SCMP Asian News

Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif wanted Islam in Indonesia to co-exist with other faiths, but his nuanced ideas were misunderstood, and often rubbed ultraconservative Muslims the wrong way.

Insisting on a ‘with us or against us’ world view will leave Washington out of step with an Indo-Pacific eager for Chinese involvement and cooperation instead of confrontation.

‘We are not barred from speaking on sensitive religious issues, but we must never insult the basic tenets of any religion,’ a senior BJP spokesperson said. India’s Muslims have felt more pressure about freedom of worship under PM Modi’s party.

After knocking them over with his car, Colonel Priyanto and two of his subordinates tossed their bodies into the river – but one of the victims was still alive.

‘The security of Europe and Asia are closely intertwined, especially now with the international community facing serious challenges,’ Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said after meeting with NatoMilitary chief.

Two veteran pro-democracy activists are among four men whose death penalty sentences have been approved by the junta; executions, which would be the first in decades, are aimed at scaring anyone opposing military rule, say campaigners.

Pacific countries can make their own decisions about engaging with China, Jacinda Ardern says, after Beijing reportedly sought a Pacific agreement with 10 nations, sparking debate about the influence of major powers.

The 59 ethnic Rohingya travelled from Bangladesh on a fishing boat and the ship’s captain left them on a Thai island telling them it was Malaysia – a country relatively lenient to arriving migrants.

A dispute over inheritance drove a Malaysian man to murder his mother and dump her mutilated body in a sewage tank at their house. Police said the suspect was suffering from mental health problems.

The joint air demonstration was intended display the ability to rapidly respond to N Korean provocations, chiefs of staff said, while N Korea has long condemned the allies’ combined military exercises as invasion rehearsals.