The Philippine Senate’s political crisis has spilled into cyberspace after its official website went offline on Thursday following its defacement with a warning accusing lawmakers of betraying public trust.
“The people deserve truth. The people deserve accountability. The people deserve better. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect Us,” the message said, using a closing phrase long associated with the global hacktivist collective Anonymous.
The incident comes as the Senate remains locked…
Hong Kong, Indonesia move towards direct transactions in yuan, rupiah
The People’s Bank of China, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Bank Indonesia signed an agreement on Thursday to create a framework for bilateral transactions between Indonesia and Hong Kong.
The parties aimed to implement a currency transaction framework for the direct exchange and settlement of Indonesian rupiah and Chinese yuan in cross-border trade and investment activities among companies and institutions in Indonesia and Hong Kong, according to an HKMA statement.
This initiative was…
Oman introduces new real estate register law to modernise property regime
A new real estate register that allows issuance of electronic title deeds will bring Oman’s real estate sector in line with regional digitalisation trends, an expert has said.
Thai woman detained after US diplomat found dead in Myanmar hotel
An American diplomat was found dead in Myanmar’s largest city, the US State Department said, and members of the diplomatic community in Yangon say a Thai woman has been detained by police in connection with the investigation.
American officials in Thailand and the US embassy in Myanmar referred questions on the case to the State Department, which confirmed the “death of a US government employee” assigned to the embassy in Yangon but gave no other details.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the…
Malaysia drops probe into ex-anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, says ‘no further action’
Malaysia’s prosecutors have closed a criminal intimidation investigation involving former anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, saying a complaint by businessman Albert Tei did not “meet the legal threshold” for further action.
The decision comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government facing pressure over prosecutorial independence. Anwar had campaigned on a reformist, anti-corruption platform that has since been tested by high-profile dropped cases and delayed…
Ireland prepares to introduce ‘savings and investment accounts’
The Irish government is preparing to introduce tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts (SIAs), which are designed to channel some of the deposits of Irish savers into capital markets and indirectly into the EU economy.
As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?
A summit between Russia and Asean next week promises to ease Southeast Asia’s energy crisis and Moscow’s diplomatic isolation – but not all of the bloc’s leaders are expected to show up.
Analysts are also divided on whether Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, the current Asean chair, will travel to Kazan for the meeting, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 17–18.
The summit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations…
Trump’s forced-labour tariffs put Southeast Asia in the firing line
Southeast Asia’s extensive supply chains could be disrupted if it faces planned US tariffs over Washington’s accusations of forced labour in 60 economies, as analysts say the proposal is just a way for President Donald Trump to resurrect his trade levy agenda.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are among the economies flagged by the US for purportedly failing to prevent goods made with forced labour from reaching its market.
Washington said the…
HOKA shoes ruling can help brand owners avoid running into trouble
A recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in England and Wales can help brand owners understand how to impose contractual restrictions on retailers over the distribution of their products without falling foul of UK competition rules, experts in competition law have said.
Singapore eyes Asean connectivity amid new US-China dynamic: Lawrence Wong
Singapore will push for connectivity in Asean in its role as bloc chair next year amid a challenging global environment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said, as he warned about the United States and China navigating a new dynamic.
At the Singapore Press Club Eminent Speaker Series on Monday, Wong noted that keeping communication lines open between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump was important to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation, but…