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This Week in Asia /

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the Asian angle

Exterior facade of the building housing Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, known as Daya Anagata Nusantara or Danantara, in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s Danantara fund faces constitutional challenge over corruption concerns

Critics fear the new law underpinning the fund weakens oversight of state-owned enterprises, potentially fuelling corruption risks.

6 hours agovideocam

Japan faces 99 times more heatwaves if global warming intensifies, report warns

29 Mar 2025 - 10:44AM

The Philippines

Duterte’s downfall: will Marcos face an election backlash in the Philippines?

29 Mar 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

The Philippines

US bolsters Philippines defence with ‘game-changer’ missiles to deter China threat

During a visit to the Philippines, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed alliance, deterring Beijing’s ‘aggression’ in the South China Sea.

29 Mar 2025 - 12:22AMvideocam

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP

Malaysians trust media more while consumer boycott hits confidence survey

Local companies dominate the most trusted brands across the sectors, according to the Ipsos survey.

28 Mar 2025 - 8:10PM

Kurds ponder future in Turkey, Syria and Iraq with guarded optimism

The mood among the Kurds has changed after Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan urged the PKK to end its struggle against Turkey.

28 Mar 2025 - 6:05PM

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Declassified 1994 files show how diplomats doubted North Korea’s ‘goofy’ Kim Jong-il

Newly released files show experts from the US and Russia were sceptical he could hold onto power in the wake of his father’s sudden death.

28 Mar 2025 - 3:45PMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il smiles as he inspects the Sinam cooperative farm in Ryongchon county in North Korea, in this undated file photo released by Korea News Service in Tokyo on June 8, 2007. Photo: Reuters

Philippines pulls Asean card on East Timor over extradition row. Will it work?

Manila is seeking the extradition of Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former politician, who is facing murder and other charges.

28 Mar 2025 - 3:34PM

Malaysia arrests Muslim preacher as temple relocation row rages on

Controversy refuses to die down even as PM Anwar declared ‘victory’ after laying foundation stone for a mosque to be built on temple site.

28 Mar 2025 - 12:50PM

The Philippines

Trump’s immigration crackdown hits Filipino green card holder, sparking fears

The detention of a Filipino who has lived in the US for 50 years shows the huge shift in immigration enforcement under Trump, observers say.

28 Mar 2025 - 11:52AMvideocam

A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer talks to a group of undocumented immigrants detained in Kansas. Photo: TNS

Is North Korea’s nuclear submarine a game changer or ‘vanity project’?

North Korea’s first SSBN is likely to lag far behind its US and South Korean submarine rivals, analysts say.

28 Mar 2025 - 8:14AMvideocam

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shipbuilding project at a shipyard at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo: AFP

Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee Seafoods in landmark forced labour case

The human-trafficking case highlights the exploitation within the seafood industry, emphasising the need for corporate accountability and systemic reform.

28 Mar 2025 - 7:47AM

Thailand offers rewards for reporting e-cigarette use as vaping concerns rise

Thailand’s new initiative aims to curb vaping and protect public health, with fines and jail terms for offenders.

27 Mar 2025 - 5:54PM

Malaysians question flag on school uniforms rule – pupils ‘do not care’

The education ministry says the rule is in line with the goal of schools to ‘foster the spirit of patriotism among the younger generation’.

27 Mar 2025 - 2:20PM

Tourists walk past a mural featuring the Malaysian national flag in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Indonesia military law protests signal fears of democratic erosion under Prabowo

The amended bill brought back bad memories of Suharto-era militarism, when lines between civilian and military spheres were blurred, critics said.

27 Mar 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Anti-riot police put up their shields as students throw stones during a protest against a revision to the armed forces law in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

‘Phoenix from the ashes’: South Korea opposition chief closer to presidency

A court ruling acquitting Lee Jae-myung of electoral breaches places him as a front runner to succeed embattled incumbent Yoon Suk-yeol.

27 Mar 2025 - 10:58AMvideocam

Japanese Alps see record rescue numbers amid rising tourist risk

Experts blame hikers and skiers overestimating their abilities and underestimating harsh terrain and weather.

27 Mar 2025 - 9:39AM

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‘Impossible to keep up’: Japan ‘stunned’ by Trump trade threats, false claims

Analysts fear this disinformation will strain the US-Japan alliance, risking economic uncertainty, especially in the auto sector.

27 Mar 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order. Photo: Reuters

Will Malaysia’s chip rules satisfy US concerns over Nvidia diversions to China?

Malaysia is enhancing semiconductor tracking to reassure the US amid investigations into alleged Nvidia chip diversions to China.

26 Mar 2025 - 11:44PM

The Philippines

Philippines set to host second Typhon unit, signalling Trump’s defence pledge

The second Typhon unit will allow more Philippine troops to train with the system and enhance the country’s sovereignty, analysts say.

26 Mar 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Thai tourist gems Chiang Mai and Bangkok among world’s worst for air quality

With both Thai cities listed among the 10 worst in air quality worldwide, emergency measures and regional cooperation are under way to address the crisis.

26 Mar 2025 - 5:54PM

Bangkok’s skyline is seen amid high levels of air pollution on March 21. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Brewing justice: Philippines cafe offers healing and hope after Duterte’s ICC arrest

The coffee shop, dedicated to victims of the former president’s drug war, described his arrest as ‘the first step’ towards justice.

26 Mar 2025 - 4:54PM

Silingan Coffee employs mothers, wives, daughters, sisters who have lost loved ones to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Photo: Sam Beltran

Relocation of Hindu temple in Malaysia fuels accusations of special privileges

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to lay the foundation stone for a new mosque on the current site of the Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.

26 Mar 2025 - 2:44PM

Indonesian rupiah’s low spotlights Prabowo policy concerns, global uncertainty

The decline in the currency led the central bank to intervene, stabilising the rupiah and restoring confidence.

26 Mar 2025 - 12:15PMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines’ nuclear advocacy faces reality check after statement recall

As Manila’s attempt to act as a middleman in nuclear disarmament falters, analysts question its ability to influence smaller nations.

26 Mar 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaks to military officials in Manila on Saturday. Photo: AFP

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