Hello.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss has made history – as the country’s shortest-serving leader. After six chaotic weeks in office and 24 hours after her “I’m a fighter, and not a quitter” proclamation to an angry parliament, Truss has thrown in the towel and will step down next week. She has now become a case study in poor leadership, says a business professor.
Over in Asia, Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term at the ongoing 20th Communist Party Congress. Xi may double down on the zero-COVID rhetoric now but he still needs an exit strategy, says international relations professor Robert Kelly.
And though leader succession norms have been thrown out, China will still select its next generation of leaders. Who might Xi Jinping’s successors be? Foreign policy adviser Christian Le Miere takes a close look at potential contenders.
Nearer to home, Malaysia has announced dates for its 15th General Election, with nomination day on Nov 5 and polling day set for Nov 19. Monsoon or not, there is simply no other time for an election if you’re UMNO, says Asian Studies professor James Chin. But loopholes in the new anti-hopping law could affect the unpredictable Malaysian political climate.
Finally, if you’re heading out this weekend, you may notice some people with their masks on, and some without. Almost three years into the pandemic, people have had different encounters with the COVID-19 virus. These experiences have shaped our risk perceptions and consequently our behaviours and actions, say NUS Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk’s Jared Ng and Yiyun Shou.
We hope you enjoy the selection of commentaries this week.
Alison Jenner
Senior Editor, Commentary
.jpg?itok=fHkrjj4c "Liz Truss makes history as UK's shortest-serving PM 35")
