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Malaysia 1MDB scandal
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Singapore’s opposition Workers’ Party Secretary General Pritam Singh (centre) pose with his party’s members at Serangoon Stadium as they wait for the results of the 2025 general election. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s Workers’ Party rejects Leader of the Opposition position

WP says ‘the leader of the largest opposition party in parliament is the leader of the opposition’ in a statement.

Singapore

US clears US$2.3 billion jet and torpedo sale to Singapore

Malaysia

Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition

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Malaysia

Malaysia media groups urge action after reporter allegedly assaulted at event

The incident follows the detention of another journalist under the Sedition Act, sharpening concerns about intimidation and press freedom.

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A journalist takes notes during a news conference. Media groups in Malaysia have raised concerns over the treatment of reporters following recent incidents. Photo: Shutterstock
A journalist takes notes during a news conference. Media groups in Malaysia have raised concerns over the treatment of reporters following recent incidents. Photo: Shutterstock
US-Asean relations

Foot in the door or trap? Risks of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Southeast Asia

Nations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say.

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Asean

As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount

The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.

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The Philippines

‘Game changer’: Philippines eyes French boost for maritime defence

The project is expected to significantly expand the coastguard’s fleet at a time of growing operational demands in Philippine waters.

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Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra sails during a maritime drill in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra sails during a maritime drill in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

Singapore

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

In light of recent US actions, Anjani Sinha’s call could be deemed as the embassy trying to ‘shake down businesses’, an analyst says.

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Indonesia

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his US counterpart Donald Trump shake hands during a world leaders’ summit in Egypt in October 2025. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia strips ex-police officer of citizenship for joining Russian forces

The former Aceh police officer lost his nationality after sending a video claiming he had joined the Wagner Group in Ukraine.

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Image circulating on social media showing former Indonesian police officer Muhammad Rio after he joined Russia’s Wagner Group. Photo: Handout
Image circulating on social media showing former Indonesian police officer Muhammad Rio after he joined Russia’s Wagner Group. Photo: Handout
Singapore

7 years’ jail for Singaporean who sexually assaulted jobseeker after dinner

Choy Zisheng entered a woman’s toilet cubicle with the victim, locked the door and sexually assaulted her while she told him to stop.

Malaysia

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

Singapore

Singapore’s retail ownership data sparks debate about foreign chains’ influence

Some observers warn that public perception could be warped since popular foreign chains in places with high footfall may be more visible.

Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt. Photo: Singapore Tourism Board
Malaysia

2 Chinese workers in Malaysia face US$392,000 tax bills after employer fraud

The victims’ employer allegedly inflated their salaries to reduce the company’s tax liability, sparking calls for action.

An employer fraud has left two Chinese nationals in Malaysia with hefty income tax bills due to inflated salary declarations. Photo: Shutterstock
An employer fraud has left two Chinese nationals in Malaysia with hefty income tax bills due to inflated salary declarations. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

440 Indonesians freed from Cambodia cyberscam hubs in criminal crackdown

Workers seek repatriation after scam operators, fearing police raids and new government measures, abruptly release hundreds of staff.

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The Philippines

Is first impeachment bid against Philippines’ Marcos an ‘inoculation’?

Observers said the filing could trigger procedural limits that would block more substantive impeachment bids.

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Malaysia

King warns of wider corruption ‘hunt’ as military scandal rocks Malaysia

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar says the army procurement scandal is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as he warns against abuse of power in office.

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Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has warned officials that they will be “traitors to the nation” if they are involved in corrupt practices. Photo: AFP
Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has warned officials that they will be “traitors to the nation” if they are involved in corrupt practices. Photo: AFP
Commodities

Silver steps out of gold’s shadow as Southeast Asian investors rush in

Soaring prices, tight supply and geopolitical uncertainty are driving a regional rush into the once-overlooked precious metal.

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Indonesia

Bank Indonesia independence questioned as Prabowo nominates nephew to board

Thomas Djiwandono’s nomination comes amid fears that monetary policy autonomy may fall victim to the president’s ambitious economic targets.

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Malaysia

Anwar’s reform record questioned after Malaysian reporter’s sedition arrest

Rex Tan’s arrest for asking a ‘sensitive question’ shows how a colonial-era act continues to hold back Malaysian reforms, critics say.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to the media on January 10. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

‘Khalwat’: divorced couple arrested for sharing hotel room in Malaysia

The offence applies to unmarried Muslim couples found in private seclusion and is punishable by fines, jail terms or caning.

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A couple lie in bed. Religious anti-vice officers in Johor caught a divorced couple in a hotel room together. Photo: Shutterstock
A couple lie in bed. Religious anti-vice officers in Johor caught a divorced couple in a hotel room together. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Philippines’ new gas find offers lifeline as Malampaya field starts to run dry

The discovery of a natural gas well near the island of Palawan suggests the potential to produce even more, Marcos says.

Malaysia

How a crop of young farmers is reshaping agriculture in Southeast Asia

Young people across Southeast Asia are using city spaces and new technologies to improve on traditional farming methods to grow produce.

Singapore

Most Singaporeans not upbeat on future of next generation: survey

But the city state also ranks highest in trust among people with differences in society, tied with Saudi Arabia in the Edelman global report.

People walk across the Jubilee Bridge at the Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore on November 21, last year. Photo: AFP
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