Malaysia
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Malaysia

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

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Scams and swindles

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

World Health Organization (WHO)

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

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.

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A video by a man, whom online users identified as a businessman from China, claims that Malay workers in Malaysia have a poor work ethic. Photo: Nor Azam Budin/X
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.

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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.

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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.

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Vietnamese students work in a classroom at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology in Vietnam. Photo: AFP
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.

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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.

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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.

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Singapore’s Protection from Scams Bill grants law enforcement sweeping powers to freeze bank accounts and block credit access for suspected scam victims. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

The Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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.

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.

Ironworkers stand in front of a blast furnace. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak waves as he is escorted after attending court proceedings in Kuala Lumpur on January 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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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.

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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18. Brazil, which holds the rotating Brics presidency in 2025, announced on January 6 that Indonesia had become a full member of the bloc. Photo: AFP/Brazilian presidency
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.

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Chinese culture

Asian Angle | Malaysians’ embrace of Mandarin is a win for multiculturalism

A rise in Mandarin fluency is shown to help foster positive attitudes and reduce prejudice, but challenges remain in boosting inclusivity.

Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar the statesman? Malaysia’s complex PM steps onto the world stage

As his country assumes the Asean chair for 2025, Anwar Ibrahim faces the challenge of reconciling his ideals with thorny global realities.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Once celebrated as a beacon of reform, his reputation has shifted since taking office. Photo: AFP
Drugs

Ecstasy and agony: Malaysia’s festival drug deaths spur calls for testing kits

Experts say the risks are heightened by a lack of harm-reduction infrastructure to help festival attendees make informed choices.

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Revellers at Selangor’s Pinkfish Festival on December 31. Photo: Instagram / pinkfishfestival
Asean

Tariffs, turmoil and Trump: untangling Malaysia’s Asean chair to-do list

Can Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic finesse help Malaysia steer Asean through the storm of rising trade tensions and regional crises?

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Crime

Malaysian police appeal for information on 4 missing girls in Perak

The case comes after a spate of disappearances of girls across Malaysia, including one which led to a murder probe.

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia no record of documents granting ex-PM Najib house arrest, says govt

The former leader, whose 12-year sentence was halved last year by the then king, says an accompanying order on house arrest is being ignored.

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Supporters of jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gather outside the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Japan

Malaysia and Japan to develop green energy projects, Ishiba eyes defence ties

Among their agreements, both countries will jointly develop hydrogen energy and partner in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands at a press conference in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Chinese tourists

Family seeks US$378,356 compensation for Chinese tourists killed in Malaysia

A father and daughter died after an uprooted tree and part of a wall fell on their car in Penang.

Singapore

My Take | Can Johor-Singapore SEZ be a flag-bearer for Southeast Asia’s economic clout?

The SEZ aims to tap new growth areas alongside priority industries to make it the region of choice for businesses, but challenges remain.

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