Opinion

Opinion | Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan: the real Covid-19 world leaders

Governments across Europe and North America have showed an almost callous disregard for the health of their citizens and the world, says PN Balji.

19 Mar 2020 - 3:46PM
Opinion | In disputed South China Sea, Asean states are neither friends nor foes

Despite a shared rival in China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia have separate issues of sovereignty and territorial rights that make the issue deadlocked.

18 Mar 2020 - 7:25AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Asian Angle | Hong Kong is stoic, Italy laughs: what a coronavirus tour taught me

When fate intervened, one writer found himself travelling between four locations at different stages of the fight against the coronavirus. What he saw ranged from annoyance to denial to shock and acceptance.

19 Mar 2020 - 12:35AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Sino File | Is the coronavirus fatal for economic globalisation?

The Covid-19 outbreak will foist profound changes on the world’s future development in terms of economics, society, diplomacy and geopolitics.

15 Mar 2020 - 11:04AM
Asian Angle | With Western democracy in retreat, Asia may have to forge its own path

In the capitals of what used to be called ‘the free world’, advocacy of democratic freedom seems to have taken a back seat to competition for strategic primacy.

15 Mar 2020 - 10:08AM
Opinion | Why US and China must set aside rivalry to tackle the coronavirus

The Covid-19 pandemic is occurring at a time when global organisations, including the WHO, are weakened, making it imperative for world powers to step up.

13 Mar 2020 - 6:34PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Opinion | Malaysia’s PH failed to deliver. Here’s what it needs to do in opposition

Malaysia needs a new narrative, of equality, justice and pursuing fair distribution and broad participation, especially on pro-Malay policies. PH now has the time and impetus to thrash this out.

13 Mar 2020 - 8:43AM
On Reflection | Never mind punishing the US, the oil price war will hurt all sides

Moscow’s refusal to abide with Opec’s proposal to cut oil production and Riyadh’s decision to discount prices caused a rout in oil prices that will hit producers everywhere.

13 Mar 2020 - 1:45AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Opinion | Far-right terrorism still alive in New Zealand, a year after massacre

With 60 to 70 groups still active in New Zealand and far-right extremism growing worldwide, the risk of hate crimes occurring remains.

12 Mar 2020 - 2:51PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Opinion | Are travel bans an effective way to curb coronavirus spread?

Politicising an outbreak is irresponsible. Viruses have no passports and those who want to travel will find a way, says Swee Kheng Khor.

10 Mar 2020 - 7:17AM
Opinion | Coronavirus: is aggressive containment the most appropriate policy response?

Measures taken to stem the outbreak’s spread, though effective in the short term, may lead to disastrous consequences, say Xun Wu and Donald Low.

9 Mar 2020 - 9:50AM
Opinion | Why Indonesia should give medical marijuana more thought

The government’s careful attitude towards cannabis is not wrong. But it should be flexible to consider if marijuana can meet the medical needs of Indonesians.

8 Mar 2020 - 5:00PM
China Briefing | China’s coronavirus battle is easier than its war on wild animal trade

China’s latest ban will wipe out wet markets, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. To avoid simply driving the problem underground, a whole-of-society approach is needed, for years to come.

7 Mar 2020 - 9:30AM
Opinion | Can Indonesians trust Jokowi’s government in the coronavirus crisis?

Now that there are two confirmed cases, Indonesia needs to ensure its agencies are on the same page, follow WHO recommendations and improve transparency to prevent the epidemic from escalating.

4 Mar 2020 - 5:15PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Opinion | What should Australia do about its politics being too white?

With stark underrepresentation of Asian-Australians in politics, the country is increasingly beset by myopic and polarised debates about race.

2 Mar 2020 - 6:39AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
China Briefing | Coronavirus: a chance for China to boost its world standing?

China and US should join hands to lead the campaign against the looming Covid-19 pandemic.

29 Feb 2020 - 9:30AM
Asian Angle | It’s a leap of faith, but one day Taliban may win a Nobel Peace Prize

Nearly two decades after the September 11 terror attacks, many will struggle to see the Taliban as an ally against Islamic State. Can it really change, or is this just a Trojan Horse?

29 Feb 2020 - 4:22AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Opinion | Why Malaysia’s ECRL project should go on, new government or not

The success of the East Coast Rail Link will boost investments along its corridor, spurring foreign direct investments.

28 Feb 2020 - 2:36PM
Opinion | How will Malaysia confront coronavirus without a health minister?

Interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad currently has no cabinet but Malaysia’s health system is resilient enough to excel despite the upheaval.

19 Mar 2020 - 12:39AM