Stefano Vecchia

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin tried to use special powers to deal with the pandemic until September. The sovereign’s decision follows a political crisis in the ruling coalition government caused by UMNO’s threat to withdraw and fears among civil society groups that the government might crack down on dissent.

The city-state has based its economy on attracting foreign capital through an advantageous fiscal regime. The G20’s global 15 per cent tax rate could have serious repercussions, driving some Southeast Asian countries closer to China.

As more coronavirus cases are reported, the images of three bodies in a central part of the Thai capital have gone viral on social media. The Thai government inks a deal with Pfizer for 20 million doses of its vaccine, but delivery is expected only in the last quarter of 2021.

Police use water cannons and tear gas against young protesters defying the ban on gatherings. The country reported 12,000 coronavirus cases, a new record. “Spending on the monarchy and the military must be cut; effective vaccines must be bought,” not Sinovac, one protester said.

The Thai government wants to pass a law on non-profit organisations by the end of the year. To avoid “terrorist initiatives”, the authorities want NGOs to disclose foreign funding to the Ministry of the Interior. Civil society groups see the bill as another step to stifle criticism and freedom of association.

UMNO has announced its decision to withdraw from the coalition government led by Muhyiddin Yassin. The party, which lost popular support in recent years, dominated Malaysian politics since 1957. Parliament will meet on 26 July to discuss the COVID-19 emergency but also to find a way out of the political impasse.

The Home Affairs minister mentioned the figure in his response to a parliamentary question. Race-related incidents are cause of concern as the country’s economic crisis raises tensions with ethnic minorities in one of the most overcrowded places in the world.

Some 229 illegal immigrants are found and arrested at a metal disposal company. For the authorities, the situation is "under control", but the US State Department, in its human trafficking report, downgraded Malaysia to the bottom tier.