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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Thailand
Polls close as Thais seek route out of political decline
No party is forecast to win an outright majority and days of horse-trading likely lie ahead to see who can form a coalition government.
24 minutes ago
Japan
Japan’s Takaichi poised to regain big majority in election, exit polls show
28 minutes ago
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US immigration
‘Deported but not defeated’: the Southeast Asians cast out of Trump’s US
8 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
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Indonesia
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Inside Indonesia’s inner circle: Hashim Djojohadikusumo on Prabowo’s vision
The Indonesian president’s brother talks ‘fried’ stocks, ‘mosquito’ rivals and MSCI’s Turkmenistan insult in an exclusive interview.
8 Feb 2026 - 9:24AM
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Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s brother and trusted confidant, poses for a photograph after speaking with This Week in Asia. Photo: Rizky Maulana Yanua
South Korea
Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties
The official’s remarks come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
7 Feb 2026 - 9:30AM
Thailand
As Thailand prepares to vote, can election deliver the change it needs?
Whoever wins will become Thailand’s fourth prime minister in three years but face a daunting task to revive the economy and ease political gridlock.
6 Feb 2026 - 9:03PM
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Malaysia
Malaysian minister’s use of ‘Alhamdulillah’ sparks PAS’ objections
Nga Kor Ming’s use of the Arabic phrase in parliament prompted a warning by a PAS MP that it could ‘confuse Muslims’.
6 Feb 2026 - 5:32PM
Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming delivering a speech as the president of the UN Habitat Assembly on World Cities Day last year. Photo: YouTube/UN Habitat Worldwide
South Korea
A new start for Pyongyang? Fears mount as US-Russia nuclear pact expires
The end of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will be a blow to efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear build-up, analysts say.
6 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM
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South Korea
Coupang data leak threatens South Korea-US ties amid tariff tensions
The breach, which has fuelled public anger, shows how a domestic corporate scandal can escalate into a diplomatic flashpoint.
6 Feb 2026 - 5:45PM
The Philippines
Filipino activists decry loss of public trust over failed bid to impeach Marcos
Public attention is now turning to two separate impeachment complaints filed against Vice-President Sara Duterte.
5 Feb 2026 - 9:04PM
Malaysia
‘Dominated by non-Malays’: study on elected Kuala Lumpur mayor spurs race debate
Critics slam the study as a ‘naive and misguided’ move by Minister Hannah Yeoh that would worsen the country’s ‘cultural war’.
5 Feb 2026 - 5:40PM
Participants hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on August 31, 2025. Photo: EPA
Pakistan
Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks
The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.
5 Feb 2026 - 6:17PM
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Canada
‘Devil’s in the details’: why Asia may not sign up to Canada’s alliance call
While Canadian PM Mark Carney’s vision appeals to many, analysts say a lack of detail and divergent interests make a unified front unlikely.
5 Feb 2026 - 6:06PM
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Japan
Could a ‘shock’ Pyongyang visit cement Japan PM Takaichi’s snap election bid?
Despite scepticism, a leading campaigner claims Pyongyang is ready to return surviving abductees for ‘immediate, large-scale’ aid.
5 Feb 2026 - 10:24AM
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Malaysia
Chinese buyers top the list in Malaysia’s MM2H golden visa scheme
While Chinese nationals lead the pack, Malaysia’s tourism minister also cites interest from the US, UK, Australia and Bangladesh.
4 Feb 2026 - 3:35PM
Commercial buildings and residential housing in Kuala Lumpur. MM2H homeowners tend to cluster around prime districts in the Malaysian capital. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
Malaysia did not cede any land to Indonesia, PM Anwar insists
Claims of a 5,200-hectare territorial handover to Indonesia are ‘a lie’, Malaysia’s prime minister tells lawmakers.
4 Feb 2026 - 5:55PM
The Philippines
Calls grow for tougher rules to track foreign-paid ‘trolls’ in Philippines
Retired justice says updating the Foreign Agents Act will help deter individuals from espousing pro-Beijing content.
4 Feb 2026 - 12:30PM
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Japan
As Japan’s Takaichi eyes big election win, will China stance shift?
A solid win will boost Takaichi’s position in foreign affairs but she is unlikely to become more confrontational towards China, analysts say.
4 Feb 2026 - 12:05PM
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Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attends an election campaign event in Nagano on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
South Korea
‘Ruin you’: Cambodians outraged by South Korean president’s anti-scam threat
Critics said Lee Jae Myung should have posted in Chinese, not Khmer, as his warning to foreign syndicates sparked anger across Cambodia.
3 Feb 2026 - 3:53PM
Malaysia
‘Not political gift’: sultan’s comment on pardons stirs debate over Najib’s case
The former prime minister claims that a decree has been issued allowing him to serve his reduced prison sentence at home.
3 Feb 2026 - 3:50PM
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Japan
‘People are so polite’: why do Russian spies find Japan such an easy target?
A Russian spy, posing as a Ukrainian citizen, used a simple request for directions to trick a local worker into selling industrial secrets.
3 Feb 2026 - 5:21PM
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Japan
Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift
While some argue the change aligns Japan with global norms, others say better pay – not historical titles – is what soldiers really need.
3 Feb 2026 - 5:27PM
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A Japanese soldier watches the suburbs of Shanghai ablaze in this undated colourised photograph. Photo: Getty Images
South Korea
‘Lopsided deal’: South Korean trade experts warn against US tariff pressure
Washington’s tariff pressure is aimed at pushing Seoul to ‘move as fast as Japan’ in implementing its promised investments, analysts say.
3 Feb 2026 - 8:56AM
The Philippines
Twin impeachments a ‘stress test’ for Philippine institutional strength
The exercise may risk economic damage, but could also show how a political crisis could be tackled using constitutional means, analysts say.
4 Feb 2026 - 11:57PM
Singapore
Singapore aims for stars with its new space agency, in a boost for Asia-Pacific
By launching a national space agency, Singapore aims to scale its satellite capabilities and lead the Asia-Pacific in space sustainability.
3 Feb 2026 - 9:35AM
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