Indonesia faces challenge of balancing wages, labor costs

Indonesia faces challenge of balancing wages, labor costs

Indonesia plans to raise minimum wages by about 5-7% in 2026 under a new formula signed into law by President Prabowo Subianto, a move that could test the country’s cost competitiveness in Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia - Tue, December 23, 2025 | 10:00 pm GTM+7

Philippines extends sugar import ban

Philippines extends sugar import ban

The Philippine Government has decided to extend its ban on sugar imports until the end of December 2026, as domestic supply has improved.

Southeast Asia - Tue, December 23, 2025 | 9:56 pm GTM+7

Indonesia to deepen role in global semiconductor supply chain

Indonesia to deepen role in global semiconductor supply chain

Indonesia is rolling out efforts to identify opportunities and map its natural resources to support the semiconductor industry, as part of a broader strategy to build domestic industrial capacity.

Southeast Asia - Sat, December 20, 2025 | 9:36 am GTM+7

Indonesia to stop rice imports next year

Indonesia to stop rice imports next year

Indonesia will not import rice for either consumption or industrial use next year, citing sufficient domestic production, according to a government official.

Southeast Asia - Sat, December 20, 2025 | 8:00 am GTM+7

Unpaid credit card balances in Singapore hit record high in 10 years

Unpaid credit card balances in Singapore hit record high in 10 years

Singapore's credit card debt has exceeded SGD9.07 billion (about $7 billion) in 2025's third quarter, a 10-year high that was last seen in 2014.

Southeast Asia - Thu, December 18, 2025 | 7:54 pm GTM+7

Thailand, Japan deepen transport, infrastructure cooperation

Thailand, Japan deepen transport, infrastructure cooperation

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has met with Japanese Ambassador Otaka Masato to advance cooperation in Thailand’s transportation and infrastructure projects.

Southeast Asia - Thu, December 18, 2025 | 7:50 pm GTM+7

Malaysia eyes AI-driven energy future

Malaysia eyes AI-driven energy future

Malaysia needs to modernize its power systems to build a low-carbon economy that is competitive, inclusive and resilient, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof at the Global AI, Digital and Green Economy Summit 2025, which opened on Monday.

Southeast Asia - Mon, December 15, 2025 | 11:47 pm GTM+7

Malaysian rare earth companies eligible for incentives

Malaysian rare earth companies eligible for incentives

Companies involved in midstream and downstream production activities of rare earth elements (REE) are eligible to be considered for incentives under the Malaysian Promotion of Investments Act 1986, namely Pioneer Status and Investment Tax Allowance.

Southeast Asia - Thu, December 11, 2025 | 10:36 pm GTM+7

Thailand adjusts EV policies to prevent potential price wars, oversupply

Thailand adjusts EV policies to prevent potential price wars, oversupply

The Thai Cabinet has approved adjustments to the country’s electric vehicle promotion schemes, specifically the EV3 and EV3.5 measures.

Southeast Asia - Thu, December 11, 2025 | 10:25 pm GTM+7

Indonesia seeks new oil and gas sources

Indonesia seeks new oil and gas sources

Indonesia’s Geological Agency has launched an airborne survey in Sulawesi to identify potential new oil and gas reserves as the government is seeking to expand hydrocarbon exploration and attract fresh investment.

Southeast Asia - Tue, December 9, 2025 | 9:26 pm GTM+7

Five economies seen powering ASEAN’s next growth cycle

Five economies seen powering ASEAN’s next growth cycle

ASEAN is poised to enter 2025-2026 with strong momentum, anchored by five dynamic economies, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam (MIT-PV), according to Shan Saeed, chief economist at IQI Global.

Southeast Asia - Mon, December 8, 2025 | 10:42 pm GTM+7

Philippines suspends pork imports from Spain due to African swine fever outbreak

Philippines suspends pork imports from Spain due to African swine fever outbreak

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on December 8 that it has suspended the importation of pigs and pork products from Spain due to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in this European country.

Southeast Asia - Mon, December 8, 2025 | 10:37 pm GTM+7

Malaysia forecasts 4.3-4.7% economic growth in 2026

Malaysia forecasts 4.3-4.7% economic growth in 2026

Malaysia’s economy is expected to maintain steady growth in 2026 despite persistent global uncertainties, according to economic experts.

Southeast Asia - Tue, December 2, 2025 | 9:59 pm GTM+7

Malaysia’s e-commerce revenue rises sharply

Malaysia’s e-commerce revenue rises sharply

Malaysia’s e-commerce revenue for the first nine months of 2025 totalled MYR937.5 billion ($226.8 billion), up 1.9% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Southeast Asia - Mon, December 1, 2025 | 10:31 pm GTM+7

Malaysia leads Southeast Asia’s digital economic growth

Malaysia leads Southeast Asia’s digital economic growth

Malaysia is now the fastest-growing digital economy in Southeast Asia with a year-on-year increase of 19%, and on track to reach $39 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) this year, according to the 10th edition of the e-Conomy SEA Report 2025.

Southeast Asia - Sun, November 30, 2025 | 4:19 pm GTM+7

Indonesia eyes trilateral data-center tie-up with Singapore, Malaysia

Indonesia eyes trilateral data-center tie-up with Singapore, Malaysia

Indonesia is in talks with Singapore and Malaysia to develop a cross-border data-center network linked to its Green Super Grid.

Southeast Asia - Fri, November 28, 2025 | 9:57 pm GTM+7

Malaysia’s export growth expected to slow in 2026

Malaysia’s export growth expected to slow in 2026

Despite Malaysia’s trade growth in October 2025 surpassing expectations, with both exports and imports reaching record levels, economists warned that the country’s export expansion may slow in 2026.

Southeast Asia - Fri, November 28, 2025 | 9:53 pm GTM+7

Singapore promotes methanol use for bunkering

Singapore promotes methanol use for bunkering

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will issue licences to supply methanol as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore from January 1, 2026, following the Call for Applications launched in March 2025.

Southeast Asia - Fri, November 28, 2025 | 9:46 pm GTM+7

Indonesia plans 7 initial waste-to-energy plants next year

Indonesia plans 7 initial waste-to-energy plants next year

Indonesia will start the construction of seven waste-to-energy power plants in 2026 as the first step to develop 33 such facilities by 2029.

Southeast Asia - Mon, November 24, 2025 | 9:23 pm GTM+7