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Corruption in Asia

Corruption in Asia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Corruption in Asia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Rescuers carry a resident of Cebu City, the Philippines, past cars swept away in floods brought by Typhoon Kalmaegi on November 4. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Asian Angle | Greed and pork barrel politics fuel the Philippines’ fatal floods

Filipinos are paying the ultimate price for a system that favours corrupt lawmakers’ pet projects over scientifically sound flood control.

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The Philippines

Can UN anti-corruption pact bring Zaldy Co back to Philippines?

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Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia to get back US$30 million worth of fine art linked to 1MDB scandal

South Korea

South Korean police raid Unification Church headquarters in bribery sweep

Police have named church leader Han Hak-ja as a suspect in the bribery of several high-profile politicians.

The Unification Church compound in Gapyeong, South Korea, is seen shrouded by fog in July. Photo: Yonhap/EPA
The Philippines

New corruption complaint against Philippine VP Duterte heightens political drama

The filing comes as a corruption crisis grows, setting up a tough legal fight that could threaten Duterte’s potential 2028 presidential bid.

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Malaysia

Najib’s wife cleared as Malaysia drops money laundering, tax evasion appeal

The prosecution said it could not definitively prove that Rosmah Mansor committed the offences.

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The Philippines

‘They’ll go to jail’: Philippines to tear down ‘syndicate’ siphoning billions

A cabinet official has pledged to reform the Department of Public Works and Highways by ‘injecting new blood, removing the bad eggs’.

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Protesters carry an effigy of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr during an anti-corruption rally in Manila last month. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Shaman rumours resurface as South Korea returns to Blue House

After Yoon Suk-yeol wasted millions on a move critics linked to fortune-tellers, the presidential office is returning to its historic home.

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The Philippines

Philippines ‘flood control queen’ faces arrest over corruption scandal

Prosecutors accuse Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya of pocketing millions for a government-funded flood control project that was never built.

Nepal

Nepal charges Chinese contractor with corruption over airport deal

A watchdog alleges the company colluded with ex-ministers to inflate costs and siphon off US$74 million from the Pokhara airport project.

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Staff members wait for the arrival of passengers at Pokhara International Airport in December last year. Photo: China News Service/VCG/Getty Images
Bangladesh

Bangladesh mass grave from 2024 uprising exhumed with UN support

The UN says up to 1,400 people were killed in the crackdowns, forming the basis for the former prime minister’s conviction for crimes against humanity.

Family members of Sohel Rana, who disappeared during Bangladesh’s July mass uprising, react as they stand outside the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka on Sunday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

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Malaysia

Anwar’s ex-aide to stand trial on corruption charges linked to Sabah businessman

The aide is accused of receiving cash and gifts as inducement to help the businessman secure mineral exploration projects.

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The Philippines

Philippines’ first family says financial scrutiny welcome amid graft allegations

A spokesperson for the president said his family was open to lifestyle checks after questions emerged over funds sent to his son’s district.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr arrives at Malacanang Palace in Manila after his inauguration on June 30, 2022, accompanied by his wife Louise and his son, Congressman Sandro Marcos. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Why the Philippines’ anti-flood control corruption movement could be receding

Analysts warn the government’s anti-corruption drive could stall if public mobilisation continues to thin.

A protester holds a chain linked to an effigy of a crocodile, which represents corrupt officials, during anti-corruption rally along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA, in Quezon City on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar vows ‘no protection’ for close aides in corruption probes

The prime minister has been accused of launching investigations targeting his political rivals while going soft on scandals closer to home.

Malaysia

‘Unconstitutional’: Mahathir reports PM Anwar to police over Trump trade deal

Ex-PM claims the deal lacks constitutional approval and undermines bumiputra privileges, which benefit ethnic Malays and indigenous groups.

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Malaysia

Why Anwar faces uphill task to win back voters after Sabah election trouncing

Sabah voters don’t trust Anwar, and this will complicate his plan for the next general election, analysts say.

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Asean-New Zealand summit in Kuala Lumpur in October. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Bangladesh

UK MP Tulip Siddiq, aunt Sheikh Hasina sentenced to jail in Bangladesh land case

The former Bangladeshi prime minister, her niece and sister were convicted for illegally obtaining land in a government project.

South Korea

Unification Church leader denies knowing about gifts for Kim Keon-hee

South Korean prosecutors reject the claim, saying Han Hak-ja is an ‘absolute power holder’ and no funds can be used without her approval.

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The Philippines

17,000 police deployed as protests erupt in Philippines over flood control scam

‘Put them in jail now,’ protesters chant even as Marcos promises more arrests to come from investigations into the scandal.

Protesters display an effigy of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio during an anti-corruption rally in Manila on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Sabah polls: blow for Anwar as partner party shines, but key ally is wiped out

Local partner Gagasan Rakyat Sabah secured 29 seats, but the PM’s Democratic Action Party allies lost all eight seats they contested.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

PM Anwar’s ex-aide detained by Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency

The agency seeks to extend custody for Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and businessman Albert Tei, who has accused Shamsul Iskandar of bribery.

The Philippines

Marcos’ sister says Philippines has leadership ‘vacuum’ in new jab at president

Imee Marcos said they ‘kind of boxed me out’ when she raised her brother’s alleged cocaine addiction with the family.

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South Korea

South Korea awaits Han Duck-soo ruling as test case for martial law trials

The former prime minister would be the first person sentenced in connection with the decree. Prosecutors have demanded a 15-year prison term.

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Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo arrives at court for his final hearing on insurrection charges on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Was South Korea’s former first lady the catalyst for martial law?

Prosecutors now suspect ex-president Yoon’s martial law gambit was a desperate bid to shield his interfering wife from looming prison time.

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Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee attend a dinner in Madrid, Spain, in 2022. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Accountability test for Philippines’ Marcos family as budget scandal widens

Zaldy Co’s claims strike at the core of a system where budget power, patronage and family networks have long been intertwined, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysian PM’s war on corruption hits snag as top political secretary quits

The senior aide allegedly demanded bribes in the form of home renovations, a massage chair and washing machines.

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