Singaporean politicians are leading their constituents on sold-out tours across the causeway to indulge in Malaysia’s peak durian season, with itineraries featuring all-you-can-eat buffets, shopping and multi-course dinners.
At least seven members of parliament (MPs) have organised trips this month for Singaporean citizens to get their fill of the spiky and pungent fruit in neighbouring Malaysia, where prices are expected to fall this month in light of abundant supply.
The outings, some lasting…
Bali named world’s second most crowded island – residents aren’t cheering
Indonesia’s Bali is now officially the second most crowded island in the world after neighbouring Java, as residents feel squeezed out by the influx of tourists and even their compatriots in their backyard.
Measuring 5,780 sq km (2,230 square miles) in size, Bali is home to 731 people per sq km, excluding tourists, according to national newspaper Kompas citing data from online market researcher Visual Capitalist.
More than 60,000 daily visitors arrive on the island with a population of 4.2…
Saudi Arabia takes steps to further strengthen arbitration practices
The recently passed set of resolutions aimed at enhancing the arbitration ecosystem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will further help to align the Kingdom with international standards and best practices, experts have said.
How China, Japan and South Korea can be titans of tech innovation
Just ahead of the July 9 deadline to reach an agreement on tariffs, US President Donald Trump announced his decision on the tariffs levels for 14 countries – including a rate of 25 per cent on Japan and South Korea – effective August 1.
Trump accused Japan of not buying enough rice and cars from the US. It’s worth noting that the American car industry is simply not competitive in Japan. Germany, Japan and China are the top three auto exporters. Those countries, along with South Korea, have…
F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific
The United States has deployed its most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-35, to the Philippines for the first time, a move analysts say signals Washington’s intent to stress-test forward combat readiness in a region increasingly shaped by China’s maritime assertiveness.
The arrival of the stealth jets for the Cope Thunder joint air drills – launched on Monday at Clark Air Base and running until July 18 – reflects a more tangible form of deterrence, experts say, as the Philippines becomes further…
Drafting commercial contracts: warranties, indemnities and exemption clauses
Warranties, indemnities, and exemption clauses can provide contractual assurance and protection to businesses when things go wrong.
Trump’s Vietnam tariff pact challenges Asean unity in key summit
Southeast Asian nations are scrambling to recalibrate their approach to US tariffs ahead of a key diplomatic gathering that starts in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, as Washington’s preference for one-on-one trade deals casts doubt over Asean’s collective bargaining power.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a delay to the next round of his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs – pushing the deadline from July 9 to August 1 – to give time for finalising deals with 18 major trade partners,…
Malaysia’s judicial crisis: Anwar’s party members want him to ‘clear the air’
Senior Malaysian lawmakers are calling for both a royal inquiry and a parliamentary investigation into Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over alleged irregularities in judicial appointments, warning that such actions risk plunging the country’s judiciary into scandal once again.
Last week, Anwar’s administration declined to extend the tenure of widely respected chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. This leaves the future leadership of the…
Brics leaders urge cohesion, trade and use of local currency to grow clout
Brics leaders have called for stronger cohesion, expanded trade and increased use of local currency to improve the Global South’s clout as an alternative to Western power, even as the bloc of emerging markets maintains ties and partnerships with wealthier countries.
As two new members joined the New Development Bank, also known as the “Brics bank”, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told business leaders and investors on Saturday that this delicate balancing act and bid for greater momentum…
Vietnam breathes sigh of relief after Trump trade deal, but challenges remain
Vietnam breathed a sigh of relief when US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal had been struck between Hanoi and Washington. The Vietnam Stock Index reached its highest level since April 2022, indicating confidence that export stability had been achieved.
On the face of it, the deal is highly unbalanced, with US exports to Vietnam enjoying tariff-free market access, while Vietnamese exports in the other direction now face a 20 per cent rate, slightly over twice last year’s average rate…