Tag Archives: najib

Malaysia Strengthens Sedition Act

By admin | May 8, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has made two contrasting pledges with regard to the Sedition Act of 1948. First, during the election period in 2012, he vowed to repeal the archaic law. Then, two years later, he announced that the law would be strengthened to preserve domestic harmony. Last Friday, Najib’s […]

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Southeast Asian Laws That Ought to Be Repealed in 2015

By admin | January 18, 2015

Written for The Diplomat Singapore’s anti-gay sex law, Malaysia’s Sedition Act, Thailand’s anti-royal insult law (lèse majesté), Philippine libel law, Vietnam’s media regulation laws, Brunei’s Sharia law – all these notorious laws made news this year and they ought to be reviewed, if not outright repealed, in 2015. Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code […]

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Why Malaysia Reduced Its Fuel Subsidy

By admin | November 8, 2014

Written for The Diplomat Malaysia’s decision to slash fuel subsidies has led to an increase in the price of petrol products, which in turn angered many consumers but was applauded by economists and credit rating agencies. Prime Minister Najib Razak defended the government action by citing the need to balance the budget. He said the […]

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The Jokowi Effect in Southeast Asia

By admin | June 28, 2014

Published by The Diplomat Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, or Jokowi as he is popularly known, is on track to be the next president of Indonesia. And if he continues his impressive performance as a public servant, he may soon emerge as the most credible leader in Southeast Asia. Win or lose in the coming presidential […]

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Global Spotlight on Malaysia’s Political Tragedies

By admin | April 3, 2014

Malaysia is currently confronting its worst crisis caused by its inability to explain the mysterious disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The government in particular is accused of being less transparent in presenting updates about the search for the missing MH370. But before Malaysian gained global notoriety for mishandling the situation, it was already facing […]

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Malaysia’s Kangkung Meme

By admin | February 5, 2014

Written for The Diplomat Kangkung, or water spinach, has been trending in Malaysia since last week after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak cited it as an example of a commodity that has become less expensive over the course of his administration. Najib was responding to protests against rising prices caused by the government’s decision to […]

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Southeast Asia’s Twittering Heads of State

By admin | May 12, 2013

Written for The Diplomat “Hello, people of Indonesia. I have joined Twitter to exchange greetings, views and inspirations. Nice to meet you.” With these 140 characters, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, or SBY as he is known, joined the Twittersphere on April 13. After two weeks of tweeting, SBY has gained more than 1.7 million […]

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Southeast Asia: Politics, Gangnam Style

By admin | March 9, 2013

Written for The Diplomat Judging from a recent outbreak of “Gangnam Style” politics in Southeast Asia, the K-Pop tune seemingly has no bounds. On February 11 Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak hosted a Chinese New Year concert that included a performance by Korean pop superstar Psy. Just next door, former Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who […]

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