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This Week in Asia
Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, attends a meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Malaysia demands TikTok explain failure to block fake account insulting king

Among the ‘grossly offensive’ posts were false claims that the king ate pork and images with his face superimposed onto animal bodies.

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What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

US denies role in Norway’s cancelled missile sale to Malaysia

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Politics

How Singapore’s weaponised drone trials could fuel Southeast Asian tensions

As Southeast Asian militaries adopt cheap, lethal systems, experts warn a lack of established rules could prove dangerous.

A US Navy drone parks beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines last year. Photo: AP
A US Navy drone parks beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines last year. Photo: AP

Politics

Did US restrictions sink Malaysia’s US$147 million Norway missile deal?

Analysts say US-controlled parts may have been a factor in Norway’s revoked export licences, underscoring risks for Asian defence buyers.

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Economics

Singapore’s AI-job cuts debate flares over ‘lower-value human capital’ remark

Economists say the challenge faced by Singapore is whether AI training can keep pace with job losses and work redesign.

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Southeast Asia

Thai ⁠Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s health declines amid ongoing medical battle

Doctors struggle to stabilise the heart rate of the 47-year-old, who has been in a coma since 2022.

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Thai ⁠Princess Bajrakitiyabha waves to supporters in Bangkok in 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE
Thai ⁠Princess Bajrakitiyabha waves to supporters in Bangkok in 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE

People

Trump’s H-1B visa squeeze paves way for Indian tech exodus

India’s tech workers helped build Silicon Valley. Now, rising H-1B barriers are sending the next generation elsewhere.

Economics

Prabowo tightens state grip on palm oil, coal amid monopolistic fears

A state agency will handle exports of palm oil, coal and ferroalloys to stem revenue loss and under-invoicing, the president says.

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East Asia

US to send powerful missile systems to Japan for drills amid China tensions

After the joint exercises, the systems will move to a US military base in Japan for storage.

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The Typhon missile launcher is stationed at an airbase in Iwakuni, western Japan, last year. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Final report reveals truth behind deadly Singapore Airlines turbulence

Investigators concluded it was ‘likely’ the jet’s radar failed to detect bad weather before the turbulence hit in 2024.

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The interior of Singapore Airlines flight 321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters
The interior of Singapore Airlines flight 321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Thailand’s Singha beer dynasty rocked by sexual abuse allegations

The kingdom’s most-watched family scandal in years has prompted a sacking, a televised confessional – and a warning from media regulators.

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Politics

Japan, South Korea hone diplomatic ‘muscle memory’ amid Taiwan worries

Energy security and supply chains topped the summit’s formal agenda. The subtext was a fear of ‘alliance abandonment’, analysts say.

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Politics

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Tokyo hopes deploying US-built SeaGuardians on Iwo Jima and Chichijima will eliminate a Pacific surveillance ‘blind spot’.

Japan plans to deploy MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones on Chichijima and Iwo Jima. Photo: Handout

Health & Environment

In Malaysia, drug-laced vape seizures stoke US-like ‘zombie epidemic’ fears

Viral ‘zombie vape’ videos prompt arrests and warnings of a growing substance abuse crisis in the country.

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Tobacco and vaping products on display at a convenience store in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Tobacco and vaping products on display at a convenience store in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

Indonesia’s rupiah sinks to record low as Prabowo shrugs off rout fears

Critics reject claims that ordinary Indonesians will not suffer, pointing to a heavy dependence on imports for daily necessities.

Economics

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

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Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA
Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA

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.

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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.

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.

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A woman shops for vegetables in Depok, Indonesia, earlier this month near a sign asking customers to bring their own shopping bags. Photo: Reuters
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog (right) attend a memorial service in Meitar, Israel, in January. Photo: Reuters

Politics

US denies role in Norway’s cancelled missile sale to Malaysia

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Visitors gather next to a display of an NSM Naval Strike Missile made by Norwegian company Kongsberg, at the Euronaval show, in Le Bourget, France in 2014. Photo: AP

Politics

How Singapore’s weaponised drone trials could fuel Southeast Asian tensions

A US Navy drone parks beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines last year. Photo: AP

Economics

Singapore’s AI-job cuts debate flares over ‘lower-value human capital’ remark

Office workers at the Raffles Place financial business district. Singapore has unveiled various measures to help workers cope with AI disruption. Photo: AFP

Economics

Prabowo tightens state grip on palm oil, coal amid monopolistic fears

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech to lawmakers as Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka looks on at the parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

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