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Corruption in Asia

Corruption in Asia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Corruption in Asia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reacts after being acquitted of corruption on September 4, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to save himself

Ahmad Zahid, who has been cleared of corruption charges, says the party has ‘never wavered’ from its position of supporting its ex-leader.

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Nepal

Nepal’s ex-king voices concern after protests as supporters rally

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno seeks Najib’s pardon amid 1MDB scandal, but stay in coalition

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Hong Kong politics

Outside In | To root out corruption, Hong Kong fire probe must go beyond scapegoats

Public procurement failures often reflect government responsibility, and Hong Kong’s fire investigation must confront that reality.

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Members of the independent investigation committee of the Wang Fuk Court fire, wearing protective suits, inspect the fire scene on December 23. Photo: Jelly Tse
Malaysia

Malaysian football body risks Fifa’s takeover amid forgery scandal

Some sports fans claim that the reinstatement of FAM’s chief is ‘almost staged’ as concerns over Fifa’s next step mount.

Malaysia

Malaysia drops corruption probe into PM Anwar’s deputy, Ahmad Zahid

Prosecutors cite insufficient evidence to charge Ahmad Zahid, whose party is crucial to maintaining PM Anwar’s parliamentary majority.

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Malaysia

Malaysian military in firing line over procurement cartel claims

The detention of senior figures in the anti-corruption probe is ‘highly significant and rare’ in Malaysia’s defence history, analysts say.

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Malaysian army troops march in formation for National Day celebrations. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia arrests ex-army chief and his wives in corruption investigation

Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s arrest marks the latest escalation in a widening probe into military contract tenders.

Malaysia

Why surgery ‘not wise’ for Malaysia’s Mahathir after hip fall

The former PM’s son says surgery is not advised for his father’s hip injury due to advanced age, with recovery expected to take up to three weeks.

The Philippines

‘Rule of law’: Philippine military lauds ex-general’s sedition arrest

Romeo Poquiz’s limited influence means his arrest is unlikely to spark a ‘chilling effect’ among former officials, observers say.

Romeo Poquiz was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after returning from a Bangkok holiday on Monday. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Philippine ex-general arrested after call for military to ‘reset’ society

Romeo Poquiz had publicly called for the armed forces to ‘withdraw their support’ from Marcos over the flood control corruption scandal.

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Romeo Poquiz (centre) is arrested on a sedition charge on Monday at Manila’s international airport. Photo: Philippine National Police ,
The Philippines

Philippines approves U$115 billion budget, slashes ‘back door’ allocations

Marcos used his veto powers to cut unprogrammed appropriations, historically prone to corruption, to their lowest level since 2019.

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Nepal

Nepal’s ex-PM questioned over protest crackdown which led to overthrow

Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli had said he would not submit to questioning, accusing the investigation of lacking a ‘constitutional basis’.

The Philippines

As commissioners quit, Philippines’ flood-control probe faces credibility crisis

Analysts said the exits risk deepening public scepticism over whether politically connected contractors can be held to account.

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Independent Commission for Infrastructure chair Andres Reyes Jr (left) oversees the submission of investigation reports to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City, Metro Manila, on October 29 as the panel probes alleged corruption in flood-control infrastructure projects. Photo: EPA
South Korea

South Korea ends bear bile industry, but 200 moon bears in limbo

As the ban takes effect January 1, disputes over farmer compensation and limited shelter space leave hundreds of captive bears with nowhere to go.

A bear looks out from a cage at a bear farm in Dangjin, South Korea in 2014. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Philippines flood-control probe ‘in peril’ after death of public works official

Analysts said the death removes a pivotal witness and exposes weaknesses in how authorities have handled evidence and testimony.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Najib Razak challenges 15-year jail term in 1MDB case

A court last week ordered Najib to begin ‍serving the additional sentence after his current six-year prison term ends in 2028.

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South Korea

Probe into South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee ends with ‘unresolved issues’

Analysts say the findings have raised questions about whether South Korea’s laws can deal with alleged abuses of power by a president’s spouse.

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho district on August 12, after attending a court review on her arrest. Photo: Korea Times
Malaysia

Malaysia army chief on leave amid procurement scandal raids

Authorities are investigating high-value contracts to specific firms. Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has stepped down for a conflict-free probe.

The Philippines

‘Master of Disaster’: Can a board game help Philippines face next catastrophe?

From typhoons to earthquakes, ‘Master of Disaster’ turns a roll of the dice into a life-saving lesson for the world’s most vulnerable.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines’ ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget make the grade?

Critics are worried that the massive budget would either fall prey to corruption or not be enough to tackle long-standing problems.

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Filipino children walk to school on Isla Pugad in Hagonoy town, Bulacan province. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Corruption, floods and clan wars rock Philippines in 2025

Deepening political feuds, ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest and the South China Sea dispute have reshaped the Philippine landscape.

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Protesters wearing masks depicting the faces of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr march during a rally to mark the International Human Rights Day in Manila on December 10. Photo: AFP
Najib Razak

Video | Disgraced ex-Malaysian PM Najib guilty in final 1MDB case

The disgraced former prime minister was found guilty in the final criminal trial stemming from the corrupt 1MDB fund.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

The ruling comes after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

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Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’

Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.

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Anti-corruption prosecutors in the Philippines have accused Zaldy Co, a former congressman, and others of defrauding the state through “ghost” and substandard flood-control projects. Photo: Captured off YouTube
Malaysia

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

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Malaysia

Malaysian court blocks Najib’s bid for house arrest

Monday’s decision keeps the former prime minister behind bars as he awaits the outcome of the far larger 1MDB case on Friday.

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