Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino assaulted in Singaporean mall: 7 Asia highlights

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino assaulted in Singaporean mall: 7 Asia highlightsFrom scrutiny over Indonesia’s tourist visa to workplace pranks in Japan, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reportingPublished: 12:15pm, 17 Feb 2026We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. How a major Bali bust is putting Indonesia’s tourist visa in the spotlightThe arrest of nearly 40 Indian nationals in Bali for allegedly running an online gambling operation has renewed concern about Indonesia’s tourist visa regime, which analysts warn is vulnerable to abuse by foreign criminal groups posing as travellers.2. Philippines vows aid for Filipino assaulted in Singapore shopping centreA still from a social media video shows the suspect accosting the woman before kicking her as both lose balance and fall to the ground. Photo: HandoutThe Philippines is considering legal action against a man accused of assaulting a Filipino woman at a shopping centre in Singapore after a video of the incident went viral online.3. ‘Balancing act’: why Malaysia is boosting its missile arsenal amid maritime rowMalaysia is moving to revamp its navy’s ageing strike capacity as it seeks to restore credible deterrence after years of procurement delays amid mounting pressures in the South China Sea.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x