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This Week in Asia /

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Vessels anchored in Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have fallen following a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war. Photo: AFP
United States

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airfares look set to fall as jet fuel prices ease on US-Iran deal

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Indonesia

How Indonesia’s coal policies left its own citizens in the dark

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Indonesia

Indonesia hails China’s backing for panda bond amid investor concerns over rules

While Jakarta has assured Chinese investors about Indonesia’s economic outlook, analysts cite regulatory uncertainty as a key barrier.

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A container terminal at the Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
A container terminal at the Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
India

Are India-US trade talks nearing ‘last-mile bargaining’ amid strained ties?

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s visit to India this week could help put the ‘final touch’ on a trade deal, analysts say.

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Thailand

Thailand auctions US$18 million superyacht linked to supersized fraud

Nearly US$700 million in assets have been seized in Thailand so far, an example of the amount of dirty money sloshing through the economy.

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South Korea

South Korea’s economy is booming. Why is the reality so different on the ground?

Economists warn the narrow growth will leave sectors including construction, retail, services and small businesses struggling to keep pace.

The logo of Samsung Electronics is seen on a gate at the company’s headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, on May 22. Photo: AFP
The logo of Samsung Electronics is seen on a gate at the company’s headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, on May 22. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Bangladesh urges Malaysia to ease labour hiring curbs amid exploitation concerns

Both sides seek to ensure that the hiring process for Bangladeshi workers is transparent to protect their interests.

The Philippines

Inside Germany’s plan to transform a Philippine Cold War relic

A multimillion-dollar aviation deal at Clark highlights European economic investment as a tool of strategic power.

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Malaysia

How a surge in midnight sea incursions is threatening Malaysia’s blue economy

The success of Malaysia’s maritime economic development depends on its ability to monitor and protect its waters, experts say.

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Men row a sampan in front of a local fishing boat in Terengganu, Malaysia. Photo: Keith Mundy
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.

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

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

At the Asean-Russia summit in Kazan, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signalled the bloc’s willingness to engage with Moscow on trade.

Japan

Japan seeks Boeing alliance to rival China in aviation race

After the 1 trillion yen SpaceJet flop, Japan is pinning its hopes on an aerospace comeback to bridge the technology gap with China.

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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
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.

A Thai shrimp farmer holds a shrimp to the camera at his house in Samut Prakan province, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
A Thai shrimp farmer holds a shrimp to the camera at his house in Samut Prakan province, Thailand. Photo: Reuters
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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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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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (centre) looks at a Boston Dynamics Spot robot at the Hyundai Motor Group headquarters in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (centre) looks at a Boston Dynamics Spot robot at the Hyundai Motor Group headquarters in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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
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.

A Michelin-starred chef inspects a locally caught shrimp at a market in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2023. Photo: AFP
A Michelin-starred chef inspects a locally caught shrimp at a market in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2023. Photo: AFP
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.

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
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