Economics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Asian garment makers wear sustainability hats as fast fashion no longer in vogue
Despite higher cost, manufacturers are turning to regenerative farming practices that aim to leave the land in a better condition than the previous cycle.
Can South Korea’s star shine on global stage as it seeks to join space race?
South Korea is set to build an aerospace hub to house some 1,000 firms to tap on the sector’s ‘limitless opportunities and a huge market’.
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.
‘Brands that fatten them up’: Israeli dates under Muslim boycott in Southeast Asia
Chat groups are warning Muslims to be alert when buying dates – a sweet fruit eaten to break fast during Ramadan – after some were repackaged in Malaysia to hide their origin.
Indonesia keen to work with Singapore on staging big gigs after Swift success
After seeing how Taylor Swift enchanted fans in six sold-out concerts, Indonesia has a long list of plans to attract A-list stars to its shores.
Japan may be making its biggest security move in the Pacific Islands since WWII
Talks on March 19 are expected to involve Japan’s Self-Defence Forces and police taking part in local and regional responses as well as training.
Why are Japanese brands taking young Indians by storm?
A new wave of mid-range retailers is capitalising on Japan’s reputation for quality goods, winning millennial and Gen Z fans seeking ‘practical, functional’ items.
Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid vitriol, Bangladeshi job scam crisis
Rights groups allege tens of thousands of Bangladeshis have been tricked into coming to Malaysia over non-existent jobs and now face further exploitation.
Asia’s rice production hit by ‘very aggressive’ weedy varieties
Some farming methods used to fight the menace such as growing herbicide-tolerant rice varieties have failed to curb the weedy rice invasion.
‘Definitely stronger’: why 2024 could be Southeast Asia’s year for tourism
Arrival numbers are still way down on pre-pandemic levels, but there are some bright spots on the horizon – as industry insiders ponder who the ‘new’ type of Chinese traveller will be.
Prabowo’s ‘delusional’ growth target could be costly for Indonesia: economists
Presumptive president-elect Prabowo Subianto projects 8 per cent growth for Indonesia in the next five years, at a time when the country is facing economic headwinds.
Japan’s Osaka weighs new visitor tax in bid to boost tourism sector
Osaka currently imposes an accommodation tax and plans to set up a panel to consider the new levy, which could be introduced in 2025.
How Asian women are challenging bias to carve out entrepreneurial success
Funding woes, work-life balance and prejudice remain hurdles for women entrepreneurs, who say having supportive business partners and spouses can be half the battle won.
Japan’s gender gap the widest among OECD countries, World Bank study shows
Japan is ranked 73rd out of 190 countries surveyed in an assessment of equality between genders, below the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Nepal and Lesotho.