Britain has intensified its engagement with Asia-Pacific countries, in particular Southeast Asia. But London’s global interests will limit its ability to project a meaningful presence in the region.
The raft of measures announced by the Malaysian government to restrict people’s movements will help to stem the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures, however, are having a huge impact on the country’s poor.
The positions taken by some Islamic groups on the national policy of social distancing will determine the success – or failure – of the policy.
Recent policy responses effected by Malaysia and Singapore to combat the Covid-19 pandemic have been responsible and measured – and have also underscored the deep and wide economic relations between the two neighbours.
The new cabinet of Johor closely resembles the traditional Barisan Nasional line-ups in terms of ethnic majority. UMNO’s traditional share of ministerial portfolios is also a blast from the past.
The ranks of self-employed individuals in Malaysia has swelled in recent years. The government has to do more to facilitate the growth of such one-person operations
The Covid-19 pandemic has sent the cruise industry floundering. This is hitting maritime seaman hard, in particular, those from the Philippines.
The Prayut government has mishandled the Covid-19 crisis. The battle against the deadly virus should best be left to the frontline combatants in the healthcare sector
The ruling National League for Democracy’s bid to change the constitution has floundered. But the failure has highlighted the growing schism between the increasingly populist NLD and the corrupt and power-hungry military elite
The economic storm stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic is taking its toll on businesses. But self-employed workers are taking the brunt of it.
Britain and the Asia-Pacific: Global Interests versus Regional Engagement
Britain has intensified its engagement with Asia-Pacific countries, in particular Southeast Asia. But London’s global interests will limit its ability to project a meaningful presence in the region.