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STORY OF THE DAY • Jul 17, 2020 • 3 min read

Editorial Grab in the red, and Indonesia’s new capital on shaky ground

By Andrew Haffner • Jul 17, 2020
This week, we took a dive into the world of modern tech finance with an analysis of the uber-popular, very unprofitable Grab, a long-awaited legislative ban on torture and forced disappearances in Thailand and a new look at the devastating effects of mass snaring in Southeast Asia’s protected wildlife areas. This has been yet another week of diverse coverage from around the region, so scroll down and see what happened this week in the Globe

Jul 15, 2020 • 2 min read
History

[Photos] A rare glimpse of undeveloped and small-town Saigon in 1867

Ho Chi Minh today is a sprawling megacity home to over 21 million people across its metropolitan area. But back in 1867, it was still a small and serene town sitting on the banks of the Saigon river, as these archive photos show
By Saigoneer • Jul 15, 2020

Jul 14, 2020 • 3 min read
Economy

Virus-hit Singapore plunges into recession as economy shrinks 41%

Singapore plunged into recession in the second quarter as growth fell 41.2% quarter-on-quarter with the trade-dependent economy hammered by the coronavirus, preliminary data showed on July 14
By Martin Abbugao/Agence France-Presse • Jul 14, 2020

Jul 14, 2020 • 8 min read
Analysis

Will Grab ride out the pandemic, or crash without a single dollar in profit?

As the local brand that kicked Uber out the region in 2018, Grab has assumed the role of flagbearer for technology champions in Singapore. But in the pandemic era, its core business model bringing drivers and passengers together is in jeopardy
By Onat Kibaroğlu • Jul 14, 2020

Jul 13, 2020 • 5 min read
Wildlife trade

Shut your traps: Snares empty forests in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

Following the release of a report late last week highlighting the devastating impact of snares on wildlife across Southeast Asia, the World Wildlife Fund has called on governments in the region to up their efforts to catch and punish perpetrators
By Ashley Lampard • Jul 13, 2020

Jul 13, 2020 • 5 min read
Human rights

In Malaysia, kidnapped Christian pastor’s wife won’t give up fight

It has been three years since Susanna Liew last saw her husband Raymond Koh, kidnapped near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur in 2017. She and their three children have no idea if the Christian pastor is alive or dead, but she won't give up the fight to find him.
By Sam Reeves/Agence France-Presse • Jul 13, 2020

Jul 13, 2020 • 9 min read
Covid-19

As tourist numbers dwindle, food security on the mind of Bali’s residents

As the economy of tourist-reliant Bali struggles through the pandemic, food security is increasingly on the minds of the Indonesian island's residents. With uncertainty lying ahead, many people are having to rethink their long-term approach to feeding themselves
By Elizabeth Sinclair • Jul 13, 2020

Jul 10, 2020 • 6 min read
Thai dissidents

Bill aims to finally end trend of enforced disappearances in Thailand

The issue of government-affiliated enforced disappearances has taken centre-stage in Thailand once again following the alleged abduction of Wanchalearm Satsaksit last month. Now, a bill is being tabled to finally put an end to this deadly practice
By Wanpen Pajai • Jul 10, 2020

Jul 10, 2020 • 9 min read
Cambodian democracy

‘A true man of the people’: Revisiting the murder of Dr. Kem Ley

Four years since the passing of Cambodian political commentator and advocate Dr Kem Ley, his murder remains a highly sensitive political issue in the Kingdom. Why does his legacy continue to hold such significance in Cambodian discourse today?
By Andrew Haffner • Jul 10, 2020