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This Week in Asia /

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Migrant workers listen to Singapore officials speak about the measures to help those who have not been paid wages for months. Photo: Facebook/Ng Chee Meng
Singapore

Singapore’s migrant worker wage saga spotlights potential loopholes

Analysts point to laws that empower employers over migrant workers, who could face job loss and repatriation in any wage dispute.

The Philippines

No future at home? Inside the endless Filipino exodus

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United States

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

US, Israel war on Iran

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

Budget carriers will lead the charge but the pace is likely to be gradual as airlines wait for more clarity on the Iran war, experts say.

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AirAsia planes stand on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 on January 21. Photo: Reuters
AirAsia planes stand on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 on January 21. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

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

Hours-long blackouts since last week have disrupted the lives and businesses of millions of subscribers of state-owned utility firm PLN in Java.

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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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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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Shipping containers are stored at a port in Navi Mumbai, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
Shipping containers are stored at a port in Navi Mumbai, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

Bangladeshi workers who were employed by Malaysian companies protest in Dhaka last year demanding unpaid wages, fair compensation and an end to alleged abuse by Malaysian employers. Photo: AP
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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A Philippine soldier guards an American F-18 fighter jets on a refuelling stop at Clark Airbase in 2001. Photo: AFP
A Philippine soldier guards an American F-18 fighter jets on a refuelling stop at Clark Airbase in 2001. Photo: AFP
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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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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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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a gala dinner on the sidelines of the Russia-Asean summit in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. Photo: Handout/AP
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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Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways passenger jets at Tokyo International Airport in Haneda. Photo: AFP
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways passenger jets at Tokyo International Airport in Haneda. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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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Students eat lunch provided by the Free Nutritious Meals programme in Bandung, West Java, on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
Students eat lunch provided by the Free Nutritious Meals programme in Bandung, West Java, on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
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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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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Oil pouring from a barrel. Malaysia is seeking new oil sources, including Russia and Turkey. Photo: Shutterstock
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
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.

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’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. The country has announced a crackdown against illegal businesses run by foreigners. Photo: EPA
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