Crime & Justice

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  Indonesian minister falls in Hajj fund scandal

  2014-06-11

  Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali quits amid investigation into alleged corruption.

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  Indonesia widens war on drugs

  2014-04-03

  Authorities across the archipelago are arresting suspected crystal meth and marijuana smugglers, while trying to counter growing drug addiction.

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  Sharia law to apply to non-Muslims in Aceh

  2014-03-22

  Central government still has to approve controversial bylaw, which has drawn criticism in Aceh.

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  Narathiwat cops rescue drowning tots

  2014-03-19

  Two policemen hailed as heroes after saving lives of two small children.

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  Iranians in Malaysia dismayed by visa change

  2014-03-06

  Investors, students and holiday-makers affected by policy that targets criminals.

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  Thai community protests young brothers' tragic killings

  2014-02-07

  A village in southern Thailand's Narathiwat Province reels from the slaying of three brothers as they returned home from evening prayers at their mosque.

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  'Mastermind' Sigit convicted of Burmese embassy bomb plot

  2014-01-23

  Sigit Indrajid and three others were convicted separately under Indonesian anti-terrorism laws.

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  Indonesia busts 16 suspected drug syndicate members

  2013-12-12

  The international syndicate smuggled in Rp.12 billion ($1.01 million) worth of methamphetamine pills, crystal meth and meth powder, Indonesian authorities say.

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  Tearful reunion as former PULO leader, other inmates released under royal pardon

  2013-12-11

  Relatives rejoice and local officials urge the former inmates to use their freedom to develop the country.

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  Music show ends with visit by Aceh's sharia police

  2013-10-01

  Local authorities say fans attacked them when they arrived to shut down a late-night concert. Some in the area, however, accuse the sharia enforcers of arrogance.

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  Indonesia welcomes court ruling on alcohol sale

  2013-08-22

  After prolonged debates over alcohol bans, the Supreme Court rules local governments have the jurisdiction to do so.

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  Gun crimes spike worries Malaysians

  2013-08-21

  Despite strict regulation, a spate of deadly shootings has gripped the nation.

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  Indonesia, Malaysia on alert after terrorists' escape

  2013-07-25

  Concerns are high following the escape of four terrorists affiliated with a cell that has carried out killings and bank robberies. The men are likely to reconnect with their former associates in order to carry out more attacks, authorities warn.

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  Indonesian police savvy about social media

  2013-06-05

  Police are using Facebook to increase public awareness about the law and cyber-crime, and to foster a closer relationship with citizens.

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  In Indonesia, soldiers to go on trial for prison shootings

  2013-04-16

  Indonesia's military promises transparency and justice after confirming that rogue soldiers carried out shocking prison murders in Yogyakarta.

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  Justice served in Aceh's pre-election violence

  2013-04-10

  A court hands down stiff sentences for two men who assisted acts of terrorism in the lead-up to Aceh gubernatorial elections in 2012.

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  Indonesia faces worsening drug problem: Report

  2013-04-09

  The fight against drug abuse requires co-operation and information-sharing from stakeholders at multiple levels.

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  Indonesia passes new law to curb terror finance

  2013-02-20

  The new legislation will help authorities crack down on those who raise funds for extremist activities.

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  Thailand: Investigators close in on killers of Muslim teacher

  2013-02-06

  Horrified locals decry the assassination as harmful to Islam, while teachers warn that the ongoing violence is harming students' education.

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  Top terror suspect escapes in Ambon

  2012-11-16

  Residents in the city are nervous to learn that a man on trial for a string of bombings in September 2011 squeezed through a prison window and disappeared.

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  Indonesia's alleged "Pimp Queen" heads to trial

  2012-10-22

  The college-educated mother of two is accused of offering thousands of women to high-paying clients throughout Indonesia.

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  Tearful reunions as prisoners are freed

  2012-08-21

  As Thailand's Queen Sirikit marks her 80th birthday, prisoners benefit from a Royal Pardon.

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  Indonesia: building a culture of checks and balances

  2012-08-10

  Young men and women have become torch-bearers for the prevention and eradication of corruption.

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  Yala drug smuggler had terrorist links, police say

  2012-07-28

  A drug bust earlier this week could help investigators unravel the shadowy nexus between Deep South insurgents and smuggling rackets.

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  Thailand cracks down on currency fraud

  2012-07-27

  Passing off fake banknotes can seem like an easy way to gain free services, but police warn that the consequences can be harsh.

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  Deep South prisons to respect Muslim observances

  2012-07-17

  Thailand's southern prisons are making changes to be more sensitive to its Muslim inmates, who form a majority in that part of the country.

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  Judge: Patek can help deter youth from radical extremism

  2012-06-27

  While some criticise the sentence as too light, others say Umar Patek has shown sincere remorse and can help persuade others from making the mistake that he did.

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  Seven suspects arrested in September 2011 blasts in Ambon

  2012-05-31

  The arrests are a blessing to the people of Maluku, a local religious leader says.

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  Patek: Bali bombings were "against my conscience"

  2012-05-31

  Insisting that his role was minor and that he was remorseful over the devastation, Bali suspect Umar Patek pleads for a light sentence.

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  Drugs blight Bali resort town

  2012-05-18

  Terror attacks which damaged the Bali economy may have forced some into the drug trade, despite stiff penalties.

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  Bali suspect apologises to victims, says bombings were wrong

  2012-05-07

  Umar Patek, on trial for his alleged role in Indonesia's deadliest terror attack, said he was sorry "from the bottom of my heart".

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  Witness: Patek said terror attacks were against Islam

  2012-05-03

  Bali bombing suspect Umar Patek was concerned that violence against civilians went against Islamic teachings and created a bad image for Muslims, according to a fellow militant who testified at his trial.

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  Muslim leader: terrorists must stop undermining Islam's image

  2012-05-01

  A witness at the trial of Umar Patek said extremists have taken the lives of innocent Muslims and are undermining Islam.

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  Mob damages minority sect mosque

  2012-04-23

  Responding to last week's ransacking of an Ahmadiyah mosque, Indonesian authorities warn that violence will not be tolerated.

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  Witnesses: Loopholes in system helped Patek flee

  2012-04-23

  A former immigration officer who approved Umar Patek's passport said no red flags came up in his application.

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  Thai drug sting sheds light on cross-border networks

  2012-04-20

  Traffickers believed linked to insurgents in southern Thailand planned to move a massive drug shipment during the Songkran holiday, police say.

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  Counterfeit notes an age-old issue

  2012-04-19

  Fake currency notes are as old as currency itself, but Malaysia is making the most of technology to stay ahead of the crime as much as possible.

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  Witnesses detail impact of Bali bombings

  2012-04-13

  The attacks that killed 202 also dealt a massive blow to the region's economy, Balinese officials said Thursday.

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  Indonesia combats online narcotics sales

  2012-04-04

  The arrest of a deputy governor's son in Indonesia shines a spotlight on increased use of cyberspace to conduct drug deals.

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  Money for Bali bombing came from bin Laden, witnesses say

  2012-03-27

  Two former associates of alleged Bali bomb maker Umar Patek testified that funds from al-Qaeda paid for the Mitsubishi used in the lethal 2002 attack.

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  Malaysia: Police bust drug smugglers posing as travel agents

  2012-03-22

  Suspects used travel agency airport privileges to sneak drugs through customs, authorities say.

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  Malaysia steps up fight against ivory trade

  2012-03-14

  As ivory seizures reach an all-time high, attitudes about the illegal trade in elephant tusks are slowly changing in Malaysia.

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  Book-bomber case highlights youth recruitment by extremists

  2012-03-06

  At some point during his university days, Pepi Fernando's life took a dark turn.

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  UN: Regional co-operation needed to fight drugs

  2012-03-01

  A UN narcotics report warns Indonesia and Thailand over spiralling ecstasy and meth abuse and production.

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  Patek lawyers: client didn't know what bombs were for

  2012-02-28

  Defence contends that Umar Patek was not part of the Bali terror plot, although he admits to manufacturing the explosives used.

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  Court increases prison term for convicted terrorist Bashir

  2012-02-27

  The "godfather" of terror attacks in Indonesia has managed to avoid the heavy penalties borne by his disciples. With Monday's ruling, however, he faces 15 years behind bars.

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  Police: Thailand bomb suspects spent nights with prostitutes

  2012-02-22

  In the days before attempting to carry out bomb attacks in Thailand's capital, three of the suspects allegedly partied with sex workers in the resort town of Pattaya.

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  Last alleged Bali bomber on trial in Indonesia

  2012-02-21

  Prosecutors hope Umar Patek will provide valuable information on Jemaaah Islamiyah and other terrorist networks active in Southeast Asia.

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  Drugs a growing menace in Indonesia

  2012-02-03

  Drug smuggling and substance abuse continue to plague Indonesia despite stiff sentences levied against offenders.

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  Bangladesh toughens anti-terrorism act

  2011-12-27

  The new law calls for death penalty for terrorism financing.