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This Week in Asia
Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan is escorted to court on Thursday. Photo: EPA

People

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

Prosecutors say ‘proceeds from unlawful activity’ were banked into accounts of Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife from 2024 to 2025.

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South Korean court’s harsh jail term for Han sets stage for Yoon’s verdict

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‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

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Economics

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

People

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

The Communist Party’s general secretary is already behaving as if he ‘expects a mandate’ to add the presidency to his portfolio, experts say.

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Australasia

‘I could hear people screaming’: several feared buried in New Zealand campsite

‘I looked behind me and there’s a huge landslide coming down. And I’m still shaking from it now,’ a tourist at Mount Maunganui says.

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Politics

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

Right-wing media outlets and politicians are now concerned that Trump’s second term would hurt Japan’s trade and security interests.

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US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

‘He’s the head of this corruption’: Marcos faces new impeachment complaint

‘The president’s involvement in the grand scheme of corruption makes impeachment necessary to hold him accountable,’ petitioners say.

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Southeast Asia

World’s oldest cave art discovered in Indonesia

A handprint dating back at least 67,800 years is over a thousand years older than hand stencils in Spain that are attributed to Neanderthals.

Politics

Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role

The PMO says the LO office will ‘remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility’.

Singapore’s opposition Workers’ Party Secretary General Pritam Singh (centre) with his party’s members at Serangoon Stadium as they wait for the results of the 2025 general election. Photo: AFP

Economics

How Asia’s economies could benefit from Trump’s global power plays

Countries such as Canada are looking to diversify their customers, particularly for oil and gas, with ‘a strong focus on Asia’, analysts say.

An illustration shows a 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump, the EU flag and the word “Tariffs”. Photo: Reuters
An illustration shows a 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump, the EU flag and the word “Tariffs”. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

People

Indonesia police arrest 9 in Medan baby trafficking case linked to social media

The arrests come as Singapore scrutinises adoption cases linked to separate baby trafficking allegations involving Indonesia.

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Australasia

Australia deports Malaysian man caught with child sexual abuse material

The 26-year-old was among 17 travellers intercepted by border officials in various parts of Australia earlier this month.

One of the suspects who was caught with child sexual abuse material on his electronic device. Photo: Australian Border Force

Southeast Asia

Johor businesses prepare for Singaporeans’ Lunar New Year shopping spree

Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge.

Life-sized horse lanterns on display at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to welcome the Year of the Horse. Photo: Xinhua
Life-sized horse lanterns on display at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to welcome the Year of the Horse. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition

From 2027, children can enter Year One of primary school at age six instead of seven, fuelling fears of limited teaching staff and space.

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Health & Environment

Malaysia’s Johor books 5 Singaporeans for littering under new enforcement regime

The cases come as the country enforces new rules sending littering offences to court as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign rolls out.

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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP

Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

People

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

videocam
Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan is escorted to court on Thursday. Photo: EPA

People

South Korean court’s harsh jail term for Han sets stage for Yoon’s verdict

videocam
Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo (right) is questioned by a reporter as he arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Politics

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

videocam
US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

People

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

videocam
Commuters travel on a train in Tokyo. Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure for male victims of groping – as revealed in a recent survey – is particularly striking. Photo: AFP

People

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

videocam
Communist Party General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech at the party’s congress in Hanoi on Monday. Photo: Vietnam News Agency/EPA
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