An elderly Malaysian woman waits to cast her vote at a polling station in Kuala Lumpur during the general election in 2018. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Poverty looms over Malaysia’s elderly as low pay bites back in retirement

1 hour ago

Left unchecked, more than 6 million Malaysians could be left with less than US$9 a month to survive on in their old age, according to government estimates.

An elderly Malaysian woman waits to cast her vote at a polling station in Kuala Lumpur during the general election in 2018. Photo: AFP

Poverty looms over Malaysia’s elderly as low pay bites back in retirement

Left unchecked, more than 6 million Malaysians could be left with less than US$9 a month to survive on in their old age, according to government estimates.

1 hour ago

Explainer | Why do India’s general elections take so long to complete?

It’s not just the country’s sheer size – although that does play a part. This year’s vote will take 44 days, but the duration has varied over the years from just four days to nearly four months.

27 minutes ago

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

3 hours ago
A woman in Hyderabad shows the indelible ink mark on her finger after casting her vote in November’s Telangana state assembly elections. Photo: AP

Explainer | Why do India’s general elections take so long to complete?

It’s not just the country’s sheer size – although that does play a part. This year’s vote will take 44 days, but the duration has varied over the years from just four days to nearly four months.

27 minutes ago
Singapore

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

3 hours ago
Japan

Can a new South Korea-Japan agreement take bilateral ties to the next level?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

6 hours ago

Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

3 hours ago
Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

White House to host first-ever US-Philippines-Japan summit to counter China

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary confirmed the April 11 meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Fumio Kishida to ‘advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship’.

2 hours ago
White House to host first-ever US-Philippines-Japan summit to counter China

Can a new South Korea-Japan agreement take bilateral ties to the next level?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly hopes to build on the Japan-Republic of Korea Joint Declaration made in 1998 that outlined a future-oriented relationship.

6 hours ago

Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

3 hours ago

White House to host first-ever US-Philippines-Japan summit to counter China

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary confirmed the April 11 meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Fumio Kishida to ‘advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship’.

2 hours ago
Israel-Gaza war

Netizens slam K-pop singer for drinking Starbucks coffee: ‘educate yourself’

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:56PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

UN warns of ‘imminent’ famine in Gaza as some resort to eating animal fodder

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:15AM
Israel-Gaza war

Netizens slam K-pop singer for drinking Starbucks coffee: ‘educate yourself’

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

Some commenters said the episode could haunt her for the rest of her career and urged Huh to apologise and take accountability for endorsing the brand.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:56PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

UN warns of ‘imminent’ famine in Gaza as some resort to eating animal fodder

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

People in north Gaza have resorted to eating animal fodder and wild food, amid reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at two hospitals.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:15AM
Asia | OPINION
Illustration: Craig Stephens

Opinion | Rising tide of ethno-religious nationalism threatens civilisation

From the US grilling of TikTok’s CEO over his nationality to Israel’s intractability over the Gaza war, ethno-religious nationalism threatens to split our world into antagonistic civilisation enclaves.

16 Mar 2024 - 5:47AM

My Take | Malaysia’s outrage over cultural sensibilities is the new normal in politics

Calls for several Chinese “new villages” to get Unesco status and a pork rib soup to be a heritage dish have sparked a cultural clash in Malaysia.

Calls for several Chinese “new villages” to get Unesco status and a pork rib soup to be a heritage dish have sparked a cultural clash in Malaysia.

15 Mar 2024 - 10:00AM
Malaysia’s outrage over cultural sensibilities is the new normal in politics

Opinion | Australia summit shows Asean wants climate partners. Hong Kong, step up

Melbourne meeting reaffirmed Asean’s carbon neutrality strategy and unveiled partnerships with Australia. Asean’s climate investment gap is a chance for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Melbourne meeting reaffirmed Asean’s carbon neutrality strategy and unveiled partnerships with Australia. Asean’s climate investment gap is a chance for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

15 Mar 2024 - 9:30AM
Australia summit shows Asean wants climate partners. Hong Kong, step up

Asia | Explore more