Nina Muslim

What are the forces that contribute to people falling for job scams, to the point that they are willing to cross a river into another country, twice? Desperation, greed, ignorance are oft-cited reasons. Once lured and forced to stay and scam others, how do they get out? This piece traces the journey of a Malaysian state assemblyman, aided by a Bangkok-based Malaysian entrepeneur, to help bring home five young Malaysians, who were lured to Myanmar with tales of lucrative jobs in the hospitality industry.

In a small town in the richest and most advanced state in Malaysia lies arguably the biggest illegal trash heap in the country, visible on Google Maps. Estimated to be as big as eight footfall fields, the trash is 10 metres tall. It catches fire often, spewing foul smoke. Nearby residents have reported falling ill. And yet efforts to clean up the trash have failed; despite laws, no one wants to take responsibility.

This article explores the state of women's rights in Afghanistan six months after the withdrawal of US forces. Despite assurances that Taliban 2.0 was a "nicer, kinder" Taliban, women were in a state of limbo, hoping they are telling the truth but expecting a return to the old days.