Politics

A Singapore naval vessel embarks on a search and rescue mission in 2017.
Malaysia in transition

Singapore-Malaysia maritime dispute enters second week

Both sides seek to cool maritime tensions, but fail to withdraw vessels

11 December 2018
A Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel patrols lanes near freight ships off the coast of Singapore. 
11 December 2018
Container cranes are pictured at the port of Singapore, one of Asia's busiest.
Malaysia in transition

Singapore sharpens tone in maritime dispute with Malaysia

City-state rejects proposal for both sides to keep ships away

8 December 2018
Singaporean ships and helicopters patrol the waters around Sentosa Island in June: The city-state has a number of disputes with its northern neighbor, Malaysia.
Malaysia in transition

Singapore and Malaysia tangle over air and sea sovereignty

Mahathir government wants to regain control over airspace near southern border

5 December 2018
Singapore faces the biggest mismatch between skills and jobs created in Southeast Asia, according to a recent study.
Economy

Singapore faces biggest reskilling challenge in Southeast Asia

City-state races to retrain workforce for digital age

4 December 2018
© Illustration by Ailsa Johnson
Asia Insight

Asia's overstretched airports brace for 4bn flyers

Passenger count far outpaces construction but new tech offers hope

27 November 2018
Heng Swee Keat is set to be the front-runner to become Singapore's next prime minister. 
Politics

Singapore finance minister leads PM race after getting key party post

City-state's leadership transition advances, but Heng Swee Keat faces mounting challenges

23 November 2018
Dark economic clouds hang over Southeast Asia as trade war bites into growth
Trade war

Trade war stings Southeast Asia's export economies

Average growth of ASEAN-5 nations fell to 4.5% in 3Q from 5.5% a year before

23 November 2018
Heng Swee Keat is set to be the front-runner to become Singapore's next prime minister. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Politics

Singapore finance minister in pole position to be next PM

Ruling party to fill key posts Friday, with Heng Swee Keat to take No. 2 role

22 November 2018
Leaders from RCEP countries met for a Summit in Singapore on Nov. 14: Some, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second from left, worry that announcing a deal could hurt their standing at home.
International relations

Asian leaders reaffirm commitment to RCEP trade talks

Members hope to conclude deal in 2019 after failing to reach agreement this year

14 November 2018
© Illustration by Tania Vicedo
Asia Insight

Asia braces for baby bust as singles wait to wed

Japan is not alone in facing low fertility and higher welfare costs

13 November 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, third from left, and his Singaporean counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong, are met by an honor guard in Singapore on Nov. 12. (Photo by Justina Lee)
International relations

Mahathir raises water issue cautiously at Singapore meeting

Malaysian leader says counterpart Lee 'open' to talks on 1962 supply deal

13 November 2018
The website would allow information about a cyberattack to be quickly shared among the countries.
Politics

Cyberattack response site to be launched by Japan and ASEAN

Clearinghouse will aid officials in confronting transnational threats

11 November 2018
A small marijuana plant grows in a lab at Niagara College in Ontario, Canada.
Economy

Asia plants seeds for medical cannabis market

Thailand, Singapore and China pursue research into health care uses

4 November 2018
Oxfam says that Singapore's low-tax regime has helped to create a huge gap between rich and poor but the government points to the fact that its policies have helped 90% of citizens own their homes. 
Economy

Singapore's inequality debate reignited after charity criticism

Government and public recognize rich-poor divide as growing threat to national cohesion

22 October 2018
Although RCEP negotiations began in 2013, the 16 Asia-Pacific countries involved became keener this year due to U.S. protectionism and expected collateral damage from the U.S.-China trade war.
Economy

RCEP talks make little headway toward year-end conclusion

Ministers narrow market access differences but say 'further improvements' needed

13 October 2018
Amid the growing presence of digital technology such as social media, the committee report says that the government should have the power to "swiftly disrupt the spread and influence" of fake news.
Politics

Singapore set to tackle fake news with new law

Government intervention is necessary, parliamentary committee concludes

20 September 2018
Malaysia's Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali, right, and Singapore's Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan agree to restart the construction of the high-speed rail in May 2020. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia and Singapore agree to revive rail project in 2020

Mahathir government to pay $11m for deferring construction, easing tension

5 September 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, meets Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mahathir is keen to discuss the reassessment of large-scale infrastructure projects. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia and Singapore agree to defer $27bn rail project

High-speed rail to be delayed indefinitely without penalty

3 September 2018
ASEAN ministers discussed ways to build up economic links so that businesses can survive turmoil. 
Trade war

Southeast Asia strengthens FTAs to head off trade tensions

ASEAN ministers say updating current trade deals will complement RCEP talks

2 September 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at the opening of ASEAN meetings on Aug. 29.
International relations

Conclusion to RCEP talks 'finally in sight,' Singapore PM says

Members seek harmony in two-day gathering amid escalating US-China trade war

29 August 2018
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Suspected China cyberhack on Singapore is a wake-up call for Asia

Asia-Pacific nations lag American and European counterparts in hack detection

21 August 2018
The 2017 LGBT Pride Parade in Taipei: Taiwan's top court last year became the first in Asia to rule in favor of same-sex marriage, but the fight is not over.
Asia Insight

LGBT progress in Asia met with conservative pushback

From Singapore to India, companies risk being caught in 'culture war' crossfire

7 August 2018
Foreign ministers attend the Asean Regional Forum Retreat Session in Singapore on August 4. 
N Korea at crossroads

ASEAN forum switches tone on North Korea and South China Sea

Members ease pressure on Pyongyang and welcome commitment to denuclearization

4 August 2018
North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, left, and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Singapore on Friday.
N Korea at crossroads

North Korea welcomed at ASEAN forum a year after being ignored

US denuclearization deal helps lighten mood at regional security conference

3 August 2018