....