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Indonesia arrests Australian woman in Lombok for ‘medical’ cannabis in vape

Indonesia has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, but has maintained a moratorium on executions for several years.

Hot weather hurts Asian crops as powerful El Nino takes shape

El Nino-driven dryness is a double blow for farmers already grappling with fertiliser and diesel shortages caused by the Iran war.

News Analysis

Will a new chief make a difference? Indonesia’s free meals scheme faces biggest test yet

The US$15 billion (S$19.3 billion) scheme has been dogged by food poisoning cases since its launch in January 2025.

Indonesia arrests deputy immigration minister on graft charges

The arrest came a day after Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) detained Dadan Hindayana, the former head of an agency which oversees President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals programme.

Malaysia introduces passport with a 10-year validity period priced at $112

A person holding a Malaysian passport.

Prabowo warns over graft as free meals probe rattles Indonesia

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto made it clear that after hearing reports of what was allegedly going on at the free meals agency, he personally ordered the probe.

Chinese restaurant in Bangkok allegedly refuses baht, accepts only renminbi for payment

The issue emerged after a Chinese TikTok user living in Thailand, identified as JaideeBing and Bao, posted a video recounting his experience at a Chinese noodle shop in the Huai Khwang area.

Fresh hope for rare Raffles’ banded langurs in Johor

The Raffles’ banded langur was classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2022.

Malaysia’s waste-to-energy push eases landfill strain but raises pollution fears

Technicians and engineers monitor the rubbish incineration process in the control room, which shows 29.8MW of power generation, exceeding the projected capacity of 25MW.

Indonesian parrot, seen once in a century, reappears in mountain forest

For the past century, the blue-fronted lorikeet was one of Indonesia’s most elusive birds.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.