This Week in Asia /

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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
Asean

Asean leaders renew call to revive stalled peace plan for Myanmar

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

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Indonesia

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

Singapore

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

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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

Asean accuses Israel of ‘openly committing genocide’, demands end to Gaza war

The bloc wants the US and others to end the war swiftly and says Israel has carried out relentless assaults in Gaza with impunity.

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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
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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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.

Representatives of Brics members, partner countries and guests pose for a group photo at the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
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
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
Singapore

‘Do some homework’: Trump’s Singapore ambassador pick fails Senate grilling

Anjani Sinha has drawn online backlash for fumbling his responses to Thai-American Senator Tammy Duckworth.

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Malaysia

Mahathir turns 100, still shaping Malaysia’s political landscape

The former prime minister’s work ethic ‘puts many to shame’, his honorary ‘grandson’ Syed Saddiq says.

Thailand

Thai man walks 30km barefoot to put fish sauce on picture of Cambodia’s Hun Sen

Thewa Sritawan, 69, was angry about Cambodia’s actions during a border clash with Thailand and walked 30km to Bangkok to stage his protest.

Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen pictured in 2016. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Singapore politicians lead sold-out durian tours to Malaysia as peak season hits

With itineraries featuring all-you-can-eat fruit buffets, the trips are a popular way for members of parliament to thank constituents.

People’s Action Party MP Ng Chee Meng enjoys a durian-filled day trip to Johor with residents from his Jalan Kayu constituency. Photo: Instagram / ng.chee.meng
People’s Action Party MP Ng Chee Meng enjoys a durian-filled day trip to Johor with residents from his Jalan Kayu constituency. Photo: Instagram / ng.chee.meng
South Korea

South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol back behind bars over martial law decree

After a gruelling seven-hour hearing, a court issued a detention warrant for the ex-president, citing concerns he could destroy evidence.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar to confront Rubio over US tariffs amid fears about 25% levy

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending an Asean summit – his first official visit to the region since Donald Trump’s return.

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The Philippines

Old but still gold? What Philippines can gain from Japan’s used warships

Factors such as maintenance costs and system upgrades will determine the true value of the Abukuma-class vessels’ transfer, analysts say.

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Abukuma-class destroyer escorts. Japan has offered six of the warships to the Philippine Navy. Photo: Handout
Abukuma-class destroyer escorts. Japan has offered six of the warships to the Philippine Navy. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific

Analysts say the advanced fighter jet’s deployment shows Manila’s deep integration into US deterrence planning in the region.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Rosmah wins US$23,600 damages over black magic claims by TikTokker

The presiding judge says Rosmah Mansor’s previous corruption conviction should not affect the damages awarded to her in the defamation case.

Malaysia

Malaysia seeks urgent trade talks with US after 25% tariff blow

Trump suggested tariffs could be lifted if Malaysia shifts manufacturing to the US. Malaysia says it wants a ‘mutually beneficial’ deal.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Sunday’s Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: AFP
Asean

Will Myanmar block East Timor’s Asean entry? The junta draws a red line

Myanmar’s military regime is attempting to block East Timor’s accession over its engagement with the ousted National Unity Government.

East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao gestures as he arrives to attend a gala dinner during an Asean summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao gestures as he arrives to attend a gala dinner during an Asean summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
Japan

With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda loans can be a ‘bargaining chip’ to make bilateral ties stronger and allow China to show it can be a regional leader, analysts say.

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India

India’s global clout in doubt after failing to sway SCO, Quad on Pakistan

SCO did not mention the militant attack in Pahalgam at its recent meeting, while the Quad’s statement on the incident excluded Pakistan.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s judicial crisis: Anwar’s party members want him to ‘clear the air’

Former ministers Rafizi and Nik Nazmi are calling for royal and parliamentary inquiries into the alleged irregularities.

Rafizi Ramli (front, centre) and eight other PKR lawmakers have called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to explain the delay in appointing two top Malaysian judges. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli
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