Advertisement
Advertisement
-
This Week in Asia /

Politics

Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
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
Indonesia

Exclusive | 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.

South Korea

Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties

Thailand

As Thailand prepares to vote, can election deliver the change it needs?

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’.

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
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.

videocam
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaking at the Apec CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October. Photo: AP
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaking at the Apec CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October. Photo: AP
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’.

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.

videocam
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.

videocam
6
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month. Photo: TNS
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.

videocam
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech in support for a local candidate at a campaign rally near Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech in support for a local candidate at a campaign rally near Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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.

videocam
8
Claims that state-funded, so-called internet trolls have surfaced to downplay the Philippines’ territorial row with Beijing in the South China Sea and discredit Philippine officials critical of Chinese activities. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

videocam
10
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
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.

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.

6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

4
People visit an observation tower in a suburb of Tokyo on Monday. Japan is pushing to strengthen its laws against spying. Photo: AFP
People visit an observation tower in a suburb of Tokyo on Monday. Japan is pushing to strengthen its laws against spying. Photo: AFP
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.

7
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.

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.

A protester holds a sign calling for the impeachment of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: EPA
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.

Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa
Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa
Malaysia

Malaysia’s PM brushes off Epstein speculation with queasy emoji post

Anwar Ibrahim has rubbished an old email describing him as a potential ‘gold mine’, insisting he had no connection to the US sex offender.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia set to redraw economic road map as megaprojects scale down

A plunge in construction deals and the postponement of the 2029 Asian Winter Games have cast doubts on Riyadh’s Vision 2030.

The Philippines

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

7
Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW