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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.
Police officers march during Vietnam’s National Day celebrations in Hanoi last year. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

Vietnam arrests deputy minister over probe into huge bribes

Tran Van Thuan’s arrest comes as police investigate a scheme involving ‘smuggling’ and reselling of medical equipment at inflated prices.

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Malaysia

Former Malaysian minister arrested in state haj fund corruption probe

The Philippines

Marcos’ singing clip strikes wrong chord in flood-hit Philippines

South Korea

South Korea’s Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja jailed 2 years for bribing officials

Han is accused of giving luxury items to former first lady Kim Keon-hee and providing illegal funds to a prominent lawmaker.

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja arrived for the sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Ismail Sabri denies failing to declare millions in cash, gold bars

The prosecution claims the former prime minister did not disclose about US$40 million in assets to the anti-corruption agency.

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The Philippines

Philippine retailers tweak recipe to feed consumer demand for cheaper goods

Companies are switching ingredients, rethinking expansion and staggering price increases as inflation and a weak peso stress budgets.

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Malaysia

Are Malaysian Muslims less corrupt? PAS leader skewered over divisive politics

Critics demand evidence from Abdul Hadi Awang as official bribery data shows mixed results.

PAS supporters gather outside an election nomination centre in Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2018. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Philippine flood-control scandal resurfaces after latest monsoon deluge

The controversy is again haunting President Marcos as flooded communities see little progress from his promised anti-corruption push.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky fires top aide as office faces corruption investigation

Investigators have identified a group of people alleged to have laundered US$3.4 million to pay bail for a defendant in a major corruption case.

Pakistan

Court orders Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan moved from jail to hospital

The 73-year-old, in jail since 2023 on corruption charges, will be shifted to Shifa International Hospital for medical checks.

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan at his residence in Lahore in May 2023. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysian police probe vote-buying claims ahead of Negeri Sembilan state poll

One man told police a group of men handed him US$74 in cash to vote for a particular candidate in Saturday’s election.

Pakatan Harapan supporters listen to a Negeri Sembilan candidate's speech on July 23. Photo: Facebook/pakatanharapan.my
The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos offers relief, but no clear way to pay, in national address

He vowed tax cuts, cheaper rice and corruption cases against “big fish”, but critics questioned how his government would fund the pledges.

South Korea

Guilty verdict leaves South Korea’s top conservative ‘a wounded lame duck’

A campaign finance conviction threatens to end Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s presidential ambitions, just weeks after winning a fifth term.

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Malaysia

Malaysian court acquits BN politician’s widow Zizie Izette after 7-year legal battle

The former actress had been accused of abetting her late husband, BN politician Bung Moktar Radin, in an alleged US$685,000 bribery case.

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Senior BN politican Bung Moktar Radin. Photo: Umno
Attorney General’s Office (Indonesia)

Video | Indonesia’s top corruption prosecutor suspected of graft

Authorities found 74kg (160lbs) of gold and more than US$15 million in the home of Febrie Adriansyah, who until last week led the country’s Special Crimes Divisions.

Corruption prosecutor suspected of graft
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Indonesia

What happens when Indonesia’s top corruption buster is suspected of graft himself?

Police seized 74kg of gold and US$15 million in cash linked to Febrie Adriansyah, who until last week headed the Special Crimes Division.

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North Korea

A purge among North Korean generals – and why Kim wants everyone to see

As the army’s economic roles grow, Kim Jong-un seeks to remind the generals who really holds power in Pyongyang.

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Malaysia

Threat of Najib pardon gives Malaysian coalition new battle cry in Johor poll

A win for BN is a sign that Johoreans still love Najib, his son says, in a remark that has stirred up the spectre of 1MDB again.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak, jailed for corruption in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, is escorted by prison guards at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia denies 1MDB fugitive Jho Low entered country with Chinese delegation

Deputy Finance Minister Liew rejected reports of Low secretly arriving in Malaysia last year for 1MDB talks.

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Malaysia

Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardon

Low is among 250 people that US President Donald Trump may pardon as part of celebrations to mark America’s 250th Independence Day.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s free meals corruption probe extends to police, military officers

President Prabowo’s US$15 billion programme has been criticised for budget strains and cases of food poisoning.

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A student carries food trays as part of the free meals programme in Bandung on June 12. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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)
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India

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

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya fulfils a decades-old campaign spearheaded by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

Indonesia

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

Ex-education minister Nadiem Makarim has been sentenced to 10 years’ jail for abusing his authority over the procurement of school laptops.

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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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South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee arrives at the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul last year. Photo: Reuters
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.

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