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This Year in Asia: Indonesia sex ban, Thai weed law, Kim’s secret daughter, China border reopening and other highlights of 2022
- Southeast Asia was in the spotlight with Anwar Ibrahim finally becoming Malaysia’s PM, while Singapore repealed its anti-gay law
- Meanwhile, Pakistan was wracked by ‘super floods’, South Koreans mourned victims of the Halloween crush, while angry citizens forced out Sri Lanka’s leader
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
With 2022 winding down, let’s take a look back at some of the big moments in Asia over the past year that saw crowd crushes, devastating “super floods”, new leaders installed in the region, Kim Jong-un’s secret daughter in the spotlight, as well as K-pop boy band BTS’ military enlistment.
02:28
Is Kim Jong-un’s daughter next in line to be North Korean leader?
Is Kim Jong-un’s daughter next in line to be North Korean leader?
Kim Jong-un unveils daughter
While North Korea kept the region on tenterhooks with a flurry of missile launches for most of the year, leader Kim Jong-un offered a glimpse into his dynasty’s next generation by revealing his daughter to the world for the first time.
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Observers said it was too early to tell whether Ju-ae, believed to be about 10 years old, was being primed as Kim Jong-un’s successor and suggested her public appearances could be linked to the leader’s attempt to be viewed as a stable father.
Thailand legalises weed
Thailand decriminalised cannabis in June to spur the economy but the law failed to establish the fine print of who is allowed to smoke, what, where, when and how.
Recreational use has exploded, creating a grey area of law enforcement, worrying parents and enraging conservative elements of Thai society, who are now pushing for the plant to be returned to the list of outlawed narcotics – or at least heavily controlled.
02:59
From prison to Malaysia’s new leader: Anwar Ibrahim appointed to top seat
From prison to Malaysia’s new leader: Anwar Ibrahim appointed to top seat
Malaysia’s Anwar realises dream
After decades as opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim in November rose to the top job in Malaysia. His political journey, which included a falling-out with veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad and two spells in prison, capped one of the most remarkable political turnarounds in modern Southeast Asian history.
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