TOPIC

Asia elections

Asia elections
The latest news, analysis and videos on the elections in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Australia and Japan.
Lee Jae-myung addresses a rally in Seoul on March 1. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

Who is South Korea’s presidential front runner Lee Jae-myung?

Lee has pledged to take a pragmatic approach to foreign policy and the economy in sharp contrast with impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol.

videocam
Singapore

Diversity or detachment? Singapore’s civil service a political talent pool

Singapore general election 2025

4 in 10 Singaporean voters have decided on PAP if election held tomorrow: survey

The Philippines

Philippine politician’s ‘sleep with single mums’ remarks spark misogyny row

The action against Christian Sia is ‘a test case’ on the use of sexually charged remarks while campaigning, elections commission says.

Christian Sia at a campaign rally. Photo: Facebook/Christian “Ian” Sia
The Philippines

From The Hague to home: Sara Duterte returns to Philippines for midterm clash

‘My job here is done’, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter said before her departure from the Netherlands, where her father is in ICC detention.

videocam
Bangladesh

Bangladesh court detains 70 lawyers tied to toppled government

All of the lawyers belonged to the party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a student-led uprising in 2024.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines

Is Duterte’s ‘capable’ daughter reshaping her image for a 2028 presidential run?

Showcasing a kinder image to overseas Filipinos, Sara Duterte-Carpio appears to be positioning herself for a future presidential bid.

videocam
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio speaks to Filipino workers at an event in Hong Kong on March 9. Photo: Sam Tsang
Australia

Australia PM calls election for May 3, amid inflation and housing challenges

The PM’s Labour Party is seeking a second term, but many expect the opposition conservative coalition to pick up seats.

13
South Korea

Court overturns South Korean opposition chief’s election law conviction

His supporters celebrated as a legal hurdle was cleared, but a Supreme Court appeal could change everything – and he still faces other cases.

Australia

Australia’s two-party system faces its biggest challenge yet: young people

Angry and frustrated young Australians want to make mainstream politicians ‘feel their hurt’ in this year’s election, observers say.

21
School students attend a climate rally in Melbourne. For the first time, baby boomers will be outnumbered by millennials and Gen Z voters at Australia’s next federal elections. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Call by Malaysia’s DAP for 2-term limit for prime minister draws PAS’ rebuke

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered the cabinet to study the Democratic Action Party’s proposal for a two-term limit.

Members of the Malaysian Islamic Party wait outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya for a decision by the federal court. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Filipinos’ anger over cuts, Duterte’s arrest threaten Marcos’ Senate slate

Addressing Filipinos’ concerns about bread-and-butter issues will be key to winning their votes in the midterms, analysts say.

videocam
5
Japan

‘Volcanic’ public anger over Ishiba’s gift scandal puts Japan’s LDP in crisis

The scandal has raised concerns about political ethics ahead of a crucial election, with analysts noting it reflects increasing public anger towards Japan’s ruling LDP.

videocam
Singapore

How Singapore’s opposition hopes to loosen the PAP’s 66-year grip on power

The Workers’ Party aims to build on its gains. Tan Cheng Bock’s PSP is back in the fray, too. Can they chip away at the PAP’s supermajority?

14
Supporters of the opposition Worker’s Party wave party flags in Hougang during the counting of votes in the 2020 general election. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s election battle lines set as body increases seats, redraws hot wards

The city state’s closely contested wards in the last election have been regrouped.

4
New electoral boundaries will increase the number of seats in Singapore’s parliament to 97 from 93. Photo: Shutterstock
Myanmar

Myanmar election to be held by January, junta chief says

The vote would be ‘free and fair’ he said during a state visit to Belarus, inviting the eastern European country to observe the election.

videocam
Bhutan

In a world of declining freedom, 1 South Asian nation stands out: report

Only one nation in South Asia was classified as ‘free’ in US democracy watchdog Freedom House’s latest report.

4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Singapore

‘Poor marksmanship’: Singapore’s PM Wong clashes with Pritam Singh over GST rise

Lawrence Wong rebuts the opposition leader’s criticisms of the GST, saying there is a need to make ‘responsible choices’ in his budget wrap.

5
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks at a press conference in Bangkok last November. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine military stays silent amid calls for Marcos Jnr’s ouster

As calls to remove Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr grow amid escalating political turmoil, the military is focusing on national security not intervention.

videocam
5
Pakistan

Pakistan NGO chief who alleged vote rigging has home sealed

Sarwar Bari’s report alleged widespread rigging in national elections last year, when a coalition of parties friendly to the military took power.

Singapore

How long can Singapore’s NMP scheme stay relevant?

The resignations of two nominated members of parliament have sparked a debate on the scheme’s non-partisan integrity and future relevance.

Parliament House in Singapore. The city state’s nominated member of parliament scheme faces a reckoning. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Most Singaporeans say budget sweeteners inadequate to cushion inflation: survey

Among 1,002 adults surveyed by a research firm, 55 per cent said the budget’s US$92.8 billion in spending was not enough to cover inflation.

Most Singaporeans feel the latest budget falls short amid rising living costs, according to a poll. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

‘Dark Indonesia’ for Prabowo amid major protests against costly policies

Student protests across the country underline Prabowo’s ‘blunder and mediocre cabinet’ but are unlikely to ‘rock’ national politics, analysts note.

videocam
Bangladesh

‘Critical juncture’: can Yunus overcome Hasina’s legacy and reform Bangladesh?

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, must rebuild the nation after Sheikh Hasina’s regime was overthrown, while dealing with resistance from her supporters.

videocam
The Philippines

Filipinos care more about daily struggles, not Marcos-Duterte feud: survey

About 94 per cent of respondents in a survey say they will vote for candidates who advocate increased job opportunities and food security.

videocam
Voters enter a polling centre in 2022 in Quezon City to vote for a new president of the Philippines. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore budget to be defining test of Lawrence Wong’s leadership: analysts

The budget, to be unveiled on Tuesday, is expected to focus on cost-of-living and job security issues, and also a chance to ‘win over undecided voters’, analysts say.

People walk along the promenade at Marina Bay in Singapore in January. The city state will unveil its budget on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Duterte’s ‘kill senators’ quip ignites controversy in Philippine midterms

Former president Rodrigo Duterte jokes that the candidates backed by him can win the May elections by way of “a bomb” aimed at their rivals.

videocam
Singapore

No more a ‘fixed-deposit account’: do Singapore’s GRCs need a rethink?

Large multi-seat constituencies like Sengkang have become a high-stakes gamble for the ruling PAP, analysts say.

7
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement