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☆ China's property crisis weighs on developing Asia's 2023 growth outlook - ADB
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Enrico Dela Cruz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Updating its regional economic outlook, the ADB trimmed its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia to 4.7%, from 4.8% projected in July. But the growth forecast for next year for the grouping, which consists of 46 economies in the Asia-Pacific and excludes Japan, Australia and New Zealand, was revised slightly upwards to 4.8% from 4.7% previously. China's property crisis "poses a downside risk and could hold back regional growth," the ADB said in its report. The Manila-based lender maintained its 2024 growth forecasts for China and India at 4.5% and 6.7% respectively. While growth has so far been robust and inflation pressures are receding in developing Asia, Park said governments need to be vigilant against the many challenges the region faces, including food security.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Albert, Park, Enrico Dela Cruz, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Asian Development Bank, ADB, East, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights MANILA, Asia, El, Pacific, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Manila

☆ Indonesia parliament committee approves higher 2024 budget of $216 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President Joko Widodo's budget for 2024, his final year in office, targets expenditure at 3,325.1 trillion rupiah ($216.27 billion), up 6.45% from 2023's outlook to account for higher energy subsidies amid rising global oil prices. The fiscal budget proposal was approved by the budget committee chaired by Said Abdullah. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati highlighted the risk of rising global crude oil prices to the budget next year. The committee approved a revision to the total energy subsidies by about 2% higher to 189.1 trillion rupiah versus 185.9 trillion rupiah in the initial proposal. For 2024, the budget assumes a lower inflation at 2.8% versus 3.1% in 2023'outlook and a slightly higher economic growth at 5.2% compared to 5.1% in the 2023's outlook.

Persons: Joko, Said Abdullah, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Sri Mulyani, Josua Pardede, Josua, Stefanno Sulaiman, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty Organizations: El, Finance, Bank Permata, El Nino, Thomson Locations: El Nino, JAKARTA, Indonesia's

☆ Thailand Launches Probe Into Chinese Rolled Steel Imports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has launched an investigation into imports of Chinese rolled steel for evading anti-dumping measures, the commerce ministry said in a statement. The probe includes hot-rolled steel sheets in coils and non-coils from 17 manufacturers in China, according to the statement published on Sept 15. "There is sufficient evidence that there is avoidance of anti-dumping duties and so an investigation is warranted," the statement said. The announcement comes after four Thai steel makers lodged a complaint with Thailand's Foreign Trade Department. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)

Persons: Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thailand's Foreign Trade Department Locations: BANGKOK, Thailand, China

☆ Singapore's non-oil exports fall for a 11th month in August
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Singapore's annual exports fell for an 11th straight month in August as the trade-reliant economy continues to grapple with global headwinds on inflation and declining demand. Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell 20.1% year-on-year in August, official data showed on Monday, as both electronics and non-electronics exports to the United States, Europe and China declined. Economists are expecting the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to keep monetary policy unchanged in the policy review scheduled next month due to the weak growth and persistent inflation. NODX to the United States contracted by 32.4% in August, after the 34.3% expansion in the preceding month, mainly due to the sharp decline in non-electronic exports. Last month, Singapore narrowed its economic growth forecast to 0.5% to 1.5% this year from 0.5% to 2.5%, after it narrowly averted a recession in the second quarter when its economy expanded a seasonally-adjusted 0.1%.

Persons: Brian Tan, it's, Tan, Chen Lin, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Barclays, Authority of Singapore, MAS, Enterprise Singapore, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, United States, Europe, China, Singapore

☆ Thailand to roll out more populist policies this year - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Electric poles with electrical and telephone cables are seen in Bangkok, Thailand, August 9, 2017. "In addition to lowering cost of living is increasing wages," he said, adding that an announcement could be expected in November. Srettha, a real estate mogul and political newcomer, has come under fire in parliament for policies the opposition say lack clear direction. But the PM has said the policies would be fiscally responsible. He also plans to meet top business executives during his U.S. trip to draw more investment to Thailand.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thai, Southeast, United Nations General Assembly, U.S, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, El, Africa, New York, China, United States

☆ Thai PM: Will Gradually Reduce Electricity Prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday his government will gradually reduce electricity prices amid efforts to lower living costs in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. "We've already reduced electricity prices but want to reduce more but it will take several weeks," the premier said, adding the country's economic situation is "not so good". He was speaking at a forum hosted by Thai media outlet, Thairath. Srettha, a real estate mogul and political newcomer, has come under fire in parliament for policies the opposition say are vague and lack clear direction. But the PM has said the policies would be fiscally responsible and a signature 560 billion baht digital wallet handout policy would not rely on loans.

Persons: Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thai Locations: BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's

☆ Thai PM: 'I don't agree with recreational use' of cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Tourists shop cannabis at a cannabis store, at Khaosan Road, one of the favourite tourist spots in Bangkok, Thailand, January 6, 2023. "Cannabis policy will be medical cannabis. On recreational use, I do not agree with that," he said in an interview with Thai news website, The Standard. Srettha's Pheu Thai party leads an 11-party coalition government, which came into power in August. "Drug abuse is a big problem for the country that's been under-addressed ... cannabis has to be used medically," Srettha said.

Persons: Athit, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Chayut Setboonsarng, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thai, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Southeast Asia's, New York

☆ Indonesia's August trade surplus seen widening to $1.55 bln: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Workers are seen on a ship carrying containers at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Trade data due at 0200 GMT on Friday, Sept 15JAKARTA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's trade surplus in August likely widened slightly from a month earlier amid falling imports, even as exports were expected to remain weak, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday. The median forecast of 19 economists surveyed was for Southeast Asia's biggest economy to book a surplus of $1.55 billion, versus $1.31 billion in July. Indonesia's exports and trade surplus have been shrinking as prices of its top commodities, like coal and palm oil, fall and global demand weakens. Weak exports have also hit economic growth in the last quarter.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Josua Pardede, Veronica Khongwir, Susobhan Sarkar, Stefanno Sulaiman, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Southeast Asia's, Bank Permata, Thomson Locations: Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, Indonesia, JAKARTA

☆ Singapore c.bank bars 3AC founders from market activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view of the Monetary Authority of Singapore's headquarters in Singapore June 28, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSINGAPORE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank said on Thursday it has barred the founders of bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) from market activity in the city-state for nine years. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement it had issued orders, which, effective from Sept 13, prohibit 3AC founder Zhu Su and Kyle Livingston Davies from performing any regulated activity and from managing any capital market services firms in Singapore. "Senior management of fund managers are required to implement robust risk management measures to protect the interest of investors," Loo Siew Yee, MAS Assistant Managing Director said. Representatives for Zhu and Davies could not immediately be reached for comment.

Persons: Darren Whiteside, cryptocurrencies Luna, TerraUSD, Zhu Su, Kyle Livingston Davies, Loo Siew Yee, Zhu, Davies, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Monetary Authority, REUTERS, Rights, Arrows, British Virgin Islands, Monetary Authority of Singapore, MAS, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE, British Virgin

☆ Nobel laureate Ressa acquitted in Philippine tax case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Mikhail Flores | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Philippines Nobel laureate Maria Ressa faces the media after she and her news site Rappler were acquitted of tax fraud by a trial court in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, September 12, 2023. After the verdict was announced, Ressa told reporters Her acquittal sends a "good signal" to the business community, as her tax charges "have a lot to do with the rule of law". "The acquittal now strengthens our resolve to continue with the justice system, to submit ourselves to the court despite the political harassment, despite the attack on press freedom," Ressa said. Ressa's acquittal was expected after she was cleared of similar tax charges nine months ago. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who has been in office for 14 months, has said he would not interfere in the court cases against Rappler.

Persons: Maria Ressa, Rappler, Eloisa Lopez, Rodrigo Duterte, Ressa, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Francis Lim, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rappler, World Press, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Pasig City, Metro Manila, MANILA, Russian

☆ Malaysia fails to appeal ex-PM Najib's acquittal in 1MDB audit tampering case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks to journalists outside the Federal Court during a court break, in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 23, 2022. Najib, 70, is serving a 12-year jail sentence for another corruption case linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The attorney-general's chambers was expected to appeal Najib's acquittal earlier this year of a charge of abusing his position as prime minister to amend a government audit into 1MDB . But Najib's lawyers at Shafee & Co said in a statement, "the prosecution evidently found no grounds for appeal" and did not file the petition. Anwar has maintained that the move to drop the case, which triggered a widespread public backlash, was made without his interference.

Persons: Najib Razak, Lai Seng, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Najib, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Danial Azhar, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, REUTERS, 1Malaysia Development, Shafee, U.S . Justice Department, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, 1MDB

☆ Vietnam Apartment Block Fire Kills 'Many' - State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

HANOI (Reuters) - Many people are feared dead and several have been injured in a fire at an apartment block in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, state media reported on Wednesday. Authorities have not confirmed the number of deaths as of early Wednesday. The fire broke out in the middle of the night at a block, where 150 people resided, according to the official Vietnam News Agency. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)

Persons: Phuong Nguyen, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Authorities, Vietnam News Agency Locations: HANOI, Hanoi

☆ Thai economy may grow as forecast this year - deputy finmin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Colorful umbrellas are seen in a restaurant as tourists enjoy a beach in the island of Phuket in Thailand January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Thailand's economy may grow as forecast this year, helped by public consumption and investment after the formation of a new government, Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana said on Friday. The ministry has forecast economic growth of 3.5% this year. The new government led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is also finance minister, is seeking to revive Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and deliver on key campaign promises after an election in May. Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Krisada Chinavicharana, Srettha Thavisin, Kitiphong Thaichareon, Orathai Sriring, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Southeast, Thomson Locations: Phuket, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

☆ Australia, Philippines upgrade ties to strategic partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippines last month held military exercises near the South China Sea with Australia, its second-largest partner in defence security. "Australia supports the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have claims to certain areas of the South China Sea. Most of Australia's trade also goes through the South China Sea. Albanese confirmed on Thursday he will visit China later this year, the first visit by an Australian leader since 2016.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Earvin, " Albanese, Marcos, Albanese, Neil Jerome Morales, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Australia's, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, . Australian, Philippine, Forces, China, China Sea, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Manila, Philippines, Rights MANILA, Australia, South China, South, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan

On Wednesday, China's Li warned against starting a "new Cold War" and warned countries against taking sides in any conflict. Harris, attending the meetings instead of President Joe Biden, reiterated a U.S. commitment to the region. "The United States has an enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and more broadly to the Indo-Pacific," she said. A White House official said earlier the U.S. shared interests with ASEAN in "upholding the rules-based international order, including in the South China Sea, in the face of China's unlawful maritime claims and provocative actions". The Chinese premier and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met briefly on the sidelines of the summit on Wednesday and discussed Japan's release into the sea of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, Lee Hsien Loong, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarun, Pham Minh Chinh, Fumio, Yoon Suk Yeol, Joko, Kamala Harris, Li Qiang, Sergei Lavrov, China's Li, Harris, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: Singapore's, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam's, Japan's, ASEAN, Russian, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, White, U.S, Japanese, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Fumio Kishida, South, JAKARTA, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, South China, Myanmar, Korea, Russia, United States, Southeast Asia, China, Laos

☆ Indonesia proposes critical minerals trade deal with US
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris ride on an escalator during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 6, 2023. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Indonesia has asked the United States to begin talks on a trade deal for critical minerals so that exports from the Southeast Asian country can be covered under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, an Indonesian ministry said on Thursday. Indonesia does not have a free trade agreement with the United States, but the resource-rich country has ambitions to become a major player in the manufacturing of EVs and their batteries, leveraging its vast nickel reserves. "Indonesia invites the U.S. to discuss the formation of the Critical Mineral Agreement," Jokowi added. Harris, during the opening speech of the bilateral meeting, said she would continue to work with Indonesia to build supply chains that included "critical minerals required to expand our clean energy economies" and to boost trade between the two countries through IPEF.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Kamala Harris, Willy Kurniawan, EVs, Jokowi, Luhut Pandjaitan, Harris, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: ASEAN Summit, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Economic, EV, IPEF, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, United States, Washington, North America, U.S, Indonesian, Japan

☆ UN chief says global finance system fragmenting; Myanmar crisis worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during his bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. In a wide-ranging speech that touched on geopolitical tension, multilateral development finance and climate change, Guterres called on world leaders to find peaceful and inclusive solutions to the challenges facing the world. He also voiced support for re-channelling an additional $100 billion of International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights through multilateral development banks to increase liquidity and support developing economies' needs. At a Paris summit in June this year, world leaders backed a push for multilateral development banks like the World Bank to put more capital at risk to boost lending. ASEAN leaders are set to hold talks with the United Nations later on Thursday.

Persons: General Antonio Guterres, Joko Widodo, Tatan, António Guterres, Rich, Ajay Banga, Guterres, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: UN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Monetary, Bank, World Bank, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, China, United States, Paris, Myanmar, ASEAN

☆ Economists cut Singapore 2023 growth and inflation forecasts - survey
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Economists have downgraded Singapore's 2023 growth forecasts and inflation expectations, according to a survey by the country's central bank published on Wednesday, with spillovers from an external growth slowdown cited as the top risk. The median inflation forecast is for headline consumer prices to rise 4.7% this year, down from 5.0% predicted in June. The median forecast for MAS core inflation, which excludes private road transport and accommodation costs, is 4.1%, unchanged from the previous survey. Both headline inflation and MAS core inflation are expected to ease in 2024, to 3.1% and 2.8% respectively. About 69% of survey respondents cited the impact of a slowdown in external growth as the downside risk to the domestic outlook.

Persons: Yantoultra Ngui, Chen Lin, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Monetary Authority of Singapore, Gross, MAS, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore

☆ China warns against 'new Cold War' at ASEAN summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] China's Premier Li Qiang (L) attends the 26th ASEAN-China Summit during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6, 2023. In remarks at the start of her meeting with ASEAN leaders, Harris said the United States was committed to the region. "The United States has an enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and more broadly to the Indo-Pacific," she said. Just before this week's gatherings, China released a map with a "10-dash line" showing what appeared to be an expansion of the area it considers its territory in the South China Sea. "The Philippines firmly rejects misleading narratives that frame the disputes in the South China Sea solely through the lens of strategic competition between two powerful countries," Marcos said.

Persons: Li Qiang, Yasuyoshi, Li, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Xi, Harris, ASEAN's, Retno Marsudi, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, Yoon Suk, Yoon, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin, Stanley Widianto, Kate Lamb, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel, Nick Macfie Organizations: China, ASEAN Summit, REUTERS Acquire, China Sea, Asia ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, U.S, White, Indonesian, United, South, North, New York Times, Thomson Locations: ASEAN, Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia, JAKARTA, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, South China, United States, Southeast Asia, Myanmar, States, South, Philippine, Philippines, North Korea, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ ASEAN welcomes world leaders as China-U.S. rivalry overshadows region
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The United States and its allies have echoed ASEAN's calls for freedom of navigation and overflight and to refrain from building a physical presence in the area. Just before this week's gatherings, China released a map with its "10-dash line" delineating what it considers its waters, that appeared to expand its claims in the South China Sea. The United States has also courted ASEAN countries with varying degrees of success. 'GREAT DANGER'Lina Alexandra, a political analyst at think tank CSIS, said the draft was "very weak on the issues of the South China Sea". President Joko Widodo of ASEAN chair Indonesia warned on Tuesday that members must not become proxies in big-power rivalry.

Persons: Ferdinand " Bongbong, Marcos Jr, Lee Hsien Loong, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarun, Pham Minh Chinh, Li Qiang, Joko Widodo, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, ASEAN's, Lina Alexandra, Alexandra, Wednesday's, Aung, Suu Kyi, Stanley Widianto, Kate Lamb, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: Singapore's, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam's, ASEAN, Wednesday, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, U.S, White, United, Reuters, CSIS, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Laos, JAKARTA, United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, South China, States, South, Indonesia, ASEAN, Myanmar, Suu, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

☆ Hun Sen's son aims to make Cambodia high-income country by 2050
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Kate Lamb | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet attends an event to meet with garment workers on his first public appearance since taking office, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 29, 2023. The 45-year-old last month took over power from his father Hun Sen after a lopsided general election that all opposition parties were barred from contesting. In a country once riven by decades of war, Cambodia has now evolved to a lower-middle income nation with economic growth rates of 7%, he said. Cambodia's parliament approved Hun Manet as prime minister in August. Hun Sen, one of the world's longest ruling leaders, has said he expects his son to continue his leadership style and will himself remain in politics.

Persons: Hun Manet, Cindy Liu, Monday, Hun Sen, Kate Lamb, Kanupriya Kapoor, Nick Macfie Organizations: Cambodia’s, REUTERS, Rights, Cambodian, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Rights JAKARTA, Cambodia's

Najib is serving a 12-year prison sentence for graft linked to the multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB and faces more bribery charges. Ahmad Zahid had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and UMNO said he was a victim of political persecution. Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, a lawyer for Ahmad Zahid, said his team will ask the court for a full acquittal. The UMNO was voted out for power for the first time in Malaysia's history in 2018 due to widespread anger over corruption allegations against Najib and Ahmad Zahid. Despite the corruption charges, Anwar appointed Ahmad Zahid to the second-highest office in the country.

Persons: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Ahmad Zahid's, Najib Razak, Najib, Ahmad Zahid, General's Chambers, Bernama, Zahid, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Malaysian, Ahmad Zahid's United Malays National Organisation, UMNO, Court, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

☆ Candidate close to establishment wins Singapore presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam meets his supporters after early sample vote count results at the presidential election in Singapore September 1, 2023. Former deputy prime minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, won 70.4% of votes, the elections department said, to become Singapore's head of state. Analysts said the landslide victory for the candidate seen as closest to the establishment is a sign that Singaporeans generally still trust the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). The role of the president is largely ceremonial in Singapore, though the office is expected to ensure checks and balances on the government. This is Singapore's third presidential election since a 1991 act gave the public the right to choose and Tharman will be the country's ninth president overall.

Persons: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Edgar Su, Lee Hsien Loong, Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, Tharman, Lee, Mr Tharman, Chen Lin, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Saturday, Analysts, Action Party, Nanyang Technological University, PAP, Presidential Advisers, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Rights SINGAPORE

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Thailand's king has commuted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's eight-year prison sentence to one year, the royal gazette said on Friday, a day after the billionaire submitted a request for pardon. His return overshadowed a vote in parliament that installed political ally Srettha Thavisin of the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai party, as prime minister. "Thais should accept and not criticise this outcome because it could be considered a violation of royal power," he said. Thailand's strict royal insult law shields the monarchy from criticism, carrying a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Persons: Thaksin Shinawatra, Athit, Thaksin Shinawatra's, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Thaksin's, Winyat Chatmontri, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thais, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat, Panu, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Thai, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK

That was within Bank Indonesia's 2023 inflation target range of 2% to 4%. A deeper look at the data showed that while headline inflation only rose modestly, annual rice inflation accelerated to 13.76% in August, the highest since June 2012. Myrdal Gunarto, economist with Maybank Indonesia, said he expected a limited increase in rice prices going forward due to planned imports from Southeast Asian countries, predicting headline inflation would remain manageable. As for rice inflation, Irman said: "As a staple, the (rice) inflation will affect purchasing power. But generally, food commodities are showing a moderation trend that is offsetting (rising) rice prices' impact."

Persons: Rice, Myrdal Gunarto, Irman Faiz, Irman, Stefanno Sulaiman, Gayatri Suroyo, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Bank, Maybank, Bank Danamon, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Maybank Indonesia

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