SCMP Asian News

Indonesian President Widodo told foreign ministers attending the Asean Regional Forum that the meeting aimed to seek solutions rather than exacerbate geopolitical problems.

From China’s demand for durian to girl group Blackpink facing outrage in Vietnam, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Disregarding the valid concerns of its neighbours could undo years of goodwill Tokyo earned through its contribution to global peace and governance.

Prime Minister Sogavare told the US and Australia to ‘respect our sovereignty’, saying the pact will boost the capability of the island’s police officers in cybersecurity.

Thailand’s unilateral approach has undermined Asean’s centrality principle and the power of the bloc’s chair, Indonesia, to drive inclusive dialogue with Myanmar, observers note.

The billionaire had been directed by Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to provide more information on his interactions with Iswaran.

Indonesia’s rising prominence in the global music scene is encouraging, but reports of people going into debt to buy concert tickets is reason for concern. Online lending has made it easier for people to access loans but also exposed them to scams and the excesses that come with flaunting new-found wealth.

There are good reasons to leave states to resolve things bilaterally. Instead, the code should bind China and Asean into good behaviours: respecting the status quo and refraining from military activity.

Beijing’s aspirations to become an economic and technological superpower pose the ‘greatest risk’ to the UK, according to a long-awaited parliamentary report.

The probe follows police reports against Kedah state’s head of government who is accused of committing an offence by allegedly insulting the Sultan of Selangor.

The worst hit-mountainous Himachal Pradesh state saw cars, buses, bridges and houses swept away by swirling floodwaters, and helicopters were needed to rescue about 300 people, mostly tourists, stranded in the Chandertal area.

Theary Seng was convicted of conspiracy to commit treason, but was in reality punished for ‘making two posts on Facebook critical of [Prime Minister] Hun Sen,’ UN says.

Kenneth Seah Wei Yuan faces five charges for offences including sexual grooming of a girl and producing child abuse material by filming the explicit acts.

The leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party is likely to need scores of votes from the conservative bloc to reach the 376-vote threshold.

Sachin Meena and Seema Haider were arrested then bailed last week after the Pakistani national smuggled herself into India via Nepal in May.

India’s space agency is preparing to launch the Chandrayaan-3 that includes a lander designed to deploy a rover near the lunar south pole.

More than 2,700 people were rescued, and computer data and safety box vaults seized, in a police raid on Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc in late June.

The one-time fee will have to be paid electronically and will apply to visitors entering the island from abroad or from other parts of Indonesia.

Indian Prime Minister Modi, who is the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations, will meet French President Macron as both sides deepen defence ties.

Organisers of Asean Queer Advocacy Week have not indicated when or where the relocated event would take place. Indonesia’s most powerful Islamic regulatory body has also called on the government to prevent the meeting from being held.