Only if your definition of “Truly Asia” is “racist and corrupt.”

I don’t think I can begin find the words that express my disgust for current events in Malaysia. And no, it’s not just because my (second) ex-wife is from there – my ex remains fiercely in love with the country of her birth, even though she’s left it, and I’ve never really been able to understand why. There is so much bigotry and prejudice there, so much corruption in the government

Perhaps if Malaysia was a shit hole, then I wouldn’t much care. But it’s a beautiful country with great cities, amazing spots to visit like Cameron Highlands and Penang, some of the most delicious (and cheapest) food in the world. But it’s run by a bunch of thugs and goons who hide behind religion to enact laws that make 40% of its population into second class citizens.

The almost simultaneous scandals with Najib and Anwar and the differences in how they are being handled speaks to the utter venality of the troglodytes in charge of the country.

Anyway, no one in the world seems to care that much. I rarely see this in the NY Times, never see it in the SCMP. I’m sure there are many bloggers covering this, though I only see regular coverage in two of the sites I follow.

There is of course great current coverage over in Asia Sentinel, starting with this recent post:

It is about time for Malaysia to drop the charade. Attempting to convict opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of forcible sodomy is an embarrassment in contrast with the completely ignored and much more serious allegations linking the deputy prime minister to the execution-style murder of his reputed former girlfriend.

and also:

Malaysia’s Najib Ducks a Court Appearance

Besides allegations that Altantuya was the lover of both men, the case has raised additional concerns of corruption. The Mongolian woman was the translator on a controversial transaction in which Malaysia, with Najib as defense minister, paid €1 billion for French submarines, netting a company tied to Abdul Razak US$111 million in “commissions.”

Bringing Najib to Malaysia’s Witness Stand:

The government’s response to this affidavit has been most disappointing. It not only failed to set up an independent panel to probe the contents therein as required in any country with rule of law, but not even the police or the prosecutors have shown any seriousness to investigate these alarming revelations. And now the latest, a flat rejection by the court to entertain Karpal’s motion through concerted objection by all participating legal officers who have sworn to uphold the law – prosecutors, defence lawyers and the judge.

Were The Anwar Sodomy Charges Faked?

The doctor who examined a 23-year-old male aide allegedly sodomized by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim found no evidence of tearing or scarring that would indicate penetration, according to a medical report leaked to local journalists.

Anwar Arrest Looms in Malaysia

Barely two days after a medical report surfaced that appeared to clear opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy allegations made by a former aide, a news Web site aligned with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi declared that “police have completed their investigations” and will soon charge Anwar over the allegations.

Talkin’ About My Revolutions, a Singapore based blog/ezine that’s primarily about music, also gives frequent coverage to their neighbors to the north. Yeah, okay, Malaysia and Singapore haven’t exactly been best pals in the last forty years. Still, when you think about it, how fucking low has Malaysia gotten that they have succeeded in making the government in Singapore look good? (TAMR coverage is via posting excerpts from other blogs – I’ll link to the TAMR site and you can follow the links from there.)

Tale of Two Medical Reports

I am a goverment doctor in the rank of consultant working in hospital Kuala Lumpur. I know personally the doctors who examined Saiful on that day -28 June 2008.

The so called medical report mentioned in the NST is a fabrication or imagination by the UMNO paper. There is no such medical report submitted to the polis yet.

When examine Saiful, the specialist could not find any signs of Saiful being sodomised. Saiful was very cheerful, unlike real sodomised patient who will usaually very sad and disturbed. Saiful was subsequently admitted to the ward and observed for a day. He was completely well in the ward and not emotionally disturbed.

Doctor on the Run

The doctor’s report says it very clearly. Saiful was never sodomised, either by Anwar or anyone else. If so, Raja Petra Kamarudin of Malaysia Today asks: “Why is the government still pursuing the case against Anwar? And why are they looking for the doctor who has now gone underground with his whole family?” The medical report was first leaked on Malaysia Today and was subsequently spread by bloggers. After the Malaysia Today exclusive, the site was down for a period of time on July 28, 2008 – one cannot rule out the possibility of an online attack.