Malaysia, Philippines Face a New Sultan at a Bad Time

Published on Feb 28, 2016 by Luke Hunt

War against Islamic militancy in Southeast Asia has too often been complicated by layers of nationalism, provincial politics and tribal culture. It’s a thorn in Southern Thailand, Indonesia and in particular the Southern Philippines, where peace talks have struggled to accommodate all and end decades of conflict that feeds off of old tribal hatreds.The importance of the tribes can’t be underestimated, and this was highlighted by a recent appointment among the Sulu clans.Phugdalun Kiram II has been named as the next Sultan of Sulu, a clan position with pretensions to royal ownership of huge swathes of land including much of Sabah in Malaysia’s far east. He took the helm following the death of Esmail Kiram II last year.Read more from....

What a New Vietnam-Russia Deal Says About the Mekong’s Future

Published on Feb 17, 2016 by Luke Hunt

It is potentially an unusual business transaction. While the prospect of a Vietnamese company taking over a Russian group in of itself is unusual, the buyout of a strategic stake in a major fish distributor is also a reflection of changing attitudes to the management of the Mekong River.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Islamic State Expands into Southeast Asia

Published on Feb 4, 2016 by Luke Hunt

As Islamic State branches out from its base in Syria and Iraq, fears are mounting here that Southeast Asia is emerging as a new target of opportunity for the violent jihadi group.In some cases, Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, is supplanting established radical Islamist groups — often with ties to the rival al Qaeda — and in other cases is linking up with local jihadi groups that have long battled governments in the region.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Washington Times..

Khmer Rouge Lawyer’s Jibes at Judge Get Personal

Published on Feb 4, 2016 by Luke Hunt

Victor Koppe, Nuon Chea’s international defense lawyer, rarely misses an opportunity to tell the judges at the Khmer Rouge tribunal what he really thinks.During a documentary hearing in August, Mr. Koppe called proceedings a “farce” and walked out of the courtroom. The following day, the Dutch lawyer went further, ac­cusing Judge Jean-Marc La­vergne of making “cowardly decisions” and lacking “judicial integrity.” (He was referred to the Amster­dam Bar Association as a result.)Read more from George Wright in The Cambodia Daily..

Troubles resurface for Malaysia's Najib in Europe

Published on Jan 31, 2016 by Luke Hunt

A case involving allegations of high-level bribery, blackmail, betrayal and the murder of a glamorous Mongolian socialite in Malaysia has resurfaced in France, only days after Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak was cleared of corruption charges at home.Read more from Lindsay Murdoch in The Age. .