ASLI INSIGHTS: Asia Unpacked | 13 March 2026
From the impact of the rising oil price to SEA, Malaysia’s sign language program, Iran’s new supreme leader, Nepal’s new PM to Anthropic's lawsuit against the Pentagon
Here’s what's making the headlines:
1. Surging Oil Prices Threaten Southeast Asia
The US-Israel conflict with Iran is severely impacting Southeast Asian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Surging global oil prices, topping $100 a barrel, have sharply increased freight and operating costs. SMEs, lacking the cash buffers of larger firms, are particularly vulnerable. While nations like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are implementing short-term relief measures such as fuel subsidies and frozen diesel prices to curb inflation, experts warn these are temporary fixes. Many businesses are already scaling back expansion plans to absorb the mounting economic pressure.
Read more:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/iran-war-us-oil-liquefied-natural-gas-prices-5983251
2. Malaysian will learn sign language from 2027
Malaysia's 2027 School Curriculum will introduce Malaysian Sign Language as an additional subject for mainstream students to foster inclusivity and improve social integration with persons with disabilities. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh noted this builds upon existing special education initiatives to enhance mutual understanding. Concurrently, Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri emphasised the government's commitment to supporting low-income disabled children. This includes providing essential financial aid, early intervention, and vocational training allowances, ensuring their equitable participation and independent living in alignment with national disability policies.
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3. Iran Names Khamenei’s Son New Supreme Leader
Iran has appointed Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following his father's death in a US-Israeli strike. The decision defies warnings from Israel and US President Donald Trump, who demanded influence over the succession. Iranian officials firmly rejected foreign interference, insisting the choice remains strictly sovereign. The conservative new leader maintains close ties to the Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate, featuring Israeli strikes on Tehran's oil facilities that caused severe pollution, alongside retaliatory Iranian missile barrages injuring six in central Israel.
Read more:
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/08/world/iran-war-trump-israel-lebanon
4. Ex-rapper Balendra Shah set to be Nepal PM
Former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah is poised to become Nepal’s next prime minister following a landslide victory by his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The 35-year-old defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency. This historic election, held months after youth-led protests toppled the previous government, marks a significant political shift as voters overwhelmingly backed the RSP's platform of anti-corruption and governance reform. Shah will be the country's first Madheshi prime minister, reflecting a generational change in Nepal's political leadership.
Read more:
https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/nepal-election-results-ecf8370b
5. Anthropic sues Trump administration over Pentagon blacklist
Anthropic has sued the Pentagon and the Trump administration over its designation as a national security "supply chain risk." The AI firm alleges this unprecedented blacklisting is unlawful retaliation violating its free speech rights. The dispute arose after Anthropic refused to remove ethical guardrails preventing its technology from being used for autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance. Consequently, the administration ordered a six-month phase-out of Anthropic's tools across all federal agencies.
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