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This Week in Asia

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Lifestyle & Culture
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

5

‘No other option’: Indonesia begins returning toxic e-waste to US

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

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People

Corruption suspect’s wheelchair court appearance sparks mockery in Malaysia

The wife of a former army chief was seen walking before later using a wheelchair in court, prompting cynical social media commentary.

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Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s wife, Salwani Anuar, is escorted in a wheelchair by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the Kuala Lumpur Court on January 22. She and her husband are facing multiple charges under Malaysia’s anti-money-laundering law. Photo: EPA
Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s wife, Salwani Anuar, is escorted in a wheelchair by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the Kuala Lumpur Court on January 22. She and her husband are facing multiple charges under Malaysia’s anti-money-laundering law. Photo: EPA

Politics

Critics of Marcos step up impeachment calls, cite ‘smoking gun’ letter

An impeachment complaint against Marcos refers to the channelling of health insurance funds to flood control projects.

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Southeast Asia

‘What was the point?’: Myanmar’s loaded election brings win for junta allies

Disenfranchised citizens and migrants dismiss the election as a meaningless exercise designed solely to validate the military’s iron grip.

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People

Thailand’s Pita hopes to rise again through reformist People’s Party successor

The former leader was blocked from leading government and banned from politics after his party stunned the ruling elite in 2023.

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Former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks on stage during a People’s Party election campaign event in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat speaks on stage during a People’s Party election campaign event in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Economics

‘Bitter fruits’: why the Philippines faces a 10-year climb to fix its schools

Its ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget might not be enough to close long-standing gaps, experts say.

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Politics

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

4

Economics

How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on

While the zone has attracted sizeable investment since its launch last year, experts call for better coordination to ensure seamless operations.

Singaporean urban farming company Archisen is expanding its operations in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Photo: Archisen

Health & Environment

Did shelved anti-disaster scheme lead to Philippines’ flood control woes?

The NOAH project, which ran daily from 2012 to 2016, helped the Philippines avoid ‘mass casualties in one place affected by a hazard’.

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Submerged houses and farmlands in Cagayan province, north of Manila, in November 2025, due to heavy rains brought about by Super Typhoon Fung-wong. Photo: AFP
Submerged houses and farmlands in Cagayan province, north of Manila, in November 2025, due to heavy rains brought about by Super Typhoon Fung-wong. Photo: AFP

Politics

Viral lies: AI deepfakes hijack reality in Nepal’s election run-up

From fake fist-fights to made-up arrests, AI-generated clips are confusing voters in a nation where just 31 per cent are digitally literate.

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People

Groomed at 15: Indonesian actress lays bare her stolen youth in viral memoir

Aurelie Moeremans’ book has sparked a national debate in Indonesia on how a teenager could be manipulated and abused in plain sight.

Politics

‘Resilience’ is Indonesia’s new foreign policy buzzword, but is it just rhetoric?

Analysts warn the vague concept lacks a long-term strategy and risks Jakarta drifting from its non-aligned values into transactional deals.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets in 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Photo: dpa

Lifestyle & Culture

Has Japan’s tourism peaked? Row with China set to slow arrivals from record high

A major travel firm says tourist arrivals in Japan are expected to fall this year from a record 42.7 million in 2025.

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People walk along Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Tokyo. The number of tourist arrivals in Japan rose by 15.8 per cent to a record 42.7 million last year. Photo: EPA
People walk along Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Tokyo. The number of tourist arrivals in Japan rose by 15.8 per cent to a record 42.7 million last year. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

Welcome to the black parade: how Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is reviving 2000s music

From My Chemical Romance to Blue, early-2000s acts are selling out venues across the region as younger fans seek raw, emotional music.

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People

3 children accused of setting man on fire in Thailand for a video

The suspects, aged just nine to 15, allegedly doused the sleeping man in liquid and filmed him as the flames erupted.

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Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

5
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP

Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

A woman shops at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is bracing itself for a surge in shipments of American poultry. Photo: Reuters
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Duterte vs ICC: judges reject ‘unfit’ plea, set date for drug war case

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Rodrigo Duterte addresses troops during the Armed Forces’ 82nd anniversary in Quezon City in December 2017. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

‘No other option’: Indonesia begins returning toxic e-waste to US

Indonesian customs and environmental enforcement officers inspect discarded electronic equipment seized from containers at Batu Ampar port in Batam in October. Photo: Batam Customs

Politics

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) welcoming Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at New Delhi airport on January 19. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asia

At least 18 dead after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

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Coastguards attend to the survivors of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in waters off Basilan province on Monday. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP

People

Corruption suspect’s wheelchair court appearance sparks mockery in Malaysia

videocam
Former Malaysian army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan’s wife, Salwani Anuar, is escorted in a wheelchair by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers at the Kuala Lumpur Court on January 22. She and her husband are facing multiple charges under Malaysia’s anti-money-laundering law. Photo: EPA
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OPINION
William Choong,Joanne Lin

Asian Angle | What a US-China ‘grand bargain’ would mean for Southeast Asia

William Choong
Joanne Lin
Jean Iau

Singapore’s opposition chief debate draws comparisons with Westminster system

Jean Iau
Lee Hwok-Aun

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s PM term limits could backfire unless election cycles are set

Chandran Nair

Asian Angle | China has a worthy blueprint to improve the UN. Why is the West ignoring it?

Chandran Nair
8
Iman Muttaqin Yusof

‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

Iman Muttaqin Yusof
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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
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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