Malaysia

From today until Sunday, bishops, priests, religious and laypeople from all nine dioceses are gathered for the first time in Sibu to listen to one another and discern their common path in a country of a thousand faces. The Archbishop of Kuching, Msgr Simon Poh: “We are not looking for who has the best approach, but how to read the signs of the times”:

The Malaysian Prime Minister states that Taiwan is part of China and supports Beijing’s right to use force for reunification. Taipei was quick to criticise, warning that investments are at risk. At stake is the delicate balance in Kuala Lumpur’s relations (and trade) with both sides.

The Federal Court’s decision does not end the political debate over gambling, but underscores the constitutional limits on how a state can pursue its moral and religious objectives. At stake are multiculturalism and the political ambitions of the pro-Islamic party, as well as the delicate balance between religion and the constitution.

One of the thirteen states of the Malaysian Federation is headed to early elections on 1 August amid a successional dispute involving local political groups. The backdrop is economic interests, but also the delicate relationship between centuries-old traditions and relations with Kuala Lumpur.

The government is calling for a review of the role of the UN refugee agency, accusing it of a lack of cooperation with the authorities. A group of asylum seekers fled Penang following incidents of hostility from local residents. Human rights organisations are denouncing a growing climate of hatred.

Churches dedicated to the saint – whose feast day is 26 July – organise novenas that attract thousands of the faithful, renewing unity and family faith. The MEP missionaries spread this devotion throughout South-East Asia; the first chapel was founded in 1846 in Bukit Mertajam, now a pilgrimage destination in Penang.

In Malaysia, where a harsh policy towards immigrants and asylum seekers prevails, an initiative backed by the UN Regional Office for Refugees aims to build bridges through food. In five short films posted on YouTube, public figures and migrants cook together, sharing stories and cultures.

The Chief Minister of the Borneo state, Abang Johari, has praised the work of Unifor, the department for non-Islamic communities, which since 2017 has allocated 685 million ringgit to places of worship and support for schools founded by missionaries. This is a unique model for a region of Malaysia where Christians make up over 40 per cent of the population.

The Home Affairs Ministry blames preventable or treatable diseases. Conditions have worsened since the latest wave of arrests. More than half of irregular migrants are Rohingya, as are the 500 who have gone missing at sea in recent weeks after their boats capsized.

President Tharman’s visit to Kuala Lumpur provided an opportunity to reaffirm their shared concern regarding freedom of navigation, including in South-East Asia. The special economic zone currently being developed between the city-state and Johor is a visible sign of their determination to overcome past disputes.

As Johor goes to the polls tomorrow, the result will reverberate far beyond the state, testing the prime minister and his Unity Government. It will also measure the reach of the Islamist party PAS, offering fresh clues about the future of Malaysia's multi-ethnic model.

In the indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak, Gawai and Kaamatan are currently being celebrated. Many local Catholics today see these festivals as examples of Christian inculturation. And although some ancient rituals have faded over time, the spirit of gratitude, brotherhood and homecoming remains central.