Politics

No Philippine visas for foreigners amid warning cases could hit 75,000 by June

Visa-free privileges of all foreign nationals have also been suspended, as thousands of people try to flee the country amid a lockdown on the main island of Luzon.

20 Mar 2020 - 4:37AM
Bangkok closes bars, schools amid public rumours of pandemic lockdown

Thailand’s flip-flopping on measures to curb the outbreak, along with a minister mask-hoarding scandal, have seen a deterioration of public trust.

18 Mar 2020 - 9:08AM
Singapore calms food and labour supply fears as Malaysia shuts borders

Officials say Singapore has ‘months’ of stockpiled fresh and packaged food, but 415,000 people who travel between the land borders daily will be affected.

19 Mar 2020 - 12:35AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Malaysia in partial lockdown to limit coronavirus spread

The lockdown will take effect for two weeks from March 18, with Malaysians barred from travelling overseas and mass gatherings across the country prohibited.

19 Mar 2020 - 12:35AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Coronavirus: anti-Chinese conspiracy theories go viral in India

Social media users in India, including an opposition leader, are spreading fake news and racist rhetoric about China, as cases rise in the South Asian country.

16 Mar 2020 - 11:36PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Analysis | Dual Afghan presidents lead to constitutional crisis

With Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah both declaring themselves president, Afghanistan’s shaky government foundation has been exposed.

19 Mar 2020 - 12:19AM
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
South Korea’s virus response is the opposite of China’s – and it works

Seoul’s handling of the outbreak emphasises transparency and relies heavily on public cooperation in place of hardline measures such as lockdowns.

15 Mar 2020 - 10:46AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Manila’s coronavirus lockdown ‘a mockery’ as millions to be let in

So many exemptions have been made to the ‘total’ ban on land, sea and air travel to the Philippine capital that the move no longer makes sense, expert says.

13 Mar 2020 - 11:20PM
Manila lockdown sparks fears among Filipino domestic helpers

Some are concerned about the safety of their relatives in the Philippines as well as about the quarantine measures they may face if they return home.

13 Mar 2020 - 11:06PM
Singapore polls near despite virus with release of new electoral boundaries

PM Lee Hsien Loong has until next April to call for a general election, but analysts say an election could be held as early as next month.

13 Mar 2020 - 10:02PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-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
Japan builds new warship to look for Chinese, North Korean submarines

The Aki is first ship in three decades built to hunt for submarines, as Japan sees a rise in unidentified subs, believed to be from China, within its waters.

11 Mar 2020 - 8:38PM
Mahathir admits Malaysia PM Muhyiddin likely to win confidence vote

The former premier said the Pakatan Harapan coalition could no longer offer incentives to MPs, who are now switching allegiances to Muhyiddin.

11 Mar 2020 - 8:38PM
Anwar asks if Malaysia’s cabinet is ‘clean’, rights groups slam its lack of diversity

The reformist icon has questioned whether the newly appointed lawmakers are free of corruption, while many have decried the line-up’s nationalist and predominantly ethnic Malay slant.

11 Mar 2020 - 8:19AM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Malaysia Airlines MH17 trial begins in The Hague

In July 2014, flight MH17 was torn apart by a Russian missile over eastern Ukraine, killing 298 people.

10 Mar 2020 - 4:36PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
Malaysia’s new cabinet sees return of Umno, with a banker as finance minister

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has announced the cabinet line-up a week after he took office amid political chaos, with CIMB Group Holdings chief executive Zafrul Aziz named finance minister.

9 Mar 2020 - 10:46PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411
As MH17 trial begins, victims’ families desperate for justice

Malaysia Airlines MH17 was shot down over Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists in July 2014, killing 298 people. Even after years of investigation, no one knows why.

9 Mar 2020 - 11:01PM
As dust settles in Malaysia, Muhyiddin must instil public confidence

A week into his appointment, Muhyiddin Yassin must win support from a public that is tired of ‘constant politicking’, observers say.

8 Mar 2020 - 8:05PM03571EC5-13F4-4283-B996-99444BE88411