South East Asia - THE AsiaN

South East Asia

Singapore COUNTRY REPORT: Professional Ethics Still a Media Imperative

In the internet age, some people brush aside the need for conventional full-time journalists or media organizations to give us our daily news. “That is already passe,” said a former reporter colleague of mine, surprised to hear that Asia Journalist Association (AJA) accept mainly working journalists. “Nowadays, a journalist is…
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South East Asia

Three Hotel Associations Signed an Agreement Allowing Muslim Employees to Wear Scarves

Following the pronouncement of Malaysia as an Islamic state almost three decades ago, many things changed within the national community: from lifestyles, cultures, and right up to an increasing awareness towards Islamic values. Such values included the wearing of traditional headdresses (scarves or long dresses that cover the body from…
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East Asia

Will Dr. Mahathir succeed in the 14th General Election?

For the first time in Malaysia’s history since its independence in 1957, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) being the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government today, will be challenged by its former president who is also the former Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, in the…
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South East Asia

Press Watch – Singapore: Reporter Warned Over Leakage of Official Secrets

It was a what is being described as a state secret that Janice Tai, a young reporter of The Straits Times (ST), Singapore’s premier mass-circulation daily, stumbled upon while chasing a story. She was following up on a tip-off about an online resale portal that the state housing agency, the…
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South East Asia

Interview with Philippines’ beloved reporter, Ramon Tulfo

Ramon Tulfo (70) is one of the most well-known and respected journalists in the Philippines. He was the first of four children born to his independence-fighter father and Japanese mother. Tulfo currently works with renowned media outlet The Inquirer as a columnist and runs the regular radio channel ‘DWIZ 882…
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South East Asia

Unconditional support for Duterte’s War on Drugs by citizens

Philippines: the country that sent troops over to support the Korean war; the country that used to be second in wealth to neighboring Japan. In mid-1980s, the people continued in the long-fought race against President Marcos’ dictatorship, winning that race in June of 1987. And even though many Philippines have…
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South East Asia

Penang floods: Human mistakes or nature’s fault?

The beautiful island of Penang, northwest of peninsular Malaysia, had become the focal point on October 21st when 11 workers were buried under a landslide that occurred at a housing project in Tanjung Bungah. The massive construction sites located on the slopes of hills and near the lower parts of…
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South East Asia

ASEAN, according to a Filipino Millennial

As a Grade 12 student taking up Humanities and Social Sciences, I believe its important to have a deeper and more critical understanding of what ASEAN is. I remember one of my teachers advising me that I should be able to give a “scholastic” answer in answering questions. But from…
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East Asia

The Breakthrough Diplomatic

South Korean diplomacy with Southeast Asian Nations had stopped for four years. Now, South Korean President Moon Jae-in will bring diplomatic breakthrough. President Moon Jae-in will be visiting three ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries next month—namely Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—for the first time since assuming office May…
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South East Asia

Singapore Buzz For A Non-Chinese PM Amid Debate Over Malay President

Singapore made history on September 13, 2017 by choosing a woman as the Head of State. Halimah Yacob, 63, an immediate-past Speaker of Parliament, was elevated to be the Elected President (EP) in a walkover. A member of the Malay community, she rose to the highest office of the…
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