ASEAN’s foreign ministers have urged diplomatic and peaceful solutions to the escalating crisis in Middle East, warning that the conflict could drive up energy prices, worsen inflation and threaten food security across the region.
Category: Politics
Indonesia’s free nutritious meal programme challenged by civil society in court
A civil-led coalition to conduct a judicial review on the Indonesian State Budget Law, particularly concerning the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG).
Philippines sets date for Bangsamoro elections as clashes displaced thousands
On March 10, the House of Representatives of the Philippines passed a bill to hold legislative elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the second week of September 2026.
Indonesia prepares contingency plans for 2026 Hajj
The Indonesian government is preparing several contingency plans to anticipate the potential impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, with authorities emphasising that the safety of Indonesian pilgrims remains the top priority.
Malaysian Parliament votes down Prime Minister tenure limit bill
Malaysia’s Parliament just voted down a constitutional amendment bill tabled on March 3 aiming to limit the Prime Minister (PM)’s term in office.
Indonesia seeks safe passage for oil tankers amid Middle East tensions
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said it is maintaining close communication with Iranian authorities to ensure the safety of two oil tankers operated by state-owned oil company Pertamina that are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel.
Malaysia parliament rejects two-term limit for prime minister
Malaysia’s lower house of parliament on February 2 narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have limited the Prime Minister (PM) tenure to two terms, after the bill fell two votes short of the required two-thirds majority.
Southeast Asia divided in reaction to the Middle East crisis
The US-Israel strikes on Iran, which killed the latter’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his influential aides on February 28, prompted different reactions across Southeast Asia. While geographically distant, Southeast Asian governments stated concerns, expressed with cautious language, economic anxiety, and, in some countries, blunt condemnation.
Philippines confronts alleged Chinese intelligence activity
The Philippines’ National Security Council (NSC) revealed a clandestine Chinese intelligence operations on its territory on March 4.
Myanmar junta pardons over ten thousand political prisoners
Demonstrators in Yangon hold portraits of Aung San Suu Kyi while protesting against Myanmar’s military coup, demanding democracy and the release of detained civilian leaders. […]