logo
Singapore shines spotlight on coastal communities with first Islanders' Day

Singapore shines spotlight on coastal communities with first Islanders' Day

CNAa day ago

The first Hari Orang Pulau is in celebration of the heritage of the indigenous people and early inhabitants from some of the surrounding islands. The government will set up an inter-agency group to work with the communities to support more initiatives. Muhammad Bahajjaj with more.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South East Asia's appetite for dynasties just got bigger
South East Asia's appetite for dynasties just got bigger

Independent Singapore

time7 hours ago

  • Independent Singapore

South East Asia's appetite for dynasties just got bigger

Southeast Asia's political landscape is a tapestry woven with the threads of dynastic rule, where family names often eclipse democratic ideals. From Malaysia to Thailand, Indonesia to Cambodia, political dynasties have shaped governance, sparking debates about nepotism and the health of democracy. Can the region break free from this cycle, or are dynasties an unshakable fixture? As public frustration grows and new leaders emerge, the future hangs in the balance. In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a storm of criticism over the rise of his daughter, Nurul Izzah, once hailed as the 'princess of reforms.' Her election to a prominent role in Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has ignited backlash, even among loyal supporters who see it as a betrayal of Anwar's reformist promises. The Anwar family's grip on power echoes Malaysia's history of dynasties, like that of Najib Razak, whose father served as a prime minister, but not to forget Husian Onn, who was also a Prime Minister and is related to Tun Razak, Najib's dad. Najib's fall to scandal and imprisonment seemed to signal a public rejection of dynastic politics, yet Anwar's family now faces similar accusations of nepotism. See also Greta Thunberg: 'miracle' climate saviour or puppet? Supporters, weary of unfulfilled pledges for a 'better Malaysia,' are questioning whether the opposition—untainted by dynastic ties—could usher in a new breed of leaders or if old dynasties, like Najib's, might stage a comeback. Across the region, dynasties flourish. In Thailand, the Shinawatra family has dominated for decades. Thaksin Shinawatra's populist policies won hearts before his ousting in a 2006 coup. His sister, Yingluck, became prime minister in 2011, and now his daughter, Paetongtarn, holds the office, cementing the Shinawatra legacy. In Cambodia, Hun Sen, after 38 years as prime minister, passed the baton to his son, Hun Manet, in 2023, ensuring the Hun family's control. Indonesia's Sukarno dynasty persists through Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of founding president Sukarno, who served as president from 2001 to 2004 and remains a political force. Even the Philippines sees the Marcos family's resurgence, with Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reclaiming power decades after his father's dictatorship. Singapore, however, offers a counterpoint. The Lee family, led by Lee Kuan Yew, the city-state's founding father, has long been synonymous with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Lee's son, Lee Hsien Loong, stepped down as prime minister in 2024, handing power to Lawrence Wong, a non-dynast. This break from tradition raises questions: Is Singapore charting a post-dynastic path, or will the PAP, under pressure to maintain its iron grip, seek another Lee to restore the dynasty? The persistence of dynasties hinges on name recognition, resource control, and patronage networks, as political anthropologist Sophie Lemiere notes. These families leverage their legacies to maintain influence, often framing their rule as a continuation of stability or progress. Yet, this comes at a cost. Nepotism erodes trust in democratic institutions, fueling public discontent. In Malaysia, Anwar's reformist credentials are under scrutiny as his daughter's rise alienates supporters. In Thailand, the Shinawatras face opposition from urban elites and the military, who view their dominance as a threat to pluralism. Can Southeast Asia thrive without dynasties? Singapore's transition suggests it's possible, but the region's deep-rooted patronage systems and voter loyalty to familiar names pose challenges. Malaysia's opposition, led by figures like Perikatan Nasional's Muhyiddin Yassin, could disrupt dynastic cycles if public anger over broken promises persists. Yet, the allure of established names remains strong, and without systemic reforms—stronger institutions, transparent elections, and curbs on patronage—new dynasties may simply replace old ones. The region stands at a crossroads. Will public demand for accountability topple these dynasties, or will they adapt to survive? In Malaysia, Anwar's legacy hangs in the balance as voters weigh reform against tradition. In Singapore, the PAP's experiment with a non-dynastic system could set a precedent—or prove temporary. As Southeast Asia grapples with inequality, climate change, and global trade tensions, the question looms: Can democracy flourish when power remains a family affair?

Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto to make two-day state visit to Singapore
Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto to make two-day state visit to Singapore

CNA

time17 hours ago

  • CNA

Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto to make two-day state visit to Singapore

SINGAPORE: Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto will make a two-day state visit to Singapore from Sunday (Jun 15) to Monday. It will be his first since taking office in October last year. On Monday, Mr Prabowo will receive a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House and call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who will also host a state banquet for his Indonesian counterpart, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Sunday. Mr Prabowo will also meet Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong for the 8th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat. It will be both leaders' first such retreat in their current capacities, said MFA. 'As the highest-level platform between the two countries, the annual Leaders' Retreat is testament to the excellent bilateral relations and strong interpersonal ties between our leaders,' MFA said in a press statement. Mr Wong and Mr Prabowo will 'review the strong and substantive cooperation between Singapore and Indonesia and chart the way forward', said the ministry. LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIP Singapore and Indonesia share a longstanding friendship and collaborate closely in areas such as defence, the green economy and connectivity, said MFA. Expanded Framework Agreements (EFA) on key areas of air space management, defence and extradition entered into force on March last year. Singapore has been Indonesia's top source of foreign investment since 2014. Last year, investment from Singapore into Indonesia amounted to US$20.1 billion. Some flagship economic projects between both sides include the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Free Trade Zone, Kendal Industrial Park and Nongsa Digital Park. Meanwhile, Indonesia has consistently been among the top source of visitors to Singapore, with 2.49 million arrivals in 2024. Both sides on Jun 13 signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on cross-border electricity trade, carbon capture and storage, and a sustainable industrial zone. Singapore's defence ministry and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also maintain a strong relationship with the Indonesian defence ministry and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). This cooperation extends to regional counterterrorism, maritime security and the conduct of bilateral and multilateral training, exercises and operations. There have also been opportunities for exchanges between Singaporeans and Indonesians under the Human Capital Partnership Arrangement signed at the 2022 Leaders' Retreat, including for youths and government officials. Last year's Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat was hosted by Indonesia in Bogor. On this visit, Mr Prabowo will be accompanied by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store