More Troops sent to Sabah

Published on Mar 4, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Malaysia has sent more army troops to North Borneo where security forces are fighting about 200 followers of Sultanate of Sulu who are claiming ownership of the oil-rich island just several nautical miles off the Philippines. Read more from The Mindanao Examiner. .

Burma Allows Eight Dailys

Published on Mar 3, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Burma has announced that eight journals have been granted temporary permission to publish private daily newspapers in Myanmar from April 1. Read more from Mizzima News. .

Thailand Enlists Malaysia Over South

Published on Mar 1, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Thailand has followed a lead established by the Philippines and will enlist Malaysia as a “facilitator” after recognizing that Muslim insurgents in its troubled southern provinces have grievances that are worth addressing. Read more from The Diplomat. .

Anwar Unveils Election Plank

Published on Feb 28, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The political machinery that has run Malaysia since independence in 1957 will face its toughest test at the upcoming elections, with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim well placed to increase his party’s hold at the national and state levels. However, taking power from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition that it heads still appears unlikely. The incumbents maintain a foothold in Malaysia’s predominantly Muslim west, although their grip on Chinese, Indian and non-Islamic communities has weakened substantially. Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat. .

A Brave New Burma?

Published on Feb 27, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Last November, President Obama visited Burma, meeting reformist President Thein Sein and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. But as the pace of change in the Southeast Asian country accelerates, human rights groups have criticized governments for being too quick to reward the new regime in pursuit of their own strategic and economic interests. This begs the question: Have the West and Aung San Suu Kyi abandoned their principled stand on Burma? Read more from Nic Dunlop in The Diplomat. .