Asian Insider podcast

52:35

His moves on international platforms have earned praise. Domestically though, he faces political turmoil and rising scepticism. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For our June episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Tan Tam Mei are joined by Ariel Tan, a senior fellow at RSIS, to unpack Malaysia’s showing at global forums. From hosting a landmark Asean Summit and joining BRICS, his diplomatic engagements with leaders from China, Russia, and the Middle East, PM Anwar has advanced Malaysia on the world stage. But domestically, challenges are mounting. With talk of nepotism and several movements within the unity government, what could come next and how will this reshape the political field as the country inches closer to its 16th General Election that must be held by early 2028. Highlights (click/tap above): 06:58 Malaysia as Asean chair and PM Anwar’s showing 09:44 How can PM Anwar and Asean affect change, especially in Myanmar? 14:20 Translating Malaysia’s international appearance for the domestic audience 18:20 Malaysia’s diplomatic balancing act between the US and China 23:09 Nurul Izzah’s rise to PKR No.2 post, Rafizi Ramli’s exit from Cabinet 26:08 What’s next for the PKR and Nural Izzah? 31:08 Timing, motivations and implications: Why Tengku Zafrul Aziz is joining the PKR 35:51 Zafrul’s performance as Investment, Trade and Industry Minister 41:50 Quelling Umno’s upset and what to exact at the next Cabinet reshuffle 44:50 The next big prize: Making moves in anticipation of winning the next general election 47:08 News nugget: Penang’s new char kway teow champion Read more: Malaysia’s showing at Asean - https://str.sg/Gp5Q Fallout from Malaysia’s PKR election - https://str.sg/mbjY Zafrul’s jump to the PKR - https://str.sg/kbSe Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Hosts: Tan Tam Mei ( tammei@sph.com.sg ) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S1E1: Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts 3:29

11 днів тому3:29

3:29

Listen to our news commentary podcasts on the go every week. Podcasts have become part of the global media landscape these days. The audio-on-demand format allows many listeners to often do other chores or hobbies, while hearing the shows in the background over headphones or bluetooth speakers Follow our shows on your favourite audio apps Apple Podcasts, Spotify or even ST’s app, which has a dedicated podcast player section. Trailer narrated by: Podcast editor Ernest Luis ( ernest@sph.com.sg ) Edited by: Elsa Goh --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u Headstart On Record: https://str.sg/wB2m Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Wheel Insights: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Special edition series: Green Trails (4 eps): https://str.sg/bMyx This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 on April 23, organised by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra). True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T This series clinched the gold award for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2024 in April, and third place for Best Podcast at the Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2024, both organised by Wan-Ifra. The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 This series also won The Best Podcast/Digital Audio Project category at the 2022 Digital Media Awards Asia, organised by Wan-Ifra. Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #stpodcasttr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E32: 'Second China shock? You ain’t seen nothing yet' says top economist 15:52

18 днів тому15:52

15:52

A conversation with the eminent private sector economist and strategic affairs expert Manu Bhaskaran. Synopsis: Every second Friday of the month, The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. South-east Asia is reeling from a flood of Chinese-manufactured goods that threaten the region’s industry, from cars to even batik shirts. Some call this phenomenon the ‘Second China Shock.’ In this episode, Ravi speaks with Manu Bhaskaran, the eminent Singapore economist and expert on regional politics and geopolitics. Mr Bhaskaran is a partner and board member of Centennial Group, a Washington DC-based policy advisory, and Adjunct Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:00 What the 'Second China Shock' is about 5:30 ‘Fitness centre’ of global manufacturing 7:05 Countries, industries most affected 10:00 How can Asean respond? 12:30 A protectionist wave ahead 15:00 Why Asean has a lot going for it Host: Ravi Velloor ( velloor@sph.com.sg ) Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E31: This Shandong city produces 80 per cent of China’s peony paintings 21:13

25 днів тому21:13

21:13

China’s unofficial national flower is getting Heze noticed, as its cities strive to develop unique calling cards Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. The Straits Times’ foreign editor Li Xueying and China correspondent Joyce Lim take us to Heze, a city in Shandong province, where peonies aren't just admired by tourists - they drive a multi-billion yuan industry. Long revered for their cultural significance, peonies now powers a thriving local economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and carrying unexpected political symbolism, including ties to First Lady Peng Liyuan. What can a single city alone reveal about the China’s deeper economic challenges - from changing consumer behaviour to rising youth unemployment and growing regional divides? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:28 The cultural significance of peonies in China 4:04 Peonies in modern Chinese culture 5:42 Toothpaste, cooking oil and TCM - how peony is made into 260 products 13:33 Challenges and strategies for cities in China 17:43 Conclusion and broader economic insights Read Joyce Lim’s article here: https://str.sg/LcLs Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Li Xueying (xueying@sph.com.sg) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E30: Chongqing's car market boom amid trade war challenges 18:01

6 weeks тому18:01

18:01

Industry players say they will hunker down and focus on Central Asia and Southeast Asia. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For May, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai and assistant foreign editor Sarah Ng connect with Aw Cheng Wei who is based in Chongqing. They discuss Chongqing’s evolution as an automotive hub and its aspirations to beef up the tech sector to better support the manufacturing of vehicles going forward. Given its geographical location and logistical prowess, Chongqing has thus far focused on Central Asia and other parts of the developing world as key export markets for its vehicles. Even as the US-China trade war rages, Chongqing’s prospects remain upbeat as those in the industry say they will hunker down and continue to focus on markets that are plugged into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a central pillar to President Xi Jinping’s bid to expand China’s political and economic influence worldwide. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:12 Past history: How Chongqing became an automotive hub 3:45 Chongqing’s automotive sector makes up half of its industry value-added services 5:20 Dummy question: What is the difference between smart cars and EVs? 10:04 Temporary truce in trade war could affect Chongqing? Is China dumping EVs into emerging markets? 13:20 Rail connection critical to Chongqing-Central Asia trade 14:50 Mala food scene in Chongqing: What you need to know Read more: https://str.sg/eGoi Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Hosts: Albert Wai ( albertw@sph.com.sg ) & Sarah Ng ( ngsls@sph.com.sg ) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S1E1: Landslide win: PAP gets 65.57% of votes in Singapore general election 8:55

8 weeks тому8:55

8:55

Singapore's 2025 general election was held on May 3, and the ruling People's Action Party won 65.57 per cent of the national vote, a commanding swing up from its 61.24 per cent share in 2020. The ruling party won 87 seats out of the contested 97, securing a majority in Parliament. The opposition Workers' Party retained two GRCs in Aljunied and Sengkang, and one SMC in Hougang. This election gave Prime Minister Lawrence Wong the clear mandate that he had sought, in his first electoral contest as head of government and leader of the PAP. Narrated by: Ernest Luis ( ernest@sph.com.sg ) Produced & edited by: Hadyu Rahim, Teo Tong Kai & Amirul Karim Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #asianinsider #tuptrs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E29: A view of the cemetery: Why house-hunting in Jakarta is a challenge 16:17

9 weeks тому16:17

16:17

Indonesia’s capital, one of South-east Asia’s most crowded cities, contains 12 million people in a land area of 660 sq km. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. The Straits Times’ Indonesia bureau chief Arlina Arshad has lived in Jakarta for 16 years - and moved five times. What are the lessons that she’s picked up in searching for the right apartment in Indonesia’s capital city? In this city of contrasts, private-sector developers are on a tearing streak to build high-end condominiums for an expanding middle class. At the same time, graveyards and slums are just round the block from these homes. And for decades now, the government has strove to resolve the housing and urban development challenge in Jakarta. What plans does the Prabowo administration now have? Highlights (click/tap above): 0:58 Every move an exciting and chaotic journey 4:03 Drawing the curtains on a graveyard 5:57 Indonesians’ attitudes towards the dead 8:31 Why Jakarta is so crowded 10:48 Fixing the housing challenge Read Arlina Arshad’s article here: https://str.sg/b9qb Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Li Xueying ( xueying@sph.com.sg ) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa — Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E28: “I called Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tiger supremo Prabhakaran a megalomaniac": Author 25:05

12 weeks тому25:05

25:05

A conversation with M R Narayan Swamy, veteran South Asian journalist and biographer of slain Tamil Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. As Sri Lanka approaches the 16th anniversary of the end of its civil war, Ravi speaks with M R Narayan Swamy in this episode. Swamy is the author of several books on Sri Lanka’s now-vanquished militant group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and he talks about his most recent book – The Rout of Prabhakaran. Swamy’s book details the last days of Tamil Tigers supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran who was killed, along with hundreds of fighters and Tamil civilians, by the Sri Lankan army in May, 2009. In this podcast, he discusses why Prabhakaran, who once controlled a third of Sri Lanka’s landmass, and two-thirds of its coastline, met his bloody end; the mistakes he made along the way, and the magical hold he seemed to hold on his cadres. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:30 A post-mortem on Prabhakaran, and Tigers 5:40 ‘Political harakiri’ – the big lessons from the defeat 13:10 Tigers compared with Hamas 16:25 “Unforgivable Western complicity” 19:35 Tamil insurgency effectively ending 23:10 Can Sri Lanka now be another Singapore Host: Ravi Velloor ( velloor@sph.com.sg ) Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E27: Xi'an: China's city known for its terracotta warriors and pollution 21:03

12 weeks тому21:03

21:03

Xi’an is famous for its terracotta warriors but still faces significant challenges in air pollution. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. In six of the 10 years between 2014 and 2023, Xi’an had the poorest air quality among China’s new top-tier cities, which are the most commercially attractive cities after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In 2023, the city ranked fifth from the bottom out of 168 key cities in China, having recorded harmful PM2.5 levels of 48 ug/m3 on average that year, much higher than the healthy limit of 5 ug/m3 recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). While there are improvements in air quality over the years - thanks to measures taken by the government, there is still a long way to go. The local residents, while they do not disregard the pollution, are more concerned with their financial situation. In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with ST correspondent Ang Qing - who shares her experiences being in Xi'an for three months, a city known for its terracotta warriors and its air pollution challenges. They also talk about the role of civic engagement and environmental activism in China, highlighting the efforts of young activists and their challenges advocating for change. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:03 Qing’s personal journey in Xi’an 5:54 The state of air quality in Xi’an 8:42 Government measures and community responses 11:34 Public perception and future challenges? 14:22 Qing's takeaways: Civic engagement and environmental activism in China Read Ang Qing’s article here: https://str.sg/JUC7c Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Li Xueying ( xueying@sph.com.sg ) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa — Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E25: Dr Anji Sinha: Trump's mystery pick for ambassador to Singapore 31:39

15 weeks тому31:39

31:39

Who is Dr Anji Sinha? Our US bureau chief finds that the key to this story lies in relationships. Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points. As of the publication of this episode on March 21, nothing much is known about the person recently nominated by US President Donald Trump to become the top American diplomat in Singapore beyond his or her name. The Straits Times’ senior columnist Lin Suling and US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar reveal the detective work involved in trying to uncover who US President Donald Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to Singapore is - from following the breadcrumbs laid out by contacts to dealing with dead ends and working the phones to reveal the Florida connection. Highlights (click/tap above): 03:00 The significance of the US Ambassador to Singapore 04:55 Uncovering who Dr Anji Sinha is 07:34 A tip-off and a subtle hint 09:53 Dealing with hesitant sources, sensitive diplomatic matters 14:17 Broadening contacts 17:28 The Trump administration’s cautious approach 19:46 The Florida Connection 25:02 Looking ahead: The confirmation process Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo Read Lin Suling’s articles: https://str.sg/nnEQ Follow Lin Suling on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/t2RX Read Clement Tan's articles: https://str.sg/Ep62 Follow Clement Tan on X: https://str.sg/uErS Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Lin Suling ( linsuling@sph.com.sg ) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E26: Why are so many mainland Chinese making Malaysia their second home? 49:45

15 weeks тому49:45

49:45

Thousands of mainland Chinese are choosing Malaysia’s laid-back vibes over their stressful lives back home. Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For March, hosts Lim Ai Leen and Tan Tam Mei kick off with ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh, and special guest Dr Ong Kian Ming, both based in Kuala Lumpur. It’s easy to settle down in multicultural Malaysia, as thousands of mainland Chinese on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa scheme have discovered. Affordable property, international schools, local food and a relaxed lifestyle are all draws, but are there drawbacks? As it is, signage in the Chinese language has already sparked off a war of words between politicians. Speaking of politics, the recent Democratic Action Party (DAP) election saw the Lim family influence diminished. Former deputy minister and party insider Dr Ong gives us the lowdown on what happened on March 16, and his predictions for the DAP’s future. Highlights (click/tap above): 01:21 MM2H: Why is it so popular with mainland Chinese? 06:43 Cultural shift, retail landscape change from influx of Chinese 11:19 How Chinese brands are adapting to local market 14:57 Furore over Chinese signage 19:43 DAP election: How the party’s evolved in Malaysian politics 26:56 Will DAP turn into MCA 2.0 30:49 Mood at party polls 38:02 Lim Guan Eng's future role and influence 42:38 News nugget: What’s your desert island Malaysian snack? Read more: MM2H scheme - https://str.sg/bsDx Malaysia’s DAP election - https://str.sg/Kiqx Heated exchange Malaysia’s MCA and DAP - https://str.sg/FS6T Dr Ong Kian Ming’s Are We OK? podcast - https://str.sg/63jG Read Lim Ai Leen’s articles: https://str.sg/MKsE Read Tan Tam Mei’s articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Hosts: Lim Ai Leen ( limal@sph.com.sg ) & Tan Tam Mei ( tammei@sph.com.sg ) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E24: From pineapple farms to data centres: Johor’s changing landscape 14:45

16 weeks тому14:45

14:45

But Malaysians’ love affair with the fruit persists. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. Talk about what’s new with Johor nowadays and one usually ends up with a five-letter acronym - JSSEZ, or the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. But all the excitement about rising opportunities has also hastened the demise of what traditionally has juiced up Johor’s economy - pineapple farms. Land packed with the hardy, spiky fruits is making way for more profitable oil palm plantations, data centres as well as other commercial and industrial activities. Malaysia is not giving up on pineapples though, as it's the No 2 export fruit after the mighty durian. Sarawak has earmarked 20,000 hectares just for growing the fruit. In this episode, ST’s foreign editor Li Xueying speaks with Malaysia correspondent Lu Wei Hoong about his love affair with pineapples and why it means so much to Malaysians. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:56 A special fruit to Malaysians 5:00 The closure of Lee’s Pineapple Juice 7:03 The rise of data centres 12:42 From Johor to Singapore: The pineapple connection Read Lu Wei Hoong’s article here: https://str.sg/zby2 Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Li Xueying ( xueying@sph.com.sg ) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa — Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E23: Trump is ‘doing a Mao Zedong’ on the US 25:11

17 weeks тому25:11

25:11

Why our expert guest speaker draws parallels with the chaotic Cultural Revolution in China in 1966. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode - recorded on March 4 - Ravi speaks with Wang Xiangwei, the eminent Hongkong-based China scholar and former editor-in-chief of South China Morning Post. Mr Wang, who currently teaches at Hongkong Baptist University, offers a Chinese perspective on the vast changes being brought to the United States by President Donald Trump. He draws parallels with the chaotic Cultural Revolution ordered by foundational Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1966, and discusses what strategic openings this could present China. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:30 Comparisons with Mao’s chaotic Cultural Revolution 5:30 ‘The enemies are within’ 9:00 Trump popular despite chaos unleashed 14:40 China too needs to drain the bureaucratic swamp 17:50 China gains as Trump undoes Biden policies 20:30 Putin won’t burn China bridges to please Trump 22:40 US-China confrontation will continue until there’s a winner Host: Ravi Velloor ( velloor@sph.com.sg ) Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E22: Why Shenzhen still needs 'big brother' Hong Kong in its quest for growth 19:42

18 weeks тому19:42

19:42

The relationship may not necessarily be purely competitive only. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For February, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai and assistant foreign editor Chang May Choon connect with colleagues - Magdalene Fung based in Hong Kong, and Joyce Lim in Shenzhen. They wonder if Shenzhen has indeed eclipsed Hong Kong today, and look at how the two cities’ roles have evolved in recent years. Once a rural backwater that looked up to its richer, savvier neighbour across the border, Shenzhen underwent rapid development in the past four decades and flipped the power dynamics. But within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the reality is that both cities will need each other in order to have sustainable growth going forward. The GBA refers to the region comprising the semi-autonomous cities of Hong Kong and Macau, and nine cities in Guangdong, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:50 Past history: When Hong Kong was less developed and Shenzhen was just a village 3:40 Light show comparisons: The Shenzhen light show, launched in 2018, and Hong Kong’s Symphony of Lights - a tourist staple since 2004 5:35 Does Shenzhen represent the future, in terms of the tech edge? 8:35 Hong Kong is still the big brother that is the largest source of investment for Shenzhen 11:35 Why would one cross the border, to visit either city? 13:42 Understanding the Greater Bay Area concept Read more: https://str.sg/9Snd Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Hosts: Albert Wai ( albertw@sph.com.sg ) & Chang May Choon ( changmc@sph.com.sg ) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Asian Insider

1
S2E21: America’s new enemies under Donald Trump: Allies, the deep state and the media 34:57

19 weeks тому34:57