Showing 161 - 163 of 163
Release move just one step
News, Editorial, Published on 21/07/2015
» The military regime has ordered the release from prison of former terrorist leader, Sama-ae Thanam. Other releases may follow. Now 63, Sama-ae has vowed to help reconciliation efforts and establish peace across the deep South. Once the leader of the military wing of the so-called Patani United Liberation Front (Pulo), he was captured in Malaysia in 1988, extradited and later jailed on terrorism charges in 1997. Authorities not only believe he is no longer a threat but could help peace efforts in the restive southern provinces.
NACC sparks death debate
News, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2015
» The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has done the country a disservice by secretly changing the law and instituting the death penalty as the maximum punishment for graft. The commission claims it discussed the law at length and agreed the death penalty is appropriate for such a severe offence as corruption. The NACC has acted in a disappointing and a high-handed matter. The legislature and government should act to rescind the NACC's secret decree and start over again. A new corruption law is needed, but it must undergo public debate, including the decision to extend the use of capital punishment.
Debasing the US TIP report
News, Editorial, Published on 14/07/2015
» Alarming reports are coming from Washington about the highly anticipated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. It seems that US officials have been ordered to promote Malaysia from Tier 3, the bottom ranking where Thailand was controversially placed last year. The reports - not denied by US officials - say Malaysia's rise back to Tier 2 was for purely political reasons, because President Barack Obama needs Malaysia's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations.