Islamic Development Bank exploring tie-up with AIIB on use of sukuk in infrastructure financing

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is exploring a potential link-up with the planned Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) that could spur the use of sukuk to fund some of Asia’s infrastructure needs, a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) official said. (Straits Times)

Governments ‘could benefit’ from high levels of transparency championed by New Zealand, Treasury chief says

Governments around the world could benefit from introducing higher levels of transparency similar to those in New Zealand where civil servants’ advice is published, the head of the New Zealand Treasury has said. (Global Government Forum)

Malaysia’s development fund faces central bank probe

Malaysia's central bank said it had launched a “formal inquiry” into strategic development fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), which is struggling under a huge debt burden and suspicions of massive fraud and mismanagement. (AFP)

Australia: Labor ambush sees government vote down its own small business budget measure

Labor has ambushed the Coalition in Parliament, which has resulted in the government voting against its own key budget measures that it has been calling on the opposition to pass as a matter of urgency. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Japan reeling following hack of 1.25 million pensions

The Japanese government is reeling following a hack that exposed the pension data of 1.25 million Japanese citizens. (The Hill)