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This Week in Asia
Students have their meals during the launch of President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal scheme in Banten, Indonesia, on January 6. Photo: AP

Politics

Will Indonesia’s free meals scheme survive amid corruption arrests?

The deepening crisis in the billion-dollar initiative threatens its future and the president’s political standing.

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How Singapore opposition risks ‘becoming its own worst enemy’ amid Pritam rift

Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP’s impeachment trial

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Economics

Malaysia taps Hong Kong battery firm to power ambitions for electricity grid

The deal will help tackle solar storage challenges and comes as Malaysia prepares to roll out its first major grid-scale battery procurement.

Syed Mohd Hafiz Syed Mohd of Mikro MSC Berhad (left) shakes hands with William Wang, vice-president of Hong Kong Cospower Technology, in the presence of Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof during the signing of a strategic partnership to support Malaysia’s energy transition on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
Syed Mohd Hafiz Syed Mohd of Mikro MSC Berhad (left) shakes hands with William Wang, vice-president of Hong Kong Cospower Technology, in the presence of Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof during the signing of a strategic partnership to support Malaysia’s energy transition on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Lifestyle & Culture

Tears in North Korea as Kim meets footballers after historic title win

Naegohyang Women’s FC became the first North Korean side to win Asia’s top club title last month.

Southeast Asia

Suspected Filipino scammer reveals how Cambodian ring conned Singaporeans

De Villar Rizalyn Panganiban, accused of taking part in a three-level impersonation scam, gives insights into the gang’s fraud tactics.

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East Asia

Typhoon Jangmi churns along Japan’s Pacific coast, leaves dozens hurt

Heavy rain continued in the Tokyo metropolitan area in the morning, with flood danger warnings for several rivers in the capital.

A pedestrian braves the rains brought by Typhoon Jangmi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
A pedestrian braves the rains brought by Typhoon Jangmi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin gets royal pardon after release on parole

The former leader served eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption before he was released on parole last month due to his age.

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Southeast Asia

Indonesia arrests sacked head of free meal scheme

Dadan Hindayana is accused of ‘crimes in the management’ of President Prabowo’s flagship scheme.

East Asia

South Korea’s ruling party set for local election gains

The vote is widely seen as an assessment of President Lee Jae-myung’s first year in office.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hea-kyung cast their ballots during early voting for nationwide local elections at a polling station in Seoul on May 29. Photo: dpa

South Asia

India hotel fire kills at least 21

Rescue operations continue, with more than 40 people taken to hospitals.

Firefighters and police officers work at the site after a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Firefighters and police officers work at the site after a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

People

Deadly crash in alleged luxury car race renews Malaysia’s road safety concerns

A 19-year-old driver, reportedly a Singapore university student, was arrested over the accident that also killed four members of a family.

Global Economy

China’s AI chip demand is surging – and South Korea is riding the wave

Strong demand for memory chips has reshaped South Korea’s exports to China – but analysts warn the gains could be short lived.

Politics

Japanese MP’s claim China eyes Antarctic ‘treasure trove’ dismissed

A polar law expert says the continent’s strict mining ban has no expiry date, despite concerns raised in Japan’s parliament.

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An aerial view of China’s Qinling Station, the country’s fifth research station in Antarctica, in 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark

Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.

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Delegates watch US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Delegates watch US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Malaysia’s Umno banks on Johor state election to lure Malay votes in stronghold

The Umno-led BN coalition defends its decision not to partner with PH in Johor, saying the election is to win the voters’ mandate again.

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Politics

Prabowo’s overseas visits spark debate in Indonesia over benefits for citizens

Several deals signed in Paris have led to discussions on their merit and the frequency of Prabowo’s official trips around the world.

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Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

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Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Will Indonesia’s free meals scheme survive amid corruption arrests?

videocam
Students have their meals during the launch of President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal scheme in Banten, Indonesia, on January 6. Photo: AP

People

How Singapore opposition risks ‘becoming its own worst enemy’ amid Pritam rift

Pritam Singh, Workers’ Party secretary general, during the general election in Singapore in May last year. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP’s impeachment trial

videocam
Members of Bantay Senado, a Philippine citizen watchdog launched to monitor Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial. Photo: Dino Singson de Leon and Team Pinas

Economics

Malaysia taps Hong Kong battery firm to power ambitions for electricity grid

Syed Mohd Hafiz Syed Mohd of Mikro MSC Berhad (left) shakes hands with William Wang, vice-president of Hong Kong Cospower Technology, in the presence of Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof during the signing of a strategic partnership to support Malaysia’s energy transition on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

Politics

Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin gets royal pardon after release on parole

videocam
Ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra hugs his daughter and former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after being released from prison on parole at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok last month. Photo: EPA
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