Singapore

by Steve Suwannarat | SINGAPORE

Singapore’s unicameral legislature is set for renewal. A divided electorate could decree the end of the hegemony of the People’s Action Party. Fears of instability are likely to affect the economy, while negotiations with the United States on tariffs are underway. In a country with an aging population, immigration remains an unresolved issue.

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

Law enforcement agencies can block or impose restrictions on the bank accounts of scam victims. The law provides for halting transactions, ATM use and credit. The restriction order is limited to "a maximum of 30 days" extendable up to five times.

| 07/01/2025
| SINGAPORE
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”