Malaysian scam kingpin walks free; Lee Kuan Yew’s pen up for auction: 7 Asia highlights

Malaysian officials are facing public backlash over the release of a scam kingpin who paid a 10 million ringgit fine, with some alleging the decision was due to his connections to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Meanwhile, Thailand is grappling with the aftermath of a school shooting incident where a student allegedly killed five people before targeting their grandparents at home.

The tragedy has reignited debates over the accessibility of firearms in the country. In North Korea, state media has suggested consuming dog meat to cope with the scorching summer heat, reigniting the country's controversial promotion of the dish. Meanwhile, a Philippine Navy officer, who was stationed at the sensitive South China Sea outpost BRP Sierra Madre, is under investigation for alleged illegal drug use.

In Vietnam, the country is experiencing a labor shortage in the seafood and garment sectors, despite raising wages, as it continues to encourage its citizens to work abroad for better-paying jobs. Singapore's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, is the subject of an auction for his silver Montblanc fountain pen, which is expected to fetch between US$23,000 and US$39,000.

Finally, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's efforts to reorganize the Southeast Asian nation around a more interventionist state have put him at odds with the country's so-called Nine Dragons, raising concerns over the future of Indonesia's political landscape.