Asia Unpacked | 11 October 2026
A big week across Asia and beyond. Here’s what you need to know:
1.Prime Minister unveils Malaysia’s RM510 Billion Budget
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Budget 2027 prioritises fiscal discipline, targeted assistance and cost-of-living relief while strengthening Malaysia’s financial position. The RM510 billion federal budget includes over RM80 billion for subsidies and assistance, higher allocations for education and healthcare, and measures to raise wages, reduce taxes and support vulnerable groups. Key initiatives include increasing the minimum wage to RM2,000, expanding SARA aid, improving pension benefits and upgrading schools. The government also plans to promote AI, high-value industries, productivity and investment while addressing global price pressures and reducing financial leakages.
Read More:
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/09/2027-budget-the-key-highlights
2. Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
South African jurist Navi Pillay, 85, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her decades of human rights work and efforts to uphold international law. Her career includes defending anti-apartheid activists, serving as a United Nations human rights chief and judging international courts. The award follows her leadership of a UN commission that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejects. Israeli officials condemned the decision, while US President Donald Trump also criticised Pillay. The announcement coincided with new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
Read More:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/world/europe/nobel-peace-prize-navi-pillay.html
https://apnews.com/article/nobel-peace-prize-f60744c07df969e50e9e69786fdb7de1
3. President Trump announces US-Russia diesel deal
US President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume Russian diesel supplies to global markets, temporarily easing sanctions to address rising fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the move, arguing it could prolong Russia’s war, while Trump accused him of obstructing peace and suggested Ukraine elect a new leader. Energy analysts questioned Russia’s ability to deliver the promised supplies and doubted significant price reductions. The agreement also drew criticism from US Democrats and raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies.
Read More:
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/09/politics/trump-putin-russian-diesel
4. Five Malaysians named as Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2026
Five Malaysian business leaders have been named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2026 list, which recognises 100 influential women across the region. UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei ranked highest among Malaysian executives at No. 85, followed by Berjaya Corp CEO Nerine Tan at No. 91, Sunway Group executive deputy chair Sarena Cheah at No. 92, Affin Bank CFO Joanne Rodrigues at No. 99 and Public Bank CFO Yik Sook Ling at No. 100. Shangri-La Group CEO Kuok Hui Kwong ranked 34th. Malaysia had five representatives, up from four in 2025.
5. Samsung forecasts record $80.17 Billion quarterly profit
Samsung Electronics forecast third-quarter operating profit of 107.4 trillion won (US$80.1 billion), up 782.5% from a year earlier and exceeding analysts’ estimates. Revenue is expected to rise 127% to 195 trillion won, marking record highs for the fourth consecutive quarter. Strong artificial intelligence demand has driven shortages and higher prices for conventional memory chips and high-bandwidth memory used in data centres. However, rising chip costs are pressuring Samsung’s mobile division. The company is also facing growing employee demands for bonuses as semiconductor profits surge.
https://www.afp.com/en/samsung-expects-780-quarterly-operating-profit-jump-ai-boom
