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Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Brunei Darussalam. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Bandar Seri Begawan
Head of State
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Head of Government
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Malaysia

‘All I want is a fair chance’: Malaysia’s deaf workers look to lead

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China energy security

Why are fuel and petrochemical prices rising far faster than crude?

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s air quality turns hazardous as Indonesian wildfires burn

Pollution index hits 476 near the border, forcing school closures and triggering emergency cloud-seeding plans in Sarawak.

The skyline of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur is seen shrouded in haze from regional wildfires on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
A man looks at Kuala Lumpur’s skyline shrouded in haze from regional wildfires on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Visitors take photographs from a lookout point overlooking a hazy Kuala Lumpur skyline on August 14. Photo: AP
A drone view shows wildfires near a toll road in Ogan Ilir, Indonesia’s South Sumatra province, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Singapore’s universities race to embrace AI as job demands transform

More employers are emphasising AI literacy and are willing to pay more for graduates with the relevant skills, analysts say.

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SCMP Highlights

How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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Malaysia

How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

The kings in Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Brunei have to be attuned to societal or economic changes to survive, analysts say.

World’s longest-reigning living monarch, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, returns a salute during his 80th birthday celebrations at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei July 15. Photo: Reuters
The Malaysian king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (centre), attends his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur in 2024. Photo: Reuters
Then Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha (middle left) prostrates himself in front of newly appointed Thai King Vajiralongkorn in 2016. Photo: AFP
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni arrives for the first meeting of the Senate in Phnom Penh in 2024. Photo: AFP
Asean

Editorial | Hong Kong’s economic and trade network plays to city’s strengths

The opening of a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur is part of a strategic move towards bolstering relations with Asean.

Hong Kong economy

New Hong Kong trade office in Malaysia a bridge to Greater Bay Area: minister

Commerce chief Algernon Yau calls launch of Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur ‘highly strategic move’.

Hong Kong economy

Food Expo vendors hoping for tasty profits with items such as caviar sake gelato

Abalone for HK$1, handcrafted caviar mooncakes and discounted coffee and milk tea packs among products at next week’s Food Expo.

Henry Poon of On Kee Dry Seafood says abalone for HK$1 will be offered as part of a game to attract customers. Karma Lo
Asean

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

Analysts warn the region cannot fully insulate itself from an extended conflict if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

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Black smoke rises following explosions near a military base hosting US forces in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, on Friday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Wang and Rubio at Asean discuss Xi’s planned US visit, South China Sea clash

America’s top diplomat describes dispute between Beijing and Manila over Second Thomas Shoal as very negative and benefiting no one.

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European Union

Opinion | EU isn’t just selling aircraft to China. It’s helping strengthen a competitor

China Eastern’s multibillion-dollar Airbus orders, after EU delays on certifying Chinese planes, show not inconsistency but leverage towards a long-term goal.

Singapore

Singapore warns of ‘severe’ haze in August, September from El Nino effect

There is a ‘high risk’ of haze in Southeast Asia as a combination of El Nino and warmer seas raises the danger of forest fires, agency says.

The Singapore city skyline is seen shrouded with haze on September 29, 2023. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Burning point: Southeast Asia’s haze fight faces cost test

Indonesia has come under renewed attention after President Prabowo Subianto committed to cracking down on agriculture-linked fires.

A police officer sprays water in a bid to extinguish a fire razing through a peatland field in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Indonesia, in July last year. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

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Malaysia

‘Perfect time’: weak rupiah makes Indonesia irresistible for Malaysian tourists

The weak currency makes it a bargain for Malaysians seeking cheap holidays, with destinations like Bali in demand.

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Royalty

Brunei picks polo-loving pilot prince as foreign minister

The cabinet reshuffle is seen as a move to prepare for the next generation of leaders in the kingdom amid the sultan’s health concerns.

Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen. Photo: Instagram/tmski
Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

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India

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (centre) with representatives from 16 partner countries during the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence
Crime

Editorial | Hong Kong should spare no effort in fight against financial crime

The recent crackdown by law enforcement agencies from 10 jurisdictions on international scams shows the benefit of regional cooperation.

Officers from the Frontier+ initiative at a press briefing in the Maldives. Photo: Handout
Indonesia

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Joint energy security is easy to endorse in principle, yet the bloc has a stubborn record of leaving its emergency frameworks untouched.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

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Aviation

China forges new aviation alliances to fast-track C929 certification

Pacts include airworthiness standards for long-haul aircraft, together with Hong Kong and Macau, aiding efforts to expand international operations for Comac’s jets.

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Zhao Chunling, the chief designer of China’s widebody C929 aircraft, touches a model of the in-development jet. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) welcomes Vietnamese President To Lam to Beijing at a ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Malaysia

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

The deal creates a mutual spillover valve, allowing the partners to swap surplus energy once domestic demand is satisfied.

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The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

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