Hello!
Stay up to date with New Naratif’s latest stories and upcoming events with our weekly newsletter. No spam, just good content.
Reimagine Southeast Asia: Eight Works of Flash Fiction to Inspire Hope for Our Home
Eight selected works of flash fiction from reader submissions that reimagine Southeast Asia as their ideal homeland.
Highlights
Singapore’s Anti-Foreign Interference Law: The FAQ
What is Singapore’s proposed Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act? How does it actually work? What are the problems with it? And how does one avoid running afoul of it? We explain why this law is problematic and why Singaporeans should be very worried about it.
Shanmugam’s Stealth Coup in Singapore
The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill will give Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam the power to demand information about any Singaporean’s private life and finances, all based on the suspicion of foreign interference—no evidence required.
In Need of Cleaning
The promise of high wages draws Indonesian migrant workers to Singapore. However, exploitative practices by agents such as deducting monthly salaries and charging illegal fees make life difficult for the migrant workers and their families back home.
New Naratif Turns 5: Voices of Faith
More important than the awards are the real changes that New Naratif has brought to various individuals and organisations. Marsha and Ellena revisit some voices that continue to give them faith in the dreams of New Naratif.
New Naratif is a movement for democracy in Southeast Asia. Our vision is to foster an inclusive Southeast Asia community where all peoples are fully engaging and participating in building democracy. We build capacity for this through our three-step process: Engage, Educate, and Empower Southeast Asians.
Stay up to date with New Naratif’s latest stories and upcoming events with our weekly newsletter.
Get Involved
The Media Freedom
in Southeast Asia Project
The Media Freedom in Southeast Asia Project seeks to understand the challenges that media workers in Southeast Asia face and how they navigate them. This project aims to interrogate the voices of media workers in the region in its methods.
The Citizens’ Agenda 2022
The results are in for The Citizens’ Agenda 2022! Malaysians and Singaporeans have voted on the most pressing issues facing their country, with interesting insights all round. Read about the results, and discover how you can be part of a space to voice your concerns and increase political engagement.
Get Informed
Checks and Balances
Duit Right: How to Fix Malaysian Political Financing
Political financing in Malaysia is privately-sourced and largely unregulated. Ensuring accountability and transparency is key for free and fair elections.
Myanmar Activist: We Want Our Own Script
Amid the anti-coup protests in Myanmar, activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi went into hiding to avoid arrest. After years spent protesting her country’s military, she explains why current demonstrations must do more than just restore civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Artists Respond: Hindsight Is 2020
Ten artists take us on a journey from virtual meeting rooms in Malaysia and Singapore to the streets of Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. They ponder the intensely personal impact of the pandemic and picture large-scale protests for democracy.
Sustainable and Equitable Development
The 22 Most Important Issues Facing Malaysia in 2022
In Stage 1 of The Citizens’ Agenda 2022, New Naratif asked Malaysians what they think are the most important issues facing Malaysia, and what they’d like political candidates to talk about in the next general election. Here’s what our readers said (and didn’t say).
The 23 Most Important Issues Facing Singapore in 2022
In Stage 1 of The Citizens’ Agenda 2022, New Naratif asked Singaporeans what they think are the most important issues facing Singapore, and what they’d like political candidates to talk about in the next general election. Here’s what our readers said (and didn’t say).
Cambodia’s At-Risk Construction Workers Raise Families On-Site
Cambodian construction workers and their families often live inside the buildings they are constructing, despite dozens being killed in building collapses in recent years. Few labour protections and low pay leave them vulnerable to accidents and exploitation.
Self-Determination
Who You Gonna Call? MPs, ADUNs, and Local Councillors in Malaysia
Learn about the different levels of government representatives in Malaysia, and who you should talk to about neighbourhood or national issues.
Artists Respond: Myanmar Fights for Democracy
Seven creators reflect on the struggles and hopes of the ongoing pro-democracy protests in Myanmar.
Nama Sempekat MA63? Nama kebuah ia mai reti ti besai ngagai Sabah enggau Sarawak
Ba dalam Sempekat Malaysia 1963, Sabah enggau Sarawak bela nyadi kaban kunsi begulai enggau dulu kelia dikangau Serakup Persekutuan Malaya, tang pia penemu tu nyu makin majak lenyau. Ditu meh kebuah mulai ke ia serta nama mai ia besai reti ngagai semua.
Features
Singaporeans Speak: The Top 5 Most Important Issues Facing Singapore in 2022
In Stage 2 of The Citizens’ Agenda, we asked Singaporeans to pick the top 5 biggest issues facing their country. They responded loudly and clearly. Here’s what they said!
Malaysians Speak: The Top 5 Most Important Issues Facing Malaysia in 2022
In Stage 2 of The Citizens’ Agenda, we asked Malaysian to pick the top 5 biggest issues facing their country. They responded loudly and clearly. Here’s what they said!
Khmer Krom Monks Cross Borders to Learn Their History
Frustrated by Vietnam’s suppression of their language, history and faith, Khmer Krom monks are forced to migrate to Cambodia to pursue an unrestricted education. Some who return face hostile authorities who fear monks will stir up deep-seated ethnic divisions.
Displaced by War, Papuan Refugees Face Lingering Dangers
Some 60,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Papuan separatists and the Indonesian military in Nduga Regency. One group of refugees are stranded far from home, without jobs, schools, quality healthcare or any sign of the conflict’s end.
See all features in other languages:
Bahasa Indonesia | Bahasa Melayu | 中文 | ဗမာစာ | Tiếng Việt
COMICS
New Naratif Turns 5: Dreams Live On
As New Naratif turns five, Marsha moves forward with a renewed faith in her dreams. The rest of the New Naratif team voice their dreams, hopes, and gratitude in working with the organisation. Our dreams live on.
See all comics in other languages:
Bahasa Indonesia | Bahasa Melayu | 中文 | ဗမာစာ | Tiếng Việt
RESEARCH >
Beyond the Absence of Killings and Arrests
A qualitative exploratory study of media freedom in Southeast Asia, centring on the voices of independent media workers in the region.
PODCASTS >
Sued by Singapore’s Prime Minister: Roy Ngerng’s Ridiculous Case
Blogger and researcher Roy Ngerng had his life destroyed by Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong’s defamation lawsuit. Seven years on, he talks to PJ Thum about the injustice of his case, politics in Singapore, his new life in Taiwan, and what Taiwan is like compared to Singapore.
VIDEOS >
The Women Tree Planters of Sukau
Since 2008, women from Sabah’s Sukau Village have planted trees to connect forest fragments and preserve the area’s biodiversity. COVID-19 stopped their work for months, resulting in the deaths of many newly planted trees. Now, they have returned to the forest.
Stay Connected!
Get to know New NaratifLearn who we are, what we do, and why you should join us.
Sponsored MembershipNo one is left behind, write in to us for a membership.
Get the latest narratives.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Join the movement.
Be a part of our fight for a better democracy in Southeast Asia
As a non-profit organisation, your donations help pay for our team members, freelancers, events and advocacy. Help keep New Naratif independent with a donation today.