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The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
A life in headlines
CHAN Kuan Yuan has seen it all from the frontlines of journalism. In his 63 years as a reporter, Kuan Yuan had the rare privilege of covering momentous events – from reporting on the last two colonial governors of North Borneo to witnessing the birth of Malaysia – and many milestones that shaped modern-day Sabah. These rich experiences are now documented in his newly launched 130-page memoir, Sixty Years on the Frontlines of the Press. While history books record major events, Kuan Yuan said, newspapers tell the stories of how those events unfolded. 'Over the past century, the world and our society have undergone immense change. From isolation and underdevelopment, we've progressed into an age of advancement and civilisation. Today, we've even stepped into the era of artificial intelligence,' said the 90-year-old at his recent book launch. 'As a journalist who has spent more than 60 years in this field, I've witnessed and experienced these changes first-hand, with all the ups and downs, triumphs and failures, moments of joy and sorrow, anxiety and fear.' He said he decided to preserve these memories knowing they would eventually be swept away by time. Kuan Yuan began his career in 1958 as a copywriter at the Overseas Chinese Daily before joining The Borneo Times Chinese edition as a stringer. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become chief editor at several newspapers, including Sandakan Jit Pao, Merdeka Daily News, Sabah Shi Pao and Morning Post, before retiring in 2021 with Asia Times. 'A newspaper is a collection of news and words for both information and entertainment. Its pages form a continuous record of society and humanity,' he said. While history books record major events, he said, newspapers tell the stories of how those events unfolded. 'The world changes in the blink of an eye, and countless events must be documented and conveyed by journalists. This work carries the mission of preserving and advancing civilisation and progress.' Kuan Yuan (seated left) celebrating the launch of his memoir with Chan (seated right) and fellow current and retired journalists. His memoir reveals he was far from being an ordinary journalist. Those who knew him describe Kuan Yuan as courageous and passionate – someone who never shied away from paying the price for publishing the truth. He recalled the pressure faced from the powers that be when The Borneo Times supported the formation of multi-racial political parties in North Borneo, while political forces then preferred the race-based model used in Peninsular Malaysia. At the book launch, Sabah Journalists Association advisor Datuk Muguntan Vanar disclosed that Kuan Yuan was detained for 18 months under the now-repealed Internal Security Act for ignoring censorship laws shortly after the Emergency was imposed following the May 13, 1969 riots. 'Keeping with the ethics of journalism, Kuan Yuan never revealed the sources of his articles. His book details these episodes. Believe me, I can relate to his stress and fears during questioning and his journey to Kepayan prison just for telling a story,' said Vanar. 'The worst part is that, like for many journalists, telling a story is our job. Kuan Yuan did not see any crime that deserved incarceration.' The book, Vanar said, offers a peek into Sabah's history and the thinking of its people before and after Malaysia's formation – all through the lens of a veteran journalist. It was a double celebration for Kuan Yuan – publishing his memoir and receiving this year's Tokoh Wartawan Sabah award. He is seen here with Vanar (left) and Chan. He describes the memoir as essential reading, especially for younger journalists navigating an era of social media noise and artificial intelligence. 'It reflects the ethics, good practices and high standards of journalism. It's both inspiring and a reminder of the ethics we must uphold, especially now, facing challenges not only from social media but also from modern tools like AI,' Vanar said. He also hopes the book will be translated from Chinese into English and Bahasa Malaysia for wider access. Datuk C.L. Chan, the book's publisher, said the memoir goes beyond storytelling; it celebrates a living record of Sabah's modern history through the eyes of a man who spent over six decades chasing stories and keeping the public informed. 'He served as chief editor of no fewer than eight newspapers in Sabah, including The Borneo Times, which was co-founded by my late father in 1956,' said Chan. The idea for the book came about during the Covid pandemic when Chan, compiling his own family memoirs, reached out to Kuan Yuan for insights into the press in those early days – from the ink-stained desks, the steady clack of typewriters, the old printing machines that always broke down at the worst time. 'The more he shared, the more fascinating it became. I encouraged him to write his own story, to reveal behind-the-scenes moments many may never have known,' said Chan. Initially, Kuan Yuan politely declined. But a year later, to Chan's surprise, he agreed – and true to his discipline, completed the manuscript himself. 'This is more than just a book. It's a tribute to a man who spent his life telling other people's stories and now, finally, tells his own,' said Chan. At the recent Kinabalu Press Awards, Kuan Yuan was honoured with this year's Tokoh Wartawan Sabah award for his decades of service and strong sense of social responsibility. To all working journalists, he offered this advice: 'Never underestimate your role. Carry your sense of mission proudly. Be dedicated and passionate, strive constantly for excellence. Let your light shine, not only to brighten your own path, but to contribute to the progress of society and the advancement of civilisation.' Sixty Years on the Frontlines of the Press is available at The Borneo Shop in Wisma Merdeka for RM40.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Renowned women's rights activist Lim Chin Chin passes away at 68
PETALING JAYA: Influential civil rights activist Lim Chin Chin has passed away at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of fighting for women's rights over several decades. Human rights group Aliran, of which Lim was a member, announced her passing in an article on their website on July 20. Lim, a prominent figure in Malaysia's civil rights movement, was previously detained without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA) during the infamous Operation Lalang arrests on the night of Oct 27, 1987. During her detention, Lim endured a harrowing 60 days in solitary confinement before her release seven months later on June 3, 1988. Her photo appeared on the front page of The Star on Oct 28, 1987, captioned "Miss Lim Chin Chin – Aliran women's leader." The Aliran article bid farewell with the headline, "Farewell, Lim Chin Chin, activist, Operation Lalang detainee." Her efforts, alongside fellow activists, eventually contributed to the abolition of the ISA in 2012. Lim's passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from many Malaysians, including former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang. Better known as Tian Chua, he reflected on how Lim's detainment story captivated him as a student in Australia. "Her sacrifices, alongside those activists of the yesteryears, paved the way for today's movements. 'Her unwavering spirit will continue to inspire us forward. Rest well Lim, your legacy lives on in our hearts as well as in the fight for justice," Tian Chua said in an Instagram post on Monday (July 21), extending his deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. Lim is believed to have passed away at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre's hematology ward, as reported by a news portal.
The South African
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Firoz Cachalia: From Benoni to Wits, to Acting Police Minister
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police on Sunday, 13 July. Cachalia is a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). However, he is expected to retire from the position at the end of July. He also chairs the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC). Ramaphosa's announcement of Cachalia's appointment surprised citizens, with many questioning the reasons behind it and whether he is the most suitable person for the job. He was born on 22 July 1958 in Benoni, and his political journey began at a young age. While at university, Cachalia, along with his brother, Azhar, were arrested for distributing pamphlets to commemorate the Soweto Uprising. Both were severely assaulted and tortured during the arrest. Just three years later, the brothers were again arrested for political activities and detained for several weeks. They were banned under the Internal Security Act and prohibited from participating in any organisations. Despite this, Cachalia remained steadfast in the fight against apartheid. According to South African History Online , he held various leadership positions in anti-apartheid organisations. He played a leading role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa negotiations. Cachalia also worked with the committee that drafted the first versions of the country's constitution. In addition, he held leadership positions in the United Democratic Front (UDF), African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) and private sectors. In 2022, Ramaphosa appointed a nine-member council led by Cachalia. The Presidency described the NACAC as a multi-sectoral partnership to fight against corruption, fraud and other criminality. Last year, the NACAC chairperson released some of the council's proposals for Ramaphosa. These included the ability to investigate criminal corruption when it is discovered. While the road ahead seems bumpy, the NACAC chairperson has garnered some support. Chairperson of the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, described Cachalia's appointment as a commendable move. He said it was a step forward in restoring public trust, adding that Cachalia is competent, credible, and serious about good governance. Cachalia will serve as Acting Police Minister from 1 August. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Focus Malaysia
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Staunch Reformasi activist Ezam wants cops to investigate PMX for power abuse, delaying CJ's appt
IT seems that more former and even present PKR leaders are openly showing their disgruntlement towards their party's president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Former PKR Youth chief (1990-2007) Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor is the latest to do so by lodging a police report yesterday (July 8) which called on cops to open an investigation paper and arrest PMX over alleged abuse of power in the appointment of the new Chief Justice (CJ). Ezam who has officially joined PAS in Sept 2024 contended that such action was necessary to avert a crisis involving an important national institution, namely the judiciary, with the mastermind holding the PM position. 'We feel that there is a sense of urgency here given there is a case involving the PM in court that has not yet been heard,' HarakahDaily cited him after filing a police report at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters (IPD) yesterday (July 7). 'We've reason to believe there's even abuse of power in connection to the PM's case involving a civil suit (on sexual assault) filed by an individual named Yusoff Rawther against him which has been postponed several times. 'This strengthens our belief that action must be taken immediately by the police.' Also present were the Gerakan Pembela Ummah (UMMAH) chairman Mohd Zai Mustafa, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (PERKASA) president Syed Hasan Syed Ali and the Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (GAMIS) president Mohammad Azamuddin Sahar. '180-degree turn of heart' Recall that former PKR deputy president and Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli had also on yesterday (July 8) led a team of nine PKR MPs (including himself) to break rank from their party by calling for the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe allege irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the CJ. Elaborating farther, Ezam also insisted that PMX should also be prevented from discharging his PM duties given his presence in office could entail adverse implication to the country by virtue of the severity of his pending lawsuit. 'Anwar had faced a similar case which is abuse of power when he was deputy PM. He was charged with blackmailing witnesses in his sodomy case,' asserted Ezam who was the Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) deputy president prior to joining PAS. That Ezam has openly opposed PMX has raised eyebrows given that the former PMX political secretary during his tenure as deputy PM had fiercely defended PMX by taking to the streets in the Federal capital to protest PMX's sacking by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. In his quest to staunchly defend PMX when the latter was jailed at the Sungai Buloh Prison on corruption and sodomy charges, Ezam himself was detained twice for almost three years at the Kamunting Detention Camp and Kajang Prison under the now repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) and Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA). Aside from yesterday's police report, PAS will be staging a rally in the Federal capital to call for the stepping down of PMX on July 26 . – July 8, 2025 Main image credit: HarakahDaily
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Southeast Asia facing hidden extremist threat
In May, Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit arrested an 18-year-old man in Gowa, South Sulawesi, on charges of spreading Islamic State (IS) propaganda and inciting bomb attacks on social media. Identified only as MAS, the suspect represents a deeply troubling development in Southeast Asia's struggle against terrorism: the rise of youth radicalisation driven entirely by online exposure. While militant networks across the region have suffered operational setbacks in recent years, their ideological campaigns have not only persisted -- they have evolved. Today's battleground is no longer limited to physical spaces or clandestine training camps. It is digital, decentralised, and disturbingly effective. As extremist propaganda migrates online, the radicalisation of youth has become a growing security and societal concern. This is Cyber Jihad 2.0 -- a sophisticated, borderless war for minds, fought in newsfeeds, private chats, and encrypted forums. New battlefield, younger target The internet has become the primary theatre for modern extremist movements. Since the collapse of IS's territorial hold in the Middle East, groups aligned with its ideology have increasingly embraced cyber-based strategies to sustain their influence. In this digital evolution, social media platforms are used not only for propaganda but also recruitment, indoctrination, and tactical instruction. In Indonesia alone, the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) recorded over 180,000 pieces of extremist content circulating online throughout 2024. Instagram accounted for the highest volume, followed by Facebook and TikTok -- platforms where Southeast Asia's digital-native generation spends most of its time. Teenagers like MAS are not only susceptible to these narratives but may also become amplifiers -- resharing, remixing, and spreading radical content across platforms. In this way, digital radicalisation is peer-driven, self-replicating, and largely invisible to traditional counterterrorism frameworks. Singapore, too, has had to confront this threat head-on. At the Religious Rehabilitation Group's (RRG) annual retreat on June 24, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim revealed that 17 youth have been dealt with under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the past decade, with two-thirds of them detected in just the past five years -- most of them radicalised online. Some cases have been especially alarming. In 2020, a 16-year-old Singaporean boy plotted to attack two mosques after being radicalised by far-right content inspired by the Christchurch massacre. He planned to use 3D-printing technology to fabricate a firearm and carry out a mass shooting. He was stopped in time, but not before admitting that the only reason he failed was his inability to obtain a weapon. In February 2025, a 15-year-old girl became the first female teenager in Singapore to be issued a restriction order under the ISA. She had aspired to marry an IS fighter, raise a pro-IS family, and die as a martyr in Syria. These cases demonstrate that radicalisation is no longer tied to a single ideology. Digital platforms are increasingly agnostic to ideology -- they simply reward emotional, sensational, and binary content. Whether driven by Islamist extremism or far-right nationalism, youth radicalisation now emerges from ideological echo chambers where misinformation and hate find fertile ground. Singapore's proactive infrastructure -- such as the SGSecure movement, Emergency Response Teams, and elite counterterrorism units -- provides critical deterrence. But as Prof Faishal noted, today's digital threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and our prevention strategies must evolve with it. Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has also emphasised the importance of early community intervention, especially by parents and guardians. In its guidance for families, ISD underscores that radicalisation often begins subtly -- through excessive consumption of extremist content, emotional withdrawal, or sudden changes in worldview. Young people may express intolerant views, glorify violence, or isolate themselves into online echo chambers. The ISD encourages families to foster open dialogue, promote critical thinking, and report early signs of ideological shifts. This approach reflects an important shift: counter-radicalisation is no longer the sole domain of security agencies, but a responsibility shared by schools, religious leaders, and especially families. Radicalisation by stealth Yet radicalisation does not happen solely in cyberspace. A more insidious dimension is unfolding in the form of transnational ideological mobility -- where young Southeast Asians travel abroad for religious studies, only to find themselves absorbed into more rigid, and sometimes radical, networks. On Feb 7, 2025, four Indonesian nationals were arrested at the Saudi–Yemen border for allegedly using falsified student visas to enter Tarim, a centre of Islamic scholarship in Hadramaut. Though their journey appeared academic, the men -- alumni of conservative pesantren and graduates of Middle Eastern universities -- were reportedly working to expand ideologically aligned networks abroad. Investigations accusingly linked their activities to institutions previously associated with Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and noted efforts to connect with diaspora-linked clerics managing informal Islamic learning hubs. Their meetings and outreach have been doubted as a systematic strategy to embed ideological infrastructure under the cover of education. This case marks a shift in modus operandi. Instead of underground routes or fake NGOs, actors now mask their mobility in legitimate-looking religious or academic travel, using manipulated visa classifications. It is a form of stealth jihad -- ideological expansion under the cloak of scholarship. These developments point to a need for deeper scrutiny of outbound student flows, tighter vetting of overseas religious institutions, and stronger intelligence-sharing across borders -- particularly among countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, which face overlapping risks from youth radicalisation and transnational ideological movements. But the threat is not static. As extremist groups evolve, so too do their tools. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is being weaponised to generate deepfake propaganda, hyper-personalised content, and automated recruitment messaging. Sophisticated language models can now mimic religious discourse, producing seemingly authentic sermons, fatwas or manifestos tailored to appeal to specific youth subcultures. These developments blur the line between real and synthetic influence, making it harder for both youth and authorities to discern authenticity. In the near future, the ideological battlefield may be shaped not just by human preachers or influencers, but by algorithms trained to radicalise at scale. This underscores the urgency of building resilience -- not only in content moderation systems, but in the cognitive and moral faculties of the next generation. A generational fault line Cyber Jihad 2.0 represents a generational shift in how terrorism manifests. It is decentralised, deeply personal, and often camouflaged as religious awakening or ideological conviction. Its victims may never step foot in a conflict zone, yet their actions -- shaped entirely by online exposure or institutional influence -- can lead to real-world violence. From the teenager in South Sulawesi to those in Singapore and the students detained in the Arabian Peninsula, the message is clear: radicalisation today is multi-layered, multi-platform, and increasingly hard to detect. And while Southeast Asia has made commendable progress in dismantling militant groups like Jamaah Islamiyah, it now faces a more elusive adversary -- one that mobilises through hashtags, visas, and digital incantations. If we fail to act, the ideological soundness of an entire generation hangs in the balance.
