Stories about Malaysia from April, 2012
Malaysia: Thousands Joined Bersih 3.0 Protest
Thousands of Malaysians gathered in the streets in support of Bersih 3.0, a campaign for electoral reforms. But police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. Hundreds were arrested. Netizens share their Bersih stories
Malaysia: Rare Earth Processing Plant Creates Backlash
An Australian mining company has established a processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia. But many Malaysians are incensed that this plant was constructed without consulting the residents. Netizens debate whether the government should stop the operations of the rare earth processing plant
Malaysia: Occupy Dataran Merdeka and Education Protests
The April 28 Bersih 3.0 sit-down protest is expected to be the major political event of the month in Malaysia but students and Occupy activists have already put forward their demands ahead of time. Students marched in the streets against the 'anti-poor' student loan program while activists launched the Occupy Dataran movement to 'reclaim' democracy in the country
Malaysia Prepares for Bersih 3.0 Sit-Down Protest
The Malaysia election reform movement Bersih (Clean) has organized a Bersih 3.0 Duduk Bantah (sit-in protest) on April 28 at Dataran Merdeka. It's the same group which gathered more than 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur last year in protest against the 'undemocratic' electoral exercise in the country
Malaysia: Religion, Academe, and Freedom
Hwa Yue-Yi tackles the issue of academic freedom and religious freedom in a Muslim-dominated society like Malaysia
Hashtags to Monitor Indonesia quake
An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.5 hit Indonesia on April 11. The tremors were also felt in Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar. A tsunami alert was issued in several countries but it has been lifted already. Netizens use the hashtag #thaiquake, #prayforsumatera, and #prayformalaysia to monitor the quake impact.
Malaysia: Online Media to be Regulated Soon?
Speculation arose when the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak announced that amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act may also include a new law that will regulate the online media as well. To some, this may be the opposite of the progressive media reforms that Najib has promised last year.
