Is there room for transgender rights in the ‘New Malaysia’?

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Activists believe that the transgender rights in Malaysia under the new government have not changed at all, or have arguably gotten even worse. I wrote his article for The Diplomat magazine Transgender rights in Malaysia Nisha…

Underage maids trafficked in Singapore

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Official figures are unknown, but activists against child labor see new cases of maids trafficked in Singapore every year. I wrote this article for The Diplomat magazine Maids trafficked in Singapore Ma Wain Wain from Myanmar struggled…

Lost in transition: How it really feels to be transgender in Thailand

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Despite its international reputation as a haven for members of the LGBT community, growing up teen transgender in Thailand can be tough – as Ari’s story shows I wrote this article for South China Morning Post Teen…

Sharia is here to stay in Indonesia’s Aceh

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Sharia in Aceh is here to stay. Even an attempt just to hold Sharia-dictated canings in private was ultimately unsuccessful I wrote this article for The Diplomat Sharia in Aceh In Indonesia’s conservative province of Aceh,…

Forced seduction: problematic rape scenes persist in Thai soap operas

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Rape in Thai soap operas is a problem. It is routinely depicted as a precursor to romance, with female protagonists shown falling in love with their rapists. But, led by an outraged viewer, the country’s television industry is starting to…

Was Buddha a Feminist?

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The first fully ordained Thai female monk in the Theravada tradition caused a controversy that continues 15 years later. The question is: Was Buddha a feminist? I wrote this article for The Diplomat Was Buddha a Feminist? The Venerable…

Would moving Indonesia's capital work?

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Experts say Indonesia's plan to move capital from Jakarta will not solve Jakarta’s overpopulation problem, as many people might not want to leave   This article was previously published in South China Morning Post Indonesia's plan to…

Why are abuse claims in Cambodia's war on drugs being ignored?

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The war on drugs in Cambodia may not feature the violence of Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown in the Philippines, but advocates still warn of ‘gradual but deadly’ rights abuses This article was previously published in South China Morning…

Death sentence for Artur Segarra unlikely to end in execution, experts say why

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This article was previously published in Coconuts Bangkok Artur Segarra Spaniard Artur Segarra, accused of the murder of compatriot David Bernat, was sentenced to death by a Bangkok court on April 21 and transferred to Bangkwang Prison,…

Faith divides us: Malaysian families are being torn apart by the secret conversion of children to Islam

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Embittered spouses are secretly converting their children and using the country’s dual legal system to gain an upper hand in custody battles This article was previously published in Southeast Asia Globe printed edition Indira Gandhi’s…

Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island

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Bangladesh pushes ahead with plans to send Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island This article was previously published in Equal Times Rohingya refugees to uninhabited island Thengar Char, a 40-square-kilometre island in the Bay of…

How the murder of a Malaysian transgender woman exposed fears over an islamic penal code

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The brutal killing of a florist shocks activists who say it must be seen against a backdrop of rising conservatism that threatens the LGBT community This articule was previously published in South China Morning Post LGBT…