Letter From The Bureau

Letter From Jakarta

From Instagram fame to political fall: Indonesia’s ‘Internet governor’ in the spotlight

Former West Java governor Ridwan Kamil and his ex-wife Atalia Praratya on the campaign trail in his gubernatorial bid for Jakarta in November 2024.

Letter From Kuala Lumpur

From TikTok to trophies: Malaysia’s science influencers, robotics contests nudge students towards STEM

Young Malaysian students compete in the International Robot Challenge 2025 in Beijing in August.

Letter From Tokyo

Japan has a shrinking population of kids and a tepid economy. But its toy market is booming

The International Tokyo Toy Show, an annual four-day event held from Aug 28 to 31 with the first two days for business stakeholders and the other two for members of the public, draws a bustling crowd eager to check out new toy releases.

Letter From Taipei

China frowns as Mona Lisa of Taiwan’s palace museum goes on loan to Prague

wyyletter26 - While the iconic Jadeite Cabbage is on display in the Czech Republic, two “cabbage sisters" are shown in its place.

CREDIT: YIP WAI YEE

Letter From Hong Kong

How a 1920s fable can help us understand what went wrong in the Tai Po fire

mfletter22 - As the sun sets and the lights come on in Hong Kong on Dec 17, 2025, the dark outlines of the charred towers of Wang Fuk Court look particularly stark, brutal even, against the Tai Po skyline, as if determined to remind every passer-by of the city’s recent sorrow.
ST PHOTO: MAGDALENE FUNG

Letter From Putrajaya

This Malaysian city was meant to replace Kuala Lumpur as the capital; 30 years on, it still hasn’t

Generic of Putrajaya, Malaysia on Dec 10, 2025.

Letter From Bihar

How children from ‘Manchester of Bihar’ defy odds to study in elite Indian institutes

ngweaver - Students study at Vriksh Pathshala in Patwa Toli village in the eastern state of Bihar.
ST PHOTO: NIRMALA GANAPATHY

Letter From Manila

My local eatery’s Michelin moment: Not just prestige but brighter future for owner’s family

Morning Sun Eatery owner Elizabeth Mortera proudly holds up her Bib Gourmand plaque from the Michelin Guide Philippines.

Letter From Gumi

Once it was South Korea’s Silicon Valley. Now it is known for making Shin ramyun and viral gimbap

Little known to most, the south-eastern city of Gumi is home to ramyun maker Nongshim’s flagship factory.

Letter From Kuala Lumpur

‘Gardening keeps me on my toes’: KL’s urban farmers grow vegetables to keep fit, share skills

Urban farming has sprouted across Malaysia since the Covid-19 pandemic exposed how quickly supply disruptions and income loss can strain urban families,

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.