Najib Razak sworn in as Malaysia’s PM; Shinawatra declines Thai PM’s offer of negotiations; Thai and Cambodia’s border commanders meet to ease tensions following death of 2 Thai soldiers
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    • After being sworn in as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia on April 3, Najib Razak announced that thirteen Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees will be released and vowed to conduct a review of the controversial act1. Mr. Razak also stressed that the proper implementation of the ‘One Malaysia’ concept was essential to ensure that no community feels isolated from the nation-building process2. He also hailed the contributions of the ethnic Chinese community, stating that they will have a crucial role to play in the future. Reports indicated that the new PM’s moves were intended to mend ties with minorities who deserted his party’s coalition in the 2008 elections3.

    In Thailand, fugitive former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra declined PM Abhisit Vejjajiva’s call for negotiations, thus further aggravating the ongoing nine-day long anti-government protests4. In the meantime, the opposition Puea Thai party has demanded the removal of PM Abhisit and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugusban for their alleged involvement in transferring senior police officers5.

    Recent tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed border, which led to the death of 2 Thai soldiers, have eased to some extent after a meeting of the two countries field commanders on April 5. The issue is also expected to be discussed at the forthcoming ASEAN Summit meeting6.

    Reports from Myanmar indicated that India’s Ministry of Defense was not cooperating in the trial of 34 Burmese rebels currently imprisoned at Kolkota’s Presidency jail on charges of gun running and waging war against India. The Burmese on their part allege that these people have been double-crossed by Indian military intelligence7.

    In other developments, with a view to checking cross-border smuggling, Myanmar has started the construction of a fence along 40 miles of its 190 miles long common border with Bangladesh8.

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