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Illustration: Kevin Wong
Thailand

Bling gamble: how Southeast Asia’s middle class is redefining luxury

Instalments and resales are helping customers from Bangkok to Jakarta bridge the gap between aspiration and affordability.

The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos sees progress on China oil deal despite maritime row

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Indonesia

Families of Lion Air crash victims suffer again, ‘predatory’ lawyer evades jail

Singapore

Will disbarment of Singapore’s Pritam Singh further dent his political standing?

Singaporeans have largely moved on from the long-running saga involving the WP chief due to ‘political fatigue’, analysts say.

Then leader of the opposition Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his appeal was dismissed in December. Photo: Reuters
Then leader of the opposition Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his appeal was dismissed in December. Photo: Reuters
Myanmar

UN atrocity report adds friction to Myanmar junta’s push for legitimacy

The report says abuses escalated around the time Myanmar was conducting junta-led elections that saw Min Aung Hlaing elected as president.

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Singapore

Chinese tourist jailed in Singapore for burgling luxury homes on first visit

The man stole over US$78,000 in jewellery from a Capella hotel suite, Sentosa and Serangoon properties a day after arriving on holiday.

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Malaysia

Malaysian university slammed for talk by murdered Mongolian’s ex-lover

Abdul Razak, a former adviser to Najib Razak, still faces a civil suit after a court found him liable over Altantuya Shaariibuu’s death.

An undated passport photograph of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu is seen beside an undated picture of Malaysian political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda. Photo: AP Photo/Mongolian Consulate
An undated passport photograph of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu is seen beside an undated picture of Malaysian political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda. Photo: AP Photo/Mongolian Consulate
Malaysia

Malaysian F1 fans vent fury over sales process, organisers cite ‘high traffic’

The Sepang International Circuit is hosting the race for the first time since 2017 as the Bahrain leg was cancelled due to the Iran war.

Indonesia

Why Prabowo’s change in tone might not signal a change in Indonesia’s course

Analysts said his rare self-criticism showed responsiveness to pressure but questioned whether a commodity policy shift marked real change.

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Laos

‘Struggling to help’: surging waters leave Mekong communities without aid

Tens of thousands have been displaced in Laos and Myanmar, with rescue efforts hampered by threadbare resources.

People wade through a flooded area due to monsoon rains and rising river water levels in Wetlet, Myanmar’s Sagaing region on Monday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition

The move aims to signal to Malay voters that PAS is committed to Islamic values ahead of the next general election, analysts say.

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party supporters wave PAS flags in Kelantan ahead of the 2022 general election. Photo: Shutterstock
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party supporters wave PAS flags in Kelantan ahead of the 2022 general election. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028

Indonesia hopes to have 13 million electric motorcycles and 2 million electric cars on its roads by 2030.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s warship project signals modernisation, bamboo diplomacy balance

As Hanoi seeks to build its defence manufacturing capabilities with the frigate, it is likely to remain dependent on foreign know-how.

Thailand

Why Thailand is eyeing BrahMos missiles to boost maritime defence

Analysts say BrahMos could boost Thailand’s deterrence at sea and give it more options as tensions with Cambodia persist.

Indian-Russian BrahMos cruise missiles are on display at the International Maritime Defence Show Fleet-2026 in Kronstadt, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, in June. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

‘I’m angry’: Malaysian mums defend emergency leave amid single workers’ gripes

A caller’s complaint on a radio show sparked debate over the struggle to balance work with care burdens, as well as criticism from single peers.

Malaysian women spend an average of six hours and seven minutes a day on unpaid domestic and care work. Photo: AP
Malaysian women spend an average of six hours and seven minutes a day on unpaid domestic and care work. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands

Owners say they face hurdles including stiff competition, rising costs and a lack of desire from their children to take over the business.

Singapore

Law Society of Singapore strikes Pritam Singh off the rolls

Disciplinary action against the Workers’ Party chief follows his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee.

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Asean

AI threatens nearly a quarter of Southeast Asia’s workforce but not all is lost

Being most exposed to AI does not mean that jobs would be replaced – just that some could move up the value chain or evolve, analysts say.

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A man looks at a screen depicting a person made out of pixels. AI is affecting some jobs in Southeast Asia. Photo: dpa
A man looks at a screen depicting a person made out of pixels. AI is affecting some jobs in Southeast Asia. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Palm oil to cool data centres? Malaysia explores option as water demand surges

However, the proposal has raised concerns that it could lead to an expansion of palm plantations and create an environmental burden.

Myanmar

Myanmar steps up civilian attacks with drones and paragliders, UN says

The attacks rose ahead of elections held in December and January, according to a team of UN investigators.

The Philippines

Will Philippines win race to secure Pax Silica hub before neighbours do?

Top diplomat warns Manila risks losing out on the opportunity if it ‘drops the ball’, even as environmental and sovereignty concerns grow.

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A protester holds a sign during a rally on a road leading to the US embassy in Manila on July 13, expressing opposition to Philippines-US defence agreements and the US-led Pax Silica initiative. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Veteran Malaysian MP quits Anwar’s party over ‘toxic politics’

Wong Chen, a three-term MP who had spent nearly 20 years in PKR, says he is joining Rafizi Ramli’s Bersama to ‘defend democracy’.

Wong Chen (left), joins Rafizi Ramli (centre) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at a press conference at Bersama’s headquarters on Wednesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Wong Chen (left), joins Rafizi Ramli (centre) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at a press conference at Bersama’s headquarters on Wednesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Singapore

On This Day | Singapore wins first ever Olympic gold in 2016 – SCMP archive

On this day 10 years ago, Joseph Schooling outswam Michael Phelps to bring Singapore its first Olympic gold medal.

Singapore

Doctor and friend jailed for taking drugs at Singapore villa party

A judge rejected the pair’s claims that their drinks had been spiked with Ecstasy pills.

Indonesia

Showdown in Solo: the new front in Indonesia’s Jokowi-Megawati feud

Analysts say the 2029 parliamentary bid will test whether Widodo can convert his personal popularity into lasting family influence.

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) and Megawati Sukarnoputri in April 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
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