This Week in Asia /

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Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court after his appeal over two charges against him was dismissed on December 4. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Could Singapore remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition?

Parliament will soon debate a motion to consider whether Singh’s ‘conviction and conduct render him unsuitable to continue’ in the role.

Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh talks over Ganges waters may turn murky over politics, UN pact

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The Philippines

Why the Philippines is taking control of undersea cable security

The Philippines

Philippine navy ‘up to the challenge’ of defending territory in South China Sea

Manila is banking on modern ships and global alliances to challenge China’s increasing presence in the contentious waters.

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Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
Japan

Japan’s Takaichi tipped for snap election gamble as poll ratings soar

The Japanese prime minister has won plaudits at home over her tough stance towards China, but inflation remains a major voter concern.

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Malaysia

Malaysian military in firing line over procurement cartel claims

The detention of senior figures in the anti-corruption probe is ‘highly significant and rare’ in Malaysia’s defence history, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Uniform justice? Why Philippine military expelled a lawmaker but not VP Duterte

Sources said legal ambiguity and political risk shaped how the armed forces handled two high-profile reservist cases.

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Then Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is donned with the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command during a ceremony at Davao City Hall in February 2018. Photo: Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines
Then Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is donned with the rank of colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command during a ceremony at Davao City Hall in February 2018. Photo: Facebook / Armed Forces of the Philippines
Malaysia

Fear grips Malaysian city of Klang after string of gang shootings

A former MP blames the deadly violence on a resurgence in gang wars and criminal rings recruiting young boys to protect their territory.

Singapore

Singapore’s ex-PM says US raid in Venezuela is worrying for small countries

The city state has always made its stance clear on such issues, such as when it opposed the US invasion of Grenada in 1983, the ex-PM says.

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Saudi Arabia

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

Southern Transitional Council security personnel guard a checkpoint in Aden, Yemen, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korea’s conservatives attempt break from Yoon with martial law apology

Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy.

A supporter of South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol attends a rally in Seoul last month marking the first anniversary of his short-lived declaration of martial law. Photo: AFP
A supporter of South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol attends a rally in Seoul last month marking the first anniversary of his short-lived declaration of martial law. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines investigates claims of Chinese dredger using ‘30 identities’

A US-based maritime monitoring group has alleged a Chinese ship used different identities and flags while working in Philippine waters.

US-Venezuela conflict

The Maduro effect: US raid accelerates Asia’s drift away from Washington

Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.

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India

India’s home-grown stealth fighter dream: can Rolls-Royce make it a reality?

The British aircraft engine maker is promising full technology transfer and local IP rights for India’s fifth-generation AMCA programme.

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Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, at an air show in Bengaluru, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

People walk along a sidewalk in Jakarta’s main business district. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday. Photo: EPA
People walk along a sidewalk in Jakarta’s main business district. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday. Photo: EPA
Donald Trump

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

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The Philippines

‘Rule of law’: Philippine military lauds ex-general’s sedition arrest

Romeo Poquiz’s limited influence means his arrest is unlikely to spark a ‘chilling effect’ among former officials, observers say.

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The Philippines

Trump’s Venezuela move strains Philippines’ rules-based diplomacy, critics say

Critics said the US operation has undercut Manila’s claim to principled diplomacy, given its close alliance with Washington.

Protesters hold signs outside the US embassy in Manila on Monday during a rally opposing Washington’s military action in Venezuela following the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: EPA-EFE
Protesters hold signs outside the US embassy in Manila on Monday during a rally opposing Washington’s military action in Venezuela following the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Reform gamble: Anwar to limit Malaysia PM term amid support crisis

The move could ‘excite core supporters’ and help project the image that the ruling coalition remains committed to reform, analysts say.

South Korea

North Korea doubles down with missile test, slams ‘US hegemony’ over Maduro

The test also appears to indicate Pyongyang’s objection to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Beijing.

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The Philippines

‘Not very high’ bar: Philippines inherits Thailand-Cambodia border crisis

Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.

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People stand beside a crater in front of a damaged police station following clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thailand’s ‘orange wave’ is back. Can it finally end conservative rule?

The Senate can no longer pick the prime minister, opening a path to victory for the reformist People’s Party in the election on February 8.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, on the campaign trail this week in Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, on the campaign trail this week in Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones
India

India’s military upgrade to counter regional threats gathers pace

While US$30 billion of defence packages for weapon buys and others have been approved, the pace of roll-out is worrying, analysts say.

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Japan

Why talk of a Japanese nuclear option is resurfacing – and why it alarms critics

Conservatives are calling for a rethink of nuclear taboos, while critics warn of risks to the global non-proliferation regime.

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The Philippines

Why the Philippines’ military is betting on South Korean defence systems

The US$27.7 million contract covers combat management systems for two next-generation Philippine Navy frigates.

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Hanwha Systems Combat System (CMS) in a simulated anti-submarine warfare scene. Photo: Hanwha Systems
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