Asia /
Southeast Asia
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Malaysian politics
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
the Asian angle
Singapore
Thailand
South China Sea
Singapore
Singapore jails man for indecent act with foster son
The man, 63, pretended he had to ‘check’ the boy’s body before allowing him to use the computer.
8 May 2025 - 7:46PM
Thailand
Thailand suspends 2 doctors over ex-PM Thaksin’s hospital stay
8 May 2025 - 7:14PM
Myanmar
‘Junta in the way’: Myanmar quake crisis worsens amid air strikes, scarce UN aid
8 May 2025 - 6:00PM
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India-Pakistan tensions
Could India-Pakistan conflict mean empty rice bowls around Asia?
India is the world’s biggest and Pakistan the fourth-largest exporters of rice to import-reliant Southeast Asian nations.
8 May 2025 - 5:10PM
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Singapore chicken rice in Maxwell Food Centre. Rice is a staple in Southeast Asia. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines
Philippines badly needs priests. Could a Filipino pope boost clergy ranks?
‘A pope speaking Filipino, plain Filipino, talking to you like he’s talking to you directly … it will be an inspiration,’ a seminarian says.
8 May 2025 - 12:42PM
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Singapore
Fujian gang photos cast shadow on lead-up to Singapore cabinet reveal
The city state awaits Prime Minister Wong’s government line-up amid controversy over images of Ong and Chee with a convicted money-launderer.
8 May 2025 - 5:22PM
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Indonesia
Indonesian governor’s vasectomy plan sparks debate on poverty, ‘body politics’
West Java Governor’s suggested sterilisation for poor men to access social welfare criticised as coercive and discriminatory.
8 May 2025 - 9:30AM
Dedi Mulyadi has proposed making vasectomy a prerequisite for men to receive state welfare. Photo: Government of West Java
China-Philippines relations
Calls for sanctions over alleged China-funded influence campaign in Philippines
Allegations, if true, could lead to expulsion of embassy personnel and legal action under a law targeting subversive acts during peacetime, analysts say.
7 May 2025 - 9:40PM
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Indonesia
Indonesia’s economy slows as US tariffs, fiscal strains challenge Prabowo’s goal
Analysts expressed concerns that fiscal pressures, weak consumer spending, and the impact of US tariffs could worsen Indonesia’s economic outlook.
7 May 2025 - 7:17PM
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Malaysia
‘Unfair’ to blame us for witness abduction, says Malaysia’s anti-corruption chief
Pamela Ling has not been seen since she was taken by people in police uniform while on her way to the MACC office on April 9.
7 May 2025 - 7:15PM
Singapore
Singaporean man faces death penalty in Malaysia on drug charges
Tan Ban Choon is accused of possessing and trafficking over 10kg of drugs at a flat in Johor.
7 May 2025 - 2:40PM
If convicted of drug trafficking in Malaysia, a Singaporean man faces the death penalty or life imprisonment. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia
Rifts emerge over push for Malaysian PM’s daughter to become party No 2
Elevating Nurul Izzah poses a dilemma for PM Anwar Ibrahim, who has based his platform on principles of transparency, integrity, and a strong anti-corruption message.
7 May 2025 - 3:00PM
The Philippines
Duterte’s ‘political son’ Bong Go gains ground in Philippines senate race: survey
The former president’s ICC arrest has led his indignant supporters to drum up support for Duterte-aligned candidates, analysts say.
7 May 2025 - 3:30PM
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India
Asian, European airlines divert flights as India-Pakistan tensions soar
The detours mean that flying hours between Europe, the Middle East and Asia have become longer.
7 May 2025 - 2:26PM
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K-pop idols
Singer Lisa’s Met Gala lingerie stirs outrage over US activist’s depiction
Social media users slammed the K-pop star, calling her look ‘highly distasteful’.
7 May 2025 - 11:59AM
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K-pop singer Lisa arrives for the Met Gala in New York on May 5. Photo: AFP
Yuan
Explainer
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Has Asia just taken a step away from the US dollar?
Asia’s largest economies have broken new ground by approving an emergency financing tool using the yuan and other local currencies.
7 May 2025 - 7:00AM
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Indonesia
2 children among dead in Indonesia bus crash after apparent brake failure
The bus sped out of control on a downhill road and overturned after the brakes apparently malfunctioned in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province.
6 May 2025 - 5:42PM
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The Philippines
Philippines-US anti-drone drill signals rising threat of unmanned weapons
The drill involving two counter-drone systems comes after China’s reported use of drones in the disputed South China Sea in recent months.
6 May 2025 - 5:15PM
A US air defence system fires at a drone during a joint drill with the Philippines in San Antonio, Zambales province, in April. Photo: AP
Malaysia
Kidnap of Malaysian witness by ‘police officers’ sparks public safety fears
Pamela Ling’s abduction while on her way to testify is the latest in a series of vanishings involving businesspeople and activists.
6 May 2025 - 3:19PM
Myanmar
Myanmar-based warlord overseeing scam hub faces US sanctions
The US Treasury Department says the Karen National Army, run by Saw Chit Thu, is a ‘transnational criminal organisation’.
6 May 2025 - 3:39PM
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South China Sea
Will Vietnam’s protest over Sandy Cay escalate South China Sea tensions?
Vietnam has urged China and the Philippines to ‘refrain from actions’ and respect its sovereignty over the archipelago.
6 May 2025 - 3:34PM
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The Philippines
From Imus to pope? Filipino cardinal’s hometown reflects on his journey
Luis Antonio Tagle began his career in Imus, where residents have fond memories of the cardinal with a 3-1 shot at becoming the next pope.
6 May 2025 - 4:20PM
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Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends Sunday mass at the Pontifical Filipino College in Rome, ahead of the election of the new pope, which starts on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights
Singapore’s opposition, Filipino pope candidate: 7 Asia highlights
From a Filipino tipped to be pope to Indians rethinking their US study plans, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.
6 May 2025 - 12:31PM
Singapore
Singapore ministers deny dealings with ‘Fujian gang’ money launderer
Photos circulated online showed the ministers at dinners with Su Haijin, who was later convicted in a massive money laundering case.
6 May 2025 - 3:30PM
7
The Philippines
Philippine warship steals Balikatan’s thunder by sinking before it can be sunk
The 80-year-old BRP Miguel Malvar was supposed to be a target ship in the US-Philippines Balikatan drills – until it started taking on water.
6 May 2025 - 9:46AM
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