Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh. Photo: Reuters

Singapore opposition chief pleads not guilty to charges of lying to parliament

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh was charged with two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee in hearings involving his party’s former MP Raeesah Khan.

3 hours ago

Poverty looms over Malaysia’s elderly as low pay bites back in retirement

Left unchecked, more than 6 million Malaysians could be left with less than US$9 a month to survive on in their old age, according to government estimates.

Left unchecked, more than 6 million Malaysians could be left with less than US$9 a month to survive on in their old age, according to government estimates.

4 hours ago

Singapore jails Chinese national for Taylor Swift concert chicanery

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

Using a VIP lanyard, Wu Zhihong tried to trick security officers into believing that a 20-year-old who paid him US$417 had a valid concert ticket for one of Swift’s Singapore tour dates.

6 hours ago

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

6 hours ago

Thailand revokes visas of New Zealand tourists after roadside brawl with police

The police officer tried to film the two men after he rejected their bribe, and they allegedly tackled him and wrestled the gun away from him, causing a bullet to be fired.

The police officer tried to film the two men after he rejected their bribe, and they allegedly tackled him and wrestled the gun away from him, causing a bullet to be fired.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:51PM

MORE STORIES

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at Malacanang Palace on November 3, 2023. File photo: EPA-EFE

Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:23PM

Malaysia’s former PM Mahathir discharged from hospital after infection

Mahathir, 98, went into the National Heart Institute on January 26 due to an unspecified infection and has remained in hospital since for observation.

Mahathir, 98, went into the National Heart Institute on January 26 due to an unspecified infection and has remained in hospital since for observation.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:16PM

McDonald’s franchisee, BDS Malaysia seek mediation over boycott movement

McDonald’s Malaysia claims BDS Malaysia slandered its business and implied it had profited from the assault on Palestinians and conspired with Israel.

McDonald’s Malaysia claims BDS Malaysia slandered its business and implied it had profited from the assault on Palestinians and conspired with Israel.

18 Mar 2024 - 5:00PM

Why Chinese scammers may still be running Cambodia’s ‘sin city’ amid crackdowns

Observers say to truly extinguish the criminal operations, Cambodian officials must go after ‘key figures’ protecting the industry dominated by Chinese scam gangs.

Observers say to truly extinguish the criminal operations, Cambodian officials must go after ‘key figures’ protecting the industry dominated by Chinese scam gangs.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:47PM

In Philippines, alarm over mail-order bride scheme that trafficks women to China

Filipino women escorted by Chinese nationals posing as their husbands have been intercepted at the border, immigration officials say. Anti-trafficking experts suspect organised crime groups are involved.

Filipino women escorted by Chinese nationals posing as their husbands have been intercepted at the border, immigration officials say. Anti-trafficking experts suspect organised crime groups are involved.

18 Mar 2024 - 2:13PM

Ramadan in Gaza, Taylor Swift’s impersonator: 6 weekend reads

From the devaluation of Malaysia’s ringgit to a Taylor Swift impersonator making a mark in Singapore, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

From the devaluation of Malaysia’s ringgit to a Taylor Swift impersonator making a mark in Singapore, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend.

18 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

US to fund a port on Philippine island near Taiwan. What will it be used for?

The port in Batanes could facilitate rapid troop deployment and serve as a transit point for supplies and evacuated Filipinos in the event of a conflict.

The port in Batanes could facilitate rapid troop deployment and serve as a transit point for supplies and evacuated Filipinos in the event of a conflict.

18 Mar 2024 - 2:10PM

Singapore Swifties, enchanted after Eras Tour, turn to Taylor Sheesh for solace

Filipino Mac Coronel has been impersonating the US superstar since 2017 and performed for a 600-strong audience on the weekend.

Filipino Mac Coronel has been impersonating the US superstar since 2017 and performed for a 600-strong audience on the weekend.

17 Mar 2024 - 6:42PM

As Malaysians feel the pinch from the ‘shringgit’, what can PM Anwar do?

Analysts blame structural problems for the plunge and say PM Anwar needs to make long-term economic reforms – and find the political support for these measures.

Analysts blame structural problems for the plunge and say PM Anwar needs to make long-term economic reforms – and find the political support for these measures.

17 Mar 2024 - 2:28PM

Shrinking families in Indonesia spark concern about impact on economy

Young people are putting off marriage due to ‘structural challenges’, as demographers say data shows fertility rates are likely to continue declining.

Young people are putting off marriage due to ‘structural challenges’, as demographers say data shows fertility rates are likely to continue declining.

17 Mar 2024 - 9:30AM

Philippines’ attractions at stake amid unclear eco-tourism project rules

Amid unclear guidelines on the protection of natural attractions in the country, activists fear more developers could gain approval to access protected sites.

Amid unclear guidelines on the protection of natural attractions in the country, activists fear more developers could gain approval to access protected sites.

16 Mar 2024 - 4:00PM

‘I don’t want to give them false hope’: Anwar tempers MH370 search expectations

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a decision on resuming search for the wreckage would be taken soon, but relatives of the missing should not expect any breakthroughs.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a decision on resuming search for the wreckage would be taken soon, but relatives of the missing should not expect any breakthroughs.

16 Mar 2024 - 12:49PM

‘Don’t be fooled’: Bali tourists told to shun coffee beans made from civet poop

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that tourists should be wary of drinking kopi luwak as the beans are collected from civets held captive.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that tourists should be wary of drinking kopi luwak as the beans are collected from civets held captive.

16 Mar 2024 - 10:20AM

What’s behind Australian investors’ reluctance to venture into Southeast Asia?

A lack of risk appetite for developing markets and different ways of doing business are among the factors holding back Australian investors, experts say.

A lack of risk appetite for developing markets and different ways of doing business are among the factors holding back Australian investors, experts say.

16 Mar 2024 - 9:30AM

Malaysians deride fancy work title for palm oil jobs: ‘the pay must be worth it’

A minister has been ridiculed for his suggestion that marketing palm oil plantation workers as ‘professional harvesters’ could help solve chronic labour shortages.

A minister has been ridiculed for his suggestion that marketing palm oil plantation workers as ‘professional harvesters’ could help solve chronic labour shortages.

15 Mar 2024 - 4:36PM