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Indonesian rupiah banknotes are pictured next to those of the US dollar at a currency exchange office in Jakarta on June 4. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia market sell-off fuels anti-Singapore sentiment online

Politics and finance collide as some social media users claim Singapore stands to gain from negative sentiment towards Indonesia.

Malaysia

Malaysia and Asean tap Russia for energy security, defying Western ‘prejudices’

Japan

Japan seeks Boeing alliance to rival China in aviation race

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s rupiah rebounds but rate rises threaten the middle class

A successful sovereign wealth fund debut and a stock market rally offer a reprieve, even as higher borrowing costs threaten growth.

An Indonesian rupiah banknote pictured next to a US dollar banknote at a currency exchange office in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
An Indonesian rupiah banknote pictured next to a US dollar banknote at a currency exchange office in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Costly Malaysia-Thailand seafood stand-off nears an end

Talks are advancing on resolving the dispute, but every day of delay is costing thousands of Thai shrimp farmers.

Indonesia

Free meals, political cost: why Indonesia is restructuring, not axing, scheme

As it was Prabowo’s signature campaign promise, dropping the programme could prove ‘embarrassing’ to the president, experts say.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s US$8 million visa scandal threatens drive for talent, investors

Public-sector corruption is an ‘open secret’ in Indonesia, analysts say, urging Jakarta to make the application process more transparent.

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People queue up at immigration counters at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali in February 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
People queue up at immigration counters at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali in February 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

How Nvidia’s South Korean AI deals could fuel ‘the next industrial revolution’

Jensen Huang’s dealings in Seoul may provide a road map for South Korea’s AI ambitions but experts warn against painting too rosy a picture.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s hunt for Russian oil tests Anwar’s ‘friends with all’ policy

Sourcing crude from Moscow to counter Middle East supply shocks risks drawing a backlash from the West.

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Malaysia

Malaysia rises as Asean ‘middle power’ through new Japan LNG deal

Petronas’ 20-year agreement to supply JERA with LNG shows how Malaysia is using its natural resources to strengthen ties, analysts say.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and her Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, shake hands at the end a joint press announcement at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line

Washington’s proposed tariffs of 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent could push regional countries to accelerate economic integration.

Asean leaders gather at the opening ceremony of bloc’s summit in Cebu last month. Seven Asean members are in Washington’s list of 60 economies targeted for “forced labour” tariffs. Photo: AP
Asean leaders gather at the opening ceremony of bloc’s summit in Cebu last month. Seven Asean members are in Washington’s list of 60 economies targeted for “forced labour” tariffs. Photo: AP
Thailand

Once world’s largest, Thai shrimp industry on the edge as Malaysia bans imports

Prices have collapsed and buyers have vanished since Malaysia banned Thai shrimp. Bangkok is now threatening WTO action.

Malaysia

Malaysia tackles illegal foreign-owned firms, as regional crackdown widens

Thailand is investigating businesses that circumvent curbs on foreign ownership by using Thai nationals for majority ownership registration.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s gas-guzzling data centre boom clashes with its clean energy goals

Across Malaysia, dozens of data centres hum around the clock, powered by electricity that increasingly comes from gas-fired turbines.

A gas-fired power plant in Melaka. Gas-fired power generation has surged in Malaysia, driven by data-centre growth, electrification, climate stress and electric-vehicle uptake. Photo: Shutterstock
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

Past failures haunt the Quad’s US$20 billion critical minerals push

The initiative aims to break China’s near-monopoly, but private-sector caution and a history of unfulfilled pledges stand in the way.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a press conference during the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the State Department in February. Photo: Reuters
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a press conference during the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the State Department in February. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Most Asia-Pacific firms use AI for tasks without cutting jobs: survey

About 74 per cent of companies surveyed across industries in the Asia-Pacific have deployed or piloted AI programmes.

India

Is US wielding new tariff threat to secure big bargain in India trade talks?

Additional 12.5 per cent levy over forced labour supply-chain concerns seen as leverage in negotiations, analysts say.

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Middle East

Asia-Pacific to lead global retail sales, weather Middle East conflict

The region is projected to contribute to two-thirds of global new retail sales over the next five years, fuelled by e-commerce.

Customers check out products at a retail store in Kochi, India. Photo: Reuters
Customers check out products at a retail store in Kochi, India. Photo: Reuters
India

As India rises in critical minerals race, can it dent China’s dominance?

While India could become a valuable part of an alternative supply chain, analysts say it is unlikely to replace China any time soon.

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Thailand

‘Lowest point’: Thai shrimp industry reels from Malaysia import ban

The ban comes as Thailand’s embattled fisheries sector faces increased competition, tariffs, shrimp disease, rising costs and reduced catch.

Malaysia

Malaysia taps Hong Kong battery firm to power ambitions for electricity grid

The deal will help tackle solar storage challenges and comes as Malaysia prepares to roll out its first major grid-scale battery procurement.

Syed Mohd Hafiz Syed Mohd of Mikro MSC Berhad (left) shakes hands with William Wang, vice-president of Hong Kong Cospower Technology, in the presence of Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof during the signing of a strategic partnership to support Malaysia’s energy transition on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

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Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. Photo: Reuters
Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. Photo: Reuters
Energy

Oil prices rally on Hormuz talks but will Asia’s energy woes ease?

Analysts say recovery ‘will take a far longer time’, with ship backlogs and damaged facilities weighing on Asia’s energy importers.

Indonesia

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

Singapore

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

Analysts say the economic gains could come with trade-offs, such as increasing income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

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The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock
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