Hello friends!

Here’s what I’m going to be keeping an eye on in the week ahead. Besides that whole, you know, election.

Expect to hear from me a couple of times this week as we head towards Friday’s poll date in Singapore. I can’t imagine any electoral upsets, but the combination of the pandemic factors and the key issues means there’s a lot to get across. Not to mention the reading list I’ve been desperately trying to cram pre-Friday. But what you need to do if you’re interested is make sure you’re on both the We The Citizens and the GE20 Watch lists.

And, finally! Mike Tatarski’s Vietnam Weekly has a new home here on Substack. Go and get it!

Stay safe out thereErin Cook

🇲🇾 A battle in press freedom

• Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan are facing contempt proceedings over comments posted by readers to the website. A failed attempt to have the case tossed out last week will see it continue, stoking fears that the gains in press freedoms made post-Najib are receding quickly.

• "The speed of the action against Malaysiakini in this contempt of court case is so fast that we have to prepare for the worst. We hope that good sense will prevail. Whatever decisions they are going to make will have a tremendous impact, not just on Malaysiakini, but also on media organisations and millions of Malaysians who are users of social media. This is because they are not only responsible for the content that they run on their Facebook page, they could be liable for whatever comments that have been put (there) by their readers - even after the comments have been taken down," Steven Gan told media before the Thursday morning hearing.

• Where’s all this heading, asks Anwar Ibrahim. “We should acknowledge and consider freedom of speech which is guaranteed in the Constitution. It is wrong and extreme to victimise the media and I urge the Attorney General to relook the action as it will affect Malaysia’s global image and reputation,” the stalwart said on a Facebook post.

🇵🇭 A bill becomes law

• Welp, it’s official. The last thing on President Rodrigo Duterte’s to-do list this past Friday was to sign the Anti-Terror Bill into law. The signing was late in the game amid widespread criticism from within the country and abroad. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque put the delay down to long deliberations over the criticism. “It isn’t over yet. We will not cease to exhaust any and all legitimate steps and platforms to challenge this draconian law,” vowed lawyer Edre Olalia.

• The campaign against the bill had been impressive, expect to see it expanded in the coming weeks. While my interests tend to lean towards student and youth movements, this on the specific issues for the autonomous Bangsamoro government is required reading.

🇹🇭 A trip in Thailand

• Thailand, after immense success in handling local outbreaks, will reopen some of its doors a little come August. Or at least that’s the plan so far. Domestic travel is expected to make up the majority of the sector’s projected 1.23 trillion baht ($39.5 billion) revenue this year. A $722 million package to boost the industry has recently been approved.

• The first phase of the industry reopen will see 1,000 international tourists per day across the country and they will be exempt from a 14-day arrival quarantine. Operators have been encouraged to organise week-long packages in the five areas ready to open — Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket and Pattaya. Who exactly can take these trips is still unknown but the government will be looking at countries with similar control over the COVID-19 situation.

🇲🇲 A tragedy

• The fall-out from Myanmar’s mining tragedy last Thursday continues. At least 164 miners were killed at a mine near the Hpakant township in the north of the country. According to reports of the incident, a part of a mountain collapsed, triggering a mudslide which engulfed dozens. Around 300 miners were known to be in the area during the slide.

• This is a hideously common story in Myanmar. Read about why with this one from Frontier Myanmar last year. And while you’re there, subscribe.

Reading list

• The dark history of slavery and racism in Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period (The Conversation)

• Hope, fear as kingdom's gates creak ajar (The Bangkok Post)

• Malaysia is rehabilitating Najib after 1MDB scandal (Nikkei Asia Review)