appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

The kings in Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Brunei have to be attuned to societal or economic changes to survive, analysts say.
2. ‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

A new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey has raised questions in New Delhi over whether Islamabad could use the agreement to build wider security ties with Muslim-majority countries in India’s neighbourhood, analysts have said.
3. South Korean star Ha Young sorry for row over ancestor’s pro-Japanese ties

A South Korean actress has apologised for the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese ties during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, a day after calling the accusations “groundless”.
4. How a new UK law left overseas medical students ‘completely stranded’

A rule change has upended expectations that a Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia degree could offer graduates a pathway to practising medicine in Britain.
5. Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands

Owners say they face hurdles including stiff competition, rising costs and a lack of desire from their children to take over the business.
6. PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition

Malaysia’s foremost Islamist party has set an early pace ahead of national polls, calling on the country’s Malay-Muslim majority to endorse its renewed efforts to broaden the reach of sharia law.
7. Shoving incident in Singapore over man patting girl’s head stirs heated debate

A simple pat on a child’s head has sparked debate in Singapore after an elderly man was shoved to the ground by a girl’s father.


How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

China embraces ‘Grandpa Cute’; policewoman probed over uniform dance: 5 weekend reads you missed

The death of Zhu Rongji, China’s economic reformer

China tests canal link to Southeast Asia; rocket failure concerns: SCMP’s 7 highlights

SCMP Highlights

World’s longest-reigning living monarch, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, returns a salute during his 80th birthday celebrations at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 15. Photo: Reuters

The Malaysian king, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (centre), attends his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur in 2024. Photo: Reuters

Pakistani people and students hold flags to celebrate the Pakistan-Saudi Arab-Turkish joint defence pact on Monday. Photo: EPA

South Korean actors Jung Hae-in (left) and Ha Young in a still from Netflix’s “Our Sticky Love”. Photo: Netflix

Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia. Photo: Google Maps

Ramasamy Vellasamy has been running a provision shop on the ground floor of a housing block in northern Singapore since 1986. Photo: Kolette Lim

Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party supporters wave PAS flags in Kelantan ahead of the 2022 general election. Photo: Shutterstock

A 73-year-old man, Yeo Song Khoon, is seen patting a girl’s head at a food court in Roxy Square in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Instagram/being1ton

Can Indonesia build on rising EV demand to become a production powerhouse?

A charging dock at a public electric vehicle charging station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, in November 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his annual state of the nation address in parliament on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Visitors examine a Honda Super-One EV during the Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang, Indonesia, on July 30. Photo: AP

Smoke rises at a nickel processing and smelting hub in North Maluku, Indonesia. Photo: AFP

Is Philippines’ aim to become an arms exporter like India overly ambitious?

The Indian Army’s BrahMos missile launcher on display during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. Photo: Reuters

Philippine troops participate in counter-landing live‑fire exercises during the Balikatan joint drills with the US in Barangay Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, in April. Photo: Reuters

Philippine navy personnel and China coastguard members clash near a grounded Philippine warship at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in July. Photo: cnsphoto/Reuters

News

Asia

From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting


From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.


How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

1. How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting