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This Week in Asia

Jho Low poses at an event in Washington in April 2015. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s Jho Low seeking Trump pardon for 1MDB fraud

The fugitive financier is accused of being the architect of a scheme to siphon at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

41 minutes agovideocam

Singaporeans refute lack of hunger stereotype, warn of ‘self-fulfilling bias’

2 hours agovideocam

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

3 hours ago

Southeast Asia

Thailand to review visa rules after spate of tourist crimes trigger public anger

Proposed measures include reducing the 60-day visa-free stay to 30 days for tourists from 93 countries and reviewing visa criteria.

2 hours agovideocam

Thai police arrest two Russians suspected of murdering a fellow national near the resort town of Pattaya in February. Photo: Handout

People

‘Accountability is coming’: dela Rosa flight piles pressure on Duterte camp

Dela Rosa evading the ICC arrest and the Senate leadership coup could mark a turning point for a Duterte camp under siege, analysts say.

12 May 2026 - 8:27PMvideocam

China Economy

How Australia’s mining giants are helping China to globalise the yuan

Mining firms are increasingly using the yuan for financing and settlements, as China pushes to reduce its reliance on the US dollar.

2 hours agovideocam

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Politics

Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China

Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.

12 May 2026 - 2:41PMvideocam

A WeChat video saying Singapore is the most miserable country in the world. Photo: WeChat

Politics

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

12 May 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

Politics

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

12 May 2026 - 5:07PMvideocam

People

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Malaysia has a new anti-corruption chief. What it doesn’t have yet is a clear answer to the questions that dogged the old one.

12 May 2026 - 5:25PMvideocam

Azam Baki waves after a press conference on repatriated artworks linked to 1MDB asset recovery at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on May 6. Photo: AFP

Economics

Oil crunch drains colour from 1 of Japan’s favourite snacks

Calbee says it is using monochrome designs for some of its products, as the Iran war has caused a shortage of naphtha used in packaging.

12 May 2026 - 5:37PMvideocam

Calbee, a major Japanese snack food maker, says the switch to monochrome packaging for some of its products would not affect quality. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Japan’s new spy agency: a shield against China or ‘militarist surveillance’?

Japan has not had a centralised intelligence service since World War II. Sanae Takaichi wants to change that.

12 May 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

People

14 Indonesians missing after boat sinks off Malaysia’s Pangkor Island

About 100,000 to 200,000 Indonesians make the risky sea journey to Malaysia in search of work each year, according to migrant activists.

12 May 2026 - 1:54PM

Economics

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy headache leaves Anwar ‘scrambling for solution’

The government will review fuel subsidies for higher-income Malaysians but has yet to decide how the cut-off should be applied, Anwar says.

11 May 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

A man fills his towing lorry with diesel at a petrol station in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on May 4. Photo: EPA

Politics

South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit

Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.

12 May 2026 - 2:15PM

Damage to the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu is seen this undated handout photograph released on Sunday. Photo: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry/AFP

Politics

Philippine VP’s impeachment trial delayed after Senate leadership coup

The leadership change could prove critical as the Senate leader presides over the trial of an impeached vice-president.

11 May 2026 - 11:43PM

Politics

Malaysia’s Umno marks 80th anniversary with show of Malay political power

The party held its celebrations in the Johor palace where it was founded, signalling it is back on track ahead of coming state polls.

11 May 2026 - 8:45PM

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Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

9 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

2 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Economics

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

26 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

Health & Environment

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

18 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Floating solar panels are seen at a hydro-solar farm run by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani province. Photo: AFP

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

Singaporeans refute lack of hunger stereotype, warn of ‘self-fulfilling bias’

2 hours agovideocam

People visit the Merlion statue in Singapore. A recruiter’s comment on the lack of hunger among Singaporean workers compared with their foreign counterparts has sparked a fierce debate. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

3 hours ago

A man shields his face from the sunlight as he leaves a train station in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 29. Photo: AFP

People

‘Accountability is coming’: dela Rosa flight piles pressure on Duterte camp

12 May 2026 - 8:27PMvideocam

Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa shows his bandaged fingers during a session at the Senate in Metro Manila on Tuesday, a day after he evaded an ICC arrest warrant. Photo: EPA

Politics

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

12 May 2026 - 8:11PMvideocam

Foreign nationals suspected of running an online gambling operation at an office building in Jakarta await transport after being arrested in the Indonesian capital on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

12 May 2026 - 5:07PMvideocam

Myanmar’s newly elected President Min Aung Hlaing waves as he leaves after a swearing-in ceremony in Naypyidaw on April 10. Photo: AP

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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

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TRENDING TOPICS

South China Sea

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