‘Sulu Sultan’ Case Crying Out For Answers

Joe Fernandez

There’s no way the authorities can sweep the Akjan ISA detention case under the carpet.

COMMENT

Sabahans are baying for the blood of one Mohd Akjan Ali Muhammad, a Suluk who claims to be a Sulu datu and was previously once held for distributing MyKads to illegal immigrants in Sabah. His case itself mirrors that of the illegal immigrants in the state, but he has led an incredibly charmed life so far. Akjan was reportedly born in the Philippines but holds a Malaysian birth certificate as well as MyKad, although he has admitted in the media to holding a Philippine passport as well.

‘Anwar Lacked Dr M’s Clout In Tackling Islam’

K Kabilan

A leaked 1997 diplomatic cable shows that the US had backed Dr Mahathir's version of moderate Islam but felt that Anwar was too soft to handle the religious conservatives.

KUALA LUMPUR: The US embassy here had given its tacit approval to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s hardline approach against Muslim conservatives in Malaysia as it was in line with the “US interests and values”, revealed a leaked US confidential cable from 1997.

However, the US diplomats were highly concerned if Mahathir’s successor as prime minister could cope with the growing Muslim conservatism.