Batam News Asia

14/11/2025

Johor Bahru’s Retail Boom: New Malls Rise Ahead of RTS Link Surge.

As the RTS Link prepares to connect Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar by January 2027 with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour each way, retailers and developers are racing to enhance their presence in downtown Johor Bahru. City Square mall is undergoing a major facelift, SKS City Mall is set to open next year, and the expansive OBS Mall will anchor a RM1.2 billion mixed-use district expected by 2030.

14/11/2025

US Visa Crackdown: New Trump Rules Target Obesity and Chronic Illnesses.

A State Department cable, sent to all embassies and consulates worldwide, outlines stricter criteria for visa approval. The directive—confirmed on Nov. 11 by spokesperson Tommy Pigott—emphasizes preventing any applicant who may burden the American taxpayer. It marks one of the Trump administration’s most aggressive steps since returning to office in January.

14/11/2025

Russia’s AI Robot Mishap: AIdol’s Stage Fall Highlights the Harsh Reality of Humanoid Innovation.

Designed to symbolize Russia’s entry into the global humanoid robotics race, AIdol debuted at a Moscow technology event on November 10 to the soundtrack of Rocky’s “Gonna Fly Now.” But within seconds, the promising showcase took an embarrassing turn. The robot wobbled, stumbled, and fell face-first onto the stage—sending parts scattering and the audience into a mix of gasps and laughter.

Event staff rushed to hide the fallen robot behind a curtain, which tangled awkwardly as they tried to conceal the technical disaster. Videos of the mishap quickly spread across social media, fueling mockery on Russian tech forums and international platforms.

14/11/2025

A year of battles, betrayal, and a comeback built on compromise. NewJeans’ return to ADOR reveals the true cost of power in K-Pop. Read the full editorial now.

After a year of legal warfare and fractured alliances, the return of NewJeans to ADOR raises urgent questions about power, trust, and the future of creative freedom in K-Pop.

14/11/2025

Johor’s 2026 Budget introduces major incentives for civil servants alongside flight and bus assistance for Johor-born students studying nationwide. The initiatives highlight the state’s commitment to public service excellence and youth empowerment. Read full details in the article.

New allowances, salary bonuses, and mobility aid highlight Johor’s push to strengthen public service and youth welfare.

14/11/2025

A newly discovered “Lucifer bee” with devil-like facial horns is turning heads in Australia—and raising alarms about the fragile ecosystems it inhabits. This rare find highlights the urgent need for conservation as climate change and mining threaten native species. Read full details in the article.

Newly identified ‘Lucifer bee’ with rare facial horns sparks conservation urgency in Australia.

14/11/2025

The Trump administration’s new visa directive could deny entry to foreigners with obesity, chronic illnesses, or insufficient financial resources—reshaping the landscape of US immigration. Here’s what travellers and families in Southeast Asia need to know. Read full details in the article.

New directive expands health and financial scrutiny for foreigners seeking entry to America

13/11/2025

Regional Crackdown on Scam Syndicates: Two Singaporeans Deported and Charged.

On Nov 11, Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers arrested two Singaporean men—Ong Kwang Wee and Seah Jian Hao—after they were deported from Thailand and Cambodia. Authorities believe both men played roles in scam syndicates operating beyond Singapore’s borders, including in Myanmar and Cambodia.

Ong was apprehended by the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok during a raid. Preliminary investigations show he had travelled to Myanmar to work in administrative roles at a scam centre that targeted Singaporeans by impersonating government officials. He fled to Thailand after the Myanmar authorities raided the facility.

13/11/2025

Batam’s UMKM Push: Government–BP Batam–BRI Unite to Build a Stronger Small Business Ecosystem.

A major policy shift is underway as officials position small businesses as Batam’s next economic engine, reducing reliance on manufacturing. On 12 November 2025, Deputy Minister for SMEs Helvi Yuni Moraza and BP Batam’s Head of Investment and Business Services Fary Francis formalized a collaborative framework with BRI to improve access to finance, boost entrepreneurial capacity, and build long-term investment pathways.

According to BPS Kepulauan Riau, Batam recorded 75,575 active UMKM by the end of 2024—one of the largest concentrations of small enterprises in western Indonesia. Helvi emphasized that UMKM are the “pillar of Batam’s economic engine,” requiring stronger support systems to scale up and reach broader markets.

13/11/2025

Japan’s Cabinet Pay Cuts: Can Indonesia Adopt a Similar Efficiency Model?

Less than a month into office, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moved to revise Japan’s public remuneration law, aiming to cut salaries for all cabinet members, including herself. The plan—discussed during an extraordinary parliamentary session—reflects long-standing calls from her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and new coalition partner Nippon Ishin no Kai to reduce parliamentary privileges.

At present, Japanese lawmakers earn around 1.29 million yen (Rp140 million/SGD 11,200) per month, while cabinet ministers receive 489,000 yen (Rp53 million/SGD 4,240) in additional allowances. Takaichi already returns 30% of her additional pay, and ministers return 20%, effectively reducing their allowances to 390,000 yen (Rp42 million) and 110,000 yen (Rp12 million) per month. Reform advocates praised the move as “extraordinary,” although critics argue that it sends a deflationary signal at a time when Japan is trying to raise household incomes.

12/11/2025

End of an Era: Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms Retirement After 2026 World Cup.

At 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup—set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States—will be his last dance. Speaking at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Al Nassr forward said with certainty, “I’ll be 41 then, and I believe that will be my final moment in such a big competition.”

The 2026 tournament will mark Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup appearance, following his debut in 2006. This milestone places him among the few players in history to have participated in six editions of football’s most prestigious event.

12/11/2025

Rising Wages in Singapore: NWC Recommends 5.5% to 7.5% Pay Boost for Lower-Income Workers.

The NWC announced on November 11 that employers of lower-wage workers (LWWs) should raise salaries within a 5.5 to 7.5 per cent range. Those earning up to S$2,700 (about IDR 33.75 million) monthly—representing roughly the 20th percentile of full-time employed residents—fall under this category.

Companies performing well are encouraged to grant at least S$105 to S$125 in built-in wage increases, even if that surpasses the percentage range. Meanwhile, firms facing tougher conditions may opt for the lower end of the increase range but should review salaries once business prospects recover.

NWC chairman Peter Seah highlighted that this year’s recommendations were based on “extensive tripartite discussions,” considering both local productivity challenges and global market uncertainty.