The new coadjutor apostolic vicar of the Cambodian capital, appointed yesterday by Pope Leo, tells AsiaNews about the challenges facing the tiny local Church reborn after the persecution of the Khmer Rouge, who fifty years ago also killed Msgr. Samar, the only local bishop before him. The legacy of the martyrs, inculturation, encounter with Buddhists, but also individualism brought about by the spread of digital devices are among the pastoral priorities.

The controversy was triggered by the appointment of Johnny Lim Eng Seng as a three-star officer, the first in the history of the country's armed forces. On social media, a member of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party has launched an attack, fearfully hypothesising a ‘Palestinian scenario’. In the background is the low level of participation of minorities in the army, which is largely made up of ethnic Malays.

The authorities have awarded the archbishop the highest civil honour. Among the reasons given were his exemplary contribution to the city and for having made gestures with a high social impact on its inhabitants. In his speech, the prelate urged everyone to continue to ‘serve one another in hope, faith and humility’.

Recently, a Laotian political refugee was seriously injured in Pau, France, where he has been living for three years after receiving threats for exposing corruption and the government’s role  in the tragedy of the collapse of a dam. His is not an isolated case, some NGOs report. For their part, French authorities believe the attack was most likely politically motivated.

Timor-Leste’s president spoke at the Global Leadership & Dialogue Initiative in Kuala Lumpur. In his address, he cited the huge human toll his country paid towards full international recognition. Next October, the country will become the 11th ASEAN member state.

The second-largest party in the ruling coalition is ready to quit the Pheu Thai-led government. The crisis was triggered by an audio between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and a former Cambodian prime minister, in which they discussed the recent border clash. Various scenarios are now possible in the country, from new alliances to military intervention.