Politics

Trade tensions with the U.S. will hurt exports that are crucial for economic growth of ASEAN member states. (Photo by Keiichiro Aasahara)
Trade war

Southeast Asia feared next on list for US trade sanctions

Thailand's exchange rate policy comes under Washington scrutiny

9 April 2018
Najib Razak, Malaysian prime minister and president of ruling party Barisan Nasional, speaks during the launch on April 7 of his party's manifesto for the upcoming general elections.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's parties dangle populist policies ahead of election

Electoral promises sideline economic reforms with aid targeted toward low-income groups

9 April 2018
Proton cars in Kuala Lumpur: The trade battle may spur Chinese companies to invest more in Southeast Asia, as Geely did with Malaysia's national automaker.
Trade war

US-China trade row spells pain and gains for ASEAN

Spread of 'China plus one' production expected to boost investment in bloc

8 April 2018
Mahathir told the rally that he had chosen the "wrong person" to succeed him in Prime Minister Najib Razak. (Photo by CK Tan)
Politics

Malaysia's opposition fights uphill battle against ruling party

Mahathir coalition looks to field candidates amid 'intimidation' by Najib government

7 April 2018
Singapore Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, who chaired the ASEAN ministerial meeting, said the region is committed to free trade.
Economy

Singapore warns on China-US tariff tensions

ASEAN finance ministers reaffirm commitment to open trade

6 April 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is aiming for a third five-year term in office.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia to go to polls as Najib announces parliament dissolution

Opposition coalition weakened by move against Mahathir-led party

6 April 2018
Uber's office located next to Grab's in Singapore (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Companies

Philippine regulator at odds with Grab and Uber

Ride-hailing companies reject anti-trust body's order on merger review

5 April 2018
The ban handed down by the Registrar of Societies means that Mahathir Mohamad's party cannot participate in the election, which is expected to be called in days.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian opposition mulls legal action against 30-day ban

Mahathir-led party claims intimidation by Najib's party ahead of election

5 April 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
5 April 2018
Malaysia's makeshift policy initiatives are unlikely to go much toward reducing reliance on low-skilled migrant labor.
Opinion

Malaysia must look beyond election with employment reforms

Half measures will do little to keep nation out of middle-income trap

4 April 2018
Grab said on March 26 that it would acquire rival Uber’s ride-sharing and food-delivery businesses in Southeast Asia.
Companies

Regulator attacks 'virtual monopoly' of Uber-Grab deal

Philippine antitrust watchdog follows Singapore in examining ride-hailing tie-up

3 April 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shake hands at a joint press conference in Sydney on March 16.
Politics

Richard Heydarian: Australia is right to move closer to ASEAN

Closer ties with the bloc can help counter US- and China-related risks

29 March 2018
Many expect Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to call an election in the coming weeks.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Najib seeks to redraw electoral map

Critics say his proposal would give the ruling camp an advantage

28 March 2018
The proposed bill defines fake news as any published or broadcast information that is considered to be partly or wholly false.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia pushes 'fake news' bill with heavy penalties

As election nears, detractors say the law will suppress freedom of expression

27 March 2018
Massive traffic jams like this are a daily occurrence in Jakarta. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Only bigger public investment can ease Asia's infrastructure shortages

Private funding is too small to close the gap in transport, energy and telecoms

27 March 2018
Myanmar workers in Thailand. An estimate shows that without the contribution of migrant workers, Thai GDP could be 0.75% lower.
Politics

Southeast Asia needs better labor migration policies

Improving worker mobility benefits migrants and raises growth

22 March 2018
Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia, wants to accelerate the group's expansion in Japan. (Photo by Mayuko Tani)
Asia300

AirAsia had talks with cash-strapped HNA over asset purchases

CEO Fernandes to move to Tokyo to battle regulatory red tape

20 March 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shake hands at a joint press conference in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia right to huddle closer to Southeast Asia

With the US in retreat and China ascendant, chances grow for future ASEAN accession

20 March 2018
China occupies Subi Reef, part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
International relations

Australian and ASEAN pursue maritime code of conduct

Summit draws nations with mixed views on Beijing's moves in South China Sea

19 March 2018
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie with a delegate in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia courts Southeast Asia with unprecedented summit

Leaders to talk trade and security amid doubts about US, concerns about China

16 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
Comment

Pacific trade rules on digital data may already be outdated

TPP-11 principles to contain China could be counterproductive

15 March 2018
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at an event in Singapore on March 13. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
International relations

Singapore PM tells ASEAN to adjust to new power balance

Lee says region can benefit from China, India despite their "tidal pulls"

13 March 2018
South Korean finance minister Kim Dong-yeon speaks at press briefing in Sejong on March 13. (Photo courtesy of Finance Ministry of South Korea)
Economy

Seoul to decide on new TPP membership by June

UK, Thailand mull joining Japan-led economic bloc as US protectionism widens

13 March 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, center, arrive with Southeast Asian leaders at a reception in New Delhi on Jan. 26. India is building partnerships in the region to counter China's influence.
FT Confidential Research

India pivots to Southeast Asia to counter China's growing clout

New Delhi seeks to capitalize on discontent over Beijing's influence: FTCR

13 March 2018
Malaysia's recent data resonates with a slump in Singapore's exports, now in its fourth consecutive month of decline.
Economy

Malaysia aims inking regional trade pact

Moody's expects country to gain most from just-signed Pacific-rim trade deal

9 March 2018