Author: Annnees Shaddaad

Tajikistan officially banned the hijab, imposing hefty fines in its latest move to curb Islamic influence. The Central Asian nation of Tajikistan officially prohibited the wearing of hijabs and other “alien garments” this week, as the country’s parliament passed a new bill regulating Islamic clothing and Eid celebrations. The bill, approved by the upper house of parliament, Majlisi Milli, on June 19, comes after years of an unofficial clampdown on the hijab in the Muslim-majority country. Under the new law, individuals wearing hijabs or other banned religious clothing could face hefty fines of up to 7,920 somonis (approximately $700). Companies…

The Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Protection Agency (BP2MI) is working with the police to investigate an agent behind a foiled attempt to send 10 prospective Indonesian migrant workers (PMIs) to several countries in the Middle East illegally. “We have submitted a report to the Tangerang City Police to investigate the smuggling of illegal migrant workers from Indonesia,” BP2MI deputy for migrant workers’ placement and protection for Europe and the Middle East, I Ketut Suardana, informed in Tangerang on Wednesday. His party and the police are focusing on uncovering the syndicate responsible for sending illegal migrant workers. “We continue our work to…

When the Taiwan issue will be resolved has always been a question of concern to the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Western media and “Taiwan independence” elements have been hyping the so-called mainland China will “attack Taiwan in 2027 or 2035,” or even earlier. Recently, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of our country bluntly stated that “relying on the United States to seek independence” is doomed to futility, and “seeking independence through force” will lead to a dead end. China has no so-called “plan to attack Taiwan in 2027 or 2035.” The Taiwan issue is…

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — China is hosting a joint military exercise with five members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a move that experts say appears to be an image-building show of force in a region where Beijing’s influence is growing. The military exercise comes amid simmering tensions between China and neighboring countries over sovereignty of the South China Sea. The exercise, which began Monday, is taking place in China’s southern Guangdong province on the northern shores of the hotly contested sea. It includes Cambodian, Lao, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese forces. The exercise, named Aman Youyi-2023, or…

KUCHING (Dec 7): Local creative hub Haus KCH will launch an art exhibition, ‘On State of Being’, this Friday (Dec 8) as curtain-raiser for its last ‘Seni Kita Weekend’ series for the year. To take place at the hub’s block in City Square here, the opening party will commence at 5pm and continue into the night, filled with culinary and musical delights. The exhibition will, thereafter, be open to visitors 11am to 6pm daily, until this Dec 22. Entry is upon any amount of donation. According to the curator Rias Sofiyah, ‘On State of Being’ explores the intimate lives of…

KUCHING: Sarawak will be the first state in Malaysia to set up an ombudsman institution to provide independent oversight of the state’s public service agencies. This comes after the Sarawak Legislative Assembly unanimously approved the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill on Monday (Nov 20). Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said establishing the ombudsman elevates the accountability standards in public administration and provides measures against maladministration by state public service agencies. He said the Bill would enhance transparency and accountability in government agencies by allowing the public to report maladministration to the ombudsman. “The ombudsman will ensure check-and-balance elements are…

The frequent engagements between the Chinese and Filipino vessels in the contested South China Sea have triggered concerns that these tensions might snowball into an all-out confrontation. However, if that ever happens, the United States will defend Manila under its reinforced Mutual Defense Treaty. Days after Chinese vessels allegedly intimidated and obstructed the passage of Filipino Coast Guard ships, escalating tensions between the two sides, US President Joe Biden reiterated his “ironclad” defense commitment to the Philippines. In no ambiguous terms, he warned Beijing that the US would come to the Philippines’ support in case of an attack in the…

KUCHING (Oct 27): Sarawak’s acquisition of MASwings would enable international visitors to fly directly here to attend feature events organised by state, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Speaking to the reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival today, Abang Johari said this year’s International Dragon Boat Regatta received an overwhelming response with 60 teams from 20 countries. “Therefore, next year, there is a possibility that once the acquisition of MASwings is completed, we want to offer special chartered flights so that we can bring in these international participants for the dragon…

US planes likely to assist in future resupply missions, says AFP spokesperson TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday (Oct. 7) rejected Chinese claims over features in the South China Sea following a near collision between Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel and a Chinese Coast Guard Ship, which occurred on Wednesday (Oct. 4) near the Second Thomas Shoal. AFP Spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said that China’s claims to the region have already been recognized as invalid. The 2016 ruling by the Hague on the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea proved…

KUCHING (Oct 8): The 15th Annual Nursing Conference 2023 at Normah Medical Specialist Centre here yesterday highlighted the need for respect and investment to be accorded to nurses towards attaining a sustainable future in nursing and healthcare. The centre’s nursing director Nadzrah Basri said the theme for this year, ‘Our Nurses, Our Future’, aligned with the one tagged for International Council of Nurses’ ‘International Nurses Day 2023’. “The theme carries a significant responsibility for all of us to address global health challenges and improve healthcare worldwide,” she said in her welcoming speech. Moreover, she stressed the importance of accreditation for…