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In AML & Financial Services Regulatory

Singapore: MAS consults on proposed revisions to remove exemptions under the financial advertisement regulations

by and 3 Mins Read

On 3 May 2025, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) issued a consultation paper proposing to remove the current exclusions under the Financial Advisers Regulations and the Securities and Futures (Licensing and Conduct of Business) Regulations (SF(LCB)R) that exempt certain financial institutions from complying with advertising regulations.
This proposal is part of MAS’s broader initiative to enhance market conduct standards, following its 2023 Consultation Paper on Enhancing Safeguards for Proper Conduct of Digital Prospecting and Marketing Activities.

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In Cybersecurity, Data and Tech

Indonesia: Regulation on online child safety issued! New obligations to protect the younger generation

by , , , and 6 Mins Read

The Indonesian government has just issued a much-anticipated regulations that is closely connected with two important elements in society: children and technology. This new regulation introduces new obligations and prohibitions for electronic system operators in relation to the access and use of electronic systems by children.

In Cybersecurity, Data and Tech

Malaysia: Cross Border Personal Data Transfer Guideline

by 1 Min Read

Following the public consultation in 2024, the Personal Data Protection Commissioner has now issued the Personal Data Protection Guideline on Cross Border Personal Data Transfer (Guideline).
The Guideline provides guidance on the operationalization of section 129 of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and sets out specific responsibilities of data controllers when transferring personal data to any place outside Malaysia.

In AML & Financial Services Regulatory

Hong Kong: HKMA and SFC’s guidance on Staking of Virtual Assets

by , and 6 Mins Read

On 7 April 2025, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued guidance for authorized institutions (and subsidiaries of locally incorporated authorized institutions) and SFC-licensed virtual asset trading platforms respectively, who are interested in providing Staking Services. The guidance outlines the regulatory framework and expected standards for providing Staking Services.
On the same day, the SFC revised its “Circular on SFC-authorized funds with exposure to virtual assets” issued on 22 December 2023 to facilitate SFC-authorized virtual asset funds (SFC-authorized VA Funds) which wish to engage in staking and other virtual asset-related activities.

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In ESG

Thailand: The Draft Industrial Waste Management Act – A new waste management regime

by , , and 4 Mins Read

The Department of Industrial Works recently introduced the Draft Industrial Waste Management Act (DIWMA), which remained open for public hearing until 1 April 2025. Similar to some other draft waste laws, namely the Draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act and the Draft Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management Act, the DIWMA adopts the Extended Producer Responsibility principle, obligating operators of industrial establishments to be responsible for the industrial waste they generate until it is fully treated or disposed of.

In ESG

Malaysia: New era for carbon capture

by and 5 Mins Read

The Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Bill 2025 has been passed by the Dewan Negara and is, at the time of issuance of this client alert, pending Royal Assent. Once the Royal Assent has been provided, the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Act 2025 will be enacted (CCUSA). The CCUSA establishes a robust legal and regulatory framework for CCUS cycle from carbon dioxide capture, transportation, utilization, and storage.

In Antitrust / Competition

Australia: Merger notification thresholds and notification forms released for consultation

by , and 1 Min Read

The proposed notification thresholds remain essentially unchanged from those released by Treasury in October 2024. The draft forms include short form and long form versions, with the short form version intended to provide a simplified process for acquisitions that are unlikely to raise competition concerns. However, in draft guidance, the ACCC has indicated it will set the bar quite low for when a long form notification is required.

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In Cybersecurity, Data and Tech

Singapore: Infocomm Media Development Authority unveils GenAI initiatives to propel AI adoption and digital transformation

by , , , and 3 Mins Read

The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) is launching two initiatives, the generative AI (GenAI) Playbook and the GenAI Navigator, to make artificial intelligence (AI) more accessible to Singapore businesses and to increase its adoption locally.

In Employment

Taiwan: The Ministry of Labor released the revised “Guidelines for Preventing Illegal Harm While Performing Duties”

by and 2 Mins Read

On 21 February 2025, the Ministry of Labor released the revised “Guidelines for Preventing Illegal Harm While Performing Duties (4th Edition).” The revised guidelines emphasize the establishment of an investigation team within three days for suspected illegal harm incidents, with specific team compositions based on organization size. The scope has been expanded to include personnel supervised by workplace managers, applying the same guidelines as for employees. The 4th edition also specifies potential workplace harm behaviors, including violence, bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination, with examples of workplace bullying such as unrealistic work goals and excessive or trivial task assignments.

In ESG

Malaysia: Public consultations on data protection impact assessments, data protection by design and automated decision making and profiling

by 1 Min Read

The Malaysian Personal Data Protection Department recently published three public consultation papers to gather feedback on proposed guidelines on (i) data protection impact assessments, (ii) data protection by design and (iii) automated decision-making and profiling. The guidelines are part of a set of seven guidelines that are being (and have been) developed to complement the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA), as announced by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo in January last year.

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