Asia News Bulletin

16/08/2025

🇮🇩 At the age of 80, Indonesia has reached a crossroads where it must decide which path to take: the one it has trod in the past that benefits only a handful of elite, or a wholly new course to restore its moral compass and pursue prosperity for all.

At the age of 80, Indonesia has reached a crossroads where it must decide which path to take: the one it has trod in the past that benefits only a handful of elite, or a wholly new course to restore its moral compass and pursue prosperity for all.

16/08/2025

🇮🇩 The area is almost the size of Switzerland. Prabowo added that a total of 5 million hectares of palm plantations have been under scrutiny for operating in protected forest areas, not reporting their actual size, or not responding to summons from auditors.

Indonesia will launch a broader crackdown on the illegal exploitation of natural resources after a survey found that palm plantations were operating in violation of the law.

14/08/2025

🇲🇾 The bust, codenamed Ops Sohor, was carried out by the MACC’s Intelligence Division with support from its Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad. Sources said five senior military officers and five civilians, including an Indonesian national, aged between 30 and 55, were arrested around the Klang Valley in simultaneous raids which began at 6.30am on Aug 13.

The officers had allegedly leaked military operational information to smugglers. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

13/08/2025

🇰🇷 The special counsel investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee has turned the spotlight on lavish items allegedly gifted to her during her husband’s rise to the presidency and his time in office. The Snowflake Pendant, crafted from 18K white gold and set with brilliant-cut diamonds, is currently listed on Van Cleef & Arpels’ official website for approximately 83.5 million won (S$77,400), but at the time Ms Kim wore it, it reportedly sold for 60 million won.

The gifts include a diamond necklace, a high-end watch and designer shoes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

12/08/2025

🇸🇬 🇵🇸 Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamed, Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Singapore Qais Biltaji, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Jordan Shamsher Zaman, and Singapore’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hawazi Daipi were present at the send-off ceremony for the aircraft at Paya Lebar Air Base.

SINGAPORE: Singapore will deliver a ninth tranche of humanitarian aid to Gaza, consisting of medical and food supplies. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Tuesday (Aug 12) that it has deployed a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft to Jordan. "At the invitation of

12/08/2025

🇸🇬 Singaporean couple Nerine Mak and Haren Khatau are travelling the world on dirt bikes. They’ve paused to pen a letter about their vision for Singapore, a nation they hope will value curiosity and will reconnect with nature and one another.

Singaporean couple Nerine Mak and Haren Khatau are travelling the world on dirt bikes. They’ve paused to pen a letter about their vision for Singapore, a nation they hope will value curiosity and will reconnect with nature and one another.

12/08/2025

🇲🇾 He said the ministry, in collaboration with the travel agency association, is actively carrying out various promotional initiatives to attract Chinese tourists, particularly Muslim travellers.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — Nearly 1.8 million tourists from China visited Malaysia between January and May this year, following the introduction of a visa waiver for Chinese...

12/08/2025

🇮🇩 “A big nation like us needs a strong military. No nation can be independent without having a strong military,” said Prabowo, who previously served as the country’s defence minister from 2019 to 2024.

The post of deputy armed forces commander was also reinstated for the first time in more than two decades.

11/08/2025

11/08/2025

10/08/2025

🌎 🇸🇬 This tiny Southeast Asian state, with a population of just over six million people, has one of the highest rates of wealth per capita in the world. Its advanced economy also attracts workers from across the globe.

Al Jazeera looks at some of the challenges that Singapore could face over its next 60 years.

10/08/2025

🇸🇬 Four men who were arrested after a police search operation this week in Bukit Timah are believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates involving Chinese nationals.

They were found with screwdrivers, spanners, clothing and cash that totalled more than $400. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.