This Week in Asia /

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Malaysia 1MDB scandal

China-India border dispute

Shipping containers stacked at Westport in Klang, Malaysia. Last year, Malaysia sent a record US$47 billion in shipments to the US. Photo: AP

Explainer | What US tariffs mean for Malaysian businesses and workers

While the final rate may look like a good deal on the surface, the deal also raises questions as to whether Malaysia gave up too much.

7 Aug 2025 - 1:40PMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

18 Mar 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Explainer | What to know about Najib’s house arrest bid and the existence of a royal ‘decree’

17 Jan 2025 - 9:55AMvideocam

Explainer | South Korea’s first lady Kim: from Dior bag scandal to martial law fallout

Her husband, President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been accused of using martial law to protect her from investigations, further fuelling public discontent.

12 Dec 2024 - 12:32PMvideocam

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left), alongside his wife, Kim Keon-hee, arrives at London Stansted Airport, in November 2023, for a four-day state visit to Britain. Photo: EPA-EFE

Video | Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?

The island nation slipped into recession in 2024, losing its status as the world’s third-largest economy.

26 Aug 2024 - 11:07AMvideocam

Explainer | Srettha’s exit: are Thailand’s conservatives on the rise, democracy in retreat?

Despite challenges from other parties, Pheu Thai “will almost certainly remain in government”, an analyst says

15 Aug 2024 - 3:06PMvideocam

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Explainer | Thai PM next in firing line as country struggles to shrug off political chaos

All you need to know about two decades of political upheavals in the kingdom.

13 Aug 2024 - 7:08PMvideocam

If Thailand’s Srettha Thavisin is removed from office, the ruling Pheu Thai would have to nominate a new candidate for prime minister. Photo: AP

Explainer | With Hasina gone, Bangladesh peers into the unknown. Here’s what we know

Elections expected to be held as soon as possible but shape of future government uncertain over role of army, future of protesting students.

7 Aug 2024 - 5:05AM

Explainer | ‘Train-wreck Day’ for Thailand as courts hold political future in their hands

Thailand’s courts will hear evidence against key figures including PM Srettha Thavisin, in cases that could undermine the government and opposition.

17 Jun 2024 - 7:06PM

Talks on China-Japan-South Korea FTA merely ‘symbolic’ given US opposition

Leaders of the three countries have pledged to “speed up negotiations” for a trilateral FTA after a delay of several years.

13 Jun 2024 - 4:45PMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the eighth business summit among China, Japan and South Korea, in Seoul. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei

Explainer | How Ebrahim Raisi’s death could affect Iran’s leadership and regional ties

Tehran has stressed political continuity, even as analysts caution that a ‘harsh struggle’ is expected in the race to become Iran’s next president.

21 May 2024 - 3:54PMvideocam

Iranians gather in Tehran on Monday to mourn the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa

Explainer | India election: what stands between victory and PM Modi’s ruling BJP?

Voter concerns such as inflation and unemployment are unlikely to derail PM Modi and his ruling BJP’s path to victory, analysts say.

19 Apr 2024 - 4:22PMvideocam

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: everything you need to know

Controversies have dogged this election cycle, especially of President Joko Widodo’s influence over state institutions for his preferred candidate Prabowo Subianto.

14 Feb 2024 - 4:54PMvideocam

Explainer | Why are rivals of Malaysia’s PM Anwar ensnared in a corruption investigation?

Malaysia’s ex-minister Daim Zainuddin, the former aide of Mahathir Mohamad, faces questions over his wealth as PM Anwar Ibrahim cracks down on endemic corruption.

26 Jan 2024 - 3:08PM

Malaysia’s Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin in parliament in 2001. File photo: AFP

Pacific nations

Explainer | As PNG vows return to normality, will chaos mar its ties with US and China?

Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has cancelled a trip to Davos as he fends off calls to resign while trying to defuse the national crisis sparked by a police pay dispute.

13 Jan 2024 - 5:33AMvideocam

Looters leave shops with goods amid a state of unrest in Port Moresby on January 10. Photo: AFP

Explainer | Could Myanmar’s military be deposed by armed groups fighting across the country?

The junta is facing its gravest challenge from armed groups following their coordinated attacks in Shan State.

17 Nov 2023 - 5:30PM

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: the biggest issues facing the 3 presidential hopefuls

Campaigning is likely to spotlight political dynasties, Indonesia’s new capital Nunsantara, youth and Muslim voters, and intra party rivalry in the ruling party.

28 Oct 2023 - 2:19PMvideocam

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Israel-Gaza war

Analysis | Why Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are struggling to mediate the Israel-Gaza war

Brokering a ceasefire appears all but impossible amid the escalating violence, as fears grow of a massive humanitarian crisis – and Israel vows to wipe the Palestinian militant group ‘off the face of the Earth’.

20 Oct 2023 - 12:01AM

Smoke plumes billow into the air during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Explainer | Could the Israel-Gaza war become multi-front involving Iran and Hezbollah?

The Israel-Gaza war is set to put the region on a knife-edge with risks of escalation involving Iran, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and even others.

19 Oct 2023 - 11:59PMvideocam

War and conflict

Explainer | What to know about the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

This week’s offensive was due to ‘decades of frustration after the failure of the international community’ to resolve conflict, say analysts, and with the war in Ukraine distracting Russia.

24 Sep 2023 - 4:00PM

Explainer | What a weak ringgit means for Malaysia’s economy and PM Anwar in the state polls

Greater exposure to China’s economy and easing commodity prices are among the factors likely to have contributed to the ringgit’s decline compared to its Asean peers, observers say.

1 Jul 2023 - 1:45PM

Malaysian 50 ringgit banknotes at a currency exchange store in Kuala Lumpur. The currency has been Southeast Asia’s worst performer so far this year. Photo: Bloomberg

Explainer | What to know about Japan’s plan to release Fukushima waste water into the sea

The plan to dump treated radioactive waste water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea has stirred debates in South Korea, and led to boycotts of Japanese goods in China. Japanese fishermen have also vehemently opposed the plan.

29 Jun 2023 - 11:30AMvideocam

Environmental activists denounce the Japanese government’s plan to start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Photo: AP

Explainer | What to know about South Korea-Japan ties as Yoon, Kishida meet

Building closer security ties to counter North Korea’s threat, expanding economic cooperation are among the issues likely to be the focus of Kishida’s Seoul trip.

6 May 2023 - 11:30AMvideocam

Explainer | What to know about the major candidates, parties contesting Thailand’s election

Pro-democrats hope to oust the ruling coalition of former army types and conservatives, in an election set to be Thailand’s most unpredictable in two decades.

10 May 2023 - 10:47AMvideocam

Explainer | Malaysia’s jailed ex-PM Najib is seeking a royal pardon. What happens next?

Request for pardon to be deliberated by the Pardons Board which includes the king and PM Anwar Ibrahim, who has brushed aside concerns of conflict of interest.

11 Apr 2023 - 5:36PMvideocam

Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib Razak. Photo: AFP

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