Voters in Malaysia's eastern state are far removed from discontent in the Malay peninsula, where the sacking and trial of the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, have rallied many people against the prime minister.

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The Essex and Juneau were expected to depart the gulf later Thursday when they finished off-loading the helicopters, then steam around the Malay Peninsula through the Strait of Malacca and into the Andaman Sea to be in position closer to Myanmar.

NPR: U.S. Aid Supplies Blocked from Reaching Myanmar