Malaysians’ foreign-policy satire, Japan’s fighter jet project boost: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

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A worker carries a bunch of oil palm fruit at a plantation in Slim River, Malaysia. Malaysians repeatedly referenced palm oil in online jokes responding to a recent US embassy space photo, stressing the country has palm oil rather than crude petroleum. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:45pm, 20 Jan 2026Updated: 1:10pm, 20 Jan 2026

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. ‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

A well-intentioned US embassy post featuring a satellite image of Malaysia has sparked a distinctly local burst of self-deprecating humour, with social media users quipping in response to the picture: “Sorry, we don’t have oil.”

2. Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Japan’s Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), its next-generation fighter project in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy, may be given a boost now that the development of a similar aircraft has been put on hold.

3. Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong removes Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition

Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh leaves the Supreme Court in Singapore after his appeal was dismissed in December. Photo: Reuters

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has stripped the Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh of his role as the city state’s first Leader of the Opposition following Singh’s conviction for lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.

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