Between The Lines

30/06/2023

And it’s a wrap folks. Our final newsletter. Thank you for all the love and support, and to all who’ve reached out or written such wonderful things about Between The Lines.

But now we ask that you show the same to others who, like us, are trying to make a difference. We’ve named a few but there are more (sadly we can’t name 'em all due to space constraints). Good journalism as well as responsible and diverse content need support.

Our final QOTD is dedicated to our beloved and deeply missed BTL co-founder Marc Lourdes, for daring to dream and giving flight to BTL.

Sadly, the sun has gone to bed on Between The Lines (BTL) newsletter and it’s time for us to similarly bid our farewell. But not before 1 final recap of the latest state election news and other politicos' shenanigans, the drama over a pair of shorts in Kelantan and more.

22/05/2023

Opening the box

A coupla big, fat sharks are in our graftbusters' crosshairs over the alleged, purported pilfering of billions of RM. And not only is this all apparently linked to the Pandora Papers, it seems 1 of 'em suspected culprits is a former senior minister.

Elsewhere in today's weekend news roundup, the finger-pointing continues over Malaysia's poor showing at the Cambodia SEA Games; a former Umno strongman is apparently set to lead some 1k people to the green Islamist promise land of PAS; and a freak storm wreaks havoc in the Klang Valley.

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02/05/2023

🎶 It's gotten hot in here 🎶

Welcome back from yet another long weekend, friends. We hope it was an awesome and restful one!

Today, we look at how the mercury's risen to the point it's got at least 1 gomen bigwig wondering if kids should be kept from school.

Elsewhere in today's weekend news roundup, there're upset folks as a massive land reclamation project gets the all-clear; a jailbird ex-PM's pardon bid is causing inter-gomen bickering; and, several ex-Umno stalwarts are getting ready to turn out in opposition colours.

It's on with the show, folks!

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28/04/2023

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There'll be no weekend roundup on Mon, May 1 'cos of the Labour Day public holiday. But fear not! We'll see you in your inbox on Tues, May 2, instead. Have another lovely, long weekend, friends.
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Tour de Malaysia

It's Day 7 of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, yet our supreme leader/PM10's decision to hold multi-state open houses is still ruffling some feathers.

Elsewhere in today's weekly news roundup, talk of yet another coup is put to bed (we hope!); Sarawak politicos spar over possibly, maybe opening a casino; and, the long arm of the 1MDB scandal nets a Grammy-winning star with ties to a certain Malaysian pirate.

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10/04/2023

Pardon me?

Umno's got Najib Razak's back. And what's more, the party insists that its push for a royal pardon for their jailed ex-chieftain won't jeopardise unity gomen ties with Pakatan Harapan. Sure or not?

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, Malaysian ain't kowtowing to Chinese claims in the South China Sea; there's serious concern over the treatment of an arrested minor; and, an ex-state bossman's set to be charged with corruption.

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06/04/2023

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

After almost 5 decades, the powers that be will finally lift the lid on the Double 6 air crash. But will it bring closure for still-grieving family members and Sabah politicos?

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, authorities haul an opposition bigwig's sonny boy to court over a subsidy scam; the senate passes Budget 2023; and, are Malaysians really selling kidneys to try and make ends meet?

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03/04/2023

Jibby's back in the slammer

Go to jail. Go directly back to jail. Do not pass GO. Do not collect a caramel macchiato. In other words, Najib Razak's Federal Court's decision review bid doesn't go as planned.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, our minister uses her superpowers to remove a coupla stuff from the poisons list; our inglorious leader returns from China with goodies aplenty; and that doctor's strike appears to be very much on. Also, our that’s inspired by the daily news 👇

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***de

17/03/2023

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Do also read our special report on Malaysia’s horror story on increasing moral and religious policing and censorship of local films, including horror film Pulau and Mentega Terbang here - https://betweenthelines.my/the-horror-story-behind-malaysian-film-censorship/
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Mentega Terbang death threats: How'd it come to this?

The authorities had been urged to act against threats of vigilantism over film Mentega Terbang. Instead, the po-pos began questioning the movie makers and actors, even a teenage girl. And now, paint's been splashed, acid's been thrown and murder threats have been made.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, our graft busters probe 5 banks over mega international scams; tweaks to criminalise stalking are re-tabled; and, the purported Jana Wibawa mastermind gets short-lived freedom.

Also, our that’s inspired by the daily news 👇
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16/03/2023

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Does Maddey have a “cunning” comeback plan?

Juuust when you think he's out for the count, like a Whac-a-Mole, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our nonagenarian ex-PM, could be popping back up and mounting a comeback!

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, some places are off limits for Selangor Muslims; there's much ado about mucho costly books on palm oil; another day, another political appointment; and, what's the deal with these new, not-so-fun concert guidelines?!

Also, our that’s inspired by the daily news 👇
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15/03/2023

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Master of puppets?

Authorities finally nab "Datuk Roy" — the alleged orchestrator of the ever-expanding Jana Wibawa scandal. Just who is this guy? We list the who's who in this scandal so far.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, our inglorious leader claims he doesn't poke his nose where it doesn't belong; Pakatan Harapan reps are under the hot light for not defending a women's march; and, will the collapse of an American bank affect teenie-tiny Malaysia?

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13/03/2023

While we celebrate Michelle Yeoh's historic Oscar win, would EEAAO have survived the "insulting cultural sensitivities" argument back home?

Between The Lines looks at Malaysia's moral and religious policing, censorship and ever-shifting goalposts, as seen via the recent release of the trailer for local horror flick Pulau and the Mentega Terbang brouhaha.

Controversial from the second its trailer was released, the arguments on censorship and moral policing on this local horror flick and others continue to grow.

13/03/2023

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Moo in the dock

He's only Malaysia’s 2nd former supreme leader to be charged in court. But despite the severity of them charges, Muhyiddin Yassin ain't resigning as Bersatu's big kahuna, 'cos his party peeps say he ain't got to.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, The Battle for Umno gets underway with the election of r̶i̶n̶g̶ wing leaders; folks decry glittery new EPF-guaranteed loans idea; and, our PMX's ex-protégé makes some eggy proclamations.

Also, our 👇
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09/03/2023

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Who me? Couldn't be! Then who?

The rumours are untrue. The authorities haven't arrested our inglorious PM8. But he has scored another meeting with the anti-graft brigade today.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, as the gomen's set to tweak several child safety-related laws, we wonder what's to be done about child marriages; the court orders docs from a 47-year-old plane crash to be declassified; and, is that much-promised political funding law finally coming?

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06/03/2023

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Najib gets a win!

Ex-prime minister Najib Razak's freed of charges in his latest 1MDB-related case. But that doesn't mean everyone's fave Kajang Prison resident is free to go. No siree Bob!

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, floods wreak havoc in Johor; there's much ado about a buttery indie movie; and, is the Islamic State really operating in Malaysia?

Also, our 👇
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,

04/03/2023

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*** Read the piece here: https://betweenthelines.my/pmx-at-100-days-anwar-out-of-the-gate/
(and please share 🙏🏽) ***
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Can you believe it's already March!?

More importantly, can you believe it's been exactly 100 days since once PM-forever-in-waiting ditched his bridesmaid status and (finally and at long last!) took the mantle of Malaysia's 10th prime minister?!

Has supreme leadership been everything he'd hoped for? We doubt it. Anwar's definitely had to hit the ground running, what with inheriting more holes in our finances than Swiss cheese and roti jala, heightened racial polarisation, PAS' Green Wave, violently feuding countries and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Still, to date, Anwar's historic unity-coalition gomen's time in the Putrajaya sun hasn't been all negative and iffy. They've notched many a win, too.

In her latest "Malaysian Politics On The Prowl" column for Between The Lines, our most awesomest, favouritest political analyst DR BRIDGET WELSH examines PMX's 1st 100 days in the Putrajaya Big Seat and, crucially, what comes next.


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01/03/2023

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Much ado over a survey

Anwar Ibrahim and gang come up smelling more like bunga tahi ayam than roses in a survey to mark 100 days of occupying Putrajaya's top floor. Just how legit are these findings?

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, there're more apologies and drama in the august House; a major pharma supplier to the s̶t̶a̶r̶s̶ gomen is in deep doo-doo; and we hear why one ex-premier's sitting out the Umno veep race.

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27/02/2023

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One more time with feeling

It's all about money today as we zero in on leader supreme/finance tsar Anwar Ibrahim's new (and some say improved) spending plan a.k.a. the revised Budget 2023.

BTL looks at what the numbers mean; who's getting how much, who's getting taxed much, glaring ommissions and welcomed inclusions. In short, the highs, the lows and everything in between. So, buckle up!

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24/02/2023

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It's Budget Day!

Will the new gomen retain its predecessor's sparkling money plan, or will it make significant nips and tucks to Budget 2023? We look at several key focus areas ahead of the big reveal later today.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, authorities are probing the "super" leak of millions of users' (read: OUR) data; the Jana Wibawa case just keeps giving; and, our Climate Change Bill progresses at a glacial pace.

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20/02/2023

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Is ex-PM Muyhiddin Yassin a witness or a suspect?

Graft busters finally quiz our Perikatan Nasional big bossman over millions of RM worth of kind-hearted "donations" in his party's coffers. But the man who was once supreme leader is attempting to pull a Shaggy and is claiming “It wasn't me” and that he’s just a witness in the probe.

Elsewhere in today's newsletter, Malaysian mamas with overseas-born kiddies get handed a lifeline; our education minister appears to be suffering a relapse of foot-in-mouth-itis; and a sacked state rep wants back in.

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