Politics

Malaysian Muslims denounce Israel’s military action in Gaza during a rally outside a mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Photo: Hadi Azmi

‘We’re united’: thousands rally in Malaysia in support of Palestine as war rages

About 15,000 people, including former PM Muhyiddin Yassin, gathered at the national mosque in Kuala Lumpur to condemn Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

32 minutes ago
Smoke plumes billow into the air during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Analysis | Why Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are struggling to mediate the Israel-Hamas war

Brokering a ceasefire appears all but impossible amid the escalating violence, as fears grow of a massive humanitarian crisis – and Israel vows to wipe the Palestinian militant group ‘off the face of the Earth’.

4 hours ago
South Korean soldiers and a US soldier at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone  separating the two Koreas. Photo: AFP

Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel has South Korea reassessing its own security

South Korea’s defence establishment has been closely monitoring the Israel-Hamas war, amid concerns Pyongyang could copy Hamas by using its massive stockpile of weapons to launch a surprise attack.

13 Oct 2023 - 9:31AM
A Philippine flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy ship. The Philippines has a military garrison on one of the Spratly Islands, a hotly contested outcrop in the resource-rich waterway. Photo: Reuters

Philippine lawmaker hopes to turn South China Sea islands into tourism hotspot

The Kalayaan group of islands is located more than 450km (280 miles) west of Palawan, a province facing the South China Sea.

12 Oct 2023 - 5:48PM
Police officers inspect the ruins of a nightclub following the 2002 bombings in Denpasar, Bali. Photo: AP

2 Malaysian suspects behind Bali bombings may return home subject to plea deals

Two Malaysian suspects behind the 2002 Bali bombings could return home subject to talks with US authorities on their plea deals.

12 Oct 2023 - 5:26PM
People rally for Australia’s upcoming referendum on Indigenous issues in Alice Springs. Photo: Reuters

Indigenous rights in focus as Australia, New Zealand head to separate votes

‘Profoundly dangerous’ misinformation has brought racial issues to the forefront of both polls, resulting in ‘nasty’ election tone and exposing racial divides.

12 Oct 2023 - 12:00PM
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila in 2022. Duterte, who retired from politics in 2022 after completing his six-year term in office, has made controversial remarks and insulted world leaders in the past. Photo: AP

Philippines’ ex-president Duterte says Israel should ‘pulverise Gaza’

He also said if he were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he would ‘pulverise Gaza and make it the biggest cemetery in the world’.

12 Oct 2023 - 5:12AM
A Philippine fisherman aboard his wooden boat sail past a Chinese coast guard ship near the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

In U-turn, Philippine navy acknowledges gunboat presence near Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines’ confirmation comes after it previously said it had no security presence in the Scarborough Shoal, amid deepening tensions over the waterway.

11 Oct 2023 - 4:26PM
Myanmar military personnel march at an Independence Day parade in January. Rights groups have accused Indonesian companies of selling weapons to the junta following 2021’s coup. Photo: AFP

Indonesia’s peace broker reputation at stake amid Myanmar arms sales allegations

Indonesia’s defence sector has flatly denied allegations it sold weapons to Myanmar’s junta in violation of a UN resolution, but observers say the use of offshore third parties could have allowed the sales to continue.

11 Oct 2023 - 12:31PM
A fireball erupts after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Monday. Photo: AFP

Explainer | Could the Israel-Hamas war become multi-front involving Iran and Hezbollah?

The Israel-Hamas war is set to put the region on a knife-edge with risks of escalation involving Iran, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and even others.

10 Oct 2023 - 7:00PM
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta. Photo: EPA-EFE

China ‘respectful’ of Australian concerns about East Timor pact: Ramos-Horta

Mention of defence exchanges in Dili and Beijing’s new comprehensive strategic partnership prompted Australian politicians to voice concerns about the pact.

10 Oct 2023 - 6:00PM
Smoke rises from Gaza on Tuesday following Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian exclave. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Hamas war divides Southeast Asia as trade, religion determine responses

Singapore ‘strongly’ condemned the attacks on Israel, while politicians in Malaysia and Indonesia came down firmly on the Palestinians’ side.

10 Oct 2023 - 4:33PM
A worker with Mohamed Muizzu’s Progressive Party of Maldives poses with an “India Out” flag in Male last year. Photo: Reuters

Is ‘India Out’ of the Maldives as China-friendly leader Muizzu takes charge?

President-elect Mohamed Muizzu has made it a priority to cut Indian presence from the Maldives, diluting New Delhi’s ‘first responder’ role in the country’s foreign policy.

10 Oct 2023 - 10:20AM
Hashim Djojohadikusumo, an entrepreneur and co-founder of Indonesia’s Gerindra Party, at the Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023 on Monday. Photo: May Tse

Indonesia’s Prabowo to ensure ‘continuity’ if he becomes president, brother says

‘Continuity’ means Indonesia will remain neutral amid ‘great-power competition’, says Hashim Djojohadikusumo at the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023.

9 Oct 2023 - 7:08PM
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara (right) shakes hands with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023 on Monday. Photo: May Tse

Asean doesn’t want to be ‘forced to choose sides’, says Thai deputy PM

In a keynote speech at the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023, Thailand’s deputy prime minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said unity among Asean members can help ‘preserve regional peace and stability’.

9 Oct 2023 - 6:30PM
Tan See Leng, Singapore’s minister for manpower, gives his keynote speech at the Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023. Photo: May Tse

Singapore, Hong Kong can work together to become ‘shining cities’: Tan See Leng

Speaking at the Post’s Hong Kong-Asean Summit 2023, Singapore’s minister for manpower said both cities can leverage their unique strengths to attract fresh talent without necessarily needing to compete.

9 Oct 2023 - 3:45PM
A glass of milk. European milk producers based in Thailand have called for lower dairy import tariffs. Photo: Shutterstock

European milk makers hurting over tariffs look to leave Thailand

Thailand’s lucrative dairy sector could come under threat as European manufacturers call on Bangkok to cut tariffs or face job losses and an exodus of operations.

9 Oct 2023 - 9:30AM
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and then-presidential running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio on May 7, 2022. Photo: AP

Will Philippine VP’s Beijing-friendly remarks blunt Manila’s South China Sea policy?

Philippine politicians are questioning whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte are united on Manila’s approach towards China.

8 Oct 2023 - 8:31PM
Rony Drio and Jay-ar Ermita are long-time friends and spearfish together along the municipal waters of San Salvador. Photo: Shirin Bhandar

‘Always harassed’: the Filipino fishermen ensnared by South China Sea geopolitics

The tussle between China and the Philippines has strangled Filipino fishermen’s access to the fishing grounds which have sustained their community for generations.

7 Oct 2023 - 9:30AM
Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing (left) shares a light moment with Lee Kuan Yew at the opening ceremony of the Li Ka Shing Library at Singapore Management University in 2006. Photo: Li Ka Shing Foundation

Li Ka-shing hails Hong Kong and Singapore’s growth path in Lee Kuan Yew tribute

Hong Kong’s richest man commended Lee’s commitment to the people in his video message, adding he missed his ‘old friend’.

6 Oct 2023 - 2:04PM