
Asian Insider
Synopsis: Every Friday, get our distinct take on global issues with an Asian perspective, with ST’s globally-based correspondents.
Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.
Latest episodes

Sep 15, 2021 • 12min
S1E15: Najib Razak's advisory role in Malaysian Parliament: Regional Roundup Ep 15
Regional Round-up Ep 15: Najib Razak's advisory role in Malaysian Parliament 11:46 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: Malaysia's 14th Parliament signs memorandum of understanding for transformation and political stability (2:22) Former Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak's role as an advisor for the government (6:29) Philippines set to reopen despite increase in Covid-19 cases (8:08) Bali eased travel restrictions but stricter measures for international tourists (10:00) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 14, 2021 • 11min
S1E13: The intention behind China's efforts to better international relationships: China Perspective Ep 13
China Perspective Ep 13: The intention behind China's efforts to better international relationships 10:53 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: Objective of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's working visit to Singapore (1:24) China's pledge of 200 million yuan worth of aid to Afghanistan an overture? (2:52) Consequences of Beijing's plans to break up Ant Group's AliPay (5:25) The domino effect of China Evergrande Group going through debt restructuring (7:00) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/tan-dawn-wei Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 13, 2021 • 13min
S1E14: 9/11 attacks' anniversary emphasises US national unity needs: Washington Report Ep 14
Washington Report Ep 14: 9/11 attacks' anniversary emphasises US national unity needs 12:31 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: The US' commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (2:31) George W. Bush, US President during 9/11, warned of domestic terrorism (4:45) President Biden's order to release of 9/11 declassified documents (6:48) White House mandating vaccines for two-thirds of the workforce (8:57) Resistance to vaccines and Biden administration's plan to tackle it (10:01) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/nirmal-ghosh Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 2021 • 11min
S1E9: Hong Kong's vaccination and quarantine-free travel plans: Inside Hong Kong Ep 9
Inside Hong Kong Ep 9: Hong Kong's vaccination and quarantine-free travel plans 10:34 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly and Timothy Go on the following points: Changes in the vaccination programme in Hong Kong (0:54) Incentives for seniors to get vaccinated (2:16) "Come2hk" quarantine-free travel scheme starting Sept 15 (6:30) Hong Kong's economic zone to grow and the impact of plans to limit election seats for tycoons (7:26) Produced by: Prime Time, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Nadiah Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Claire Huang's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 8, 2021 • 9min
S1E14: Thailand plans to reopen by January 2022: Regional Round-up Ep 14
Regional Round-up Ep 14: Thailand plans to reopen by January 2022 09:10 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Current protest situation in Myanmar and peace deal situation (1:45) Situation after Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) declares a state of emergency (2:53) Outside government views on the China-Myanmar corridor (4:36) Thailand's plans to fully reopen without quarantine by January 2022 (5:41) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 7, 2021 • 12min
S1E5: Could a China Evergrande collapse cause an Asian crisis? - Speaking of Asia Ep 5
Speaking of Asia Ep 5: Could a China Evergrande collapse cause an Asian crisis? 12:21 mins Synopsis: Join The Straits Times's associate editor Ravi Velloor, in this series of podcasts as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this fifth episode, he discusses the debt worries of China Evergrande, the world's most indebted real estate company, and asks whether there could be a regional economic crisis should this firm collapse, just as the failure of Hanbo Steel in Korea in January 1997 was a forerunner to the Asian Economic Crisis. The collapse of Hanbo Steel in South Korea in 1997 (1:30) Red flagging Evergrande's problems and the risks of putting all eggs in a China basket (3:20) Soros warns that an Evergrande collapse could cause a crash (4:55) Why fallout from Evergrande can be handled and need not be cataclysmic (6:50) Other significant developments that could hurt sentiment if combined with an Evergrande collapse (8:05) A triple whammy may just be too much excitement (11:10) Read Ravi Velloor's columns: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/ravi-velloor Produced by: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg), Hadyu Rahim and Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Follow Ravi Velloor on Twitter. Read & subscribe to the Asian Insider newsletter. Discover Asian Insider Videos --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 7, 2021 • 12min
S1E12: China's economic strategies and plans for climate change: China Perspective Ep 12
China Perspective Ep 12: China's economic strategies and plans for climate change 11:30 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China. Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at Singapore Institute of International Affairs, stands in for The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei, who is on leave. He chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: How will President Xi JinPing's mission to narrow the wealth gap affect the rich? (1:35) Benefits in China's plans to set up a third stock exchange in Beijing (3:00) Agenda of Britain's senior climate change official Alok Sharma in Tianjin (5:09) Sinopharm's newly-developed Covid-19 vaccine (6:28) China overtaking the US to be the world's largest economy by 2031 (7:53) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3 & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Tan Dawn Wei's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/tan-dawn-wei Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 6, 2021 • 11min
S1E13: How Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's US infrastructure campaign: Washington Report Ep 13
Washington Report Ep 13: How Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's US infrastructure campaign 11:08 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States. The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliott Danker about the following points: Key differences between Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Katrina (1:55) The aftermath of Hurricane Ida could boost President Biden's infrastructure campaign (4:00) How will global warming awareness improve the climate change conversations (5:40) New anti-abortion law being passed in Texas and the divide it'll cause (6:54) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Ernest Luis & Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories: https://www.straitstimes.com/authors/nirmal-ghosh Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 2, 2021 • 20min
S1E5: How Japan lost reputation as needle-shifting tech innovators: Letter From The Bureau Ep 5
Letter From The Bureau Ep 5: How Japan lost reputation as needle-shifting tech innovators 20:19 mins Synopsis: The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe every month. They talk about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. In this episode, she chats with ST's Japan correspondent Walter Sim about the following: Cultural resistance to change remains in Japan; how even vaccination passports are still paper-based (4:17) How the 'Galapagos Island' syndrome has cost Japan (6:15) Japan's strongest sectors and future prospects? (7:53) How China has overtaken Japan in online payments and how it took made-in-Japan QR Code technology to a higher level (9:20) Banking on oddball creativity for a cool Japan image, or even kawaii (cute) cultural product exports to improve its global 'soft' power (15:15) Produced by: Bhagyashree Garekar (bhagya@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim & Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Walter Sim’s stories: https://str.sg/ws6J Follow Walter Sim on Twitter: https://twitter.com/waltersimmx Read more of ST's Letters From The Bureau: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/letter-from-the-bureau Asian Insider newsletter: https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/asian-insider Asian Insider videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnK3VE4BKduMSOntUoS6ALNp21jMmgfBX --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 1, 2021 • 12min
S1E13: Malaysia and Indonesia recalibrate Covid-19 measures: Regional Round-up Ep 13
Regional Round-up Ep 13: Malaysia and Indonesia recalibrate Covid-19 measures 11:34 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker about the following points: Malaysia's citizens urged to cooperate with vaccination programme (2:09) Sarawak & Sabah to set out its own Covid-19 counter-measures (3:40) Looming duties on Malaysia's new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri includes fixing the country's fiscal deficit (4:59) Concerns with prolonged lockdown situation of schools in Indonesia (9:34) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.