This Week in Asia /

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Malaysian lawyers protest against a delay in appointing the country’s top judges near the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Monday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia to seek lawyers’ views as anger over judge selection process mounts

With the judiciary facing a severe shortage soon, lawyers are concerned about potential political interference to fill the vacancies.

Malaysia

Anwar’s big surprise? Malaysians sceptical over ‘tribute’ teaser post

The Philippines

How a scam network evolved after a nationwide crackdown in the Philippines

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s PKR in bind over judicial crisis, Anwar’s daughter at protest march

Nurul Izzah’s presence at the march goes against party line, is an ‘implicit rebuke’ of Anwar’s position on the crisis, says lawmaker Rafizi Ramli.

Police officers stand guard at the entrance to the prime minister’s Office as lawyers and trainee lawyers march from the Palace of Justice during the “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence” in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Police officers stand guard at the entrance to the prime minister’s Office as lawyers and trainee lawyers march from the Palace of Justice during the “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence” in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
North Korea

Lavrov in North Korea: a sign Russia urgently needs more of Kim’s troops?

Moscow’s top diplomat capped a flurry of high-level visits to North Korea in search of more ‘allies willing to bleed’, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysia imposes trade permits for US-linked AI chip shipments

Latest move comes with Kuala Lumpur facing 25 per cent tariffs announced by US leader Donald Trump.

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Malaysia

‘Not welcome here’: Malaysia lashes out at ‘Zionist’ US envoy pick Nick Adams

Critics have blasted as an ‘insult’ the push to appoint a self-styled ‘Alpha Male’ known for his Islamophobic tirades as US ambassador.

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Nick Adams, the Trump administration’s pick for US ambassador to Malaysia, has repeatedly made headlines in his adopted homeland for his inflammatory remarks. Photo: Instagram/nickaone
Nick Adams, the Trump administration’s pick for US ambassador to Malaysia, has repeatedly made headlines in his adopted homeland for his inflammatory remarks. Photo: Instagram/nickaone
Japan

Japan ‘needs Abe’: political turmoil sparks nostalgia for former prime minister

On the third anniversary of his assassination, the former prime minister’s legacy continues to loom large over the struggling ruling party.

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China-Australia relations

China trade or Philippine defence ties? Why Australia attempts to balance both

While seeking stable ties with its largest trading partner, Australia must also ‘maintain credibility as a regional stabiliser’, analysts say.

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Azerbaijan

From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power

The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (right) with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting on the sidelines of the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Azerbaijan on July 4. Photo: Azerbaijani Presidential Press Office/AP
The Philippines

Filipino film that China wanted to cancel wins at New Zealand festival

‘You can cancel a screening, but you cannot cancel a story whose time has come,’ ‘Food Delivery’ director Baby Ruth Villarama says.

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A still from “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea”. Photo: Voyage Studios
A still from “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea”. Photo: Voyage Studios
South Korea

‘Grooming’: uproar over student-teacher ‘romance’ forces K-drama off the air

The TV drama in which a teacher falls for her 12-year-old pupil was meant to arouse curiosity. Instead, it ignited a firestorm of criticism.

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South Korea

US officer urges closer South Korea-Japan defence ties amid North threat

Visit by General Dan Caine, top US military officer, comes amid growing calls in Washington for South Korea to shoulder more defence costs.

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Australia

In US-China tug of war, Australia puts itself first

With one eye on the past and the other on the Asia-Pacific’s future, Australia’s prime minister is championing sovereignty in an uncertain age.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Asean

Fulfil ‘wish list’ for peace before holding election, Asean urges Myanmar junta

Asean foreign ministers continue to urge implementation of the Five-Point Consensus despite the junta’s refusal to cooperate.

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Southeast Asian foreign ministers pose for a group photo ahead of the plenary session of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, 2025. From left: Thailand’s Maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam’s Bui Thanh Son, Malaysia’s Mohamad Hasan, the Philippines’ Theresa Lazaro, Brunei’s Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn and Myanmar’s representative Kyaw Nyun Oo. Photo: EPA
Southeast Asian foreign ministers pose for a group photo ahead of the plenary session of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9, 2025. From left: Thailand’s Maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam’s Bui Thanh Son, Malaysia’s Mohamad Hasan, the Philippines’ Theresa Lazaro, Brunei’s Erywan Yusof, Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn and Myanmar’s representative Kyaw Nyun Oo. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Barking up wrong tree? Indonesian police’s robot use criticised for wrong focus

The police displayed RoboCop-style robots, robot tanks and robodogs to President Prabowo Subianto at their anniversary parade last week.

Singapore

Is Singapore key for the US to fight against China as Tammy Duckworth says?

At a Senate hearing, Duckworth chides Anjani Sinha, Donald Trump’s pick as ambassador to Singapore, for his ignorance of the city state.

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Japan

‘Pattern emerging’: is China intentionally provoking Japan with close fly-bys?

Such moves signal to Japan that China is willing to monitor and challenge Japanese activities in areas it considers to be its territory, analysts warn.

A Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flying close to a Japan Air Self-Defence Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft on surveillance over the high seas in the East China Sea on July 9. Photo: Japan’s Ministry of Defence / AFP
A Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber flying close to a Japan Air Self-Defence Force YS-11EB intelligence-gathering aircraft on surveillance over the high seas in the East China Sea on July 9. Photo: Japan’s Ministry of Defence / AFP
The Philippines

No more Alice Guos? Philippine lawmaker seeks new law against fake citizenship

Sherwin Gatchalian says the bill is a priority for Congress to pass, but analysts warn Manila must tackle patronage politics as well.

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Asean

Malaysia warns bilateral talks only avenue for Asean to negotiate US tariffs

All but two Asean states were served with tariff letters from Trump earlier this week, with Vietnam the bloc’s only member to secure a trade deal.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s fighter jet deal to ‘quietly’ boost South China Sea defences

The jets are part of a close, ‘under the radar’ US-Malaysia defence partnership, even as Kuala Lumpur continues engaging China positively, analysts say.

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A US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off. 16. Washington has approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets from Kuwait. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan vows resistance to US tariffs, raising fears of lasting rift in alliance

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called it ‘a battle for our national interests’ as analysts warn of economic and security fallout.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, raises his fist after delivering a speech in the southwestern Japan city of Kagoshima on Monday. Photo: Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, raises his fist after delivering a speech in the southwestern Japan city of Kagoshima on Monday. Photo: Kyodo
Malaysia

Trump’s Hooters-loving Malaysia ambassador pick worries Asean diplomats

Nick Adams, who rallied actively for Trump at the 2024 US election, has drawn controversy over his misogynistic remarks and brash nature.

Brics

The Brics paradox: expanding influence, patchwork progress

It has condemned tariffs and military strikes on Iran, but analysts say Brics’ true test is in moving beyond rhetoric to deliver results.

Asean

Rubio assures Malaysia has more time to negotiate US tariffs, Anwar says

Rubio reiterates to Anwar that Malaysia remains an important US partner and Washington is keen to boost cooperation with Asean.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Prime Minister’s Office in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Photo: Pool via Reuters
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