Asia Correspondent
Bhavan is Asia Correspondent for the SCMP, covering breaking news, politics, diplomacy, trade and Southeast Asian macroeconomic trends. His work for the Post's Asia desk also focuses on the region's multifaceted interactions with the United States and China. A Singapore native, Bhavan previously worked for Agence France-Presse.
Show more
Latest from Bhavan Jaipragas
The king announced the national emergency on January 12 after being advised to do so by PM Muhyiddin, in a move critics say the embattled premier took to stay in power.
The king announced the national emergency on January 12 after being advised to do so by PM Muhyiddin, in a move critics say the embattled premier took to stay in power.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s response came as the government faced renewed pressure over Myanmar’s foreign reserves purportedly deposited in the city state.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s response came as the government faced renewed pressure over Myanmar’s foreign reserves purportedly deposited in the city state.
The news portal launched a crowdfunding drive to help it pay the penalty after it was found guilty of contempt of court over comments posted by readers.
The news portal launched a crowdfunding drive to help it pay the penalty after it was found guilty of contempt of court over comments posted by readers.
The island nation is the top source of foreign direct investment in Myanmar, and is allegedly friendly with the generals who seized power from an elected government.
The island nation is the top source of foreign direct investment in Myanmar, and is allegedly friendly with the generals who seized power from an elected government.
Almost nine in 10 regional elites are worried about Beijing’s rising influence, and more than six in 10 now say the bloc should side with the US over China if forced to pick, study finds.
Almost nine in 10 regional elites are worried about Beijing’s rising influence, and more than six in 10 now say the bloc should side with the US over China if forced to pick, study finds.
Ho, who joined Temasek in 2002 and was appointed chief executive two years later, is also the wife of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Ho, who joined Temasek in 2002 and was appointed chief executive two years later, is also the wife of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
If the region is in an ‘authoritarian race to the bottom’, analysts say it will play into the hands of one of the countries in the US-China rivalry. Guess which one?
If the region is in an ‘authoritarian race to the bottom’, analysts say it will play into the hands of one of the countries in the US-China rivalry. Guess which one?
The administration’s initial reactions show it is aware of the limits of its influence abroad, but Biden’s team is far from lacking leverage in Naypyidaw.
The administration’s initial reactions show it is aware of the limits of its influence abroad, but Biden’s team is far from lacking leverage in Naypyidaw.
With Biden in office and China on board with a new emissions trading scheme, there’s a new air of optimism in the climate change battle.
With Biden in office and China on board with a new emissions trading scheme, there’s a new air of optimism in the climate change battle.
The least we can do is to treat with respect the gig workers who are making our lives easier during this pandemic, writes Bhavan Jaipragas.
The least we can do is to treat with respect the gig workers who are making our lives easier during this pandemic, writes Bhavan Jaipragas.
The rare protest was held amid anger in the LGBT community over revelations by a student diagnosed with gender dysphoria who claimed the Education Ministry interfered with her transition.
The rare protest was held amid anger in the LGBT community over revelations by a student diagnosed with gender dysphoria who claimed the Education Ministry interfered with her transition.
Climate Adaptation Summit focuses on implementing carbon neutrality measures, preserving natural resources and generating renewable energy in less-developed countries.
Climate Adaptation Summit focuses on implementing carbon neutrality measures, preserving natural resources and generating renewable energy in less-developed countries.
Having overcome the challenges of developing coronavirus vaccines and begun the process of distributing them worldwide, a crucial question has cropped up: will people in high-risk areas voluntarily take the jab? In this issue of Global Impact, we explore the resistance to vaccinations amid concerns about quality, effectiveness and possible side effects.
Having overcome the challenges of developing coronavirus vaccines and begun the process of distributing them worldwide, a crucial question has cropped up: will people in high-risk areas voluntarily take the jab? In this issue of Global Impact, we explore the resistance to vaccinations amid concerns about quality, effectiveness and possible side effects.
The new US president’s inaugural speech and executive actions to rejoin the WHO and Paris Agreement won plaudits throughout the region.
The new US president’s inaugural speech and executive actions to rejoin the WHO and Paris Agreement won plaudits throughout the region.
Top Republican donor Elliott Broidy, who helped Malaysian financier illicitly lobby US government, wins reprieve on Trump’s last day in office.
Top Republican donor Elliott Broidy, who helped Malaysian financier illicitly lobby US government, wins reprieve on Trump’s last day in office.
Although PM says emergency decree is not a coup, even Mahathir Mohamad sees a ‘kind of dictatorship where people cannot protest’.
Although PM says emergency decree is not a coup, even Mahathir Mohamad sees a ‘kind of dictatorship where people cannot protest’.
The US$25 billion project would have connected downtown Kuala Lumpur to Singapore’s central business district, reducing travel time to two-and-a-half hours.
The US$25 billion project would have connected downtown Kuala Lumpur to Singapore’s central business district, reducing travel time to two-and-a-half hours.
Not only did 2020 bring a world-stopping pandemic, it’s also been a testing year for Asia geopolitically.
Not only did 2020 bring a world-stopping pandemic, it’s also been a testing year for Asia geopolitically.
Climate Ambition Summit offers opportunity for Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and others to outline plans for a carbon-trading mechanism.
Climate Ambition Summit offers opportunity for Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and others to outline plans for a carbon-trading mechanism.
Regional governments are entering 2021 with a strong slate of policy initiatives and actions meant to tackle climate change issues – with the US expected to be at their side.
Regional governments are entering 2021 with a strong slate of policy initiatives and actions meant to tackle climate change issues – with the US expected to be at their side.
Anwar’s future is in special focus after what observers say are blunders brought on by his own hubris– but swift reversals of fortune cannot be discounted in Malaysia’s Game of Thrones.
Anwar’s future is in special focus after what observers say are blunders brought on by his own hubris– but swift reversals of fortune cannot be discounted in Malaysia’s Game of Thrones.
Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd points to how Japan has maintained a relationship with China despite the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands dispute and its US alliance.
Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd points to how Japan has maintained a relationship with China despite the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands dispute and its US alliance.
Kevin Rudd, speaking at the Post’s China Conference: United States, says the challenge for Beijing will be responding in kind to Biden administration’s ‘policy creativity’ on certain issues.
Kevin Rudd, speaking at the Post’s China Conference: United States, says the challenge for Beijing will be responding in kind to Biden administration’s ‘policy creativity’ on certain issues.
A group of ethnic Chinese students received threats after calling on the king not to intervene in politics. Now 54 NGOs are urging authorities to investigate.
A group of ethnic Chinese students received threats after calling on the king not to intervene in politics. Now 54 NGOs are urging authorities to investigate.
US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien made the comments after an Asia tour, during which he slammed China over issues including trade and Covid-19.
US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien made the comments after an Asia tour, during which he slammed China over issues including trade and Covid-19.
Jolovan Wham had held up signs in public on two occasions, including one which featured a hand-drawn smiley face on the placard.
Jolovan Wham had held up signs in public on two occasions, including one which featured a hand-drawn smiley face on the placard.
Lawyer Lee Suet Fern, the daughter-in-law of Singapore independence leader Lee Kuan Yew, was involved in preparing his final will.
Lawyer Lee Suet Fern, the daughter-in-law of Singapore independence leader Lee Kuan Yew, was involved in preparing his final will.
The US Navy Secretary’s proposal is seen as a ‘trial balloon’ that is unlikely to garner immediate regional support.
The US Navy Secretary’s proposal is seen as a ‘trial balloon’ that is unlikely to garner immediate regional support.
RELATED TAGS