Indonesia shares blame for rising seas
It is customary to blame the developed world for creating climate change after centuries of putting profits before environmental concerns. The argument goes that western...
Coronavirus 1, human rights 0
Last week a Chinese coronavirus “suspect” in Myanmar was hunted down near the border with China. The news story detailed the hunt for possible carriers...
Top UN court orders Myanmar to defend Rohingya from genocide
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Myanmar to prevent acts of genocide against the Rohingya Muslims and to stop the destruction of...
Thailand’s cannabis clinic offers bright future
Thailand is making rapid progress with its policy of legalising the medical use of cannabis with a pilot project in Bangkok seeing thousands of...
Asean’s plastic shame
Asean’s beaches, seas and waterways continue to choke on plastic waste, with much of it imported from the developed world. Idyllic spots throughout the biodiverse...
Myanmar’s generals blame anyone but themselves
Every statement that comes out of Myanmar about the alleged Rohingya genocide in 2017 refers to the threat of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army...
The rapidly-changing aviation industry
It’s mixed emotions for the global aviation industry as the emergence of low-cost carriers has taken its toll on major legacy airlines that have...
Our farmers deserve a ‘Merry Christmas’ too
December has come—my favorite month. By this time, we would have started hearing the songs of Christmas and feeling that excitement of buying gifts...
Indonesia abandons pretence of tolerance
Indonesia’s abandonment of liberal tolerance has been further exposed as the government appears keen to pander to the vocal, conservative Muslim community. Several ministries are...
Asean climate crises loom after decades of abuse
Asean’s governments continue to abuse the environment but the regional body’s shared ecological efforts to tackle the issues are pitiful. Farmers along the Mekong have been...
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How ASEAN’s water scarcity will exacerbate the Covid-19 crisis
While the world’s attention is squarely focused on Europe as the global epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, Southeast Asia is also well on track...
Singapore’s corona-tracking measures invite both acclaim and controversy
As the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world, Singapore has garnered praise for flattening the curve of the virus’s spread. The city-state’s...
Pilgrims gather in Indonesia despite coronavirus fears
More than 8,000 Muslim pilgrims have already gathered in Gowa, in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province, despite a formal request to postpone the event from...