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Bhavan Jaipragas

Deputy Opinion Editor

Bhavan has been a journalist for more than a decade and was previously Asia editor for the South China Morning Post. During his 2016-2023 tenure at the Hong Kong daily, he rose through the ranks from correspondent to editor and played a defining role in building up its pace-setting news coverage of South-east Asia. His journalism career began when he joined news agency Agence France-Presse in Singapore as a correspondent. He has degrees from Nanyang Technological University and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Latest articles

Rules of engagement for an honest debate on Singapore’s immigration policy

ST20251231-202542800910-Lim Yaohui-pixgeneric/

Cyclists and people near the Jubilee Bridge with the Central Business District (CBD) skyline on Dec 31, 2025. 

Road closures and enhanced security measures will be in place during the ONE Countdown 2026 on Dec 31 until the early hours of Jan 1, with the events expected to draw huge crowds.

Celebrations and fireworks displays islandwide include those at Marina Bay and The Kallang, which was formerly known as Singapore Sports Hub.

Police, auxiliary police and security officers will be deployed to manage crowds in the vicinity of Marina Bay and The Kallang, said the police on Dec 28.

To prevent overcrowding, the number of people entering certain areas will be regulated by the police and security personnel.

These include The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade, Marina Bay Sands Waterfront Promenade and other areas within the vicinity of Marina Bay.

Can be used for stories on family, money, property, land, tourist, tourism, commercial, office, invest, budget, income, finance, financial, CBD, URA, population, and economy.

(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

After the Maduro raid, the question is who checks Trump’s risk-taking

Military build up continues in Puerto Rico after the S has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro.

Why the US-China AI race won’t be won any time soon

Both superpowers remain trapped by their respective choke points, and that status quo may endure for a while.

South-east Asia had a decent 2025. So why does no one feel like celebrating?

Displaced people carry boxes with drinking water distributed at a temporary camp in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on December 11, 2025.

Inside my 60-hour nasi kandar binge: Seeing Malaysia beyond the superficial

The spread at Nasi Kandar Line Clear in George Town. Nasi kandar, a Tamil Muslim fare, is one of the culinary treasures of the northern Malaysian state of Penang.

A long ball to nowhere: Accountability in Malaysia’s football fiasco

Malaysian football authorities stand accused of being party to falsifying naturalisation documents so that seven foreign-born players could turn out for the national team.

Climate activists must beat populists at their own game

Oxfam activists wearing oversized masks representing world leaders including US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Cop30 summit.

The BBC’s bias scandal holds lessons for public service media everywhere

This episode shows that the royal charter binding the BBC is no magic bullet for ensuring impartiality.

Singapore’s message to cyber crooks: Do not use us as a launchpad

data security, security, data, online, computer, castle, symbol, internet, crime, cyber, bullying, hacker

No shame in the art of the fawn – Asia’s way with Trump and China

US President Donald Trump walks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a high honor presentation ceremony, where Trump was presented with a replica of a crown worn by the kings of Silla, at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)