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Malaysian politics
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
the Asian angle
Singapore
Thailand
South China Sea
Screens display the logo of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, and its founder Elon Musk. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia blocks Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot over AI porn concerns

Becoming the first government to bar access to Musk’s AI tool, Indonesia condemned non-consensual deepfakes as a human rights violation.

Malaysia

System failure at Malaysia-Singapore border leaves thousands stranded

The Philippines

As healthcare costs soar in the Philippines, are doctors’ fees to blame?

Malaysia

‘No taste’: Malaysia’s Life of Pi and Squid Game artists warn against AI rush

After viewers slammed AI-enhanced films for looking ‘cheap’, local experts warn that algorithms serve profit, not storytelling.

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“Life of Pi”, directed by Ang Lee, won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2013. Photo: 20th Century Fox
“Life of Pi”, directed by Ang Lee, won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2013. Photo: 20th Century Fox
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno seeks Najib’s pardon amid 1MDB scandal, but stay in coalition

Umno divisions demand justice for the jailed ex-PM, yet leadership rejects calls to exit unity government ahead of the annual assembly.

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The Philippines

1 killed, 38 missing after sudden garbage avalanche at Philippines landfill

Landfills and dumpsites in the Philippines have long posed safety risks, especially where poor residents scavenge for food and recyclables.

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Singapore

Could Singapore remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition?

Parliament will soon debate a motion to consider whether Singh’s ‘conviction and conduct render him unsuitable to continue’ in the role.

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Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his appeal over two charges against him was dismissed on December 4. Photo: Reuters
Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his appeal over two charges against him was dismissed on December 4. Photo: Reuters
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

US pledges millions to bolster Thailand, Cambodia truce amid Trump peace claims

Trump has listed the conflict as one of a number of wars he claims to have solved as he loudly insists he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

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The Philippines

Philippine police arrest teenager over alleged online baby sale as cases rise

Police said the teenager had posted the offer online and intended to use the money to cover her tuition.

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The Philippines

Why the Philippines is taking control of undersea cable security

The moves will help strengthen regional stability and prevent Indo-Pacific connectivity from being quietly weaponised, analysts say.

Philippine Navy personnel during a joint military exercise with Australia last year. The navy says it is exploring ways to monitor undersea cables. Photo: Facebook/Armed Forces of the Philippines
South Korea

Southeast Asia reels in buyers turfed out by Seoul’s housing crisis

Southeast Asian developers target South Koreans with luxury overseas investments, offering attractive payment plans.

Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Condominiums in the Malaysian capital offer attractive rental yields of 4 to 6 per cent. Photo: AFP
Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Condominiums in the Malaysian capital offer attractive rental yields of 4 to 6 per cent. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Soap opera in the sky: why Philippine Airlines’ safety video became a viral hit

The melodramatic Filipino teleserye-style video has racked up millions of views online by blending safety rules with storytelling.

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Malaysia

Malaysian football body risks Fifa’s takeover amid forgery scandal

Some sports fans claim that the reinstatement of FAM’s chief is ‘almost staged’ as concerns over Fifa’s next step mount.

Malaysia

Chinese tourist accused of harassing turtle, killing sea slugs in Malaysia

A fellow visitor from China called out the man’s actions during a dive in Sabah state’s Semporna.

A diving spot in Sabah, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/malaysia.travel.my
The Philippines

Philippine navy ‘up to the challenge’ of defending territory in South China Sea

Manila is banking on modern ships and global alliances to challenge China’s increasing presence in the contentious waters.

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Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
Singapore

Singapore to debate motion on Pritam Singh’s role as opposition chief

Singh’s conviction for lying to a parliamentary panel renders him unsuitable to continue in his role, leader of the House Indranee Rajah says.

Indonesia

Bali’s toughest tourism proposal yet: checking foreign visitors’ bank accounts

Bali’s governor says the plan would deter low-spending visitors, though its enforcement would face legal and practical hurdles.

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Malaysia

Malaysia drops corruption probe into PM Anwar’s deputy, Ahmad Zahid

Prosecutors cite insufficient evidence to charge Ahmad Zahid, whose party is crucial to maintaining PM Anwar’s parliamentary majority.

Ahmad Zahid leaves the High Court in September 2023, after it dismissed 47 corruption charges against him. Photo: dpa
Ahmad Zahid leaves the High Court in September 2023, after it dismissed 47 corruption charges against him. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Malaysian football body reinstates ‘only negligent’ chief over forgery scandal

Fifa has punished FAM further over the use of fake documents to let 7 foreign-born players represent Malaysia by nullifying 3 matches.

Malaysia

Malaysian military in firing line over procurement cartel claims

The detention of senior figures in the anti-corruption probe is ‘highly significant and rare’ in Malaysia’s defence history, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Uniform justice? Why Philippine military expelled a lawmaker but not VP Duterte

Sources said legal ambiguity and political risk shaped how the armed forces handled two high-profile reservist cases.

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Then Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is donned with the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command during a ceremony at Davao City Hall in February 2018. Photo: Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines
Malaysia

Fear grips Malaysian city of Klang after string of gang shootings

A former MP blames the deadly violence on a resurgence in gang wars and criminal rings recruiting young boys to protect their territory.

A man fishes in the maritime trading hub of Klang. Photo: EPA
A man fishes in the maritime trading hub of Klang. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Ankara anchor: Malaysia finds Turkey ‘reliable friend’ in stormy global waters

Trump’s tariffs and actions in Venezuela are causing the Global South to look for less mercurial partners, analysts say.

Singapore

Singapore’s ex-PM says US raid in Venezuela is worrying for small countries

The city state has always made its stance clear on such issues, such as when it opposed the US invasion of Grenada in 1983, the ex-PM says.

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Malaysia

Nearly 94% of Malaysians who renounced citizenship chose Singapore, data shows

More than 61,000 Malaysians gave up their citizenship over the last five years, with officials citing jobs and family ties as key reasons.

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A view from Singapore towards Johor Bahru in southern Malaysia, a key crossing point for Malaysians working in the city state. Photo: AFP
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