Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Advancing cautiously
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 27/06/2022
» Asian economies are bouncing back amid the so-called Great Reset triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. But a cautious mood prevails given the possible short-term risks of new waves of the virus, rising inflation and political instability.
The race to invest in Indonesia
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 22/02/2021
» Indonesia is seeking to spur much-needed investment in infrastructure projects to revive its pandemic-battered economy with the launch of a sovereign wealth fund.
Asia's century, China's year
Asia focus, Asia Focus team, Published on 30/12/2019
» Way back when 1999 was winding down, pundits were telling us that the Asian Century was about to dawn. That prediction has not yet been fully realised, but few would disagree that 2019 belonged to China. Over the past 12 months, the top headlines have been about the bruising trade war with America, defiant protests in Hong Kong against Beijing's tightening grip, and the rise of a surveillance state that is herding hundreds of thousands into "re-education" camps on its western fringes. Below, the Asia Focus team looks back on a busy and sometimes troubling 2019.
Fight fake news with education
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 14/10/2019
» The fight against fake news is becoming more challenging, but a lot can be done by educating people in how to identify unreliable sources and fact checking. Just creating laws against people who spread such information doesn't fix the problem because they are like the Hydra -- you cut off one head and two more will pop up as the cyber-population grows.
Little progress in war on graft
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/03/2019
» Corruption is rarely out of the news in Southeast Asia, but the last three weeks have been busier than usual. In Vietnam, two former information ministers were arrested on suspicion of mismanaging public investment. The prosecution order issued on Feb 23 for Nguyen Bac Son and Truong Minh Tuan accuses them of "violations of regulations on management and use of public investment capital that cause serious consequences". The news cast a shadow over Hanoi's preparations fo the Trump-Kim nuclear summit.
Challenging times for Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/02/2019
» These are challenging times for Southeast Asian countries. On the economic front, China's slowdown is becoming more pronounced, which could have dire consequences since it is Asean's largest export market and a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the region.
Year of turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 31/12/2018
» Two unpredictable men with weird haircuts and access to nuclear weapons had a friendly chat in Singapore -- and that was just one of the many noteworthy stories of 2018. Elsewhere in Asia, we witnessed some surprising political developments (Malaysia) and not-so-surprising ones (Cambodia), along with what seemed to be a disturbingly high number of natural disasters. Many see the latter as a manifestation of the growing impact of climate change, and it's a debate that is bound to intensify in the year ahead. Below, Asia Focus looks back on the eventful year now ending.
Youth movement
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 24/12/2018
» There's true passion in every word when Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman talks about his belief in the power of youth. As the youngest cabinet minister in Asia at just 26 years of age, he is living proof.
Business unusual in Malaysia
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 21/05/2018
» Businesses and investors are still coming to grips with the new political order in Malaysia, where the government led by Mahathir Mohamad is moving quickly to place its stamp on the economy and also bring to justice those accused of corruption, including former prime minister Najib Razak.
Grey shades in the rainbow
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 23/04/2018
» After years of legal invisibility, growing restlessness and protest, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities are finally seeing some progress toward global equality. Particularly in Europe, rising public awareness is being reflected in landmark legislation that recognises same-sex marriage, outlaws discrimination and promotes inclusive social policies.