Devika Panicker, a survivor of sexual assault at 7 years old, discusses her life and journey as a survivor and advocate. She talks about the issues and challenges around sexual violence in Singapore, her career and advocacy, and her experience as an actress and Vasantham beauty pageant winner.
Author Archives: Thum Ping Tjin
Thum Ping Tjin (“PJ”) is Managing Director of New Naratif and founding director of Project Southeast Asia, an interdisciplinary research centre on Southeast Asia at the University of Oxford. A Rhodes Scholar, Commonwealth Scholar, Olympic athlete, and the only Singaporean to swim the English Channel, his work centres on Southeast Asian governance and politics. His most recent work is Living with Myths in Singapore (Ethos: 2017, co-edited with Loh Kah Seng and Jack Chia). He is creator of “The History of Singapore” podcast, available on iTunes. Reach him at pingtjin.thum@newnaratif.com.
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Heckin’ Unicorn and the Business of Activism
Heckin’ Unicorn sells subtle & unique LGBTQIA+ merchandise, such as enamel pins, socks, and notebooks, that allow people to express their identity. Its founder, Teo Yu Sheng, talks to PJ and Sean Francis about its origins, his journey, and how he reconciles capitalism and activism.
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The SDP’s Young and Women Democrats
Min Cheong and Jufri Salim of the Singapore Democratic Party talk about why they decided to join politics, the SDP and their values and vision for Singapore, and the evolving challenges of politics in the country.
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Tabula Rasa/Tak Boleh Rasa, by Subhas Nair
Musician and activist Subhas Nair talks about his new album, Tabula Rasa/Tak Boleh Rasa, its complex commentary of politics and society, and his decision to only sell his music via Telegram.
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“After the Inquiry”, With Author Jolene Tan
Jolene Tan, author of “After the Inquiry”, a new novel on censorship, propaganda, idealism, and everyday complicity in authoritarianism in Singapore, discusses with PJ Thum what her novel reveals about Singapore.
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The Substation and the Control of the Arts in Singapore
T. Sasitharan, former Artistic Director of The Substation (1996-2000) talks about its controversial eviction and impending closure, and broader problems with how the arts are controlled, funded, and censored in Singapore (to the country’s impoverishment).
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The Tudung Debate: A Muslim Woman’s Perspective
Nur Friday talks to PJ and Sean about the ongoing controversy over Muslim women in frontline public sector roles not being allowed to wear the tudung, and in particular about the lack of female Muslim representation in policy making.
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Imagining Other Futures
Kokila Annamalai talks about her life, her work and the theory and practice of activism: movement building, non-violent and restorative cultures, and community organising. She also discusses the death penalty, drug policy, and the legal/justice system.
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The Angel of the Transgender Community
June Chua, founder of The T Project, Singapore’s first transgender shelter, joins PJ Thum and Sean Francis Han to talk about her life, her activism, and the state of transgender rights and social services in Singapore.
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Youth Betrayed: Reflections on the 2017 MRT Protest
Sean Francis Han talks with PJ Thum about his role in the 2017 MRT protest commemorating the 30th anniversary of Operation Spectrum, why he chose to take part, and how it transformed his life. We stand in solidarity with Jolovan Wham.