Browsing Category

Politics

3475 posts

Trump financial disclosure reveals post-presidency earnings

Former US President Donald Trump has filed his first post-presidential financial disclosure, revealing earnings from sources including speaking engagements and a golf and real estate development project in Oman. Trump reported earning between US$100,000 and US$1 million from his NFT digital trading cards, more than US$5 million from speaking engagements and no more than US$200 from his social media platform Truth Social. Trump has previously refused to release his tax returns while in office and took legal action to block congressional requests for them.

The sameness of cabinet ministers cut from the same cloth, straight from the same assembly line

Augustine Low, a Singaporean commentator, discusses in his latest op-ed how the “degree of training” that Singapore’s leaders go through before moving up the ranks sets them apart from leaders of other countries. However, he points out that to get the full story, we have to ask what purpose this training serves and to what end. According to Low, there is a sameness about the ministers in the cabinet, making it difficult to tell one minister apart from another. They are all cut from the same cloth, straight from the same assembly line, making conformity and groupthink their trademark.

PV Chief Lim Tean criticizes Sitoh Yi Pin’s support for GST hike and calls for change in upcoming elections

Peoples Voice (PV) Chief Lim Tean led a team of party members to Potong Pasir SMC to meet with residents struggling with the rising cost of living. During the visit, Lim expressed concern about the impact of levying GST on essentials, criticizing Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yi Pin’s support for the recent hike. He urged residents to vote for change in the upcoming elections.

Solomons ‘disqualifies’ pro-Taiwan ex-provincial leader

Daniel Suidani, a former provincial leader of the Solomon Islands, has been “disqualified” by the pro-China government for his refusal to recognise Beijing over Taipei. The move follows Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision to switch the country’s diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019. Suidani, who plans to challenge the decision in the High Court, has consistently refused to toe the line set by Sogavare, citing overwhelming support among people in Malaita for maintaining ties with Taiwan. The move comes at a time of growing Chinese influence in the Solomons and the wider Pacific.

Foxconn founder Guo announces Taiwan presidential run

Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Foxconn, has announced his intention to seek the presidential nomination of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang party, citing the need to “avoid war” with China. Gou warned that there is a risk of war breaking out anytime and that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must be voted out to prevent this. Taiwan will elect its next leader in January 2024, with President Tsai Ing-wen set to step down in May of that year.

Jacinda Ardern delivers final speech to NZ parliament

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern retired from politics after a career marked by empathetic leadership during crises. Ardern steered New Zealand through natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre. She will now devote herself to fighting online extremism as part of the Christchurch Call project and become a trustee of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. Despite her reputation, Ardern faced escalating abuse online and was targeted 50 times more than any other high-profile figure in New Zealand.

Singapore gets caught up by Chinese clandestine propaganda operation in India

Indian journalists and researchers have been approached by alleged Chinese agents who offered them monetary rewards to cooperate on projects or write articles on security and foreign policy, according to reports in the Indian media. The agents reportedly used fake credentials and claimed to be from Singapore-based institutions. Two individuals, who claimed to be working for the National University of Singapore and Singapore Institute of International Affairs respectively, contacted journalists and researchers via social media and email. Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong later confirmed that the individuals in question did not exist and their accounts were fake. Experts believe the incident is part of a clandestine propaganda operation by China, with the aim of influencing Indian journalists and researchers in their writings.

US House speaker meets Taiwan president despite Beijing’s threats

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen in California, prompting outrage from China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and opposes any official contact between Taipei and other countries. McCarthy’s meeting with Tsai, a compromise to underscore support for Taiwan without inflaming tensions with China, comes after Pelosi’s visit last year. China has responded with threats and rhetoric, and its response may be shaped by McCarthy’s public statements after the meeting. China’s consulate in Los Angeles condemned the meeting, stating it would hurt Chinese national feelings and undermine China-US relations.

Investment from China a boon for Anwar’s administration, but Malaysia must be cautious

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has secured a record investment commitment of RM170 billion from China, which is expected to bolster his administration’s support and create a favorable atmosphere. Anwar’s focus on the economy and his efforts to win foreign investment and create job opportunities are earning him many brownie points, according to Dr Ngeow Chow Bing, the director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya. However, some experts warn that Malaysia needs to be cautious not to be bullied by China, given its significant economic relationship with the country.

Leong Mun Wai appointed Progress Singapore Party’s Secretary General

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Tuesday that Mr Leong Mun Wai has been appointed as the party’s Secretary General, succeeding Mr Francis Yuen, who did not contest in the Central Executive Committee (CEC) election. Mr Leong, who is currently a Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), will be supported by Nadarajah Loganathan as the First Assistant Secretary-General and Dr Ang Yong Guan as the Second Assistant Secretary-General. PSP’s Chairman, Mr Tan Cheng Bock, will remain in his position, and Ms Hazel Poa, who is also a NCMP, has been appointed as Vice-chairman. Together with the 12 members elected on March 26th, 2023, PSP’s new CEC now has a total of 14 members. The appointment of Mr Leong as Secretary General comes after Mr Yuen’s resignation, citing his business roles overseas as the reason for his decision to step down. He added that it is crucial for the PSP to have a full-time leader to lead the party into the next election.