Arriving in Singapore on Sunday, US Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Vietnam today on the second stop of her Southeast Asia tour. But with geopolitical considerations guiding affairs, Amnesty International's Carolyn Nash says the region's many human rights issues must not be sacrificed at the altar of US political interests.
#Region #USA #Politics #HumanRights #CarolynNash

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/kamala-harris-southeast-asia/

Following Myanmar’s coup, uncertainty and turmoil in the Golden Triangle, Southeast Asia's long-time narcotics hub, means syndicates are casting an eye across the Mekong for next steps. Strategically located and with soaring meth seizures this past year, Cambodia is showing signs of becoming central to the region's drug trade. John Wojcik, an Associate Programme Officer at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, sheds light on recent developments.
#Cambodia #Drug #Crime #JohnWojcik

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodia-drug-trade/

Cambodian schools have been closed for more than 200 days since the onset of Covid-19. Already struggling to engage thousands of young learners pre-pandemic, this extended break has only worsened the situation, with the long-term effects on a generation of students yet to be seen. Christine Redmond writes this piece in collaboration with education-focused NGO Aide et Action.
#Cambodia #Covid19 #Education #ChristineRedmond

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodia-school-closures/

This month, a top-secret document emerged in Thailand. It revealed not only a list of 183 people deemed enemies of Prayut's military-backed government – among them a monk, a journalist and two 15-year-old girls – but also a paranoid state's long-standing urge to purge 'unThai' elements, writes Globe columnist Mark Cogan.
#Thailand #Government #Enemy #MarkSCogan

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thai-government-enemies-list/

Ho Chi Minh City's traditional taxi firms have taken a hit with intense competition from Grab in recent years. But with ride-hailing apps suspended amid a spiralling Covid outbreak, a return of business for drivers comes with its risks as they assume their new role as front line workers. First-time Globe contributor Madeleine List reports from the locked-down Vietnamese metropolis.
#Vietnam #Covid19 #Taxi #MadeleineList

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/ho-chi-minh-taxi/

As Malaysia marks 58 years of independence on August 31, Professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania writes that the country today is going through a midlife crisis, suffering from serious identity issues caused by the rise of political Islam and the ideology of Malay-Islamic supremacy.
#Malaysia #Politics #Identity #JamesChin

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/malaysia-identity-issues/

In a recent interview with the Globe, resistance leader Dr Sasa expressed his frustration that the international community has not recognised Myanmar’s ousted government. But a crucial upcoming vote by the UN General Assembly this month on the country’s legitimate representative offers hope of symbolic victory for the opposition. Jessica Mudditt spoke with the charismatic public face of the National Unity Government from an undisclosed location, reporting back their conversation.
#Myanmar #Coup #Opposition #JessicaMudditt

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/unga-vote-myanmar/

In the Kingdom, most stories are told in Khmer. But the Bophana Centre’s filmmaking programme is training indigenous youth in northeastern Cambodia to document their communities and languages, at risk of being subsumed by the dominant national culture. Budding Krueng filmmaker Mourng Vet told the Globe’s reporter in Siem Reap Jack Brook how the centre has helped him discover, and share, his heritage.
#Cambodia #Culture #Film #JackBrook

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/bophana-project-indigenous-film/

In late-July, the US-funded CambodiaCheck project would be launched to counter misinformation surrounding the Kingdom. Less than a month later, the fact checking initiative would be cut short, standing accused of spreading the very thing it set out to counter. Globe's editor-in-chief Alastair McCready spoke with those involved with this mini-scandal, both the project’s funders and those targeted by its truth-seeking mission, to unpack what went wrong here.
#Cambodia #Fakenews #Disinformation #AlastairMcCready

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/fake-news-cambodia/

Blocking the legal right of individuals to choose their own gender continues to hinder the rights of Malaysia’s transgender community. Our reporter in Kuala Lumpur, Ashley Yeong, explores their underground world, the challenges they face, and the possibilities of new legislation permitting a ‘third gender’ that could strengthen protections for transgender and non-binary people.
#Malaysia #LGBTQ+ #Transgender #AshleyYeong

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/malaysia-transgender-community/

As the country’s educated youth flee in hopes of continuing their degrees, the road out is fraught with danger, a long list of difficult administrative tasks and a heavy financial burden. Our reporter in Phnom Penh, Kiana Duncan, follows their turbulent journeys.
#Myanmar #Coup #Education #KianaDuncan

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/myanmars-student-exodus/

Singapore has seen a rising demand for part-time home cleaning amid Covid-triggered shortages of full-time household help. A newly-formalised scheme offers migrant cleaners better working conditions. Rachel Genevieve Chia explores how this is changing conditions and offering protection as these workers build their lives away from home.
#Singapore #Workers #Rights #Covid19 #RachelGenevieveChia

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/singapore-home-cleaning-scheme/

While many countries globally are making strong commitments to increase the percentage of renewable sources of energy for their national grids, Cambodia is sticking to coal and gas. Peter Ford describes why it should follow its neighbouring countries away from fossil fuels, or risk losing manufacturers.
#Cambodia #Energy #Renewables #Opinion #PeterFord

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodia-renewables-journey/

As the pandemic causes the prolonged closure of schools in Thailand, students are suffering the effects of misguided policies, neglect and mistreatment by the government and school authorities. The Globe’s columnist Mark S. Cogan believes fundamental reforms remain a long way away. He discusses the damaging effects of this educational crisis on young people’s mental health.
#Thailand #Education #Youth #MentalHealth #MarkSCogan

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/thai-students-mental-health/

Cambodia’s skills gap and structural education challenges are well known. Now, careers prep programmes are helping young people look past an uncertain present towards future opportunities. In a piece produced in collaboration with CFC, Globe’s Stew Post looks at how a series of organisations are equipping students with critical skills and resources for the workforce.
#Cambodia #Education #Career #StewPost

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodia-career-programmes/

Few commuters use Phnom Penh’s available public transit options. A city-wide public light rail could be the key for more accessible transport and a more sustainable infrastructure. But, as Ses Aronsakda sets out, first the city needs to change its approach.
#Cambodia #Tranportation #UrbanPlanning #Opinion #SesAronsakda

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/phnom-penh-public-transport/

Grief comes in many forms. And in Malaysia, a recently launched website commemorating lives taken by the virus has become an important platform for strangers to gather and share their loss. Globe’s Ashley Yeong shares insights on how new rituals are bringing people together in tribute.
#Malaysia #Covid19 #OnlineMemorial #AshleyYeong

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/malaysia-online-covid-19-memorial/

(Fake) snow is set to fall on Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands, following a developer’s recent announcement to build Southeast Asia’s first outdoor adventure ski park in the hilltops of Pahang state. But residents are protesting that the project will severely impact the area’s beauty, sustainability, and even put lives at risk of natural disaster. Globe’s Ashley Yeong looks at the potential pitfalls of this winter paradise and why the community is pushing back.
#Malaysia #Environment #Development #AshleyYeong

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/malaysia-cameron-highlands/

Nuclear technology may be known for its risks, but in Indonesia it has formed a crucial part of the country’s Covid-19 response. Reski Kurnia Ilahi looks into nuclear technology’s peaceful side and how it is helping important advancements in medical diagnostics.
#Indonesia #Covid19 #Technology #ReskiKurniaIlahi

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/indonesia-covid-19-nuclear/

In recent years Chinese tech giants have eyed Southeast Asia as a land of milk and honey where they can escape domestic adversities and U.S. aggression. But it is not the utopia it appears. Yutong Niu raises critical questions over the lingering issues for internet firms eyeing the region.
#Region #Innovation #Technology #YutongNiu

https://southeastasiaglobe.com/southeast-asia-chinese-tech-giants/