Opinion

Top business, policy and economic experts assess and analyse critical issues

Building collapse a wake-up call on building codes

The scenario is unimaginable, even in nightmares. We read about such building and infrastructure tragedies elsewhere. But when it happens in our own backyard, and when the official casually remarks that two warnings had been issued but the contractor did not pay heed is deplorable.

Mahathir strikes gold in common currency
Sathish Govind

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad might have struck gold in his idea of bringing the earlier botched East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) into fruition through a common East Asian currency pegged to precious metal.

If not China, then who?

China has built 31 highways and eight bridges for Cambodia with a total highway length of 3,000 kilometres. “What has the US done in this area?”, the Chinese Embassy said in reaction to the accusation by US against China on trade.

Cambodia’s stymied reform efforts

Prime Minister Hun Sen made it abundantly clear in 2014 when he formed the Cabinet that reform was a key agenda, and that he expects ministers to stand up, be accountable and take initiatives.