Indonesia faces reckoning over maritime safety after deadly ferry disaster

South China Morning Post - Sep 17, 2026

Indonesia’s latest ferry disaster has exposed persistent weaknesses in maritime safety oversight, experts have said, with poor enforcement and inadequate supervision continuing to leave passengers vulnerable across the sprawling archipelago. The capsizing of the Virgo Transport 8 in the Java Sea on Sunday has intensified scrutiny of a system that analysts say too often comes under pressure only after deadly accidents, rather than preventing them. Six people have been confirmed dead and 129...

Read full article

MORE NEWS

From Hermès bags to $20M penthouse, Singapore sells off its biggest money laundering haul
Sep 17, 2026

From Hermès bags to $20M penthouse, Singapore sells off its biggest money laundering haul

Singapore has opened online bidding on hundreds of luxury handbags and jewelry pieces seized in its largest money laundering case, launching a series of 15 auctions that will run through May 2027.

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children
Sep 17, 2026

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children

Australia will stop foreign students from bringing their partners and children to accompany them while they study and tighten rules for temporary migrants ​to switch visas, media reported on Thursday, ahead of a minister's ‌speech on immigration changes.

Drums tell tales from history at the Temple of Literature
Sep 17, 2026

Drums tell tales from history at the Temple of Literature

Drums may seem familiar to people but carry a world of stories about culture, history, arts and crafts that are told to audiences at the One Drum, A Single Drumbeat, A Thousand Years of Civilisation programme in Hà Nội.

Unhealthy air quality recorded in 28 areas nationwide
Sep 17, 2026

Unhealthy air quality recorded in 28 areas nationwide

Perak seems to be the hardest-hit state today, with several areas recording in the 180 range.

Đà Nẵng accelerates MICE tourism to boost year-end growth
Sep 17, 2026

Đà Nẵng accelerates MICE tourism to boost year-end growth

The central city aims to welcome and support nearly 93,000 MICE visitors in 2026, up about 12 per cent year on year. To accelerate the market in the final months of the year, the municipal tourism sector is strengthening links with corporations, businesses and event organisers while diversifying tourism promotion activities.

Artistic exchange helps foster Việt Nam-Colombia friendship
Sep 17, 2026

Artistic exchange helps foster Việt Nam-Colombia friendship

Co-organised by the Embassy of Colombia, the Đà Nẵng Department of Foreign Affairs, the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Hội An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre, the programme contributed to strengthening cultural exchanges, connecting young people and promoting friendship between the two countries.

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on
Sep 17, 2026

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on

Jabs in Malaysia Day address come amid tensions in Putrajaya.

Đắk R'măng market – where Mong cultural identity is upheld in Central Highlands
Sep 17, 2026

Đắk R'măng market – where Mong cultural identity is upheld in Central Highlands

For the Mông people in Tà Đùng, Đắk R'măng is not merely a weekly rendezvous, but a space preserving memories of their northwestern hometowns and cultural identity in their new land.

Ninh Bình promotes art of stilt walking
Sep 17, 2026

Ninh Bình promotes art of stilt walking

Originally a practical tool that enabled fishermen to move easily across tidal mudflats while harvesting aquatic resources, stilts gradually evolved into a distinctive cultural tradition, reflecting the creativity, diligence and resilience of the region's coastal people.

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt
Sep 17, 2026

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

Tourists seek out riverine landscapes, discover a different Đồng Tháp
Sep 17, 2026

Tourists seek out riverine landscapes, discover a different Đồng Tháp

From winding canals and lush orchards to traditional villages and wetland ecosystems, Đồng Tháp is drawing increasing numbers of visitors with tourism experiences that bring them closer to nature, local life and the province’s rich cultural heritage.

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand
Sep 17, 2026

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

The number of foreigners entering South Korea for study and training surpassed a record 500,000 in 2025, marking more than a sixfold increase since 2021, driven by the global expansion of Korean pop culture.

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students
Sep 17, 2026

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

This comes amid friction with Umno, Borneo support needed for stability.

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King
Sep 17, 2026

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong
Sep 17, 2026

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding
Sep 17, 2026

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding, with some schools switching to online classes.

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight
Sep 17, 2026

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding that paralyzed traffic and forced shop closures.

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight
Sep 17, 2026

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning caused widespread flooding, paralyzing traffic and forcing businesses and schools to close.

Health crisis grips Indonesians enduring haze: ‘my eyes sting, my head hurts’
Sep 16, 2026

Health crisis grips Indonesians enduring haze: ‘my eyes sting, my head hurts’

Struggling to breathe through the acrid haze emanating from wildfires on Indonesia’s Borneo Island, residents said on Wednesday they feared for their health but had little to do but wait out the foul-smelling hazard. Indonesia, which shares Borneo with Malaysia and Brunei, is grappling with forest fires that have ravaged swathes of the island, partly caused by the El Nino climate phenomenon that has also affected other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond. In Pontianak, the capital of West...

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe
Sep 16, 2026

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe

China has completed drilling a key tunnel on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will create a shorter trade route to Europe and bypass Russia.

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university
Sep 16, 2026

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university

Tran Quang Vinh, an International Physics Olympiad gold medalist, was the only student to win two of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics department's academic awards this year.

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?
Sep 16, 2026

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?

This leader earns about US$1.7 million a year, more than four times what the U.S. president makes.

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming
Sep 16, 2026

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming

Singapore has been ranked the world’s most welcoming city for travelers, ahead of London and Sydney, in a global study by travel eSIM provider Holafly.

Ex-N Sembilan MB backs Tuanku Muhriz as lawmakers question legitimacy of exco statement
Sep 16, 2026

Ex-N Sembilan MB backs Tuanku Muhriz as lawmakers question legitimacy of exco statement

Aminuddin calls for solidarity, urges rakyat to defend sovereignty of the constitutional monarchy.

Thai king and queen visit Hanoi university that hosts Thai language, culture center
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king and queen visit Hanoi university that hosts Thai language, culture center

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida visited Hanoi University, meeting its staff and students on Wednesday.

Malaysia to invite Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing for Rohingya repatriation talks
Sep 16, 2026

Malaysia to invite Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing for Rohingya repatriation talks

Malaysia will formally invite Myanmar leader Minh Aung Hlaing to visit Kuala Lumpur to discuss efforts to repatriate nearly 200,000 refugees from the war-torn nation that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says have placed a heavy social and economic burden on his country. Refugees from Myanmar, particularly ethnic Rohingya, have faced worsening hostility in recent months in Malaysia, where they are accused of causing social problems and taking over small local businesses in areas where they have set...

Rembau undang: Exco cannot override N Sembilan constitution, DKU ruling on Tuanku Muhriz
Sep 16, 2026

Rembau undang: Exco cannot override N Sembilan constitution, DKU ruling on Tuanku Muhriz

UPDATED 9.37PM | Hassan says fundamental requirements were not fulfilled, rendering April 19 proclamation invalid.

Singapore's top university destroys tumors with magnetic pulses, no chemo needed
Sep 16, 2026

Singapore's top university destroys tumors with magnetic pulses, no chemo needed

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have used brief pulses of a weak magnetic field to eliminate breast tumors in 75% of the mice they tested, without any chemotherapy.

How wildfires are threatening Indonesia’s economy and carbon market
Sep 16, 2026

How wildfires are threatening Indonesia’s economy and carbon market

Forest and peatland fires raging across Indonesia are threatening to become more than an environmental emergency, with analysts warning that the thickening haze could weigh on economic activity, strain public health and test confidence in the nation’s fledgling carbon market. Indonesia is no stranger to forest and peat fires, but this year’s super El Nino has helped make it the country’s most intense wildfire season in 11 years. Toxic haze and smoke have also drifted to neighbouring countries...

SNAPSHOT | CJ: Unjust to keep crime suspects under remand for years before trial
Sep 16, 2026

SNAPSHOT | CJ: Unjust to keep crime suspects under remand for years before trial

What's going on in the news today, with updates at 2pm and 6pm

Bringing Hà Nội's heritage spaces to life
Sep 16, 2026

Bringing Hà Nội's heritage spaces to life

Hà Nội is buzzing with colour and festive energy as the second Thăng Long - Hà Nội Festival gets underway, bringing a wide range of activities to heritage sites across the capital.

Experts highlight cinema's role in developing heritage resources
Sep 16, 2026

Experts highlight cinema's role in developing heritage resources

Experts at the seminar, titled 'Cinema and Heritage – From Nurturing Talent to Developing Creative Industries', proposed the links between heritage, creative talent, film production and the development of creative industries.

N Sembilan exco says Tuanku Muhriz removal valid, recognises Tuanku Nadzaruddin as ruler
Sep 16, 2026

N Sembilan exco says Tuanku Muhriz removal valid, recognises Tuanku Nadzaruddin as ruler

Exco says MB's signature on Aug 3 completed the proclamation.

Thai king honors President Ho Chi Minh on landmark state visit to Vietnam
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king honors President Ho Chi Minh on landmark state visit to Vietnam

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi and laid a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs on Wednesday.

Thai king and queen pray for peace at Hanoi pagoda as state visit ends
Sep 16, 2026

Thai king and queen pray for peace at Hanoi pagoda as state visit ends

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida visited Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi on Wednesday and attended a prayer ceremony for peace.

Govt's special meeting tomorrow on measures to mitigate impact of higher electricity bills
Sep 16, 2026

Govt's special meeting tomorrow on measures to mitigate impact of higher electricity bills

PM says matter needs to be given attention immediately.

European and Vietnamese documentaries meet at 16th film festival
Sep 16, 2026

European and Vietnamese documentaries meet at 16th film festival

Each screening will pair a Vietnamese film with a European one, a format that has defined the festival since its early days.

Rohingya: Anwar points fingers at Najib and Hadi, says solution being resolved diplomatically
Sep 16, 2026

Rohingya: Anwar points fingers at Najib and Hadi, says solution being resolved diplomatically

'I am the one being blamed, even though others brought them here.'

Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam brace for 5-day heavy rain spell
Sep 16, 2026

Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam brace for 5-day heavy rain spell

A low-pressure trough driven by northern cold air is expected to bring a five-day spell of heavy rain to Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam starting Sept. 17.

Rural markets embrace digital transformation in Vĩnh Long
Sep 16, 2026

Rural markets embrace digital transformation in Vĩnh Long

The '4.0 Market' model, which promotes cashless payments, is being introduced at traditional markets, particularly in remote areas and communities with large Khmer populations.

RECOMMENDED

Newsletter

Subscribe to us for more recent news from Top Spot Malaysia

ABOUT US
Top Spot Malaysia

Top Spot Malaysia brings you not only the hottest, but also the hidden spots in Malaysia that you never knew or heard about. We deliver the best information in an entertaining way.

Copyright © 2015 - 2026 Top Spot Malaysia. All Rights Reserved.