Hello.
It’s December already – where did the year go? With all the Christmas lights and decorations, does it sometimes feel like the festive season comes around more quickly each year?
On Tuesday, Singapore passed laws to decriminalise gay sex and protect the definition of marriage against legal challenge after a two-day debate in Parliament. The repeal of Section 377A brought to the fore uneasy conversations, but also allows us to reflect on how best to address thorny issues, says the Institute of Policy Studies’ Mathew Mathews.
And for those questioning why WP lifted the party whip and PAP did not, you’re focusing on the wrong thing, says Singapore Management University’s Eugene Tan.
In Malaysia, newly installed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has made the right moves in his first week in office. All eyes are now on who he will include in his Cabinet. Even within his ruling coalition, he will have to deal with a slew of erstwhile rivals, says Singapore Institute of International Affairs’ Oh Ei Sun.
And in China, authorities are reportedly set to loosen COVID-19 curbs after a week of protests. This may help placate some in the short term, but the problems besetting China’s youth are here to stay and with them the constant threat of unrest, says foreign policy adviser Christian Le Miere. Still, Shanghai-based Singaporean Ye Jiayi holds hope that things will improve.
We hope you enjoy the selection of commentaries this week.
Alison Jenner
Senior Editor, Commentary
.jpg?itok=GHGWX5cb "A post-Section 377A Singapore 35")
