IN the first half of this year, four Asian giants went to the polls. Up to one billion voters were involved, all within a few weeks of one another.

WHATEVER you call it: Eid al-Fitr, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Idul Fitri (or more simply, “Lebaran”), the end of the Ramadan fasting month is a major holiday for both Malaysians and Indonesians.

TASH Aw is a successful, international prize-winning Malaysian novelist. He is also a sophisticated and well-travelled essayist with an intuitive grasp of the zeitgeist and mood of wherever he is.

The aftermath of Indonesia’s elections saw a peaceful protest turn chaotic riot.

Kabir, spiritual rationalism and Modi’s politics at the sacred river, birthplace of India’s identity.

THE euphoria over the surprise victory of the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan coalition last year has been swiftly replaced by a surprisingly bitter disappointment.

As midterms loom, the Philippines grapple with the sacred and profane.

Until and unless India’s opposition can get its act together, there will, unfortunately, be no good answers to this question.

MUHAMMAD Rofiqul A’la is a jovial and portly thirty-nine year old farmer and kyai (or ustaz) from Jember in the densely populated province of East Java. Kiyai Rofiq as he’s called in his village is also part of the reason that Joko Widodo (or Jokowi) was able to surprise Indonesians and the world, in last week’s Presidential elections.

THE General Class compartment – the cheapest – is full and Team Ceritalah are forced to perch on what are supposed to be the luggage racks (and therefore situated directly above the normal seats).

CHIANG MAI is swathed in smog. It’s opaque, oppressive and disconcerting.

ON April 17, 2019, Indonesia will be going to the polls. West Java, the country’s most-populous