Pregnant and looking for a job: What are a woman’s chances of getting employed in Singapore?
Businesses must continue to treat women fairly, according to the director.” There are laws and guidelines in position. The fresh Workplace Fairness Act, which was passed in Parliament, builds on the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to further enhance the laws against discrimination based on sex, marital status, maternity position, and caregiving obligations, and will become effective in the next year or two.
TAFEP argued that job seekers are not required to tell their prospective employers about their pregnancy, but they can do so with their potential employers. ” Having an open conversation establishes clear objectives for work objectives and fosters respect and understanding between both events.”
Yet though potential employers doesn’t or intend to hire individuals, Eugenia Ng, director of recruitment firm Michael Page Singapore, said “unfortunately in Asia, there are still many recruiters who ask this question.”
Ng advised you to respond politely but properly if you are the subject of a problem like this:” I’m not comfortable answering private questions about my conception plans. I’m thrilled to have the chance to work in this position and am totally committed to carrying out my duties. I’m happy to give more information about my education and experience.
This answer keeps things professional and places the emphasis on your credentials while also establishing a private interview threshold, said Ng. You may graciously rise if such inquiries make you feel uncomfortable, but you should take into account whether the company’s culture and values align with your beliefs.
Push for peace in deep South
A peace negotiation committee should be established immediately to kick-off new peace talks with the Islamist separatist Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani ( BRN), according to peace advocates.
Anchana Heemmina, a human rights defender and the founder of the Duay Jai Group, a charity that provides treatment for rape victims in the deep north, said,” It’s time for the government to set up a new section to oversee harmony negotiations in the deep southern.”
At a new website, Ms. Anchana spoke to journalists, human rights activists, and peace advocates from both Muslim and Buddhist countries to share their views on harmony in the heavy South.
Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat are the three southern border provinces in the deep west.
Ms. Anchana claimed that peace negotiations between the Thai government and the BRN-led hardliners are also important, and that the government should carry out its policy of negotiating for harmony.
If the Thai government stalls the formation of a peace deals section. I predict that citizens will be the target of many more violent problems. All of them are soft target. And she said,” There is a chance that a new cycle of violence may soon break out.”
On January 4, 2004, 413 firearms were stolen from the 4th Development Battalion of the Pileng Military Camp, located in Narathiwat, by unfamiliar suspects. This was the first violent period. During the 20-minute-long weapon attack, four men died.
A number of fire attacks were carried out at 20 colleges across Narathiwat while the Pileng affair was taking place.
Some people believe these incidents were planned, and there will be more phases of murder in the area.
For more than 20 years, these processes have caused turmoil in the southwestern border regions.
According to Ms. Anchana, the crime has had an impact on the lives of the people who live there.
She said,” These violent incidents have hampered funding and halted regional development. No new owners are afraid to travel to the area to look for potential investment opportunities.
A man rights advocate and activist who pleaded anonymity claimed that her organization had worked closely with children in both informal and formal training in the deep South.
She claimed to have spoken with the children about their futures and hope for peace. The youngsters were worried about their potential. They worried that if the crime continued, they would find employment.
She added that she was concerned about the prospects of young people in the deep south because secure schools are essential for utilizing education’s transformative potential and enhancing learning outcomes.
How will these children be able to develop into high-quality individuals if they are exposed to daily violence in their neighborhood? She inquired.
Anchana: Buyers are hesitant to travel there.
Law enforcement
A new federal peace dialogue team may be established in January, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s announcement in January.
But, Mr. Phumtham has not yet decided who will make up the new group, which might be the preceding group or a newly appointed one. A detailed analysis of the methods used to end the decades-old insurgency will determine the choice.
Former deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council ( NSC), Chatchai Bangchuad, previously served as the chief negotiator in peace negotiations under former prime minister Srettha Thavisin.
On February 17, Mr. Phumtham traveled to the deep south to meet with members of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 ( ISOC Region 4 ) at Sirindhorn camp in the Pattani district’s Yarang district.
Mr. Phumtham, who also serves as the defense minister, instructed the ISOC Region 4 employees to exercise the greatest patience in resolving the long-term issues facing the southern regions.
He instructed them to use His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great’s job methodology, which was based on the” Reach, Access, and Develop” principle for all parties involved, including government officials and local communities, so that they could work together to solve problems.
He claimed that he had asked all involved organizations to prioritize their tasks and tactics for addressing the issues and that they needed to incorporate their efforts to advance the people’s livelihoods and promote regional peace.
He claimed that law enforcement must still be launched against those who commit violent acts in the strong South.
Plan for healthy room
The Buddhist Network for Peace’s chair, Rakchart Suwan, claimed that his organization has been promoting tranquility since 2004.
He claimed that thousands of people have been killed as a result of the assault, including priests and both Muslims and Buddhist, government leaders, teachers, officers, and soldiers.
He told the website,” I am always in anguish when I see crime in the area.”
He claimed that some members of his party had traveled to meet with BRN associates to talk about ways to bring back harmony to the deep South and safeguard local residents.
A safe room concept where both Muslims and Buddhist may express their ideas and opinions openly is proposed by Mr. Rakchart, who is also a part of a House committee studying the development of harmony in the deep north.
He stated that the plan is being thoroughly discussed by all interested parties in the area and the state, and he hopes it will soon be accepted.
Thailand’s southern border region is known for having a sizable Thai-Muslim population, which is important given that the country’s vast majority of its citizens are Buddhists.
Additionally, the area is home to a number of popular and diverse communities of Malay individuals.
The inhabitants of this region have long been the victims of systemic injustices and identity-based prejudice.
Rakchart: Ends persistent hostilities
Rift tests coalition unity
Phu thai and Bhumjaithai alliance” good” to endure despite conflicts.
Relations between the decision Pheu Thai Party and Bhumjaithai, a coalition partner, have occasionally been in trouble.
Tensions have risen since former prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s career, with the most notable one being Pheu Thai’s efforts to re-list marijuana as a narcotic, which had reverse Bhumjaithai’s most famous cannabis decriminalization plan.
The parties have also had disagreements over a number of pressing issues, including the proposed casino-entertainment advanced, the size of the bulk needed to pass a contract amendment referendum, and efforts to alter Section 256 of the contract to make way for a legal rewrite.
A golf course in Nakhon Ratchasima, linked to Bhumjaithai head Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Alpine Golf and Sports Club in Pathum Thani, which is linked to the Shinawatra home, are also at the center of reports that suggest great tensions are also at play.
The Department of Special Investigation’s potential research into reported collusion in the upcoming year’s Senate election has grown in scope as a result, with reports that the so-called “blue party”– a group of senators connected to the Bhumjaithai– is being targeted.
Questions arise as to whether the hostilities pose a real threat to coalition security as the events ‘ tensions start to become more visible or merely serve as a social bargaining tool.
A check of empire
If this is a social game, the chances are favoring the ruling party, especially now that the opposition has submitted a movement for a no-confidence debate centered only on Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Ms. Paetongtarn, who is also the Pheu Thai Party leader, is accused in the action of lacking the leadership abilities, knowledge, and ability to govern effectively.
Additionally, the action claims that she permits her father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to have influence over government choices, making her a “puppet” prime minister while her parents releases the keys to the authorities, who is deserving of accountability.
The results of the no-confidence action is a crucial test of alliance unity because Ms. Paetongtarn was specifically targeted in the debate. A second absent vote may be interpreted as a sign of disagreement between the coalition party MPs, which may require the prime minister to have all of the votes.
Despite the current conflicts, Bhumjaithai is improbable to form alliances, especially since doing so could only serve to socially undermine the Pheu Thai Party. A government expulsion results in a loss of liquidity to communicate and an opportunity to increase the organization’s democratic foundation for the upcoming general election.
However, Pheu Thai is said to be growing out of rage over Bhumjaithai’s actions, which are viewed as defying its objective. When they disagree with our every move, a senior Pheu Thai official said to reporters,” How can we continue working up?”
social math
But, removing the Bhumjaithai Party from power would be a wise move because it would keep the ruling party with a sizable lot. The Pheu Thai-led state may have 252 seats without Bhumjaithai, which is just 11 more than the opposition union.
Pheu Thai may choose security by keeping the celebration in the coalition even if some Bhumjaithai MPs join the fray by abstaining from supporting Ms. Paetongtarn.
In this scenario, Pheu Thai will likely reshuffle the cabinet, negotiating for important positions, especially the Bhumjaithai leader’s currently powerful interior minister position.
Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, a lecturer in political science at the National Institute of Development Administration ( NIDA ), concurred that tension between the two parties won’t escalate into a full-fledged conflict and result in a breakup.
” Bhumjaithai is essential to the security of the state and ensures that the government fulfills its mandate. The decor ministerial post is good what Pheu Thai wants to aid in its political objectives, he said.
The future debate will check their cohesion, according to a cause with Pheu Thai, because it makes Ms. Paetongtarn famous and because each coalition MP is expected to fully support her, and nothing less.
The ruling party has a great chance to assess how things are with Bhumjaithai if the conversation is focused solely on Ms. Paetongtarn, according to the source.
Despite disputes over a number of issues, particularly in parliament, and the majority of times Pheu Thai has to deal, trust is still maintained, and the partnership party is expected to support the prime minister.
The source acknowledged that Pheu Thai does not step in such a way unless it is absolutely essential because cutting Bhumjaithai out of the authorities will weaken it.
Pheu Thai MPs may not take a second voting that is missing and there is no justification for it. This may put our coalition partners to the test. If they do that, it may indicate that they are prepared to secede,” the source said.
The source claims that Bhumjaithai is doubtful to use the no-confidence vote as a bargaining tool because it is politically childish and has the potential to fail.
Thai-US projects get cash back
PUBLISHED: 3 Mar 2025 at 05: 27
After the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) announced the lifting of the suspension order previously issued on projects ‘ activities and approved reimbursement for expenses incurred during the suspension, cooperation between Thailand and the United States has resumed.
The collaboration is a component of Thailand’s efforts to promote public health, including improving the ability of health personnel, boosting the capacity of the public health system, and Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the permanent secretary of public health.
This cooperation agreement covers 31 non-research tasks for this fiscal year, with a complete expenditure of 279.1 million ringgit.
Following an administrative get from the US government, the US CDC recently issued a Notice of Award informing all functions that actions under funding after January 24 would be terminated, suspended, or restricted.
Activities funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief ( Pepfar ), which were permitted to continue, include those relating to the prevention and treatment of HIV and tuberculosis caused by HIV, such as the purchase of medicines, laboratory tests, storage, and distribution of medical supplies.
Following a ruling from the US District Court in Rhode Island on January 31st, the US CDC issued a fresh see on February 11 announcing the cancellation of the suspension purchase.
He claimed that despite the suspension, numerous projects continued thanks to funding from both domestic and international organizations as well as the support from the private sector and NGOs. According to sources, this made for little upheaval.
According to Dr. Opas, the government furthermore strengthened its internal power during the time, including encouraging medical research and development and adopting technology and innovation to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Commentary: Will Trump tariffs force China to fix its economy quickly?
China’s fiscal and monetary policies will likely be decently stepped up, but not necessarily in the same way that they did during the global financial crisis.
The$ 4 trillion yuan stimulus package at the time was 4 trillion yuan, or 11 % of GDP in 2008. Despite having a higher state loan, it was a significant boost to China’s home demand, primarily due to the expansion of funds and investment in infrastructure. China imported more goods and commodities, easing the need shock’s way across the world.
For two reasons, things are different this day.
Second, the Chinese government has set the tone for a slow-moving economic growth rate and is more involved with debt than before.
China now emphasizes “high-quality development” while setting a more confusing growth goal of “around 5 %” compared to the previous time. China’s Communist Party’s main newspapers, the People’s Daily, stated in an article from December 2024 that it is not necessary to adhere to a particular growth rate. There is less reliance on credit expansion and local authorities debt restructuring, but there is also a stronger emphasis on challenges.
Support for a piecemeal approach may be limited due to Mr. Trump’s plan focus on long-term “high-quality development,” which is in line with his demands. It’s unlikely that China’s economy will suddenly rise, especially given the challenges brought on by its deteriorating people and depressed real estate markets.
Casino entry ‘reserved for richest Thais only’
PUBLISHED: 3 Mar 2025 at 04: 50
Simply Thai citizens who have held at least 50 million ringgit in a fixed deposit account for at least six months may be permitted to enter the new casino-entertainment advanced, according to a government resource.
The Council of State ( CoS ) has now reviewed Section 65 of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which is required, and the cabinet will review it on March 11, according to the source.
Thai nationals may also pay a fee and pre-register before entering, the source continued.
State officials say a provision might conflict with the need to boost the economy, which is likely to be opposed.
The cause mentioned Part 59, which states that gambling activities within an entertainment complex will be governed by this new rules, no anti-gambling rules. All readers must have their ID cards or passports verified according to Section 63.
The casino’s virtual gambling and live-streaming of gambling actions are prohibited by components 61 and 62, which also prohibit participation from persons outside the game.
According to the cause, the CoS gave the expenses to the government for further study on February 28. It’s not yet known whether the cabinet will review it.
Prior to now, Pakorn Nilprapunt, CoS secretary-general, claimed the necessity would restrict gambling to those with monetary means and prevent the majority of Thais from patronizing the game due to concerns about gambling.
Julapun Amornvivat, deputy finance minister, expressed concern about the condition, claiming that for a concept conflicts with the government’s goals. He claimed that the casino-entertainment complex aims to boost the economy, draw overseas investments, and, most importantly, stop illegal gambling.
But, he said, many Thais may continue to visit illegitimate gambling lodges or casinos along the border because they had to have a lot of money in their bank accounts.
Mr. Julapun promised that the government and parliament would look into the matter further.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the cabinet’s interior minister, stated last month that an entrance need had been placed on Thai citizens, and the act was unlikely to be approved by the cabinet.
Invest in technology or fall behind, warn experts
PUBLISHED: 3 Mar 2025 at 04: 30
To keep up with the United States and China’s technologically advanced globalization, authorities say Thailand needs better laws and more funding for science and innovation.
A conference titled” Trump 2.0: Crisis or Opportunity for Thailand’s Science, Research, and Innovation areas” was held. was held late to explore how Donald Trump’s administration might impact Thailand’s advancement in these highly specialized industries and how Thailand could prepare.
Bank: US tariffswill upset Thailand
The transfer of US President Donald Trump has altered the course of globalization, according to Bank Ngamarunchot, chairman of the Science Technology and Innovation Policy Institute at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
The United States is today putting more emphasis on self-reliance and business discrimination, urging foreign companies to relocate their domestic production facilities and enacting mercantilist trade laws.
By 2028, the Trump administration has committed to spend a total of$ 700 billion in artificial intelligence to strengthen its position within the world’s technology and innovation supply chain.
According to Mr. Bank, Mr. Trump’s actions on mercantilist industry and AI will have an impact on Thailand’s economic outlook. This could cause issues for Thai products entering the US market and Thai goods getting access to foreign systems.
However, Thai manufacturers will face fierce price competition from Chinese manufacturers who may compete for products from the US and instead will be forced to export to Thailand and Asean.
Shoulder: Requests policy assessment
According to Arm Tungnirun, a member of the National Commission on Science, Research, and Innovation Promotion ( CSRP ), this circumstance may also open the door for Thailand to welcome foreign investors who relocate their manufacturing facilities from China to Thailand.
Mr. Arm said Thailand needs to effectively increase investment in R&, D, focusing on areas where Thailand has the greatest possible as it competes on the international stage, to benefit from the situation and be able to thrive effectively.
Precision crops technology, bright tourism platforms, health hospitality, and biotechnology are just a few examples.
To ensure that research and development really meet the needs of the business industry, he said, the government should establish mechanisms to encourage included cooperation between the public, secret, and academic sectors.
” The country likewise needs an investment-friendly environment, with archaic laws amended, young companies supported, and help for companies that spend on new technologies,” said Mr. Arm.
In addition, the government should expand the development of STEM, a vital skill required in the modern era.
Leaked SSO data disclosure memo was ‘just a reminder’
PUBLISHED: 3 Mar 2025 at 04: 04
A leaked internal memo from the Social Security Office ( SSO ) that warned staff to refrain from giving third parties internal information and official documents was not intended to thwart the opposition’s efforts to investigate irregularities surrounding the creation of its web application.
The memo, which was recently shared on social media by SSO chairman of legal affairs Maitree Khunthong, cautioned SSO employees that disclosing interior documents to illegal parties would result in administrative and legal actions.
Rakchanok Srinok, the Person’s Party MP for Bangkok, requested more information about the company’s website app, which the government paid over 850 million ringgit and was delayed for more than six months.
According to SSO spokesperson Niyada Seneemanomai, memos are frequently distributed to all SSO workers to convince them to be extra careful when handling authorities documents and information.
The letter was distributed in an effort to stop the unapproved discharge of official information, which, according to her, could lead to misinterpretations of the SSO and undermine public trust in the organization.
Opposition lawmakers are now questioning the agency’s new spending, which includes 450 million baht for printing calendars, in an effort to justify its sky-high operating costs.
On February 27, SSO staff made an appearance before a House committee that was looking into budgetary and investing issues. They were asked to provide more details about the online application, but they were unsure whether doing so would break state laws.
The Ministry of Labor is in charge of the Social Security Fund’s committee, which has 25 million users.
Europe’s dangerous delusion of defense without the US – Asia Times
US President Donald Trump unceremoniously showed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky the door following an acrimonious exchange at the White House on Friday. Trump’s angry words for Zelensky were televised for all of America to hear, and no doubt shocked many in the viewing audience.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump said. “You’re not winning. You’re not winning this. But you’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
Just as shocked as the American TV audience about Trump’s blunt “make a deal or you’re on your own message” were the US’s European allies and rushed to pledge their support for Zelensky and condemn Trump –moves and words they may soon live to regret.
European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa jointly tweeted: “Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President@ZelenskyyUa.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “Ukraine, Spain stands with you”; his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk wrote: “Dear [Zelensky], dear Ukrainian friends, you are not alone.”
Incoming German chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed a tweet directly to “Dear Volodymyr” and vowed to stand with Ukraine “in good and in testing times.”
Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Keir Starmer chimed in with similar profundities.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat and former prime minister of Estonia, outgunned them all: “Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor. Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
Most of them were scheduled to meet the Ukrainian leader on March 2 in London for a summit on Ukraine organized by Prime Minister Starmer. Zelensky was set to be honorably hosted by King Charles III at his Sandringham country retreat.
As a welcome to London on Saturday, Zelensky was handed a 2.6 billion pound check (a loan), a down payment on the UK’s “standing with you as long as it takes to protect the integrity of your country.”
In a Nikkei Asia opinion piece, Trump’s peace initiative is portrayed as “forcing Kyiv to concede its occupied lands and deny its ambition to join NATO” and “closer to appeasement than clever dealmaking.”
In the same op-ed, Trump is compared to “British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain [who] proclaimed that he had brought ‘peace for our time.’ But this ultimately led to the Nazis marching into Czechoslovakia in March 1939, and the outbreak of World War II. Similarly, Richard Nixon’s 1973 ‘peace with honor’ deal in Vietnam resulted in the fall of Saigon just two years later.”
Presumably, in this British-inspired charade (the Nikkei owns and channels the Financial Times), Zelensky is assigned the role of Churchill.
The only dissenting European voices were those of Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban who wrote: “Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President Donald Trump stood bravely for peace.… Thank you, Mr. President!
And of a man who may be worrying that he’ll lose his job, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who told the BBC he had called Zelensky, said: “I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward.”
Which European stance and view will prevail? That is dictated by reality, not the will and delusional thinking of Eurocrats such as von der Leyen and Kallas or the leaders of the UK, France and Germany, just to pick the top three.
Trump’s basic peace plan, which specifies no NATO membership for Ukraine, territorial concessions and no NATO Article 5-type US security guarantees but relies on the repair of US–Russia relations and prospective new security structures for Europe, will either be implemented or there will be continued war ending in Russian victory or, should European NATO forces intervene directly, World War III as Trump has warned.
Europe today has no military forces capable of successfully confronting a full-scale Russian onslaught without reliance on the US military and the US nuclear umbrella, nor will it likely ever have such capabilities even with a sustained crash rearmament program.
Not even in the 1980s, when this writer served in the (West) German military, with its strength at its peak of 500,000 soldiers and 7,000 tanks, was the defense of Western Europe without the US ever so much as contemplated. Today, it’s a dangerous fantasy.
Germany’s authoritative Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) released detailed studies proving the point in September 2024 (“Fit for war in decades: Europe’s and Germany’s slow rearmament vis-à-vis Russia”) and February 2025 (“Defending Europe without the US: First estimates of what is needed”).
The summary of the 2024 study states:
Germany did not meaningfully increase procurement in the one and a half years after February 2022, and only accelerated it in late 2023. Given Germany’s massive disarmament in the last decades and the current procurement speed, we find that for some key weapon systems, Germany will not attain 2004 levels of armament for about 100 years. When taking into account arms commitments to Ukraine, some German capacities are even falling.
For the record, Germany currently has 180,000 active personnel (61,000 in the army, 27,000 air force, 16,000 navy, remainder support staff); 350 main battle tanks compared with 2,398 in 2004; 120 howitzers compared to 978 in 2004; 218 combat aircraft compared to 423 in 2004. It is not capable at this time to field a single combat ready division of 20,000.
Other European NATO forces similarly lack manpower and equipment, with no early change in sight. That includes the UK. The UK Ministry of Defence last released detailed figures on the number of trained personnel in combat-ready roles in July 2024. British Army: 18,398. Royal Air Force: 21,915.
Meanwhile, the Russian military is expected to reach its target strength of 1.5 million by mid-2025, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The only NATO member other than the US in the same general class is Turkey, with 511,000 under arms.
The Kiel Institute estimates that Europe would need an additional 300,000 troops and an increase of about $250 billion in defense spending to even begin to redress this sorry state of military affairs. The spending looks doable even in the near term; the manpower increase is not.
And the critically important role the US plays in NATO, planning, coordination and commanding large-scale multinational forces, will not be replaceable for many years. Nor will US real-time tactical intelligence and targeting capabilities.
It is hard to believe that even the most belligerent European leaders, grandiloquently speaking of “strategic independence” (such as Germany’s Merz) and of going it alone are not aware of these facts.
And the same Merz, so eager to launch German Taurus missiles against Russia, will likely think twice about such bravery if the US is not around to back him up.
Europe can dream about strategic autonomy after peace is made in Ukraine. But it has no military capability to defy or undermine the Trump peace plan. In reality, there is no other.
Uwe von Parpart is editor-in-chief of Asia Times.
Malaysia’s ex-PM Ismail declares wealth to anti-graft agency amid seizure of assets
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has declared his wealth to authorities as part of an ongoing corruption and money laundering probe, the anti-graft agency said on Sunday (Mar 2), following the seizure of nearly US$40 million in assets allegedly linked to him. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission saidContinue Reading