Download Tens of thousands gathered in the heart of Malaysia’s capital city last weekend for a massive rally demanding electoral reform.
Organized by “Bersih” or “clean” in Malay, the coalition of 84 NGOs and human rights groups are pushing for a clean-up of Malaysia’s electoral system in the lead up to the next election.
Activists say the current laws favour the ruling coalition, which has been in power for 55 years.
This rally is the largest in a decade, attracting more than 25 thousand Malaysians.
Download The Lynas rare earth plant in Malaysia is almost ready to go – but local residents have ramped up massive protests to stop it in its tracks.
Rare earths are minerals used in a wide range of electronic devices, hybrid cars, and weapons.
Australian company Lynas got the license to build and operate the Malaysia refinery – one of the largest in the world.
The plant could process up to 22 thousand tonnes of rare earth annually – enough to meet a third of world demand, not including China.
But protesters say it will also produce large amounts of radioactive waste, with long-term environmental and health risks.
Julia Yeow travels to the Gebeng industrial area in Malaysia’s eastern town of Kuantan, home for the controversial Lynas plant – and for 10,000 local residents.
Download White gloves and purple shirts covered the streets of Petaling Jaya in Malaysia when women gathered, calling for more political representation and equal rights.
Some hope this will be the start of a new movement that puts women’s demands in the headlines.
Why Malaysia’s Newest Healthcare Plan is Making People Sick
Saturday, 24 March 2012 11:27
Julia Yeow
Download The World Health Organisation has called Malaysia’s public healthcare system a model of success. But most Malaysians would disagree.
Long queues, ill-equipped staff and overworked doctors are just some of the complaints.
But while the public has repeatedly called for changes, a government proposal to totally revamp the healthcare system has been met with anger and objections.
Influential Burmese monk refuses to be silenced: Burma has recently been thrust into the international spotlight. Following the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy in the April by-election and Aung San Suu Kyi finally taking a seat in parliament – Burma is being hailed as Asia’s newest democracy. But the government continues to limit the public, and sometimes political, activities of Burma’s Buddhist monks. Prominent monk Ashin Pyinnyar Thiha is banned from giving any speeches and was recently evicted from his monastery in Rangoon. Citra Dyah Prastuti travels to Hmaw-Bi Township on the outskirts of Rangoon to meet him.
Single Mothers Fight Prejudice in South Korea: In many parts of the world, May is the month for mothers. But in South Korea, there’s also a special day for single mothers, unwed women who raise their children solo. Being a single mom is tough – but in South Korea it brings shame upon the entire family. Many children born out of wedlock are kept secret and adopted overseas. But the adoptees are now returning home to find their birth mothers and are working to curb the prejudice single mothers still face. Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.
