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This Week in Asia
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech in front of stacks of cash representing the fines paid by companies breaking forestry laws last month. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Indonesia’s rupiah sinks to record low as Prabowo shrugs off rout fears

Critics reject claims that ordinary Indonesians will not suffer, pointing to a heavy dependence on imports for daily necessities.

Bodies of 2 Italian divers recovered from ‘well inside’ Maldives underwater cave

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Politics

More than a missile? Why the Philippines wants Japan’s old Type 88

Manila’s military already operates superior weapons. But analysts say Tokyo’s Cold War-era hardware still has something to offer.

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Japanese soldiers stand beside a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, on May 6. Photo: AFP
Japanese soldiers stand beside a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, on May 6. Photo: AFP

Politics

Can Malaysia’s PM afford a snap poll as the fuel bill burns?

With his coalition crumbling and former allies defecting, Malaysia’s prime minister has a fast-narrowing window to secure a fresh mandate.

Southeast Asia

Spirit collapsed under high fuel costs. Some Asian airlines could be next

The head of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines said direct financial support from governments required to survive the crisis.

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Health & Environment

Russian hiker becomes Japan’s latest bear attack victim as a new record looms

After a year with more than 50,000 sightings and 238 injuries, Japan’s vanishing hunting communities are struggling to contain the problem.

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A bear is spotted on a riverbank in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, in October 2025. Photo: Kyodo
A bear is spotted on a riverbank in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, in October 2025. Photo: Kyodo

Health & Environment

How a Japanese deal to appease Trump resulted in Texans protesting in Tokyo

Community groups from the Freeport area are urging Japanese financiers and ministries not to back fossil fuel infrastructure.

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Southeast Asia

Fake news campaigns in Indonesia linked to military, Prabowo’s party: Amnesty

Amnesty’s findings reflect growing concerns that Indonesia is backsliding towards army rule under former special forces commander Prabowo.

Politics

Why Malaysia’s election ‘war drums’ could be the end for Anwar’s coalition

Rival-turned-ally Umno – and allies-turned-rivals Rafizi and Nik Nazmi – may force the prime minister to call an early election.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a meeting at Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya on April 16. Photo: dpa

Economics

South Korea weighs the cost of stepping into Samsung’s US$400,000 bonus row

Seoul is considering using a rarely used emergency power to halt a strike that could cost the economy US$67 billion.

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Members of Samsung Electronics’ largest labour union chant slogans during a protest against the company’s compensation levels in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, last month. Photo: Reuters
Members of Samsung Electronics’ largest labour union chant slogans during a protest against the company’s compensation levels in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, last month. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

‘Lives are cheap here’: Thailand reels from deadly Bangkok train crash

A drug-positive train driver with no licence. A barrier raised too late. Thailand’s capital asks: when will the city finally fix itself?

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Politics

India links up with UAE, Europe on Modi’s grand tour

Seizing on the UAE’s Opec exit and a new EU trade pact, India’s PM looks to lock-in long-term energy supply and economic dividends.

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.

Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA

Economics

Vietnam’s US$5 billion Apec island is running out of time

Phu Quoc is a test case for Vietnam’s build-fast model. But with 18 months to go, the island is short of workers, diesel and hotel rooms.

A staff member sweeps the grounds of a resort on Phu Quoc island, which is set to host world leaders for the November 2027 Apec summit. Photo: AFP
A staff member sweeps the grounds of a resort on Phu Quoc island, which is set to host world leaders for the November 2027 Apec summit. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Reality deficit: how South Korea lost the plot on AI

A viral ‘baseball goddess’, a wolf that never was and a deepfake epidemic. Generative AI is rewriting South Korea’s reality.

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Politics

How Philippine Senate leadership battle will shape Sara Duterte’s trial

The vice-president’s impeachment trial starts amid chaos in the Senate from leadership battles and the fallout from her father’s ICC case.

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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.

Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA
Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA

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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Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

Economics

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

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A woman shops for vegetables in Depok, Indonesia, earlier this month near a sign asking customers to bring their own shopping bags. Photo: Reuters
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

Indonesia’s rupiah sinks to record low as Prabowo shrugs off rout fears

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech in front of stacks of cash representing the fines paid by companies breaking forestry laws last month. Photo: Reuters

Politics

More than a missile? Why the Philippines wants Japan’s old Type 88

videocam
Japanese soldiers stand beside a Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, on May 6. Photo: AFP

Politics

Can Malaysia’s PM afford a snap poll as the fuel bill burns?

A worker repairs a signboard at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 12. Photo: EPA

Politics

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Oil tankers and cargo ships are seen at the oil depot and container terminal of Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 31. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Health & Environment

Russian hiker becomes Japan’s latest bear attack victim as a new record looms

videocam
A bear is spotted on a riverbank in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, in October 2025. Photo: Kyodo
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