Malaysia

Mohd Affendi, a 42-year-old widower, spent time on 16 June with a woman not from his family. If no appeal is made, he will be struck six times with a rotan cane on 16 December. His action is an offence in the four Malaysian states ruled by the Malaysian Islamic Party. So far, this kind of punishment has been meted out only in Terengganu, the first public caning involving two lesbians in 2018.

Located in southern Malaysia, the state plans to turn down applications to build data processing centres, one of the main sectors in Southeast Asia. In the region bordering Singapore, residents have already experienced water shortages and blackouts. However, the government wants to develop the digital economy to support economic growth.

The request made to the local government by John Ilus during a parliamentary debate. Sarawak is a state in Borneo where Christians are in the majority and where missionaries have historically played an important role in the growth of the education system. ‘Knowledge of Scripture is a unifying force and an essential component in educating young people in pluralism’.

The issue is front-page news after the states of Sarawak and Sabah decided to promote the use of English in secondary schools. For Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, it is necessary to enhance the skills of students, but critics blame identity politics for electoral advantages.

The Malaysian priest who participated in the drafting of the final document that the Synodal Assembly is discussing: ‘Dialogue here is part of the experience we live every day within a pluralistic culture’. Indian Cardinal Ferrao, Filipino David and Melkite Patriarch Absi elected to the General Council of the Synod.

The controversial legislation presented for second and third reading in the current parliamentary session. Opponents reject without appeal the text that would grant broad powers to an unelected but ministerial-appointed official and turn a fatwa (also for non-Muslims) into law. For the promoters, it aims to define the role and responsibilities of the mufti in the federal territories.

Already in 2023 cases rose by 86.3 per cent compared to 2022. Experts note that weather changes favour the spread of mosquitoes. In April, a trial began on an herbal extract to reduce symptoms.

Tech giants plan to invest heavily in South East Asia, boosting regional economies, from Singapore to Malaysia. Demand is expected to grow by about 20 per cent per year for the next five to seven years. Microsoft has already pledged over two billion dollars in Malaysia for cloud infrastructure and AI.

A Malaysian judge has upheld the appeal of a small tribal group in Pahang State, ordering the case to be heard by the High Court. They claim that they have always professed a traditional animist religion and that they have been misled because of their lack of knowledge of the Malay language, in violation of the Aboriginal Peoples Act.

In a letter, Beijing called upon Kuala Lumpur to stop oil and gas activities in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone, which China challenges. In addition to the Philippines and Vietnam, tensions are bound to rise with Malaysia as well, with Chinese coast guard vessels permanently patrolling the Luconia Shoals.

Malaysia has been shaken by an investigation into sexual offences against minors in some 20 homes run by a company linked to the late preacher whose movement was outlawed by Mahathir in 1994. Also arrested were the founder's son and the managing director of the group, which is present in 20 countries and also has operations in London, Paris, Dubai and Mecca.

Teresa Kok, a six-time MP with the Democratic Action Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, is in the crosshairs for questioning a proposal seen as too burdensome for small businesses. During questioning, she stressed that she did not “disrespect Islam”.