ASLI INSIGHTS: Asia Unpacked | 29 August 2024

ASLI is back with more ASLI INSIGHTS: Asia Unpacked!

Stay tuned for more top news in Asia handpicked by ASLI and for our curated weekly roundup!

This week’s Asia top news:

1) Leaders Discuss Gender Equity at ASEAN Women’s Summit

The ASEAN Women Leaders Summit, recently held, spotlighted critical issues such as gender disparity in the care economy and strategies to enhance women's leadership. Discussions at the summit included addressing the underappreciated roles women play in caregiving and pushing for greater recognition and support. The Lao delegation made significant preparations, emphasising the importance of regional collaboration. Additionally, ASEAN member states released new guidelines to create a coordinated approach to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG), aiming to improve regional responses and support systems. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment across the region.

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2) Vietnam Prepares for Presidential Election Amid Government Reshuffle

Vietnam is set to elect a new president in October, following a significant reshuffle of senior government positions. The current president is preparing to step down and has been transitioning responsibilities to newly appointed deputy prime ministers and ministers. This shift is part of a broader government overhaul aimed at refreshing leadership and addressing political dynamics. The move is expected to impact the country’s political landscape, with state media and officials emphasizing the importance of this transition for maintaining stability and continuity in governance. The election will be closely watched as a key indicator of Vietnam’s political direction.

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3) South Korea Cracks Down on Deepfake Porn After Public Outrage

South Korea has pledged a stronger crackdown on sexual deepfakes following public outrage over their distribution in Telegram chat rooms. The government is facing criticism for not acting swiftly enough against the proliferation of manipulated images and videos used for exploitation and harassment. In response, South Korean officials are introducing tougher laws and enforcement measures aimed at combating the creation and spread of these illegal deepfakes. This move comes amid growing demands for better protection of victims and more stringent penalties for offenders, reflecting increasing societal concern over digital privacy and online abuse.

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4) Philippine Protests Surge Following Arrest Efforts Against Duterte’s Pastor

Protests have erupted across the Philippines in response to a police crackdown targeting Apollo Quiboloy, a prominent ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The protests were sparked by attempts to arrest the pastor, who is linked to Duterte and is accused of involvement in illegal activities. The current administration, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has defended the police actions, stating that the operations are part of a lawful effort to address criminal activity. This has led to widespread demonstrations, with many Filipinos expressing concern over the perceived targeting of Duterte’s associates and the broader implications for political freedom in the country.

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5) Japan's Ruling Party Set to Choose New Leader in September

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to vote on September 27 to select a successor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This leadership change comes amid a busy international schedule, including the U.N. General Assembly and ASEAN summits. The vote will determine Kishida's successor, who will lead Japan through key domestic and international challenges. The timing of the leadership election is crucial, as it intersects with major global diplomatic events, potentially influencing Japan's political and diplomatic landscape. The LDP's decision will shape the future direction of Japan's government and its role on the world stage.

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6) Malaysia Rises as Southeast Asia’s Data Centre Powerhouse with RM29.2 Billion AWS Investment

Malaysia is rapidly becoming a major player in Southeast Asia's data centre market, driven by significant investments and expanding infrastructure. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has recently launched its first cloud infrastructure region in Malaysia, located in Cyberjaya, with an initial investment of RM29.2 billion. This move is part of a broader trend as Malaysia attracts technology giants, bolstered by its growing demand for data centre services. Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, highlighted the strategic importance of this development, stating that "Data centres are critical infrastructure in the development of an ecosystem for the digital economy and their spinoff effects are huge." The country’s burgeoning sector reflects its increasing importance in the global tech landscape.

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