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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
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the Asian angle
Tarique Rahman (centre), waves to supporters in Dhaka February shortly before his election as Bangladesh’s prime minister. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Why Bangladesh’s new PM is visiting Malaysia and China before India

Analysts view the decision to prioritise Kuala Lumpur and Beijing as practical rather than a direct snub of New Delhi.

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Japan

‘Bad signal’: Japan’s Russia outreach puts Takaichi at odds with G7 allies

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Asean

Asean at 60: peace, prosperity and polite paralysis

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The Philippines

China’s ban on Philippine defence chief, family seen as warning shot to Manila

Analysts say Beijing may be trying to ‘kill the chicken to warn the monkeys’, as Manila faces calls for a tit-for-tat response.

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Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29. Photo: AP
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Can Singapore-linked growth deliver votes for Johor’s ruling party?

Living costs and economic strides form the undertones of influence in Johor and Negeri Sembilan when voters head to the polls on July 11 and August 1.

The Philippines

Why US and China are watching Philippines’ Marcos at Russia-Asean talks

The visit comes amid expanded military ties with the US but is unlikely to signal a shift in Philippine foreign policy, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Will Marcos’ shipbuilding push deliver lasting capacity for Philippines?

The expansion of the West Cebu Industrial Park aims to strengthen the Philippines’ defence and economy, and cement dominance in shipbuilding.

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The West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban town, Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Handout
The West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban town, Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Hacking of Philippine Senate’s website spotlights widening political crisis

In earlier messages seen on the hacked website, which has been restored, a group demanded accountability and slammed ‘corrupt networks’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s ‘unity of theatres’ strategy exposes US-Israel rift

Analysts say Iran’s new tactic is both an attempt to reassert strategic deterrence and a political bargaining chip ahead of negotiations.

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Malaysia

Malaysia rises as Asean ‘middle power’ through new Japan LNG deal

Petronas’ 20-year agreement to supply JERA with LNG shows how Malaysia is using its natural resources to strengthen ties, analysts say.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and her Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, shake hands at the end a joint press announcement at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine military chief vows to stay neutral as Marcos-Duterte feud deepens

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr says the military will stay out of politics despite some unease within the ranks.

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Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr. Photo: AFP
Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘No further action’ as Malaysia ends probe into ex-anti-corruption chief

Businessman Albert Tei slams ‘double standards’ after prosecutors say the complaint did not ‘meet the legal threshold’ for further action.

Indonesia

Exclusive | Indonesian union boss defends joining Prabowo’s government

Said Iqbal says workers need lobbyists inside the palace. Critics say organised labour’s best weapon is its independence.

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Singapore

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Russia, first since Ukraine war sanctions

Ties between Singapore and Russia nosedived after the city state imposed sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong listens to the keynote speech at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue security summit in Singapore last month. Photo: Reuters
India

India’s military revamp to counter China and Pakistan gathers pace

The proposed Integrated Theatre Commands would unite the army, navy and air force in India’s biggest military shake-up since independence.

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Indian soldiers perform drills to showcase new artillery and weapons in Kargil, Ladakh, in July last year. Photo: NurPhoto/Getty Images
Indian soldiers perform drills to showcase new artillery and weapons in Kargil, Ladakh, in July last year. Photo: NurPhoto/Getty Images
US, Israel war on Iran

Is Trump calling the shots on Israel, or just pretending to?

The US president says he’s losing patience with Israel’s prime minister. Analysts say he’s just playing to the crowd.

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Asean

As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?

Southeast Asia needs energy. Russia needs friends. Next week’s summit in Kazan could offer opportunities for both sides.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s got political talent: Bersama seeks poll candidates through audition

Led by two ex-ministers who left Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR, Bersama says it will take ‘about two weeks’ to finalise names.

Rafizi Ramli (right) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad model T-shirts of Bersama led by the two former Malaysian ministers. Photo: X/Rafizi Ramli
Rafizi Ramli (right) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad model T-shirts of Bersama led by the two former Malaysian ministers. Photo: X/Rafizi Ramli
Malaysia

Malaysia’s opposition bloc in turmoil as PAS cuts ties with Bersatu

The Islamist party’s break with Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu guts the Perikatan Nasional coalition with key elections looming.

South Korea

‘Attacker would need to say sorry’: South Korea’s Lee rejects Japan defence ties

President Lee Jae Myung says Tokyo must offer a genuine apology before a military logistics pact can move forward.

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Singapore

Singapore eyes Asean connectivity amid new US-China dynamic: Lawrence Wong

The prime minister says Asean wants an open, inclusive environment to engage with all major players.

Southeast Asian leaders at the Asean summit in Cebu on May 8. Photo: Pool via Reuters
Malaysia

Viral petition to expel Rohingya from Malaysia triggers hate speech warning

Rights groups warn hatred risks spilling onto Malaysia’s streets as a petition to expel Rohingya refugees nears half a million signatures.

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Bangladeshi security personnel stand guard beside Rohingya refugees rescued from a Malaysia-bound boat that sank off the coast of Teknaf in 2022. Photo: AFP
Bangladeshi security personnel stand guard beside Rohingya refugees rescued from a Malaysia-bound boat that sank off the coast of Teknaf in 2022. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan museum under fire for ‘rewriting history’ with Nanking ‘incident’ label

Conservatives force the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to drop the word massacre, a move critics say downplays Japan’s wartime aggression.

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Japan

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

A right-wing parliamentary supermajority is paving the way for Tokyo to amend its post-war pacifist constitution.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

Past failures haunt the Quad’s US$20 billion critical minerals push

The initiative aims to break China’s near-monopoly, but private-sector caution and a history of unfulfilled pledges stand in the way.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a press conference during the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the State Department in February. Photo: Reuters
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