Politics: News & Insights

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, right, listens to Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan in a debate on July 1, in this screenshot from the city-state's Channel 5 via CNA.

Singapore election

Singapore race gets heated over immigration and '10m population'

Foreign minister accuses opponent of peddling falsehood in live debate

2 July 2020

An opposition Progress Singapore Party volunteer hands out leaflets June 28. Candidates in Singapore's July 10 general election are barred from holding campaign rallies due to the coronavirus.

Singapore election

Singapore bars voting by COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine

New rule affects about 350 people ahead of July 10 election

2 July 2020

Workers hang a People's Action Party election poster in Singapore on June 30. The ruling party is pushing its "fourth generation" politicians as all sides attempt to woo younger voters.

Singapore election

Singapore election marks change of guard for PAP and rivals alike

Political veterans bow out as parties of all stripes amplify new voices

1 July 2020

Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother of Lee Hsien Loong and the opposition Progress Singapore Party's most prominent new member, speaks during a walkabout on June 24.

Opinion

Coronavirus and inequality threaten to unsettle Singapore election

Opposition will try to capitalize on People's Action Party's poor COVID-19 response

1 July 2020

Lee Hsien Yang of the Progress Singapore Party speaks with voters on June 30. The same day, he said he would not run in the election because Singapore "does not need another Lee."

Singapore election

Singapore PM's brother stays on sidelines as candidates start race

Ten opposition parties file nominations to challenge PAP in July 10 election

30 June 2020

Japan is eager to reopen business travel to and from a number of territories, including Taiwan, Brunei, Myanmar and Singapore, but not China.

Coronavirus

Japan puts Taiwan and Brunei atop its business travel agenda

Myanmar also considered as Tokyo moves to undo coronavirus restraints

30 June 2020

Progress Singapore Party leader Tan Cheng Bock greets voters on June 28 with Lee Hsien Yang, right, the estranged brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Singapore election

Singapore parties play up COVID policies before race starts Tuesday

Opposition platforms also target government's controversial 'fake news' law

29 June 2020

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, on Sunday greets a voter during a walkabout ahead of the general election in Singapore.

Your Week in Asia

China's CO2 rules, Luckin investors meet, Singapore campaigning begins

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

28 June 2020

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the ASEAN summit on June 26. The meeting hosted by Hanoi took place online.

International relations

ASEAN stresses freedom of overflight above South China Sea

Virtual summit leaves door open for India to sign up to RCEP by end of 2020

27 June 2020

Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in 2018: The veteran politician has decided not to run in the upcoming general election.

Singapore election

Singapore ruling party loses ex-PM Goh Chok Tong to retirement

At 79, veteran steps aside 'with heavy heart' weeks before election

25 June 2020

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, mingles with other Progress Singapore Party members on June 24.

Singapore election

Prospect of Lee vs. Lee election has Singapore buzzing

PM's estranged younger brother steals spotlight by revealing opposition membership

24 June 2020

Singapore will head to the polls on July 10, with the ruling party hoping to capitalize on its vigorous response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Singapore election

Singapore election comes with extra drama: 7 things to know

Pandemic, economic woes and Lee family rift raise the stakes on July 10

24 June 2020

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announces the dissolution of parliament for an election on June 23, in this screenshot from CNA.

Singapore election

Singapore calls July 10 election now that coronavirus is 'stable'

PM Lee says it is time to 'clear the decks' to focus on post-pandemic recovery

23 June 2020

The pandemic-induced slowdown may offer the Asia-Pacific region a prime opportunity not only to catch up on environmental targets, but also to lay the groundwork for a greener future. © Illustration by Hiroko Oshima

Asia Insight

Asia risks missing 'green' economic reset after coronavirus

Except in South Korea, experts see absence of environmental resolve in region

23 June 2020

A bus passenger has his temperature checked in Tokyo on June 19: The previous day the Japanese government announced the lifting of all travel restrictions. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)

Coronavirus

Japan reopens for business, pinning hopes on tracing app

Despite risks of new outbreak, domestic travel resumes; bars back in action

19 June 2020

Singapore is reopening from its COVID-19 shutdown, but physical election rallies will be banned under rules announced June 18.

Politics

Singapore safe election rules strip opposition of crucial weapon

Rallies banned as rights group says COVID-19 undermines 'already unfair' vote

18 June 2020

The statue of Stamford Raffles, pictured in September 2018: it is time for Singapore to tell a different story about itself.

Opinion

Singapore should tear down its statue of Raffles

Colonial monument stands for flattery of West, instead of cultivating neighbors

17 June 2020

A woman wears a face shield and protective mask at a station in Jakarta as the government eases restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 on June 8.

Coronavirus

Indonesia tops Singapore as Southeast Asia's COVID-19 hot spot

Experts warn against full reopening of economy before virus is stamped out

17 June 2020

Coronavirus

Singapore says virus 'under control' as reopening hits phase 2

Shops and restaurants to reopen as speculation of snap election looms

15 June 2020

A migrant worker in Singapore waits to be taken to a medical facility. Coronavirus outbreaks in dorms for foreign laborers account for 93% of the city-state's cases.

Asia Insight

Singapore coronavirus clusters awaken Asia to migrants' plight

From Malaysia to Japan, crisis highlights need for support and social inclusion

9 June 2020

Passengers peer into their smartphones on a train in Singapore: The government expects the pandemic to prompt more online election campaigning.

Politics

Singapore orders online election advertising to disclose sponsors

New rules to ‘increase transparency’ as pandemic pushes campaigns online

8 June 2020

Li Keqiang told reporters at a press conference on May 28 that China is willing to consider joining the CPTPP.

Opinion

US must take seriously China's interest in Pacific trade pact

Beijing sees CPTPP as way to reduce reliance on America during trade war

6 June 2020

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is now on his third attempt at ousting a sitting head of government. (Photo by Ying Xian Wong)

Comment

Malaysia's ex-PM Mahathir gears up for one last fight

94-year-old politician joins hands with rival to oust Muhyiddin

4 June 2020

Temperature screening at Singapore's Changi Airport before the ban on short-term visits: The city-state is working to set up safe travel links with multiple countries.

Coronavirus

Singapore and China set strict rules for airtight 'travel bubble'

Business flyers will need visas, virus tests, contact tracing apps and more

3 June 2020

Singapore's gross domestic product is expected to shrink by 4% to 7% this year -- one factor the ruling party will be weighing in its election calculations.

Politics

Singapore weighs early election after coronavirus 'circuit breaker'

Opposition decries unclear rules for safe campaigning amid pandemic

2 June 2020