As Hussein Alatas and other Muslim thinkers recognised, only a working community of public intellectuals can save societies from shallow, populistic, and paranoid reactions to contemporary challenges such as inequality and identity politics, argues YAACOB IBRAHIM (National University of Singapore). This is the text of his closing remarks at the launch of a new book inspired by the late Syed Hussein Alatas.
The formal position of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament was created in a legal vacuum. Constitutional law scholar KEVIN Y.L. TAN explains why it should be given a proper footing in law.
Parliament has begun its marathon session reviewing the Government’s plans for the year. Tackling social inequality has been a stated priority of the Government for a while. This year, policy discussions can refer to a new research paper on the topic from the Ministry of Finance. NG KOK HOE (National University of Singapore) examines how it can guide the debate and suggests questions that remain.
What are challenges to Singapore’s economy in the contemporary world? What are the challenges people face — from work to care, housing to retirement? How should public policy address the needs of the people, both in the near and the long term? – A reading list.
Ten years ago, Singapore declared War on Diabetes. MOHAMMAD KHAMSYA BIN KHIDZER (King’s College London) examines the logics behind the campaign and finds that one under-appreciated rationale is economic.
The “Singapore model” of a market economy under heavy government direction has led to strong headline numbers that obscure signs of significant stress. High land and housing costs, extreme inequality, and a very low fertility rate suggest that everyday life feels precarious for many in one of the world’s richest cities. Singapore needs a new playbook, argues LINDA LIM in this article originally published by the Atlantic Council.
Historian of Philosophy LILITH LEE reflects on the value of reconstructing Straits Chinese philosophy for the history of world philosophies and for Singaporean self-understanding.
Twenty years ago, Louis Ng was known as the passionate animal rights activist who personified the spirit of independent advocacy in Singapore’s civil society. Ten years ago, Louis Ng Kok Kwang was officially announced a ruling party candidate for the 2015 General Election. This year, he quit electoral politics. LIEW KAI KHIUN, an independent scholar […]
KWOK KIAN WOON (University of the Arts) was the guest speaker at the Class of 2025 Convocation ceremony of Nanyang Technological University’s School of Humanities on 28 July 2025. This is the text of his speech. I am privileged to join you on this very special day for our graduands, and certainly also for your […]
Sociologist JACK JIN GARY LEE (New School for Social Research) traces the double standards embedded in the colonial criminalisation of gay sex. Reflecting on the recent repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, Russell Heng, playwright, activist, and pioneering scholar of postcolonial Singapore’s queer history, recounted a past troubling encounter with the police at […]
