Indonesia’s stock market needed just two days of chaos to highlight what investors have long lamented: parts of the market are not trading freely.
Last week’s worst tumble in nearly three decades drew attention to a major problem at the heart of Southeast Asia’s biggest equity market: a handful of billionaires own so much of their listed companies that barely any of those companies’ shares are left to trade.
At least three billionaires directly control 85 per cent or more of three listed…
Separate cases before two Australian state Supreme Courts demonstrate the importance of clear arbitration agreements
Two separate matters before the Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales highlight the importance of carefully drafted arbitration agreements.
Malaysia plans new insurance scheme for Singapore cross-border workers
A new insurance scheme will be created for Malaysians working in Singapore to ensure they remain covered even during their daily cross-border commute, says Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan.
The new scheme will ensure that the nearly 400,000 Malaysians who cross the border daily from Johor are not left out of social security protection after working hours.
“What happens when you are travelling from your workplace back to your home? Where is the coverage during this period? That coverage is not…
Rise of ‘Filipino trolls’ spurs push for legal fix amid Chinese influence concerns
A proposal to update a nearly 50-year-old law requiring individuals to disclose their political activities in the interest of national security has gained steam amid allegations of the rise of “Filipino trolls” espousing pro-Beijing content.
Antonio Carpio, a retired Philippine Supreme Court senior associate justice, proposed that the country update its Foreign Agents Act, a 1979 law that requires individuals to register and disclose their political activities to regulate foreign…
Vietnam prepared for possible war against ‘belligerent’ US, secret paper shows
A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for a possible American “war of aggression” and considered the United States a “belligerent” power, according to a report released on Tuesday.
More than just exposing Hanoi’s duality in approach towards the US, the document confirms a deep-seated fear of external forces fomenting an uprising against the communist leadership in a “colour…
Increased ‘belt and road’ momentum an opportunity for Australian businesses
Increased momentum in Chinese global investment through its belt and road initiative represents an opportunity for businesses that can make the most of the Australia’s strength in natural resources and infrastructure capabilities.
Pakistan’s ‘affordable’ China-developed jet: a victim of its own success?
Pakistan says it has fielded requests for its JF-17 fighter jet from five countries in recent months – a surge of interest that could overwhelm its capacity to jointly produce the jet with China.
In the past month, Iraq, Bangladesh and Indonesia have expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder, according to Pakistan’s Armed Forces.
Saudi Arabia and Libya were also exploring the aircraft, Reuters reported separately, after Pakistan hailed the performance of its Chinese-developed jets during…
Inside an abandoned Cambodian scam centre seized by Thai troops
In the town of O’Smach, along Cambodia’s northern border with Thailand, stands a compound of abandoned buildings that were battered by shelling during recent weeks of armed clashes.
The site, now occupied by Thai troops, had served as one of Cambodia’s notorious scam centres, according to Thai officials. A six-storey building, shown to journalists and international observers on Monday during a trip organised by the Thai military, is scattered with documents, equipment and personal belongings,…
Ireland confirms revamp of rules for renewable energy auctions
Ireland’s renewable energy schemes will have a clearer policy direction after it was confirmed that bidding companies will have to prove their green business and cybersecurity credentials in order to be eligible, according to experts.
Supply chain ‘weaponisation’ tops agenda at Singapore aviation meet
Aviation leaders tackled barriers to growth and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the eve of the Singapore Airshow on Monday, while reaffirming pledges to reduce emissions.
Supply chain problems were hurting global airlines and would remain for some time to come, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned industry leaders and regulators.
“This disruption continues to have a major impact,” IATA Director General Willie Walsh said at the Changi Aviation Summit,…