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This Week in Asia /

Lifestyle & Culture

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A view of Kuala Lumpur’s city skyline. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Why Malaysia’s push for 15 million Muslim tourists is no sure thing

With disruption to long-haul flights, Malaysia may not draw more Muslim visitors at the expense of the travel hubs in Dubai and Doha.

The Philippines

Philippine Roblox ban call sparks wider debate over children’s online safety

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Singapore

Can Singapore’s new anti-scam rules help stop online fraud before it occurs?

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Japan

Bears and pest control: how Japan is spending its departure tax windfall

Critics say the funds are being channelled into projects with limited direct benefit to travellers and question how the money is being spent.

A sign warning of bears is seen at the start of a hiking trail in Nikko, Japan, in July. Photo: AFP
A sign warning of bears is seen at the start of a hiking trail in Nikko, Japan, in July. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s future island plan stirs concern over reefs and old fishing grounds

The plan to merge three islands could be another example of nature, memory and maritime heritage giving way to development, activists say.

Malaysia

Anwar’s call for creative freedom clashes with Malaysia’s censorship reality

The prime minister’s remarks come after Malaysia’s top court upheld a ban on the independent film ‘Mentega Terbang’ last month.

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South Korea

South Korea’s exam cheats upgrade to AI-powered smart glasses

Five exam cheats caught in eight weeks are forcing South Korea into a regulatory overhaul.

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Seniors sit for a nationwide mock test on their scholastic abilities at a classroom of a high school in Seoul last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Seniors sit for a nationwide mock test on their scholastic abilities at a classroom of a high school in Seoul last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

Can Singapore’s latest pro-family push change minds on parenthood?

Some parents and experts have welcomed the new measures, but say career, housing and time concerns remain unaddressed.

Malaysia

Islamic university sacks professor who claimed Malays could fly

Solehah Yaacob went viral with her pseudo-history claims. She is fighting against her dismissal.

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Thailand

Nene Royal: the Thai teen rocker taking America’s Got Talent by storm

The self-taught guitar prodigy has come a long way from Phuket market performances as she prepares for her biggest stage yet.

Thai teen rocker Nene Royal performs on America’s Got Talent. Photo: YouTube/AGT
Singapore

Singapore relaxes screening of dialect films after Dear You film spurs debate

Speaking at the National Day Rally, PM Lawrence Wong says the easing comes with the prerequisite that a Mandarin-dubbed version is available.

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People take photos with a billboard of the Chinese film “Dear You” during its premiere in Singapore on June 17. Photo: Xinhua
People take photos with a billboard of the Chinese film “Dear You” during its premiere in Singapore on June 17. Photo: Xinhua
Thailand

Bites to bytes: Thai street food app feeds into hunger for authenticity

The Thai Street Gold Star app lists approved vendors, shows menus and gives users directions to each stall.

Singapore

‘No bandwidth left’: why many Singaporeans want to be child-free

‘Unless Singapore changes its work culture, no amount of money can change our minds,’ a resident says.

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Malaysia

‘Is this China?’: Malaysian preacher under fire over Chinese festival remarks

Ridhuan Tee Abdullah publicly questioned why a Hungry Ghost Festival banner was in Chinese rather than Malay.

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Paper money being burned during Hungry Ghost Festival. Photo: Getty Images
Singapore

Shoving incident in Singapore over man patting girl’s head stirs heated debate

Some defend the man for his ‘friendly gesture’ commonly practised by the elderly, while another says he should ‘stay in your lane’.

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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
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
South Korea

Does K-pop need the Grammys? BTS’ boycott reignites debate

BTS’ decision has forced Asian pop artists to weigh Grammy recognition against the risk of being boxed in.

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Singapore

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

Likie Low’s playlist at Tomorrowland wove Singapore train announcements and bird calls together with electronic dance music.

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Thailand

Bling gamble: how Southeast Asia’s middle class is redefining luxury

Instalments and resales are helping customers from Bangkok to Jakarta bridge the gap between aspiration and affordability.

Illustration: Kevin Wong
Illustration: Kevin Wong
Malaysia

Malaysian F1 fans vent fury over sales process, organisers cite ‘high traffic’

The Sepang International Circuit is hosting the race for the first time since 2017 as the Bahrain leg was cancelled due to the Iran war.

Singapore

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.

South Korea

‘Too backward’: why South Korean football is struggling for loyalty

Observers say the K League has fallen short of the standards European clubs have set for quality, spectacle and emotional connection.

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Korean fans wearing European club jerseys take photos in front of the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, ahead of the friendly match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. Photo: David D. Lee
Singapore

AI zombie video on Singapore’s National Day sparks talk on filmmaking’s future

The creator behind the short video, Bersama Majulah, stresses that the ‘soul of the work’ is written by humans.

A scene from Bersama Majulah, a video created with human input and artificial intelligence, was shown on Singapore’s National Day on Sunday. Photo: Edenstone
A scene from Bersama Majulah, a video created with human input and artificial intelligence, was shown on Singapore’s National Day on Sunday. Photo: Edenstone
Malaysia

Not ‘Mat Rempit’: Malaysia’s RX-Z riders fight for community’s reputation

Enthusiasts of the discontinued motorcycle say they are ‘more relaxed’ about racing and prioritise safety rather than chasing fame or money.

The Philippines

Silent film: Philippines’ ‘Spider-Man’ screening reveals deaf inclusion gap

While several laws have been passed to help the deaf community, advocates say they remain limited in scope and implementation.

South Korea

South Korean football faces ‘whistles in favour’ foreign referee sex scandal

In response, a South Korean football official refers to ‘unpleasant incidents 15 years ago’ and that the body now ‘strictly’ follows rules.

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A football friendly match between South Korea and Honduras in Daegu stadium in 2018. Photo: Reuters
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