Medan mayor’s Duterte-style populism is a stark warning for all
The writer says the last thing we need is another populist leader who could not care less about our basic rights as free and dignified human beings.
Asian Editors Circle
A humiliating moment for Thai foreign minister Pramudwinai
The writer says prohibiting the Myanmar junta from attending Asean meetings is a wise decision, although, as Thailand has proved, lacks efficacy.
Dr M doesn’t love me after all
The writer says that citizens must show that using race and religion as fear- and loathing-inducing tactics no longer work.
Rewriting history the Mahathir way
The writer says that instead of bringing the nation together, Dr Mahathir has metaphorically shown signs of bigotry by insisting on playing the politics of fear.
Megawati has questions to answer about rights abuses in Aceh
The writer says Megawati should at least feel guilty for the atrocities and take steps to heal the wounds of the victims and their families.
Granting the Jakarta-Surabaya train project to China is dangerous
The writer says before going ahead with the Jakarta-Surabaya railway project, Jokowi must calculate the long-term impact of his decision, including public scrutiny when he is no…
Future of multilingual tourist information
The writer says that technology, particularly QR codes, offers a way to get around adding languages to signs and maps for tourist destinations.
Emperor Naruhito’s visit, the selfie and the future of sultan’s daughter
The writer writes about differences in selfie culture, which is taboo within the Japanese royal family but is common practice among many Indonesians, including President Jokowi.
Free and fair elections for our sake, not because of US visa policy
The writer says, regardless of what the world may or may not say, it is the sacred duty of Bangladesh to hold free and fair elections.
Fallout from Fukushima radioactive wastewater
The writer says Japan may well consider other possible options, and heed the concerns of the international community,