Asian Economies: History, Institutions and Structure, authored by Associate Professor Jamus Jerome Lim, has been listed as the top-selling non-fiction book in Singapore, according to The Sunday Times’ bestseller compilation on 13 October.

The list, compiled from leading bookstores such as Kinokuniya, Epigram, Wardah Books, and Book Bar, highlights the book’s increasing popularity since its publication on 25 March 2024.

In the book, Lim, an Associate Professor of Economics at ESSEC Business School and a member of Singapore’s 14th Parliament, delivers an incisive analysis of the economies of Asia.

With a focus on the region’s three largest economies—China, India, and Japan—Lim contrasts these economic giants with the rapidly growing “Dragon economies” of East Asia and the resource-rich economies of West Asia.

His work is noted for offering a comprehensive approach that combines economic geography, institutional structures, and a comparative international perspective.

The book’s rise in popularity may be attributed to its unique angle. It fills a gap in existing literature by covering the broad spectrum of Asia’s economies, whereas most other books in the field focus on individual countries or specific regions.

According to Assoc Prof Lim, this was precisely his intention when he embarked on writing the book.

In a Facebook video posted in April, Assoc Prof Lim revealed that upon his return to Singapore and his role at ESSEC Business School, he found there was no existing textbook that covered the full range of economies in the region.

“Books on China or India or Japan were focused solely on those countries,” Lim explained, adding that broader texts were often confined to particular sub-regions like Southeast or West Asia.

Asian Economies takes a fresh, multifaceted approach, integrating historical, geographical, political, and institutional analyses to offer a clearer understanding of how these factors shape the economies of Asia.

The book also focuses not just on retrospective analyses but also on future prospects for the region, informed by empirical data and cutting-edge economic theory.

Lim’s professional background lends credibility to his insights.

With two decades of experience in global macroeconomics, he has held several prominent positions.

He was previously the Chief Economist at Thirdrock Group, a wealth advisory firm, and the Lead Economist at the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, where he guided investment decisions for a multi-hundred billion-dollar portfolio.

Assoc Prof Lim has also worked as a Senior Economist at the World Bank, specialising in international trade and finance for economies across East and West Asia. His deep understanding of the region’s economies is reflected in the meticulous research and comparative analyses presented in the book.

Since its publication by Wiley, Asian Economies: History, Institutions and Structure has garnered positive reception not only among academics but also among general readers interested in understanding the complex dynamics of Asia’s economic landscape.

With its top ranking on the non-fiction lists, Lim’s book stands out as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and professionals alike, as well as anyone with an interest in understanding the forces driving Asia’s economies.

You can get copies from local bookstores, as well as order it online: https://amzn.asia/d/9zDc5CL

SINGAPORE: The police are investigating a case involving a student from Qihua Primary School, who was repeatedly attacked by a teenager.

The investigation was launched after a video of the incident emerged online, the authorities confirmed on 23 September.

According to a report by CNA, a formal complaint has been lodged with the police, and the investigation is ongoing.

The video, which lasts approximately 43 seconds, has been circulating on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

It shows a teenager, dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, physically assaulting a smaller boy wearing a school uniform from Qihua Primary, located in Woodlands.

In the video, the victim is cornered in a stairwell, where the teenager punches, kicks, and hurls him to the ground.

The aggressor orders the boy to put his hands behind his back before delivering punches to his stomach.

At several points, the boy is grabbed by the neck and thrown to the floor, where he continues to endure kicks and punches.

Throughout the attack, the boy repeatedly says, “Sorry, sorry, I won’t do it again,” while being taunted by the teenager and another individual, who may have been filming the incident.

At one point, the teenager can be heard asking, “You want to fight? You sure?” as the victim, now in tears, continues apologizing and insisting he will not repeat his actions.

The exact timing of the incident remains unclear.

Video source: Telegram/sgfollowsall

Qihua Primary School has acknowledged the situation, confirming that it is under police investigation.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our priority. We have provided counselling to the affected students and are working closely with their parents to ensure the well-being of all involved,” the school stated.

They further emphasized the importance of students looking out for each other and reporting any incidents of bullying to their teachers.

Second Bullying Video Emerges Within a Week

This incident marks the second time a bullying video has surfaced online in a week.

A separate TikTok video, posted about a week ago, showed a student from Bukit View Secondary School being taunted and kicked to the ground by a group of teenagers.

Bukit View Secondary School’s principal, Jaswant Singh, told The Straits Times that the incident occurred in October 2023 outside of school premises and was not initially reported to the school. The parents of the victim have since lodged a police report.

Following the video’s circulation, the school immediately checked on the victim, who did not report any injuries.

Mr Singh emphasized the school’s serious stance on such behaviour, stating that the students involved would be counseled and face appropriate disciplinary actions.

The victim’s parents have since lodged a police report. The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing regarding the bullying incident.

In response to a Parliamentary Question filed by Melvin Yong, Member of Parliament for Radin Mas SMC, in September 2022, the Education Minister noted that since 2013, the number of reported bullying incidents has remained consistent, with approximately two cases per 1,000 primary students and five cases per 1,000 secondary students each year.

He emphasised that the MOE takes a serious stance on bullying and collaborates with schools to send a clear message that hurtful behavior is unacceptable in any school environment.

Helplines

If you or someone you know is in need of support, the following helplines are available:

• Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1767
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Institute of Mental Health (24 hours): 6389-2222
• Tinkle Friend (for primary school-aged children): 1800-274-4788

You can discover a directory of global helplines on this page.

If someone you are aware of is facing an imminent threat, please dial 24-hour emergency services.