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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

A giant dragon puppet decorated with flags of China on one side at a parade in Muar, Johor, has prompted a probe by Malaysian police. Photo: Kelab Info Malaysia/Facebook

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.

3 hours ago

China trade

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

5 hours agovideocam

Lunar New Year

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

20 Jan 2025 - 2:12PM

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

A group of Palestinians were evacuated from Gaza to Malaysia in August, 2024. Many of them have now asked to be returned home during the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Photo: Getty

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

Najib Razak

Explainer | What to know about Najib’s house arrest bid and the existence of a royal ‘decree’

The controversy is growing, as the government evades confirming its existence while Umno pushes for Najib’s release, straining the fragile unity government.

17 Jan 2025 - 9:55AMvideocam

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison officers after court proceedings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Scams and swindles

Malaysian freed from Cambodian scam centre over lack of computer, English skills

The 38-year-old single father, who lost 20kg during his captivity, had been duped into travelling to Cambodia on an offer to work as a driver for US$5,000.

16 Jan 2025 - 6:07PM

A Malaysian father, lacking computer and English skills, was freed from a Cambodian scam syndicate after being lured by a fake job offer. Photo: Shutterstock

World Health Organization (WHO)

Battle of the bulge: Malaysia’s police order officers to lose excess body fat

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain says any officers whose BMI reading is above 28 could lose out on promotion.

16 Jan 2025 - 5:29PM

Social media

Malaysians rebuke businessman over his ‘difficult’ Malay workers rant in video

The businessman says Malay employees tend to take leave very often, refuse to work overtime and have poor financial management.

16 Jan 2025 - 4:06PM

US-Asean relations

Trump’s defence pick fails Asean test, sparking mockery across Southeast Asia

Pete Hegseth, nominated for US Secretary of Defence, could not name a single member of the regional bloc during his confirmation hearing.

17 Jan 2025 - 10:48AMvideocam

Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025. Photo: AFP

Malaysian politics

Ham sandwich scandal exposes tensions over halal certification in Malaysia

The discovery of a sandwich with a fake halal label at a convenience store has ignited outrage and debate over certification standards.

15 Jan 2025 - 3:27PMvideocam

Authorities said the company that produced the ham and cheese sandwich did not have a halal certification licence. Photo: Reddit/abdulsamri89

Asean

Youthful optimism: how Southeast Asian students view their economic futures

Students in six regional countries are hopeful for the future, but worry about corruption, inequality and unemployment, a new survey shows.

15 Jan 2025 - 12:35PMvideocam

Singapore

Ferries, trains, cable cars? How Malaysia’s Johor can cope with SEZ rush

The state neighbouring Singapore is facing logistical challenges, with transport infrastructure stagnating for years.

14 Jan 2025 - 6:54PMvideocam

Indonesia

Should Indonesia be ‘very worried’ about Malaysia-Singapore SEZ?

Experts warn the new economic zone will be a ‘serious threat’ that could exacerbate Indonesia’s struggles to attract top-tier investments.

15 Jan 2025 - 4:45PM

Shipyards in Batam, Riau Islands province. Indonesia has 24 SEZs, six of which are in the Riau Islands. Photo: Reuters

Scams and swindles

As Singapore cracks down on online financial scams, will Malaysia follow suit?

Malaysia and Thailand are reviewing their own laws against online fraud, with an eye on Singapore’s Protection from Scams bill.

14 Jan 2025 - 3:48PMvideocam

Tourism

Muslim Malaysians promote mosques on TikTok after discontent over tourism video

Many highlight religious sites’ architecture after Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign clip failed to feature any mosques.

14 Jan 2025 - 12:45PM

Wellness

What is acupuncture and how can it relieve pain? Experts explain

Acupuncture is a popular TCM treatment. Two young practitioners describe the ways they use it and the benefits it provides.

14 Jan 2025 - 12:45PM

TCM practitioner Elizabeth Yau gives a patient facial acupuncture. Acupuncture has become a common TCM treatment. Photo: Elizabeth Yau

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia urged to boost health funding to ease burden on patient care

Lack of funding, chronic manpower shortages in government hospitals leave public dependent on private healthcare sector, civil society groups say.

14 Jan 2025 - 2:53PM

A patient consults a medical specialist at a hospital. Malaysia’s government has set aside 45.3 billion ringgit for healthcare under its 2025 budget. Photo: Shutterstock

China trade

Chinese, Indian steel and iron hit with anti-dumping duties by Malaysia

The provisional duties, which took effect on January 11, also targeted iron and steel products from Japan and South Korea.

13 Jan 2025 - 8:20PM

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia seeks gag order on Najib’s house arrest bid

Malaysia seeks to ban parliament from discussing Najib’s bid to serve the rest of his sentence at home, creating a headache for PM Anwar.

13 Jan 2025 - 5:57PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

The View | Why Malaysia is the Asian data centre market to watch

With its expanding digital economies and key role in communications infrastructure, Asia is seeing robust investment in data centre development.

13 Jan 2025 - 6:13PMvideocam

Visitors pass a presentation made by Google during the groundbreaking ceremony for Malaysia’s first Google data centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 1, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

Animals

Malaysia investigates viral video of cats being stuffed into sacks

One of the group of men caught on camera in the video denied allegations of animal abuse.

13 Jan 2025 - 2:32PMvideocam

A still from the viral video shows men throwing cat-filled sacks into a waiting vehicle. Photo: X / StarOnline

Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia’s participation in Brics matters

With Indonesia joining the grouping and Malaysia and Thailand as partner countries, Brics has acquired not just mineral-rich members but also key Asean voices.

12 Jan 2025 - 5:44PMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysian PM denies hiding document on Najib’s home detention

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak has been pursuing a bid to allow him to serve the rest of his prison sentence at home.

12 Jan 2025 - 2:26PMvideocam

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