This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
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the Asian angle
Malaysia
Trump’s dance, Najib’s 1MDB saga, influencer case: Malaysia leads Asean in 2025
The country hosts the region’s biggest event, sees a new twist in the 1MDB scandal and is at a critical political juncture.
27 Dec 2025 - 1:00PM
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Singapore
Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania
27 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM
Myanmar
‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora
27 Dec 2025 - 12:50PM
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Indonesia
Power, protests and policy shake-ups shape Indonesia’s 2025
President Prabowo Subianto asserts his authority as he navigates the global stage and domestic challenges in his first full year in office.
26 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto closed the year on firm footing despite challenges in his first full year in office. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga
The ruling comes after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.
26 Dec 2025 - 11:31PM
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South Korea
Yoon faces 10-year jail term in South Korea over first of 4 failed coup trials
During a hearing, Yoon appears tense and laughs in disbelief as special prosecutors present the charges in his first trial.
26 Dec 2025 - 6:26PM
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Israel
Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon
With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.
26 Dec 2025 - 2:34PM
Flags flutter in front of the Arrow 3 air defence system in Annaburg, Germany. Photo: Reuters
North Korea
‘Maximum deterrence’: why North Korea just revealed its new nuclear submarine
The unprecedented transparency from the normally secretive country shows a shift in North Korean defence strategy, analysts say.
26 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Malaysia
With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?
The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.
25 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM
The Philippines
Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case
While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.
25 Dec 2025 - 2:53PM
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Singapore
Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms
Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.
25 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM
A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren
The Philippines
Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’
Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.
24 Dec 2025 - 5:55PM
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Malaysia
Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’
The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.
24 Dec 2025 - 4:57PM
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South Korea
Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan
The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.
24 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Malaysia
Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition
A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.
23 Dec 2025 - 4:48PM
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP
South Korea
South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move
The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.
23 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM
India
India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest
India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.
23 Dec 2025 - 11:41AM
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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict
Malaysia: Cambodia, Thailand set for Christmas Eve truce talks after Asean push
The breakthrough was quickly threatened as Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing border provinces with F-16s just hours later.
22 Dec 2025 - 9:16PM
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Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan speaks at an Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July. On Monday, he said the bloc had a responsibility to help find a solution to the Cambodia–Thailand conflict. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
Malaysian court blocks Najib’s bid for house arrest
Monday’s decision keeps the former prime minister behind bars as he awaits the outcome of the far larger 1MDB case on Friday.
22 Dec 2025 - 6:40PM
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India
‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few
Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.
22 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Australia
Bondi Beach attack sparks global misinformation crisis, and AI-driven hate
A leading counterterrorism expert warns that ‘agentic AI’ and political point-scoring are fuelling a toxic symbiosis between extremists.
21 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM
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The Philippines
‘Medical pork’ row exposes political grip over Philippine health assistance
Doctors and health groups say the system allows politicians to influence who receives state medical aid, undermining universal care.
20 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM
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Doctors and health groups in the Philippines said the “medical pork” system allows politicians to influence who receives state medical aid. Photo: Shutterstock
US-ally trade wars
Mexico’s 50% tariff shock shuts Asia’s North American trade bypass
A tariff wall will soon separate protected partners like CPTPP members Singapore and Malaysia from exporters facing a shutout.
20 Dec 2025 - 1:30PM
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Thailand
Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount
Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.
21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM
Singapore
Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row
The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.
19 Dec 2025 - 9:08PM
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