Asian Insider

Asia hosted recent multilateral meetings but it is the US' bilaterals with India and Vietnam that really matter.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests.

The East Asia Summit in Jakarta, and the G20 in New Delhi, broadly solidified US relations in the region, but it is the bilaterals with India and Vietnam that really mattered. 

The US was represented in Jakarta by Vice-President Kamala Harris. But the G20 saw President Joe Biden attending and supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s moment as global statesman in his role as chair of the grouping. In contrast, China’s President Xi Jinping was absent.

New Delhi also saw a reiteration of the increasingly close US-India relationship.

Of equal significance perhaps in terms of competition with China, was President Biden’s trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, where the two countries formally elevated their relationship. 

To unpack the significance of these meetings, ST’s US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh hosts two guests in this episode:

1. Ambassador Scot Marciel, the former US diplomat to Myanmar, Indonesia and Asean,  who is now a senior advisor at Bower Group Asia

2. Dr Lynn Kuok, Shangri-La Dialogue senior fellow for Asia-Pacific security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:40 Why the G20 cemented India’s image as a global diplomatic and strategic player

5:26 Why the so-called "double upgrade" of the US-Vietnam relationship is significant

6:18 Why Asean’s and the world’s approach to Myanmar has been flawed

11:08 Why the US focus should be a lot less on talking to South-east Asia about China, as the region already knows China well

14:35 Do US administrations really understand South-east Asia well enough and how to engage the region? Why Asean meetings are "not often satisfying" in terms of substance

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ([email protected]) and Fa’izah Sani

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

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Join us along the Laos-China Railway, as we unveil the changes it has brought to people and places.

Synopsis: In a special series called Tales from the Belt and Road, The Straits Times' Indochina bureau chief Tan Hui Yee takes you to places in the region where China’s infrastructure drive is creating the most impact.

For this episode, she travels to Luang Prabang town in Laos, where the new Laos-China Railway is bringing cross-border passengers and Chinese investors.

Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended)

1:36 Luang Prabang’s rainy seasons are not so quiet anymore.

4:10 Chinese tourists arrive in Luang Prabang from Kunming.

5:52 Chinese tourists take part in the daily alms-giving ritual with great gusto.

8:06 Sales are good at the morning market.

9:28 Chinese investor opens hotel in Luang Prabang 

11:18 Hearing Mandarin in places you least expect it

Produced by: Tan Hui Yee ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Voiceovers: Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai, Jean Iau, Joyce Teo, Lee Su Shyan, Nurulnadiah Mohamed Noh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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Our guests on how youth in Singapore, aged 18 to 35, can be quite diverse in opinions.

Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

In this episode, we look at how social media and podcasts have helped presidential candidates win hearts and minds before Singaporeans go to the polls on Sept 1, 2023, this coming Friday. 

ST's Jean Iau and Natasha Ann Zachariah - who cover Singapore politics - host two youths in the studio to discuss how well each candidate has used social media and why it matters to young people.

Their first guest is Mr Joel Lim, 30, managing director of Zyrup Media and host of Political Prude: The Podcast, a show catered towards young adults. He has hosted all three presidential candidates on his show recently.

Their second guest is Mr Maximilian Oh, a 23-year-old third-year undergraduate from the National University of Singapore pursuing a degree in political science and philosophy. He is a keen follower of politics and current affairs.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:50 Joel Lim recounts personal highlights of each candidate after he hosted them on his podcast

8:55 What is an assumption about the 'youth vote' that may not be true? Maximilian Oh on why it's not a "cohesive" voting block

11:20 Some of their peers tell them they're even considering who would make a "good presidential couple" visually in portraits

12:30 Do the personal lives of the candidates matter to young voters?

18:20 Why the WhatsApp strategy of Mr Ng Kok Song and Mr Tan Kin Lian "speaks" to older generations, in the same way youths engage with the candidates on Instagram or TikTok

26:00 On how youth view non-partisanship, discerning what each candidate means by their own independence

Discover Joel Lim's Political Prude: The Podcast: https://str.sg/iSBT

Produced by: Jean Iau ([email protected]), Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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Rohingya remain the world’s largest number of stateless people, with over one million driven out of Myanmar living in camps in Bangladesh.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests.

Life for the over one million Rohingya in refugee camps in Bangladesh continues to become increasingly intolerable, with food rations down to 27 US cents a day, and little or no hope for a return to their homeland in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

This is where they have, over the years, been driven out from, in successive waves of pogroms, which refer to an organised massacre of a particular ethnic group. In Rakhine state, life gets no better either. Earlier in August, at least 27 Rohingya drowned when their boat sank offshore earlier this month as they tried to make the perilous journey to Malaysia across treacherous open seas.

In his 100th episode, host Nirmal Ghosh chats with his guests - Mr Johannes van der Klaauw - the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' representative in Bangladesh, and Mr Richard Horsey, senior advisor on Myanmar at the International Crisis Group.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:40 Mr Van der Klaauw describes the ground situation in the Rohingya camps and what the international community needs to understand

8:35 Mr Horsey on hope and an extremely difficult policy challenge for the Rohingya, if Myanmar's Rakhine state is not even fixed in the first place itself

15:25 Status of moves to repatriate refugees back to Rakhine, or resettlement in a "third" country

20:40 Dangerous gambles by the Rohingya to reach other countries

Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Fa’izah Sani

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

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Should fans welcome it or be concerned? And why?

Synopsis: Every fourth Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times dives into a sports topic and tackles the hard questions with its guests on Hard Tackle.

A new dawn for football in the Gulf kingdom kicked off in August 2023, as the league took its first bold steps towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in world football.

Football is currently in the limelight with the Saudi Pro League having invested over €600 million (S$886.7 million) to lure a host of top players and coaches from European clubs. 

What is the end goal?

Sport business group leader for Deloitte Asia-Pacific - James Walton - and ST Sports columnist John Brewin, join ST sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan to discuss the pursuit of sports dominance by Saudi Arabia and if the rest of the sporting world should be concerned.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:20 The differences between what China did with its Chinese Super League and the Saudi attempt

9:00 Why are Saudi Arabia so invested in sport? What is their goal?

15:10 Should fans be concerned by Saudi Arabia’s investment in football and sport?

22:20 John Brewin on why the influx of money into the English Premier League was more accepted compared to the latest trend in the Middle East

28:40 The future of Saudi Arabia’s plans in sports

Read more: https://str.sg/iSkj

Produced by: Deepanraj Ganesan ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow ST Sports Talk & Hard Tackle Podcasts every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month:

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True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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Even the perpetrator's own parents asked for their son to be put to death.

Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023.

Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

A random stabbing spree in a Taipei metro in 2014 resulted in four dead and 24 injured. There was no apparent motive for the shocking killing, and the assailant Cheng Chieh displayed no remorse.

Cheng’s childhood, which was fraught with isolation, his public threats against classmates and plans to kill detailed on his blog, also ignited debate about troubled youth and gaps in mental health care. This case also restarted conversations about capital punishment in Taiwan.

ST’s Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee interviews and narrates this podcast.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:49 Cheng's mental state the subject of intense legal dispute

6:28 How Cheng planned his stabbing spree

11:23 He would not have spared anyone, even if his parents had been on board the metro train

14:40 Cheng executed on May 10, 2016; political motivations behind the extraordinary speediness of his execution?

21:51 Why Taiwanese often choose to ignore social problems; health ministry establishes new department dedicated to mental health programmes in May 2022

Interviews & narration by: Yip Wai Yee

Executive Producers: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) and Tan Tam Mei ([email protected])

Podcast Producers: Eden Soh & Fa'izah Sani

Voiceovers: Fa'izah Sani, Eden Soh, Ang Qing, Samuel Devaraj, Jeremy Au Yong, Jean Iau, Teo Tong Kai, Lee Hup Kheng, Clara Chong, Lee Su Shyan

Copy editor: Choo Li Meng

Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Read Yip Wai Yee's articles: https://str.sg/i5yX

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Will this kickstart a change in Singaporean habits towards embracing a greener and less wasteful society?

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Plastic bags. Let’s face it, most of us use them. They are a key feature of our consumer lifestyles, a symbol of convenience. But they are a huge source of waste, with the vast majority burned, sent to landfills or clogging rivers and the sea. 

On July 3, 2023, Singapore introduced a minimum 5 cents charge for disposable plastic bags provided at hundreds of supermarkets. 

The aim is to nudge shoppers to think about how many bags they use and to switch to reusable bags instead. It’s all part of changing behaviour to reduce the huge amount of plastic waste and curb environmental impacts. 

So what’s the reaction been to the bag charge? Is it changing behaviour? 

ST climate editor David Fogarty invites science content creator Ms Kong Man Jing to the studio. She is better known as BioGirl MJ in her YouTube and Instagram channels Just Keep Thinking. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:18 What sort of plastic Ms Kong sees during her regular group visits to the seashore

7:03 How are people responding to the plastic bag charge?

9:34 The idea of a fee per bag at supermarkets faced strong resistance. Why is that?

15:10 Should Singapore move towards a higher charge and a total ban on all single-use plastics?

Produced by: David Fogarty ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and rate us:

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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NTU don says votes should determine whether Singaporeans can stomach politicians involved in such affairs.

Synopsis: Every second and fourth Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests.

July 17 marked the death knell of not one, but four political careers. Just hours before the shock resignations of former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and ex-Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui, a leaked video circulated online, showing former Workers’ Party MP Leon Perera stroking the hand of fellow party member Nicole Seah. This would spark an investigation by the largest opposition party, and result in the pair stepping down.

But is it necessary for MPs to resign because of their private indiscretions? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament on Aug 2 that there was no direct reporting line between the Speaker and an MP, and so a legitimate relationship would not be objectionable. Moreover, politicians worldwide have been embroiled in extramarital affairs, to no detriment to their careers. So are Singaporeans just over-invested in the private lives of public figures? Or must politicians be held to higher standards?

In this episode, ST journalists Ang Qing and Aqil Hamzah host Nanyang Technological University's School of Social Sciences don Walid Jumblatt, 38, and National University of Singapore political science and philosophy student Maximilian Oh, 23, to learn about how different generations view the issue.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:00 Are Singaporeans able to trust disgraced politicians?

4:05 Should affairs be a punishable offence in Singapore politics?

10:45 Dr Walid on how Singapore looks at its politicians as "superhumans"; what do people look for when voting for a politician? 

13:05 Should disgraced politicians be cancelled, even if they did good work before?

17:00 Are different generations reacting differently to politicians having affairs? How critical is the element of deceit?

20:35 Will Singapore ever be "ready" for a politician to have a chequered personal life? Should this be tested at the ballot box?

Produced by: Ang Qing ([email protected]), Aqil Hamzah ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Lee Yulin, Hadyu Rahim & Paxton Pang

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here twice a month and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

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Read Ang Qing's articles: https://str.sg/i5gT

Read Aqil Hamzah’s articles: https://str.sg/i5gS

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Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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A conversation with the foreign policy speech-writer of Japan’s longest serving post-War Prime Minister.

Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, join The Straits Times' associate editor & Senior Asia columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent.

In this podcast, which comes a year after the assassination of Mr Shinzo Abe, he discusses the impact that Mr Abe left on his country and the wider region, with Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi of Keio University, who was special adviser to Prime Minister Abe’s Cabinet.

Prof Taniguchi was also Mr Abe’s foreign policy speechwriter for a full 90 months.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:10 “I feel Abe is still alive”; On the father of ‘Indo Pacific’, Quad

7:16 How Abe wooed South-east Asia

9:15 "Xi Jinping would not have joined the Communist Party of USA"

13:24 Childless Abe gave hope to young Japanese

16:40 His most significant speeches: India, Australia, US

18:00 Soft corner for India; "Abe and Modi were soul-mates"; could Japan backtrack on Abe’s initiatives?

Produced by: Ravi Velloor ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai and Fa’izah Sani

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai and Fa’izah Sani

Follow Speaking Of Asia Podcast every second Friday of the month on our Asian Insider Podcast channel here:

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Feedback to: [email protected]

Ravi Velloor's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Ravi Velloor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters

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#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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How the gruesome 1998 incidents paved the way for black magic to be criminalised last year in 2022, in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia.

Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023.

Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Sorcery is against Islamic teachings, but today, many in Indonesia still consult black magic practitioners for advice. In 1998, a series of killings by unknown masked 'ninjas', targeting suspected sorcerers in East Java, launched the community into a period of mass hysteria, violence and retaliation-attacks.

The killings triggered discussions on the need and ways to regulate sorcery, to prevent similar instances and to stop people from taking the law into their own hands. The legal gap was finally plugged last year in 2022, when laws on sorcery were included in the revised Criminal Code passed by the Parliament.

The government is also seeking to settle the case, along with 11 other human rights abuses, by non-judicial means.   

ST’s Indonesia Bureau Chief Arlina Arshad narrates this podcast. The reporting and scripting for this episode was done by ST’s Indonesia Correspondent Linda Yulisman.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:20 Why sorcery has long been part of Indonesia’s life and culture, even among the nation's notable figures

10:05 From 1998 till 1999, a ferocious wave of hysteria spreads against purported black magic practitioners

20:15 Larger motives behind attacks? Understanding Banyuwangi region's history and Indonesia’s period of political transition

28:40 Were attacks likely carried out by trained assassins with links to the military?

33:35 Why it took decades to criminalise witchcraft and sorcery in Indonesia

Interviews by: Linda Yulisman ([email protected])

Narrated by: Arlina Arshad ([email protected])

Executive Producers: Ernest Luis ([email protected]) and Tan Tam Mei ([email protected])

Podcast Producers: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani

Voiceovers: Hairianto Diman, Deepanraj Ganesan, Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Dominic Nathan, Lee Nian Tjoe, Colin Tan, Eddino Abdul Hadi, Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim

Copy editor: Choo Li Meng

Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast:

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Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Linda Yulisman's articles: https://str.sg/iif5

Read Arlina Arshad's articles: https://str.sg/iifS

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