Najma Sambul

Melbourne

Journalist @abcnews, previously @theage

Articles

Australia's Magnitsky-style sanctions go unused in Asia-Pacific, critics say

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

When Australia passed Magnitsky-style laws in 2021, it granted the government the power to sanction individuals involved in human rights abuses and corruption. These sanctions can freeze assets, impose travel bans and restrict financial transactions without targeting entire governments. But some community groups say the law has been largely meaningless, as Australia has refused to use it effectively in the Asia-Pacific.
Fears Asia-Pacific aviation boom could outpace capacity to keep passengers safe

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

In 2023, the aviation industry had just achieved a historic milestone: its safest year on record. But by the end of the following year, disaster struck. On Christmas Day 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines plane was downed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people. Several days later, on December 29, came the Jeju Air crash in South Korea, which claimed 179 lives.
Timor-Leste says Australian company's $523 million lawsuit a 'major fraud'

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

As blackouts crippled Timor-Leste, its leaders scrambled for a solution. It was 2010 and the newly independent country, still reeling from decades of occupation and destruction, was desperate to keep the lights on in its capital, Dili. Among the potential fixes was a proposed deal with Australian energy company Lighthouse Corporation to supply much-needed diesel fuel to the nation's capital.
South Vietnamese want to find and bury their war dead. Why is it so hard?

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

Hung Tran pauses as he recounts a memory that has haunted him for decades, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow. "I can still see their faces — the men I served with, the ones who didn't come home. They fought, they bled, and they died for their country," said the 73-year-old, who fought for South Vietnam in the Vietnam War. Warning: This story contains some imagery that readers might find confronting.
Indonesia kicks off ambitious $45b free meal plan

Jan 7, 2025 | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul |Natasya Salim

Indonesia has launched a transformative free meal program designed to combat malnutrition and support underprivileged communities. Championed by President Prabowo Subianto, the initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to almost 83 million Indonesians by 2029, focusing initially on school children and pregnant women. However, logistical challenges, budgetary constraints and feedback from beneficiaries and experts highlight the complexities of implementing such a large-scale program.
Undersea cable near Taiwan damaged in suspected sabotage

Jan 5, 2025 | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

An undersea cable off the north-east coast of Taiwan has been damaged, with authorities blaming a Cameroonian-registered cargo ship, the Shunxin-39, as the likely culprit in the latest maritime incident. The Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said it dispatched a patrol boat after receiving a report from Chunghwa Telecom at 12:40pm on January 3. The cable, located near Yehliu, New Taipei City, had four damaged cores.
Once firm friends, Afghanistan and Pakistan are now at each other's throats. Here's why

Jan 1, 2025 | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

Once close allies, relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have soured dramatically — with experts blaming a colonial-era border and a backfired strategy of supporting religious extremists. Pakistan last week conducted deadly aerial strikes on Afghanistan's Paktika province, reportedly killing 46 people, including women and children.
A political 'husband-wife' relationship has ended badly in South Asia

Dec 19, 2024 | abc.net.au | Max Walden |Najma Sambul

For decades, Muslim-majority Bangladesh and Hindu-majority India enjoyed close ties. But earlier this year, the relationship began to fray. What started as peaceful student protests against civil service job quotas morphed into a nationwide movement to force out Bangladesh's authoritarian prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The protests, which have been described as the "world's first Gen Z revolution", resulted in her fleeing in a helicopter — and into exile in Delhi.
Singapore police could restrict scam victims from accessing bank accounts under proposed law

Dec 10, 2024 | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

Singapore police could soon have the power to force banks to freeze the accounts of stubborn scam victims who refuse to believe they are being conned. The world-first bill, introduced last month, would allow officers to issue restriction orders to banks to prevent suspected victims from making transactions if there is "reasonable belief" they are being scammed.
Australian man charged after allegedly threatening to crash plane in Singapore

Dec 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Najma Sambul

An Australian man has been charged by Singapore police who say he threatened to crash a plane at Changi airport in November. The 36-year-old man allegedly told cabin crew of his plans while boarding a flight. Singapore police said the man faces a fine of up to S$5,000 ($5,800) under the country's Protection from Harassment Act.