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Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki during a press conference on March 4. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia denies Anwar delayed release of MACC chief probe, plans legal action

The government says Anwar has committed to releasing the findings once related investigations are completed.

Malaysian anti-corruption body offers to pay for witness’s flight in chips probe

Malaysian minister warns of ‘very, very serious’ energy crisis

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Politics

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Army Chief Asim Munir (right) meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on September 26, 2025. Photo: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office/AFP
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Army Chief Asim Munir (right) meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on September 26, 2025. Photo: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office/AFP

Politics

Japan races to limit fallout from Chinese embassy break-in

Chinese state media seized on the breach as proof of Japan’s militarism and ‘rampant far-right ideology’.

Lifestyle & Culture

Litterbugs in Shibuya to be fined on the spot as visitor numbers surge

The initiative, which will see offenders fined US$12.50, reflects a broader rethink of the ward’s earlier decision to remove public rubbish bins.

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Economics

The Iran war could be forcing Filipinos to rely on credit cards. Here’s why

Analysts warn credit card use could increase further to partly cope with higher prices and reduced disposable incomes.

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A pedestrian reads a sign at a petrol station in Tacloban City, Leyte province, central Philippines on Monday. Photo: AFP
A pedestrian reads a sign at a petrol station in Tacloban City, Leyte province, central Philippines on Monday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Untouchable no more: Nepal to apologise to Dalits for first time

Nepal has banned caste discrimination, yet many Dalits still live in poverty. Can a formal state apology inspire change?

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People

‘Disturbing’: are Indonesia’s borders prone to systemic immigration corruption?

Some Singaporean tourists to Batam say they have paid nearly US$200 to clear entry checks that should have been free for Southeast Asian visitors.

Lifestyle & Culture

Filipino singer’s Golden Buzzer win stokes #SEAblings’ Southeast Asian pride

The reactions to his breakout moment on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ highlight how regional audiences increasingly champion one another’s artists.

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Left: ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge Simon Cowell stands next to Filipino singer Matty Juniosa after awarding Juniosa the coveted Golden Buzzer for his performance on Sunday’s episode of the talent competition. Right: Youtube comments on the video mentioning SEAbling, which is shorthand for “Southeast Asian siblings”. Photo: YouTube / Britain’s Got Talent

Economics

Malaysia raises 2026 growth forecast despite Iran war risks

Strong demand for AI semiconductors and an anticipated uptick in tourism are forecast to help the economy defy global volatility.

Tourists pose for photographs near the political slogan ‘Malaysia Madani’ (Civilised Malaysia) outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: EPA
Tourists pose for photographs near the political slogan ‘Malaysia Madani’ (Civilised Malaysia) outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: EPA

Politics

What Macron’s Tokyo visit means for an anxious Japan and its ties with France

Japan is enlisting French support amid a global energy shock and a diplomatic rupture with Beijing.

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Economics

Why are South Koreans hoarding rubbish bags from supermarkets?

The won is at a 17-year low, parliament is in damage control mode and shop shelves are being stripped clean of plastic bags.

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People

Turn up the ‘Bass’: why Bella, Syed Saddiq’s new chapter has captured Malaysia

Many Malaysians celebrate the singer’s engagement to the lawmaker, seeing it as a triumph over past heartbreak and a challenge to societal norms.

Malaysian lawmaker Syed Saddiq with singer-actress Bella Astillah. Photo: Instagram/syedsaddiq

Politics

Ahead of first Philippine visit since WWII, Japan’s past catches up with troops

Critics oppose the return of Japanese troops over Tokyo’s lack of a formal apology for the wartime abuse of Filipino ‘comfort women’.

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Philippine and Japanese aircraft patrol during a joint military exercise in February. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office / AFP
Philippine and Japanese aircraft patrol during a joint military exercise in February. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office / AFP

Economics

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

Economics

Malaysian traders warn of 50% food price surge amid energy shock

Surge in fuel prices threatens to wipe out any narrow margins and push the cost of doing business higher, trade associations say.

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Health & Environment

Burning daylight: Iran war energy shock revives Asean’s power grid plans

Oil is up, coal is back and so are fuel queues. As the Middle East burns, Southeast Asia dusts off an old plan to rewire its future.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Health & Environment

Mortal combat: Southeast Asia fights fears of death to plan for the end

Birth rates are falling. Populations are ageing. In Southeast Asia, the business of dying has never been bigger.

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Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

People

‘It’s inevitable’: Singapore’s workers brace for AI disruption

The city state wants 100,000 workers to become ‘AI bilingual’. But with entry-level roles already vanishing, time may not be on its side.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Politics

Malaysia denies Anwar delayed release of MACC chief probe, plans legal action

Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki during a press conference on March 4. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Australia and Japan face jet fuel supply crunch as China cuts exports

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Qantas is already raising airfares as Australia faces a jet fuel supply crunch amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo: AFP

Australasia

Dog lost for a week in New Zealand bush found after strangers fund search

A volunteer holds Molly (right) and Bingo at a waterfall on the Arahura River on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand on Tuesday. Photo: Precision Helicopters/AP

Politics

Malaysian anti-corruption body offers to pay for witness’s flight in chips probe

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency is seeking the help of former government aide James Chai as a witness over a US$250 million deal with Arm Holdings. Photo: Facebook/James Chai
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OPINION
Marianne Hanson

Opinion | One rule for Israel and another for Iran risks nuclear disaster

Marianne Hanson
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Francis C. Domingo

Asian Angle | The Philippine military must transform, not just modernise

Francis C. Domingo
Ian Storey

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

Ian Storey
Syaza Shukri

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s LGBTQ crackdowns aren’t hypocrisy, they’re politics

Syaza Shukri
Barbora Valockova

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

Barbora Valockova
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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
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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