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This Week in Asia /

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South China Sea
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
China-India border dispute
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak speaks to the media outside court in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2022. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Home at last? Why house arrest for Malaysia’s Najib is no done deal

The former PM has been granted house arrest, but an unpaid US$12 million fine and a second prison term stand in his way.

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

Malaysia

What US tariffs mean for Malaysian businesses and workers

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Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

About 70 per cent of the US$10 billion funds pilfered from the sovereign wealth fund have been recovered, Malaysia’s MACC says.

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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures as he leaves the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Putrajaya in 2018. Photo: AP
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures as he leaves the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Putrajaya in 2018. Photo: AP
Malaysia

What to know about Najib’s house arrest bid and the existence of a royal ‘decree’

The controversy is growing, as the government evades confirming its existence while Umno pushes for Najib’s release, straining the fragile unity government.

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South Korea

South Korea’s first lady Kim: from Dior bag scandal to martial law fallout

Her husband, President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been accused of using martial law to protect her from investigations, further fuelling public discontent.

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Japan

Video | Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?

The island nation slipped into recession in 2024, losing its status as the world’s third-largest economy.

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Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?
Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?
Thailand

Srettha’s exit: are Thailand’s conservatives on the rise, democracy in retreat?

Despite challenges from other parties, Pheu Thai “will almost certainly remain in government”, an analyst says

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Thailand

Thai PM next in firing line as country struggles to shrug off political chaos

All you need to know about two decades of political upheavals in the kingdom.

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Bangladesh

With Hasina gone, Bangladesh peers into the unknown. Here’s what we know

Elections expected to be held as soon as possible but shape of future government uncertain over role of army, future of protesting students.

A vendor hangs a newspaper with the front page article reading “Bangladesh Burns” along a roadside in Hyderabad on Tuesday, a day after Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted by anti-government protestors. Photo: AFP
Thailand

‘Train-wreck Day’ for Thailand as courts hold political future in their hands

Thailand’s courts will hear evidence against key figures including PM Srettha Thavisin, in cases that could undermine the government and opposition.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has struggled to win over the public despite tireless globetrotting efforts to drum up inward investment into Thailand. Photo: AP
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has struggled to win over the public despite tireless globetrotting efforts to drum up inward investment into Thailand. Photo: AP
Japan

Talks on China-Japan-South Korea FTA merely ‘symbolic’ given US opposition

Leaders of the three countries have pledged to “speed up negotiations” for a trilateral FTA after a delay of several years.

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Iran

How Ebrahim Raisi’s death could affect Iran’s leadership and regional ties

Tehran has stressed political continuity, even as analysts caution that a ‘harsh struggle’ is expected in the race to become Iran’s next president.

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India

India election: what stands between victory and PM Modi’s ruling BJP?

Voter concerns such as inflation and unemployment are unlikely to derail PM Modi and his ruling BJP’s path to victory, analysts say.

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Supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party wear masks of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election campaign in Ghaziabad. Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party are the favourites to win a high-stakes parliamentary election, analysts say. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia election 2024: everything you need to know

Controversies have dogged this election cycle, especially of President Joko Widodo’s influence over state institutions for his preferred candidate Prabowo Subianto.

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A man walks past an election banner in Jakarta introducing presidential candidates. Photo: AP
A man walks past an election banner in Jakarta introducing presidential candidates. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Why are rivals of Malaysia’s PM Anwar ensnared in a corruption investigation?

Malaysia’s ex-minister Daim Zainuddin, the former aide of Mahathir Mohamad, faces questions over his wealth as PM Anwar Ibrahim cracks down on endemic corruption.

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Pacific nations

As PNG vows return to normality, will chaos mar its ties with US and China?

Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has cancelled a trip to Davos as he fends off calls to resign while trying to defuse the national crisis sparked by a police pay dispute.

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Myanmar

Could Myanmar’s military be deposed by armed groups fighting across the country?

The junta is facing its gravest challenge from armed groups following their coordinated attacks in Shan State.

Members of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army at a town in Myanmar’s northern Shan State. It is one of around a dozen ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar fighting against the military. Photo: AFP
Members of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army at a town in Myanmar’s northern Shan State. It is one of around a dozen ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar fighting against the military. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia election 2024: the biggest issues facing the 3 presidential hopefuls

Campaigning is likely to spotlight political dynasties, Indonesia’s new capital Nunsantara, youth and Muslim voters, and intra party rivalry in the ruling party.

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Israel-Gaza war

Analysis | Why Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are struggling to mediate the Israel-Gaza war

Brokering a ceasefire appears all but impossible amid the escalating violence, as fears grow of a massive humanitarian crisis – and Israel vows to wipe the Palestinian militant group ‘off the face of the Earth’.

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Israel-Gaza war

Could the Israel-Gaza war become multi-front involving Iran and Hezbollah?

The Israel-Gaza war is set to put the region on a knife-edge with risks of escalation involving Iran, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and even others.

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A fireball erupts after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Monday. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

What to know about the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

This week’s offensive was due to ‘decades of frustration after the failure of the international community’ to resolve conflict, say analysts, and with the war in Ukraine distracting Russia.

People take part in an anti-government rally in downtown Yerevan in Armenia on Friday, following Azerbaijani military operations against Armenian separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: AFP
People take part in an anti-government rally in downtown Yerevan in Armenia on Friday, following Azerbaijani military operations against Armenian separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

What a weak ringgit means for Malaysia’s economy and PM Anwar in the state polls

Greater exposure to China’s economy and easing commodity prices are among the factors likely to have contributed to the ringgit’s decline compared to its Asean peers, observers say.

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Japan

What to know about Japan’s plan to release Fukushima waste water into the sea

The plan to dump treated radioactive waste water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea has stirred debates in South Korea, and led to boycotts of Japanese goods in China. Japanese fishermen have also vehemently opposed the plan.

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South Korea

What to know about South Korea-Japan ties as Yoon, Kishida meet

Building closer security ties to counter North Korea’s threat, expanding economic cooperation are among the issues likely to be the focus of Kishida’s Seoul trip.

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida toast during dinner at a Tokyo restaurant in March. Photo: dpa
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