Pressure is building on Pakistan’s powerful military to withdraw its support for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government after its controversial decision last month to prematurely lift a nationwide lockdown set the country on the path to becoming one of the worst infected by Covid-19 in the world. From fewer than 100,000 confirmed infections at the beginning of June, the number of cases is expected to hit 300,000 by the end of the month and over 1 million by late July or early August, planning…
In Malaysia, Mahathir-Anwar divide sees Pakatan Harapan counter-coup falter
A so-called parliamentary counter-coup planned by Malaysia’s multiracial Pakatan Harapan alliance in a bid to sink the Malay-centric current government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was on the verge of collapse on Friday, as the coalition remained deeply divided on who should lead it should it return to power.For weeks, Pakatan Harapan – victor of the country’s 2018 elections – has been wrangling over whether elder statesman Mahathir Mohamad or his on-off ally Anwar Ibrahim should be made…
Ex-Japanese justice minister, lawmaker wife arrested for alleged vote-buying
A former justice minister and a lawmaker in Japan were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of vote-buying, in a harsh blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he struggles with falling voter support.Support for Abe, who had close ties to the ex-justice minister, has declined over what critics say is his clumsy handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a furore over efforts to extend top prosecutors’ retirement age, and questions about government programmes to support tourism and smaller companies.Tokyo…
The Philippines needs Duterte’s anti-terror bill, but addressing roots of extremism means going beyond its text
While he was mayor of Davao, Rodrigo Duterte tolerated the presence of rebel groups so long as they did not bear arms or carry out attacks in his city. It was an uneasy arrangement that was generally observed. After becoming president of the Philippines, the self-confessed socialist even appointed some leftist leaders to his cabinet.But this romance with the reds now seems to have unravelled as pressure mounts on the country’s remaining insurgent and terror groups. A controversial anti-terror…
How India and China’s deadliest clash in decades came about
Monday’s deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops has officials from both sides blaming each other for the violence that erupted amid a seven-week long military stand-off at their disputed border.At least 20 Indian soldiers have died with more reportedly injured. Indian media say there are 35 Chinese casualties but Beijing has not confirmed if any of its troops were killed or injured. The editor-in-chief of the hawkish Global Times Hu Xijin tweeted on Tuesday night that China was…
Coronavirus: Indonesia’s haj cancellation fuels anti-government rumours; Malaysia generally accepts decision
Indonesia’s cancellation of this year’s haj to holy sites in Saudi Arabia due to the coronavirus pandemic is being exploited to stoke anti-government sentiment, while in Malaysia the decision has been widely accepted and understood.The cancellations by the two Muslim-majority countries in Southeast Asia come as Saudi Arabia has yet to decide whether the annual pilgrimage will go ahead.Observers expect Riyadh to scale back or call off this year’s haj in a rare occurrence since the kingdom was…
In pictures: coronavirus has left Asia’s tourism hotspots deserted
The coronavirus pandemic has proved devastating for tourism across Asia, prompting governments to impose strict lockdowns and causing international travel to grind to a halt.Tourism remains a major plank in Asian economies. In 2018, tourism receipts accounted for 5.5 per cent of Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP), 5.8 per cent of Malaysia’s, and more than 11 per cent of Vietnam’s and Thailand’s. In Cambodia, it was 17.8 per cent of GDP, and in regions such as Bali in Indonesia, up to 70…
Grab to cut 5 per cent of employees in another setback for backer SoftBank as Covid-19 impacts economy
Grab Holdings, the leading ride-hailing company in Southeast Asia, said it will cut 360 employees, or just under 5 per cent of its total, as it reduces expenses to deal with an economic downturn and slow recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.Chief Executive Officer Anthony Tan said the virus has had a broad impact on businesses and the economy, and it is taking steps to adjust to the challenges. In addition to the job cuts, the Singapore-based company plans to eliminate some non-core projects,…
South Korea’s President Moon urges Pyongyang to return to dialogue after threat of military action
South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in on Monday urged North Korea to return to dialogue and refrain from raising tension, after threats trumpeted by state media in Pyongyang to cut ties and take military action.The recent flaring of animosity between the neighbours has stoked fear of a military provocation by the North, and posed another setback amid stalled talks to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes.Besides the threat to sever ties, state media over the past few days have aired the…
Coronavirus: in Thailand, Michelin bistros donate food
Natalie Bin Narkprasert’s business was in Paris. But she was locked down by Covid-19 restrictions and stuck in Thailand. Her heart was in Thailand, too – and it ached for her compatriots who were suffering in the pandemic. She thought of her own grandmother.“She’s 94 years old, and then I really worried about her during Covid, like how is she going to cope and do things, so I just thought about all the people who are struggling during this time who might not even have a family or a home,” she…