The Straits Times

Lore & Background

The original conception for The Straits Times has been debated by historians. An Armenian merchant named Martyrose Apcar (details disputed) had intended to start a paper but went bankrupt after his would-be editor died. Fellow Armenian Catchick Moses bought the printing equipment from Apcar and launched The Straits Times with Robert Carr Woods Sr. as editor. The first major political stance taken by The Straits Times was against James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak. Woods charged that Brooke's action against Dayak 'pirates' was a massacre of peaceful merchants. Under editor Alexander W. Still believed the press had an obligation to investigate and expose corruption, resulting in libel suits. The paper focused predominantly on British and British-related events while ignoring the politics of Malay, Chinese, and Indian populations, and Asian reporters experienced discrimination.

Reader's Guide

The Straits Times holds a central role in Singapore's media landscape as the newspaper of record, with a history spanning over 175 years. Under editors like Alexander W. Still, it earned the nickname 'Thunderer of the East' for its fearless commentary, though it also faced libel suits. The paper's historical focus on British affairs and its discrimination against Asian reporters highlight its colonial roots. In the modern era, it is perceived as closely aligned with the Singaporean government and the People's Action Party. The Straits Times continues to shape public discourse in Singapore, though its perceived closeness to the government raises questions about press freedom.

Did You Know?

• Its first major political stance was against James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak, whom it accused of massacring peaceful merchants.
• Under editor Alexander W. Still, the paper was known as the 'Thunderer of the East' and faced multiple libel suits.

Roots in the Straits Settlements

Armenian merchant Marterus Thaddeus Apcar envisioned a daily paper, investing in printing machinery shipped from England and recruiting an editor. Fate intervened: the editor died before the first issue ever appeared, and Apcar's subsequent bankruptcy forced him to liquidate his equipment. Fellow Armenian Catchick Moses stepped in, forming the American Sarkies and Moses Company and appointing Robert Carr Woods to helm the editorial desk.

Becoming a Malaysian Paper

When Singapore severed ties with Malaysia in 1965, the editorial and corporate home of The Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur became politically untenable. The Malaysian government objected to a newspaper with deep penetration across the country having roughly seventy percent of its equity capital held in Singapore. In 1973, group chairman Simmons announced a sweeping restructure that split the operation into two entities: a Malaysian public company, New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad, and a Singapore-based group managing overseas subsidiaries. The former Malay Mail Press Company was reconstituted as a public entity under the name New Straits Times Press (Malaya). By October of that year, Fleet Holdings—the investment arm of the United Malays National Organisation, led by Junus Sudin—assumed operational control. The paper, which still carried the Straits Times name, finally adopted its current identity on 31 August 1974.

From Broadsheet to Talking Pages

The paper has since sold for RM1.50, roughly 37 US cents, in Peninsular Malaysia. Innovation continued beyond format. On 11 November 2011, both print and digital editions featured 3D publication. Then, on 21 February 2012, the newspaper made headlines as the world's first talking newspaper, playing audio to promote Dutch Lady's Friso product. In 2013, AXIATA dominated a full page's numbering, and in January 2014, Wonda Coffee was marketed through five senses across five consecutive days. Visual identity also evolved: a 2011 masthead and typography overhaul lasted until the end of 2016, a 2017 refresh introduced new sections and a stronger digital presence, and a 2019 redesign repositioned the front page with the ambition of a daily newsmagazine, foregrounding stories of national interest.

Sections, Trust, and the Record

The paper's supplement culture reflects Malaysia's media landscape. What is now the Bots technology section began on 1 January 1986 as Computimes, a pullout covering information and communication technology. It cycled through publication days and market focuses before settling as a Monday feature within the Life & Times section from March 2010. Similarly, the travel pullout launched in 1999 as Travel Times to support the government's Cuti-Cuti Malaysia tourism campaign, becoming the country's only weekly travel supplement. It was rebranded JOM!—Malay for Let's Go!—and merged into Life & Times in 2010, appearing on Thursdays. Leadership and credibility have also shaped the paper's standing. In a 2020 Reuters Institute survey covering fourteen Malaysian media outlets, the paper ranked fifth in public trust. More broadly, it is widely regarded as Malaysia's newspaper of record, a designation that underscores its role as a durable institutional voice in the nation's press.

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