TimesInAsia

TimesInAsia

Singapore world's third least corrupt country - Transparency International

Singapore world's third least corrupt country - Transparency International

A new report from Transparency International (TI) sees mixed results for Southeast Asia (SEA) with Singapore maintaining its position as the region’s least corrupt nation, while Malaysia and Thailand grapple with governance challenges. “Asia Pacific is home to a third of the world’s population, has the second largest

ESG on the rise in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

ESG on the rise in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

2 min read Economy, ESG, Kasikornbank, MAS

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), until recently more prominent in Europe and the US, is gaining ground in Southeast Asia (SEA). In Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, ESG assets are expanding rapidly, driven by a shift in investor and consumer preferences, and also regulatory reforms. A boom in sustainable finance products

Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partners

Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partners

3 min read Economy, Malaysia, BRICS

Malaysia and Thailand became partner countries of the BRICS group on 1 January and will participate in BRICS mechanisms along with Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Uganda and Uzbekistan, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov announced. With the addition of these nine partner nations, BRICS now encompasses approximately half of the

Thailand’s eyes USD 300bn gas opportunity with Cambodia

Thailand’s eyes USD 300bn gas opportunity with Cambodia

Thai electricity authorities will increase renewables in the energy mix in the national grid while securing new domestic energy sources, reducing reliance on imports and bolstering energy independence, according to the Thailand government’s strategic policy for 2025. The three key electricity authorities – the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)

Singapore seeks to steer ship amid US-China standoff

Singapore seeks to steer ship amid US-China standoff

1 min read ASEAN

Amid heightened US-China tensions, Singapore reaffirmed its neutral stance at the ASEAN summit, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasizing economic stability and strategic balance. The city-state continues to maintain strong trade ties with both superpowers, even as the US and China intensify pressure on their South East Asia (SEA) allies

Trump's closure of DOJ could stall 1MDB probe

Trump's closure of DOJ could stall 1MDB probe

3 min read Malaysia, Politics

Reports that US President Donald Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) shut down its elite anti-corruption unit have raised concerns about the future of global financial crime enforcement, particularly in cases like Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal. The unit played a key role in investigating the multibn-dollar fraud, which implicated

Thai PM visits Xi to shore up tourism rebound

Thai PM visits Xi to shore up tourism rebound

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday commended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her government’s “strong measures” against scam centres targeting Chinese nationals, a growing issue fueling safety concerns among potential tourists. Gangs at border threaten Thai tourism numbers A multi-billion-dollar industry has grown along the Thai-Myanmar border, as

Malaysia, Singapore cement strategic alliance

Malaysia, Singapore cement strategic alliance

As the incoming administration of US President Donald Trump prepares to announce tariffs, Malaysia is seeking greater alignment with Singapore, and stability and economic resilience at the start of an uncertain era for South East Asia (SEA) and the planet. As global trading networks become less stable, Malaysia has turned

Malaysia’s political landscape in 2025

Malaysia’s political landscape in 2025

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim underlined his country’s plans to build trade relationships with China, Russia, and Brazil, at a parliamentary session on February 4. Anwar’s emphasis on diversifying trade partnerships reflects a strategic move to shield Malaysia’s economy from potential external shocks due to shifting US