Crackdown on People Smugglers

Published on Aug 23, 2013 by Luke Hunt

A meeting of regional foreign ministers and delegates from 14 countries in Jakarta has resulted in an agreement on several fronts designed to capture and jail people smugglers.This could lead to the extradition to Australia of Sayed Abba, an Afghan wanted in Australia on 27 charges of people smuggling.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Malaysia Court Frees two in Mongolian Murder Scandal

Published on Aug 23, 2013 by Luke Hunt

A Malaysian appeals court on Friday ordered two police officers freed after overturning their murder convictions in the killing of a Mongolian woman who had an affair with a friend of the prime minister.Read more from The Associated Press..

China Backs Cambodian Government

Published on Aug 22, 2013 by Luke Hunt

China’s foreign minister has  urged Cambodia to solve its ongoing political deadlock and to quickly form a new government, while firmly supporting Cambodia’s current ruling government.Read more from Kong Sothanarith at Voice of America..

Malaysians Charged Over Haze

Published on Aug 9, 2013 by Luke Hunt

The Indonesian government is finally acting against companies blamed for igniting fires that resulted in a massive haze enveloping an enormous swathe of Southeast Asia, with a charge filed against PT Adei Plantations, Malaysia’s third-largest palm oil planter.The charge covers environmental damage arising out of the worse pollution to hit the region in 16 years. Another four companies are being investigated but they have not been identified.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Malaysian Election Leads To Debt Downgrade

Published on Aug 2, 2013 by Luke Hunt

The Malaysian government has had a hard time coping with the May election, which resulted in voters deserting the ruling party in droves and Prime Minister Najib Razak relying on gerrymandering to secure another five-year term.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..