January 23, 2026

Editor’s View: Singapore’s Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI addresses risks other regulators haven’t acknowledged yet – autonomous AI systems accessing sensitive data and executing real-world actions like payments. Announced at Davos by Minister Josephine Teo, the framework emphasises meaningful human oversight, accountability and risk-bounding measures whilst preserving innovation space. This isn’t theoretical governance; AI agents’ capacity for unauthorised actions creates genuine exposure. Singapore moving first gives it regulatory influence globally, particularly as financial institutions deploy agentic AI. The test is whether the framework proves workable enough for rapid adoption or becomes another compliance layer slowing deployment.

Full article here: Singapore launches framework to safeguard against rogue AI agents

January 22, 2026

Editor’s View: The IMF calling Indonesia “a global bright spot” with consistent 5%+ annual growth despite challenging external conditions validates Prabowo’s economic messaging at Davos. With inflation at 2%, budget deficit below 3% of GDP, and zero sovereign defaults, Indonesia’s macroeconomic fundamentals are genuinely solid. However, “bright spot” is a relative positioning in a difficult global environment, not exceptional performance. Prabowo’s confidence about accelerating growth requires execution on structural reforms and Danantara proving governance credibility. Investors distinguish between stable foundations and genuine acceleration. Indonesia has the former, delivering the latter demands more than fiscal discipline.

Full article here: IMF praises Indonesia’s economy, Prabowo sees faster growth

January 23, 2026

Editor’s View: The baht hitting five-year highs near 31 per dollar creates genuine economic pain for Thailand’s export-driven economy, with Finance Minister Ekniti warning every one-baht appreciation shaves 0.1-0.2 percentage points off GDP growth. With 2026 growth projected at just 2%, Thailand can’t afford further currency strength. The central bank, admitting forex intervention has minimal impact, reveals policy limits; speculative flows from gold trading and current-account surpluses overpower tools available. New rules for baht-denominated gold trading launching on January 29 seems like desperation more than strategy. The real bind is Thailand needs capital inflows to fund development but can’t tolerate the currency appreciation that accompanies them.

Full article here: Strong Baht Sparks Alarm Among Thailand’s Top Economic Officials

January 23, 2026

Editor’s View: Malaysia doubling minimum expatriate salaries to US$4,940 for senior managers and US$2,470 for skilled workers from June aims to boost local hiring but could backfire. Businesses reliant on foreign talent face sudden cost doubling whilst struggling to find qualified Malaysians for specialised roles. The policy assumes interchangeable labour markets – it doesn’t account for skill gaps, language requirements or regional expertise that expatriates provide. Firms now calculate whether maintaining Malaysian operations justifies doubled personnel costs or whether relocating to Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam makes more sense. Well-intentioned localisation that ignores market realities often achieves the opposite: companies leave, taking both expat and local jobs with them.

Full article here: Malaysia’s new expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking fears of talent drain

January 13, 2026

Editor’s View: Sixty-nine percent of young Singaporeans aged 20-35 preferring human advisers over digital tools for insurance decisions, challenges the digital-first narrative. Despite 45% using digital and AI tools for real-time financial management, they want human expertise when complexity or major decisions arise. Insurers pouring millions into AI chatbots whilst 69% still seek human guidance for coverage and claims seem to be solving the wrong problem. The insight here is that while digital works for routine tasks, humans matter for trust-dependent decisions. Build hybrid models, not replacement strategies.

Full article here: Singaporean Young Adults Prefer Human Insurance Advisers

January 15, 2026

Editor’s View: Up to 118.5 billion pesos (S$2.5 billion) in annual economic value lost to flood control graft between 2023-2025 quantifies corruption’s toll beyond headlines. With Q3 GDP at 4% – a four-year low – net FDI plunging 40% to US$642 million and the PSE Index closing 2025 down 7% whilst Asian markets soared, investors aren’t waiting for reform promises. President Marcos likens the fight to “major surgery,” but cutting US$1.6 billion in appropriations matters less than prosecutions. With prominent families implicated, including his own, resolve will be measured in convictions, not budget cuts.

Full article here: Philippine Corruption Crisis Deepens Economic Damage

January 15, 2026

Editor’s View: This indicates that the reality of cyber threats is now catching up with business strategy. Thai organisations face 3,201 weekly attacks – 164% above global averages – yet cyber insurance remains underdeveloped. With AI surging, companies face dual exposure: accelerating digital transformation whilst threat landscapes evolve faster than defences. The gap between ambition and protection widens. The question is, how many breaches before boardrooms treat cyber resilience as infrastructure, not IT overhead?

Full article here: Cyber Incidents Top Business Risk in Thailand and Across Asia Pacific

January 13, 2026

Editor’s View: Google moving entire New Product Introduction processes for Pixel, Pixel Pro, and Pixel Fold to Vietnam represents more than assembly relocation – it’s transferring the most complex, valuable phase of smartphone manufacturing from China. Vietnam already mass-produces Pixels; now it handles design testing, component verification, and production refinement from scratch. However, China’s export restrictions on machinery and technical personnel slowed Google’s 2025 expansion plans. Success depends on whether Vietnam’s supplier ecosystem can match Chinese depth without Chinese cooperation.

Full article  here: Google Shifts High-End Pixel Production to Vietnam