Malaysia Matters Podcast

There are some important things to be discussed during this week’s meeting of ASEAN member nations, not the least of which is the ever-mounting concern over the welfare of member populations amidst increasing costs of commodities. With such a serious agenda, it would seem unlikely that the ongoing sensationalist headlines about opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim would prove much of a distraction amongst the ministerial delegations. 

But ASEAN just announced that it forecasts its declaration on human rights will be done within a year.  Perhaps the occasion will offer folks back home in Malaysia the impetus to seriously reflect upon institutions there.  For instance, what about the basic rights of those accused of a crime? To be sure, Anwar is making political hay of his situation, best as he can, but in all fairness, why, having since been jailed and bailed, has he been unable to see a copy of the police report?

Officials point out that they are following procedure to the letter, but why not just give Anwar the report? Amidst the hubbub, there have been reassurances that the government is doing just fine, but why the need for reassurances? To a certain extent, the government is helping fuel Anwar’s ongoing commentary.

Getting the easy stuff right and quickly out of the way helps show folks that the government is acting on the up and up; that it is transparent. And transparency never hurts, unless there is something to hide.

Apropos of the Melaka posts of late, there is a truly outstanding piece in the Wall Street Journal Asia on the difficulties of historic preservation in that eminently historic town. You can only read it as a PDF — scroll to page 11 — but it is well worth your time.

I’m pleased to report that Malaysia Matters has the audio for the entire opening session of the Third International Conference on the Muslim World and the West. Fair warning: this one is quite long, and the file is quite big. Nonetheless, we hope you’ll appreciate having a listen at what goes on when princes, prime ministers, and functionaries get together and share their inmost thoughts.

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Sure, the 2008 Miss Malaysia Universe pageant is underway, but have you seen the real celebration of Malaysian poise and beauty? I speak, of course, of Malaysian Dreamgirl. Behold:

High art it ain’t, but as a glimpse into Malaysia’s pop culture scene — and its intersection with the wired young set — it’s not too bad. Note the ready Anglophone tendencies of the contestants and the local television news: that’s a society plugged in to the wider world.