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Corruption in Asia

Corruption in Asia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Corruption in Asia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Nadiem Makarim (R), Indonesia’s former education minister and co-founder of ride hailing company Gojek, arrives for a verdict hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court in Jakarta on June 30, 2026, in a corruption case related to the procurement of Chromebook laptops for schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. Judges found him guilty of corruption, sentencing him to 10 years in prison. The court also ordered Nadiem to pay a fine of 1 billion rupiah ($55,850) and 809 billion rupiah (more than $45 million) in restitution, or serve an additional prison term. (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP)
Google

Video | Gojek founder gets 10-year sentence in corruption case

Nadiem Makarim was ordered to return over 800 billion rupiah (US$45 million) in addition to pay a 1 billion rupiah fine in what rights activists call a politically motivated case.

India

India’s ruling party risks being sucked into temple donation probe row

Indonesia

Does Gojek co-founder’s guilty verdict test Indonesia’s investor climate?

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Seoul

Video | South Korean ex-first lady gets 7 years for bribery

Kim was already serving a four-year sentence for corruption charges.

epa12918421 Supporters of former first lady Kim Keon-Hee hold up Kim's pictures as they rally outside Seoul High Court in Seoul, South Korea, 28 April 2026. An appeals court sentenced former-first lady Kim Keon-Hee to between 20 months and four years in prison on 28 April. She was indicted on charges of stock manipulation, bribery, and other corruption. EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN
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South Korea

South Korean ex-first lady Kim Keon-hee gets 7 years in jail for bribery

Kim was found guilty of accepting ‘high-value precious metals’ in exchange for favours in personnel appointments.

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Malaysia

Elephants’ transfer to Japan sparks Malaysia’s corruption inquiry

A whistle-blower claims that millions of dollars are linked to several individuals and the government did not receive the money from the move.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka arrests son of ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa for corruption

Yoshitha Rajapaksa is accused of tapping state funds for overseas training during his career as a naval officer.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa arrives at the Hulftsdorp Chief Magistrate’s Court in Colombo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Israel

After US-Iran deal, Netanyahu says he will run in coming Israeli elections

‘I am going to run … and intend to win,’ said the Israeli PM, who has come under fire from the opposition over his wartime leadership.

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Malaysia

‘No further action’ as Malaysia ends probe into ex-anti-corruption chief

Businessman Albert Tei slams ‘double standards’ after prosecutors say the complaint did not ‘meet the legal threshold’ for further action.

The Philippines

Video | Philippine senator accused of corruption turns himself in

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has strongly denied allegations that he received more than 570 million pesos (US$9.3 million) in kickbacks.

Philippine Senator Jose "Jinggoy" ⁠Estrada waves at the Philippine National Police headquarters after surrendering to the police over a graft case, in Quezon City, Philippines, June 1, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
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The Philippines

Philippine lawmaker charged with corruption to surrender

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has strongly denied allegations that he received more than 570 million pesos (US$9.3 million) in kickbacks.

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Philippine Senator Jinggoy Estrada (right) is escorted by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (left), as Estrada leaves the Senate to surrender to police authorities, in Metro Manila, on Monday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Philippine lawmaker surrenders, posts bail after court orders his arrest

This will allow Senator Jinggoy Estrada to remain free while the corruption case against him proceeds.

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The Philippines

Philippine senator ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada faces arrest on corruption charges

He has been indicted for plunder and violating anti-corruption laws after earning ‘kickbacks’ of 573 million pesos (US$9.3 million).

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Indonesia

From Harvard to handcuffs: why Gojek founder’s trial alarms Indonesians abroad

As Nadiem Makarim stares down an 18-year prison term, Indonesians abroad are asking whether public service back home is a legal liability.

Nadiem Makarim (right) enters the courtroom for his trial hearing in Jakarta on May 13. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysian ex-ministers resign from Anwar’s party, snap election rumoured

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from cabinet last year after losing leadership posts in internal party elections.

Malaysia’s Rafizi Ramli (left) with People’s Justice Party figures, including Malaysia's current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (second from right), after Anwar’s election to party president in 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysian police probe reports of Jho Low’s secret 1MDB meetings in Kuala Lumpur

An online portal news portal quoted sources as claiming that Low attended the meetings under the protection of the Chinese delegation.

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Malaysia

Anwar says Malaysia won’t support Jho Low’s Trump pardon bid

The Malaysian businessman, indicted in the US, has denied wrongdoing but remains at large.

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Malaysia

High stakes, low odds: why Trump pardon is unlikely for 1MDB’s Jho Low

The request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial or accepted responsibility, analysts say.

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Jho Low poses for a photo at his Jynwel Capital office in Hong Kong on March 11, 2015. Photo: SCMP
Malaysia

‘Low profile’ ex-judge takes over Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency

Abdul Halim Aman, 69, takes the reins at a turbulent time for the MACC. ‘He has a difficult job ahead’, one analyst says.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Malaysia has a new anti-corruption chief. What it doesn’t have yet is a clear answer to the questions that dogged the old one.

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Malaysia

New database tracks shifting outcomes of Malaysia’s political corruption cases

The Prosecutorial Accountability Watch database is an attempt to make sense of a justice system clouded by ‘double standards’.

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Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison guards at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in December 2025. Photo: Reuters
Sri Lanka

Ex-SriLankan Airlines head in US$16 million Airbus corruption case found dead

Kapila Chandrasena was arrested in March on charges of conspiring to accept a US$16 million bribe for the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft.

A SriLankan Airlines plane takes off from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on September 13, 2022. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia seeks to charge 2 over US$278 million Arm semiconductor deal

Ex-economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who is questioned by the MACC, previously pitched the deal as key to the Malaysian chip sector’s future.

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Malaysia

Art of the steal: Malaysia unveils recovered 1MDB masterpieces

A Picasso and a Miro are among four works on show, representing a fraction of the US$4.5 billion looted from Malaysia’s 1MDB fund.

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South Korea

South Korean judge in Kim Keon-hee’s appeals trial found dead days after verdict

Shin Jong-oh, who was found with severe injuries on the ground near the Seoul High Court, had a suicide note in his pocket, police say.

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People watch a live TV broadcast of Kim Keon-hee’s appeals trial, presided over by Shin Jong-oh, at Seoul Station on April 28. Photo: Yonhap/EPA
Malaysia

What’s happening with Malaysia’s ‘corporate mafia’ probe? Minister wants updates

The government has ordered authorities to look into claims that a group of businessmen was colluding with MACC officials to oust executives.

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Around 200 protesters march through central Kuala Lumpur to rally against MACC chief Azam Baki on April 25. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Malaysia

In Malaysia, Anwar’s former ally Rafizi Ramli grilled over Arm chip deal

The MACC is investigating power abuse claims and irregularities linked to the alliance between the economy ministry and the UK chip designer.

South Korea

South Korean court increases ex-first lady’s corruption sentence to 4 years

The court also imposed a US$47,000 fine on Kim after finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.

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