Asia Highlights: Indonesia Visa Scrutiny, Filipino Assault in Singapore & Malaysia Boosts Missiles
February 17, 2026
1. Nearly 40 Indians were arrested in Bali for running an online gambling ring. This raised alarms over Indonesia’s tourist visa, which experts say could be easy for criminals to misuse.
2. The Philippines may take legal action after a Filipino woman was assaulted at a Singapore shopping centre. A viral video showed the attack, prompting outrage.
3. Malaysia is upgrading its navy’s missile power. This move aims to restore strength after delays and rising tensions in the South China Sea.
4. Japanese companies say one in four face "baito tero," where part-time workers pull pranks or stunts for social media.
5. Deadly floods in Sumatra last year led Indonesia to revoke permits linked to forest damage. This halted a $1.67 billion China-backed dam project, shaking investor trust in renewables.
6. The Philippines’ $30 billion outsourcing sector is struggling with AI changes. Millions of workers must "upskill or be left behind," experts warn.
7. Malaysian police confronted a Singapore-registered car driving the wrong way at the Johor Bahru checkpoint. An officer drew a gun to stop the driver from escaping.
Read More at Scmp →
Tags:
Indonesia Tourist Visa
Filipino Assault Singapore
Malaysia Missile Arsenal
Japan Workplace Pranks
Indonesia China Dam
Philippines Ai Impact
Malaysia Singapore Checkpoint
Comments