Archive: Jul 2021



STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 30, 2021 • 8 min read

Editorial Modern day slavery is alive and well in Southeast Asia

By Matt Friedman • Jul 30, 2021
It is estimated that there are more slaves today than at any time in human history, with the fisheries, brothels and construction sites of Southeast Asia home to some of the worst abuses. On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Mekong Club CEO Matt Friedman highlights the fight to end the practice

STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 29, 2021 • 2 min read

Politics Malaysian PM urged to quit after rare royal rebuke

By Agence France-Presse • Jul 29, 2021
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged to step down after being accused of treason by the king, denouncing his crisis-hit government for misleading parliament

Jul 29, 2021 • 8 min read
Opinion

Amid the pandemic, barriers to sexual health services for Cambodian women rise

As Cambodia reimposes lockdown in several provinces to contain the spread of Covid-19, women across the Kingdom once again face interruptions to vital sexual health services. This is what occurred during April’s lockdown, with MSI Reproductive Choices witnessing the dire effects
By Ella Nwaokolo • Jul 29, 2021

Jul 28, 2021 • 3 min read
Industry

The Anakut podcast: The state of Cambodia’s garment sector today

The outlook seemed bleak for the Kingdom's garment industry when early last year Cambodia simultaneously lost tariff-free access to the EU and the pandemic struck the global economy. Almost 18 months on, we speak with GMAC head Ken Loo and researcher Dennis Arnold to learn about the state of the industry today
By Andrew Haffner • Jul 28, 2021

Jul 27, 2021 • 4 min read
Mini-documentary

Pushed to the streets: Phnom Penh’s sex workers during Covid-19

As KTVs and massage parlours continue to be interrupted, sex workers in Phnom Penh say they’re increasingly desperate for clients as debt piles up. With limited ability to change jobs and scant government aid, many have turned to the streets to find customers
By Kiana Duncan and Ines Sothea • Jul 27, 2021

Jul 26, 2021 • 8 min read
Analysis

In Thailand, Covid-19 exposes the vulnerability of informal workers

Thailand's vast informal sector accounts for the majority of the kingdom's workforce. Now, amidst the pandemic that has interrupted vital industries, the lack of government support and planning for this large chunk of low-wage workers has been exposed
By Mark S. Cogan • Jul 26, 2021

Jul 23, 2021 • 11 min read
History

José Ramos-Horta talks Timorese independence and Nobel Prize win, 25 years on

In 1975, Indonesian forces invaded Timor-Leste in an occupation that lasted nearly 25 years. During that time, future president and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate José Ramos-Horta navigated Cold War dynamics as he travelled the world lobbying for international support
By Allegra Mendelson • Jul 23, 2021