Missed opportunity

Article Abstract:

Malaysia's Democratic Action Party (DAP) is being prevented by an internal feud from deriving as much benefit as possible from the country's economic crisis. The feud has been prompted by the sentencing of party deputy secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to two prison terms for printing a political pamphlet criticizing the government. The harshness of the sentence prompted the DAP to launch a nationwide campaign, but some DAP members have opposed this. Observers believe that the feud will create only a temporary setback for the party, which is expected to perform better in the elections due by Apr 2000.

Political activity, Democratic Action Party (Malaysia)

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Smear campaign

Article Abstract:

The Malaysian tradition of writing poison-pen letters to smear the names of politicians has continued throughout the political events of 1998. Experts say that the accusations in the letters tend to gradually acquire credibility, despite their unsubstantiated nature. A number of letters which appeared ahead of the United Malays National Organization general assembly in June accused Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of a range of personal and political activities. Other letters have accused journalists of activism against Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

National Government, Public Administration, Anonymous letters

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The privileged few

Article Abstract:

Allegations of corruption in Malaysia are revealing the patronage system by which senior politicians steer lucrative contracts and stock offerings to their relatives and business associates. Several revelations, news exposes, and court cases have recently focused on the practice, most recently when Datuk Rafidah Aziz appeared as a witness in the trial of a former official and was herself grilled. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamad says a new code of conduct for senior officials will soon be released.

Political corruption, Public contracts, Government contracts, Patronage, Political, Political patronage

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