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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Malaysia
Malaysia considers royal commission to probe anti-corruption agency allegations
The cabinet said it would decide after reviewing a taskforce report, as pressure mounts for MACC chief Azam Baki to step down.
27 Feb 2026 - 7:24PM
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Malaysia
Anti-corruption agency seeks Malaysians’ help to find Daim’s 4 children
27 Feb 2026 - 4:52PM
Malaysia
Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control
27 Feb 2026 - 8:30AM
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Japan
‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran
The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.
26 Feb 2026 - 4:23PM
The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
North Korea
North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue
As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.
27 Feb 2026 - 8:07PM
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Japan
Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag
It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.
26 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM
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South Korea
Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea
As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.
26 Feb 2026 - 9:04AM
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A supporter of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol reacts following a guilty verdict during the sentencing trial in his insurrection case on February 19. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations
Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.
25 Feb 2026 - 7:10PM
India
Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit
Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.
25 Feb 2026 - 5:45PM
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South Korea
South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula
The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.
25 Feb 2026 - 3:12PM
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South Korea
Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady
A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.
25 Feb 2026 - 2:38PM
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South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia
‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy
He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.
25 Feb 2026 - 12:15PM
The Philippines
Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate
Advocates hailed the ruling as a breakthrough, though observers said its reach remains limited without congressional action.
25 Feb 2026 - 10:41AM
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Indonesia
Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk
Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.
24 Feb 2026 - 6:56PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s biggest state wants its energy wealth back – and it’s going to court
Sarawak state is challenging oil giant Petronas’ dominance in the highest court, in a test for the prime minister’s unity coalition.
24 Feb 2026 - 4:13PM
An oil and gas platform off the coast of Malaysia’s Sarawak state. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea
Why South Korea is risking a rare rift with US to slash joint military drills
Washington is reportedly pushing back on Seoul’s request for smaller drills, forcing the postponement of a major joint military briefing.
24 Feb 2026 - 9:25AM
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Japan
Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts
Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.
23 Feb 2026 - 6:18PM
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Thailand
Will Thailand’s election be voided? Bar code blunder sparks ballot secrecy fears
With counting errors forcing revotes this Sunday, the reformist opposition is seizing on irregularities to demand a fresh election.
21 Feb 2026 - 1:59PM
An election worker counts ballots at a counting station in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8. Photo: Xinhua
North Korea
Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress
With Kim Jong-un set to outline his end-of-decade vision, the notable absence of his teenage daughter raises fresh succession questions.
21 Feb 2026 - 2:01PM
Israel-Gaza war
‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push
Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.
20 Feb 2026 - 4:57PM
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Japan
Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings
The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.
20 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM
Japan
Why plan by US and Japan to relocate Okinawa airbase is hitting turbulence
The US does not intend to vacate the current airbase for now due to disagreement over runway length at a replacement site, a report says.
20 Feb 2026 - 5:15PM
Residential buildings are seen near US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: AFP
The Philippines
US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region
Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.
19 Feb 2026 - 6:58PM
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South Korea
South Korea’s ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison for insurrection
Yoon Suk-yeol is the first democratically elected South Korean leader to be convicted of the crime.
19 Feb 2026 - 7:46PM
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Thailand
Wall and words: Thailand and Cambodia fight for the world’s ear over border row
While Cambodia takes its border grievances to Trump’s Board of Peace, Thailand rejects its ‘false’ claims and threatens a border wall.
19 Feb 2026 - 4:16PM
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