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Malaysia

Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on Malaysia, covering politics, economy, society and the Asean member-nation’s relationships with China, Singapore, and other Southeast Asian countries.

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Head of State

Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar

Head of Government

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Rohingya refugee bodybuilder Faruk Arian poses at a gym in Bandar Utama, Malaysia. Photo: Faruk Arian

Myanmar

Stateless to strong: Rohingya refugee chases bodybuilding dreams in Malaysia

Shot and exiled from his homeland by Myanmar’s military, Faruk Arian was tired of feeling powerless – until he turned his trauma into triumph.

26 Jan 2025 - 3:00PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

How prosperity toss brings chaos to the Lunar New Year table

26 Jan 2025 - 1:23PM

Trending in China

Malaysian man finds love with Chinese woman who gave him launderette directions

26 Jan 2025 - 7:36PM

Indonesia

As Indonesia scores a palm oil ‘win’ over EU, will its biofuel gamble pay off?

Jakarta is celebrating the WTO ruling, but analysts warn demand and market access issues could stall hopes of progress for it – and Malaysia.

25 Jan 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

A worker carries an oil palm fruit at an oil palm plantation in Bogor, Indonesia, on January 13. Photo: Xinhua

Aviation

Lithuanian artist sues AirAsia over unauthorised use of Penang mural

Zacharevic said the airline’s compensation offer failed to ‘reflect the value’ of his work, accusing the company of exploiting his creations.

25 Jan 2025 - 2:15PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s support for Palestinians was unconditional … until it wasn’t

Public support for Palestinian refugees has waned after viral videos showing protests at a holding facility fuelled anti-migrant sentiment.

25 Jan 2025 - 12:00PM

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | So Chinese New Year prosperity toss salad is unchristian?

A pastor has called the Chinese New Year ritual of shouting good wishes while tossing salad ingredients high in the air ‘superstitious’.

26 Jan 2025 - 5:38PM

People tossing the ingredients of “yusheng”, or prosperity toss salad, during Chinese New Year, a traditional practice in Malaysia and Singapore for luck and prosperity. Photo: Shutterstock

Myanmar

In Asia’s forgotten war, reluctant rebels mark 4 years of bloody chaos

For thousands of guerilla fighters, the dream of a free Myanmar still burns bright – even after four years of ruinous civil war.

25 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM

Corruption in Asia

Vapes turn cash cow for corrupt Malaysian officials, netting US$45,000 monthly

The anti-corruption agency seized thousands of vape pens and arrested suspects, including customs officers, during a recent operation.

24 Jan 2025 - 11:57AMvideocam

Social media

Last laugh? Muslim comedian faces backlash over ham joke in Malaysia

Harith Iskander’s joke about ham sap kopi – a coffee drink – offended some Muslims, leading to police reports and calls for his social media suspension.

23 Jan 2025 - 8:56PM

Malaysian comedian Harith Iskander performs. Photo: Facebook/Harith Iskander

Asia travel

Insiders’ guide to Malaysia’s rustic island paradise, Langkawi

The largely undeveloped tropical getaway is a rare find – here’s how to get the best out of a trip and soak up its relaxed vibe.

23 Jan 2025 - 5:46PM

Dream Forest, Langkawi. Photo: Dream Forest

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia’s Anwar faces heat over ‘absurd’ rules on anti-corruption rally

Civic groups and the prime minister’s supporters berate him for imposing strict conditions on the march in a bid to obstruct the event.

23 Jan 2025 - 12:41PM

China trade

China breaks durian import record as Vietnam, Malaysia nip at Thailand’s heels

In a year that saw China import US$7 billion of the fruit – a record – upstarts Vietnam and Malaysia are eyeing Thailand’s top spot.

23 Jan 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Lunar New Year

Malaysians call out ‘profiteering’ as Lunar New Year service charge goes up

Angry diners question whether the extra levy truly benefits workers or boosts profits of restaurant owners.

22 Jan 2025 - 1:17PM

Malaysians have criticised restaurants for increasing service charges to 15 per cent during the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Shutterstock

Myanmar

‘No chance’: in Myanmar, Asean’s pleas for peace fall on deaf ears

Despite Asean’s call to prioritise peace over a sham election, Myanmar’s military rulers appear bent on clinging to power no matter the cost.

22 Jan 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing presides over a military parade in Naypyidaw in March 2021. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Malaysia makes a Trump pivot, seeing risks to its China investments

The managing director of Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund says it could face challenges in China – but remains bullish on India’s prospects.

22 Jan 2025 - 10:19AM

Asean

Can AI help Asean beat the scam gangs? Malaysia thinks so

Upskilling workforces, creation of Interpol-style Asean Cybercrime Task Force among proposals from Malaysian ministers to counter online fraud.

21 Jan 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Jobs

‘We work to live’: Malaysians push back against Chinese business norms

Many prioritise work-life balance over money, but recruiters say Malaysians need to find ways to boost productivity as staffing issues persist.

21 Jan 2025 - 3:08PMvideocam

Many Malaysian employees say work-life balance is more important than earning more money as a wage slave. Photo: Reuters

France

From Malaysia with love: France seizes tonnes of ‘aphrodisiac honey’

The packets of honey and gels, often tainted with erectile dysfunction drugs, also entered France by ship from Thailand, Turkey and Tunisia.

21 Jan 2025 - 10:07AM

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian police probe flags of China on dragon puppet at Johor parade

The other side of the dragon puppet seen at a parade to mark a Muar-based Chinese association’s anniversary was decked with Malaysia’s flags.

20 Jan 2025 - 8:34PM

China trade

Will Southeast Asia get behind Trump’s China trade war? It has 9 billion reasons not to

Both countries have said they will clamp down on US tariff bypasses, but Chinese investment into Southeast Asia - US$9 billion in 2023 - will complicate matters.

20 Jan 2025 - 6:01PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has vowed to step up a trade war with China. Photo: AP

Lunar New Year

Malaysia gripped by Sports Toto lottery fever, even 2 ‘lucky’ snakes show up

From office workers and senior citizens, Malaysians flocked to Sports Toto outlets to have a shot at winning a US$27.7 million jackpot.

20 Jan 2025 - 2:12PM

A man shows up at a Sports Toto shop in Kuching, Malaysia, over the weekend to place a bet to win a record US$27.7 million jackpot. Photo: The Daily News Zone/Facebook

Israel

Malaysia prepares to return wounded Palestinians to Gaza after fragile ceasefire

The Palestinians, who were evacuated in August, requested to return home during the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

20 Jan 2025 - 1:56PMvideocam

Social media

‘Shameful’: outrage in Malaysia as disabled man assaulted in video as people watch

The video shows men attacking the victim, kicking him in the face, prompting a debate on the treatment of vulnerable people in Malaysia.

20 Jan 2025 - 11:29AM

Asean

Malaysia calls for Myanmar ceasefire as Asean pushes for peace talks

The bloc also pressed for progress on a South China Sea code of conduct, aiming to address Beijing’s assertiveness in the region.

19 Jan 2025 - 3:55PMvideocam

Indonesia

In the shadow of US tariffs, Indonesia seeks a Chinese solar boom

With billions of dollars in Chinese pledges and regulatory reforms, Jakarta is betting big on solar – with a weather eye on US trade policy.

18 Jan 2025 - 5:30PM

A worker cleans solar panels installed on the roof of a traditional market in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, last year. Photo: AFP

Drugs

Malaysian police confirm dead Pinkfish concertgoers had drugs in blood

Toxicology analysis revealed the presence of drugs in the bodies of the four victims who attended the event in Selangor.

18 Jan 2025 - 3:26PM

Donald Trump

Trump’s tariffs threaten Malaysia’s chip sector, may stoke inflation: minister

Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz fears Trump’s policies could particularly hit Malaysia’s growing electronic chips market.

18 Jan 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

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