Straitstimes.com header logo

Commentary

Fear and loathing in Malaysia: Waning trust fans conspiracy theories

Cases of elite impunity have rocked the nation and eroded trust in institutions.

An image of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki at a protest in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 15. The MACC is among institutions facing accusations of abuse of power.

The property guide price is not what you’ll pay: Australia cracks down on underquoting ‘plague’

image-alt

Trump to decide ‘soon’ on sending weapons to Taiwan

image-alt

‘Hell and back’: Mass rape survivor Gisele Pelicot recounts her ordeal in memoir

image-alt

Field Notes from Chongqing

Gen Zs in China snapping up replicas of museum artefacts. Is this about cultural confidence?

image-alt

Family of five, including two young children, killed in suspected murder in Kuantan

Australia rules out repatriating citizens from Syrian camp holding ISIS-affiliated families

Godfather and Apocalypse Now actor Robert Duvall dies aged 95

Trending

Chinese New Year

Ramadan

Budget 2026

Australia

Singapore courts

Shorts
Community care staff could see annual salaries rise by 7% or more: Ong Ye Kung

2:25

British man arrested for damaging check-in kiosks at Hong Kong airport

0:23

Baby monkey in Japan zoo finds comfort in plushie after being abandoned by mum

0:36

'Let us face the year ahead with adaptability and confidence': PM Wong's CNY message

1:34

17-year-old boy killed, 2 others injured in stabbing at Osaka’s Dotonbori area

0:39

Harbin Polarland penguins march out in festive suits to welcome Chinese New Year

0:22

Ramadan bazaar kicks off in Geylang Serai with Hari Raya light-up

0:22

Cantonment Close residents transform void deck for Chinese New Year

0:29

Dogs bring Valentine’s Day cheer to children’s hospital

0:45

Singapore

S’porean professor beats Chinese New Year travel rush to return from China for reunion dinner

Though based in China, Dr Samuel Gan is among those making the journey home to celebrate the festival.

Though he is based in China, Dr Samuel Gan, Research Professor of Biology at Wenzhou-Kean University, visits his family and friends in Singapore whenever he can.

$15.1b budget surplus reflects uncertain economy, cyclical windfalls: Economists

PM Wong visits public transport workers at SMRT’s Bishan depot ahead of Chinese New Year

S’pore’s Faiz Basha battles tough conditions, places 35th in slalom at Winter Olympics

Asia
image-alt

Singapore investors lead return of Asian capital to Australian real estate

image-alt

Macron pushes for Rafale fighter jet deal on high-profile India trip

image-alt

Gen Zs in China snapping up replicas of museum artefacts. Is this about cultural confidence?

image-alt

Nihilistic violence adds to South-east Asia’s youth radicalisation concerns

Opinion

Fear and loathing in Malaysia: Waning trust fans conspiracy theories

Shannon Teoh

avatar-alt

To win the AI adoption race, Singapore must mind the social class and gender gaps

Laurel Teo

Marking the National Pledge at 60

Irene Ng

Golfer Anthony Kim’s incredible revival carries a familiar message: Keep fighting

Rohit Brijnath

avatar-alt
Visual stories

The Week in Pictures: Beauty in motion at the Winter Olympics; football matches in snow and rubble

image-alt

Budget 2026 calculator: Check your benefits and estimated tax

image-alt

Singapore Budget 2026: A step to secure the future

image-alt

Sumiko at 62: Four simple exercises to improve balance

image-alt

The Week in Pictures: Winter Olympics action, Thailand and Japan go to the polls

image-alt

Sweat, mud, and tears: How Basic Military Training turns boys into men

image-alt

Made in the US, sourced globally: Why American firms aren’t spared the impact of Trump’s tariffs

image-alt

The BMT Journey: Inside Basic Military Training Centre’s School 2

image-alt

Coming to a road near you: How Singapore’s traffic signs are being upgraded

image-alt

Who goes missing in Singapore?

image-alt
Podcasts
image-alt

The Usual Place Podcast

Will becoming an AI-forward society lead to more inequality?
image-alt

Headstart On Record Podcast

Headstart podcast recap: Making better sense of investment in 2026 and yes, gold too
image-alt

In Your Opinion Podcast

Temporary or permanent relief? The future of CDC vouchers
image-alt

ST Podcasts

Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts
navigation-bar-logo
Headstart
Latest
Money Mentor
Work Bestie
Life Guide
About Headstart

Young & Savvy

Career road bumps can hurt, but I learnt that no experiences are wasted

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone.

The new skills picked up in a job taught the writer a lot about stepping out of her comfort zone, and about resilience and adaptability.

Meet the young people in Singapore ‘stacking’ overseas internships to get ahead

‘Thanks, I made it myself’: How these handy Singaporeans DIY-ed renovation works for their spaces

Me and My Money: AXS boss’ meals from hawkers come with a side dish of lessons on payment challenges

Video: Can Singapore really be friends with everyone?

askST Jobs: I feel overqualified at work. Should I move to a new role?

Employees can expand their existing role by taking on more complex problems, leading initiatives beyond one’s formal remit, or building skills that the organisation will need next.

‘Like scrapbooking, but on a bag’: Why Singapore girls are spending big on ita-bags

Polytechnic students Phoebe Ang (right), 18, polytechnic student, and Aryaan Yew, 22, with their Ita-bags on Feb 1, 2025.

Headstart On Record Podcast

Investing in stocks or stuff?

Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?
Most popular

1

Woman accused of throwing human waste onto parapet of HDB flat granted discharge for all 7 charges

2

S’porean professor beats Chinese New Year travel rush to return from China for reunion dinner

3

Businessman’s assets frozen to cover remaining $7.6m of $20m divorce settlement

4

Man dies after car skids at Bukit Batok HDB block

5

Jail for man who posed as prison officer to seek help from President Tharman via e-mail

6

3 taken to hospital after fire breaks out at Hougang HDB void deck

7

Pokemon card sold at auction in New Jersey for world-record $20 million

8

Is Mediacorp’s 2026 World Cup deal a ‘national service’ or commercial strategy?

9

$15.1b budget surplus reflects uncertain economy, cyclical windfalls: Economists

10

Man jailed 5 months for molesting woman after claiming he was her father’s workmate

Branded content
Grain-fed pigs, modern tech: Where to get ‘sweeter’, more tender pork for your CNY feast
FairPrice Group brings in fresh Malaysia pork via its subsidiary OJJ, with live pigs arriving by boat before being butchered and packed locally for optimal quality.
Why this S'porean lawyer spends her evenings mastering intricate footwork
How one entrepreneur scaled her business – and the platform that helped her get there
Using global payments platform Airwallex for its finance operations has made it much easier for Motherswork to scale the business abroad, says founder and chief executive officer Sharon Wong.
Different roots, one home: Their stories of living in multicultural S'pore
‘I don't want my children to argue about my care’: Why this mother created an LPA
With her husband's Lasting Power of Attorney in place, Mrs Toh Boon Keng was able to make swift medical and financial decisions when he lost mental capacity.
How working adults are future-proofing their careers without disruption
IAL's CPD courses provide accessible learning opportunities for working professionals looking to build new skills alongside their daily commitments.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

Download the app

Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom
Subscribe Placeholder
MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.