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Malaysia Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Vale Barry Pearton: Founder, Editor, Asia Today International
In the early 1980s, after witnessing opportunities in Asia, Barry Pearton saw a clear gap in Australia's media market. Without nothing but optimism, courage and a kitchen table as his office, he founded Asia Today International. With his wife, Florence as the editor, Barry brought news on the economic development of Asia to Corporate Australia, at a time when news on Asia was mainly event-driven and negative. The headlines then were about the murder of Australian journalists in East Timor, or the boatpeople from Vietnam. Such was the fodder of news reporting from Asia - much to the annoyance of some Asian governments, notably the sensitive Malaysian government who objected to the tone of reporting on the country. In a few short years, the newsletter format matured into a subscription magazine. Asia Today International became part of the reading library at many airline lounges in airports around Australia and Asian gateway cities. It was carried onboard by Asian airlines and a sprinkling of carriers on their Asian routes. But it was Qantas that provided a key distribution channel for the magazine. The magazine was also available to guests in the club floors of some of Asia's leading hotel chains. Barry was prescient in his observation of events in Asia and, indeed, the wider world. In its editorial, published in October 1997, he wrote: "In our 1994 Yearbook, ASIA'95, we said the latter half of the1990s would present relatively more risks in Asia than did the1980s - because Asian economies in the '80s were able to commit to development unencumbered by political constraint. "It is ironic," we said then, "that Australian unwittingly led the best decade of Asia go..." He tagged the 1995 Yearbook, ASIA '96, "a year of living cautiously". "1995 was the year of the Mexican crisis - and a year in which the yen appreciated markedly. We pointed to worrying trade gaps in some Asian countries as a consequence of strong foreign investment flows, and of widening trade deficits in Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea," he wrote. The Asian Financial Crisis occurred in 1997 largely due to debt as a result of trade deficit. "In our 1996 Yearbook, ASIA'97, we noted the collapse of the electronics markets and its impact on Asia's export sector, The question challenging economic planners, particularly in Thailand and Indonesia, is whether this is a cyclical downturn or whether it implies a more deep-seated problem,' we said at the time." And so on. Barry was one of the wittiest headline writers there were in his generation. In one issue published in October 2009 he wrote: "Will G7 sink the good ship Recovery? The issue covered the aftermath of the global financial crisis and the counter- productive policy decisions of the developed economies. Barry's cover headline for the December/January 2019/20 issue was "Asia 2040 The Shape of Things to Come. Among the stories was the instability in Asia and the shift towards a bipolar world. And it asked: "US-China trade war: The new normal?" Although the magazine was originally conceived for Corporate Australia, its coverage was such that it was picked up by global subscription agencies such as Lexus Nexus, EBSCO and others. Over 38 years, and a bulging archive of more than a million words capturing the growing pains of Asia and celebrated Asia's economic success gave Barry a unique perspective of the region. Of all the countries where he worked, Hong Kong captured his heart. So, it was with deep sadness that he wrote "Breaking Hearts in the Streets of Sorrow" in the December 2019/January 2020 issue. These were his words: "Expect the unexpected. It is the timing, the sheer suddenness of the violence and civil disobedience, that is spooking business in trouble spots across the world today. Who, less than six months ago, could have foreseen the streets of flames, teargas, terror, bitterness and sorrow that epitomise Hong Kong today...." Barry's time in Hongkong was formative. Most importantly, he met and successfully wooed, to the envy of many colleagues, fellow journalist Florence. Among his various roles in Hongkong was as correspondent for the Melbourne Herald which took him to China to cover Gough Whitlam's ground-breaking trip there. Not known for his attachment to trade unionism, at least in Australia, he also served as Chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. In that capacity he successfully the argued the case for proper compensation for the employees of the China Mail, a lively afternoon paper which was closed down with scant notice or severance pay by its rich owner, the South China Morning Post. Barry was also closely involved, with fellow Australian Jack Spackman, in the founding of the HK Press Club, a Wanchai meeting spot for local journalists then not allowed to join the Foreign Correspondents Club. After Hong Kong, Barry had a brief stint in London where he worked shifts at the now defunct News of the World and Construction News. Upon his return to Australia, Barry kept up with old friends from Hongkong, some of whom contributed to Asia Today International and was always open to a meal or a drink and share news, gossip and ideas, always good-humoured with those with whom he disagreed. In short, a good friend, an excellent journalist and -- let's not forget -- an entrepreneur. Barry was lived through the changes in journalism moving from hot metal printing that he experienced working for the Herald Sun in Melbourne and later in the South China Post in Hong Kong to digital production. He found it hard to reconcile with the changes that journalism has undergone with the advent of the Internet and social media. He could not understand how young journalists could consider what was published on social media as a source for a story. For him it is all about the footwork, about the face-to-face interviews and not just one but multiple to double-check and triple-check facts. His style was pedantic, and some would say old school. For him every comma must be in the right place, and grammar must be impeccable. He was always with a red pen ready to correct copies submitted by his correspondents. Asia Today International consumed the last 40 years of his life. It was a labour of love and source of great pride. Barry was born on December 31, 1944, at Colac a small Victorian town. He went to at least a dozen schools as his father, an executive of what was then GJ Coles, the forerunner of Coles Supermarket chain, was transferred from city to city to open new stories. When not subbing and producing his magazine or talking politics with his friends Barry could be found immersed in the latest spy novels. He loved conspiracy theories and delighted to identify landmarks that he had read about in books during his travels whether it is the Dome in Paris (in Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code) or the endless mention of Foggy Bottom and Pentagon in a huge array of other novels about the CIA agents. Barry passed away peacefully with his wife, Florence, by his side on March 15,2025. He will be deeply missed by all those who know him. Source: Asia Today International
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Dragon Ball scouter? Osaka Expo security guard's headset goes viral
Security guards in Osaka are going viral online for wearing headsets that look like the one in the manga Dragon Ball. PHOTO: THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN/ASIA NEWS NETWORK OSAKA - Security guards for dignitaries at the Osaka-Kansai Expo's Japan Pavilion are going viral on social media for the state-of-the-art head-mounted displays (HMD) worn over one eye, looking like a headset in the popular anime and manga Dragon Ball. The HMD shows visual and textual information sent from the pavilion's disaster prevention centre. When on duty, security guards look at the display to check information such as who will arrive and when, in addition to the face photos of dignitaries they are to guard or anyone seeming suspicious. Videos taken with a camera attached on guards' chests are sent to the disaster prevention centre in real-time. Many social media users have been amazed, saying the HMD looks like a 'scouter', a gadget in Dragon Ball that measures an opponent's combat skills. Online, netizens hav e posted co mments such as 'It looks cool,' and 'I'm obsessed'. The Japan Pavilion will host honoured guests from foreign countries and regions. Based in Tokyo, the company in charge of security, Teikei Co., developed the HMD to be first used at the Expo. 'We'll share information with the disaster prevention centre and work to prevent any issues in advance,' said a deputy director of the company's West Japan operations department. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia's leadership sought to champion proposed Asean semiconductor industry alliance
KUALA LUMPUR: Semiconductor industries within Southeast Asia must join forces to compete as a united bloc to elevate Asean's collective role in the global semiconductor value chain. To this end, the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) has proposed the establishment of an Asean Semiconductor Industry Alliance (ASIA). SSIA director Ang Wee Seng told Bernama in an interview recently that ASIA would enable regional semiconductor industries to compete as a united bloc globally with complementary strengths. He said SSIA is banking on Malaysia's current chairmanship of Asean to champion ASIA and rally support from member states in Southeast Asia. ASIA aims to transform fragmented efforts into a cohesive platform for innovation, investment and resilience, said Ang. 'It is about turning proximity into partnership. ASIA is envisioned not merely as an 'association' but as a regional alliance, with structured collaboration across government, industry and academia,' he said. Ang said the semiconductor industry is powering everything from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to green energy and mobility. Singapore has advanced manufacturing and research and development in the semiconductor industry, Malaysia is a leader in advanced testing and packaging processes, while Vietnam is a rising star in semiconductor manufacturing. As for the Philippines, it has expertise in downstream processes, while integrated circuits dominate the Indonesian market, according to 'Source of Asia', a one-stop shop for market expansion, providing on-the-ground expertise to guide companies in their growth strategy in Southeast Asia, South Korea and broader Asia. The Asean semiconductor market size, valued at US$95.91 billion in 2024, is projected to grow from US$109.62 billion in 2025 to US$212.33 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights, a company which provides reports to help enterprises and organisations to grow. SSIA is seeking endorsement and support from all Asean nations through the Asean Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (Costi). 'Costi's endorsement would then pave the way for further coordination through sectoral bodies, such as the Asean Economic Community or the Asean ministers on science and technology. 'This, in turn, would help to galvanise participation from industry players across the region and beyond,' he said. The proposal is currently under active discussion among selected stakeholders. Ang said Malaysia will not only be represented in the regional alliance but will also play a critical role in advancing this agenda. Like Singapore, Malaysia is an international semiconductor hub and is well-positioned to help elevate Asean's collective role in the global semiconductor value chain. As one of Asean's semiconductor powerhouses, Malaysia plays a pivotal role in the regional value chain, particularly in back-end manufacturing, design services and talent development. 'We hope Malaysia will contribute its strengths to ASIA by providing ideas, leadership, and cross-border collaboration, especially in areas such as workforce mobility, advanced packaging and shared research and development infrastructure,' he said. As Malaysia holds the position of Asean chair this year, Ang is hopeful Putrajaya would champion the Asia proposal by facilitating policy-level dialogue and rallying high-level support across ministries and Asean member states. 'Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year presents a timely and strategic opportunity to hopefully help shape the agenda to include semiconductor cooperation as a key pillar for digital and economic resilience in the region,' he said. While Asean countries have each made commendable progress, he said their collective competitiveness would be significantly enhanced through greater strategic alignment. 'One phrase that resonates with me is 'The future is not just 'Made in Asean' – it's 'Created by Asean'. Together, I believe ASIA will strengthen collaboration and help turn this vision into reality,' Ang said. – Bernama
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Tremors felt in Penang following Sumatra earthquake
GEORGE TOWN - Tremors were felt in certain areas on the island of Penang in Malaysia after a moderate 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck north Sumatra at 4.57pm on May 11. Many Penangites, especially those living in high-rise buildings, felt the quake which occurred about 500km away. In Pulau Tikus, a resident living on the 7th floor of an apartment felt the tremors. 'They lasted slightly over a minute, and I could even see the chair moving,' said Mr Aaron Tan, 36. Another Penang resident, Mr K. Sivan, 45, said he felt the tremors while working on the first floor of a building on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. He initially thought he had imagined the tremors, but realised they were real after checking with his friends. A resident of a high-rise condominium in Tanjung Bunga, who only wanted to be known as Ms Arisa, said she also felt the tremors while cooking. 'I was in my kitchen when suddenly I saw my kitchen cabinet vibrating for about 20 seconds,' she said. According to a post on the Malaysian Meteorological Department's Facebook page, the earthquake struck at a depth of 74km, with the epicenter located at 3.7 degrees north latitude and 97 degrees east longitude, about 107km southeast of Meulaboh in Aceh province. However, there is no tsunami threat from the quake. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Straits Times
Phuket cabby faces charges after blocking ambulance, resulting in patient's death
A patient died before reaching medical care after the ambulance he was in was delayed. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK PHUKET - Phuket police have filed charges against a local taxi driver following the circulation of a viral video showing an ambulance being obstructed in the Kathu district. The video, which spread widely across social media platforms on April 29 , sparked public outrage. According to the Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organisation Rescue Centre, a patient died before reaching medical care after the ambulance he was in was delayed. The centre posted a video clip showing a taxi driver refusing to give way to the ambulance, despite its siren and emergency lights being activated. The incident occurred on Kamala-Patong Road in Phuket's Kathu district. The taxi was allegedly driving in the middle lane and refused to switch lanes for several minutes, even as the ambulance approached with lights flashing and siren blaring. The patient, a 77-year-old man with a history of heart disease, had collapsed earlier in a durian orchard in Kamala, a town on the west coast of Phuket . After being contacted by the man's family, the rescue centre coordinated an emergency transfer to Patong Hospital. The rescue centre said the man's daughter, who is a nurse, performed continuous CPR throughout the journey. However, the delay caused by the taxi blocking the ambulance en route to the hospital prevented timely treatment, and the patient was later pronounced dead. Following the incident, Patong Hospital and local police reviewed CCTV and dashboard camera footage. Patong Police Station has since contacted the taxi driver and filed two charges: obstructing an emergency vehicle and violating the rights of a patient. Legal proceedings are now underway. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
