Singapore

by Joseph Masilamany | SINGAPORE - CHINA

The ‘new generation’ prime minister of the city-state chose the People's Republic of China for his first trip outside Southeast Asia. In his meeting with Xi Jinping, he praised ‘multilateralism and the rules-based global order’. The ambitions of the former marginal colony that has become a major financial hub between East and West. On Taiwan, support for the ‘one China’ policy.

by Steve Suwannarat

The city-state government is launching a 100-local-dollar card to facilitate access to events, exhibitions and initiatives for young and old. It is also a way to support employment in the sector, which is still struggling despite the post-Covid recovery.

| 14/03/2025
| SINGAPORE
by Joseph Masilamany

Pannir Selvam Pranthaman is scheduled to hang on 20 February after 11 years in Singapore’s notorious Changi Prison. His family hopes for a stay of execution, urging friends and relatives to pray for a miracle. But the only way to stop the execution is for the Malaysian government to go before the International Court of Justice.

| 18/02/2025
| MALAYSIA - SINGAPORE
by Joseph Masilamany

Southeast Asia expert  Bridget Welsh analyses Kuala Lumpur's first steps at the helm of the bloc: the leadership will be successful if it puts ‘the interests of those who live in the region above those of its leaders’. ‘Calling for “inclusive elections” in Myanmar contradicts the real situation on the ground’.

| 17/02/2025
| MALAYSIA
by Santosh Digal

After last November's knife attack on Fr Lee, Fr Cary Chan of the Holy Spirit Church was targeted this time. A 22-year-old young man with mental and physical problems attacked him and hit him in the face. The priest suffered a haematoma, but still wanted to celebrate Mass. The archdiocese: ‘Remain calm and refrain from speculation’.

| 10/02/2025
| SINGAPORE
by Steve Suwannarat

A study by IPS and OnePeople titled Indicators of Racial and Religious Harmony indicates that racial and religious stereotypes are growing as people become more conscious and honest about diversity. A quarter of the population does not fully trust fellow citizens from other religious or ethnic backgrounds, down from 42 per cent in 2013.

| 04/02/2025
| SINGAPORE
by Steve Suwannarat

An OECD study highlighting this trend worries Singapore authorities. To remedy the situation, the government is vetting plans to boost education levels. The country’s competitiveness, occupational levels, not to mention workers’ skills, earnings and well-being are under threat.

| 10/01/2025
| SINGAPORE
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”