https://www.scmp.com/rss/320254/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com INDONESIAN ULAMA, or religious scholar, Ma’ruf Amin’s speech in Singapore last week was awaited with some anticipation. He came with the reputation of having played a key role in the massive movement that brought down the controversial Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, over accusations of blasphemy against Islam. This in itself had given Ma’ruf Amin a certain image of being a “conservative”. However, the posture that he struck in Singapore was, well, not exactly... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2170331/does-maruf-amin-hold-key-beating-islamic-extremism-widodos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2170331/does-maruf-amin-hold-key-beating-islamic-extremism-widodos?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Oct 2018 01:00:00 +0000 The unthinkable is happening in Malaysian politics. It has been triggered by the deepest political crisis the country has known, with Prime Minister Najib Razak at the centre. Bonded by a common desire to unseat Najib, two bitter foes – former premier Mahathir Mohamad and his jailed former deputy Anwar Ibrahim – have joined hands in a turn of events long thought impossible. READ MORE: Malaysia’s Mahathir-led opposition movement powerful but unlikely to oust Najib By mobilising a group of... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1922399/war-cries-his-ouster-grow-can-malaysias-prime-minister-najib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1922399/war-cries-his-ouster-grow-can-malaysias-prime-minister-najib?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2016 05:37:56 +0000 The summit between Xi Jinping (習近平) and Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore was a well-kept secret. When the historic meeting finally took place on November 7, the effect was cataclysmic. But while it was an unprecedented event between two political rivals, China and Taiwan, there was a broader message: as China’s new leader, Xi has a vision of the emerging Asian giant taking its place in the modern world, even influencing the shape of the global order, beginning with its own backyard – the Asia-Pacific,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1879722/ahead-key-apec-and-asean-meetings-chinas-attempts-soften-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1879722/ahead-key-apec-and-asean-meetings-chinas-attempts-soften-its?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Nov 2015 09:33:10 +0000 The night after Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked as Malaysia's deputy prime minister, his wife was gripped by rumours that her husband was about to be arrested. Muhyiddin then called his successor, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to seek confirmation. When Zahid called back at 2am, Muhyiddin asked: "So is your first job as the new deputy prime minister to catch an old one?" Recounting his post-sacking experience to a gathering of party supporters in his home state, Johor, Muhyiddin said: "He [Zahid] told me not... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1847567/malaysias-widening-political-crisis-najib-razaks-fight-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1847567/malaysias-widening-political-crisis-najib-razaks-fight-only?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2015 09:32:38 +0000