This Week in Asia /

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A worker inspects semiconductor chips at a chip packaging company in Malaysia. Photo: Reuters

In the heart of ‘Silicon Malaysia’, spiralling living costs dent big chip dreams

Despite headline-grabbing investments, factory workers in Kulim struggle to make ends meet as the cost of rent and other essentials surges.

2 hours ago

The Philippines

‘Nerve-breaking’: is the Philippines’ missile build-up a deterrent or a danger?

18 May 2025 - 12:09PM

India’s manufacturers fear becoming collateral damage of US-China trade war

17 May 2025 - 5:30PM

Indonesia slams Singapore’s ‘shameful’ fuel prices, plans pivot to US imports

Despite being an oil producer, Indonesia’s low refining capacity leaves it heavily reliant on Singapore for fuel — but that may soon change.

18 May 2025 - 11:10AM

An oil refinery on Pulau Bukom off Singapore. Indonesia imports a large volume of fuel from Singapore due to its lack of refining capacity. Photo: AFP

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

17 May 2025 - 8:08AM

India boycott of Turkey, Azerbaijan reflects growing ‘consumer-led diplomacy’

From traders to travel platforms, Indian companies are using economic tools to signal foreign policy displeasure, analysts note.

16 May 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

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Malaysia records fewest births ever, fuelling population decline concerns

Officials warn of a looming demographic crisis as more Malaysians opt for a ‘child-free’ lifestyle.

16 May 2025 - 5:37PM

A Malaysian mother carries her child, dressed as baby Yoda, during a Star Wars-themed event in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Malaysia urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say.

15 May 2025 - 4:49PM

Japan ‘alarmed’ by US-UK trade deal as pressure on key industries grows

Washington is retaining the 10 per cent baseline tariff on UK imports, whereas Japan is aiming for zero levy for its exports to the US.

15 May 2025 - 9:39AMvideocam

India’s surprise tariff move on US goods suggests tougher stance on trade talks

Delhi’s WTO complaint on US steel and aluminium tariffs highlights India’s aim to protect its trade interests without direct retaliation, observers said.

14 May 2025 - 7:12PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on February 13. Photo: AFP

Why decades-old policies are fuelling Japan’s persistent rice price surge

Rice prices continue to surge in Japan due to a combination of factors, ranging from inbound tourism and hoarding to poor distribution.

14 May 2025 - 10:24AMvideocam

A Japanese rice farmer in Chiba. Japan’s agricultural politics still plays a key role in determining rice supply. Photo: AFP

Malaysia urged to curb power theft by cryptocurrency miners with tougher laws

Money laundering and tax evasion linked to such mining could be driving the more than US$100 million in power losses, an analyst says.

13 May 2025 - 4:00PM

The Philippines

Philippines confirms US funding for railway project amid foreign aid freeze

Move indicates Washington’s intent to deepen economic cooperation and is ‘good signalling’ for bilateral ties, analysts say.

12 May 2025 - 3:22PMvideocam

India’s EV drive risks stalling as China tightens grip on rare earth exports

Experts have urged India to explore innovative solutions to skirt the curbs, from e-waste recycling to extracting rare earths from oil wells.

12 May 2025 - 11:00AM

An electric car charging station. Despite possessing some 6.9 million tonnes of rare earth reserves, India remains reliant on Chinese imports. Photo: Shutterstock

Asia hopes for cheaper oil as Opec boosts output, but trade doubts linger

For import-reliant Asia, the Opec+ output rise is a welcome development. Markets are still on edge over US-China trade uncertainty, however.

11 May 2025 - 3:00PM

The Opec logo. The cartel announced last weekend that it would raise output in June by 411,000 barrels per day. Photo: Reuters

In Indonesia, nickel miners warn of mass lay-offs as royalty rise hits profits

The Indonesian government’s bid to boost state revenue and fund projects with higher mining royalties is being met with an industry backlash.

11 May 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

India is concerned about its food security and the livelihoods of its farmers if more US food imports are allowed.

10 May 2025 - 5:09PM

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Vanuatu golden visas sold in Phuket put citizenship-for-sale risks in spotlight

Officials and analysts warn citizenship-for-sale schemes like Vanuatu’s can be misused to launder money and evade arrest.

9 May 2025 - 5:56PMvideocam

An aerial view of the coastline of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: Getty Images

‘Junta in the way’: Myanmar quake crisis worsens amid air strikes, scarce UN aid

Myanmar’s junta is conducting air strikes after a deadly earthquake, despite a ceasefire, while a US$275 million UN aid appeal has received only US$34 million.

8 May 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

India-Pakistan tensions

Could India-Pakistan conflict mean empty rice bowls around Asia?

India is the world’s biggest and Pakistan the fourth-largest exporters of rice to import-reliant Southeast Asian nations.

8 May 2025 - 5:10PMvideocam

Indonesian governor’s vasectomy plan sparks debate on poverty, ‘body politics’

West Java Governor’s suggested sterilisation for poor men to access social welfare criticised as coercive and discriminatory.

8 May 2025 - 9:30AM

Dedi Mulyadi has proposed making vasectomy a prerequisite for men to receive state welfare. Photo: Government of West Java

‘Unprepared’ Japan struggles with airport chaos, bin shortages amid tourist boom

Japan’s airport bottlenecks show structural inefficiencies, with outdated procedures and overlapping bureaucracies hindering visitor influx, experts say.

8 May 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

A domestic departure lobby at Tokyo’s Haneda airport is crowded with passengers during the Golden Week holiday season on May 3. Photo: Kyodo

India’s UK trade pact seen as fuelling momentum for bigger deals with US and EU

Experts say the agreement signals New Delhi’s growing leverage in trade and supply chain talks.

8 May 2025 - 12:22AMvideocam

Indonesia’s economy slows as US tariffs, fiscal strains challenge Prabowo’s goal

Analysts expressed concerns that fiscal pressures, weak consumer spending, and the impact of US tariffs could worsen Indonesia’s economic outlook.

7 May 2025 - 7:17PMvideocam

Can India navigate US-China trade tensions to boost green economy growth?

Reliance on Chinese inputs and shifting global trade rules could complicate India’s efforts to reach its climate targets, analysts warn.

6 May 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Workers install solar panels at the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Khavda, India, in April 2024. Photo: Reuters

Open Questions series

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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