Anwar faces hypocrisy claims as Malaysian civil servants warned off protest

By Hadi Azmi Malaysia’s civil servants have been warned of possible disciplinary action if they join a protest on Saturday calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s resignation, as the opposition claims hundreds of thousands are being mobilised for the rally. The “Turun Anwar” (Anwar Resign) demonstration is the first mass rally that directly challenges the […]

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Malaysia’s top court to hear Anwar’s immunity bid in sexual harassment case

By Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s highest court said on Monday that it would consider Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s application for legal immunity from a civil sexual harassment suit, amid long-standing allegations against the veteran leader. The Court of Appeal ruled that proceedings must be postponed to allow Anwar to pursue a constitutional challenge over whether a […]

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Is Jho Low in Shanghai? Malaysia’s Anwar vows to investigate claims about 1MDB fugitive

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia had not received any information regarding allegations that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, commonly referred to as Jho Low, was living in China. Anwar mentioned that he was planning to investigate the situation involving the central figure of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal in […]

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Malaysian protesters warn Nick Adams will ‘face us every week’ if made US envoy

By Joseph Sipalan Members of Malaysia’s ruling coalition gave their strongest warning yet against the nomination of “alpha male” social media provocateur Nick Adams as America’s new envoy to the Southeast Asian nation, promising on Friday to stage weekly protests should he be sent to Kuala Lumpur as ambassador. Analysts warn the appointment could test […]

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Anwar’s big surprise? Malaysians sceptical over ‘tribute’ teaser post

By Joseph Sipalan A cryptic promise from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become the latest lightning rod for Malaysia’s restless public, whose patience is wearing thin after months of new taxes, political scandals and economic anxiety. Late on Monday, Anwar posted a stylised silhouette and the words Akan Datang (Coming Soon) across his social media […]

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Malaysia’s judicial crisis escalates with leaked memo claims against top judge candidate

By Hadi Azmi Malaysia’s judicial crisis deepened over the weekend after a leaked memo revealed serious allegations against Federal Court Judge Terrirudin Salleh, as lawyers marched to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office on Monday to protest against alleged executive interference in the judiciary. Anwar has come under mounting pressure over the scandal, with lawmakers from […]

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Malaysia’s ruling PKR in bind over judicial crisis, after Anwar’s daughter joins protest

By Hadi Azmi and Joseph Sipalan A fresh quandary may be brewing in Malaysia’s ruling People’s Justice Party (PKR), after Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar joined a march calling for judicial independence while her party weighs disciplinary action on her peers for demanding an investigation into alleged meddling in the country’s judiciary. Nurul Izzah, the […]

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Malaysia investigates naked dancing, ‘holy baths’ claims at Muslim motivational event

Malaysian police are investigating a complaint about deviant activities such as naked dancing and “holy cleansing baths” being performed during a family motivational event. Police said the report was filed at the end of February over an incident that was held at a convention centre in Shah Alam, a predominantly Malay-Muslim enclave about 30km (19 […]

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