NDNews Editorial Team

After four rate rises in 2026 took the cash rate to 4.60%, the Reserve Bank of Australia meets on 2–3 November. The banks are split, and markets see a hike as the less likely outcome. Jobs data this week and September-quarter inflation on 28 October will decide it.

Thailand finished seventh with 18 golds and Malaysia equalled its best-ever gold haul at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, while Indonesia beat its gold target but slipped down the table. Here is how every Southeast Asian team performed against Hangzhou.

The World Bank's October 2026 East Asia and Pacific Economic Update raises regional growth to 4.5% for 2026, led by AI-related exports from Viet Nam, Malaysia and Thailand, while the Philippines and Pacific Islands lag on high energy costs.

Xi Jinping's September state visit to Washington produced a two-month truce extension to 10 January 2027 and a US$30 billion-each-way tariff-relief list, but rare earths, chips and the wider tariff wall remain unresolved ahead of APEC in Shenzhen.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore left its exchange-rate policy unchanged on 14 October, surprising all 10 analysts in a Reuters poll who expected a third tightening this year. Advance data showed the economy grew 5.4% year-on-year in the third quarter, while MAS trimmed its 2026 inflation forecasts.

After five months of delay, Indonesia has formally released Presidential Regulation 27/2026, which keeps the 8% cap on platform fees for motorcycle rides, confirms drivers' status as partners and gives ministries until 31 December to write the detailed rules.

Nvidia-backed AI data centre builder Firmus has withdrawn its planned ASX listing, which targeted a valuation of about A$44 billion, after weak investor demand. Here is what happened, why investors balked, and why projects in Malaysia and Indonesia are part of the story.

Official data show Chinese travellers made 826 million domestic trips over the 1–7 October holiday, with daily trips up 6.3%. But spending per trip fell to its lowest level since 2022, while outbound trips by mainland residents grew faster than domestic travel.

Singapore's Land Transport Authority wants views on folding its two car COE categories into one pool, with rebates or surcharges of up to S$15,000 based on a car's value. Here is what is proposed, why, and what it could mean for buyers.

The IMF warns that a splintering world economy carries long-term costs. Indonesia trades heavily with both the US and China, faces a lower US tariff rate than China and several neighbours, and is still growing at about 5%, but its currency, stock market and commodity reliance show the strain.

Budget 2027, tabled on 9 October, keeps Malaysia's MyKad-targeted RON95 and diesel subsidies in place, with fuel subsidies estimated at about RM40 billion, while aiming to cut the deficit to 3.3% of GDP. Here is where the reform stands.

The Bank of Japan has raised rates twice this year and 10-year JGB yields are near 30-year highs. We look at how this reaches ASEAN through banks, bonds, carry trades and FDI, and why the evidence does not yet show a regional credit squeeze.

Jakarta remains Indonesia's capital in law, produces about a sixth of national output by its governor's count, and is opening new rail lines, but it slipped in the latest financial-centre ranking while several regional rivals climbed.

Southeast Asia now attracts more foreign direct investment than China, but much of it goes to Singapore and data centres, a sizeable share comes from China itself, and some global equity funds have stopped cutting their exposure to China. Here is the evidence as of October 2026.

An oil shock and weaker currencies have pushed central banks from Canberra to Mumbai into rate hikes this year, while Thailand and Malaysia have stayed on hold. Here is where each stands as of 8 October 2026, and the meetings to watch before year-end.

Alipay and Weixin Pay now accept foreign cards, Indonesia's QRIS works in China in a first phase, and cash remains legal tender. Here is what visitors from Indonesia and ASEAN need to know before they travel.

Vietnam's Law on Artificial Intelligence took effect on 1 March 2026, followed by a guiding decree, a list of high-risk AI systems and a national AI portal. Here is what the rules require, how they compare with Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the EU, and what businesses should watch next.

Morningstar's latest study finds the average dollar invested in US funds earned 1.2 percentage points a year less than the funds themselves over the decade to 2025, mostly because of poorly timed buying and selling. Here is what the research says, which biases drive it, and why Indonesia's 31 million investors face a real-world test this year.

Interest rates are higher, pinjol and paylater balances keep growing and arrears on online loans are rising. Here is an evidence-based guide to repayment methods, restructuring, credit checks and the official channels Indonesian borrowers can use.

The flagship Makan Bergizi Gratis programme's 2026 budget has been reduced to about Rp229 trillion, its agency has changed head twice since June and prosecutors are pursuing a corruption case, while it still gets the largest ministry allocation in the 2027 budget.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a plan to cut net overseas migration to 100,000 a year, cap new international students and scrap most temporary graduate visas. Here is what is in the plan, how it compares with current numbers, and the reaction.

The big four banks pass on the RBA's latest hike this Thursday, taking the cash rate to its highest since 2011. Repayments are going up while home values keep sliding. Here is what it costs, who is most exposed and the dates to watch.

Busy borders, more flights and longer holidays abroad, but spending per traveller remains cautious. What the early National Day holiday data show and what it means for tourism across Asia-Pacific.

LTA and the police seized 91 deregistered cars and motorcycles in September. Cases have risen sharply since 2024, and a new Bill would cut the disposal deadline to 14 days and require approved exporters. Here is how the rules work.

Smoke from fires in southern Sumatra has pushed Singapore's air quality back into the Unhealthy range days before the Singapore Grand Prix. Here is what the latest readings mean, what NEA advises, and why relief may not come until the monsoon.

The rupiah, baht and peso are down about 5–6% against the US dollar this year, while the ringgit, dong and Singapore dollar have held steady. Here is what banks forecast for the fourth quarter and which central banks may move next.

Bangkok and Singapore are up more than 20% this year, while Jakarta is down about 30%. With three months left, here are the analysts' year-end targets for the six main ASEAN indices, the key dates, and the risks that could change the picture.

Indonesia is growing more than twice as fast, but Thailand is richer per person, has bigger reserves and a stock market that is up this year while Jakarta's is down sharply. A data-driven comparison of two of Southeast Asia's biggest economies.

Thailand have beaten Indonesia in four ASEAN Championship finals and lead the all-time record. But Indonesia's youth teams have won the most recent big meetings. Here is the history behind tonight's FIFA ASEAN Cup final.

Indonesia host Thailand at a sold-out Gelora Bung Karno tonight, Monday 5 October, at 20:00 WIB in the first FIFA ASEAN Cup final. Thom Haye is back, Ole Romeny is a doubt, and Indonesia are chasing a first senior regional title in decades.

The government will pay Rp300,000 a month for October to December as a one-off Rp900,000 transfer. Eligibility rules and payment dates have not been issued yet, and officials warn against fake registration links.

President Prabowo Subianto swore in 18 officials on 1 October, naming career diplomat Arrmanatha Nasir as foreign minister and Suyudi Ario Seto as national police chief. Here is who moved where, what was said, and how markets reacted.

Indonesia beat Bangladesh 9-2 while Malaysia thrashed Singapore 6-0 at the same time. The two finished level on points and goal difference, and a stoppage-time ninth goal sent Indonesia through on goals scored. Thailand await in Monday's final.

Seven months into the conflict, oil still costs far more than a year ago and Asian importers are paying the bill. From rate hikes and fuel subsidies to stockpile releases and Russian crude, here is how the region is responding.

A typhoon skirted Japan, Bangkok declared a flood disaster zone and haze blanketed parts of Sumatra. Forecasters warn that a very strong El Niño will delay Indonesia's rainy season. Here is what is happening now and what to prepare for.

Searches for ASN Digital surged in Indonesia this week. The BKN platform now links 47 services for millions of civil servants. Here is what it does, what users must do, and how to avoid fake links.

Trackers count between about 570 and 670 data-centre facilities across Southeast Asia, but facility numbers say little on their own. Here is the country-by-country picture in sites, megawatts and cloud regions, as of September 2026.

Oil above $100 and US yields at 2007 highs have revived memories of 1997. The data show a more mixed picture: stronger buffers than then, but a few economies with widening external gaps. Here are the indicators, country by country.

Front-month Brent is up about 60% from a year ago as a US–Iran standoff keeps the Strait of Hormuz in doubt. Here are the prices, the forecasts, and how the shock reaches Asian importers and Indonesia's budget.

A 640MW campus in West Java, a claimed US$4.5 billion Nvidia plan for Batam and RM385.7 billion of Malaysian investment: the AI build-out is accelerating. Here is what it brings, what it costs, and the figures that still don't add up.

Geely Holding will take a 30% stake in Nio's battery-swapping and charging unit in a deal valuing Nio Power at about RMB16 billion. Here are the terms, the network behind them, and what it signals for EV makers across Asia.

Australia's biggest gold miner unanimously rejected an unsolicited cash-and-scrip approach from South Africa's Gold Fields, calling it opportunistic. Here are the terms, the board's reasons, and why Gold Fields wants the deal.

Since June 2026, Indonesia's coal, palm oil and ferroalloy exports run through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia. What the new system does, what the first three months show, and the questions exporters and buyers are still asking.

Battery-electric car wholesales passed 100,000 units in the first eight months of 2026, roughly one in six new cars. With the import-incentive window closed, carmakers must now build locally — and the government is weighing new subsidies.

Bank Indonesia lifted the BI-Rate from 4.75% to 5.75% in four weeks and has held it there since June. Here is how that reaches KPR repayments, what bank data show so far, and what borrowers on floating rates can check now.