PEDRA BRANCA DISPUTE

(RAAP—032)

The Pedra Branca dispute was a territorial conflict between Singapore and Malaysia over three maritime features: Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks, and South Ledge.

Pedra Branca, also known as Pulau Batu Puteh, is a small granite islet located 25 nautical miles east of Singapore and 7.7 nautical miles south of Johor, Malaysia. It is notable for housing the Horsburgh Lighthouse, which was constructed by the British between 1850 and 1851.

Despite its small size, Pedra Branca's significance lies in its impact on national sovereignty and maritime territorial boundaries. Singapore has administered Pedra Branca since the construction of the lighthouse. The islet was not explicitly mentioned in the 1824 Crawfurd Treaty, which ceded Singapore to the British East India Company by the Sultanate of Johor.

In 1979, Malaysia published a map claiming Pedra Branca as part of its territorial waters, which led to Singapore protesting the claim. Singapore proposed resolving the dispute through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1989, and Malaysia agreed in 1994.

In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia, and the sovereignty of South Ledge depends on the surrounding territorial waters.

FAKE PASSPORTS OF KIM JONG UN AND KIM JONG IL

(RAAP—031)

In the 1990s, North Korean leaders Kim Jong Un and his father, Kim Jong Il, utilized unauthorized Brazilian passports to apply for visas to Western countries. These fake passports indicated their desire to travel beyond North Korea and potentially use them as an escape route.

Four senior Western European security agencies confirmed the authenticity of these Brazilian passports, which featured photos of the two Kims under the names Josef Pwag and Ijong Tchoi. According to anonymous security sources, the passports may have been used for travel to Brazil, Japan, and Hong Kong.

The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported in 2011 that Kim Jong Un had visited Tokyo as a child in 1991 using one of these Brazilian passports, which predated its official issue date. Both passports, issued on February 26, 1996, were stamped by the "Embassy of Brazil in Prague." Facial recognition technology confirmed that the photographs matched Kim Jong Un and his father.

INDONESIAN-MALAYSIAN CONFRONTATION

(RAAP—030)

The Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation (Malay: Konfrontasi) was a conflict that occurred in Borneo from January 20, 1963, to August 11, 1966. This undeclared war, also known as the Borneo Confrontation, erupted following the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, which included the Federation of Malaya (now West Malaysia), Singapore, and the British Borneo territories of North Borneo and Sarawak (now East Malaysia).

The Federation of Malaysia, supported by British forces as well as Australian and New Zealand troops, faced opposition from Indonesia under President Sukarno and the Philippines. Both countries viewed the formation of Malaysia as a neo-colonial strategy to sustain British influence in Southeast Asia.

The conflict, primarily affecting the frontier regions of Sabah and Sarawak, resulted in approximately 700 casualties. In 1971, the Philippines became involved, invading Sabah under the pretext of peacekeeping, which was perceived as a guise for annexation.

Peace negotiations initiated by President Suharto, Sukarno’s successor, began in May 1966 and culminated in an agreement ratified on August 11, 1966. The conflict officially ended on March 5, 1974, with the signing of the Treaty of Port Moresby. This treaty stipulated that Indonesia would recognize Malaysia, while Sabah would be ceded to the Philippines.

POLITICIANS EXPLOIT K-POP FANDOM

(RAAP—029)

K-Pop groups have emerged as significant influencers, serving as a form of soft diplomacy on the global stage. In Indonesia, the K-Pop fanbase is notably active, with the country recording the highest number of tweets about K-Pop in both 2020 and 2021. The majority of K-Pop enthusiasts in Indonesia are millennials and members of Generation Z, who constitute approximately 60% of the electorate in 2024.

Politicians in Indonesia are keen to engage this substantial voter segment, particularly as elections approach. For instance, presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo sought to capitalize on the popularity of K-Pop by inviting K-Pop groups to perform in the country. However, this effort faced backlash when fans perceived it as a manipulative tactic to gain political advantage.

Other political parties have similarly attempted to leverage K-Pop fandom for electoral gains. The Gerindra Party conducted a ticket giveaway for a Blackpink concert, while the National Mandate Party (PAN) organized an event featuring the K-Pop group Astro. These actions have been criticized as exploitative, with public demands for politicians to prioritize pressing issues over using K-Pop fandom for political leverage.

VIET CONG’S CU-CHI TUNNEL COMPLEX

(RAAP—028)

During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army faced significant challenges from two distinct fronts: conventional warfare led by the North Vietnamese Army and unconventional guerrilla warfare from the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, commonly known as the Viet Cong. The Viet Cong utilized an extensive network of underground tunnels to conduct guerrilla operations, posing a considerable threat to U.S. forces. These tunnels enabled Viet Cong fighters to move undetected, launch ambushes, and evade American troops in unpredictable and dangerous ways.

One of the most notable tunnel systems was the Cu Chi tunnels, located beneath a major U.S. Army base. These tunnels, narrow and confined, were largely inaccessible to most soldiers, leading to the use of specialized personnel known as “Tunnel Rats.” These soldiers, often selected for their small size, were tasked with exploring and neutralizing the tunnels. Equipped with minimal gear—typically a handgun, a knife bayonet, a flashlight, and a communication device. Tunnel Rats faced claustrophobic conditions, venomous snakes, booby traps, and surprise attacks while conducting their missions.

The effectiveness of aerial bombing and conventional explosives in destroying the tunnels was limited. Surface explosions rarely affected the tunnels, and attempts to collapse or destroy them with explosives yielded mixed results. Instead, Tunnel Rats used riot control agents, such as powdered tear gas, to make the tunnels uninhabitable for several months. Despite these efforts, the tunnel networks remained a crucial aspect of Viet Cong operations, with some networks only being discovered after the war. Today, many of these tunnels can still be visited, serving as a testament to their historical significance.

SWIFTLET NEST

(RAAP—027)

Sarang Burung Walit, also known as swiftlet farms, are specialized structures used for cultivating swiftlet birds, whose nests are considered a delicacy in Asian cuisine. These farms are commonly found in rural and semi-urban areas across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Malaysia, where swiftlets are known as “Burung Walet” or “Burung Layang-layang.”

The nests, which are believed to possess traditional medicinal properties, are highly valued and make swiftlet farming a lucrative business for farmers. The placement of these farms is strategically determined by factors optimal for raising swiftlets, such as proximity to water sources and suitable vegetation. The industry has become increasingly industrialized, with farms often characterized by their distinctive, windowless designs.

MAY 13TH CEMETERY

(RAAP—026)

The May 13th Cemetery, located on the outskirts of a former leprosorium complex in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, is dedicated to victims of the May 13th racial riots of 1969. The cemetery, covering an area approximately the size of two badminton courts, contains 114 unnamed tombstones marking the graves of victims, including one Indian, two Malays, and 111 Chinese, with one grave remaining unidentified. The graves are inscribed with “By courtesy of the Malaysian Government.”

The May 13th incident remains a sensitive and taboo subject in Malaysia due to its violent nature, which represents one of the bloodiest episodes in the country’s history. Official records state that approximately 200 people died during the riots.

For decades, the cemetery was largely neglected until 2017, when a property developer proposed clearing the land to build a car park. This proposal led to a public outcry and motivated families of the deceased to advocate for the preservation and restoration of the site. The cemetery has since been restored and is regularly visited by families paying their respects to the victims.

AL-ARQAM

(RAAP—025)

Al-Arqam was an Islamic movement founded in 1968 by Ashaari Muhammad. The group's focus was on self-sufficiency, discipline, and the creation of an Islamic utopia.

By the 1980s, Al-Arqam had attracted tens of thousands of followers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei. The movement operated various businesses, including those in agriculture, publishing, and restaurants, accumulating significant wealth estimated in the millions of U.S. dollars.

Al-Arqam emphasized fardhu kifayah (collective responsibilities) with a strong focus on education, personal development, and Islamic theology. Ashaari, known as "Abuya" to his followers, advocated a return to a "purer" form of Islam. He had four wives and approximately 40 children and passed away in 2010 from a lung infection.

In 1994, the Malaysian government banned Al-Arqam, citing its deviant religious teachings, messianic claims, and perceived threat to national unity. Ashaari was arrested under the Internal Security Act. The group's teachings were criticized for contradicting fundamental Islamic principles, particularly due to claims of communication with the Prophet Muhammad and the promotion of leader infallibility.

MAJOR GENERAL NGUYEN NGOC LOAN

(RAAP—024)

Major General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan was a South Vietnamese military officer and the chief of the South Vietnamese National Police. He gained international notoriety for his role in a controversial incident during the Vietnam War. On February 1, 1968, during the Tet Offensive, Loan executed Nguyễn Văn Lém, a handcuffed prisoner of war, in Saigon.

Nguyễn Văn Lém was captured at the scene of a mass grave where over thirty civilians had been buried. Amid heavy fighting in Saigon, Loan shot Lém in the head with a Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard revolver shortly after the prisoner was presented to him. This execution was widely reported and photographed, drawing global attention to the brutal realities of the conflict.

Shown in the photo below, Nguyễn Ngọc Loan and his wife pose for a photo at their pizza restaurant “Los Trois Continents” at the Rolling Valley Mall in Virginia. He closed the restaurant in 1991 after his previous actions in South Vietnam became well-known.

SHAMS AL-MA’ARIF

(RAAP—023)

Shams al-Ma'arif (full title: Shams al-Ma'arif wa Lata'if al-'Awarif) is a 13th-century Arabic grimoire on magic, authored by Ahmad al-Buni. The work is noted for its guidance on esoteric spirituality and has garnered both historical intrigue and controversy.

The book is a compilation of al-Buni's authentic writings combined with contributions from other authors. It has gained notoriety and has been subject to bans throughout Islamic history due to its esoteric content. Al-Buni, who lived in Algeria and died around 1225 CE (622 AH), faced criticism from scholars such as Ibn Taymiyya, who accused him of devil worship.

Despite such criticism, Shams al-Ma'arif has remained influential and continues to be studied. Some Sufi orders, including the Naqshbandi-Haqqani order, recognize its potential spiritual value, though this is approached with caution. Following its modern reprint in Beirut in 1985, the book was banned in Saudi Arabia, and scholars like Ibn Jibrin have issued fatwas against its use.

In recent decades, the book has attracted attention from groups such as the Order of Nine Angles, a global terrorist Satanist organization, due to its esoteric content. Editions of Shams al-Ma'arif have been published in multiple languages, including English, Urdu, and Turkish.

The modern edition of Shams al-Ma'arif is divided into two volumes: Shams Al-Ma'arif al-Kubra (the larger volume) and Shams Al-Ma'arif al-Sughra. The initial chapters of these volumes focus on magic squares, which are believed to communicate with Jinn, angels, and spirits. Al-Buni's other work, Manba' Usul al-Hikmah ("The Source of the Essentials of Wisdom"), is considered a companion text to Shams al-Ma'arif.