On Migrant Workers in Singapore Published: 4 August 2020 Opinion When news about the Coronavirus spreading rapidly in the migrant worker dormitories was reported in the media in early April 2020, it prompted a huge outcry from many Singaporeans. The mainstream media ran reports about workers living in conditions which were unsanitary and cramped. By Jolovan Wham
During a Pandemic, Singapore’s Election Shifts Online Published: 2 July 2020 Article So Singaporeans will head to the polls on July 10. From start to finish, it will all be over in 17 days. This isn’t uncommon for the Southeast Asian city-state, where elections have long been a speedy business, and the general result known. But this election, GE2020, will be remarkably different from the rest — it’s taking place in the middle of a pandemic. By Kirsten Han
Plastics, Fossil Fuels and Desire: A Dive into the Complexities of a Plastic-Free World Published: 5 November 2019 Article Plastic is a brilliant invention. Through its uses in medicine, public health and in urban planning, it has likely saved many lives. A right relationship with it begins with acknowledging the importance of plastic. At the same time, a lot of the ways we use plastic today is non-essential. In fact, one could argue that by designing plastic to be used in such a careless and thoughtless way is disrespectful of the invention itself. It could be out there saving lives, but instead it is used to carry potato chips for 12 minutes. It is not the plastic that is the problem, but the way we choose to design it, source it, produce it and use it. By Melody Tay Xi Ching
On Freedom of Expression and Civil Liberties in Singapore Published: 22 April 2019 Article Jolovan Wham is getting very familiar with the inside of police stations and courtrooms. The Singaporean activist currently has multiple cases pending against him, ranging from investigations up to convictions and sentencing. His offences, alleged or otherwise, include organising illegal assemblies, vandalism, refusing to sign statements to the police, and scandalising the judiciary. He is, according the Singapore Police Force, to be described as “recalcitrant”. By Kirsten Han
Climate Change Mitigation in Singapore: Lessons From an Urbanized Island Nation Published: 27 March 2019 Article With a gleaming skyline, robust public transportation system, and high per capita income, Singapore is often held up as a paragon of development that other Southeast Asian countries seek to emulate. However, a closer look at Singapore’s climate commitments and non-state actors suggests that while Singapore presents a pathway for climate mitigation, the island nation still has scope to be more ambitious and those looking to follow in its path should take note. By Aidan Mock
New Strategies of Sustainable Food Production in ASEAN – Perspectives from Thailand, Myanmar, and Singapore Published: 26 June 2017 Organic food production is still a niche market in ASEAN countries, yet one on the rise. Health and ecological concerns have brought sustainable farming methods including small-scale and organic farming back to the table. This article takes a look at new strategies of sustainable food production in ASEAN with perspectives from Thailand, Myanmar, and Singapore. By Judith Bopp
