Corruption trial delay is a ‘victory’ for former Malaysian leader Najib Razak — but not for long, analyst says [CNBC]
15 Feb Weekends: Nicholas Fang on US-N.Korea summit in Hanoi [Money FM 89.3]
"I do want to point out that the choice of Hanoi, Vietnam as a location is pretty interesting. I think Singapore was a good opportunity for the North Korean leader and his entourage to see a little bit about how another country has developed, especially...
04 Feb Singapore Institute of International Affairs ranked best independent think tank in Asia for third year running
The institute also ranked first in Asean in three further categories Singapore, 4th February 2019: The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), the country's oldest think tank, has maintained its ranking as the Best Independent Think Tank in Asia for the third year running, in the 2018 Global...
01 Feb [Premium] Country Update: 19 January – 1 February 2019
Indonesia Jokowi Moves to Release Abu Bakar Bashir, then Backpedals (18 Jan, 23 Jan) President Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”) caused a stir on 18 January when he announced plans to release radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. Bashir was sentenced to jail for 15 years under anti-terrorism laws back...
01 Feb ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook: Origins and Reception Among ASEAN States
The strategic concept of the Indo-Pacific emerged in late 2017. Publicised by US President Donald Trump during his visits to Asian countries in November 2017, the core goal of the strategy is to prevent unfavourable shifts of power via close cooperation with US allies and...
31 Jan Sino-American “War” and the 2019 Outlook
The US and China are currently in the midst of a ceasefire in their trade war. But will the US and China reach a lasting agreement on terms of trade and market access? Or should we prepare for a wider strategic rivalry between both major...
31 Jan Souring Deals Put China’s Belt and Road Dreams Under Pressure [Bloomberg]
Beijing was learning that its model of infrastructure-led economic growth might be difficult to export, said Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Excerpted from: Souring Deals Put China's Belt and Road Dreams Under Pressure [Bloomberg, 30 January 2019] Photo credit:...
29 Jan Mahathir soothes China’s ego over cancelled East Coast Rail Link [SCMP]
“Malaysia is one of the major trading partners of China, and there would be ups and downs in the bilateral relations, but none so serious as to significantly disrupt them, especially not over a railroad,” said Dr Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at Singapore’s Institute of...
29 Jan Growing Chinese Navy Adds to Risk of Clashes in Asia’s Major Maritime Dispute [VOA News article]
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam contest all or some of China’s claims to about 90 percent of the fishery-rich, oil-laden South China Sea spanning 3.5 million square kilometers. But they are all militarily weaker than China and might find it harder under a stronger...
28 Jan Barisan romps to by-election win in Cameron Highlands [The Straits Times article]
Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun said: "Umno remains overwhelmingly strong in rural constituencies, and if their electoral pact with PAS to run only one candidate holds, they remain a force in these areas." Excerpted from the full article: Barisan romps to by-election...