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This Week in Asia /

People

Panadda "Boom" Wongphudee hugs a resident affected by flooding in a photo shared on her social media in October. Photo: Instagram/boompanadda
Thailand

Ex-Miss Thailand arrested over claims charity donations funded luxury lifestyle

An audit of Thai foundations has been ordered as the high-profile celebrity faces outrage over siphoned funds and dumped aid supplies.

Japan

Slums, day labour and forged IDs: how Japan’s 660 most wanted stay hidden

South Korea

South Korea apologises for classing gay teens as delinquents

Malaysia

Malaysia Hindu rites row: live stream of Muslim youth’s repentance fuels fury

The public spectacle highlights the tightening boundaries of religious tolerance and state control over personal worship in multiracial Malaysia.

The Batu Caves temple complex in Selangor, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 21-year-old Muslim man was sentenced to faith rehabilitation after participating in Hindu rituals at the shrine. Photo: Shutterstock
The Batu Caves temple complex in Selangor, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 21-year-old Muslim man was sentenced to faith rehabilitation after participating in Hindu rituals at the shrine. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Lawyer dismisses rumours of Malaysia’s Najib paying US$12.3 million fine

A return to house arrest for Najib could give his party Umno ‘greater political leverage’ ahead of the next general election, analysts say.

Japan

Strong yes, ‘bombastic’ no: what Japan’s voters really want in a leader

A new poll reveals most respondents rated Trump’s performance as president poorly, lacking the ‘elegance’ analysts say is required of a Japanese leader.

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Singapore

Singapore hit-and-run: organiser of fund for orphaned boy vows transparency

Some online questioned the legitimacy of the campaign to help the orphan after his parents died in the alleged hit-and-run accident.

The boy’s parents were killed in an alleged hit-and-run accident in Singapore last week. Photo: Give.Asia
The boy’s parents were killed in an alleged hit-and-run accident in Singapore last week. Photo: Give.Asia
The Philippines

Outrage in Philippines as pet remains found dumped in sacks on vacant plot

A crematorium near Manila was shut after dozens of dead dogs and cats were discovered discarded despite owners paying for aftercare fees.

Malaysia

Malaysian police probe viral video of father slapping woman in Kuala Lumpur mall

An altercation erupted after a woman allegedly shoved a father’s seven-year-old son and struck his daughter on the head.

Malaysia

Killer fandoms: the toxic online subcultures fuelling Asia’s school attacks

Security experts urge vigilance as teenagers across Southeast Asia turn to radical online networks that celebrate notorious mass murderers.

Evidence, including a toy firearm, shown during a Jakarta police news conference following an explosion at a school mosque in November 2025. Counterterrorism investigators found the teenage attacker was influenced by the online “True Crime Community”. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Can AI teach kids to think? Malaysia’s classroom tech push faces a reality check

As Malaysia accelerates AI in classrooms, fears mount that students will trade genuine understanding and values for easy answers.

Primary school students in Selangor. As Malaysia introduces AI into schools, teachers and parents are questioning how early technology should be integrated and whether children are truly grasping the material. Photo: Shutterstock
Primary school students in Selangor. As Malaysia introduces AI into schools, teachers and parents are questioning how early technology should be integrated and whether children are truly grasping the material. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

‘Disgusting monster’: Meghan Markle’s dad slammed by son amid Philippine probe

Investigators expect to complete digital forensics on alleged child abuse material linked to Thomas Markle Snr by the end of the week.

SCMP Highlights

Why paper straws are worse than plastic; haze in Indonesia: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian teen held after live-streaming axe attack to haze in Indonesia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Singapore

Woman admits conspiring to abuse Megan Khung, helping dispose of her body

She witnessed and filmed some of the abuse by a couple, including incidents in which Megan was humiliated and physically mistreated.

Megan Khung died in February 2020 after months of abuse by her mother and the latter’s boyfriend. Photo: Instagram/simonboyyyyyy
South Korea

‘Is this real?’: fury as South Korea cuts CEO’s jail term despite 23 deaths

One Chinese mother, who lost her 24-year-old daughter, wants to continue the legal fight against battery maker Aricell.

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A bereaved family member weeps outside the Supreme Court in Seoul on Tuesday after it upheld a four-year jail sentence for Aricell CEO Park Soon-kwan over a fire at the company’s plant in Hwaseong in 2024 that killed 23 workers. Photo: EPA
A bereaved family member weeps outside the Supreme Court in Seoul on Tuesday after it upheld a four-year jail sentence for Aricell CEO Park Soon-kwan over a fire at the company’s plant in Hwaseong in 2024 that killed 23 workers. Photo: EPA
Vietnam

Novel idea: Thailand, Vietnam take books on the road in reading drive

Two independent publishers travel through regional provinces, offering discounted titles to spark curiosity and connect local communities.

Japan

Why more Japanese women are choosing ‘silver divorce’ after decades of marriage

As children leave home and with changing pension rules, more older Japanese women are choosing to walk away from distant marriages.

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Indonesia

Big dreams, growing pains in Indonesia: Prabowo’s turbulent 2 years in power

The president says he sees a ‘bright future for Indonesia’ even as citizens worry about rising costs and a lack of job opportunities.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Pool via AP
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Pool via AP
Malaysia

Malaysian teen arrested after live-streaming axe attack on teacher in class

Police in Sarawak have detained a 16-year-old student following a classroom assault, amid growing concern over violent internet broadcasts.

The Philippines

Why a Gen Z jet-setter’s appointment struck a nerve in the Philippines

The government has defended the appointment of Zofia Canlas amid public concern about her lavish lifestyle, qualifications and connections.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s border chief charged with assaulting police in viral airport clash

Facing up to a year in prison over a KLIA confrontation, top official Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain’s defence has downplayed the charges as a petty offence.

Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, then police CID director, speaking in Kuala Lumpur in May 2024. Shuhaily is now head of Malaysia's border agency, and pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to assaulting two officers at KLIA. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘Go away’: Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan crisis deepens with ruler’s rebuke

In a video, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is seen giving Chief Minister Ismail Lasim a public dressing-down over efforts to unseat him.

Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister Ismail Lasim (left) greets ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on his arrival for Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Beting in Kuala Pilah. Photo: Kuala Pilah District and Land Office
Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister Ismail Lasim (left) greets ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on his arrival for Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Beting in Kuala Pilah. Photo: Kuala Pilah District and Land Office
Thailand

Thai raid foils cross-border cable ruse powering Myanmar scam centre

Authorities found a 48-core fibre optic cable, reaching 350 metres across the border, supplying an illegal casino and suspected scam centre.

The Philippines

The Filipino OFWs risking war to provide for families back home

Analysts point to economic difficulties and insufficient assistance initiatives, as large numbers continue to remain abroad for work.

South Korea

Stabbing spree exposes ‘serious gaps’ in South Korean offender tracking

Justice ministry statistics show that repeat sexual offences by people wearing electronic monitoring ankle tags continue to occur.

South Korean police officers and firefighters are mobilised outside a shopping centre in Incheon following a stabbing incident on Tuesday. Photo: Yonhap via AP
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