Singapore’s ‘shameful’ fuel prices slammed, Malaysia Putin backlash: 7 Asia highlights

From Indonesia criticising Singapore’s fuel prices to the Philippines’ missile build-up, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

An oil refinery on Pulau Bukom off Singapore. Indonesia imports a large volume of fuel from Singapore due to its lack of refining capacity. Photo: AFP

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 slams Singapore’s ‘shameful’ fuel prices, plans pivot to US imports

Workers wait for customers at a fuel station of Indonesia’s state-owned oil company Pertamina in Surabaya on March 4, 2025. Photo: AFP
Workers wait for customers at a fuel station of Indonesia’s state-owned oil company Pertamina in Surabaya on March 4, 2025. Photo: AFP

2. In Singapore, Gen Z voters are less happy with the election results. Here’s why

A survey in Singapore shows different levels of satisfaction among the age groups on the outcome of the 2025 election, in which the ruling People’s Action Party, led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won a resounding mandate. Photo: Xinhua
A survey in Singapore shows different levels of satisfaction among the age groups on the outcome of the 2025 election, in which the ruling People’s Action Party, led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won a resounding mandate. Photo: Xinhua

3. Putin’s ‘second wife’ joke about Anwar draws laughs and backlash in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) is welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday. Photo: Kremlin/dpa
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) is welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday. Photo: Kremlin/dpa

4. India claims military superiority despite Pakistan’s Chinese weapons

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) visiting Adampur air force base in Punjab on Tuesday. Photo: India’s Press Information Bureau via Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) visiting Adampur air force base in Punjab on Tuesday. Photo: India’s Press Information Bureau via Reuters

5. How K-scandals are costing South Korea’s entertainment industry

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, embroiled in controversy over his relationship with actress the late Kim Sae-ron, sheds tears during a press conference in Seoul on March 31. Photo: Reuters
South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, embroiled in controversy over his relationship with actress the late Kim Sae-ron, sheds tears during a press conference in Seoul on March 31. Photo: Reuters

6. ‘Nerve-breaking’: is the Philippines’ missile build-up a deterrent or a danger?

A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) is fired as part of a US-Philippines live-fire exercise. Photo: AFP
A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) is fired as part of a US-Philippines live-fire exercise. Photo: AFP

7. ‘Never seen anything like this’: lizard found eating abandoned baby near Bangkok

In Thailand, a monitor lizard was found with the body of a baby in its mouth. Photo: Facebook/Nakon45
In Thailand, a monitor lizard was found with the body of a baby in its mouth. Photo: Facebook/Nakon45

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