Sabah between a fluid region and a hard stat

By Farish A Noor

Allow me to begin by stating categorically that I am a committed Southeast Asian-ist and a committed ASEAN-ist.

In my work as a lecturer I have constantly reminded my students of the constructed nature of Southeast Asia today, the relative newness of our political borders, and the newness of our nation-states. I have also emphasized the shared overlapping histories of the many diasporas that populate this complex and sometimes confounding archipelago of ours.

Waytha of Hindraf goes hunger strike for Indians

Hindraf’s Leader and Chairperson today has taken another momentuous decision to begin a “HUNGER VIRATHAM” in continuation of Hindraf’s pursuit for justice, dignity and equality for the Indian marginalized and poor. 50 years of oppression and unfulfilled yearnings for a just and dignified life triggered the outpouring of 100,000 Indians onto the KL streets on the 25^th of November 2007. Since then much water has flowed under the bridge, but very little has changed in the lives of the Indian marginalized and poor. 

Pasukan keselamatan lancar serangan di Kpg Tanduo

8.19am Pasukan keselamatan telah melancarkan serangan ke atas kumpulan penceroboh bersenjata di Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu pada jam 7 pagi ini, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dalam satu kenyataan hari ini. 

8:18am: Letupan kedengaran berhampiran Kampung Tandou yang diduduki sekumpulan penceroboh asing, pada kira-kira jam 7:30 pagi ini, menyebabkan 100 penduduk kampung melarikan diri.

Pakatan mahu Parlimen bincang isu keselamatan Sabah

Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena Datuk Mahfuz Omar meminta agar satu sidang Parlimen khas diadakan secepat mungkin bagi membincangkan tentang isu keselamatan di Sabah.

Selain itu Mahfuz juga berkata, beliau meminta kerajaan membentangkan satu kertas putih berhubung situasi di perairan pantai timur Sabah itu.

Malaysia beefs up security as Borneo toll rises

Source: AFP

Jamalul Kiram III, a self-proclaimed sultan, seen praying in Manila, on
March 3, 2013. Followers of the 74-year-old Islamic leader say
gunmen are ready to die to defend his claim to Sabah, which
was once controlled by the now-defunct sultanate.

Malaysia vowed to beef up security Monday in an eastern state where at least 26 people have been reported killed after a bizarre invasion by Philippine followers of a self-styled sultan.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is under pressure over Malaysia's worst security crisis in years, has authorised a "doubling" of police and armed forces deployed in the tense state of Sabah on Borneo island.

"An additional two army battalions have been dispatched to Sabah," Najib, who has vowed to root out the intruders, was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama.