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“Much commendable” if Supreme Court judges to lead the Ridout Road saga’s review, says Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh

Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal addressed the Ridout Road controversy, emphasizing that the credibility of the government’s review depends on full disclosure of all facts and perceived independence of the review. He suggested appointing respected current or retired Supreme Court judges to lead the review, ensuring impartiality and credibility. Mr Singh underlined the importance of transparency, fairness, and the avoidance of perceived special treatment in transactions involving ministers or their family members.

PAP’s overwhelming dominance makes civil rights advocacy challenging, says Jolovan Wham

Prominent Singaporean activist Jolovan Wham asserts that advocating for civil rights will remain challenging in Singapore due to the ruling party’s dominance. In a podcast interview with Asia Centre, Wham discussed the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) and the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), saying progress against such laws will require civil society groups, citizens, and political parties to unite and push back collectively.

Was there a miscarriage of justice in the case of Tangaraju Suppiah?

Teo Soh Lung discusses the case of Tangaraju, who was executed despite concerns over the evidence presented against him. She highlights the missing call records, the prosecution’s failure to call crucial witnesses, and the reliance on accomplices’ testimonies. Tangaraju’s case raises questions about the fairness of the trial and the potential for wrongful convictions, prompting Teo to argue for the abolition of the death penalty.

Common values should underpin the future of ASEAN

by Simone Galimberti My initial intention for this piece was to “use”…

In countering Russia, the EU should not forget South East Asia

The European Union’s (EU) new strategic action plan to counter the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine focuses on building stronger relationships with Brazil, Chile, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan. However, Simone Galimberti highlights the surprising exclusion of South East Asia, a crucial region for Europe’s geopolitical ambitions. Galimberti argues that the EU should prioritize engaging with key countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, considering their strategic relationships with China and the regional tensions in the South China Sea. A dedicated high-level figure and visits from EU leaders would demonstrate the EU’s commitment to South East Asia’s importance.

Chee Soon Juan urged Singaporeans to deal with the AI advancements, find courage to reform the society

Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), issued a warning about the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and their impact on Singaporean society. He expressed concern that the current education system fails to prepare children for a fundamentally changed and unrecognizable world. Dr Chee highlighted the possibility of entire professions being altered or disappearing due to AI. He criticized the lack of changes in the education system and accused the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) of “dumbing down” Singaporeans. Despite the bleak future, he remained hopeful that Singaporeans would find the courage to initiate change and reform. Dr Chee also invited the public to his restaurant, Orange and Teal, to foster intelligent discussions and intense debates.

Najib can be liability to UMNO to win back Malay support as they push for his royal pardon, says political analyst

Political analysts in Malaysia have expressed their opinions on the recent movement by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to seek a royal pardon for their former president, Najib Razak. Some analysts believe that Najib’s return could pose a liability to UMNO, as not all members are in favour of his comeback. The younger generation is concerned about issues such as the economy and the practice of democracy in Malaysian politics, which UMNO will need to address to maintain support. UMNO supporters believe that Najib still has influence and can ignite the “Bossku” trend. However, the fragmented Malay votes have affected UMNO’s declining support, and the internal power struggle within the party is causing further division. The upcoming six state elections will be crucial for UMNO to regain their support, especially in constituencies with a significant non-Malay voter population. These state elections will be an indicator for the next General Election in 2026, and the results will show how satisfied people are with the Unity Government.

The first execution notice of 2023

In this article, Kirsten Han discusses the case of Tangaraju, a man in Singapore who has been sentenced to mandatory death for his involvement in drug trafficking. Despite numerous issues with his case, including being questioned without a lawyer and not given an interpreter when he asked for one, Tangaraju has been given an execution notice. Han argues that Singapore’s harsh “zero tolerance” approach to drugs not only fails to address the root causes of drug use but also causes immense harm to individuals and communities. She urges people to take action to prevent Tangaraju’s execution and to push for the abolition of the death penalty and the adoption of harm reduction policies.

PM Anwar could propel human rights at the center of a global conversation

The upcoming attendance of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar at the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR75) could have important symbolic implications for promoting human rights in Southeast Asia and beyond. While human rights are not currently established as a pillar of the strategic framework guiding the work of the Anwar government, they are considered key cross-cutting elements at its foundations. The Prime Minister, who has long been involved in promoting an enlightened version of Islam that embraces human rights and human dignity, now has the opportunity to launch a new global agenda entitled “Human Rights for Responsive Good Governance and Sustainable Development”. This initiative could encourage other middle and developing nations to commit to upholding their human rights commitments and ensure that human rights are central to any new vision for the ASEAN bloc.

Malaysia takes significant step towards abolition of death penalty, say activists

Malaysia’s Lower House of Parliament has passed the Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Bill 2023, which replaces 11 offences previously punishable by automatic death sentences with discretionary ones. Dr Lim Chee Han, co-founder of Agora Society Malaysia, praised the move as a “huge step forward” and hopes that it will motivate other countries to follow suit. Lawyer and anti-death penalty activist Ngeow Chow Ying noted that Malaysia has only abolished the mandatory death penalty, meaning judges still have the option to hand down death sentences. Meanwhile, Professor Saul Lehrfreund, Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project, believes that Malaysia’s move is a major milestone and could inspire other countries in the region to reform their own death penalty laws.