pn931. Former PM Jailed: Malaysia, a nation " caught in the grip of a political culture that normalizes corruption, racism, and religious extremism."

Former PM Nazib Razak

Once we sent troops there, supposedly to protect their freedom; now our media never mentions Malaysia. With a nearly defunct print media and with the 6 o'clock  TV news lasting 20 minutes (deduct time from ads, sport and the weather, and the 10pm news merely a repeat) it's no wonder we know so little about other counties. 

Cautious optimism as Najib goes to jail by Dennis Ignatius ** Asia Sentinel     -   29 Aug 22

As a nation, Malaysia has been struggling for a long time, caught in the grip of a political culture that normalizes corruption, racism, and religious extremism. So many things have gone so wrong that many have wondered whether we are too far gone to find our way back to the kind of nation envisaged by our founding fathers – a free and democratic nation premised upon respect for diversity and the rule of law.

The seismic event that unfolded in the Palace of Justice this week, however, has restored hope that perhaps all is not lost after all.

For four long years, Najib Razak’s corruption trial has meandered its way through the courts. He tried every trick in the book to delay, to deny, to deflect the charges. He tried to undermine the justice system, discredit the high court judge and disqualify the Chief Justice. He invoked religion. He schemed to bring down the government. But our system of governance, frail though it may be, held, and today one of the most powerful men in the country is behind bars. Few believed this day would ever come.

pn927. HOW BLOODY RIDICULOUS CAN WE GET!

OPINION. Greg Robinson, 72, was working as a relief maths teacher at Mt Maunganui College on October 16, 2019, when two male year-10 students in his class were listening to music on a phone. The students were sharing a pair of headphones of the ear bud variety. One of the students was bumping and drumming on a table, and declined to stop at Robinson’s request. Robinson flipped the phone out of their ears and it broke.  

This is where it gets ridicoulous.

The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal found Robinson had engaged in serious misconduct by removing the headphones unexpectedly and recklessly. It said his actions were likely to adversely impact the student’s wellbeing, that his actions could bring the teaching profession into disrepute, and that it was an unreasonable and unjustified use of force.  Absolute nonsense!

Robinson was censured and had conditions imposed on his employment for two years. His appeals to the District and Appeal  Courts were rejected. Click here  to read the full story.

See Comments, and comment yourself. -- ACW

pn641. Human Rights Commission Report: Prison seclusions; NZ rates too high

The main recommendations of the report are:

• Stop the use of ‘Secure Care' rooms for children and young people
• Reduce both the use and length of seclusion and restraint
• Explore potential racial and gender bias in decision-making regarding seclusion/segregation
• Improve material conditions and access to meaningful contact and activities in seclusion/segregation
• Provide therapeutic environments for distressed individuals and seek alternatives to seclusion and restraint for them
• Decommission facilities which are not fit for purpose
• Gather good quality and comprehensive data to monitor effective implementation of these recommendations.

Click here for the Stuff article and Newsroom report click here.

Five Maori Leaders on Health, Education, the Maori Economy, Justice and the Maori Crown Partnership

Stuff invited five Māori leaders at the coalface of Māori issues, who didn't get an invitation to speak at Waitangi, to share their perspectives.

Carmen Parahi pn264

All  agree treaty settlements should be used for economic development and not to fix Māori social issues. Instead, Māori need to develop their own solutions in partnership with the Crown. 
This article by Carmen Parahi  (carmen.parahi@stuff.co.nz).

The leaders are Dr David Tipene-Leach on Health, School Principal Myles Ferris on Education, Trust asset chair Kate Paul on the Maori Economy, Sir Kim Workman on Justice, and  criminal lawyer and academic Khylee Quince on Maori and Crown Partnership.