Protests in Indonesia over haze; Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal lingers on: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. Indonesia’s haze crisis becomes rallying point for student anger at Prabowo

The protests, taking place in several spots around the capital, have been organised by student leaders from the University of Indonesia along with a coalition of student organisations from universities across the country and civil society groups.

2. Malaysia still deep in 1MDB red as Najib heads home

Malaysia will still lose tens of billions of ringgit to the 1MDB scandal even after further overseas asset recoveries, its second finance minister said on Wednesday, as disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak prepares to move to house arrest.

3. ‘Singapore also at risk’: Indonesian minister urges calm over internet cable jab

Indonesia’s communications minister has urged calm after a former Singaporean nominated member of parliament (NMP) suggested the city state could disrupt its neighbour’s internet access, arguing that any outage would cripple connectivity on both sides.

4. Southeast Asia’s housing paradox: too many homes, too few buyers

In parts of Southeast Asia, unsold homes are piling up as developers struggle to clear housing stock – yet young buyers hoping to land their first property still cannot find an affordable home.

5. ‘Disgusting monster’: Meghan Markle’s dad slammed by son amid Philippine probe

The estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has called their father a “disgusting monster” after handing over a trove of alleged child abuse material belonging to their shared parent to police in the Philippines.

6. Thailand, Vietnam meat busts highlight growing risk of unsafe food on the table

A flurry of meat seizures across Thailand and Vietnam has raised fears of animal-borne diseases devastating regional livestock populations and unsafe food ending up on consumers’ plates.

7. Armour vs altitude: India’s light tank dilemma along China border

India’s new high-altitude combat tank was designed to go where its heavier armoured fighting vehicles cannot: the thin mountain air, narrow roads and small bridges along its disputed border with China.