Not easy to fly home to vote in Malaysia’s Sabah
Analysts say the return of outstation Sabahans will be meaningful but structural barriers still discourage them.
Politics
Thai court orders ex-PM Thaksin to pay US$500 million tax bill
The court ruled that the use of nominees to hold Shin Corp shares to bypass political office restrictions was unlawful and lacked “tax morality”. The decision reverses…
Why secular politics in South Asia still clings to family dynasties
Politics in the region, the writer says, is rarely about policies alone—it is about identity, history, and belonging.
Sheikh Hasina verdict: Dawn
Today, Bangladesh stands at a crucial juncture. Elections are scheduled for next year, and the interim authorities must ensure that full democratic rule is restored at the…
Widening graft probe pushes Philippines to ‘high political risk’ status
The Philippines now joins a troubling cluster of high-risk countries, namely Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, and Cambodia.
Paradox of choice for voters in Malaysia’s Sabah
With nearly 600 candidates contesting for 73 seats, and with as many as 14 fighting for one seat, the voters are spoilt for choice. But it also makes choosing a candidate very…
After Bihar rout, Indian Congress faces serious challenge to retain its traditional support base in Kerala
Political analysts suggest that the national narrative portraying the Congress as a spent force could negatively affect its prospects in Kerala by influencing voter perception and…
Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death for crimes against humanity
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 also hands down capital punishment to ex-home boss Asaduzzaman Khan for crimes against humanity. Ex-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned…
Philippine state palace, Vice President trade barbs after VP Duterte hits antigraft probe
In a message to reporters, Palace press officer Claire Castro said, “Those who are not clean should not pretend to be clean. Those who are not heroes should not act like…
President Marcos Jr’s battle for political survival
The writer observes: "What is striking is that many who fought the Marcos dictatorship with fierce resolve—people who once swore to resist every Marcos who came to power—are…