Politics

Malaysian economy minister Rafizi Ramli, center right, and Singaporean trade minister Gan Kim Yong, center left, exchange documents in a signing ceremony in Johor on Jan. 11. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia to launch QR code border clearance

Neighbors sign agreement on Johor economic zone to boost growth

11 January 2024
Under a new law, buyers into designated entities in Singapore would have to notify authorities if becoming a 5% shareholder, and seek approval before taking up 12% or more. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Singapore passes bill to vet company buyouts for national security

Government to disclose list of 'designated entities' when law takes effect

9 January 2024
U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson displays America’s military might in Southeast Asia amid a spat between China and the Philippines in the region's disputed waters. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Defense

U.S. aircraft carrier calls at Singapore as China, Philippines spar

Nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson projects might amid South China Sea dispute

19 December 2023
Taiwan's National Development Council led almost 30 startups to Singapore for a business expedition in November. (Startup Island Taiwan)
Technology

Taiwanese tech startups pile into ASEAN amid risks in China

From Singapore to Vietnam, companies tap Southeast Asia in expansion drive

12 December 2023
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of the PAP. Scoring a decisive victory in the next election is going to be crucial for the nation's incoming prime minister. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Politics

Singapore's next leader Wong to face crucial test in election

First prime minister in 20 years must 'buttress trust' of voters, experts say

10 November 2023
Parliament House in Singapore. The Significant Investments Review Bill would require both local and foreign companies to seek official approval for major changes in control of certain as-yet-undefined entities.
Politics

Singapore plans to screen major investments in 'critical entities'

New law would apply if deemed 'necessary in the interest of national security'

6 November 2023
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong is expected to take over the leadership next year, ahead of the 2025 general election.
Politics

Singapore PM Lee to hand reins to deputy Wong by next year

Delayed succession plan to go ahead before 2025 general election

5 November 2023
The rush to harness the wind that blows around the South China Sea could increase the geopolitical tensions that already swirl over the strategic body of water.
South China Sea

South China Sea brims with rare earth and renewable power promise

Chinese companies are early movers with wind turbines in disputed waterway

3 November 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands after a joint news conference in Singapore on Oct. 30. (Pool photo via Reuters)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia eye special economic zone on border

PMs Lee and Anwar discuss bilateral projects; expect agreement in January

30 October 2023
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, the heir apparent to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, says the city-state aims to cut its carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Comment

Singapore aspires to become Asia's renewable energy hub

The dot on the map of ASEAN hopes to repeat its outsize trade and finance success

23 October 2023
The Malaysian Health Minister will table an amendment to the Tobacco Act, which is part of the Generational End Game policy, aiming to restrict tobacco products to people born after 2007.
Your Week in Asia

Malaysian tobacco ban bill, Singapore GDP, New Zealand election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

8 October 2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore will look into whether further measures are necessary to ensure Singapore's approach to single family offices remains rigorous.
Crime

Singapore focuses on money laundering laws, denies China pressure

Case involving Chinese suspects with $2bn illicit gains spurs regulatory review

3 October 2023
Tharman Shanmugaratnam gestures to supporters after presidential election polling concluded in Singapore on Sept 1. An expert says Tharman's victory does not equal voter satisfaction with the long-ruling party.
Politics

Singapore President-elect Tharman shifts PM Lee's succession into gear

Ex-deputy PM can be expected to benefit ruling party's 'political theater'

12 September 2023
Singapore's tourism sector is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Work

Singapore opens door wider to foreign workers at hotels, restaurants

Work permit eligibility expanded to those from India, Philippines and 4 other nations

5 September 2023
Singapore's President-elect Tharman Shanmugaratnam greets supporters on Friday. Tharman won in a landslide with 70.4% of votes.
Politics

Singapore's Tharman clinches presidential election

Ruling party sees its former senior minister win over 70% of votes

2 September 2023
From left: Singapore presidential candidates Tan Kin Lian, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ng Kok Song (Photos by Tsubasa Suruga)
Politics

Singapore presidential election in final stretch: 5 things to know

Candidates for largely ceremonial post are all former finance gurus

31 August 2023
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Their nations are increasingly intertwined as multinationals send capital to Vietnam via the low-tax island.
International relations

Vietnam weighs Singapore diplomatic upgrade as Lee visits

China risks make Vietnam more of a destination for manufacturing, solar power

28 August 2023
Tan Kin Lian, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ng Kok Song (Left to Right) are vying for Singapore's presidency with polls set for Sept. 1 (Photos by Tsubasa Suruga)
Politics

Singapore presidential election heats up in three-way fight

Former deputy PM, ex-GIC investment head, ex-insurance chief eye September polls

22 August 2023
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia during May.
Politics

Singapore political scandals 'will not delay' succession plan: Lee

PM cites confidence in 'fourth generation' of leaders during national address

21 August 2023
A view of the moon from the Chandrayaan-3 lander during Lunar Orbit Insertion on Aug. 5 in this screengrab from a video released Aug. 6. (Photo by ISRO/Handout via Reuters)
Your Week in Asia

China prime rate, Cambodia's new PM, India moon landing mission

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

20 August 2023
Chinese exports to ASEAN dropped by 21% in July from a year ago.
Caixin

Container shipping rates fall on weaker China-ASEAN trade

Shanghai to Singapore 20-foot container spot price down 30% from March

16 August 2023
Singapore's President Halimah Yacob (left) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana Presidential Palace in 2017.
Politics

Singapore set for presidential election next month

Former senior minister Tharman among four hopefuls vying for ceremonial post

11 August 2023
Singapore's United Overseas Bank is clamping down on business with Myanmar, a move one Yangon-based foreign financial sector expert said could have a "huge" impact. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Myanmar Crisis

Key Singapore bank UOB moves to cut off Myanmar

Clampdown seen as response to U.S. pressure, reputational risks

9 August 2023
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He says his People's Action Party has taken a hit over recent controversies.
Politics

Singapore political drama exposes frailty of Lee's succession plan

Ruling PAP 'has taken a hit' over minister's graft probe, speaker's resignation

3 August 2023
Steakholder sees similarities between Jewish kosher and Muslim halal dietary requirements. (Photo courtesy of company)
Food & Beverage

Israel's food tech upstarts eye ASEAN's Muslim countries

Indonesia, Malaysia offer halal gateway for Jewish state's companies

19 July 2023