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A worker cleans solar panels installed on the roof of a traditional market in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, last year. Photo: AFP

In the shadow of US tariffs, Indonesia seeks a Chinese solar boom

With billions of dollars in Chinese pledges and regulatory reforms, Jakarta is betting big on solar – with a weather eye on US trade policy.

18 Jan 2025 - 5:30PM

China-India relations

China’s Himalayan mega dam deepens India’s water worries

18 Jan 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Malaysian freed from Cambodian scam centre over lack of computer, English skills

16 Jan 2025 - 6:07PM

US-Asean relations

Trump’s defence pick fails Asean test, sparking mockery across Southeast Asia

Pete Hegseth, nominated for US Secretary of Defence, could not name a single member of the regional bloc during his confirmation hearing.

17 Jan 2025 - 10:48AMvideocam

Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025. Photo: AFP

Youthful optimism: how Southeast Asian students view their economic futures

Students in six regional countries are hopeful for the future, but worry about corruption, inequality and unemployment, a new survey shows.

15 Jan 2025 - 12:35PMvideocam

Ferries, trains, cable cars? How Malaysia’s Johor can cope with SEZ rush

The state neighbouring Singapore is facing logistical challenges, with transport infrastructure stagnating for years.

14 Jan 2025 - 6:54PMvideocam

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Should Indonesia be ‘very worried’ about Malaysia-Singapore SEZ?

Experts warn the new economic zone will be a ‘serious threat’ that could exacerbate Indonesia’s struggles to attract top-tier investments.

15 Jan 2025 - 4:45PM

Shipyards in Batam, Riau Islands province. Indonesia has 24 SEZs, six of which are in the Riau Islands. Photo: Reuters

China’s economic miracle not over: Singapore diplomat Tommy Koh

Koh says China’s economy is set to grow between 4 per cent and 5 per cent this year, boosted by demand for EVs, renewable energy and AI.

14 Jan 2025 - 5:47PM

Indonesia mulls Russian oil deal post-Brics entry, but will the West push back?

Analysts say Jakarta needs to weigh the economic benefits of discounted Russian oil against the risk of backlash from Western allies.

14 Jan 2025 - 5:41PMvideocam

As Singapore cracks down on online financial scams, will Malaysia follow suit?

Malaysia and Thailand are reviewing their own laws against online fraud, with an eye on Singapore’s Protection from Scams bill.

14 Jan 2025 - 3:48PMvideocam

Singapore’s Protection from Scams Bill grants law enforcement sweeping powers to freeze bank accounts and block credit access for suspected scam victims. Photo: Shutterstock

Sri Lanka’s children suffer amid climate change-fuelled floods and disease

Turbocharged monsoon floods are intensifying the spread of waterborne diseases in the Indian Ocean island nation.

13 Jan 2025 - 3:06PM

A Sri Lankan woman carries a child as she wades through a flooded street north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2021. Photo: AP

Japan’s Ishiba may turn to China after Trump snub, raising US policy concerns

Analysts think Ishiba aims to leverage China’s influence for Japan’s gain, but some fear this could weaken the Washington-Tokyo alliance.

10 Jan 2025 - 7:14PM

Malaysia and Japan to develop green energy projects, Ishiba eyes defence ties

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.

10 Jan 2025 - 2:16PM

India and European nations push for faster FTA launch ahead of Trump’s return

New Delhi aims to seal an FTA with the four-nation EFTA soon, in a move that may give impetus for a similar deal with the larger EU.

9 Jan 2025 - 5:30PM

A container ship docked at a port in Vallarpadam, in the southern Indian city of Kochi. Photo: Reuters

Japan’s investments in US set to go on despite Nippon Steel’s takeover setback

The assessment by analysts comes after US President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel Corp’s US$14.9 billion bid for US Steel Corp.

8 Jan 2025 - 4:09PMvideocam

The vicinity of a facility of Japanese company Nippon Steel in Kashima, Ibaraki prefecture. Photo: TNS

With eyes on China and India, Sri Lanka lifts ban on foreign research vessels

The decision reflects Colombo’s efforts to stay non-aligned as it juggles India’s security concerns with China’s growing influence.

8 Jan 2025 - 3:12PM

‘Development gap’ poses risk to success of Johor-Singapore SEZ

The Johor-Singapore special economic zone is also poised to spark renewed interest in properties in the Malaysian state, analysts say.

7 Jan 2025 - 10:46PM

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After years of delays, Malaysia, Singapore finalise vast SEZ

The region will include Johor’s development zones of Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, spanning an area nearly twice the size of Shenzhen.

7 Jan 2025 - 3:11PMvideocam

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

India seeks closer tech pact with US amid fears over Trump’s potential clawback

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is in India to further bilateral cooperation in semiconductors, AI, space and other areas.

6 Jan 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Short on workers, Japan retailer hires remote cashiers living overseas

Lawson, a 24-hour convenience store chain, is looking for staff based in Europe and the Americas to serve customers at its outlets in Japan.

6 Jan 2025 - 11:03AM

Vietnam’s BrahMos plans spotlight India’s rising Southeast Asian security role

The US$700 million deal would make Vietnam the second nation in the region to acquire the supersonic cruise missiles after the Philippines.

6 Jan 2025 - 8:09AM

A BrahMos missile system is seen in New Delhi during a parade in 2021. Photo: AFP

Open Questions series

Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

19 Jan 2025 - 2:22PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

19 Jan 2025 - 2:22PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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