Archive: Jan 2021



STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 15, 2021 • 5 min read

Opinion Malaysia’s new lockdown: Where is the help for the people?

By Lee Hwok-Aun and Kevin Zhang • Jan 15, 2021
As Malaysia enters a controversial second lockdown, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute researchers Lee Hwok-Aun and Kevin Zhang say it is puzzling that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has neglected to give assurances that financial relief will be delivered to Malaysians

STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 14, 2021 • 10 min read

Sustainability Heralded as the future of food, but are bugs all buzz and no bite?

By Andrew Haffner • Jan 14, 2021
A staple food for billions, recent years have also seen insects marketed as an environmentally friendly and nutrient-rich protein source to wealthier consumers. But as bug-based products hit supermarket shelves, do they hold the potential to become a mainstay in Western diets?

STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 14, 2021 • 3 min read

Democracy Cambodia resumes mass trial of opposition figures

By Agence France-Presse • Jan 14, 2021
A mass trial has resumed in Cambodia against more than 100 opposition members and activists charged with conspiracy to commit treason related to self-exiled opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy's failed plan return to the country in 2019

Jan 13, 2021 • 7 min read
Food culture

New and old meet as social media breathes life into Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown

Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street has a long and rich culinary history as the historic centre of the capital's Chinese community. But having fallen into disrepair, today it is undergoing a revival, spurred on by the social media boom among Malaysia’s urban middle class
By Huei Ting Cheong • Jan 13, 2021

Jan 13, 2021 • 4 min read
Aviation

Indonesia divers search for crashed plane’s second black box

As Indonesian investigators continue seek to explain why a plane with 62 people aboard slammed into the sea minutes after takeoff, they said on January 13 they were hopeful of retrieving a crashed passenger jet's second black box
By Agence France-Presse • Jan 13, 2021

Jan 13, 2021 • 15 min read
Wildlife trafficking

Infiltrating a Vietnam tiger trafficking network: Confronting an online kingpin

The trading of tigers and tiger products such as bone glue, claws, skin, bones and fangs in any form is prohibited under Vietnamese law. But in black markets, trade activities are thriving, as reporters found out when infiltrating Vietnam's trafficking rings
By Lam Anh and Hoang Chien • Jan 13, 2021

Jan 12, 2021 • 8 min read
Human rights

‘On a huge scale in Cambodia’: Director talks slave labour in Thai fisheries

While many of the industry's worst excesses have been cleaned up in recent years, bondage labour persists aboard Southeast Asia's fishing vessels. Following the reemergence of his film Buoyancy, director Rodd Rathjen talks about the conditions he witnessed in Thailand's infamous fisheries
By Stew Post • Jan 12, 2021

Jan 12, 2021 • 3 min read
Thai monarchy

Thai king sweeps prison floors alongside consort

In the latest round of a charm offensive following unprecedented criticism of the monarchy during Thailand's street protests, King Maha Vajiralongkorn has visited prisons and been pictured sweeping floors alongside his official consort
By Agence France-Presse • Jan 12, 2021

Jan 12, 2021 • 3 min read
Covid-19

Malaysian king declares state of emergency to fight virus

Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah on January 12 declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a surge in Covid-19 coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the country's healthcare system
By Sam Reeves/AFP • Jan 12, 2021

Jan 11, 2021 • 9 min read
History

In defence of MSG: The seasoning that revolutionised Thai cuisine

Monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG, has a rough reputation in the culinary world for its perceived bad health effects. But this naturally occurring ingredient has simplified and revolutionised the preparation of Thai cuisine, helping to bring good food to the masses
By Wanpen Pajai • Jan 11, 2021

Jan 11, 2021 • 4 min read
Aviation

Indonesia says located black box recorders from crashed plane

Following the deadly crash of Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-500, body parts, twisted wreckage and clothing were plucked from waters off the Indonesian capital on Sunday as the location of the black boxes, key to understanding the cause of the accident, were located
By Dessy Sagita/AFP • Jan 11, 2021