Singapore’s top diplomat touted what he called “a moment of great potential” for Southeast Asia, as economies expand rapidly on surging technology demand even as much of the world faces growing uncertainties.

Singapore sees Southeast Asia thriving amid ‘breakdown’ of world order

Cambodian authorities will target licensed casinos that are actually fronts for illicit cybercrime, an industry that’s stolen billions of dollars from victims globally, as they extend a yearlong enforcement push beyond physical compounds.

Cambodia to target casinos in next phase of anti-scam sweep

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned against a recent spat of racist comments being made online, saying prejudice must not be allowed to become normalised in the multiracial city-state.

Singapore PM Wong warns racist comments risk deepening divides

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s latest family support package is a familiar strategy for Singapore: make parenthood cheaper and easier in the hope that people will have more children. The record shows there are limits to how much that can actually achieve.

Singapore doubles down on a baby push that keeps falling short

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a package of childcare benefits to support families as the city state grapples with a record-low birth rate and rising concerns over the cost and pressures of raising children.

Singapore unveils sweeping family support as births tumble

China is responding to closer cooperation between the Philippines and Japan by expanding its presence east of Taiwan in an apparent bid to establish jurisdiction over waters in the Philippine Sea, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI).

China tests a new maritime presence east of Taiwan, report says

Thailand reaffirmed its longstanding military relationship with the US on Wednesday, saying security cooperation will remain separate from ongoing negotiations over US tariffs and will not be used as leverage in the talks.

Thailand reaffirms US military cooperation amid trade talks

Thailand plans to warn the Trump administration that steep US tariffs could force it to scale back military cooperation, including the Cobra Gold exercises that anchor one of America’s oldest security alliances in Asia, according to an official familiar with the matter.

Thailand preparing to use military ties as leverage in US talks

Singapore is benefitting from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the government is making use of the technology to ensure higher productivity and better jobs for workers who are worried about their livelihoods, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said.

Singapore to ensure AI helps workers worried about jobs, PM says

(Aug 5): Thailand won’t allow US firms to establish fully foreign-owned satellite telecoms as part of trade talks with the Trump administration, resisting such investments in the sector over sovereignty issues, said the country’s vice-commerce minister.

Thailand rules out fully owned SpaceX venture in US trade talks

Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will remain Melaka Chief Minister should Barisan Nasional (BN) and its strategic partners win the state election next month, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ab Rauf to remain Melaka CM if BN wins state polls — Ahmad Zahid

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the country's industrial sector to be more dynamic and creative in responding to rapid changes in the global economy, particularly through the mastery of new technologies, research and development (R&D), and innovation.

Anwar urges industry to embrace technology, innovation to stay competitive

Malaysia's success will depend on its ability to elevate many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into key industry players and help them penetrate international markets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Elevating SMEs to be global players key to Malaysia’s success — Anwar

The tech-heavy Nasdaq edged higher on Friday, helped by signs of stabilisation in some tech stocks, while telecom shares tumbled on concerns that SpaceX's entry in the sector could heighten competition and threaten their market share.

Nasdaq ticks up as tech stocks steady; SpaceX worries hit telecoms

A NYSE options exchange has suspended trading, causing other exchanges to disregard quotes from the venue.

NYSE options exchange trading halted by ‘technical issue’

US consumer sentiment edged down to a five-month low in October as high prices and rising interest rates depressed morale.

US consumer sentiment slips to five-month low on inflation

Former Atlan Holdings Bhd (KL:ATLAN) CEO Datuk Lee Kok Khee has become a substantial shareholder in AWC Bhd (KL:AWC) through a share purchase by Mastrack Sdn Bhd, a company he owns.

Former Atlan CEO Lee Kok Khee emerges as substantial shareholder in AWC

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday

Zetrix AI, Astro, Maxis, CelcomDigi, Yinson, Malakoff, Solarvest, YTL Hospitality REIT, Hong Leong Capital, Redtone Digital, Affin Bank & Comfort Gloves

Global data centre spending is expected to hit US$1 trillion (RM4.1 trillion) in 2026 and more than double to US$2.1 trillion by 2028, BofA Global Research estimated in a note on Friday, driven by growing demand for and development of AI services.

Data centre spending to more than double to US$2.1 tril by 2028

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has offered 788.83 million employee share options at a 28% discount to its Friday closing price, with recipients able to exercise them immediately, as the group faces cash flow pressures and a sukuk covenant breach.

Zetrix AI offers 789 mil share options at 28% discount amid cash flow, sukuk pressures

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) said it will hold another sukukholders’ meeting after parties failed to reach a deal on Friday to address a covenant breach involving its RM2 billion sukuk by the deadline.

Zetrix AI sukukholders fail to reach deal, new meeting planned

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has offered 788.83 million employee share options at a 28% discount to its Friday closing price, with recipients able to exercise them immediately, as the group faces cash flow pressures and a sukuk covenant breach.&nbsp;

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO) is proposing to dispose of its broadband business to Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) for up to RM83 million in cash, as the group seeks to refocus resources on its core content, advertising and entertainment businesses.

Astro to sell broadband business to Maxis for up to RM83 mil

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday

Public confidence in Malaysia’s law enforcement agencies and institutions depends on the rule of law being applied fairly and consistently to all. This means allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated and tried without fear or favour. It also means every person charged is entitled to the pres...

Opinion: G25 statement on due process and public service

China should offer more support to families to stabilise the number of new births, the cabinet said, as policymakers seek to address the country's population decline and record-low birth rate.

The government should refine policies including those related to marriage, childbirth, child-rearing and education, and optimise taxation, social security and housing to build a "fertility-friendly society", the State Council, or cabinet, said at a meeting on Friday, according to a readout aired by state television.

China aims to stabilise number of new births with policy support

Malaysian navigation app TuJu has apologised to users for recent technical disruptions and expects to restore stable navigation services within two weeks.

TuJu apologises for losing its way, targets recovery within two weeks

Former Atlan Holdings Bhd (KL:ATLAN) CEO Datuk Lee Kok Khee has become a substantial shareholder in AWC Bhd (KL:AWC) through a share purchase by Mastrack Sdn Bhd, a company he owns.

The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd have been asked to provide a detailed explanation of problems affecting users of the local navigation app TuJu, including their causes, technical issues and corrective measures.

Malaysian Highway Authority, Prosignal should provide explanation over TuJu app glitches — Fahmi

The tech-heavy Nasdaq edged higher on Friday, helped by signs of stabilisation in some tech stocks, while telecom shares tumbled on concerns that SpaceX's entry in the sector could heighten competition and threaten their market share.

VietJet Aviation JSC faces seizure of ticket revenues and aircraft after a UK court appointed receivers to help recover more than US$250 million (RM816 million) owed to a London-based buyout fund — effectively hobbling the carrier’s operations outside of Vietnam.

VietJet faces aircraft, cash seizures in FitzWalter debt fight

Wall Street's main indexes were set to open lower on Friday as caution prevailed after a sharp selloff in AI-linked stocks, while telecom stocks tumbled on fears that intensified competition from SpaceX could erode their market share.

Wall St set to open lower after AI-led selloff; SpaceX worries hit telecoms

Investors see the auditor’s opinion, but rarely the evidence and professional judgements behind it. Their confidence in financial reporting therefore depends not only on the auditor’s independence, but also on whether the audit work can withstand independent scrutiny. This raises a question central to market confidence. Who checks whether the auditor has obtained sufficient appropriate evidence to support the opinion expressed?

Opinion: Auditing the auditor and protecting public trust

Malaysia's success will depend on its ability to elevate many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into key industry players and help them penetrate international markets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.&nbsp;

American Express Co is cutting 5% of its headcount globally as chief executive officer Steve Squeri seeks to keep a lid on the company’s rising costs.

Amex to slash 5% of headcount as CEO seeks to reduce expenses

（吉隆坡23日讯）Zetrix AI Bhd（KL:ZETRIX）表示，由于各方未能在周五的会议上，就解决20亿令吉伊斯兰债务的契约违约问题达成协议，公司将再次召开伊债持有人会议。

Zetrix AI伊债持有人未能达成协议 将择日再召开会议

Recently, I spoke with the parent of a four-year-old child who made a striking prediction: “By the time my child is ready for university, universities might no longer exist.”

Opinion: If AI can teach everything, what are universities for?

Global data centre spending is expected to hit US$1 trillion (RM4.1 trillion) in 2026 and more than double to US$2.1 trillion by 2028, BofA Global Research estimated in a note on Friday, driven by growing demand for and development of AI services.

Metrics across global bond markets are signalling their biggest risk-off sentiment in more than a year, as a selloff in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks and growing geopolitical tensions caused investors to seek out safe-haven assets.

AI tech fears push global credit spreads to 17-month high

US-based Lyft unit Freenow and Baidu'sK Apollo Go unveiled the Chinese company's RT6 autonomous vehicle in London on Thursday and said they hope to launch a driverless robotaxi service in the city in 2027.

Philip J Heijmans

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Philip J Heijmans

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